Black Library Advent Calendar 2014

Series · 30

books · 2014-2016

By Nick Kyme, David Annandale, Rob Sanders, and more

Books in series

The Final Compliance of Sixty-Three Fourteen

2014

As Horus grinds the Imperium beneath his boot, emissaries from the XVIth Legion return to worlds sworn to the Warmaster during the Great Crusade to have them renew their fealty. With the Sons of Horus already at battle readiness over Sixty-Three Fourteen, a grim decision must be made... Witness the brutal methods of re-conquest enacted by the Warmaster and the Traitor Legions as the war for humanity wages on. This Quick Read is a fascinating look at the changes the war has wrought in Horus and the way he is viewed by the Imperium’s defenders.

Cold Roads

2014

The Brazen Claws’ long penitent crusade in the Eye of Terror saw them face all manner of foes, both mortal and daemonic. As the crew of the Cold Roads battle the servants of Slaanesh, Techmarine Llir is forced to make a decision that could save the crew of the beleaguered vessel… or damn them all. Any tale set in the Eye of Terror is sure to be full of sanity-bending twists and revelations, and Cold Roads is no exception. This Quick Read gives an insight into the horror faced by one particular band of haunted crusaders.

Repairer of Ruin

2014

Lupercalia burns, the might of the Traitor Legions reducing the last redoubt of the Sons of Horus to rubble. And through the ruins strides Apothecary Fabius of the Emperor’s Children, with an army of vile genetic experiments. But what does the twisted Apothecary want in the temple to the fallen primarch Horus? And will he find it? Fabius Bile has got to rank pretty close to the top of Warhammer 40,000's most devious and deranged villains (and that's a category with some stiff competition.) In this tale, you'll discover his motivation for what may be his most audacious plan ever - the theft of Horus' body. Performed by Ian Brooker, Steve Conlin and Jonathan Keeble Sound design and music by Simon Robinson Running time 20 minutes Produced by Black Library

Wraithflight

2014

As Hive Fleet Leviathan spreads across the galaxy, the eldar of Iyanden enact a desperate plan to stop a splinter of the fleet that could spell doom for the already-ravaged craftworld. Iyanna Arienal leads an armada of sinister wraithfighters and other deadly spacecraft to aid a human fleet in battling the tyranids – but her true motives may be far more sinister. Buckle up and prepare for supersonic combat as the wraith fighters of Iyanden take on a tyranid horde. This tale follows on from Guy Haley's Valedor novel, not essential reading beforehand, but awesome if you have.

Stratagem

2014

After returning from Calth and the Underworld War, Sergeant Aeonid Thiel is summoned before his primarch Roboute Guilliman. The fragile peace of Imperium Secundus is threatened by traitor warbands left behind by the Shadow Crusade, and a new order of battle must be written... One of the great things about the Horus Heresy series is learning about the characters and events that shaped the 41st Millennium, and few heroes are more pivotal than these two: Sergeant Aeonid Thiel and Rouboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines. As well as these iconic heroes, in this audio, we also see the beginnings of what will become one of the most important books in the galaxy. Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Ian Brooker and Jonathan Keeble Sound design and music by Richard Fox and Lauren Yason Running time 21 minutes Produced by Black Library

Yarrick

Concordat

2014

Returning to his master after secondment to the Armageddon 252nd regiment on Mistral, the young Commissar Sebastian Yarrick is drawn into a Chaos plot on Aighe Mortis. Contagion is spreading throughout the populace and the Inquisition require someone with experience of fighting the archenemy. After the horrors he has faced, can Yarrick find the source of the danger and destroy it? It's always great to see the origins of a character that will grow to become a legendary figure. Here, we see Commissar Yarrick years before he would grow to become the Hero of Armageddon, up against the foul machinations of Chaos. Action, intrigue, inquisitors, and heroics - this story has it all.

Enyalius, In Memoriam

2014

Marakitedes, berserker of the traitorous World Eaters, fights on the hull of an Imperial starship. Battling the vessel’s beleaguered crew and the warriors of the Ultramarines, he is fighting not just for the thrill of combat or to feed the Butcher’s Nails, but to honour his fallen brother, Enyalius, and send him to Khorne with a mighty host of skulls. Even crazed Khorne Berzerkers honour their dead, they just do it in... unconventional ways. Like all rituals of the Blood God, it mostly involves death bloodshed, and decapitations.

