these maybe conversions, they may be one offs but given that they were spotted at GD Spain and they appear in the FW cabinet and there are other FW models shown in the picture they look promising. Who knows but I'm intrigued now Jono's collecting Crons.
Millest's Wargaming Blog! It will no doubt end up becoming a place for my own odd thoughts! However its meant to start life as a Wargaming, hobby and painting blog. It will also be a book review site, a bit of a product review page, an airsoft blog and in places lots of other things, but over all I hope it will be a good read!
Showing posts with label aliens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aliens. Show all posts
Monday, July 02, 2012
Spotted - Possible New Forgeworld Necron Pics!
qudos to Imperius Dominatus (link here) for this rumour:
these maybe conversions, they may be one offs but given that they were spotted at GD Spain and they appear in the FW cabinet and there are other FW models shown in the picture they look promising. Who knows but I'm intrigued now Jono's collecting Crons.
these maybe conversions, they may be one offs but given that they were spotted at GD Spain and they appear in the FW cabinet and there are other FW models shown in the picture they look promising. Who knows but I'm intrigued now Jono's collecting Crons.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Space Marine - Book Review
Space Marine by Ian Watson
First published in 1993 – though completed some years earlier – at a time when the background to the Warhammer 40,000 universe was still in a state of flux and not yet fully coalesced, the book follows three young Imperial Fist recruits from their formative years in the underhive gangs of Necromunda through to fighting as part of the First Company within the bowels (literally!) of a Tyranid bioship.
Not only will you find squats in this novel –Tzeentch-worshiping squats at that – but also Space Marines controlling Titans, Space Marines with lasguns, the Pain Glove and more than a small amount of toilet humour. Oh, and a Zoat. How could we forget the Zoat?
Although the temptation was great to rewrite significant portions of this book to make it conform to current background, as a curiosity piece, an historical snapshot of the Warhammer 40,000 universe circa the early 1990s, this book is invaluable. It also serves as a shining example of what can happen when a respected genre author at the height of his powers is let loose on an established shared universe.
In another month of reading (when I should be painting) I decided it was time I re-read this book. I have owned the original for sometime now but rather then it get further dog eared I decided to pick up the print on demand copy from the Black Library. Firstly about the book itself and I must say, as with my Bloodquest book, I am pleased with the quality. OK so the price is a bit steep but to have one of the founding pieces of 40k lore available again its worth it. The larger then normal format and the simplified cover looks really good and certainly works, it also means larger font as well which is nice.
I wasn't planning on doing a full on stonking review going in to great detail on the story and on the background but the thing with the novel is its so different! Which ever way you look at it Watson’s fluff does not fit the current mythology and Black Library story telling ethos. If anything perhaps is more literary than most current readers would like and is very cerebral in places (though with an unhealthy obsession with excrement and body parts!). All that in mind though any true aficionados of 40K and mainstream science fiction should embrace the novel as a classic and enjoy it for its strengths and inventions.
The novel begins with three young protagonists, citizens of the Trazior Hive, an vast city on the planet Necromunda, engaged in gang warfare. Yeremi Valence, Biff Tundrish and Lexandro d’Arquebus are the leads and each protagonist belongs to a different social class and as a result differing gangs> the novel cleverly begins with the collision of three levels of the hive, represented by three young gangs, battling each other in brutal warfare which is used to link them through out the story. Through various routes the three end up becoming recruits for the Imperial Fists Space Marines, it is here where things progress. I don't want to take it further as it would ruin the book for readers, one thing of note though is how actions in this book (originally meant as a one off) are linked to the subsequent follow up book, Inquisitor, a clever plot device before they even knew they needed it.
One of the big sells for me was the novel’s psychological complexity, but the biggest draw is the exquisite use of language. Each sentence is poetical and rigorous, more often then not Watson uses alliteration to dramatic effect, though you never feel its over used. One of the simplest ways in which he used this command of language is how as he quickly follows the three men’s rise to become battle-brothers he changes the manner and style of their speech to reflect this, but cleverly throws in slips when they in action.
As previously mentioned the novel doesn't sit wholly within the realms of current accepted background and imagery. For example in the novel Orks are not great threats and a blight on the universe they are simply space-faring pirates and spoken of as almost potential allies. We also get to meet squats, something unfortunately missing from the current universe, who with their human overlord are minions of Chaos. We also get a unique, if somewhat bodily orifice and excrement tinted, view of the two major players in the theme, daemons and Tyranids. The spin on these forces is certainly unique and twisted but it is something fresh and worth exploring.
See, I said I wouldn't do a full review and there I go and do one. All I can say to you now is go get this book! Beg, Borrow or Buy you need to have read this book to understand the Genesis of the 40k universe. The style and imagery isn't to every ones taste but for me this book rates a full 5 out of 5, if nothing just for the nostalgia I feel when reading it.
Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Space Marine by Ian Watson
Softback • ISBN 9781844169016
First published in 1993 – though completed some years earlier – at a time when the background to the Warhammer 40,000 universe was still in a state of flux and not yet fully coalesced, the book follows three young Imperial Fist recruits from their formative years in the underhive gangs of Necromunda through to fighting as part of the First Company within the bowels (literally!) of a Tyranid bioship.
Not only will you find squats in this novel –Tzeentch-worshiping squats at that – but also Space Marines controlling Titans, Space Marines with lasguns, the Pain Glove and more than a small amount of toilet humour. Oh, and a Zoat. How could we forget the Zoat?
Although the temptation was great to rewrite significant portions of this book to make it conform to current background, as a curiosity piece, an historical snapshot of the Warhammer 40,000 universe circa the early 1990s, this book is invaluable. It also serves as a shining example of what can happen when a respected genre author at the height of his powers is let loose on an established shared universe.
In another month of reading (when I should be painting) I decided it was time I re-read this book. I have owned the original for sometime now but rather then it get further dog eared I decided to pick up the print on demand copy from the Black Library. Firstly about the book itself and I must say, as with my Bloodquest book, I am pleased with the quality. OK so the price is a bit steep but to have one of the founding pieces of 40k lore available again its worth it. The larger then normal format and the simplified cover looks really good and certainly works, it also means larger font as well which is nice.
I wasn't planning on doing a full on stonking review going in to great detail on the story and on the background but the thing with the novel is its so different! Which ever way you look at it Watson’s fluff does not fit the current mythology and Black Library story telling ethos. If anything perhaps is more literary than most current readers would like and is very cerebral in places (though with an unhealthy obsession with excrement and body parts!). All that in mind though any true aficionados of 40K and mainstream science fiction should embrace the novel as a classic and enjoy it for its strengths and inventions.
