Author Archives: Michael

RAPID FIRE: Darius Hinks Talks Mephiston: Revenant Crusade

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with Black Library authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to Darius Hinks about his latest 40k novel Mephiston: Revenant Crusade, his second to feature the Blood Angels Chief Librarian. It’s available to order right now!

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Callis & Toll: The Silver Shard – Nick Horth

An Age of Sigmar story set in the Realm of Ghur, Nick Horth’s novel Callis & Toll: The Silver Shard is a direct sequel to the short but very enjoyable City of Secrets, and explores Witch Hunter Hanniver Toll’s single-minded pursuit of ex-High Arbiter Ortam Vermyre. Leaving Excelsis behind, Toll and ex-Freeguild soldier Armand Callis pursue their enemy across the land, sea and air as Vermyre seeks out a long-lost artefact with the power to inflict untold damage on the Mortal Realms. It’s a journey that forces them to call upon all their skill and determination, and allies, just to survive.

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QUICK REVIEW: From the Deep – Jaine Fenn

A Black Library debut from Jaine Fenn, From the Deep is an Age of Sigmar short story set during the War of Life in the Realm of Ghyran. While the events of CL Werner’s Wardens of the Everqueen are taking place, in the shallows of the Sea of Serpents Kelara, Guardian of the Kelp Forests, marshals her Naereids in a determined defence against sorcerous underwater Rotbringers. As Nurgle’s influence extends into the sea, Kelara and her folk must choose whether to remain hidden from sight, or get involved in the wider war taking place in Ghyran.

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Monthly Highlights – June 2018

It’s July already, which means we’re halfway through the year – and also means it’s time for another roundup of the best books and short stories that I read over the course of June. As with previous months it was a difficult decision narrowing things down to just a handful of stories to talk about out of the fourteen reviews I posted across the month. In fact, it was so tough that rather than picking one highlight with a couple of notable mentions, this month I’m going to pick out three equal highlights and talk a little about each of them.

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Black Library Weekly – W/C 25/06/18

Hello and welcome to the latest instalment of Black Library Weekly, my regular look at what’s been happening in the world of Black Library. This week has been another fairly quiet one, so once again it’s not going to be a particularly long post. As always, however, there’s still enough to talk about – so let’s get cracking…

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RAPID FIRE: Oldhammer – Nathan Long Talks Ulrika the Vampire

In this instalment I spoke to Nathan Long about his old school Warhammer series, Ulrika the Vampire: The Omnibus, which is getting a long-awaited rerelease under the Warhammer Chronicles series. It’s available to order right now, for anyone who’s keen to spend some time in the Old World.

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QUICK REVIEW: Exhumed – Steve Parker

The second of Steve Parker’s Deathwatch short stories following the exploits of Talon Squad, Exhumed sees Karras and his adopted brothers – accompanied by the Dreadnought Chyron – sent to an abandoned Exodite world where the Adeptus Mechanicus are on the brink of unearthing something ancient from deep beneath the surface. Inevitably that turns out to be something horrifyingly dangerous, and Talon Squad are called upon to protect the interests of their mysterious inquisitorial handler, Sigma. Quickly embroiled in a battle it seems impossible for them to win, Karras fears this might be the day he finally loses one of his squad.

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QUICK REVIEW: Headhunted – Steve Parker

Featuring the first appearance of fan-favourite Talon Squad, Steve Parker’s short story Headhunted is a pacy, action-packed story of the Deathwatch doing what they do best. Under instructions from the shadowy inquisitor known only as Sigma, Codicier Lyandro Karras of the Death Spectres leads his squad through the bowels of an ork spaceship in a race against time to complete their mission and fight their way back out again. Facing countless thousands of orks to fight through, the five members of the squad must work together as a seamless unit if they are to succeed, and survive.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Lightning Golem – Nick Kyme

A Celestial Knights short story for Age of Sigmar, Nick Kyme’s The Lightning Golem takes an unusual approach to exploring the effects of reforging upon the Stormcast Eternals. Lord-Veritant Issakian Swordborne is on the hunt for a deadly enemy, a hunt which takes him from a ruined city in Ghur and the company of his fellow Stormcast Eternals on a journey across the Realms, following dreams and dark visions. Relentless and uncompromising, Issakian sacrifices much in pursuit of his mission.

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Slaves to Darkness – John French

Book fifty-one in the Horus Heresy series, John French’s novel Slaves to Darkness is a rare beast – a Heresy novel focusing entirely on unambiguously traitor perspectives. As Horus is brought bleeding from the surface of Beta Garmon to the Vengeful Spirit, Maloghurst issues orders to gather Horus’ brothers together. While Lorgar and Perturabo are tasked with finding and controlling their daemonic brothers Fulgrim and Angron, Maloghurst calls on all of his political nous and accumulated power to steer the overall campaign in Horus’ absence. With Abaddon away chasing the Wolves, Maloghurst is left clashing with what remains of the Mournival.

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