#8.1

Blood of Sanguinius

2014

Blood Angels Brother Kravin, grievously injured in battle with a monstrous enemy, fights to return to his battle-brothers before his body fails. Pushing his transhuman form to its very limits, Kravin knows that he must return what he carries to the Chapter – he cannot die until he delivers his legacy. Even the mighty Angels of the emperor can fall. In this short story, we witness the dogged tenacity of the Blood Angels.

#8.2

The Blooding

2014

Brother Helias of the Blood Angels, newly ascended to the Second Company, faces harsh trials as he faces traitorous Chaos Space Marines and the darkness that lurks within his own soul. Can he defeat the enemy without and the enemy within, or will he be consumed by the twin curses of his bloodline? This book shines light on the twin battle that all Blood Angels must fight - one against the foes of man, and a far more dangerous one against their own inner darkness.

#8.3

The Chalice

2014

Captain Laurentis leads the Eighth Company of the Blood Angels into battle against a horde of daemons to retrieve a vital artefact. And back on Baal, a Sanguinary Priest awaits Laurentis’s return. What sacrifices will be necessary for both to complete their missions? A great mix: action, as the Blood Angels take on a Daemon Army, and ritual, with a deeper look into the mysterious blood rites of the Chapter.

#8.4

Eternal

2014

Captain Froer of the Astra Militarum and his men receive a new ally in their attempts to push into enemy territory – a Space Marine of the Blood Angels Chapter. But as Brother Gammarael wages war with a monstrous foe, Froer gets a glimpse of the eternal darkness that lurks at the heart of the sons of the Angel. See the Blood Angels in battle against a truly formidable adversary, and get a glimpse into the darkness that hides behind their noble countenance.

#8.5

Honour and Wrath

2014

Long ago, the Blood Angels fell upon the world of Laudamus, crushing the invasion of the renegade Flawless Host. Now, history repeats as the Chaos Space Marines once again hold Laudamus in their grip, and the sons of Sanguinius arrive to reclaim the world in the name of the Emperor. A classic match up: Blood Angels against Chaos Space Marines. Witness the Sons of Baal in battle with the devotees of Slaanesh.

#8.6

Reflection in Blood

2014

A squad of Blood Angels, commanded by Brother-Sergeant Rafen, face off against a group of Space Marines from the Knights of Blood, sons of Sanguinius declared renegade by the Imperium. The traitors offer a gift to their parent Chapter, but can the Blood Angels trust anything that they provide? The Blood Angels face former brothers, declared heretics. Is this a glimpse at the fate of all sons of Sanguinius?

A Son's Burden

2014

The Blood Angels call for aid, and the Flesh Tearers answer, but Gabriel Seth’s warriors are already engaged in battle against traitorous cultists on the dark world of Nekkaris. As Seth and Chaplain Appollus prepare to leave for the Cryptus system, Sergeant Eschiros and his Scout squad fight behind enemy lines, unaware of the almighty sacrifice they may soon have to make... The Flesh Tearers are thought of as savage butchers (and there's a bit of that in this book, admittedly), but this story reveals a deep loyalty and nobility hidden beneath the mask of rage - a link back to their origins on ancient Baal.

#10

Vorax

2014

The Ring of Iron encircles Mars like a broken halo, standing as the last contested outpost of the Dark Mechanicum inside the Imperial Fists’ blockade. But those rogue priests and adepts lurking in the depths will soon face a new enemy, and the hunters shall become the prey... See the Vorax battle hunters in action against the traitors of the Dark Mechanicum. This Quick Read also gives an insight into the war for Mars that rages within the Solar System itself – arguably the second most important battleground of the entire Heresy.

#11

Ursakar Creed

Last Step Backwards

2014

As the dread forces of the Chaos-worshipping Anckorites spread from world to world, Cadian Shock Troop Whiteshields – new troopers tasting battle for the first time – are all that stand between the enemy and utter destruction. But when the famed general Ursakar E Creed enacts a dangerous battle plan to outmanoeuvre the foe, there may just be hope for survival, or even victory. The first Black Library story to feature the famed Cadian hero Ursakar E. Creed. See him in action doing what he does best – outwitting the foul forces of Chaos with tactical cunning and Cadian determination.

