Book Review: Watchers in Death by David Annandale (The Beast Arises #9)

Watchers in Death by David Annandale
My rating: 8 of 10 stars

Pages : 208

Year : 2016

Genre : BL Warhammer

Series : The Beast Arises #9/12

I believe this book meeting was something like this;

- Hey Annan (that's how I call him), you know what? You are the man to introduce the deathwatch and at the same time reunite the Imperium with the sisters of silence. You think you can?

- Sure, do I have a trilogy of novels, maybe a duology where I can write one each?

- No. This you've got one novel.

- I can do it. But at least give me 500 pages.

- Hmm , no can do. Yours is going to be one of the smallest one. You've got 200 page novel.

- What?

- We've got paper shortage (in a few years). It's like you writing for lexicanum, just copy paste and give them some dialogues and that's it.

- Oh shit... (I don't know if he said frak, shit or any other stuff but I bet he did say something)

This book follows the last where humanity destroyed the Beast (or not), Vulkan disappeared, the vast majority of space marines died, billions dead. IT was a disaster. So, Koorland say, well, if brute force doesn't work, let's go 5 or 10 go there and destroy the ork moon. That will work. And thus DeathWatch were born (with the help of Vangorich of the Officio Assassinorum- probably one of my favourite characters in the series - I know that next books will feature him, the last two I guess)

I think the books in the series have their hits and misses. It's like they outline the main story and then divided in 12. Each writer would write one of book (Annandale wrote the 4th, 7th and 9th). It seems some novels felt too long, while others too short. This last two were two short. They could easily be bigger. All the Lords acceptance of Kill Teams felt rushed and disjoined. I opened for more politics and such. Oh well. Overall it was a good novel, don't get me wrong. I just hoped for more. 8/10

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Book Review: The Beast Must Die by Gav Thorpe

The Beast Must Die by Gav Thorpe
My rating: 6 of 10 stars

Pages :  242

Year : 2016

Genre : Black Library 40K

Series Book 8 out of 12 

So, book 8 of the series, I will rate 6.

I enjoyed this novel but I have several problems with it.

First of all, the first chapter is probably the better one. Vulkan returns and he basically own the show. Then the remaining novel is basically going to Ullanor and fight fight fight...

Positives, I've got barely none, unless you talk about Koorland and the assassin stuff. It was disappointing seeing Vulkan. Vulkan is a demigod for all purposes, it's like he is Jesus to the GodEmperor. I hoped for more idolatry of a legend but besides telling there wasn't that much impact. Then Vulkan was aloof most of the time, like he had been brought to a time that wasn't his own. If Space marines treat humankind as mere child, then Vulkan treated Space Marines with contempt, with distaste. He basically treated Koorland (as a small child learning basic stuff, when he was the Lord Commander of all forces),

Another thing I didn't understand was the why Vulkan didn't want to deal/talk with the Salamanders. Makes no sense.

The last thing that upset me was the all battle. It was a major battle where tens of thousands of space marines died. Probably millions Astra Militarum, Titans etc but unfortunately it was too crammed. Other novels, or authors would take a couple of hundreds of pages on this. But here we are just told stuff happened. The action scenes were a bit off.

What did I enjoy? Well I enjoy as I said Koorland trying to deal with all forces of space marines with their own agenda.

Although I love black templars they are basically the most obnoxious, all action, no thinking brutes you can imagine. At least that's how Gav Thorpe write them. That chapter master was a very bad leader. No brains. by the end he was slap by Koorland and probably that's the highpoint of the novel.

So the beast is dead, vulkan well gone and let's see the next four novels.

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Book Review: Galaxy in Flames by Ben Counter

Galaxy in Flames by Ben Counter
My rating: 8.5 of 10 ⭐

Pages : 352

Year : 2018

Genre : Thriller

Series : Horus Heresy 3/54

Divided between 8 or 9. Probably more 8.5.

So what's this book about, well it's the culmination of this first and unique trilogy within the main series. If you have to read 3 novels, these three novels set stuff in motion. Later books will enhance some storylines here or give more feedback on stuff that happened between this point until the siege of terra. Are they all important? No. The vast majority, if not all, will say that you only have to read around 12 of them to get the full grasp of every intervenient.

So what's this about? Well, Horus have fallen to Chaos, to be honest he hasn't fallen, he is more using it to further his goals, he was duped by Erebus and, being a power hungry being that has daddy issues uses Chaos topple the emperor. Meanwhile he is doing that.. falling... he is trying to understand which of his brothers he can trust and who cannot. He is also trying to understand who among their recruits will not follow him. So in this novel, we basically have a battle between factions within the Luna Wolves, World Eaters, Death Guard and Emperor's Children. All other chapters are not even mention. We know that Space Wolves have gone to Thousand Sons homeplanet (interesting to know that Horus does not believe the thousand sons will be their partners (probably thing Space Wolves are) and the blood angels we don't know. He also states that he can't trust Ultramarines. Everyone else is blank card. So future novels will deal with that.

