Release Date: 24/05/12
SYNOPSIS:
The Ultramarines have been the honourable cornerstone of the Adeptus Astartes throughout their ten thousand year history. Captain Uriel Ventris fights to prove that he is worthy to return to the hallowed ranks of the Chapter after his exile to the Eye of Terror, and that he is free of the insidious taint of Chaos. But as the Iron Warriors move against Ultramar, a grim premonition comes to light: Ventris will have a part to play in the coming war, for good or ill.
REVIEW:
The new compendium and value for money title featuring more of the Ultramarines in this, the second title. Its full of action with gripping close combat and bolter fire which when backed with a great lead character alongside a superb supporting cast, goes to demonstrate why Graham’s Ultramarines have been a sure hit with fans since the books original release.
Add to this wonderful stories, pyrrhic victories alongside the glorification of the chapter and when added to gripping arcs alongside top notch combat makes this a book that if you don’t own them already, is very hard to ignore. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/03/12
SYNOPSIS:
On the nightmare battlefields of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, few foes spark more fear and dread than the Chaos Space Marines. Nurturing a hatred that is millennia-old, they attack without mercy, spreading terror and destruction in their wake. Now hell has come to Hydra Cordatus, for a massive force of terrifying Iron Warriors, brutal assault troops of Chaos, have invaded the planet and lain siege to its mighty imperial citadel. But what prize could possibly be worth so much savage bloodshed and destruction and how long can the defenders possibly hold out?
Contents:
* Storm of Iron
* The Enemy of my Enemy
* The Heraclitus Effect
* The Skull Harvest
* Iron Warrior
* The Iron Without
* The Best of Calth
REVIEW:
A compendium and to be honest if you don’t already own the Iron Warrior stories set around Warsmith Honsou (Storm of Iron and a few Novella’s) this is a great way to purchase a set to keep you entertained. As with Graham’s other work the writing is gritty taking place on the front lines and when you add to this death on the front lines not just the enemy (in this case the Imperium) but also the possibility of a dagger in the back from your own side, then you know that this is a title of high tension as well as double dealing.
Add to the mix a whole bucket load of trouble, some visceral sequences alongside a dark antihero who will stoop to anything to achieve his own goals and you know that it’s a title that will entertain, disgust and of course get the job done in equal measure. Great stuff.
Release Date: 06/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
The Blood Angels stand apart from the other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, descending from the skies on wings of flame. While they are renowned for their ten-thousand-year history of glorious battle and honourable deeds, these secretive Space Marines seek to hide the dark flaws at the core of their being – the Red Thirst and the Black Rage – from the rest of the Imperium. Do they fight any longer for the protection of mankind, or merely for their own salvation?
REVIEW:
Whilst I’ve read the two full novels contained with before (Red Fury and Black Rage) I absolutely loved the additional material that was included within however this is the third time that Heart of Rage has been released (once in a book and once as an audio book) which may leave readers feeling a little cheated.
If you’re a fan of the Warhammer 40k world it is a great value for money item and a wonderful way for the reader to contain the titles within their own collection. Add to this a Blood Angel Appendix and a couple of other stories and it was a book that entertained as well as kept the chapter alive. Cracking stuff and could be an ideal gift for the Black Library fan in your life.
Release Date: 02/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The Word Bearers are among the most feared and reviled of all Chaos Space Marines. Fierce warriors with a fanatical religious zeal, they blaze across the galaxy in the service of their dark gods. Worlds will burn, and entire civilisations will fall before the fury of the XVIIth Legion.
This omnibus is the definitive collection of Anthony Reynold’s popular Word Bearers series, following the cruel exploits and machinations of First Acolyte Marduk and the 34th Host. Gathered together for the first time, the novels Dark Apostle, Dark Disciple and Dark Creed are concluded with the all-new short story Torment.
REVIEW:
The compendium of the Word Bearer series by Anthony Reynolds who takes the reader to the dark side as we follow the exploits of First Acolyte Marduk within the three tales Dark Aposttle, Dark Disciple and Dark Creed. It has a top notch plot line, cracking prose and above all else a character that’s unpredictable as he schemes, fights and double deals his way to his goals.
It’s a cracking read, has lots of wonderful moments and of course, as a compendium its sheer value for money almost worthy of the rank of Word Bearer itself. Top notch entertainment.
Release Date: 15/09/11
SYNOPSIS:
Steven de Selby has a hangover. Bright lights, loud noise, and lots of exercise are the last thing he wants. But that's exactly what he gets when someone starts shooting at him.