#12

Brethren

2014

Ultramarines sergeants Sicarius and Numitor spearhead an assault on a tau-held world. As their jump-pack clad Space Marines clash with powerful tau battlesuits, the two sergeants discover that the Tau Empire and the Imperium of Man may have as many similarities and differences – but does that matter when the xenos threaten the Emperor’s realm? All stories have their beginning. In this tale, we see the Ultramarines first encounter with the Tau. As the elite warriors of both empires clash, the differences between them become apparent. Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Ian Brooker, Robin Bowerman and Jonathan Keeble Sound design and music by Steve Foxon Running time 11 minutes Produced by Black Library

#13

The Word of the Silent King

2014

The Blood Angels and necrons, locked in a long and bitter war for the fate of the Gehenna system, are both endangered by the arrival of the monstrous tyranids. When the Silent King himself makes overtures of alliance, Commander Dante of the Blood Angels enacts a dangerous plan that could rid the Imperium of the Silent King forever – but when the two leaders meet at Devil’s Crag, everything changes… One of Warhammer 40,000's great mysteries is explored. Why did The Blood Angels ally with their Archenemy the Necrons at Devil's Crag? This story may have the answers.

#14

None More Loyal

2014

Crimson Fists Sergeant Galleas and his squad are assigned to aid an inquisitor who hunts a notorious renegade Space Marine. Setting out to entrap the traitor, the Crimson Fists soon find themselves surrounded and in danger – and their enemy may know them as well as they know themselves, as an ancient and deadly secret is revealed. The Crimson Fists have not had the best time of late - what with their home world near destroyed by an ork Waaagh! under mysterious circumstances. In this new story, their loyalty to the Imperium is pushed to breaking point as they come into contact with shadowy agents of the Inquisition...

#15

Ahriman

Gates of Ruin

2014

An Ahriman short story Drawn into a deadly trap, Ahriman and his followers must draw on all their power and skill if they are to survive an ambush by daemons seeking the sorcerer's soul. READ IT BECAUSE Misunderstood seeker of knowledge or diabolical Lord of Chaos? A bit of both maybe.Fans of the Ahriman series won't want to miss this latest instalment, as the Sorcerer finds himself snared in a fiendish trap as he and his followers seek to escape the Eye of Terror. THE STORY Ahriman, sorcerer lord of the Thousand Sons, seeks the fabled Gates of Ruin, reportedly a safe way out of the Eye of Terror, far from the eyes of the Imperium. But when he finds the Gates of Ruin, he discovers that he has been drawn into a deadly trap. As daemons attack, Ahriman and his followers must draw on all their power and skill if they are to survive.

#16

Vengeful Honour

2014

On the war-torn world of Armageddon, the Marines Malevolent and Black Templars come to blows once again. An honour duel is interrupted by the arrival of the monstrous orks, but when the battle ends, either Ballack of the Marines Malevolent or Vorda of the Black Templars will be dead… but by whose hand will the fatal blow be delivered? The Marines Malevolent are a Space Marine Chapter you love to hate. Arrogant, inhuman, but no less deadly for that. In this story, they must set aside their animosity and fight side by side alongside their BlackTemplar allies, what could possibly go wrong...

#17

The Value of Fear

2014

The Raven Guard under Corax continue to gather all leaderless loyalists to their banner, determined to take the fight to Horus and his heretics. In the industrial nightmare of the underhive, the XIXth Legion receive a lesson in terror tactics from the most unlikely of allies – the Night Lords... The Night Lords are often seen as the dark mirror of the noble Raven Guard, but how much of that is true? Are these two Legions poles apart, or closer than any within the XIX would dare admit...