The novel begins with three young protagonists, citizens of the Trazior Hive, an vast city on the planet Necromunda, engaged in gang warfare. Yeremi Valence, Biff Tundrish and Lexandro d’Arquebus are the leads and each protagonist belongs to a different social class and as a result differing gangs> the novel cleverly begins with the collision of three levels of the hive, represented by three young gangs, battling each other in brutal warfare which is used to link them through out the story. Through various routes the three end up becoming recruits for the Imperial Fists Space Marines, it is here where things progress. I don't want to take it further as it would ruin the book for readers, one thing of note though is how actions in this book (originally meant as a one off) are linked to the subsequent follow up book, Inquisitor, a clever plot device before they even knew they needed it.
One of the big sells for me was the novel’s psychological complexity, but the biggest draw is the exquisite use of language. Each sentence is poetical and rigorous, more often then not Watson uses alliteration to dramatic effect, though you never feel its over used. One of the simplest ways in which he used this command of language is how as he quickly follows the three men’s rise to become battle-brothers he changes the manner and style of their speech to reflect this, but cleverly throws in slips when they in action.
As previously mentioned the novel doesn't sit wholly within the realms of current accepted background and imagery. For example in the novel Orks are not great threats and a blight on the universe they are simply space-faring pirates and spoken of as almost potential allies. We also get to meet squats, something unfortunately missing from the current universe, who with their human overlord are minions of Chaos. We also get a unique, if somewhat bodily orifice and excrement tinted, view of the two major players in the theme, daemons and Tyranids. The spin on these forces is certainly unique and twisted but it is something fresh and worth exploring.
See, I said I wouldn't do a full review and there I go and do one. All I can say to you now is go get this book! Beg, Borrow or Buy you need to have read this book to understand the Genesis of the 40k universe. The style and imagery isn't to every ones taste but for me this book rates a full 5 out of 5, if nothing just for the nostalgia I feel when reading it.
Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Space Marine by Ian Watson
Softback • ISBN 9781844169016
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Savage Scars - Book Review
Savage Scars by Andy Hoare
Dal’yth. The forces of the Greater Good have established a stranglehold on the planet, and the time has come for the Imperium to move against them. The White Scars lead the ground assault against the tau, launching into combat with speed and fury, shedding blood as they gain ground against their enemies. Meanwhile, the members of the Crusade Council are determined to pursue their own agendas, and their politicking and back-stabbing will place the entire war effort in jeopardy. But little do they know that Inquisitor Grand has more extreme measures in mind, and the White Scars must achieve victory quickly or the cost to Dal’yth will be devastating.
Savage Scars by Andy Hoare
Dal’yth. The forces of the Greater Good have established a stranglehold on the planet, and the time has come for the Imperium to move against them. The White Scars lead the ground assault against the tau, launching into combat with speed and fury, shedding blood as they gain ground against their enemies. Meanwhile, the members of the Crusade Council are determined to pursue their own agendas, and their politicking and back-stabbing will place the entire war effort in jeopardy. But little do they know that Inquisitor Grand has more extreme measures in mind, and the White Scars must achieve victory quickly or the cost to Dal’yth will be devastating.
This novel is the second white scars novel from the black library as far as I’m aware and the same from Andy Hoare. The novel itself is actually the third in the Damocles gulf/rouge trader series and despite this works equally well as a standalone novel that concentrates on the imperial expansion.
As mentioned this novel follows on from the Damocles gulf/rouge trader series and reintroduces many of the characters, mainly the Gerrit Family dynasty and Aura, not to mention Grand and a few others, in their adventures in the Damocles Gulf. This novel mainly concentrates on the fight back against the tau and the assembled crusade force battling against them. The main forces involved are those of the Imperial Guard, the Tau and some of their pets and finally a crusade force made up of numerous different chapters of Space Marines.
The novel follows the actions of three main characters previously mentioned, to work well this novel puts them each in different aspect of the crusades push and then plays on their motives and responsibilities. Firstly there is Lucian Gerrit who to make a name for the family and link it to the crusade for profit takes to leading an Imperial Guard Force. We also have Lucian’s daughter Brielle, whose motivations don’t become clear straight way. Finally we have Sarik, the White Scars character and the crux of the book, leading the crusades ground force we find this whole process to be a learning curve for him and certainly action packed.
The novel is well laid out and flows nicely, the scene setting at the start is a welcome addition as it means anyone that didn’t get to read the first two novels doesn’t need too. I would recommend them but they aren’t necessary for this novel. There are only one or two points where the book gets confusing, this is usually due to characters having not only different names (i.e. first names, family names or dynasty names) but also by some of the characters having similar names. The other is with the Space Marines involved, so we know we have the White Scars involved but they fight alongside Ultramarines, Scythes of the Emperor and Iron Hands. There other chapters mentioned in passing, such as the Black Templars or the Warbringers, but to be honest the three chapters I mentioned first seem done to death. Whilst there is the odd White Scars casualty it seems every other marine that gets killed is usually a Scythe or an Ultramarine, there is little mention of any other force really suffering. I know their big chapters and in the case of the Scythes this is pre their destruction (could this hint at a novel in the battles series for them?) but it just seems in places they are mentioned more than the lead characters own chapter!
Those two small niggles aside I actually liked the book. Some of the descriptions of the action and the tau were brilliant, the imagery of the titans superb and the action snappy. All in All a brilliant installation in the series, or a standalone, and one that leaves you hoping that the events discuss at the end of the novel are followed up and we learn more about them. A solid four and a half stars from me and a recommendation to pick it up given a chance.
Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com Savage Scars by Andy Hoare
Softback, 416 pages • ISBN 9781844165643
Monday, January 17, 2011
Imperial Armour 10: The Badab War – Part 2 - Book Review
Imperial Armour 10: The Badab War – Part 2 - Alan Bligh et al.
Once again having just completed the latest Imperial Armour book from Forgeworld I thought it would be a good idea to treat you to a good in depth review, however once again Gotthammer over at Collegia Titanica already beat me to it. So rather then write something that pales in to comparison next to his work I thought i would check with him and then post it over here. so for the most impressive review of an Imperial Armour book to date check out the Collegia Titanica here:
For me IA:10 was excellent, more reviewing of the fluff of the vehicles is nice as its something you can never have enough of, not to mention the mention of a medium Marine tank out there in the aether somewhere! I found that when reading this that whilst all the chapters were really well written about I felt that the Space Sharks and Mantis warriors needed more (the Mantis Warriors especially after the Deathwatch novels - I mean are they forgiven or still on the crusade?) but that was probably because they were the two chapters that most caught my eye!
Also given the Mantis Warriors were big contributors of Marines to the ranks of the Deathwatch what happened to their Marines on secondment, or infact Marines from any of the Successionist Chapters that were not "at home" as it were? That to me was the only real bit of fluff I would liked to have seen answered, who knows in a Garro style there may have been loyal Astral Claws on secondment within the Imperium, what happened to them?
