Book Invasion (Warhammer Anthology)
Author Several Authors
Pages 256
Year 2007
Reading time 4 days (January 2008)
Rating 6 / 10
As you know Warhammer is my favourite universe and soon after being released this book I start reading it. Some of the stories were good but others were not. It was a mix of emotions... (I have to read this book again, well at least two or three short stories).
"None So Blind" by Nathan Long is about an invasion by the High Elves to attack and take revenge on Malekith, Witch King of the Dark Elves. They are led on this trying quest by Eltharion, an Elf blinded by Malekith, who is obsessed with revenge. (This story is linked with the last one).
"Premonition" by Chris Wraight, an expedition of Elven colonists from Ulthuan encounter "strange" new hairy, unpredictable creatures lurking in the wilds of the woods surrounding their settlement. What can they be? (or who?) You guessed it. This is not the first story detailing the firsts encounters with humans.
"Purification" by Robert E. Vardeman was a good story by a new author (?). Having come upon a sinister Chaos wizard, a captain of the city guard confronted and ended up slaying him, but not before the wizard implanted a hideous Chaos worm-thing inside his skull. Now it controls his every move, seeking to make him betray his city and allow an invasion of the Skaven who lurk even now outside the city walls. Nicely done. Great ending.
"Sanctity" by Nick Kyme was a good story too, although. A company of Empire soldiers on patrol gets cornered by a rampaging Chaos horde in a shrine they are trying to prevent from falling into enemy hands. Another great addition.
"Spoils of War" by Rick Wolf, (another author I don't recoginze) after a bloody battle, an Empire soldier takes his wounded comrade to a local manor house to recuperate. While staying there, he becomes intrigued by a painting depicting a famous battle scene. Strange eerie tale. Odd but interesting.
"The Gift" by Jesse Cavazos V (another new author) two brothers return home to their father's manor for a visit after several years in the Empire army. In the beginning they think nothing change but it did... I can't remember the ending but I remember enjoying it (I know because I make notes...)
"River of Blood" by Steven Eden was one of the best stories here as it introduces us to a mercenary Eliak Debretton and his troop of cavalry. In service to a local lord whose castle has become beseiged by a Chaos horde, they are dispatched on a desperate mission to escort the lord's pregnant daughter through the dangers of the war zone and all the way to the safety of another distant stronghold.
In "Lies of the Flesh" by Steven Savile, a trio of Dwarves on their way home across the desolate moors of the Ostermark stop for the night in a human village where something seems not quite right. Gradually they learn that something is causing the village's children to waste away and die. They set out to investigate and set things right. I enjoyed the Dwarf characters in this one. But the antagonist in this story and how they deal with the problem seemed pretty standard fare.
"Perilous Visions" by Mike Lee it links with the first story but this time we see it through the eyes of the dark elves. An interesting concept, and this story is especially recommended to all who loved the Malus Darkblade books.
Do I recommend this book? To anyone who loves warhammer. But there are other better anthologies in warhammer out there.
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