With the Wolves at the center, the story goes like this: the problem is the Orks, who are very hard to deal with, so help is needed. It arrives, but being who they are, the Space Wolves are not quick to accept it. To make it happen, Guilliman himself comes, and a formal banquet is held to persuade them that they must integrate the Primaris into their forces if they want any chance of victory. It goes without saying that all this takes place during the Indomitus Crusade, so everything I mentioned in my previous two pieces applies here as well, and I will add the links at the end for anyone who wants to take a look.
Gaius, the leader of the Primaris team that turns up to help, is asked to undergo a trial that is sacred to the Wolves, and he passes it. For me, this is the best part of the book, because it shows how he is accepted and how much weight is placed on ritual to preserve tradition over time. Grimnar, the leader of the sons of Leman Russ, is cautious, because he believes the identity of his Chapter is being distorted, but in the end he accepts the newcomer. He has his reasons and explains them, and I agree with his thinking, yet he acted correctly, because times bring change and you must adapt, otherwise you will be wiped out. His initial refusal rests on the idea that the Primaris are Guilliman’s constructs, so they are tools rather than brothers.
Another important element is the title itself. Wolftime is essentially a prophecy, and like all prophecies it is enigmatic and never says exactly what it means. On that ambiguity the book builds a parallel mystery, which it develops well. To give an idea of what Wolftime is, it is something like Ragnarok.
While all this is going on, as I mentioned at the start, the Orks are raging back and forth, and amid their revelry there is a nod to Ghazghkull Thraka, their famed warlord. He does not take an active role in the book’s events, but he is very much present in the background. How epic is that? Whenever Orks show up, the reading immediately becomes more fun.
As for the writing, we are talking about Gav Thorpe, a seasoned veteran, part of that Black Library cohort that built the imprint with their books. He has written more than twenty, and here he is fairly introspective. He gives plenty of insight into the Space Wolves’ mindset and behavior, which is interesting on its own, lorewise. My only complaint is that the book drifts a little from the broader frame of the Indomitus Crusade, although I understand it is still part of everything that is happening and needs to be, because the Space Wolves matter. Spending time on them has value for what follows. Besides, I always prefer character-driven stories to the hundred, so to speak, simultaneous fronts where chaos reigns and, if you are a bit tired while reading and miss something, nothing makes sense afterward. Either way, I enjoyed it. On to the next one!
Until next time — be well, and keep reading.
It’s important!
https://currentreadings25.blogspot.com/2025/08/34-warhammer-40k-dawn-of-fire-gate-of.html
Accompanying Notes:
I was thinking of starting the Dawn of Fire series. Is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it’s worth getting into, as long as you have an idea of the situation and the timeframe. I haven’t finished the series yet, but so far I’m very satisfied. The second book in particular has an incredible setting. All three that I’ve read are certainly worthwhile books.
Delete