Imperial Glory - Book Review

Imperial Glory by Richard Williams
Tired and broken by war, the men of the Brimlock Eleventh Imperial Guard are a force on the verge of collapse. Having been stretched across the galaxy by their loyalty to the Emperor, they are presented with one final battle that will allow them reward they all seek: to colonise the distant world of Voor and live out the rest of their days in peace. All that stands in their way is a force of savages – a plague of feral orks that has spread across the planet. But can the Brimlock’s battered bodies and minds hold up to this greenskin invasion?

In the latest imperial Guard novel from the realm of the Black Library we join the Brimlock Eleventh Imperial Guard who are already heavily depleted, find themselves battling for not just their lives but for a home against the mighty Greenskin army on the distant world of Vorr. Yes as we all now expect from the Black Library, it does have some heavy duty combat, but not as much as one might have thought and certainly not as much as with the Space Marine novels out there. The style of the writer is one that concentrates on the struggles of both the mind and the physical and as such does a great job of bringing both the fore as the reader feels the troops exhaustion throughout the title.


The novel does have many good points, there are some strong characters (some of which are almost too funny) and some that are recognisable from other genre and films. The characters do fit together well apart from the overly “evil” Commissar who just seems there as something to add for no real reason other than to show the various parts of the Imperial Guard. The plot is unfortunately a little bit too much like a military option, the story is almost to formulaic, you know what will happen before it happens all because it’s been planned out beforehand. This telegraphing of the plot is a tad frustrating as there is little in the way of surprise but I guess the characters themselves make up for this. Yes this does mean you might plod along and miss the odd intriguing bit here and there but I’m sure in most cases they will be picked up.

As mentioned though whilst there is action a plenty the focus is on three main characters and how this campaign plays out for them. We have Major Stanhope, a man who’s unable to put the past behind him, 2nd Lieutenant Carson, a man unable to escape his past actions, and Private Blanks, a man who has no idea what his past is. There’s a number of really great supporting characters as well that flesh out the company, you really get the sense that the 11th have been fighting far longer than is healthy for a person’s wellbeing. Physically, they’re extremely capable soldiers, but mentally there are questions! Just keep an eye out for Mr. Emmet and you’ll know what I mean. The problem is that whilst this is an interesting angle to go with the Imperial Guard I do think it should have been spread out and not only focused on this but also on the day to day functions of the guard, we could have had a campaign series here instead of a single novel, as there are some very tantalizing hints to the working world of these guardsmen.

Whilst ‘Imperial Glory’ won’t rank up there with my all-time favourite Imperial Guard novels as at times it’s just a little too slow and when thinking about the novel it does make me think of missed opportunities for developing the characters, backstory and even the campaign it certainly is a good read. The novel kept me reading and when it really got going I was glad that I’d stuck with it, but it’s ending whilst premature was different enough from the normal flow of the Black Library stock that it actually made me pause for a moment or two as it is very emotional. Williams’ family has its own share of military figures (as the appendix at the end shows) and throughout the book you definitely get a sense of this knowledge and experience as when the chips are down and combat is joined this really comes across. However despite all that the novel gets a solid 3 and a half out of 5 as despite its human appeal and emotive undertones the initial starting point is somewhat laboured and the story doesn’t allow for as much in the way of surprises as one might like. Still a good and potentially great study of the Guardsman’s condition in the 40k universe. An interesting read and I would love to know what other people thought of it.

Available from:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Imperial Glory by Richard Williams
Softback, 416 pages, softback • ISBN 9781844168880

Dead Men Walking - Book Review

Dead Men Walking by Steve Lyons
When the necrons rise, a mining planet descends into a cauldron of war and the remorseless foes decimate the human defenders. Salvation comes in an unlikely form – the Death Korps of Kreig, a force as unfeeling as the Necrons themselves. When the two powers go to war, casualties are high and the magnitude of the destruction is unimaginable.