So, his novel was interesting to read. First of all , the three writers, try to make horus fall a bit of a tragic. IT could go either way kind of situation. One character I didn't enjoy reading about was Abaddon - which strangely enough becomes the Big Bad Guy in the 40k millennium.

We also get a bit of information of some loyalist like Garro, Tarviz, Torgaddon & of course Loken. We also get information on some humans that want to warm the Emperor, several of them the first believers that the Emperor is a God. Here is a difference between space marines & humans. Humans want to warm the emperor of Horus betrayal and thing he is a god. Space marines, loyalists, want to warm the emperor but don't believe he is a god.

In terms of "falling" I can get Emperor Children, I can get World Eaters and Sons of Horus. Death Guard? I don't know... (I think I know why, since I've already read stuff but this novel didn't show that). I liked the novel, don't get me wrong but I think some stuff should have been explained more, maybe there wasn't space or they didn't want since other novels will explain those topics or situations I've mentioned.

The ending is a bit heart-breaking and probably my favourite character was Lucius. Lucius first was deemed a loyalist but we know he exist in 40K as a chaos champion, so something happened, and thus we are show here.

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Book Review: The Last Hunt by Robbie MacNiven

The Last Hunt by Robbie MacNiven
My rating: 7

Pages 416

Year 2017

This novel is set on a planet where the white scars get their recruits. This planet population is a bit like Berber like people going from place to place and a mighty city on the centre where all tribes come to trade. MacNiven really try to explain this divergences between the sand people and the people from the city and he really try to give it form , unfortunately there is so little time that delve on that, that it felt a bit flat. White Scars are based on Mongol, tribal fighters and you really get that as they explain some of their internal procedures of defense and such.

Tyranids are attacking, it's a small splinter from the main force and still there are too many to destroy a simple world. The only solution is to defend and wait for time where the planet will basically become insupportable due to the heat. But there are other parties involved, including elves sorry, eldar ops Aeldari. The ending was a bit too much and weird to me. I don't like time travel stuff. IT becomes weird.

One of the most scariest moments was on chapter 4 I think where we've got a probe in space being swallow by a tyranid bio ship. It was creepy as hell. I've read it twice I must say haha.

Overall a OK Tale. Advisable to anyone who enjoy White Scars. Apart from that I wouldn't advise to anyone else unless you want to read everything publish in that universe. Dealings with tyranids I think Last Days of Ector is better.

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Book Review: Annihilation Squad by Gav Thorpe

Annihilation Squad by Gav Thorpe
My rating: 7

Pages 416

Year 2004

Here we are... The last of a trilogy (he wrote a fourth novel now 15 years later). Damn it!

In this novel we follow some new people and some old people. The book are called last chancers so, basically don't get attached to them well because...

Last Chancers is the 13th penal legion that goes around doing stuff that nobody wants to do. Or are able to do. When you grab a bunch of people with nothing to lose, and when the vast majority are just psychopaths you get a great combination of crappy situation cleaners. Here they have a new mission. this time they will go to Armageddon, where the third war of Armageddon is taking place and is one of the biggest wars happening in the universe, well that GW wants us to know. You've got on one side Orks led by one of the biggest baddest Waagh ever and the other side the Imperials with million imperial guard Astra Militarum and space marines. In previous wars even Chaos & Grey Knights were there. (nothing about that is told here).

So, as I said the third war is ongoing and the forces of last chancers are tasked to kill Von Staub which was the governor general and the inquisition wanted him eliminated or not. It would depend if he really was in coalition with the ORKS or not. We are told in the perspective of Lt Kage which is also a last chancer (but he enjoys being so) and puts everyone in check on behalf of Colonel Schaeffer.

So what to expect, what's this about and difference between this and previous?
Well, first of all, Kage several times hints of admiring Schaeffer on his unfliching loyalty to the imperium. He even hints that he doesn't fail because in his mind that possibility doesn't even exist. It's like Ronaldo when he was young. Proud, unflinching working method and people follow for it. Here is the same. We've got new fodder to die and some old ones. We've got mayhem on a landscape that does not forgive mistakes. THere are other books set on Armageddon around the same time written by Jonathan Green called Crusade for Armageddon & conquest of Armageddon.
One of t he most enjoyous moment was the travelling in that hellish landscape and the lives within a Hive. He made me imagine how we could create just a vast thing and how people would live within it. The last 100 pages we get a new Kage and it was weird as hell. In the beginning I was confused of what was happening. The book is written in italics that hints Kage is losing his mind - probably possessed by a daemon - who knows. Then the part with Von Straub remind of a twisted carnival and I remembered seeing a movie just like this. This last 50 pages are dark. These are penal legionnaires, damned since t hey entered there. This goes dark a lot. But the ending oh my... I didn't expect that.

