Release Date: 16/11/17
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
Ever since the dark days of the Great Heresy, the Iron Hands have a long and tortured history. Their years of suffering and war has left them hardened and believing in a brutal tenet: the flesh is weak. Heavily cybernetic, their flesh extensively altered, these warriors of the Imperium are more machine than man, cold in aspect as well as demeanour. Their methods of recruitment are harsh, their rituals arcane, their pride unshakable. So when a world under the protection of the Chapter falls foul of insurrection, the Iron Hands answer with fire and cold retribution. It matters not that Thennos is considered sovereign territory by the Adeptus Mechanicus - the Iron Hands' campaign is one of extermination. But there is something dark lurking within Thennos, a horror that defies the purity of cold logic and the machine, and threatens something more, something ruinous...
REVIEW:
A tale of the Iron Hands, which takes the reader into their chapter as they seek to exterminate sedition from within a world that the Adeptus Mechanicus consider theirs. Its wonderfully dark and rich as our heroes seek to purefy the world and discover what lays behind it.
Back this up with top notch action, cybernised principle characters alongside a plot with plenty of twists and turns and all round its a book that will not only entertain but also have the reader questioning how much of man must remain to be human. Cracking.
Release Date: 2017
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama collection Enjoy three full-cast audio tales of heroes and villains from the Dark Millennium: the doughty Iron Hands warleader Kardan Stronos, the sinister blademaster Lucius the Eternal, and the mischevious Space Wolf Lukas the Trickster. This is the first time on CD for these three tales of adventure, mayhem and (with Lukas) mischief from some of Black Library's finest authors - and all are full-cast dramas, with music and sound effects for a truly immersive experience. Heed now three tales of the Champions of the Eternal War... The Calculus of Battle by David Guymer As the defenders of Varasine battle a tyranid invasion, Warleader Kardan Stronos and the Iron Hands come to their aid, measuring the Chapter's cold logic and strategy against the cost in human lives. The Embrace of Pain by Ian St Martin When blademaster Lucius the Eternal is challenged by a champion of the Death Guard, he accepts without hesitation... but could a daemonhost of Nurgle, or the voices inside his own head, be the undoing of his Slaaneshi curse? The Art of Provocation by Josh Reynolds When orks amass on Polix Tertius, Lukas the Trickster decides to play a dangerous game. Risking the ire of the Wolf Lords, he turns his attentions to the planetary vox, and begins to broadcast... Running time approx. 60 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Antonia Beamish, Robin Bowerman, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth and Luis Soto.
REVIEW:
If you have a journey to do, whether its for work or for pleasure, there are times when you either can't take a book to read with you or you tend to feel ill whilst looking at the page. Well for me, this is where I love to have my MP3 player loaded with not only music but audio books and for me I love the way that Black Library brings these titles to life in such a way that they transport you to that time and place.
As with the other tales from the publisher, this one blends top notch story telling alongside magical voice acting and when added to the library of what has gone before really makes it something unique to sit back and savour. All round another cracking addition and one that will get quite a lot of use from as I'm being sneaky and introducing my nephews to these titles with a lot of positive results.
Release Date: 2017
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
An Astra Militarum audio drama The 158th Elysian regiment of the Imperial Guard make one of their infamous drop assaults - in their home system. But when disaster strikes, it falls to Sergeant Zachariah to save the campaign from failure. The Elysian Drop Troops are a unique force within the Astra Militarum, and Chris Dows captures the dizzying, vertiginous nature of the way they fight so well, it'll make your head spin. The Elysian Drop Troops are famed throughout the Astra Militarum for their rapid deployment tactics, utter fearlessness and expertise at grav-chute assaults. The 158th Elysian are once such regiment, ordered to pacify piratical warbands at large in their native system. But as the campaign commences, disaster strikes, the regiment's inexperienced and arrogant captain the cause. Only through the ingenuity of Sergeant Zachariah is a victory salvaged, but at a terrible cost. Running time 57minutes Written by Chris Dows Narrated by John Banks
REVIEW:
Another cracking MP3 story from the Black Library that transports you into the bleak 40th Millenium as mankind struggles to survive against its many foes. Beautifully written with cracking vocal talent alongside an arc that just keeps giving all round makes this a wonderful piece of narrative audio that will more than entertain.
Finally throw into the mix a cast that you want to spend time around and for me, its a title that will more than entertain on other future journeys. Cracking.
Release Date: 07/10/14
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
Once heroes and companions on the greatest of adventures, Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger have long since gone their separate ways. Felix, married and working for the family business in Altdorf, embarks on a journey north to Kislev when he hears that an old comrade has been captured by the forces of Chaos. Reunited with Gotrek, and otherol friends, Felix begins to suspect that he has embarked on his final adventure. And in the cold north, Gotrek's doom awaits him...
REVIEW:
Firstly, I’m a huge fan of Felix and Gotrek so I was more than looking forward to this, the latest outing for the duo but as I read the book, I found myself falling out with the characters. I didn’t like the way that they were coming across, hated the way that some of their actions went against what has happened before and when added to the ending, left me feeling more than flat as I felt a lot of the companionship and humour from earlier outings had been lost.
