The Crimson Fist

The Horus Heresy #Novella

by John French

Becalmed in the backwater Phall system, the Imperial Fists’ relief fleet originally headed for Isstvan III has been waiting out the warp storms that waylaid them so many months ago. Under the assumed command of Captain Alexis Polux and seemingly forgotten by the rest of the Imperium, they hope yet to complete their mission and report back to their primarch Rogal Dorn, so that they might return to the greater conflict. But destiny calls as old rivalries are rekindled, and the treacherous Iron Warriors await their moment to strike – the feud between Dorn and his wayward brother Perturabo promises now to erupt into open war.

Read it because
It pits the Imperial Fists against the Iron Warriors – and that's always a classic match-up that guarantees a brutal and bloody fight to the finish.

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Novella, Audiobook, Short Stories, Military Fiction

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2012

About the author

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crimson Fist is an awesome Horus Heresy novella, a tale of old rivalries between two Legions turning to open war, with one of the longest, thrilling and awesome space battles in military sci-fi history.
A real page-turner and my second read of it after years was just as good as the first.

If we bleed, I thought, so will they!

[M H · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 **
I would not like it here or there, I would not like it anywhere

[J.P. Harker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a fun read, though I was very frustrated by Rogal Dorn's attitude. In other books he's seemed a firm but fair type, but his rant about 'How dare you think you might know better than me, for I am your Primarch' sort of got to me. He's literally just heard about the mass rebellion of other Primarchs and he knows that some marines in those legions stayed loyal. So, he knows that a Primarch can make grave mistakes and that his marines can be right, yet now is when he decides to go off on one about mindless obedience to your Primarch. Small thing to get riled about, I know (and I know the Imperium is almost 100% built by hypocrisy) but I still felt the need to share my irritation with my keyboard!

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XIII Imperium Secondus I Hope's Kindling (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus series and extras.

So, I only listened to this a couple of months ago, but I jumped into it without thinking when it turned up in this omnibus too and decided that I'm adding a re-reading novellas when they reappear because I'm already doing it with short stories and I generally have rather strong feelings about them either that I want to see if I still feel the same about.

This really is an absolute belter that both moves the grander narrative on, while really taking the time to get up close and personal with the characters so the emotional weight, epic action, and tragedy actually hit, which is frankly all I could ever ask for.

While it jumps around and back and forth in time and space, the story is essentially split between Sigismund on Terra confessing to Dorn why he isn't with the fleet sent to Isstvan to fight the Traitors and dealing with the fallout, and Pollux who is in command of the fleet in his place. Unfortunately, the fleet has been corralled and stalled by warpstorms and is starting to fall apart under the tension of inaction and malevolent psychic influence. With the Iron Warriors making ready to shoot Imperial Fish in a barrel and Dorn burning Astropaths to desperately call the fleet back to Terra, suffice to say there's a whole kerfuffle going on.

The mix of first and third person narration is handled wonderfully and gives the emotional and psychological access to characters I crave, as well as absolutely enhancing the experience of some of the ludicrously brutal and epic action sequences.

French's prose, dialogue, characterisation is just knocking it out of the park in this.

The confession scene is absolutely heart-wrenching and the elements of psychological horror and fractiousness of the fleet are sublime. The way Keeble performs it is fantastic too! The writing and performance put me in mind of that randomly exquisite dramatic scene in Game of Thrones in which Theon is ranting about the musician keeping him up during the siege of Winterfell--there's something almost Shakespearean about it.

I'm not always the biggest fan of big action sequences, mostly because the writing can get rather dull and repetitive, but in here it's vital and electric.

This is absolutely in a similar camp as Fear of Iron for me. It's not necessarily the best novella, but it's absolutely one of my favourites, with all the ingredients I want from the Horus Heresy.

Loved it even more this time and bumping it up to full marks!

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 22.41 Horus Heresy novels, 14 novellas (including 1 repeat), 72 short stories/ audio dramas (including at 4 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.

***

Intital Review 4/5

February 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus IV Shattersong (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

This was quite different in tone and perspective, which I really appreciated. I just wish I was so low on brainpower right now that I could have got more out of it and give more to this review.

Following the revelation Sigismund received from Keeler during he events of Flight of the Eisenstein, the First Captain has defied his Primarch’s orders and fled back to Terra with the dire warning worth facing Dorn's ire. This leaves Pollux stepping up as the commander of the Imperial Fists fleet headed to Isstvan. Unfortunately, they are all sorts of lost in space and isolated by warpstorms. Can an important message break through and what necessary sacrifices must be made in the service obeying orders or doing the right thing?

