Ferren Areios Master of Rites Black Library Warhammer Hardback BL3257 Pre-Order December 6 2025 Release

Description

Key Features:

• A duty and honour-filled Warhammer 40,000 novel featuring Captain Ferren Areios of the Ultramarines Sixth Company
• The Ultramarines launch a perilous campaign to retake a system held by the Death Guard, facing unimaginable horrors
• Written by Rob Young

Witness the Ultramarines’ Darkest Campaign

Experience a brutal tale of duty, honour, and sacrifice as the Ultramarines wage a grinding war to reclaim the lost worlds of the Khorsari Reach. This compelling novel follows Captain Ferren Areios as he leads the Sixth Company into a nightmare realm corrupted by the Death Guard, where every victory comes at a terrible price and the very concept of glory is tested.

The Return of a Rising Hero

First introduced in the epic Dawn of Fire series, Ferren Areios has ascended to the rank of Captain of the Ultramarines Sixth Company and earned the prestigious title of Master of Rites. Now he faces his greatest challenge yet: a thankless campaign against the forces of the Plague God where honour, not glory, must be his guide. Watch as this remarkable character is pushed to his absolute limits in the most harrowing mission of his career.

Key Features

• Deep character study of Captain Ferren Areios as he grapples with the brutal realities of a war of attrition
• Intense Space Marine versus Chaos Space Marine conflict pitting the disciplined Ultramarines against the relentless Death Guard
• Exploration of the Ultramarines’ creed and Chapter culture under extreme pressure
• Atmospheric depiction of worlds corrupted by Nurgle’s pestilence and the horrors that dwell within
• Examination of what it means to maintain humanity and honour when surrounded by corruption and despair
• Continuation of storylines from the Dawn of Fire series with accessible entry point for new readers

A War Without Glory

For over a decade, the Khorsari Reach has been lost behind the warp storms of the Great Rift, its worlds claimed by the Death Guard and its people slaughtered by servants of the Plague God. But these are the worlds of Ultramar, and the sons of Guilliman will not abandon them. Ferren Areios must lead the reclamation fleet into this domain of pestilence and death, knowing that every step forward will be paid for in blood.

The Ultimate Test

As the Death Guard entrench themselves and casualties mount to catastrophic levels, Ferren faces a conflict that challenges everything the Ultramarines stand for. Isolated deep in enemy territory, cut off from reinforcement, the reclamation fleet fights not just for strategic objectives but for survival itself. In this grinding war of attrition, Ferren must hold fast to his Chapter’s teachings while confronting the question: how much of one’s humanity can survive in the heart of the Plague God’s realm?

Why This Novel Stands Out

This is not a tale of easy victories or triumphant crusades. It is a stark, unflinching look at the kind of war the Imperium’s defenders must sometimes wage: brutal, unglamorous, and necessary. Through Ferren Areios, we see the true cost of duty and the strength required to maintain honour when surrounded by corruption. The novel expertly balances intense action with profound character development, making every battle matter on both tactical and personal levels.

Written by Rob Young

Rob Young delivers a masterful addition to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, crafting a narrative that honours the legacy of the Ultramarines while pushing their ideals to the breaking point. A must-read for fans of the Dawn of Fire series and anyone seeking a deeper, more nuanced exploration of what it means to be a Space Marine.

From the Community:

The Khorsari Reach has been lost to the Imperium for over a decade, its worlds claimed by the pestilent legions of the Death Guard. Ferren Areios, Captain of the Ultramarines Sixth Company, has pledged to cleanse these worlds and claim vengeance for the people slaughtered by the servants of Nurgle, but in doing so he may well be pushed to the limits of his Chapter’s creed.

Master of Rites will also be available to order in hardback format.

Contents subject to change.