Monday 12 August 2013

FANTASY REVIEW: Warhammer Fantasy: Gotrek and Felix: The Lost Tales - Ed. Laurie Goulding and The Bloody Handed - Gav Thorpe

Release Date: 18/07/13
Publisher:  Black Library

SYNOPSIS:

Gotrek and Felix: unsung heroes of the Empire, or nothing more than common thieves and murderers? The truth perhaps lies somewhere in between, and depends entirely upon whom you ask... A collection of timeless tales featuring the Slayer Gotrek Gurnisson and his human companion Felix Jaeger. From the undead-ridden marshes of Hel Fenn, where an ancient evil lurks, to the court of a skaven lord in the depths of a dwarf hold, the duo face excitement, danger and intrigue at every turn.


REVIEW:

OK, this compendium is a set of stories that have previously been released in other forms (including as individual E-books.) It is a great item to have if you haven’t stepped into the E-Book world yet but if you already purchased them separately you may want to give this a miss. Don’t get me wrong the stories were a lot of fun to reread, but part of getting a new book is receiving an adventure you’ve yet to embark upon where every twist keeps you gripped. As a huge fan of Felix and Gotrek I tend to remember what has gone before. All round a solid enough book and a great one to own if you like to keep your paperback collection complete.



Release Date: 18/07/13
Publisher:  Black Library

SYNOPSIS:

Life as a princess in the colony of Athel Toralien is a constant struggle for recognition and purpose. When Hellebron, daughter of the city’s ruler, is snubbed by Queen Morathi, she vows to make a name for herself and claim her rightful place in the court at the capital, Anlec. Her ambition takes her into a life of battles against foul creatures, sectarian war, betrayal and gruesome sacrifice in a dangerous grab for power, as Hellebron seeks to become high priestess of the cult of Khaine, the Lord of Murder, The Bloody-handed God.


REVIEW:

This is a book that, for me, took quite a bit of time to get into. It wasn’t a badly written novel but the titles beginning was not only very slow but felt more of a filler than any real substance to add to the tale. Don’t get me wrong, when you get past this beginning piece and into the action it really does pick up with great combat sequences, a wonderful turn of phrase alongside bringing the Khaine Cult alongside Witch Elves into their own, but getting past that start is going to be something that quite a few regular readers will have problems with.

All round it is a solid enough story and the fact that it concentrated on two Witch Elves make this a title that’s worth sticking with. However if you’re buying this because of the usual assurance of the quality of Gav’s wrting this isn’t his best in my opinion.



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