Release Date: 14/08/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
A band of intrepid adventurers led by the mighty dwarf Khargrim Khargrimsson delves into the jungles of Lustria in search of ancient treasure. Facing fiendish traps and the reptilian guardians of lost and hidden temples, they have their ultimate prize clear in their minds - the golden idol in the legendary Tomb of Destiny. But will they turn on one another before the fearsome lizardmen lay even a single claw upon them?
REVIEW:
Two short Warhammer Fantasy stories that feel part of a Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay game rather than a pure story on its own merits. Don’t get me wrong it will entertain, it will give readers a bit of light hearted entertainment but it feels pretty linear and simplistic with it appearing more obvious in some places rather than others.
In short, OK but don’t expect anything mind blowing from these stories. A great shame.
Release Date: 12/09/13
Publisher: Solaris
SYNOPSIS:
THREE NOVELLAS IN ONE OMNIBUS VOLUME! James Lovegrove presents three novellas with three different gods and their appreance in the worlds of man. Age of Anansi: Dion Yeboah leads an orderly, disciplined life... until the day the spider appears. What looks like an ordinary arachnid turns out to be Anansi, the trickster god of African legend, and its arrival throws Dion s existence into chaos. Age of Satan: A politician ushers in a new age that promises enlightenment and tolerance... Age of Gaia: A billionaire businessmen is about to find out his future is very different from the plans he has laid.
REVIEW:
A collection of short stories set in James’ Pantheon series that have previously been released as e-books. The stories are fun, bring James’ talent to the fore and really give the reader a set of stories that are a lot of fun to sit back with and enjoy, especially if you’re already a fan of his work.
As usual he gets to the meat of the story by giving the reader a solid principle character, some wonderful twists and of course a pace alongside arc that will entertain as you make your way through. All round a nice bit of fun, however be cautious as you may already own this collection individually.
Release Date: 30/05/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
The dark elf land of Naggaroth is bitter and inhospitable, and the distant north even more so. Belithi – a beastmistress of Karond Kar – and her hunting party venture into this frozen wasteland, the border of the dread Chaos wastes. But unimaginable dangers wait in these northern climes, and even the power of the druchii may not be enough to resist the power of the Wind of Change.
REVIEW:
A cracking short story that readers of the Warhammer world will last as things that you expect are twisted beyond your imagination as this title brings all sorts of wonders to the reader as the dark elves learn to deal with things beyond their normal beliefs. Its quirky, it has some great twists and with solid action alongside top prose really makes this a short story that you can get behind. Add to the mix a wonderful turn of phrase with an author who really likes to deliver a killer punchline all round gave me something to make me smile with its final line.
Release Date: 18/07/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
Deep in the jungles of Garbax World stands an idol of rust-streaked steel, a mighty effigy of the greatest of all gods, Mork (or is it Gork?). Worshipped by the local greenskins, under the guidance of Boss Grabskab, it is a mighty symbol of what it means to be an ork. Of course, it would be even more mighty if it worked… Grabskab is determined to fix the idol and conquer all the tribes of Garbax World. That’s what Stompas are for, after all…
REVIEW:
WWWWAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Da Orks are on da march and whats better than a bit of a scrap to get not only revenge for those sneaky thieveses than handing out a lesson or two with a big cannon? All round a great short story and one that was a nice bit of fun to embark upon to break up the usual type of book I sit down with. It doesn’t require thinking and is a title that is about as subtle as a brick (which for Ork’s is quite appropriate. LOL) Definitely a title to get if you want a little bit of fun and levity and something that the Ork Nobz should be promoting.
Release Date: 30/06/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
As the black death sweeps across the Empire, indiscriminately killing rich and poor alike, the people cling to any hope of deliverance. When a ragged group of scavengers, on the run from Imperial authorities, enter the town of Amorbach, one of them is mistaken for a plague doktor – a sinister figure, but one who brings hope. Can he maintain the deception long enough to escape from the town, or will the truth be discovered?
REVIEW:
If you’re looking for a tale (or perhaps tail) featuring everyones favourite plague spreaders, then Clint has done a cracking short story as those within the Empire start to learn not only the deviousness of the Horned Rat’s followers but also get to see how easy mankind falls apart when the pestilence hits.
