Shield of Baal (Space Marine Battles)

Another great Warhammer book

Overall, not bad. First off, there are 3 short stories/novellas in this collection. I think the first short story in this book was pure awesome! It was all about the Blood Angels, specifically the 1st Company, the Shield of Baal, as the title advertises. It was really well written (Thanks Josh Reynolds!) with some pretty decent twists and turns. It's no surprise that there are Tyranids in this book, and the author brings a new perspective to the Tyranids that works, plus pages full of Terminator vs Tyranid action, w/ the added bonus of (SPOILER!!!) The Death Company, which is awesome, you don't hear much of them in the 40k books.Unfortunately, the next 2 short stories feature the enemies more than the actual Blood Angels. For some weird reason, the second story doesn't feature them at all!! It doesn't even take place on the plant or same system the Blood Angels were on in the first story and in my opinion has no reason for being in this book.The last short story features the Blood Angels only partially, mostly at the end. It focuses more on the Necrons more than anything and it was kind of interesting having a story where Necrons and Tryanids duke it out but reminder... the book is called SHIELD of BAAL! Again, I've no idea why Black Library is permitting these irrelevant collections w/ misleading titles... Actually, I can think of a few reasons but out of respect for the publicness of this forum I won't say more, just that BL is making some messed up choices, and for Emperor's Sake, stay focused, huh?Get it if you want to read a wide ranging collection but don't expect much on the Blood Angels after the 1st story, it's really good short story, but not worth the full retail price, just wait.

This Space Marines Battle title is made up of three different stories, all of which take place in the context of the invasion of the Tyranid Hive Fleet Leviathan which threantens the Ultima Segmentum in general and the system and planet of Baal, home planet of the Blood Angels in particular.All three stories are good ones and contain some valuable features.The first story sees both the Blood Angels and the Tyranids of Hive Leviathan figure prominently. The former try to defend the planet Asphodex and, in particular, seek to extract its planetary governor from its capital Phodia because he could be essential to the future of the Blood Angels Chapter and the solution to their curse, the Red Mist and Black Rage that seeks to engulf all of them one by one. However, the old Governor of the noble House reigning on the planet has a secret and is a marked man with little time to live unless the Blood Angels lead by Karlaen, Captain of the First Company, and his Terminators, supported by the Death Company, can arrive in time to save his life. The story has a couple of interesting twists and features related to the Tyranids, with some fearful descriptions of Carnifex beasts at work, some glimpses about how the Hive Mind subsumes and erases all other minds and, of course, lots of desperate battles in and around the Governor’s palace.The second and shortest one (Tempestus), however, was somewhat of a surprise and outstanding to the extent that it includes no Blood Angels at all, but only a rather unscrupulous and over-ambitious Inquisitor Ulrich, a platoon of storm troopers and a couple of appearances from Canoness Grace and her Warrior Sisters. The most interesting features are those of an unbalanced planet which is half covered by an Ocean that shifts and moves across the whole of it every decade and, at the bottom of the Ocean are some fantastic creatures that the Inquisitor wants to get his hands upon at any cost.The third story was perhaps the most interesting one. Kehlrantyr, once one of the main centres of Necron power and home to numerous Necron legions is now a desolate and desert planet known under another name until Anrakyr the Traveller, a Necron warlord from another planet arrives to awaking the tomb world just as a break off of the Tyranid Hive attacks. The description of Valnyr, her guards, the tombs of the Necrons, the disaster that happens and its causes as they start to awaken are simply great. Also interesting is the understanding that Anrakyr and the survivor of a Blood Angel reconnaissance squad finally reach against the common enemy. While this is also a great story, I could not help feeling that it was left somewhat unfinished in what seems to be a bit of a cliff hanger, since the Traveller is left in control of the tomb world, seeks alliance against the Tyrannid and wants to get in touch with Dante, Chapter Master of the Blood Angels, to fight the monsters.Four stars for the lot.

Let me start by saying I'm a huge HUGE Warhammer 40k Fan; I play tabletop, rpg's, and read lore as much as I can. I am quite partial to the space marine battles as it helps me to understand the thought process of the individual chapters, giving them more character. However this one left me quite disappointed. The first little novella was great, and I was quite excitedly expecting more. When I reached the second, I was curious to see how the two TOTALLY different stories would tie in together, and to my disappointment, they never did, in fact, the BA's were never mentioned. I only made it two chapters into the third novella about necrons, but I mean, if I'm buying a book on SPACE MARINE BATTLES, I'm in no way looking for lore on tempestus scions, or Necrons!! Maybe it's just me, but this collection of stories was a big swing and miss for me.

This Space Marines Battle title is made up of three different stories, all of which take place in the context of the invasion of the Tyranid Hive Fleet Leviathan which threantens the Ultima Segmentum in general and the system and planet of Baal, home planet of the Blood Angels in particular.All three stories are good ones and contain some valuable features.The first story sees both the Blood Angels and the Tyranids of Hive Leviathan figure prominently. The former try to defend the planet Asphodex and, in particular, seek to extract its planetary governor from its capital Phodia because he could be essential to the future of the Blood Angels Chapter and the solution to their curse, the Red Mist and Black Rage that seeks to engulf all of them one by one. However, the old Governor of the noble House reigning on the planet has a secret and is a marked man with little time to live unless the Blood Angels lead by Karlaen, Captain of the First Company, and his Terminators, supported by the Death Company, can arrive in time to save his life. The story has a couple of interesting twists and features related to the Tyranids, with some fearful descriptions of Carnifex beasts at work, some glimpses about how the Hive Mind subsumes and erases all other minds and, of course, lots of desperate battles in and around the Governor’s palace.The second and shortest one (Tempestus), however, was somewhat of a surprise and outstanding to the extent that it includes no Blood Angels at all, but only a rather unscrupulous and over-ambitious Inquisitor Ulrich, a platoon of storm troopers and a couple of appearances from Canoness Grace and her Warrior Sisters. The most interesting features are those of an unbalanced planet which is half covered by an Ocean that shifts and moves across the whole of it every decade and, at the bottom of the Ocean are some fantastic creatures that the Inquisitor wants to get his hands upon at any cost.The third story was perhaps the most interesting one for me. Kehlrantyr, once one of the main centres of Necron power and home to numerous Necron legions is now a desolate and desert planet known under another name until Anrakyr the Traveller, a Necron warlord from another planet arrives to awaking the tomb world just as a break off of the Tyranid Hive attacks. The description of Valnyr, her guards, the tombs of the Necrons, the disaster that happens and its causes as they start to awaken are simply great. Also interesting is the understanding that Anrakyr and the survivor of a Blood Angel reconnaissance squad finally reach against the common enemy. While this is also a great story, I could not help feeling that it was left somewhat unfinished in what seems to be a bit of a cliff hanger, since the Traveller is left in control of the tomb world, seeks alliance against the Tyrannid and wants to get in touch with Dante, Chapter Master of the Blood Angels, to fight the monsters.Four stars for the lot.

Bought as a gift they're very happy with it

Was hoping for a bit more story after reading this. Stand alone book that seems to end in the last 2 pages.

Still reading it but it's a good book.

three short story's that leave you underwhelmed sadly, the first story isn't to bad but the second and third aren't worth it, the third in places is just stupid. save your cash....