Steven is no stranger to death - Mr. D's his boss after all - but when a dead girl saves him from sharing her fate, he finds himself on the wrong end of the barrel. His job is to guide the restless dead to the underworld but now his clients are his own colleagues, friends, and family.
Mr. D's gone missing and with no one in charge, the dead start to rise, the living are hunted, and the whole city teeters on the brink of a regional apocalypse - unless Steven can shake his hangover, not fall for the dead girl, and find out what happened to his boss - that is, Death himself.
THE BUSINESS OF DEATH includes the first two volumes of the Death Works trilogy, Death Most Definite and Managing Death, as well as the third volume.
REVIEW:
I love a compendium and this cracking series by Trent Jamieson has been something not only novel but pretty unique in the Urban Fantasy world. It’s witty, it’s clever and the author has a twisted streak worthy of Mr D himself as his deviousness and clever twists keep this series moves at a cracking pace.
Back that up with witty banter, great prose as well as a unique storytelling voice and it’s something very special indeed, but when you add the fact that it’s cheaper than the cost of two titles it’s a special three for two deal. Magical in its own right.
Release Date: 23/06/11
SYNOPSIS:
The Blight arose from nowhere. It swept across the bickering nations like The End of Times and spared only those with a single fortuitous blood type. Hot headed religion and territorial savagery rule the cities now. Somewhere amidst the chaos, however, there are groups of people fighting to survive. Heroes determined to create a better world. But can these warriors of the apocalypse hope to rediscover the humanity lost long ago in the blood and filth and horror of the Cull? The Afterblight Chronicles Omnibus features three action-packed novels set in a dangerous, broken America ruled by crazed gangs and strange cults.
REVIEW:
A compendium of some of the earlier titles released in this apocalyptic Abaddon series which if you don’t already own will add something a little different for you to try. Whilst I usually prefer a number of these type titles to stick this side of the Atlantic, this book more than gives the reader a treat.
Add to this the chance to try three authors for one price, alongside value for money and the bliss of not having to wait for the next instalment and it’s a title that will generate a lot of interest. Finally, whilst a number of readers would clamour for the inclusion of zombies (which you’ll get if you select the companies Tomes of the Dead Series), it is a great to read the human struggle within. Top notch writing, top notch authors and to be honest a series that really has to be read to be believed.
Release Date: 14/04/11
SYNOPSIS:
Bretonnia is a land shrouded in myth and magic, under siege from the strange creatures of its shadowy forests and those fallen to the lure of the Dark Gods. Against these fearsome foes stand the Knights of Bretonnia, calling upon their faith in the Lady and their guile with the sword to repel their legions of enemies. When young noble Calard starts upon the path to knighthood, he soon discovers the darkness hidden within his homeland and the price that must be paid by those seeking the holiest of honours - the title of Grail Knight. Accompanied by his faithful manservant Chlod, he must face vampires, wyverns, Chaos warriors and goblins, but each battle brings him one step closer to becoming the legend he seeks. Knights of Bretonnia collects the novels Knight Errant and Knight of the Realm, plus two new novellas, Questing Knight and Grail Knight, completing the saga of Calard from his knightly training to his most epic of victories.
REVIEW:
A compendium of goodness that is the combination of Anthony’s Knights of Bretonnia titles to date which will allow the reader the chance to read them all from start to finish without the wait between titles with the added bonus of two novella's.
It’s a great idea and if you haven’t yet had the chance to enjoy his adventures one that will allow the reader the opportunity to easily see how the players grow from tale to tale as well as watching the struggles continue of light over dark as each choice has consequences.
It’s inventive, it’s something a little different and above all else the author has more to play with as there is very little set within the lands of Bretonnia as opposed to the Empire. If you love your knights and want tales of slaying and daring do then this is definitely the Black Library book for you. Seriously good stuff.
Release Date: 03/03/11
BOOK BLURB:
Across the war-torn galaxy, the Imperial Guard are a bastion against the enemies of mankind. From the punishing heat of Tallarn's deserts to the bonechilling tundras of Valhalla, these are soldiers who give their lives in the Emperor's name. Whether shoulder to shoulder or crushing their enemies in vast machines of war, they are unwavering in their devotion to duty. On a thousand stars, they repel the forces of Chaos and the foul xenos in an eternal conflict. This omnibus collects three tales of savage warfare and heroism in the frontline.
REVIEW:
There’s nothing more heroic in the 40K universe than the common man, his fear is higher along with need to run for his own mortality but to me it makes his deeds more heroic than that of the modified superhuman astartes. Brought together here are three Imperial Guard titles that will take you to all environments alongside extremes.