My other favourite parts though were the colour plates, the way the armour was mixed so mk3 and mk8 were mixed up with other mks on one Marine was great, to me it answered a lot of questions I had about looks and is now gonna cost me a fortune in FW models. The well thought out schemes and vehicle markings shown on these colour plates are always what make the FW books for me, below are some examples.
Some of the little snippets, side notes and events suchs as those involving the Salamanders, Astral Claws and Executioners - the Red Hour or even The Doom of Hive Dominar should be written as a novel! Infact the Badab campaign could be the next Horus Heresy style novel chain for the BL - if only! My only complaint was the ending, too short and not enough clear up. The story just seemed to end with little or no details on what happened next, any follow up skirmished or subjagation of rebal populations of civilians or what the Claws did on their charge for the eye.
Imperial Armour 10: The Badab War – Part 2 - Alan Bligh et al.
Hardback, 208pp
For me IA:10 was excellent, more reviewing of the fluff of the vehicles is nice as its something you can never have enough of, not to mention the mention of a medium Marine tank out there in the aether somewhere! I found that when reading this that whilst all the chapters were really well written about I felt that the Space Sharks and Mantis warriors needed more (the Mantis Warriors especially after the Deathwatch novels - I mean are they forgiven or still on the crusade?) but that was probably because they were the two chapters that most caught my eye!
Also given the Mantis Warriors were big contributors of Marines to the ranks of the Deathwatch what happened to their Marines on secondment, or infact Marines from any of the Successionist Chapters that were not "at home" as it were? That to me was the only real bit of fluff I would liked to have seen answered, who knows in a Garro style there may have been loyal Astral Claws on secondment within the Imperium, what happened to them?
My other favourite parts though were the colour plates, the way the armour was mixed so mk3 and mk8 were mixed up with other mks on one Marine was great, to me it answered a lot of questions I had about looks and is now gonna cost me a fortune in FW models. The well thought out schemes and vehicle markings shown on these colour plates are always what make the FW books for me, below are some examples.
For me the overall rating for this book is a 5 because even though the end was so very short the overall look of the book and its partner just made it worth the obscene amounts of money it is from FW!
Availible from:
Imperial Armour 10: The Badab War – Part 2 - Alan Bligh et al.
Hardback, 208pp
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday 5 finds - 12.11.10
- Winterdyne Commissions has an awesome looking Black Templar Deathwatch members, shows a number of great trick and styles, the whole blog is well worth looking over.
- Ron over at From The Warp has a great step by step guide on how to convert a helmet for Chaplains and some examples of how to use it.
- Byzantum Empire has another update on his growing Guard force with some great pics of his latest additions to the force in the form of two Leman Russes.
- E-ville Armoury has some pics showing some very nice images from the recent More Rock Con, some nice models and some ingenious forces.
- Finally Okidus has some pics up of his latest INSANE terrain projects, using some of the biggest and most expensive pieces he can find for them!
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Sabbat Worlds Anthology - Book Review
Sabbat Worlds Anthology - Abnett, McNeill, Mitchell & others
Across the Sabbat Worlds, a bitter conflict is fought, a conflict that can only end in victory or annihilation. The innumerable forces of the Arch enemy attack without mercy, and planet after planet burns with the flames of war. Yet even amidst this nightmare, the Imperial Guard stand stoic against their foes. The Phantine Air Corps battle the enemies of mankind across burning skies, while the Gereon resistance tries to break the foothold of Chaos on their beleaguered world and the legendary Gaunt’s Ghosts fight in the most violent and bloody of warzones. This anthology opens the gateway to the Sabbat Worlds like never before, featuring new stories from some of the Black Library’s best-known authors including Dan Abnett, Graham McNeill, Aaron Dembski-Bowden and many more.
CAUTION CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!
For those of you unaware the history behind this compilation is one of a somewhat touching nature for GW, as you may be aware Dan Abnett found out last year that he was suffering with late onset epilepsy, so not only did this cause havoc in a major way for his life but it also impacted his writing, which quite rightly took a back seat. AS an homage and nod to Dan Abnett the Black Library have put together an anthology of work dedicated to the world Dan Abnett has created, more specifically the Sabbat World’s Crusade. The book is pulled from the authors in the Black Library that Dan Abnett admires the most and feels would make some of the worthwhile contributions to the background of the Crusade.
The Sabbat Worlds Anthology was edited by Dan Abnett and there are a couple of pieces from new pieces in the book from him as well. The work by Dan comprises of two stories, the first may have originally being published as a chapbook for Games Day UK (though I can’t remember which one) and the second is a completely new story that fits between the two first novels and creates an excellent bridge and helps answer some of the questions and histories.
The book is set out nicely with a touching introduction and narrative from Dan about his life and the troubles he has faced, he also explains the rationale for the book and his input in to it. Each story is prefaced with a brief introduction to the story and the writer, explain why he admires them and why he thinks their work fits well in to the Sabbat Worlds story. Dan quite rightly picks some of the biggest names in the Black Library, Graham McNeil, Aaron Dempski-Bowden and Sandy Mitchell. As well as some of the more less well known authors, including Dan’s very own good lady who does a stellar job with her story. Dan has left the writers with one hell of a challenge and I personally think they all for the most part have done an excellent job.
Apostle’s Creed by Graham McNeill
The first story re-visits the territory of one of Dan’s greatest stand alone novels, Double Eagle, this follows one of the key characters from that book and leading members of the Phantine squadron as she adjusts to life as a member of the Apostles! Whilst Graham McNeill does an excellent job of recreating Abnetts fine work Double Eagle is far and away the seminal 40k air battle work.
McNeill does an excellent job however fitting the Apostles in to a new warzone and exploring the WWI aces attitude (think of the movie fly boys) and fitting it to the 40 universe, a crossover that works well. This short story explores what it takes to become an ace and to survive the cut throat world of combat in the 41st millennium. It also explores the human side of loss and coping and looks at how morals and attitudes change when in extreme conditions. The novel is well written and it transposes well, the combat scenes are fast paced and quite rightly use many of the terms Abnett invented for 40k air combat in their narrative. The story is a worthy follow on to Double Eagle and would have fitted well in the end of the recent reprint
The Headstone and the Hammerstone Kings by Matthew Farrer
The next story follows the cleanup of a world and the removal of the machines of the arch enemy, however the arch enemy forces have other plans. This explores a raid on a machine dump from the point of view of several visiting dignitaries. The novel gives a view of the bureaucracy and pettiness of some of the worlds politicians but soon shows that when under stressful combat some of them are much more able then they are given credit for. The book is fast paced and gets to the action quickly. The actions of the raiders are over shadowed by the presence of the machines and the manner in which they and the story are dealt with seems purposefully confusing in places, this adds to the stories flow and makes the idea of a surprise raid more tangible. Whilst the Adeptus Mechanicus are involved their part is understated and could have being pushed more, the twist at the end also means no doubt we will see a full novel or at least an appearance from the Kings in the future.