A bit of spoilers ++++++++++++++++ so Kage finally understands what means to belong to Last Chancers. and after another daemonic/craziness vibe he finally commits suicide completing the mission... And the story fraking ends. There is nothing more. What? Okay you put GRIM on the grimdark but I didn't felt satisfied by the end...+++++++++++



As I said before this is the third novel in a trilogy tetrology and you should read the previous two ALTHOUGH they are not mandatory. There are plenty of connections to the previous novel(s) but I've read the book several years ago, didn't remember much and nothing was lost. 7/10 due to the ending...

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Book Review: Heroes of the Space Marines - Anthology (Black Library 40K)

Year: 2009 
Pages: 408
Reading Time: July 2022 (7 days)
Rating: 7 Stars

Well, this was very interesting try...

I was going on vacations for 7 days so I brought this so I could read one or two stories per day while reading all other novels at the same time.

Graham McNeill - Skull Harvest - 5/5 - Connects with Iron Warrior Series he has written.

This tale - don't know what it has to do with Heroes of Space Marines since it focus solely on chaos space marines and how they get more warriors under their belt. This is my first foray into Honsou but I sure love it. Oh there is the inclusion of Huron BlackHeart the Tyrant and it was interesting to see that every chaos space marines present on that reunion bow to him. IT felt strange but at the same intriguing.

Chris Roberson - Gauntlet Run- 2/5 - Connects with Sons of Dorn novel

Since I have not read the novel I don't know if this is set before or after... This is basically scouts from Imperial Fists trying to hunt orks. The least appealing story to me - but what do I know after all a follow up book was written afterwards

Gav Thorpe - Renegades - 3/5 It's avenging sons story - to my knowledge doesn't connect to any previous publish tale.

So they are helping a imperial world but things are not going their way. Decisions that must be made and well - Heroes as in the name of the book says are not present here. Well some are not. IT was a interesting fall from grace story.

Dylan Owen - Honour Among Fiends 3/5 - Black Legion vs Imperial Fists - Doesn't connect with anything

So a Black Legion's Scaevolla has a grudge against the imperial fists and so he hunts and kills them. As new space marines are "recruited" using previous progenoid gland he then goes hunting again. It's like a game... It was a interesting story.

Nick Kyme - Fires of War 2/5 - It's a prequel; connected with the Salamanders series.

I don't know much about Salamanders and I couldn't connect with this tale because I didn't understand that much about them.. It's okish short story.

Richard Ford - Labyrinth 4/5 - Sons of Malice story. Doesn't connect with anything else

Predictable ending? Well ... no. Basically the sons of malice from time to time (100 years) go to a place where any of their marines can try making a trial to be closer to Malice. Although the adversities where cool I really enjoy the ending since I predicted what was going to happen and then the author throws a curve ball.

Steve Parker - Headhunted 3/5 - Deathwatch short story. It's publish in at least two more novels - damn. I don't know the interesting on this tale to be publish on three anthologies. It's a team of Deathwatch (as you probably know,they are taken from different chapters with different beliefs trying to work together. It's a OK.

Darren Cox - And they shall know No Fear - 5/5 Black Templars

This is not connected to anything else but it was a interesting tale.

VERY good story and Helbrecht appears on the last page. Nice addition... even him started small.

Peter Fehervari - Nightfall - 4/5 It's the first publish story on his magnus opus. IT can be read individually.

Night Lords - how they recruit new recruiters? Well read the story. It's very cool, very short.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden - One Hate -4/5 It connects with Crimson Fists novel he publish on the Space Marines Battle series

This is very straightforward tale on crimson fists helping imperial guard while on their own mission. Very cool and I understand why Bowden is so much love overall. Eagearly to read something more from him.

Book Review: The Harrowed Paths - Anthology

Year: 2019
Pages: 311
Part of Series: Anthology 
Reading Time: 5 days
Rating: 7.5

Welcome to Warhammer Horror where the Horror is the normal day - after all, when you read Dead Men Walking and the horrors, hopelessness, the death of millions and the crush of human spirit - if that is not horror what is?

Here we have a compilation of stories - two are novellas and 5 short stories.

The first novella is The Colonel's Monograph by Graham Mcneill which I already reviewed here The Colonel's Monograph. It's set on 40K. I don't

As you know I haven't read that much of Sigmar Tales. I want to finish first warhammer fantasy. The only I've read are these set on these anthologies.

Five Candles by Lora Gray - Sigmar Tale is set on Ashq which is one of the realms in the new sigmar world stuff. I know they are4 proud and this tale really want to show that. I don't know this is horror.

Tesserae by Richard Strachan - Sigmar Tale - this one has Duardin (aka Dwarves). Around the fire tales and one finish with a bang.

