The third of Guy Haley’s 40k Blood Angels novels, Darkness in the Blood is a bleak tale of duty and necessity which explores both Commander Dante’s new role as Warden of Imperium Nihilus, and the unsettling growth of Chief Librarian Mephiston’s psychic might. In the wake of Hive Fleet Leviathan’s defeat at Baal, and the arrival of Roboute Guilliman with Primaris Space Marine reinforcements for the Chapters of the Blood, Dante plans his campaign to purge the remaining Tyranids and begin retaking Imperium Nihilus. Before that can happen, however, Mephiston’s burgeoning powers appear to herald a new danger for the sons of Sanguinius, as the Flaw rises in even the new Primaris Marines. Meanwhile, an agent of Belisarius Cawl travels to Baal bearing gifts of science and technology that might just offer a little hope.
It’s an interesting story with lots of moving parts, being a direct sequel to The Devastation of Baal, a link to Darius Hinks’ Mephiston novels and a general exploration of the Blood Angels in post-Great Rift 40k. The two main characters of Dante and Mephiston get the lion’s share of the plot, but Admiral Danakan of the Imperial Navy – traumatised and plagued by doubt – plays an important part, while Haley also touches lightly on Belisarius Cawl (by way of Qvo-87 – see The Great Work and To Speak As One) and young Blood Angel Teus (from Devastation) among others. It’s also as dark as you like; the first half or so is as bleak as anything else in the 40k canon, as the Blood Angels’ fleet is forced out of the Warp, Admiral Danakan’s fears grow, and a daemonic presence challenges even the might of Dante and Mephiston. If the end of Devastation brought hope for the Blood Angels, by now it’s all about the desperate grind of survival again. Cheerful stuff.
In places Haley takes a similar stylistic approach to Dante, looking back at Commander Dante’s rise from Eighth Captain to Chapter Master and contrasting the youthful warrior with the troubled, worn-out character he’s become. It’s a stark contrast which only emphasises the awful position Dante finds himself in (although at the same time illustrating his innate nobility), burdened by immense pressure to both protect the legacy of his Chapter and somehow follow Guilliman’s example and pacify Imperium Nihilus. No Blood Angels novel would be complete without a metaphysical examination of the Flaw and its effects on the Chapter of course, and the fear of what Mephiston might become (for Mephiston himself, as well as his brothers), along with the first instances of the Black Rage in the Primaris Marines, adds another intense element to both Dante’s burden and the novel’s grim content. These sections are all told in more traditional fashion through a variety of viewpoints, between them offering a broad view of life in Imperium Nihilus and a typically engaging insight into both the traditions and the current state of the Blood Angels, including the unusual position Mephiston holds within the Chapter.
Overall this is another smart, engaging story from Haley, neatly balancing elements of character study, explosive action and progression of 40k’s ‘current’ lore. Where it doesn’t quite have the impact of Dante or Devastation, however, is in the way it splits its focus between Dante and Mephiston. It does make sense to do this, given the wider context of 40k events and Mephiston’s character progression (no spoilers for those who don’t follow the game/miniatures releases), but while both main characters’ arcs are individually interesting, neither one has the space to perfectly shine, and there are one or two supporting threads which serve their purposes but aren’t quite fully wrapped up. That being said, for a book with an awful lot of ground to cover it does a remarkably good job…which perhaps isn’t surprising considering Haley’s strong form with this sort of storytelling. It’s essential reading for Blood Angels fans and another valuable addition to the ongoing 40k storyline for anyone interested in the wider setting.
See also: my interview with Guy Haley discussing both Darkness in the Blood and Astorath: Angel of Mercy.
Review copy provided by the author – many thanks to Guy Haley for sending me a copy of Darkness in the Blood, in exchange for my honest review.
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