Whilst I personally didn’t rate one of the three books highly, the other two more than made up for it. The writing is snappy, the dialogue war torn and harsh with the prose sticking to the action thick and fast. All in it’s a good bit of fun and gives the reader something different to the norm especially when their troops take to the battlefield and the readers get a chance to slog it through the dangers as if they were there. Great stuff.
Release Date: 20/01/11
SYNOPSIS:
Robert E. Howard was a pulpwriter who turned his hand to everything from historical adventure and detective stories to Western and boxing fiction - and invented the genre now known as sword-and-sorcery: it is for these tales of heroic fantasy and horror that he is best remembered. His mighty heroes - including an English Puritan adventurer sent on redressing grievous wrongs, the king of a mythical, antediluvian empire contemporary with Atlantis, a Pictish warrior-king - all these brothers of the sword and more bestrode the pages of WEIRD TALES and the other pulp magazines of the twenties and thirties. This companion volume follows on from the success of the first Gollancz Big Black Book featuring Howard's world-famous barbarian king, and contains all the stories featuring his brothers-in-arms, collected together in chronological order, as fresh and atmospheric today as when they were first published in the pulp magazines of more than eighty years ago. Compiled by and with an Afterword by award-winning writer and editor Stephen Jones, and with cover image, frontispiece and internal pictures by the award-winning artist Les Edwards.
REVIEW:
The second leather bound title from Gollancz that brings the reader more tales from Robert E Howard originally published in the Pulp Magazines of the 20’s and 30’s. Rather than concentrating on Conan this time you get to meet more of Howards principle heroes like the Solomon Kane and Kull.
Beautifully presented this edition will be a wonderful addition to any readers collection and beautifully priced. Add to that some great writing, some characters who defined the stereotypes alongside some all action plots and you know that this book is one to be treasured.
Release Date: 03/02/11
BOOK BLURB:
Across the Old World, the powers of Chaos seek to bring corruption and death, poisoning the minds of men and filling them with hatred and fury. Only the bravest dare stand against them - two Empire soldiers, marching into the cold wastes of Kislev to face the barbaric Northern hordes, where one will lose his soul to the Ruinous Powers. The high elf Gilead Lothain, who seeks to strike at the servants of the Dark Gods in a quest for vengeance that can never end. The ranks of the noble White Wolves, who stand to defend the majestic city of Middenheim until the last man, never backing down in the face of their enemies. Thunder and Steel is an epic collection of Dan Abnett's Warhammer fantasy, including the novels Riders of the Dead, Gilead's Blood and Hammers of Ulric, plus short stories and the full graphic novel of The Warhammer.
REVIEW:
Omnibus’ are all the rage and what could be finer from the Black Library than to bring together the finest Warhammer Fantasy standalone titles from Dan Abnett, writer and expert extraordinaire.
Within this title you get, Gilead’s Blood, Hammers of Ulric, Riders of the Dead, Swords of the Empire, Shyi-zar alongside Dan’s graphic novel story, The Warhammer. It’s a seriously big title, backed up with typical Abnett prose alongside bloody, gruelling battles tied up with misery, hardship and victory which makes this a real treat for fans of the Warhammer world. My only complaint is that I felt that the graphic novel part should have been darker in places in order to give the reader the full experience, instead it felt more like a washed out representation which was the only real let down of this piece.
All in, this is a real touch of magic to help kick off the new year and when backed up with a surprising price, makes this a real bargain.
Release Date: 06/01/11
BOOK BLURB:
The universe shifts and changes: suddenly you understand, you get it, and are filled with a sense of wonder. That moment of understanding drives the greatest science-fiction stories and lies at the heart of Engineering Infinity. Whether it's coming up hard against the speed of light and, with it, the enormity of the universe, realising that terraforming a distant world is harder and more dangerous than you'd ever thought, or simply realising that a hitchhiker on a starship consumes fuel and oxygen with tragic results, it's hard science-fiction where sense of wonder is most often found and where science-fiction's true heart lies. This exciting and innovative anthology collects together stories by some of the biggest names in the field, including Stephen Baxter, Charles Stross and Greg Bear.
REVIEW:
With the science fiction genre taking off, there’s a huge choice about the subgenres for readers to pick from, so how do you narrow it down what to try and especially with finances getting tighter who is worth spending your hard earned cash on?
