Dan Abnett's new novel from the Warhammer 40,000 series is an exciting account of the heroic fates of military pilots facing an almost imminent defeat. A new crusade, spanning several planetary systems, demanded untold sacrifices from the inhabitants of the Sabbat Worlds. Imperial planet Enosis is put on the verge of complete destruction, as its own armed forces were unable to withstand the onslaught of the mutants of Chaos, who staged a bloody massacre in the name of their terrible gods. Fighter pilots of the elite units of the planet Fantine are well aware that the fulfillment of allied duty can cost them their lives. The squadrons of Enosis are suffering heavy losses, and the demoralized locals in the face of the advancing forces of Chaos put their last hopes on the pilots. Will the pilots be able to justify them and, winning precious time, hold back the advance of the dark forces until reinforcements from other worlds approach? Can they hope to win in the exhausting soul and body air battles, where they are confronted by an enemy led by demons?