The Gate of Bones

Dawn of Fire: Warhammer 40,000, Book 2

By: Andy Clark

Narrated by: John Banks

Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Book two of the Dawn of Fire series

As the Indomitus Crusade spreads across the Imperium Sanctus, the cardinal world Gathalamor is caught in the grip of war - but when an ancient evil is unearthed, the entire crusade is threatened....

Listen to it because: with the crusade in full flow, get your first look at the full scale of the horrors inflicted upon the Imperium and the determination of Guilliman to defeat them and reunite the emperor's realm.

The story: as the Indomitus Crusade begins, fleets of mighty warships leave Terra on a vital quest to stabilise Imperium Sanctus in the wake of the Great Rift. The returned primarch, Roboute Guilliman, leads a huge force towards the shrine world of Gathalamor, where stable warp routes will allow the flotilla to spread across the beleaguered southern half of the Imperium.

But grave tidings reach the Imperial Regent’s ears. Warnings from an ancient race, and eerie silence from the army tasked with holding Gathalamor until his arrival, lead Guilliman to send a reconnaissance mission to the world, at its head, Shield-Captain Achallor of the Adeptus Custodes.

Achallor discovers a world on the brink: a beaten Imperial force and sinister agents of Abaddon the Despoiler who have unearthed an ancient evil - a weapon that when harnessed not only threatens the primarch, but perhaps the holy Throne of Terra itself....

Written by Andy Clark. Narrated by John Banks.

©2020 Games Workshop Limited (P)2020 Games Workshop Limited

great story

loved the story and had more than a few laughs, great single story. Would recommend to readers who like warhammer

Among the Best

This is quite an excellent book. If you like stories of realistic people struggling through otherworldly horror and strife, then you'll enjoy this one. The author does an excellent job of displaying the humanity of the characters, even the "evil" ones. In fact, the antagonists of this story are some of the more interesting and sympathetic ones. Clark does a great job of giving the villains an understandable motivation, particularly the Warpsmith of the Iron Warriors, who has his own martial honor. The themes of religious zealotry got on my nerves a bit, but it's not presented as necessarily a good thing. It serves a purpose, and it is not celebrated in the overall narrative. It gives color to the futuristic Dark Age the story is set in, but be prepared for it, it's a lot!

Overall, I think the Dawn of Fire books are among some of the better novels in the franchise. It isn't the most flashy. Most of the characters are quite ordinary. But that is its strength. You get some very real people feeling things you'll be able to relate to, which is very good in a setting this stylized and outlandish.

The Battle for Gathalamor!

Custodes, Imperial Fists, Imperial Guard, and Sisters of Battle vs Word Bearers and Iron Warriors. It’s a helluva fight!

The big boss battle at the end of the book was a bit disappointing and the backstory for a lot of the humans felt unnecessary, but overall a great read in the Dawn of Fire series.

good 40k book

read this awhile ago. i dont remember alot but it was pretty good and enjoyable while reading. its was real cool seeing reactions to custodes though.

Best 40k book Ive listened to/read...

I dont give very many 5 star reviews-- especially for this genre, but if you are in doubt this book hits all the marks-- great characters, great dialogue, good battles that arent boring. This tale advances the 40k lore with Guillman starting his crusade. Characters have rewarding payoffs and annoying protagonists die! This was a real treat to listen to!!

Amazing!

This book has a little bit of everything, Space Marines, Custodes, Sisters, Guard, and even Knights. Not only do you get awesome scene of battles but also a little drama and the paths and consequences some of the characters really hits home. The Generals scene at the end was particularly moving.

Further illustrates a fragmenting Imperium

Dawn of Fire turns up the heat, but no smoke yet. Gate of Bones is a pretty good stand-alone story with the Indomitus Crusade as a backdrop. Horusy Heresy references are sprinkled throughout the story, but don't allude to much we haven't already heard about. Many characters are introduced, most of which have satisfying arcs and development. John Banks is great at what he does.

Good follow up

Good follow up to book 1. Characters are still really well developed, though I'd say book 1 was a little more compelling. I did like that we got perspective from 2 heretic Astartes though, a Wprd Bearer and Iron Warrior.

Very little plot Armor

A pit of a shake up if I am being honest. The 40k universe is always Grim Dark. This time it feels more so. You have your standard list of heroes and villains, however the usual ending of the heroes coming out on top is off in this one. The battles feel hard fought with sacrifices and victory nor easily. This all leads to an ending that is bittersweet and more melancholic than usual. it is a good read and leaves me waiting for the next one.

great read

I couldn't decide which side to root for! Chaos and imperium were both great.