Former ace pilot Bree Jagdea is pulled out of retirement to join the Aeronautica Imperialis in a desperate fight to secure the war-torn hive city of Vesperus, facing relentless enemy aces and near-suicidal missions with Circus 66 squadron. Themes of personal transformation, the toll of endless war, and the challenge of reclaiming one’s purpose are explored amid high-stakes aerial combat and a gritty, attritional conflict.

Reader Review Summary

Set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the novel follows former ace pilot Bree Jagdea as she is pulled out of retirement to rejoin the Aeronautica Imperialis during a brutal war of attrition over the hive city of Vesperus. The story centers on Jagdea’s return to high-stakes aerial combat, where she is assigned to the notorious Circus 66 squadron and tasked with dangerous interception missions and supply runs through hazardous city environments. The narrative explores the psychological and physical toll of war, with Jagdea navigating both external threats and her own internal struggles as she attempts to secure Interceptor City for the Imperium. The book is a direct follow-up to Double Eagle and is set after significant events in the Gaunt’s Ghosts series, featuring a mix of new and returning characters within a war-torn setting.

Readers praised the novel for its compelling and coherent depiction of aerial combat, noting that the action sequences are both engaging and easy to follow. The return of Bree Jagdea as a protagonist was well received, with several reviewers highlighting the believable evolution of her character since her previous appearance. The pacing, particularly as the stakes rise later in the book, was cited as a strength, and the writing style was described as gripping and immersive. Fans of Dan Abnett and Warhammer 40,000 appreciated the continuation of the Aeronautica Imperialis storyline, the sense of passion in the writing, and the overall entertainment value, with some specifically mentioning the quality of the audiobook narration.

Some readers expressed reservations about the book’s character development and narrative structure. Criticisms included a less fleshed-out supporting cast compared to other works by the author, a lack of a clear or compelling objective for the main character, and a story that felt more procedural than climactic. The resolution of certain plotlines, particularly a b-plot introduced early on, was seen as underwhelming or predictable. Additionally, some felt that the archetypes used for new characters were overly familiar, and that the book’s ending did not deliver a strong impact. A few reviewers suggested that the novel functions more as a side story or series pilot rather than a standalone highlight within Abnett’s bibliography.

The book was published on February 22, 2025, and is classified as science fiction within the Warhammer 40,000 setting. It has received an average reader rating of 4.73 out of 5 from 52 ratings and 9 full reviews. The novel is positioned as a legacy sequel to Double Eagle and is recommended for readers already familiar with Abnett’s previous works, particularly those set in the same universe. The story is available in both print and audiobook formats, with Toby Longworth providing the narration for the latter.