Ghost Planet by Steven Sheil - 40K Let me explain something before - as I've said I've been reading warhammer 40k horror and there are has been some connections with Valgaast. The next three tales will mention Valgaast- in one it's a being, other a planet or other stuff. The first one I notice was The Bookkeeper's Skull - but I think I've notice this before. In this tale when the ship Endless Wrath explodes most people dies 5 people become stranded on a ship with no way of being rescued. When a new person arrives outside the ship with a promise of hope stuff goes sideways and thus horror elements

Pentimento by Nick Kyme - 40K is another story set in 40K in the same vein of those Warhammer crime brand. It's about a gruesome murder being committed and it has some interesting twist.

Bone Cutter by Darius Hinks - 40K - A world being ravaged by plagues where two women a baby try to reach safety. I am not going to spoil anything but the end was a bit predictable BUT I am not saying it's not good.

Into Dark Water by Jake Ozga - Sigmar Tale - This is the second novella but this one set on Sigmar universe. It was a very interesting read about Stormcast Eternal - Knight Questor. Basically we've got a Questor - and if you don't know what they are, they are basically task by Sigmar to perform somekind of quest - Killing someone, going to a place and retrieve something. In this take he was task to go to a place - a bit cryptic message/task. He meets an historian and with his help they travelled throughout the lands, battle enemies and such. One interesting set was the interaction between both characters; one a bit distress of the other, while the stormcast being stoic and almost expressionlessness. As the quest comes ever forward things start to change. It made me wonder and I couldn't find anywhere - since Stormcast Eternals are chose and when they died they are reforged. What does it mean? Does it mean they never die? Does it mean they are not human but soulless machines? Seeing this one I don't think they are soulless but how can anyone live their life knowing that they cannot die? The fear of death that makes you evolve, do unexpected stuff and so on would be absent, no? I don't know. I have to read more about stormcasts eternals.

Either way - very cool tale.

In the end I did enjoy the book. There are some weak stories but probably the novellas and Ghost Planet saved the da

Book Review: Anathemas - Anthology (October Horror Fest 23/31)

Author: Anthology

Book: Anathemas

Year: 2020

Pages: 351

Part of Series: Warhammer Horror

Reading Time: 10/10/2021 to 15/10/2021 (5 days)

Rating: 7 Stars

It's almost poetic that my 1000th book read (accordingly to goodreads) it had to be a horror Black Library novel.

For people who like info dump - here is something for you:

In terms of Genres I've read 374 (Sci-Fi); 233 (Horror) and 232 (Fantasy)

In terms of Black Library I've read 231 novels. So it's interesting that the 1000th book it's Sci-Fi and Fantasy at the same time (40K and Sigmar) plus they are horror stories.

Are these horror stories? Not all of them. Some are dark but most are not horror.

Hab Fever Lockdown by Justin D. Hill - 40K story - e first tale is told in second perspective . Horrific. Why? I really dislike that kind of narration unless you are you playing a game OR that choose your own adventure. The story it's about Australian lockdown measures due to some covid cases... what? No? It's about a plague being release on a hive? Ah okay, it sure like it was in Australia draconian laws..."

Suffer the Vision by Jake Ozga - where is the horror? They should invite horror writers to write horro tales.

A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks - t's again, not an horror story , unless you just find out that there cities and surrounding areas in Terra. I thought it was just a planet-city (with some very big palaces). I believe I've read this somewhere else... Go there!

These Hands, These Wings by Lora Gray he next tale s is a interesting horror tale to tell by the fireplace- BUH! Finally a horror tale

Vox Daemonicus by James Forster - have you ever wanted to learn how Night Lords recruited more space marines? Yes? Then go here.

Skin Man by Tim Waggoner - Interesting story about revenge & retribution. Very cool but not that horrific - althought the depictions of the Skin Man were unsettling- but if you want more horrible depictions go Tim C
urran.

A Deep and Steady Tread by David Annandale

The Thing in the Woods by Paul Kearney -This tale could easily, after changing some words, set in Sigmar World. But alas it's 40K. I must say it took me a while to understand that.

Mud and Mist by John Goodrich - The horrible tales of imperial guard guarding against tyranids. You've got yourself the commisar and the character level insanity and how far are you able to go to survive - temporarly? You want to learn that? Go here.

The Shadow Crown by CL Werner - I love CL Werner. But this tale didn't connect with me. Either because I don't know much about Sigmar World. I've added info in the book. I will return to it later on.

Runner by Alan Bao - Run Forest Run!. That's it. Imagine that you have to run 200 kilometres to warn another place of incoming miasma and plague... Now imagine your mind wondering of all the running and such. If you have ever wanted to make a really hazardous marathon times 5 - Oh you will be alone or ... Go here

Miracles by Nicholas Wolf - Have you ever wonder what would happen if you get mad, hallucinating and thinking you are seeing angels? Oh you've heard angels? Then go here.

Voices in the Glass by Richard Strachan - Have you ever gone to the Shadespire? No? Go there. (one of the weakest tales) I will be honest saying that I don't know much about this setting.