Regicide by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
The life and times of Slaydo! That is all this can be described as without giving the story away. To give you some idea of this, one of Slaydo’s bodyguards is captured and tortured by a member of the Chaos forces and is asked to recount recent events in his words. This story works well as the language is clean and concise (much like the man it portraits) and doesn’t mess about. I don’t want to give any more away as this would ruin a very interesting piece of back ground on events in the crusade.
The Iron Star by Dan Abnett
The first piece by Dan Abnett in the book and the first Ghosts piece (no one else could write about the Ghosts and I’m glad no one else tried!), this novella apparently appeared elsewhere but if don’t recall ever reading it. It explores the mind of Gaunt following an action that has left him wounded and drifting in and out of consciousness (and sanity). The story is written much like the plot, in a confused and often semi lucid style but the ideas and memories it draws on help tie the thread back to some of the older novels. It’s an extremely well written piece of in depth character analysis and develops and shows many of Gaunts facets, a great piece of writing.
Cell by Nik Vincent
Written but Dan Abnetts other half the story is set on a world occupied by the forces of chaos this story looks at the lives and actions of resistance fighters as they battle from within. The story looks at the betrayals and sacrifices made by the fighters and their contacts. The twists and turns make the story a good read and really fits in with the ethos of the crusade and the back grounds of the universe. Well written, some good moments of action and a nice flow the story is enjoyable with a satisfying twist at the end of the story.
Blueblood by Nick Kyme
After being forced to the side lines the Bluebloods are posted to a back water world to recover and recuperate (i.e. their getting pushed out of the fight) as well as work to clear the world from the remaining forces. The story looks at how the influence of the forces of darkness can be spread. Meeting some of the previous characters from the earlier Ghosts novels the story looks at their “fall from grace” and their resurgence. The combat scenes Nick writes are fast paced and well written with some excellent descriptive language.
A Good Man by Sandy Mitchell
A good short detective story this story explores the inner workings of the bureaucracy on a recovered world and the ways in which it is investigated. A short thriller that It looks at the investigation in to a missing adept on a recently recaptured and reprocessed world. The story whilst serious does on more than one occasion hint at the great comedic writing Sandy Mitchell is usually known for but this story definitely shows he can handle the mundane as easily as the humorous. A great short story and one that explores some of the very human side effects of war and one that looks at what some people will do to feel they are helping and how easily that help can become dangerous.
Of Their Lives in the Ruins of Their Cities by Dan Abnett
A new short story from Dan Abnett set between the first two books I think this explores the growing relationship between Gaunt and the men and how things were often even less peachy then the mess we see in the early Ghosts novels. Dan returns to great form with this short story and if this is anything to go by we will certainly be seeing some great novels over the next year. The book looks at Gaunt running a small mission with some of the Ghosts and him learning their field craft and ways, unfortunately the hard way. It also looks at him starting to form relationships with those Ghosts that are willing to listen and understand what he’s done and is doing. The story has some great combat and some really nice prose. As with every story or novel Dan has written (including his Durham Red work) this is amazingly readable and a great story, almost worth getting the novel just for this story alone, a great return to form.
The novel is a great compilation of stories that really fit in to the idea of the Sabbat Crusades and really help give more insight in to the whole background of the area and the battles. Each and every one of the writers does Dan and the Crusade a great service by writing some excellent short stories. Dan returns to great form with his short story and the whole novel is a great tribute to him and his work. A great read and this is a real must have for anyone, be you a ghosts fan or otherwise, this novel is great and covers a huge variety of different aspects of the 40k universe. This book quite rightly receives a solid 5 out of 5 stars and the biggest recommendation I can give to go out and buy it as soon as possible. Excellent book, superb and you need it!!!
Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Sabbat Worlds Anthology - Abnett, McNeill, Mitchell & others
320pp hardback • ISBN 9781849700092
Across the Sabbat Worlds, a bitter conflict is fought, a conflict that can only end in victory or annihilation. The innumerable forces of the Arch enemy attack without mercy, and planet after planet burns with the flames of war. Yet even amidst this nightmare, the Imperial Guard stand stoic against their foes. The Phantine Air Corps battle the enemies of mankind across burning skies, while the Gereon resistance tries to break the foothold of Chaos on their beleaguered world and the legendary Gaunt’s Ghosts fight in the most violent and bloody of warzones. This anthology opens the gateway to the Sabbat Worlds like never before, featuring new stories from some of the Black Library’s best-known authors including Dan Abnett, Graham McNeill, Aaron Dembski-Bowden and many more.
CAUTION CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!
The Sabbat Worlds Anthology was edited by Dan Abnett and there are a couple of pieces from new pieces in the book from him as well. The work by Dan comprises of two stories, the first may have originally being published as a chapbook for Games Day UK (though I can’t remember which one) and the second is a completely new story that fits between the two first novels and creates an excellent bridge and helps answer some of the questions and histories.
The book is set out nicely with a touching introduction and narrative from Dan about his life and the troubles he has faced, he also explains the rationale for the book and his input in to it. Each story is prefaced with a brief introduction to the story and the writer, explain why he admires them and why he thinks their work fits well in to the Sabbat Worlds story. Dan quite rightly picks some of the biggest names in the Black Library, Graham McNeil, Aaron Dempski-Bowden and Sandy Mitchell. As well as some of the more less well known authors, including Dan’s very own good lady who does a stellar job with her story. Dan has left the writers with one hell of a challenge and I personally think they all for the most part have done an excellent job.
Apostle’s Creed by Graham McNeill
The first story re-visits the territory of one of Dan’s greatest stand alone novels, Double Eagle, this follows one of the key characters from that book and leading members of the Phantine squadron as she adjusts to life as a member of the Apostles! Whilst Graham McNeill does an excellent job of recreating Abnetts fine work Double Eagle is far and away the seminal 40k air battle work.
McNeill does an excellent job however fitting the Apostles in to a new warzone and exploring the WWI aces attitude (think of the movie fly boys) and fitting it to the 40 universe, a crossover that works well. This short story explores what it takes to become an ace and to survive the cut throat world of combat in the 41st millennium. It also explores the human side of loss and coping and looks at how morals and attitudes change when in extreme conditions. The novel is well written and it transposes well, the combat scenes are fast paced and quite rightly use many of the terms Abnett invented for 40k air combat in their narrative. The story is a worthy follow on to Double Eagle and would have fitted well in the end of the recent reprint
The Headstone and the Hammerstone Kings by Matthew Farrer
The next story follows the cleanup of a world and the removal of the machines of the arch enemy, however the arch enemy forces have other plans. This explores a raid on a machine dump from the point of view of several visiting dignitaries. The novel gives a view of the bureaucracy and pettiness of some of the worlds politicians but soon shows that when under stressful combat some of them are much more able then they are given credit for. The book is fast paced and gets to the action quickly. The actions of the raiders are over shadowed by the presence of the machines and the manner in which they and the story are dealt with seems purposefully confusing in places, this adds to the stories flow and makes the idea of a surprise raid more tangible. Whilst the Adeptus Mechanicus are involved their part is understated and could have being pushed more, the twist at the end also means no doubt we will see a full novel or at least an appearance from the Kings in the future.