Well worry no more. What has been created in this title is a book full of Hard Science Fiction, with authors like Stephen Baxter, Charles Stoss and Gynneth Jones whilst also bringing new talent to the fore such as Hannu Rajaniemi. Each individual tale brings a whole host of talent to the fore as well as bringing some great storytelling alongside great prose. It’s a serious piece of fiction and one that deserves a lot of readers attention whilst allowing readers to try people new as well as a chance to get involved in the harder edge of the genre.
Release Date: 11/11/10
BOOK BLURB:
Ulysses Quicksilver, dandy, adventurer and agent of the throne. A steam-punk hero on a dark alternative universe where Queen Victoria has ruled for 160 years, sinister powers plot against the
British Empire and dinosaurs roam the Challenger enclosure at London Zoo. This is the world of Magna Britannia, a brave new age of steam populated by heroes and villains, monsters and grotesques.
Volume 1 in this series collect together the first three Ulysses Quicksilver novels: Unnatural History Leviathan Rising and Human Nature.REVIEW:
Having been a fan from the beginning of this quirky character, I really couldn’t help but rediscover the joy of this dashing dandy of a secret agent in Steampunk Victoriana glory. After all that’s what this title is all about and to be honest whilst some may not be the biggest fan of this literary hero, he’s got a hell of a lot to offer the modern reader in a similar sort of way that Moore brought when he did his League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to the screen.
Add to the mix that this is an omnibus and you know that it has value for money built in. It’s an ideal stocking filler if you love action and when backed with a hero that readers will just love to hang out with alongside the full extent of everything from Darwinism gone wrong, a touch of reanimator and a whole host of interesting supporting cast and it really is a spiffy read.
Release Date: 11/11/10
BOOK BLURB:
Tomes of The Dead: tales of the hungry dead, roaming the earth, bringing a charnel plague to humanity. Tomes of The Dead: where graveyards yawn and zombies push up through worm-ridden soil as undeath wakes rigor mortis stiffened limbs. Tomes of The Dead: the very best in zombie fiction from some of the finest talents working in horror today.
Volume 1 in this series collects together The Words of Their Roaring, I Zombie and Anno Mortis
REVIEW:
As a fan of the Tomes of the Dead series by Abaddon, I always love the excuse to delve into the world that they’ve created and watch the undead wreck their havoc. What makes this perhaps one of the better series is that they don’t constrain themselves timeline wise to the modern world which is easily proven in titles like Anno Mortis that’s set in the Roman Empire.
Within the reader gets three of the best of the series to date with authors like Al Ewing, Rebecca Levene and Matt Smith. Each of the titles has something different to entertain the reader from a Zombie Detective to a Romeroesque London and topped with a Gladiatrix who just won’t stop. Which when added to the of sheer value for money, will give the reader a real treat from some of the top talent in the genre today. A great title and one that we really loved to reread….bbbbrrraaiiinnnssss.
Release Date: 01/10/10
BOOK BLURB:
The legendary Commissar Ciaphas Cain, lauded as one of the great heroes of the Imperium, finds himself thrust onto the battlefield again. Cain wants nothing more than to keep out of trouble and get to the other side of his commission in one piece, but the war-torn 41st millennium has other ideas. Confronted with the powers of Chaos and hordes of alien foes, our intrepid Commissar seeks to sidestep danger and talk his way out of trouble. Yet each time he survives his legend only grows, and his life is in ever-greater jeopardy - Defender of the Imperium contains the novels Death or Glory, Duty Calls and Cain's Last Stand, plus the short story Traitor's Gambit and a new introduction from author Sandy Mitchell.
REVIEW:
Fans of Sandy’s writing will be familiar with one of the Imperium’s greatest heroes, not because he’s a gene spliced super charged warrior but because he’s the common man, who fights to the last and, in effect perhaps the only popular member of the feared Commissar’s. What Sandy does well is bring to life a hero, who has his own fears and overcomes them with each offering. But unlike a lot of the other tales in the 40K world, Cain is the only one who really pokes fun at himself (along with his faithful servant Jurgen) as he struggles through each battle.
It is well written and with a principle character who charges into the fray to get out of it quicker, he is a hero that many a reader will love. Add to the mix that this is an omnibus collection of titles 4-6 with two additional short stories, you know that you’re getting a lot of adventure for your buck. Finally, with the next title in the series out soon (The Emperors Finest is out in November) it could be an ideal series to pick up for those long winter nights. Superb value and, if I’m honest, one of the 40K heroes that I really can’t wait to join in combat.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
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.