The prose as usual is sharp, the characters interesting to be around and whilst you may not be quite sure whats happening throughout, Clint really does deliver giving the reader a story that hits the mark wonderfully. All round a great short story and one that I had a lot of fun reading. Can’t wait to get on with Plague Priest.
Release Date: 30/06/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
As skaven Clan Filch plots to deliver a deadly plague to the lands of men, one of the ratmen discovers a counterplot that puts him and his clan in deadly peril. While the Black Plague comes closer to completion, Skritsch finds that the plague priests of Clan Pestilens – the evil geniuses behind the monstrous disease – want to increase their power by releasing the infection in Skavenblight and destroying their rivals in one fell swoop. Can the humble clanrat stop this dastardly plot, or will Clan Pestilens reign supreme over all skavendom?
REVIEW:
The second short story by Clint featuring those downright dirty double dealing skaven as the political machinations of inner skaven council policies come to the fore in this release. Its cunning, it has some great twists in the “tail” and of course fans of the ratkin will absolutely love this release. All round, it currently feels like its Skaven month at Black Library and I for one will be high pawing with the best of them. LOL
Release Date: 30/06/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
More than a thousand years after the Age of Sigmar, the Empire he struggled to create rests on the edge of destruction – the reign of the greedy and incompetent Emperor Boris Goldgather has shaken down the great and prosperous edifice of his erstwhile realm. Without warning, a terrible and deadly plague strikes, wiping out entire villages and leaving towns eerily silent through the long frozen months. As the survivors struggle to maintain order and a worthy military presence, vermin pour up from the sewers and caverns beneath the cities, heralding a new and unspeakable threat – the insidious skaven!
REVIEW:
This week, it really does feel like all I’ve been reading are tales of the Ratkin, yet what makes this title even better is that its set during the rain of Emperorer Boris, a lowdown double dealing self serving penny pincher who not only sets the ruling elite against each other but leaves the populace to fend for itself during the outbreak of “The Black Plague.”
As usual with these types of book its mainly based around the politics involved and when the action happens its thick, its fast and of course it works extremely well with the finality as well as brutality involved. The outline works very well and when you look at how the Skaven manipulate each other as well as trying to further their own cause, it’s a book that’s been a pure delight to read. Yes its different to the normal BL titles out there but that makes it all the more delicious.
Release Date: 30/06/13
Publisher: Black Library
SYNOPSIS:
The Black Plague spreads across the Empire, followed by a tide of monsters from legend: the skaven. In Altdorf, Emperor Boris’s troops valiantly hold off the ratmen while the corrupt Emperor escapes to safety. In Middenheim, Graf Gunthar and his son Mandred defend their city against a horde of the vile invaders. And in Sylvania, the skaven find more than they had expected in the form of the necromancer Vanhal and his army of the dead... an army that gets larger as the plague worsens.
REVIEW:
The second book in the Black Plague series and one that not only sets this up for a pivitol point in the history of the Empire but one that really goes to show how the best laid plans of Rats and Men can go Awry. As with the first outing the book is full with intrigue, has political machinations and also cracking bloodthirsty combat that leaves a high bodycount on both sides.
Add to the mix that the story is set to play for keeps and its taking a high toll on all around all makes this a book that will keep you glued whilst you pray that your favourites live through. Great stuff.
Release Date: 30/03/13
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... Summoned back to Barak Varr by the outraged King Grundadrakk, the pair discover that a terrible crime has been committed – the dwarfen hold’s Book of Grudges has been stolen, right out of its sealed vault. Given that his own name appears upon its fading pages, Gotrek is honour-bound to join an expedition to recover the ancient tome. How far will the trail lead, and just what manner of individual would seek to rob the dwarfs of their vengeful legacy?
REVIEW:
A cracking short story that takes the Warhammer Worlds strangest companions on a journey to clear Gotrek’s name for a perceived slight from his mysterious past. It has top notch action, cracking pace and when added to solid story telling that gives the reader what they want (a high body count, dwarven ingenuity and some subtle twists) all round will give the reader a tale to enjoy whilst not only travelling but will raise the odd chuckle as it evolves within the readers imagination.
Back this up with an author who clearly loves the pair, has put a lot of time into making sure that the story works well into their already huge mythos all round gives you something that works wonders for the Warhammer World. A great tale all round and one that I’ll recommend to any fan of the duo.
