Valdor: Birth of the Imperium

The Horus Heresy

By: Chris Wraight

Narrated by: Steven Pacey, Jonathan Keeble, Katy Maw, Toby Longworth

Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A Horus Heresy character novel.

Constantin Valdor is the chief of the Emperor's Custodian Guard and is among the closest of His companions. As the wars of Unity come to their end, Constantin faces his greatest challenge, as dark deeds are required to pave Mankind's road to the stars.

Listen to It Because:

Delve into the era of the Unification Wars and discover Constantin Valdor's role in bringing about the Imperium of Mankind in an unmissable novel by Chris Wraight!

The Story:

Constantin Valdor. It is a name that brings forth images of heroism, honour and peerless duty. For it is he who commands the will of the Legio Custodes that most esteemed and dedicated cadre of elite warriors. He is the Emperor’s sword, His shield, His banner and he knows no equal. Clad in shining auramite, his fist clenched around the haft of his Guardian Spear, he is the bulwark against all enemies of the throne, within or without. Nearing the end of the wars of Unity, Valdor’s courage and purpose is put to the test as never before. The petty warlords and tyrants of Old Earth have been all but vanquished, and the Emperor’s armies are triumphant. What now for the nascent Imperium and what fate for its forgotten soldiers, its Thunder Warriors and armies of Unity? A new force is rising, one which shall eclipse all others and open the way to the stars. But change on Terra is seldom bloodless, and for progress to be ensured darker deeds are necessary.

Written by Chris Wraight. Narrated by Steven Pacey, Jonathon Keeble, Katy Maw and Toby Longworth.

©2019 Games Workshop Limited (P)2019 Games Workshop Limited

Just okay

VERY slow at the beginning. Got slightly better 2/3 through the book. Probably one of the most disappointing books yet.

Pitch-Perfect, Foundationally Strong.

Wraight has written a number of celebrated Warhammer books, but I think this is the one that really cements him into the top tier of the range's authors.
The writing has a great musicality to it without going flash, the plotting is focused without being single-minded, the story is freestanding but consequential.
I'd say it's a must-read for anyone who touches the Horus Heresy novels.

Avi Imperator

The Emperor Protects, great story about the founding years of the Imperium after the Unity Wars.

The EMPORER Bamboozles

This book does the interview scenes with a wonderfully realistic aesthetic that truly portrays the characters emotions, or lack there of. Big E is a petty creature who has no introspection.

Fills in some blanks about the Unification era

This book provides some valuable insight into the time of the Unification of Terra, Amar Astarte, & the Proto-Astartes, as well as, hence the title, the Custodes.

Jonathan Keeble is the voice of the Heresy, that is undisputed & over a short time has grown to fill the role very well, but a change can be refreshing occasionally. Stephen Pacey moves the story along well, but lacks the enthusiasm of Jonathan Keeble. All in all the Narrator did pretty well, spoke at a decent pace, there was inflection in his tone, & it was very easy to understand him throughout the Story.

The Story itself is very good. Like all Stories there is filler, but it is kept at a minimum while still making every “Scene” & conversation engaging enough to prevent an involuntary nap. Also the Story ties in well with what little Lore there is on all things concerned.

40K Never Disappoints

I always love a good history lesson and the Black Library consistently delivers. For the Emperor!

Val for Birth of the Imperium

Incredible just what I was looking for performance by characters was spot on and made you want to here what happens next I highly recommend

That was RIGHTEOUS!!! Superbly done and worth a second listening.

One of the best written and best acted Warhammer 40,000 audiobooks I’ve heard. I was riveted from beginning to end. most definitely looking forward to the next installment.

Excellent portrayal of the end of Unification

An insight into the birth of the Imperium. Enlightening, as it is devious! Ave Imperator

No revelations, just an awesome story

While most of us already know the beginning of the Imperium proper: end of the Thunder Warriors, the Primarch project, the Legions it's nice to have a character perspective about these events in finer detail, especially through Constantine Valdor.