The Funeral by Darius Hinks - Ah very cool. Imagine you being so sure of yourself, so sure you are doing the right thing without any kind of repercussions . Now imagine that person you wrong - returns! Go there.

Overall, I would say that this is a good anthology of some sweet stories. BUT to be quite honest not all of them are horror.AT ALL.

The problem with horror is that it mixes with grimdark feeling of the 40K universe. So just by reading some passages - which I find truly horrific BUT they are not horror, disturbing, violent, psychological... Enfin, overall a good compilation. Some are good, some are not. To me, as previous said, the Sigmar tales are the ones I am not realy enjoying. Warhammer Fantasy was a very good place to tell dark gothic horror tales - Sigmar world is not. Sigmar are more focus on action, less on characters and ambience. I don't know much about it. Maybe I will enjoy it after reading some novels...

Book Review: Skarsnik - Guy Haley

 I don't know if this happens to anyone else besides me, but at times I just don't want to finish a book. I want to revel in it. I feel so enraptured that I don't want to finish it. Maybe it's a fear of ending something that I am enjoying or fear that the ending will not be as good. I don't know. That's another reason I have some issues finish trilogies, series and so on.

Crazy...

Well this story is probably the first told in the perspective of a goblin. We've seen cultists perspectives, elves, dwarves but always this "smart" bunch (evil or good). This time we've got a goblin perspective (There is also some skaven books Thanquol's and Headtaker). This goblin is smart, it's not a dumb like all his peers. It's evil, cruel but a goblin. True be told, at times it look like some evil looking person but at times some of his actions were goblinesque.

This story is being told by a playwright who, although quite crazy, want to tell the world the tale of the Goblin Warlord Skarsnik. Two other people are investigating goblins and they know there exists some warlord in Eight Peaks but not much is known.

So, this playwright (although in the cover say poet) is telling his tale as warning and we follow the adventures of Skarsnik since birth (they are like mushrooms) until his rise. No, not downfall.

He was smart but small for a goblin, and so the first 200 pages it's basically his first take on life and how he use his wits to learn languages, actions and so on. He also deals with skaven, humans and dwarves fighting each one in turn. Then after the initial intake on the world and being betrayed he goes outside the mountain. As you might know, night goblins are not "night" oriented goblins but goblins that usually spend their entirely life under the mountains. It was also interesting to see his first take and dealings with other hill goblins which although goblins are quite different (bigger in one instance). Then after some take being in confination he rises within goblins/orc society (interesting a dialogue between him and another one where they talk that from time to time some goblins appears that are smarter than the rest - as you know in 40K some orks have a keen to me medicae (well, their kind of medicae)

The remaining part of the tale deals as I said rise and stabbing and backstabbing as he rises. There are some interesting battles by the end that made me wonder what's the reason for it all.

Unfortunately we will never know what will happen because warhammer fantasy it's dead and gone. And all these stories are now crap. Totally bulshit Black Library and Warhammer.

Book Review: Invocations - Anthology

I don't think this was the best short story compilation Black Library published. But some were really good.

David Annandale the Summon of Shadows is the most depressing of the bunch. Really grimdark pointless realization of a common life in 40K world. Then he wrote more two stories both attached to The house of Night and Chain. Interesting to read but not really outstanding.

Blood sacrifice by grimdark writer Peter McLean was the best overall. Unfortunately it connects to other stories and this was the "last" I think. I will have to read them all. I hope he writes a full length story in 40K (horror or not).

Steven Sheil - The Healer is another good piece of Sigmar world. to a person who doesn't know that much about that world some stories can be really disconnected but this one was very good. I cannot say the same for Richard Strachan story. Wish I knew more...

Supplication is a very good story as well.

Flesh and Blood & A Sending from the Grave were not to my liking as Stitches by Nick Kyme. The weakest in mind opinion was Lora's He Feasts Forever.

Overall, is solid intake. Not that spooky or horrorful (is this a word?) but good. Maledictions rating I think.

Book Review: The 13th Black Crusade - Andy Hoare

I just made a review but the computer crash. Damn you!

This book was quite good. For one who is trying to read more about 13th black crusade this book is definitely a must have. The writing is simple and you get a view of the grand scenario behind it. The images accompanying this book are: a) photos - horrible and don't add nothing b) drawings - excelent.

There were some stories that I would like to see a full lengthen novel like:

Saint Josmane's Hope - specially the last mission

Invasion of Cadia - Maybe a series of novels that cover from the beginning until the end.
Edit: Already have two novels

Khârn the Betrayer - Need I say more? 
Edit: Already have two novels

Subjugators chapter

Eldrad Ulthran - Story of this most important eldar

Ulthor World or Eidolon - Battles and transformation.