#18

Herald of Sanguinius

2014

Crowned as the new Emperor of Imperium Secundus, Sanguinius of the Blood Angels faces the very real threat of betrayal from within his new realm. As ever, it falls to his Sanguinary Guard to protect the primarch, and Commander Azkaellon must resort to the most dire of measures... Not only is this story a fascinating glimpse into the mind of the Blood Angels Primarch, it also shines light on the origins of another well known character in the history of the IX Legion... Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth, Kris Milnes and Saul Reichlin Sound design and music by Richard Fox and Lauren Yason Running time 20 minutes Produced by Black Library

#19

Holder of the Keys

2014

One of the Fallen, the Dark Angels who betrayed their oaths and turned on their brothers, relives his past under the psychic interrogation of Chief Librarian Ezekiel. But with treachery and falsehood in his nature, nothing the Fallen says can be trusted – does Ezekiel hold the key to unlocking the truth and discovering the warrior’s role in the fall of Caliban? Half truths, rituals of mistrust and layers of deception – it could only be a new Dark Angels story from Gav Thorpe. Is this a glimpse into the fabled fall of ancient Caliban, or just a pack of lies from a deranged madman? You'll have to listen and decide for yourself. Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Steve Conlin and Toby Longworth Sound design and music by Steve Foxon Running time 21 minutes Produced by Black Library

#20

The Dread Sentinels of Dorn

2014

Investigating the silence of a distant star fort, the Imperial Fists are attacked by the monstrous tyranids. With their ship in danger, the Space Marines enact a dangerous boarding action into the heart of the xenos bioship, seeking to rip the heart from the aliens and save the world below. Usually, its hordes of tyranids that invade humanity's Space Hulks - well now the tables have turned. It's Space Marine against xenos monster in the depths of space - will the Imperial Fists succeed in their mission to destroy the hive ship, or have they just volunteered themselves as appetiser for the forthcoming invasion?

#21

Loss

2014

A squad of Raven Guard Scouts on their first mission encounter the horror of the twisted flesh-shapers of the eldar, the sinister haemonculus covens. As they fight for their lives against the deadly aliens, Brother Jevel begins to realise that his destiny is more complicated than he ever imagined, and the Scouts discover that the true enemy of a Space Marine is loss. It's the battle of the shadows as the Raven Guard meet their equal in the midnight killers of Commoragh. Who will prove to be the masters of the night? Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Ian Brooker, Robin Bowerman and Jonathan Keeble Sound design and music by Simon Robinson Running time 20 minutes Produced by Black Library

#22

Brotherhood of the Moon

2014

A Horus Heresy short story Accused of treachery, Torghun Khan of the White Scars tells his tale... READ IT BECAUSE Find out how the warrior lodges that lead so many Legions to treachery took root in the White Scars Legion. A must-read for any fan of Chris Wraight's Horus Heresy White Scars fiction such as Brotherhood of the Storm and Scars. THE STORY In the aftermath of the rebellion within his Legion, Jaghatai Khan ordered the trials of his wayward sons to determine whether or not they would atone. The proud Terran legionary Torghun Khan now stands before his accusers, and must account for the events that could have led him into outright heresy...

#23

Forgotten

2014

As they travel between warzones, veterans of the Tanith First and Only gather to tell tales and remember victories past. When it comes to Scout Sergeant Mkoll, his story, reluctantly told, is of a mist-shrouded battlefield in the night and a dangerous presence that lurked in the darkness, preying on the soldiers of the regiment. But just what horror could haunt the Ghosts? Scout-Sergeant Mkoll of the Tanith First and Only recounts a tale of a deadly and dangerous foe. But what manner of enemy could out-stealth the famed Tanith recon specialist?

#24

The Watcher

2014

A shuttle returns to the Solar System bearing the sole survivor of a traitor attack – however, delirious and so close to death, his tale remains untold. Ison of the Knights Errant, formerly a Librarian of his Legion, delves into the mind of the warrior, and the truth of it will chill him to the core... The Space Wolves once fancied themselves guardians over all Legions. Find out what happened to those sent to watch over the Night Haunter. Suffice to say, the Lord of the VIII Legion does not take well to guard dogs... Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth, Kris Milnes and Saul Reichlin Sound design and music by Richard Fox and Lauren Yason Running time 20 minutes Produced by Black Library

#25

Khârn

Eater of Worlds

2016

The Horus Heresy is over and The World Eaters Legion needs a leader.Their greatest hero, Khârn, lies in a coma.– but will his awakening save them, or doom them entirely? The Horus Heresy is over and the Traitor Legions have scattered, fleeing the wrath of a vengeful Imperium. The World Eaters are leaderless, their primarch missing and their greatest hero, Khârn, in a coma. The surviving World Eaters have turned upon themselves, the Butcher’s Nails driving them to ever greater acts of berserk savagery. Poised on the brink of destruction, the Legion needs a leader. It needs Khârn – but will his awakening save them, or doom them entirely?

