Black Library Celebration 2019 Books

A Horus Heresy story The webway war is over, the Blood Angels have arrived on Terra and preparations for the final battle have begun. But can Arkhan Land solve a problem and fix the issues that stop the Blood Angel Zephon from fighting alongside his brothers once more? READ IT BECAUSE The deliciously amoral tech-priest Arkhan Land was one of the highlights of The Master of Mankind, and this story delves further into exactly what he's willing to do in order to solve a tricky problem – and what consequences can arise from his actions. THE STORY At the height of the Webway War, renowned Mechanicum technoarchaeologist Arkhan Land ventured into that alien labyrinth in defence of the Imperium. At his side was a wounded warrior of the Blood Angels, Zephon. Now, Land faces a great challenge – to repair the damage done to Zephon, partly as a result of the tech-priest's own tinkering. But how can Land succeed where the greatest of Apothecaries have failed? And when all is done, will the only person the tech-priest comes close to calling friend still be the same man? Written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

A Horusian Wars story A message from a distant cousin sets Viola von Castellan – backed by the authority of Inquisitor Covenant – on the trail of a mysterious cartel with murky motives. READ IT BECAUSE It's a fascinating look into the post-Gathering Storm Imperium, and told in a very different way – through a series of communications and reports making up an Inquisition case file. THE STORY Among the companions of Inquisitor Covenant are scions of the famed von Castellan dynasty, a mercantile clan with links to many other such families throughout the Imperium. When a member of one such family reaches out to Viola von Castellan with a tale of woe that began with the dawning of the Great Rift, an investigation begins into the mysterious Cytos Cartel, an organisation that has wormed its way into the heart of the Imperium – but to what sinister purpose? Written by John French

A Primarchs story After a year in the Imperium, Mortarion has yet to lead his sons in battle – and is still unsure of his place in this galactic empire. Will a meeting with the Emperor ease his doubts, or harden his distaste for his new situation? READ IT BECAUSE Mortarion's early years are fascinating, and this tale not only delves into his deepest doubts and fears, and sows the seeds of his later treachery, but also shows how difficult his relationship with the Emperor was from the very beginning – and how he came by his infamous pistol, the Lantern. THE STORY One year after the coming of the Emperor to Barbarus, Mortarion and his Legion – the newly renamed Death Guard – have yet to strike out and join the Great Crusade. The primarch is wracked with doubts about his place in this Imperium of Man, and still angry that the Emperor robbed him of his vengeance against the alien father who raised and tortured him. When he is summoned to attend the Emperor on his flagship, will his resentment spill out and threaten the relationship between them? Or will the Deathlord master his emotions and embrace the Emperor's light? Written by James Swallow

A Severina Raine story Amidst the endless war of the 41st Millennium, the Emperor's soldiers must take what quiet moments of comradeship they can – and as Commissar Severina Raine and Captain Andred Fel share such a moment, they bond over the horrors of their past. READ IT BECAUSE Rachel Harrison explores the ways in which the Imperium forges its weapons through the Schola Progenium, laying bare the hideous trials future commissars and storm troopers are put through in order to ensure that they really are the best of the best. THE STORY As their war against the Chaos cult known as the Sighted rages on, the 11th Antari Rifles have been forced into the safety of underground tunnels. As her foes bombard the surface, Commissar Severina Raine patrols the tunnels, and finds kinship with another survivor of the Schola Progenium. Remembering the trials she underwent as a would-be commissar, she asks Militarum Tempestus captain Andred Fel about what he underwent. As they share stories, both face up to the horror of their pasts, and the hope of their future. Written by Rachel Harrison

A Primarchs story Angron, former gladiator and slave, and now leader of a rebellion against the High-riders of Nuceria, prepares to sell his life dearly in the name of freeing his people from torture. But fate has other plans… READ IT BECAUSE Angron's time after being plucked from Nuceria has been explored, as has the scars it left with him, both physical and emotional. Now, for the first time, witness the day his life changed forever. THE STORY On the world of Nuceria, the last day of the slave rebellion is nigh. From the hundreds freed by Angron, barely more than fifty remain, hiding in the mountains, feeding on the rich blood of their saviour in lieu of real food. As the High-riders, the so-called nobles who tortured the slaves and made them fight for their own amusement, gather their forces to bring the rebellion down once and for all, Angron prepares to sell his life dearly. But other forces are moving. In the skies about Nuceria, the Emperor of Mankind is preparing to meet one of his long-lost sons. And that meeting will be a fateful one… Written by Ian St. Martin

A Blood Angels story High Chaplain Astorath of the Blood Angels travels to the world of Asque, where a brother of the blood has succumbed to the Black Rage. It falls to the Redeemer of the Lost to find and end the lost warrior, and to complete the mission he began. READ IT BECAUSE Astorath is one of the most terrifying and fascinating heroes of the Blood Angels, and this tale shows him about his grisly work, and delves into exactly what it takes to be the one to end the suffering of his cursed and tortured brothers. THE STORY As High Chaplain of the Blood Angels, it is the role of Astorath to bring peace to those of the blood of Sanguinius who have fallen victim to the Black Rage. Wherever they are, whatever their mission, when the curse takes them, Astorath will come. He comes now to the world of Asque, a place of towering fungal forests – and nightmares. A force of Blood Angels have saved the people of Asque from the grip of monsters, but one among them has been gripped by madness. Astorath must hunt and bring peace to this benighted warrior, as befits the Redeemer of the Lost. Written by Guy Haley