It didn’t move along with its usual zing and when added to an overall overly complex arc backed up with some heavy fighting that felt more like a “quick get some blood splashed” about to keep readers going all round left me feeling very cheated. I hope that the final book in the series doesn’t let it go to pot however I get a horrible feeling that its either going to be something super impressive or lead to a certain slayer not just wondering the wastes but perhaps even the pathways fo the chaos gods themselves.
Release Date: 26/09/13
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...Legend tells of the City of the Damned - a dark and forbidding place destroyed in a previous age by the wrath of Sigmar. Long have its fallen towers remained undisturbed by the people of Ostermark, but now an ancient evil stirs in the depths, gathering its strength once more. Gotrek and Felix are swept up in the crusade of Baron Gotz von Kiel to cleanse the city, and as the ruins are torn from the passage of time itself, the Slayer's doom appears to be approaching more quickly than either of them would like.
REVIEW:
OK, I hate to say this but as a huge fan of Felix and Gotrek I feel more than a little cheated with this outing. Why? Well the characters have changed drastically; Gotrek isn’t up to his usual dourness and with Felix feeling a little more wishy-washy than he has done before all round left me feeling more than a little chilled.
Throw into this a story where the pace seemed to just drag a lot of the time alongside supporting cast members who felt more than a little flat and all round it wasn’t a story worthy of the duo. Back that up with no real camaraderie within the dialogue and all round it’s a book perhaps best left for now whilst you reread and enjoy previous outings.
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.
Release Date: 30/04/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
For one night of the year, the elven citizens of Tor Yvresse put aside their woes and celebrate the Festival of Masques - a carnival of laughter and merrymaking where they are free to indulge their every whim and desire. This year, the renowned travelling minstrel Narentir plans to regale them with the epic tale of their own tragic past, and word has spread to the farthest corners of Ulthuan that this will be a performance not to be missed. However, a grim and solitary figure stalks the shadows of the city, intent on silencing the irreverent bard. Though spirits may be high and the revelry in full swing, death's messenger awaits his moment to strike...
REVIEW:
A short story from Graham that whilst celebrating the Festival of Masques on Tor Yvresse goes to show that the darkside of the Elves can be just as frightening as those of their darker Naggaroth kin. Its witty, brings the lighter side to the fore and shows a sensitive side to the culture that helps show the reader another side to them. It has solid storytelling a few twists and something that goes to show that the final choice of all can be not only measured in seconds where their lighter side prevails over their darker.
All round a reasonable enough story that whilst its been released previously gives new readers the chance to enjoy something a little different.
Release Date: 30/05/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
The legend of Golgfag Maneater begins! Trapped in a sinister castle, prisoner of an insane creature of the night, Golgfag, ogre of the Sabreskins tribe, is in trouble. As death draws ever nearer and he recalls the events the conflict with his fellow ogres that brought him to this precarious situation, Golgfag must call upon all of his might and cunning if he is to escape and embrace his destiny as the greatest mercenary in the Old World.
REVIEW:
A short story from Graham that whilst celebrating the Festival of Masques on Tor Yvresse goes to show that the darkside of the Elves can be just as frightening as those of their darker Naggaroth kin. Its witty, brings the lighter side to the fore and shows a sensitive side to the culture that helps show the reader another side to them. It has solid storytelling a few twists and something that goes to show that the final choice of all can be not only measured in seconds where their lighter side prevails over their darker.
All round a reasonable enough story that whilst its been released previously gives new readers the chance to enjoy something a little different.
Release Date: 30/05/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
Grimnar Halfhand, survivor of a massacre at the dwarf watchpost of Karag Durak, wants revenge on the fiend who killed his warriors and took his hand.
REVIEW:
A Dark Day has come to the fore as the Dwarves seek to strike out a grudge against the Skaven for not only a successful raid (at least for the Ratkin) but also for an injury to one of their leaders. As with all battles where vengeance is at the centre, its hard core, the prose is incredibly sharp and for fans of Queek Headtaker, this tale is to be an epic one in the telling.
Add to this great combat, some wonderful dialogue and all round a story that will more than entertain to the last word. Great all round.
Release Date: 30/05/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
Before he ever met Gotrek Gurnisson, Felix Jaeger had a knack for getting into trouble... Risking his life to save a band of travellers from certain death, Felix finds himself drawn into a quest to retireve a dangerous artefact from the mystical lair of a long-dead necromancer. But as danger presses in, Felix finds that he may not be able to trust his new companions. Just what is the secret of the Valley of Death, and how can Felix possibly survive it?
REVIEW:
An early tale set from the point of view of Felix before he has met the infamous Troll Slayer and yet, its one that goes to show just how capable a warrior he is in not only his own right but also how he can utilise the skills he already has to find ways out of situations that arise within this book.
As with the other Felix and Gotrek tales its well written, the characters come across wonderfully and when you get down to the nitty gritty, whilst Felix may not always be the sharpest tool in the box, he does figure things out in his own time, usually at a huge cost. All round a great piece of fun fiction and one that I’ll be enjoying again soon.
