Book Club Book #133: Dawn of Fire: Hand of Abaddon by Nick Kyme

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 the next installment in the Dawn of Fire series, Hand of Abaddon  by Nick Kyme. You can purchase it at Amazon, Black Library, or Audible.

From the back of the book:

Defending the Anaxian Line, Ultramarines Lieutenant Ferren Areios uncovers a dread vision that has ties to the mission of an old ally. Meanwhile, Magda Kesh campaigns alongside the 84th Mordian. Though she refutes her fate as something more than a mere soldier, is she truly touched by the Emperor?

Despite a fractious alliance, the Hand’s scheme is reaching culmination. Amidst the infighting, Tharador Yheng yearns to be free of her master Tenebrus’ shadow and claim her destiny. But another acolyte has embarked on his own path, the Red Corsair Graeyl Herek. Both vie for the favour of the Dark Gods, and the means to harness an ancient evil that could reshape the war between the Imperium and Chaos.

Questions to ponder after reading Dawn of Fire: Hand of Abaddon:

• Did you like the book?
• Which parts stood out to you?
• Kyme introduces a few little nuggets in this book, which were were your favorites?
• One of our constant complaints has been the disparate threads throughout Dawn of Fire. Did Nick Kyme effectively tie them all together? Did it make for a cohesive narrative? Was it compelling?
• And yet… the Kin are a new addition to the DoF series. Was it necessary?
• We now know what The Hand is after. Do we care? Are we caring about this? Do we like Yeng’s new role?
• We need to specifically talk about Kesh. Do you like the explanation for her “miraculous” continuity?
• Speculation: What does the Hand want with the Anathame? Guilliman? The Emperor? All or none of the above? ,
• Speculation: Is it possible to “wrap up”. the Dawn of Fire? What does that look like? What plots need to continue?