Regicide by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
The life and times of Slaydo! That is all this can be described as without giving the story away. To give you some idea of this, one of Slaydo’s bodyguards is captured and tortured by a member of the Chaos forces and is asked to recount recent events in his words. This story works well as the language is clean and concise (much like the man it portraits) and doesn’t mess about. I don’t want to give any more away as this would ruin a very interesting piece of back ground on events in the crusade.
The Iron Star by Dan Abnett
The first piece by Dan Abnett in the book and the first Ghosts piece (no one else could write about the Ghosts and I’m glad no one else tried!), this novella apparently appeared elsewhere but if don’t recall ever reading it. It explores the mind of Gaunt following an action that has left him wounded and drifting in and out of consciousness (and sanity). The story is written much like the plot, in a confused and often semi lucid style but the ideas and memories it draws on help tie the thread back to some of the older novels. It’s an extremely well written piece of in depth character analysis and develops and shows many of Gaunts facets, a great piece of writing.
Cell by Nik Vincent
Written but Dan Abnetts other half the story is set on a world occupied by the forces of chaos this story looks at the lives and actions of resistance fighters as they battle from within. The story looks at the betrayals and sacrifices made by the fighters and their contacts. The twists and turns make the story a good read and really fits in with the ethos of the crusade and the back grounds of the universe. Well written, some good moments of action and a nice flow the story is enjoyable with a satisfying twist at the end of the story.
Blueblood by Nick Kyme
After being forced to the side lines the Bluebloods are posted to a back water world to recover and recuperate (i.e. their getting pushed out of the fight) as well as work to clear the world from the remaining forces. The story looks at how the influence of the forces of darkness can be spread. Meeting some of the previous characters from the earlier Ghosts novels the story looks at their “fall from grace” and their resurgence. The combat scenes Nick writes are fast paced and well written with some excellent descriptive language.
A Good Man by Sandy Mitchell
A good short detective story this story explores the inner workings of the bureaucracy on a recovered world and the ways in which it is investigated. A short thriller that It looks at the investigation in to a missing adept on a recently recaptured and reprocessed world. The story whilst serious does on more than one occasion hint at the great comedic writing Sandy Mitchell is usually known for but this story definitely shows he can handle the mundane as easily as the humorous. A great short story and one that explores some of the very human side effects of war and one that looks at what some people will do to feel they are helping and how easily that help can become dangerous.
Of Their Lives in the Ruins of Their Cities by Dan Abnett
A new short story from Dan Abnett set between the first two books I think this explores the growing relationship between Gaunt and the men and how things were often even less peachy then the mess we see in the early Ghosts novels. Dan returns to great form with this short story and if this is anything to go by we will certainly be seeing some great novels over the next year. The book looks at Gaunt running a small mission with some of the Ghosts and him learning their field craft and ways, unfortunately the hard way. It also looks at him starting to form relationships with those Ghosts that are willing to listen and understand what he’s done and is doing. The story has some great combat and some really nice prose. As with every story or novel Dan has written (including his Durham Red work) this is amazingly readable and a great story, almost worth getting the novel just for this story alone, a great return to form.
The novel is a great compilation of stories that really fit in to the idea of the Sabbat Crusades and really help give more insight in to the whole background of the area and the battles. Each and every one of the writers does Dan and the Crusade a great service by writing some excellent short stories. Dan returns to great form with his short story and the whole novel is a great tribute to him and his work. A great read and this is a real must have for anyone, be you a ghosts fan or otherwise, this novel is great and covers a huge variety of different aspects of the 40k universe. This book quite rightly receives a solid 5 out of 5 stars and the biggest recommendation I can give to go out and buy it as soon as possible. Excellent book, superb and you need it!!!
Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Sabbat Worlds Anthology - Abnett, McNeill, Mitchell & others
320pp hardback • ISBN 9781849700092
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Imperial Armour 9: The Badab War – Part 1 - A Review
Imperial Armour 9: The Badab War – Part 1 - Alan Bligh et al.
Having just completed the latest Imperial Armour book from Forgeworld I thought it would be a good idea to treat you to a good in depth review, however someone already beat me to it. So rather then write something that pales in to comparison next to his work I thought i would check with him and then post it over here. so for the most impressive review of an Imperial Armour book to date check out the Collegia Titanica here:
As im sure you can appreciate the whole review above is superb. The detail is something I like and the points raised are good. I agree with the most part and find that I liked pretty much the same as most others. The issue many people seems to have is the Griffons and their alternative colour scheme, personally i like it and a mixed force of them would look good.
The main thing for me though was the rules on boarding action, basiaclly a poor mans vbersion of Space Hulk but will definately lead to some interesting games. the little idiosincracies it opens up and the scope for some decent terrain is great.
The other rules for the Tyrants Legion again open up some great modelling options and if on rechecking its an official list it to me is the best Inquisitonal list to date, personally its how i think Grey Knights should work. the inclusion of human guardsmen and unique marine squads makes it a list worth seeing.
The book has certainly made me reconsider my upcoming projects, and depending on part 2 looks like i could be a very busy and poor individual in the new year. Tomorrow i will try to post some preliminary lists and ideas i have for forces for the new year.
Availible from:
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk
Imperial Armour 9: The Badab War – Part 1 - Alan Bligh et al.
Hardback, 208pp
Having just completed the latest Imperial Armour book from Forgeworld I thought it would be a good idea to treat you to a good in depth review, however someone already beat me to it. So rather then write something that pales in to comparison next to his work I thought i would check with him and then post it over here. so for the most impressive review of an Imperial Armour book to date check out the Collegia Titanica here:
As im sure you can appreciate the whole review above is superb. The detail is something I like and the points raised are good. I agree with the most part and find that I liked pretty much the same as most others. The issue many people seems to have is the Griffons and their alternative colour scheme, personally i like it and a mixed force of them would look good.
The main thing for me though was the rules on boarding action, basiaclly a poor mans vbersion of Space Hulk but will definately lead to some interesting games. the little idiosincracies it opens up and the scope for some decent terrain is great.
The other rules for the Tyrants Legion again open up some great modelling options and if on rechecking its an official list it to me is the best Inquisitonal list to date, personally its how i think Grey Knights should work. the inclusion of human guardsmen and unique marine squads makes it a list worth seeing.
The book has certainly made me reconsider my upcoming projects, and depending on part 2 looks like i could be a very busy and poor individual in the new year. Tomorrow i will try to post some preliminary lists and ideas i have for forces for the new year.
