Bookworm Speaks!- Red Fury by James Swallow

Bookworm Speaks!

Warhammer 40,000

Red Fury by James Swallow 

****

The Story: The adventures of Rafen, Battle Brother of the Blood Angels continue as the Blood Angels face a terrible crisis after the devastating fallout of the Blood Angels Civil War. Their number’s severely depleted, Lord Commander Dante is forced to call upon the disparate Son’s of Sanguinius in order to make overtures to their brethren and seek a solution. All the while a sinister plot boils within the Blood Angels themselves and Rafen and his squad must contend with the fallout of their actions during the Blood Angels Civil War. 

The Good: What is good about this story really is the characters. Once again we see Rafen and he seems to be handling his guilt over the Arkio affair rather well even if he does succumb to ennui at times. What makes Rafen so compelling is in his reactions to the way the Chapter’s leadership is treating him. On one hand they view him with suspicion. Rafen was touched by chaos and the terrible curse of the Blood Angels, the Red Thirst and the Black Rage have awakened within him and it is only a matter of time before he succumbs to them like all of his brethren. At the same time, the chapter has been impressed with Rafen and can see greatness within him as well as his squad. The fact that his Chapter Master and Chief Librarian, who might as well be demigods to him seem to be quite trusting and on speaking terms with him. It is a classic example of someone who has had power thrust upon him when he never truly desired it.  This quiet humility is what makes Rafen such a good leader and a compelling character. 

The characters he interacts with as well are compelling in their own way. One of his squad mate’s Turcio, was one of the Battle Brother’s who had been corrupted and had sided with Arkio during the Blood Angels civil war but was determined to be free of corruption and now is attempting to redeem himself. His quiet determination and desire to prove himself worthy is a excellent trait that makes him relatable on many levels. 

Lord Commander Dante and Mephiston are also given a good performance. A common criticism of Warhammer 40k and many action stories is that the characters come off as one dimensional. This is not an incorrect conclusion. The Chapter Master’s can especially come off as one dimensional due to the distance that command require’s but Lord Commander Dante is an exception to this. He does a good job of keeping his emotions in check but we are allowed time by the author in order to see the man underneath the armor. His thoughtful nature contrasts with the fearsome nature of the Blood Angels and also contrasts with the fiery aesthetic of Gabriel Seth or Mephiston. 

Mephiston is the Chief Librarian of the Blood Angels and Lord Commander Dante’s second in command of Chapter. His personality is a little more active than Dante’s. A flame to a rock as it were. He cuts a fearsome figure but we catch a glimpse of his character beyond his fearsome reputation. 

The fact we get to see various other chapters in action is one of the strengths of this tome as well. In the novel verse of the 41st Millennium several chapters get more emphasis (i.e. the Space Wolves, the Ultramarines) and while the focus is definitely on the Blood Angels, the opportunity to examine other chapters such as the Flesh Tearers and the Angels Sanquine. 

The Flaws: The great strength of the novel is also the gateway to one of the larger flaws in the text. The Flesh Tearers characters do not get a lot of respect, both by the writer and the Imperium of Man. Gabriel Seth and Noxx and other Flesh Tearers are portrayed as being standoffish, confrontational and to be frank, whiny. This is explained that the Flesh Tearers are a particularly monstrous chapter of the Space Marines. Their ranks have already been severely depleted over the centuries by the terrible curses that afflict all the son’s of Sanquinius. Their violent, bloodthirsty reputation has made them feared by the people of the Imperium and by other Astartes, so it is understandable that they would be bitter and resent being asked for help when they are the ones who need help for so long now. But the Flesh Tearers are not helped by being so insultingly aggressive, more justice could have been done to them. 

Finally, the overall story does take a few more chapters than it should to really find its footing. There is sometimes not enough action and too much talking and vice versa. It takes too much time to get to the nitty gritty of the action that makes Warhammer 40k so beloved. A lot of times, its Space Marines arguing. 

Final Verdict: Red Fury is an excellent addition to the librarium of the Blood Angels and sure to delight any fan of the Son’s of Sanquinius. The action is great, the characters are memorable, and the reader will be biting their nails throughout the final act. 

Four out of Five Stars 

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