Blood of Iax

Warhammer 40,000

By: Robbie MacNiven

Narrated by: John Banks

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In the age of the Dark Imperium, Primarch Guilliman’s Primaris Ultramarines are a shining beacon in the darkness of war.

On the Imperial Hive World of Ikara IX, Chaplain Kastor and Apothecary Polixis, brothers in blood as well as in battle, stand firm against the endless Greenskin horde. But a threat is looming. An invasion like no other assaults the broken city of Shebat, as the crazed warlord Urgork arrives to lay waste to the Imperial forces and capture a Primaris Marine for his own twisted ends.

As Kastor and Polixis find themselves separated by the disaster that unfolds, the brothers must turn the tide of war to win the battles that rage within their very natures, as well as those upon the battlefield.

©2018 Games Workshop Limited (P)2018 Games Workshop Limited

Very cool but different twist on “brothers”

Good story and performance. It was very cool seeing two actual blood brothers fighting side by side.

Great introduction to Orks and Primaris

The previous Primaris focused book was "Dark Imperium". This book blows it out of the water in its portrayal of the Primaris as well as the Orks.

On Primaris, this story shows how they have been trying to reconcile their existence within the Imperium. The Chaplin and Apothecary are blood brothers as well as Battle Brothers and this is a great theme. Both are opposites of each other with the Black and White armor of each being the most noticeable, but it delves deeper into their philosophies as well. Additionally the Reivers squad gets special mention as their practices are considered so out of place among the Marines. The author discusses the differences in combat tactics that they employ. Unlike the "Dark Imperium" novels these differences are allowed to be examined.

From the Ork perspective this is the best book since the Beast Arises as it gives the Orks character and purpose. The Warboss is a unique character on his own, but the cast of Ork characters does not end with him. His second in command Painboy is quite characterful. The various Ork Kommandos show how the Orks interpret Human culture as well as tactics. Of course from the Imperium perspective the Orks are attacking this planet just because they are war-like, but early on in the book the Warboss reveals there is a purpose. In earlier Black Library books Orks didn't have plots or goals, they were faceless hordes that were meant for the Space Marines to kill as they contemplated the grisly nature of war and philosphy.

Now we see a story that shows brotherhood and how deep family bonds go. As well as a quest for survival.

Each new book by the Black Library is a showcase for the armies it covers. This one does a good job of allowing the reader to understand more than just the clip notes version and extrapolate how these soldiers might function in their own tabletop army.

The narrator does a great job in both the Space Marine voices as well as the Orks. The Reiver Sgt has a low threatening voice, Apothecary is analytical, and the Chaplin is stoic. The Orks themselves have the brutish Warboss, cunning Painboy, and two very distinct Kommandos who you can easily tell apart. Good job, John Banks, good job indeed.

Great story and a good reader

I've never heard of space Marines being actual blood brothers before. it definitely adds to the story and the plot is definitely unique to other 40k books I've read. would highly recommend

A great stand alone story.

This was a pleasant suprise. I had been intrigued. So I purchased thus one. And I am glad that I did. It has little bearing on the wider 40k universe as a whole. And in fact us a refreshing listen\ read due in part to its singular story type off feeling. I however would enjoy a follow up eagerly. ...

Superb Narration

The Narrator did such a splendid job I will seek out further works by him specifically. I’ve heard about 15 books and this one stands out.

The story was unique as it is a first of relatable feelings coming from Space Marines. Usually the characters are too stoic but having blood brothers in the actual same unit made this unique.

Highly recommend for Space Marine and Orc lovers

the emperor is OP

the Xenos exist to be purged, and I exist to purge them in the name of the emperor.

One of the best!

This book is well written and well performed. It is has some of the most dynamic characters in the series. This was a great listen. I highly recommend.

amazing

Omg.... this book is so good, just how the actual brother see each other, making me what to have a younger brother, I would say best space marine book on the market atm

lots of character , low on plot

great performance and a novel concept-- post human space marine battle brothers who are actually brothers. unfortunately, the novel concept is placed in a simple undeveloping setting: a straight forward battle with the bruting orks. there's some ghosts of better, more involved story that explores the nature of brotherhood, but it doesn't really come to anything.

fun story of orks versus ultramarines

very good story outlining the functions of specialized units in the ultramarines and brotherly loyalty even after post human transformation.