Ursarkar E. Creed
Edit: Already have two novels focus on Cadia

There are here, only in this War, room to make dozens of books, as the made in HH. But of course I know it's not possible. My only complain to BL is that they are going astray with their new policy. Short stories each weak, novellas each month and "exclusive" books every other month. I think it's ridiculous. I know that companies need to survive but their policy of publishing is almost too stupid. Usually they had a website that could tell us what books were going to be release. With some surprises which were good. Now, I have only the pre-orders, no  but if I go to amazon I can see the BL release schedule for 6 or 7 months. This is just absurd. I used to buy everything from them and gave the thousands of pounds. Now? I won't buy from them (maybe a novella from time to time) and buy from bookdepository or amazon.

Shame on you BL. Look at the prices with other publishers and the selling prices on Amazon. Maybe discounts from buying from you. Free Shipping on smaller fees. I was curious. Are BL making more money now or last year or in 2007/08/09/10 ?

Book Review: The Last Ditch - Sandy Mitchell

This was an interesting take on the 40K universe but after reading 7 novels of Ciaphas apart from two of them they are pretty similar. Nothing was learn and nothing was given as extra. We learn nothing more. The only thing we learn is that Tyranids have been in the know-galaxy far longer than humans thought. Amberley was only seen for one page; Sulla a couple of pages.

Well Ciaphas is yet again in a world being invaded not one BUT two enemies. The next novel will feature tyranids & tau. Let us see if it's better. This is not bad by all means. I only think that's more the same...

Book Review: The House of Night and Chain - David Annandale

So here we have a new novel in the growing horror tales coming out from Black Library.

First of all, like some previous takes I would say that with only a couple of changes this could be set in any other world. To be that's a minus star. I want to read Horror stories set in the 40K (or Sigmar).

This novel was written by an nowadays prolific writers in the Black Library universe called David Annandale. I've read the Yarrick novels, Mephiston & The Last Wall (one book from the ten magnus opus War of the Beast).

I this story we follow Colonel Strock who is returning home, after almost 30 years serving the Imperium, to save his world from corruption, at the behest of the Inquisition. He was discharged after a long phyrric battle in a far way world. He is returning to his world where is family rule. His late wife had died some years prior and the two children still live (now around 30 years).

From this moment on, and most of the book, it's about Strock dealing with the various factions in the world including the main antagonist (which supposedly is corrupting the world); his two childhood friends and his own children.

Every few chapters we get some snippets about his wife demise and we get to know that the main protagonist of the story it's not Strock at all but the House.

This is something I've read somewhere. Maybe Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher? That really doesn't upset me or so (don't get me wrong). But the ending felt a bit rushed and we get the glimpse of what's happening after all. There were some questions in air but overall it felt rushed.

As i said, apart from some names - Inquisition; Enforcer; Ecclesiarchy and other random names this could have been in any other world. I wished for more 40K elements Maybe some chaos or Tyranids background. More Inquisition meddling...

Either way it's not a bad story but it's not the best from him. Maybe Black Library wants to make this kind of novels more avaiable to other people who don't usually read 40K novels? I bet this is it because of all reviews here in goodreads of people who never dwelt on it.

Let's hope C L Werner Castle of Blood it's better. I am reading it next (probably).

Book Review: Road of Skulls - Joshua Reynolds

Finally a novel that makes Gotrek justice.

First of all it develops Gotrek while not going against the timeline already in place. But we also learn a lot about Gotrek grudge that surprised me. Felix was really interesting character here. More bold. More akin a remembrancer while elfslayer or zombieslayer was more boring duo. It didn't really gone anywhere. Althought here we see battles, we see dwarves, we see history, we see a glimpse of all.

The Chaos part were really interesting as well. We learn more about how a horde of chaos works. the politics, the champions, the mistrust - the lack of honor or good traits.

Enfin, really interesting. Josh Reynolds really surprised me here. Not since William King I enjoy more a Gotrek novel. 

Book Review: Attack of the Necron - Cavan Scott

This was created to make children into Black Library world. I can't say it's as much woke as I initially thought. In this story we follow 3 kids and one talking monkey as they are leaving a world after being attack my Necrons. It's really fast paced. There are some glimpses on how somethings work like Warp and other travel information. Nothing really regarding Chaos, The Emperor and so on... There are some cliches you expect from a children book. BUT to me perfectly honest I believe it's a solid book for children not for adults. It's not that developed.

Black Library & Games Workshop are Woke BUT they also know they can't change overnight or most of their writers/readers will skip them. The books are interesting because they usually don't dwell on comparisons between nowadays politics. I really hope they stop this BUT it seems they will not. 