Overall the book is amazingly well put together and bar the odd spelling mistake the fluff is excellent. the rules for the most part seem well rounded and the "new aspect" to the game play makes it work. Linked with the awesome artwork and the new models Forgeworld have released this book gets a solid 5 out of 5 from me! Well done Forgeworld!!
Availible from:
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk
Imperial Armour 9: The Badab War – Part 1 - Alan Bligh et al.
Hardback, 208pp
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Hunt for Voldorius - Book Review
Hunt for Voldorius - Andy Hoare
Captain Kor'sarro Khan of the White Scars is petitioned by his Chapter Master to hunt down and destroy the daemon prince Voldorius, a warleader of the renegade Alpha Legion, thus ending his reign of terror across the stars. Hunting the beast doggedly for over a decade, Kor'sarro finally brings Voldorius to battle on Quintus, a world that has totally given itself over to the Alpha Legion. Together with their Raven Guard allies, the White Scars must fight an entire planet if they are to slay the daemon prince.
The latest in the Space Marine battle series from the Black Library sees the White Scar join forces with the Raven Guard in the pursuit of the Alpha Legion and the Daemon Prince Voldorius!
The course of the book and the background on the White Scars makes a nice change from the normal fluff and the established chapters we see. The fluff hints at more to come and gives us an insight in to Games Workshops very own Mongols in space. The chapter is well portrayed and the ideology they follow certainly comes to the fore in the main, however as with all Space Marines they are after all Space Marines. So with that in mind there is the inevitable Cookie cutter characters, the silly duels and the headlong charges, but then again why do we buy novels and stories about Space Marines if not for these things!
The book initially sets out with a nice piece setting the scene and the background to the White Scars eternal hunt that really sets it up as a story and shows that often marines do things for their own reason rather than at the beck and call of the high lords. This scene setting opens up the first part of the novel which features just the White Scars pursuing Voldorius and the Alpha legion. The novel concentrates initially on the pursuit and how the Scars use their forces to pursue and gather information and evidence, ultimately culminating in the much hoped for battle.
Later after the novel follows the clues and looks in to the resources the marines use to allow them to trace their nemesis we meet the Raven Guard who are ever elusive in the novel, the information we find on them and their chapter isn’t unknown but certainly takes a slightly different turn, oddly though much of it is revealed to us by the White Scars rather than by the Raven Guard themselves!
Once the two chapters join forces there is much suspicion amongst them but they join forces to pursue a common goal, one which the Raven Guards own agenda seems at times like it may endanger. The Raven Guard also reveal how they are willing to use local resources and normal humans to help achieve their goal, something that is rarer in other Black Library fiction. This plays out to show another facet of the book and shows how normal people are coerced or forced in to siding with the forces of chaos, something that is often left from the core of other stories. The way this and the ancient weapon/prisoner are dealt with is a nice departure from the normal flow of a Space Marine novel and helps break up the story.
I don’t want to give too much way with this but it’s obvious what will happen and it’s clear that the Marines will triumph right from the start, the difference is that not everything is as it should be. The characters aren’t as great as they should be, Shryke for instance is far from impressive as a character, his presence is under whelming but his combat prowess is undoubted, the same could be said of the White Scars leaders and officers. If anything the two most substantial characters in the novel are Voldorius and the Equerry once she is selected. That to me is a worrying decision to make these characters so important in a Space Marine novel.
As for the writing of the book there is an odd pace to the book, one that seems steady for the most part but at the right moments picks up speed and your reading pages at break neck speed. To me this is an excellent way of using the prose to show the sedate pace of the Scars when they are at rest but when in battle the break neck speed in which the writing flows illustrates the thirst for battle they experience and the thrill of the hunt. On the reverse of that when dealing with the Raven Guard Andy Hoare uses rather vague language and often doesn’t nail a point down, this helps with the painting of the Raven Guard as an elusive and secretive chapter. Finally when dealing with the Chaos aspect of the book it’s much more savage prose and plainer in its language for the most part. This mixing of the various styles and the descriptive language really helps paint more of a picture of the chapters in the novel then the actual characters manage to do.
This exciting mixture of styles and prose really makes what would have almost being a substandard novel in to a good solid read for me, certainly not one to miss from the collection, mind you would you miss one from the series? I know I wouldn’t just because it is a series! Overall a good novel and one with some nice touches to paint the pictures, such as the styles of writing, but unfortunately the characters left me slightly underwhelmed. On the reverse side it was nice to have two lesser written about but still well known chapters appear in a novel, that combined with some of the action in the book makes this a solid 4 stars for me and saves it from the 3 star rating it would otherwise have received.
Availible from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Hunt for Voldorius - Andy Hoare
softback, 416pp • ISBN 9781844165131
Captain Kor'sarro Khan of the White Scars is petitioned by his Chapter Master to hunt down and destroy the daemon prince Voldorius, a warleader of the renegade Alpha Legion, thus ending his reign of terror across the stars. Hunting the beast doggedly for over a decade, Kor'sarro finally brings Voldorius to battle on Quintus, a world that has totally given itself over to the Alpha Legion. Together with their Raven Guard allies, the White Scars must fight an entire planet if they are to slay the daemon prince.
CAUTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!
The latest in the Space Marine battle series from the Black Library sees the White Scar join forces with the Raven Guard in the pursuit of the Alpha Legion and the Daemon Prince Voldorius!
The course of the book and the background on the White Scars makes a nice change from the normal fluff and the established chapters we see. The fluff hints at more to come and gives us an insight in to Games Workshops very own Mongols in space. The chapter is well portrayed and the ideology they follow certainly comes to the fore in the main, however as with all Space Marines they are after all Space Marines. So with that in mind there is the inevitable Cookie cutter characters, the silly duels and the headlong charges, but then again why do we buy novels and stories about Space Marines if not for these things!
The book initially sets out with a nice piece setting the scene and the background to the White Scars eternal hunt that really sets it up as a story and shows that often marines do things for their own reason rather than at the beck and call of the high lords. This scene setting opens up the first part of the novel which features just the White Scars pursuing Voldorius and the Alpha legion. The novel concentrates initially on the pursuit and how the Scars use their forces to pursue and gather information and evidence, ultimately culminating in the much hoped for battle.
Later after the novel follows the clues and looks in to the resources the marines use to allow them to trace their nemesis we meet the Raven Guard who are ever elusive in the novel, the information we find on them and their chapter isn’t unknown but certainly takes a slightly different turn, oddly though much of it is revealed to us by the White Scars rather than by the Raven Guard themselves!
Once the two chapters join forces there is much suspicion amongst them but they join forces to pursue a common goal, one which the Raven Guards own agenda seems at times like it may endanger. The Raven Guard also reveal how they are willing to use local resources and normal humans to help achieve their goal, something that is rarer in other Black Library fiction. This plays out to show another facet of the book and shows how normal people are coerced or forced in to siding with the forces of chaos, something that is often left from the core of other stories. The way this and the ancient weapon/prisoner are dealt with is a nice departure from the normal flow of a Space Marine novel and helps break up the story.