I really enjoyed this and it kept me engaged, even when my low sponns, high fatigue, pain, and ADHD brain was trying to do anything else.

This novella had some sci-fi gothic elements I thoroughly enjoyed and wish Warhammer stories would explore more with it being so foundational to the game. Seeing the effects of inaction, isolation, and doubt, surely exacerbated by heartbreaking revelations and the insidious influence of the warp on an Astartes was fascinating to see, as was the tumultuous rise(?) of a well established character from 40k lore. Also, seeing such tension between the Emperor's Praetorian and his leading son added some gut punching drama.

The flashbacks and language choices were great. I wish I had the brain to do this book and review justice.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 10 Horus Heresy novels, 4 novellas, 18 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 5 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.

[Timo S. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the novellas I take major issue with. It reduces the legion of the imperial fist to one aspect and drains all the depth out of Dorn’s character. The decision to just disengage and not see the battle through is ridiculous and no sane mind (esp not someone with the conditioning of an astartes) would ever do. Furthermore, the beginning of the battle makes little to no sense. The imperial fist ships await the enemy and as we all know there is only one point per system where the warp can be entered. That means they knew exactly where the enemy is coming from and perturabo’s force is all coming at the same time + you cannot raise geller and void shields at the same time. The ships are helpless at their arrival. This is the very definition of what modern aviation calls coffin corner. Unfortunately, the author has given this no consideration. It’s always a bad day if you read a book and have to realize the author shows no concern for the world he’s building. Excluding this novella from your read is highly recommended.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent story about the imperial fist and iron warriors.
Collected in shadows of treachery anthology.

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

альо, я читаю вархамер не для того, щоб плакати 🥺

[Jaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give it more than five stars. A master class.

[La Criatura]

An alright bit of background story. I love it when 40K peels back the veneer of grimdark military stuff and is just extremely fraught family drama instead so the stuff with Sigismund was super interesting, and— wait what do you MEAN “Konrad Curze tried to kill Rogal Dorn once pre-Heresy”. Can we talk about that? Please? Please?!

[Arnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ierindota The Horus Heresy sērijā ar kārtas numuru #22, Shadows of Treachery interesantā veidā iekļauj sevī stāstus, kuri norisinās vēl pavisam īsi pēc fakta, kad Horus atklāj visiem, kam rūp, savu nodevību. Kā arī krājumu noslēdzošā novele krietni labāk tematiski iederētos iepriekšējā krājumā šajā sērijā Primarchs, ka gandrīz ir vēlēšanās aplūkot šo krājumu sastādītājus.

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Matt Argueta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really strong entry in the Imperial Fist's story of the Heresy

The conversation between Dorn and Sigismund was powerful, and shows his resolve despite the angered shunning of his Genefather. The subsequent battle between the Fists and Iron Warriors near Phall was well paced, with several strong moments. French's prose and dialogue between key characters were very well performed - in the end, the pain is how you know you're still alive.

[Veronica Anrathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delaying this one for the longest time and I was oh so wrong to do so. Expecting a lot of Iron Warriors vs. Imperial Fists action scenes, I was very pleasantly surprised to read extremely interesting pieces of lore around Alexis Polux, a character I truly enjoyed in Pharos, and Sigismund, the absolute legend of a man. Very, very nice.

[Pavle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the Imperial Fists are my favorite loyalist legion, this does it right. John French has their number as he is able to make them unique, and feel as they should be through their characterization in the lore.
Worth the read.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever a short story was written about larger than life plots points interwoven with a minor characters back story, this is the one to read. The symbolism was chilling and entertaining. My only critique are the silly decisions made around the climax.

[Stèf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Touch confusing. I think this book was written for people who already have a decent grasp of the lore.
Story felt like it was building up the main character for future books and name-dropping major characters.
I feel like I have a better idea of Imperial Fists but not by a lot.

[Ravko Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 40k battle story almost felt like a movie. With handful of characters John French made it more personal and reliable. You can easily chew through it within one or two sittings.

[Thomas Langley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overly long fleet battles aren't really my thing I've realised. And that was most of this Novella. The Dorn bits I enjoyed and I always love a Keeler mention for she is best girl.

[Jakob M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. I'm impressed by the quality of French's writing.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool mentions of Perturabo and story of how Sigismund came to be

[James Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great content if you like boarding actions and good void battles!

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Imperial Fists are given time to shine in this short story focusing on naval warfare between bitter rivals. The void action was well written and exciting, feeling the story itself feeling epic in scope. I really enjoyed the scenes of Dorn back on Terra, particularly his interactions with his favoured son, Sigismund.