The latest release for the Imperial Guard from the Black Library is a bit of a Marmite novel! Love it or hate it though one thing’s for sure it certainly makes you think about the Death Korps and reveals much of their back ground and organisation.


The novel has a simple premise, Necrons, Guard, Civilians? Then game on. This though to my mind is somewhat over shadowed by the style of flitting between one character or the other. Linked to the fact that the book has action but its short, sharp and has little detail, to me not something that makes the book work as a combat novel.

The novel itself didn’t really impress me unfortunately but it was a good first look at the Death Korps, giving little bits of info away about the way they are “titled”, no names just numbers, designations and ranks. The ease with which they died and sacrificed themselves as well as the callousness of the commanders was good and really helped highlight the fatalistic nature of the korps.

Other interesting bits where how the novel showed the reaction of the local population to an almost alien unfeeling invader, and that’s just the Death Korps, and how it takes time to defend itself and almost accept the Korps. Yes, there are more aspects to the book but to go in to them more might spoil it but let’s just say not a great novel as far as stories go but when it comes to information and background a very good read. Over all then from me it’s a three and a half stars!

Available from:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/
Dead Men Walking by Steve Lyons
Paperback • ISBN 9781849700115

Friday 5 Finds - 19.11.10

Afternoon folks!
this Friday's five finds sees me dipping in to the realms of fantasy and looking in some different directions for me! We also have some amazing 40k work on here, so lets begin:

1. First up we have an AMAZING Salamanders Land Raider from the desk of Dark Future Games, gives me some interesting ideas for my future forces, lets just hope my skills live up to this awesome work!
2. Over on the White Scars blog we have some interesting conversions of Land Speeder Typhoons, good idea and looks like they might pan out very well once finish.
3. On The Quiet Limit Of The World we have some nice looking straight forward Death Company Marines, something that despite being nothing fancy looks awesome.
4. Zen 40,000 becomes Zen WHFB this week with an update on his rather awesome Skaven war machine, looks good and cant wait to see it with some paint on.
5. Finally over on Dave Taylor Miniatures we have the start of his Empire Artillery Train, a great looking project and a great inspiration to the fantasy players out there.

And here is your Friday 5 Finds sneak peek:

Storm Wardens Space Marine Project!

Storm Wardens Space Marine Project?
So whats all this about I hear you cry? what is the Storm Wardens Space Marine Project?

Well until I started re-blogging I hadn't heard of it either, though now I have I'm glad. The Storm Wardens Space Marine Project is a fan based project consisting of a number of bloggers from around the Internet working together to produce something unique!

The Project is to build a Storm Wardens army, with each individual blogger contributing a number of models or units to the force.

For some more background ++From The Warp++ has this to say:

The Storm Wardens are a new Space Marine chapter from the yet to be released Death Watch RPG. Together with Games Workshop, Fantasy Flight Games (Horus Heresy, Wings of War) has been developing the game which will be released this summer.

Sounds cool I hear you say, there will be some awesome pics out there in the blogs and some nice models but what else does this do for me? Well here's the clincher:

The end result will be an incredible painted army going to one of you!

That's right one of you could not only win an awesome piece of original art from the guys at GW and FFG but you could also win the whole army! The project is a great idea and has some awesome painters and modellers working on it.

So please, please, please head over to ++From The Warp++ to check out progress and get links to the other bloggers, or watch my favourite blogs rolls on the side of the page for updates from the blogs I'm subscribed too.

More information on the basis of the project and details of how to enter can be found on Ron's blog, ++From The Warp++, here at this page: About The Project

Enjoy the threads and good luck!

Thanks to Ron for the information and being a driving force in the project.

Conversion Corner - Forces of the Librarium!