Authors

Nick Kyme

Author · 73 books

Nick Kyme (b. 1977) writes mostly for Black Library. His credits include the popular Salamanders series and several audio dramas.

Christian Dunn, sometimes credited as C.Z. Dunn, is a senior editor for Black Library. Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

James Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television. DARK HORIZON, his new stand-alone thriller, is out now from Welbeck; OUTLAW, the 6th Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier, and the 4th book in the series - SHADOW - is available in the USA from Forge. His writing includes the Marc Dane action thrillers, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Marvel, Tom Clancy, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, 24, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more. For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow Visit James' website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series. You can also follow James on Twitter at @jmswallow, Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.

Joe Parrino is the author of the audio drama The Shape of the Hunt and the short stories 'Witness', 'The Patient Hunter', 'In Service to Shadows' and 'No Worse Sin'. He lives, writes and works in the American Pacific Northwest. When not writing, Joe can be found skulking through the rain-lashed forests of the region. Like the elusive sasquatch, he enjoys reading, writing, pestering friends, traveling and other assorted activities.

Mike Lee is an author, scriptwriter and game designer whose most recent credits include Fallen Angels, the latest installment in Black Library Publishing’s best-selling Horus Heresy series, and the dark fantasy epic Nagash the Sorcerer. Along with UK author Dan Abnett, Mike also wrote the five-volume Chronicles of Malus Darkblade, whose signature character has become a cult favorite among fans of Black Library’s Warhammer Fantasy fiction. In addition to his novels, Mike’s scriptwriting credits include Tom Clancy’s HAWX, a game of near-future jet combat, and Splinter Cell: Conviction, the hit sequel to the popular Splinter Cell franchise published by Ubisoft Entertainment. He has also contributed to more than two dozen pen-and-paper role-playing games and supplements, including the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade, Adventure!, Vampire: Dark Ages and Hunter: The Reckoning, published by White Wolf Games Studio. An avid wargamer, history buff and devoted fan of two-fisted pulp adventure, Mike lives with his wife, artist JK Lee, and their family in the United States.

Phil Kelly (born 1977) is the Creative Lead for 'Warhammer: Age of Sigmar' in the Games Workshop design studio. He has written over 60 gaming books in the last twenty years. He has also written several Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar and Warhammer Horror books and audio dramas for Black Library. Librarian Note: there is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Guy Haley

Author · 85 books

Guy Haley is the author of over 40 novels and novellas. His original fiction includes Crash, Champion of Mars, and the Richards and Klein, Dreaming Cities, and the Gates of the World series (as K M McKinley). However, he is best known as a prolific contributor to Games Workshop's Black Library imprint, and has sold over 1 million books set in their Warhammer universes.

John French

Author · 65 books

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

L.J. Goulding

Author · 17 books

L. J. Goulding is a British novelist, scriptwriter and editor, living and working in Los Angeles, California. His credits include 'League of Legends: Realms of Runeterra', the Black Library audio dramas 'Malcador: First Lord of the Imperium', 'The Heart of the Pharos', 'Scythes of the Emperor: Daedalus', and 'Mortarion's Heart', the novel 'Slaughter at Giant's Coffin', and many short stories for publishers in the UK and US.

Joshua Reynolds

Author · 83 books

Josh Reynolds’ work has previously appeared in such anthologies as Historical Lovecraft from Innsmouth Free Press and Horror for the Holidays from Miskatonic River Press, and his novel, Knight of the Blazing Sun, is currently available from Black Library. He can be found at: http://joshuamreynolds.wordpress.com Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Matthew Farrer

Author · 11 books

Matthew Farrer writes mostly for Black Library. He lives in Australia.

Anthony Reynolds

Author · 22 books

Anthony Reynolds was a Games Developer and manager at Games Workshop in the UK. Since then he's written freelance for a number of companies, including Black Library Publishing, Mantic Games, THQ, Bandai-Namco, Behaviour Interactive, and River Horse Games. He currently lives in California. Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. Anthony^Reynolds

Ray Harrison

Author · 4 books

Working in digital publishing by day, writing by night.

Chris Wraight

Author · 70 books

Chris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction. His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting. He is based in the south-west of England.