REVIEW:
Readers are often asking where to not only start with the Warhammer 40k Universe but also which authors that they should try in order to keep to a story arc that they will not only enjoy but be worth their financial outlay. At times I ask what type of tale they’re interested in, at others I ask them to name authors that they enjoy. Both as viable methods but both also have the flaw of the reader missing something that may not be their original choice but generates a tale that they get more from. This is why I love it when publisher put together titles that collect short stories from established authors.
Within this offering are tales from Fantasy/Sci-Fi Heavyweights which make this title something pretty special (even more so when you get a tale from the Ork’s Point of View) for a great cover price. Back that up with stories of heroism, of bloodshed, of great sacrifice and ones where the heroes don’t always win and its something that will surprise and perhaps enthuse people who may well have ignored this publisher before.
Release Date: 24/06/10
BOOK BLURB:
THE TIME OF THE WOLF IS AT HAND... Struck down in his moment of victory, Hebrion's young King Abeleyn lies in a coma, his city in ruins and his fiancée and former lover vying for the throne. Corfe Cear-Inaf, now a colonel, is given a ragtag command of ill-equipped savages and sent on a hopeless mission by a jealous King who expects him to fail. Richard Hawkwood and Lord Murad return bearing news of horror on a savage new continent, with something terrible lurking in the hold. The Church is tearing itself apart, even as the champions of truth fight to bring peace between Ramusian and Merduk; but in the far West, a terrible new threat is rearing its head... The Century of the Soldier collects the final three books in Paul Kearney's explosive The Monarchies of God series, revised and expanded for this edition: The Iron Wars, The Second Empire and Ships From The West.
REVIEW:
OK, you’ve heard great things about this author’s Monarchies of God quintent and you’ve just devoured the first omnibus release by Solaris but are impatient for the next part, well worry no longer as the next three titles are released here. As with the first compendium it’s beautifully put together, the authors writing style is strong and where some felt that the final offering was a bit choppy, the author has gone back and tidied it up for this edition. It’s a real gem and talk about value for money, you really can’t be bit for what you’d have paid for all five of these titles in this incarnation.
BOOK BLURB:
Enforcer Shira Calpurnia maintains a tough line on law and order in the Hydraphur system. Home to Imperial warfleets, this area of space is riven with violence and corruption. Calpurnia's duty is to protect the innocent and punish the guilty - with extreme prejudice. This omnibus collects the novels Crossfire, Legacy and Blind as well as new content from the author.
REVIEW:
Fans of the 40K Universe will more than likely have visited at least one of Shira’s adventures prior to this omnibuses release. What you get is something a little more mystery based, with double dealing, bounties and above all else a dog eat dog world that the principle protagonista has to negotiate her own way round. Beautifully written with top notch entertainment backed up with action that is pure high octane. Add to the mix the fact that its an omnibus so you know its value for money and it’s a pretty tight offering all round.
BOOK BLURB:
his is the dark saga of the ruthless bounty hunter who goes by the name of Brunner. Goblins, vampires, outlaws and even dragons - they're all fair game for this dark hero's blade. Across the length and breadth of the grim Warhammer Old World, Brunner plies his trade, tracking down and killing monsters. But he also faces challenges from within his own dubious profession as a rival hunter stakes a claim to his bounty.
REVIEW:
Everyone’s favourite Warhammer Bounty Hunter returns in this omnibus. What makes this double the fun however is that its Clint’s interpretation of the Man with No Name with no personal morals provided that the price is right on his quarry.
Its great value, its got a real antihero whom you’ll just love but above all else, the early tales are short offerings that make it a great title to dip into when you want a bit of no nonsense violence. Add to the mix that this title is fun, the tales are entertaining and absolutely no one is above this hunter’s sights backed up with a twisted sense of humour and it will not only endear the reader to this authors style but also demonstrates that a hard world breeds harder men. A real cracker.
BOOK BLURB:
The Space Wolf Omnibus combines superb science-fiction drama with military battles on an epic scale, featuring the legendary hero Ragnar Blackmane.REVIEW:
It’ll come as no surprise but I’m an absolute huge fan of the Omnibus’ that BL release every so often as, for me, they’re pure entertainment at a knock down price. What you have in this offering is the handing off of one of the originators of the Warhammer 40k Universe to a Younger Author which happens seamlessly with no discernable changes in the characters personality and keeps up the explosive action that brought the BL to the worlds notice. Following the exploits of one of the most famous Space Wolves as war against mankinds foes take him from one end of the universe to another though various personal challenges and acts of brotherhood that demonstrate the sheer determnination and stubbornness that appeals to readers. Cracking value and something that is a must own for all WH40K fans.
Release Date: 24/05/12