Hello Folks

Despite not posting much for a few days I've had a very busy few days. Not Content with furiously (well quite reasonable furiously for me!) converting away I've managed a trip or two out to the local Adnams shop for a wine tasting and ended up buying a bottle or 6 of a very nice New Zealand Sav called "Flying Kiwi". So the weekend became a mish-mash of tasting wine (if your in the UK may I suggest logging on to the Adnams website and trying some of their various wines, beers, ciders and foody products - free delivery on orders over £50) and drinking of beer, yet I have still completed a few tasks!

This weekend was a "Warriors of the Warp" weekend for me! I have finally got round to my Librarian conversions and have completed two and a third is awaiting a few finishing touches! Not only have I served the Red Hunters well but I also dug out my old copy of "Grey Knights" by Ben Counter and decided on a few conversions from that.

Finally not to spend too much time concentrating on Librarians and Knights I completed some work on my chapter icon pads to allow me to make a start on the rank and file, well after I've learnt the tricky art of GS moulding icons! Then just to wrap this weekends activity up there are a few pictures of some recently completed Imperial Guard figures to give you a little sneak peak of whats to come!

Due to the size of the pics and the number I will post the Red Hunters first, followed by a second post of the Grey Knights and the finally a third containing the Imperial Guard sneak peaks.

Red Hunters Librarians

Codifier Khorion

Codifier Khorion has served the Red Hunters with distinction for some 108 years, most of that time has been spent in the service of the 5th company, though as with most librarians this attachment is transitory and nominal.

Since his tenure under Inquisitor Tyndale during the Saldana Purges many have noted his increased aptitude in the ways of the warp and despite the loss of the Inquisitor during the Purges this has not adversely impacted the demand in which he finds himself and he and the fifth company are regularly requested for the most difficult campaigns by a growing number of veteran Inquisitors.

Since the Purges Khorion has developed a trait unusually (though not uncommon) amongst librarians and almost exclusively goes in to battle wearing his battle helm. Many Librarians choose to eschew this simple piece of defensive equipment to allow them to better harness the power of the warp, however after Inquisitor Tyndale was lost to a glancing shot to the head Khorion has chosen not to place himself in such a risky position.

Overall I am very please with how this model turned out, the simple green stuff icons have worked well and when combine with the Black Templar robes and helmet, along with the honour pad from the Red Scorpions set, gives a nice and simple Librarian conversion that works well.

Epistolary Rodriguez

Epistolary Rodriguez is currently on assignment with the Deathwatch on the behest of Inquisitor Grunvald after his actions during the boarding of the Ork infested Space Hulk "Dread Orktober" . The Epistolary has shown great aptitude for reading and coercing the minds of the myriad of Xenos races that assail the Imperium of man and is even now receiving further training in how best to improve and apply these skills.

Another relatively simple conversion using just plastic parts, apart from the Grey Knights Nemesis weapon and Deathwatch shoulder pad. Over all I am please with the Green Stuff work, though have noticed two missed parts - the right hand side lightning bot and the "edging" over one lower grieve, though may change this. Whilst the model is pretty static I think the Blood angels head gives a sense of motion or force.

Master Epistolary Haulvarn

Master Haulvarn has served with the Red Hunters for nearly six centuries and has completed numerous secondments to the Deathwatch, as is the way with many Red Hunters Veterans due to their Inquisitional ties.

Haulvarn is best known for his daemon fighting skills, and whilst many of his exploits are classified beyond Epsilon Vermilion level the power of this master of the immaterium cannot be doubted and his position within the chapter shows the mastery and skill he posses. Armed with his master crafted Storm Bolter and Nemesis Force hammer, both gifted by a Captain of the Grey Knights Haulvarn is a whirlwind of destruction and power on the battlefield.

Another conversion I am generally please with, however the skull on the chest really needs more work. I'm also not sure on the helmet so any views and suggestions would be great.

Red Hunters Test Pads

Some quick icon test casts of skulls to use for my Red Hunters logos, I know they need tidying up a little and possibly that the middle one is the best one of the three but what do you think?

Right well, that's update 1 of the weekends work complete.