I don’t want to give too much way with this but it’s obvious what will happen and it’s clear that the Marines will triumph right from the start, the difference is that not everything is as it should be. The characters aren’t as great as they should be, Shryke for instance is far from impressive as a character, his presence is under whelming but his combat prowess is undoubted, the same could be said of the White Scars leaders and officers. If anything the two most substantial characters in the novel are Voldorius and the Equerry once she is selected. That to me is a worrying decision to make these characters so important in a Space Marine novel.
As for the writing of the book there is an odd pace to the book, one that seems steady for the most part but at the right moments picks up speed and your reading pages at break neck speed. To me this is an excellent way of using the prose to show the sedate pace of the Scars when they are at rest but when in battle the break neck speed in which the writing flows illustrates the thirst for battle they experience and the thrill of the hunt. On the reverse of that when dealing with the Raven Guard Andy Hoare uses rather vague language and often doesn’t nail a point down, this helps with the painting of the Raven Guard as an elusive and secretive chapter. Finally when dealing with the Chaos aspect of the book it’s much more savage prose and plainer in its language for the most part. This mixing of the various styles and the descriptive language really helps paint more of a picture of the chapters in the novel then the actual characters manage to do.
This exciting mixture of styles and prose really makes what would have almost being a substandard novel in to a good solid read for me, certainly not one to miss from the collection, mind you would you miss one from the series? I know I wouldn’t just because it is a series! Overall a good novel and one with some nice touches to paint the pictures, such as the styles of writing, but unfortunately the characters left me slightly underwhelmed. On the reverse side it was nice to have two lesser written about but still well known chapters appear in a novel, that combined with some of the action in the book makes this a solid 4 stars for me and saves it from the 3 star rating it would otherwise have received.
Availible from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Hunt for Voldorius - Andy Hoare
softback, 416pp • ISBN 9781844165131
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Imperial Armour 9 Badab War & Sabbat Worlds Anthology
Well folks despite a shocking few days at work it seems that today is an exciting day after all! I returned home not only to find the Sabbat Worlds anthology from the Black Library on my mat but also my copy of the Imperial Armour 9! First impressions are they look great and I'm looking forward to reading them (shame I'm a third of the way through Hunt for Voldorius and I'm away this weekend but still their time will come!) and as always the books have a great finish.
Once they were unpacked and all dribbled over I have had a flick through them both. Sabbat Worlds looks like a rip roaring collection of different stories from all around the Sabbat Worlds area, most importantly there is not just one Ghosts story, but two! So that looks good. Plenty of other good stuff from Nick Kyme and the like.
Then had a quick flick through the Imperial Armour 9, some interesting sections, lots and lots of fluff as well as some great colour schemes and details on iconography, however the most pleasing thing for me was this:
Yep, I've been lucky enough to get it signed again! That means if I remember rightly that so far I'm fully signed on all my FW books, including aeronautica. As I know I'm not going to get much chance to read this for a few days and I suspect I'm lucky enough to be amongst the first few to get it here is a picture of the contents page and if anything on it interests you or you would like to know more let me know and I'll see what information I can give you (however I wont copy pages as I wouldnt want to breach GW copyright) so here it is:
Enjoy and let me know if there is anything you'd like to know.
Then had a quick flick through the Imperial Armour 9, some interesting sections, lots and lots of fluff as well as some great colour schemes and details on iconography, however the most pleasing thing for me was this:
Friday, October 01, 2010
Fear the Alien - Book Review
Fear the Alien - Edited by Christian Dunn
The Imperium of Man has many enemies among the stars, but none are reviled so much as the alien. Dangerous races seek to destroy humanity wherever they turn –the brutish orks, the ravening hordes of the tyranid, the unrelenting necrons and the mysterious forces of the tau and the eldar. Across the universe, humanity and their defenders, the Space Marines, seek to eradicate these xenos threats. Yet all they can hope for is another day of survival – for to stand against the alien is to enter an unending war... Featuring stories by Dan Abnett, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Nick Kyme, Juliet McKenna, C.L. Werner and many more, Fear the Alien is an unmissable collection for fans of Warhammer 40,000 and military science fiction.
WARNING THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS
Gardens of Tycho – Dan Abnett
Prometheus Requiem – Nick Kyme
Given this novel is meant as a tie in to the salamanders series Nick does an excellent job at writing a short story that holds its own. It pulls a little on the events of the previous novel but makes itself its own story by throwing enough new information and events in. as always Nicks style is fast paced and holds your attention right to the moment the last bolter shell impacts.
Mistress Baeda’s Gift – Braden Campbell
This is the first story in the book that is written truly from the alien perspective and is a story of love, loss, betrayal and anguish from the point of view of the Dark Eldar. To say too much about this story would ruin it suffice to say this one has some really humorous (though that’s possibly my sick sense of humour) moments that make it all the more entertaining and certainly don’t make it seem as alien as it possibly could or should.
Iron Inferno – C L Werner
Orks against Guard in an exciting stealthy ork infiltration. The story highlights the differences in the way humans and orks think and looks at how both sides prepare for war. The story isn’t the fastest and it isn’t the punchiest story in the novel but that slow build up and deliberately slow language make the story build up to the climax exceedingly well. A very good short story and one different from the most common portrayals of orks and guardsmen!
Sanctified – Mark Clapham
The dark elder make a second appearance in the book aboard an Imperial Navy ship. This story takes a look at their methods of infiltration and coercion as well as their ultimate downfall. It’s another very short story where when if I say more it would ruin the story. It certainly flows well and works from different angles and is a different take on the Dark Eldars approach to everything.
Faces – Matthew Farrer
A rather confusing and fluid story this book deals with the elder and their mythology through a very unexpected source. The book looks at how the harlequins take on their roles and play out the eternal myths of the Eldar in different ways. A good if somewhat highly confusing story and one that give more information on the elder, would have worked as a good tie in to the Path of the Warrior novel.
Unity – James Gilmer
Guard and Raven Guard outwit the Tau and Kroot in the next story. A nice if what slow paced story detailing their journey. The story deals well with some of the more well known background of the two xenos species and expands very well on the information on the kroot in particular. The story deals with it well but to be honest the whole story is full of stereotypes and little moments that don’t work, but somehow the story comes out as not too bad in the end.
The Core – Aaron Dembski-Brown
The second main stream tie in here deals with the Night Lords. The story looks at them raiding a space hulk for information. There are unsurprisingly appearances from the Genestealers and more surprisingly from the Salamanders. The story is well written and like the other Night Lords novels it links too shows that the Chaos Space Marines aren’t all the blood thirsty mental killers we expect – though a huge number are – and it shows how they value knowledge and skill. The Appearance of the Genestealers is almost treated incidentally and personally I think this story, whilst excellent, would have fitted better in to either a Chaos Space Marine Compilation or as part of another Night Lords novel, not in an alien story compilation. Still some good hints at the origins of Genestealers and how they interact with one another.