Book Review: BloodLines - Chris Wraight

 

I've just finish this tale. Well, my innitial thoughts, around 50 pages or so was... It looks like I am watching a Judge Dredd kind of story. Knowing the connection between Black Library, Black Flame (and old imprint that made some Judge Dredd novels) I thought that maybe this was it. Black Library has now several brands 40K (both old and new); Horus Heresy; Age of Sigmar (plus the 170 novels in Warhammer Fantasy); Blood Bowl; Necromunda; Time of Legends (now ended); BlackStone fortress & Warcy novels. Of course how to go even further? Lets create Horror & Crime. It's like having several companies within and putting out there 3 dozen novels per year or more if you cont all novellas, short stories and all others.... Imagine you want to read everything they put out? It's impossible. Unless you don't read anything else. Even more it's nigh impossible on finances. The other thing that upsets me is the way they release books... I bought Lukas the Trickster & Legacy of the wolfen (Cursen of Wolfen & Legacy of Russ). Now they are releasing Sagas of Space Wolves The Omnibus that encompases "Ragnar Blackmane", "Curse of the Wulfen", "Legacy of Russ" and "The Hunt for Logan Grimnar" as well as the novellas "Blood on the Mountain and Arjac Rockfist". Now why did you put outt Legacy of Wulfen? 10€ to trash? Or I wont read everything of Space Wolves. This is a good technique but it's a crappy one. You pray on people who purchase every single novella or book and then . OKay here it is plus something new. Enfin, I am goinjg astray with my thoughts. We debating on this... This book is a solid novel. Is it good? It has some parts that interested me and it will have impact on all other novels set on Crime. First the Houses behind, the politics, the setting, the serpent stuff. All of these are very interesting. Varangantua is an interesting setting. It's very 30's vibe. It's very old school crime stories vibe. But let's be true. If you could change some key words this story could have been done in another setting. This author could have change stuff and presented as a new world for him to explore. Remove "By His Hand"; remove some key imperium names and voila. You've got a new world. Some people call it Domestic 40K but to me it's not. It's another setting that will probably get a new boardgame after the innitial success of the novels and there you go. The all Iris stuff; the cars; the guns etc - all felt so detached from the 40K we know that at times I couldn't see being in a 40K universe. Now, it is bad? No, of course it's not. Probator Agusto Zidarov it's a nice interesting trouble character. It's family looked real; the all police interaction between different Probators felt interesting. The all corrupted society including the "police". All was interesting. The pace itself was fine although a bit repetitive. What I really loved was the all cult stuff. Are they chaos? They don't feel like it althought I've check a website and they are branded as Chaos. To me look like another theology stuff that God Emperor is everywhere - the all church vs Christianity stuff we see in some thrillers . To me it was the top of the book, although they didn't dwell much on it. I will continue to to read other stuff from this setting including the new release No Good Men. I hate that title. Should you read it? Yes. If not because it's different from normal 40K novels. As I would also advise reading a 40K horror story. They are all in the same setting so it's cool to go a bit further from the Grimdark and try other genres... You've got a bit of comedy with Cain, chidlren book; so what's the next setting BL?

Book Review: First and Only - Dan Abnett (Gaunt's Ghosts)

This was the second time I've read the novel. The first time was in 2007 (one of the first novels I've read for Black Library) and now. Since I didn't follow with the rest of the series I thought about it and said to myself I would start reading when all finish. We now have all novels so it's a good time to start reading.

This is the first book in 15 novel series plus an anthology. There is also the Double Eagle which is not part of Gaunt BUT it was set on the Sabbat Crusade. IT focus on areal war - highly influenced on Battle of Britain. I believe Titanicus is also set there but I can't confirm for sure.

In this tale we are introduced to Gaunt and his ghosts. One of the most interesting parts is that this is a combination of stories mix with very short stories that connect the dots.

Each story was quite different and I didn't expect that. BUT it was very very entertaining. First of all, I believe this novel set the tone for the coming books (that I have no doubt) but since it was one of the first novels produced by BL it set the tone for Black Library overall.

Dan Abnett it's a great writer, I also have no doubt of it. Gilead's Dead; Double Eagle, Brothers of the Snake and Riders of the Dead are all very good (all 5 stars). (although not totally by him but Darkblade 5 books are a must - Hammers of Ulric is divided for 3 writers and it's really awesome). The only ones I didn't really got into was I am Slaughter and Fell Cargo, and even those are very good. I've read Fell Cargo 10 years ago - more, and I still remember most of the plot.

I have no doubt that he is one of the best of Black Library writers. Unfortunately he is not as prolific as he was in the golden days. Alas...

Imagine a 2 World War setting; now imagine an Commissar (but not one that kills needlessly) and a group of militar personal (around 3000) and the last of their world. When they all died, they world will be just a footnote... Never forget Tanith.
Due to their world geography and fauna they are experts scouts but due to politics they are thrown into the fray and thick of it.

This story begins when a message is intercepted by an astropath and from that moment each story as I said is as different as the last but all with this information in the mix of it. We've got car chases, trenches wars, mystery chase within a massive ship. There are a lot of rivalry inter-regiments and they are more destructive than the proper fight against the cultists and chaos. Have I told you that the baddies are Chaos? They are. Dan Abnett DELIBERATELY don't let us know much of the adversaries because the imperial guard echelons and rivalry are more destructive.

