Book Club Book #100: Armageddon by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Every two weeks we read a new book in the WH40k universe and discuss it on our podcast. We invite you to read along with us and join in on our conversation via comments, Twitter, email, or vox cast.

For this episode, we’re reading Armageddon by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. You can purchase it at Amazon, Black Library. and Audible (for Helsreach only, sadly).

From the back of the book:

When the world of Armageddon is attacked by orks, the Black Templars Space Marine Chapter are amongst those sent to liberate it. Chaplain Grimaldus and a band of Black Templars are charged with the defence of Hive Helsreach from the xenos invaders in one of the many battle zones.

But as the orks’ numbers grow and the Space Marines’ numbers dwindle, Grimaldus faces a desperate last stand in an Imperial temple. Determined to sell their lives dearly, will the Black Templars hold on long enough to be reinforced, or will their sacrifice ultimately be in vain?

Questions to ponder after reading Armageddon:

• Did you like the book?
• Which parts stood out to you?
• Did you like Grimaldus as a character? What did you make of his point of view, his dogma, and his “feuds?”
• Did you like V’Reth? Who was “right” in their squabble? Were either good choices for Hive Helsreach?
• Do you like the Steel Legion? Does their story “fit” with Grimaldus’s?
• We both talked a lot about the narrative structure. Did it work for you? What would you change?
• Blood & Fire is an interesting companion piece to Helsreach. Why put these two stories together?
• Were the Celestial Lions out of line?
• Why this book, why now?