Ambition Knows No Bounds – Andy Hoare
This is the story of an aspiring Rogue Trader and Necrons! There’s one surprise appearance and some moments when the story just makes you think “WHAT??” but other than that it’s an interesting read and plays well upon the accepted Necron imagery and their tombs. A good story that would work well as a prequel to something bigger and better. Also looks like Andy Hoare is developing in to a bit of a Necron writer so who knows what we might see coming soon.
Overall I was pleased with the book but something in it just let it down for me, I can’t explain it and I don’t know why but for me the book only rates a 3 star on my scale. It could be that I’m expecting it from the alien point of view, it could just be I couldn’t get in to the book but to me if you like warhammer 40000 short stories it’s worth adding to the collection but if your only mildly interested don’t rush and grab it just yet.
Fear the Alien - Christian Dunn
softback, 416pp • ISBN 9781844168941
The Imperium of Man has many enemies among the stars, but none are reviled so much as the alien. Dangerous races seek to destroy humanity wherever they turn –the brutish orks, the ravening hordes of the tyranid, the unrelenting necrons and the mysterious forces of the tau and the eldar. Across the universe, humanity and their defenders, the Space Marines, seek to eradicate these xenos threats. Yet all they can hope for is another day of survival – for to stand against the alien is to enter an unending war... Featuring stories by Dan Abnett, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Nick Kyme, Juliet McKenna, C.L. Werner and many more, Fear the Alien is an unmissable collection for fans of Warhammer 40,000 and military science fiction.
- Gardens of Tycho by Dan Abnett
- Fear Itself by Juliet E. McKenna
- Prometheus Requiem by Nick Kyme, a companion story to the Tome of Fire trilogy
- Mistress Baeda's Gift by Braden Campbell
- Iron Inferno by C.L. Werner
- Sanctified by Mark Clapham
- Faces by Matt Farrer
- Unity by James Gilmer
- The Core by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, a companion story to the Night Lords trilogy
- Ambition Knows No Bounds by Andy Hoare
WARNING THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS
Gardens of Tycho – Dan Abnett
The novel opens with a short story by one of the Black Library’s literary heavy weights. As you would expect from Mr Abnett the story is a good old fashioned detective story with the normal warhammer 40000 twists and characters. The novel explores a world in the aftermath of a civil war against chaotic forces. Plenty of action and interesting imagery as well some surprises. My only problem with the story, it’s not an “alien” in the normal sense of the word but in the context the novel still works and really puts you in mind of some of the Tanith stories, a great start and one that reminds us all why Mr Abnett is the standard bearer for the Black Library.
Fear Itself – Juliet E. McKenna
The guard and Tyranids go head to head in the second story in the book in defence of an imperial outpost. The story follows the trials of an imperial guard medic as he holds the men together as they hold back the alien tide. The story is well written but as always with guard the outcome and story are a little bit formulaic. The language isn’t in the same park as Mr Abnett but it does more enough than enough to get you involved with the story and makes you want to find out how the story ends.
Prometheus Requiem – Nick Kyme
Given this novel is meant as a tie in to the salamanders series Nick does an excellent job at writing a short story that holds its own. It pulls a little on the events of the previous novel but makes itself its own story by throwing enough new information and events in. as always Nicks style is fast paced and holds your attention right to the moment the last bolter shell impacts.
Mistress Baeda’s Gift – Braden Campbell
This is the first story in the book that is written truly from the alien perspective and is a story of love, loss, betrayal and anguish from the point of view of the Dark Eldar. To say too much about this story would ruin it suffice to say this one has some really humorous (though that’s possibly my sick sense of humour) moments that make it all the more entertaining and certainly don’t make it seem as alien as it possibly could or should.
Iron Inferno – C L Werner
Orks against Guard in an exciting stealthy ork infiltration. The story highlights the differences in the way humans and orks think and looks at how both sides prepare for war. The story isn’t the fastest and it isn’t the punchiest story in the novel but that slow build up and deliberately slow language make the story build up to the climax exceedingly well. A very good short story and one different from the most common portrayals of orks and guardsmen!
Sanctified – Mark Clapham
The dark elder make a second appearance in the book aboard an Imperial Navy ship. This story takes a look at their methods of infiltration and coercion as well as their ultimate downfall. It’s another very short story where when if I say more it would ruin the story. It certainly flows well and works from different angles and is a different take on the Dark Eldars approach to everything.
Faces – Matthew Farrer
A rather confusing and fluid story this book deals with the elder and their mythology through a very unexpected source. The book looks at how the harlequins take on their roles and play out the eternal myths of the Eldar in different ways. A good if somewhat highly confusing story and one that give more information on the elder, would have worked as a good tie in to the Path of the Warrior novel.
Unity – James Gilmer
Guard and Raven Guard outwit the Tau and Kroot in the next story. A nice if what slow paced story detailing their journey. The story deals well with some of the more well known background of the two xenos species and expands very well on the information on the kroot in particular. The story deals with it well but to be honest the whole story is full of stereotypes and little moments that don’t work, but somehow the story comes out as not too bad in the end.
The Core – Aaron Dembski-Brown
The second main stream tie in here deals with the Night Lords. The story looks at them raiding a space hulk for information. There are unsurprisingly appearances from the Genestealers and more surprisingly from the Salamanders. The story is well written and like the other Night Lords novels it links too shows that the Chaos Space Marines aren’t all the blood thirsty mental killers we expect – though a huge number are – and it shows how they value knowledge and skill. The Appearance of the Genestealers is almost treated incidentally and personally I think this story, whilst excellent, would have fitted better in to either a Chaos Space Marine Compilation or as part of another Night Lords novel, not in an alien story compilation. Still some good hints at the origins of Genestealers and how they interact with one another.
Ambition Knows No Bounds – Andy Hoare
This is the story of an aspiring Rogue Trader and Necrons! There’s one surprise appearance and some moments when the story just makes you think “WHAT??” but other than that it’s an interesting read and plays well upon the accepted Necron imagery and their tombs. A good story that would work well as a prequel to something bigger and better. Also looks like Andy Hoare is developing in to a bit of a Necron writer so who knows what we might see coming soon.
Overall I was pleased with the book but something in it just let it down for me, I can’t explain it and I don’t know why but for me the book only rates a 3 star on my scale. It could be that I’m expecting it from the alien point of view, it could just be I couldn’t get in to the book but to me if you like warhammer 40000 short stories it’s worth adding to the collection but if your only mildly interested don’t rush and grab it just yet.
Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/ Fear the Alien - Christian Dunn
softback, 416pp • ISBN 9781844168941
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