I didn't know ao STL template was, and the importance into he great scheme of things.
Of course they talk about it BUT after reading a hundred books plus pages and pages of info dump I finally have a good grasp of the importance of the discovery. I would have no doubt that If the prize for the Sabbat Worlds Campaign was this STL it would very understandable. Killing an entire world would not be so inconceivable so the death of regiment wouldn't even be an issue. 

Book Review: The Warblade - David S Garrett

 

Well, I've read the previous back in 2015.

This tales are all connected and you can read them as one big book.

In this tale we follow Konrad, our main protagonist from the beginning when he escapes an attacked village throughout the world, passing Kislev and other parts of the Empire.

In this tale, we begin our adventure beneath the city of Altdorfas Konrad is still searching for his lover Elyssa. 5 years have passed and many friends and colleagues have come and gone. Konrad learns of the plot of the skaven of switching Karl Franz (The Emperor) with a double. He also learns, after confining with the wrong person that there are several cults inbetween the nobility and guards of the Emperor. So, basically Chaos is everyone and everything is is connected to it.

He first escapes Altdorf and re-meets Wolf. With his help he discovers his space in the great scheme of things. With the help of two old friends they go back to Altdorf and try to help the Empire.

All in all, fully action - comparing with the previous ones. Some of Ferring beliefs were thrown here but it didn't felt forced and to be honest It goes with the old views of the Empire. If you had follow from the first books to the later ones, the Empire is quite different. In the old times, they try to go more political focus and even fluff information. Later novels, are more action and less fluff. I mean, it was interesting to know that the skaven almost put a double instead of Karl Franz.

If you go to later novles like Nathan Long trilogy of BlackHearts there is no fluff withing. Fell Cargo? Nada; Necromancer, The Enemy Within, Florian novels, Aaron Rosemborg trilogy - all of these - and I am not saying they are not good - but they have no fluff. Old novels have fluff within. This happens with 40K as well.

To be perfeclty honest - I am content I've read the three novels, because I want to read them all and it's my favorite setting. To a newcomer it's a good place to start - you got glimpses of the Empire, Chaos and Skaven. But overall I cannot say in good conscious it's a good novel or trilogy. There are way better out there... 

Book Review: Geneviere Undead - Kim Newman

Comparing with the previous book i must say i prefer the former. This one was a compilation of 3 stories (not that interconnected although in terms of timeline they are one after the other). My main problem is that apart from the 3 story thr other two our main protagonist is not the main protagonist. The first story was not to my liking focusing a lot on her lover. The second is a mix of names from novels written between 1800 to 1900 names like vathek, melkor and such... Even the story itself read as a Victorian novel. The third is the one it focus more on Gene. A solid Victorian short story collection... But unfortunally nothing stands out

October Horror Fest - 30/31 - Book Review: Sepulturum - Nick Kyme (Black Library)

Mr Kyme book is a mess I may say.

I don't know if this is fruit of our time, where everyone want to appease everyone out there, or this are just his personal beliefs but If I wanted to know his personal beliefs and opinions I would read his autobiographic stuff or wikipedia...

Although I am reading this novel because I enjoy 40K universe; I enjoy Horror & Zombies (and their variants).

Black Library has been releasing some novels where the authors feel that they can put nowadays politics in them - and Black Library is enable them after all. Games Workshop is another company with this. I don't mind you writing about colour characters or lgbt characters WHEN they are indeed characters and not footnotes so you can proudly boast in Twitter "Yeah my book as a LGBT POC character.. Don't cancel me".

Page 37 of Hardback book

"Sirens wailed throughout Meagre. Proctors marched the streets, a veritable army of bastards, bellowing through loudhailers and herding the scared populace like cattle. Curfew had been ordered. Citizens ran for their domiciles with the fervour of rats fleeing fire. Mothers clutched babes to their chests. Weak and fearful men looked to their own safety. Families huddle close, desperate to stay together. The churn of humanity ploughed ahead in a nervous mob, obeying the blaring of the horns, willingly ignorant of the false protection the proctors offered." - This is narrator opinion, not some of the characters...

There are other instances and I may be reading more than it is BUT alas, that's what felt to me - And in the end that's what matter.

Overall, the book is a mess, the characters moving around - a lot more characters than a 240 novel should have. At times I was confused who was who. He could have focused on Cristo and Morgravia but besides these there were other characters that focus on other characters. In the end I couldn't connect to any of the characters.

So, the all amnesia trope is here and in the end we get some information I needed but I really thought that there was more stuff that miss me - maybe Nick wrote a short story of some sorts connected to this? I don't know...

Overall I couldn't enjoy the novel.

It will not be my last Nick Kyme story but I am disappointed nevertheless. My reading time is limited as any of us - and I never once dropped a Black Library novel (and I've read 150+) and have all them - more than 600 books (in paper). But maybe I must rethink my focus and if I don't enjoy one drop it as I do in non-BLack Library novel.