This is our introduction to the character of Alexis Polux, who will go on to appear in "The Unremembered Empire" and "Pharos".

[Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Retrebution Fleet dispatched by Rogal Dorn in the novel The Flight of the Eisenstein upon hearing of Warmaster Horus's rebellion arrives battered by warpstorms in the Phall system. While trapped in the backwater system of Phall desperately trying to find a way out and onwards to Isstvan the fleet is attacked by those they once thought allies. This novella primarally focuses upon the void battle between the Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors, a huge and detailed naval engagement between the two legions.

The commander of the fleet Alexis Polux is shown to be a warrior who is ill at ease with the burden of command but resolute in his duty as is the demeanour of the Imperial Fists.

As an aside to the action at Phall we are shown scenes on Terra between Dorn and Sigismund, finding out how and why Sigismund left the Retrebution Fleet and returned to Terra with Dorn.

A crucial tale in the series, this story branches off in several directions at its conclusion...

The Iron Warriors story arc is continued in Angel Exterminatus.
Alexis Polux and his importance as "The Crimson Fist" is followed up in The Unremembered Empire.
While Sigismund and the consequences of his actions and confession with Dorn is shown in Templar.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man!
While I wish we got to see more of this from the Iron Warriors perspective, it was still amazing getting to see one of my favourite Legions CRUSH their rivals. The story from the Iron Warriors perspective was amazing, and the story from the Imperial Fists (Alexis') perspective was equally good. The space battle was insane and kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole ride, and I actually grew to like the Imperial Fists in the HH with this one.(Most of what we have seen is just Dorn thus far, and their brief cameo in a few novels/short stories).
One thing that I didn't expect from this novella was the view into Dorn and Sigismund's relationship and characters.
I have been told that Sigis is pretty much the best astartes of the Great Crusade, and I have been eager to see him in action. But getting to see his doubts and his personality have been awesome as well. I really can't wait to see more of him and especially more of the Iron Warriors soon in Angel Exterminatus!

[Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novel is at least for now the main Horus Heresy novel solely about the Imperial Fists, the 7th Legion.And quite a great short novel it is! The space battle is very thrilling and the main characters are all quite interesting, specially the main protagonist, Alexis Polux, which will become the first Chapter Master of the Crimson Fists (which is my favorite Chapter besides the Imperial Fists, and to see his actions in this book made the Crimson Fists even better!)

My only issue is that, well, its a short novel. The Imperial Fists deserve a full novel 300 or so pages, like Scars (White Scars), The First Heretic ( Word Bearers), Fulgrim (Emperor's Children), Fear to Tread (Blood Angels) and so on...

But i take it that Black Library is awaiting for when it reaches the Battle of Terra, since that was the main action of the Imperial Fists! Only then we will have a real novel about the 7th Legion.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I managed to read The Crimson Fist all in one go. The book is a real page-turner. It is always a good sign when you are disappointed to finish a book because of the fact that you just want the story to continue.

[Alexander van der Pol · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We are told that pride is a virtue, but only when bound to humility."

[Hanz Löwe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I very recently finished reading the first book in the Siege of Terra by John French, for a first book of series, it really wasn’t exactly satisfactory, so I come back to this book to explain the problem with John French.

Case in point, so the Imperial Fists were winning, and were very close to taking down a traitor Primarch, suddenly they received a call from daddy Imperial Fists telling them to disengage and go home, obviously disengaging at this point means suffering heavy losses. So as a writer how would you justify that?

A bad writer would say, because it is WH40K nothing makes sense anyway, Imperial Fists rules and so they go home.

A mediocre writer would say, because they were the Imperial Fists and they follow orders.

A good writer would explain (artistically of course) the Fists’ philosophy of war, describe the inner conflict of the commander and weight the decision by all these different factors to arrive at a nuisance conclusion....

Obviously John French was a mediocre writer... or else I wouldn’t be writing this. And I feel this is very often the case with these sci-fi writers, they seem to struggle with writing convincingly and cohesively, more often than not they take the setting of the fantasy world they write in as given and forget that just because the world is already built for you it doesn’t mean logic doesn’t apply.

One could argue that in a fantasy world like this, that reasoning is sufficient. But then if you apply a world setting as default without properly defending it, it begs the question, is that world setting make sense in the first place.

So that is why John French is a second rate writer, he writes about interesting shits, but interesting is as far as he gets. He takes a lot from the 40K universe, but contributes little.