Godblight: Dark Imperium: Warhammer 40,000, Book 3

(spoiler free) Kudos to Guy Haley and the GW team for advancing W40k at last!I'll preface this by saying the roots of grimdark are clear. When W40k was developed in the 80's, the central concept of warfare was stagnation, ala Viet Nam, WWI, or the Cold War. Thus, nothing changed substantially in the "Long War". There were no "good guys"; nihilism is core to the setting.Stagnation is unfortunately ... boring. Starting with 8th edition and the Gathering Storm series, GW made the choice to retain grimdark elements while allowing heroes and villains, and an actual dynamic story where progress is possible.This pays off substantially in GodBlight. Guy Haley takes the Dark Imperium series, as well as tie-ins from the Psychic Awakening, The Great Work novel, and the Dawn of Fire series, and delivers with a great pay off.ProsOverall plot progress at last! We find out what happened between the Emperor and Guilliman, etc. The Psychic Awakening has a purpose.Non space marine characters are interesting and compelling, especially demons and humans.There are multiple, interesting discourses on the nature of godhood. Is godhood due to innate properties, or does it require attribution from others? How much is perception? How important is faith? These questions are handled in an intelligent way that advances the story.ConsSpace Marine characters, despite valiant effort, are generally boringGuilliman is portrayed as a master strategist, but his plans are incredibly simple and easily thwartedRequest greater change amongst the primarchs. We've got 20 - some are expendable.

Like so many other novels at the core of this book is the story of a broken family, of distrust and hurt. It matters little that this family is all powerful, the fact that it is about fathers, sons, brothers, knowledge and faith makes it relatable. How Guy approaches faith is better than many in the series but still lacks the depth that the supposed gene enhanced minds of his primary characters could bring to such a topic. However, for all of this it is still a good story, revolving around a broken family.

This book is worth the long wait. It ties up all loose ends, packed with action all the way without being a bolterp0rn and moves the overall story of setting on.If you like 40k you MUST read this trilogy and this book.

Great ending for this trilogy and a nice set up for the future of 40k. A lot of philosophy (and imperial theology) permeates the book. Very much worth it!

40k and it's plot is finally moving forward, my only issue is what the f was Guillimans plan to beat his brother if. !!!!!!! Didn't show up to save him, what, hehad no real plan but "TRUST IN YOUR FATHER AND HIS SWORD" told to him by a xenos. Great book love to see the big E moving and shaking

These books were great. This author really captured the setting with out going over the top in my opinion.

Awesome. Gman fights Morty, faith fights chaos, and the emperor stirs! Surprising amount of details about chaos and the warp.

Solid read, super important for 40k lore and the story going forward. I recommend the series to any fans of warhammer 40k

This neatly ties in with the Cawl story, caps the plague war nicely, and sets up so many more exciting, sustaining stories. As I fight my own (entirely internal) battles, I find the struggle metaphorised perfectly here.

Well worth reading. Traps within traps, but who is trapping who. More questions about the emperor emergent, and just what is the emperor now and what is Gulliman becoming.A great ending to the trilogy and sets up nicely for the continuation of the Dark Imperium.

This book stole my sleep I could barely put it down the endingssss brilliant the writing intriguing beautifully presented great flow loved it

A truly bab climax to the DI story line

Well written and expands the 40K universe in a thought provoking manner with good periods of non-action contemplation from the anathema’s son