Author Archives: Michael

Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden – Josh Reynolds

Continuing one of the most enjoyable storylines from the Age of Sigmar Realmgate Wars series, Josh Reynolds’ novel Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden returns to the Hallowed Knights’ campaign in Ghyran against the forces of Nurgle. As Lord-Castellant Grymn leads his warriors against the sargasso-citadels of the Order of the Fly, Lord-Celestant Gardus Steel Soul prepares to return to Ghyran and rejoin his warrior-chamber, accompanied by the contentious figure of Tornus the Redeemed. When Grymn is lost to the Garden of Nurgle, Gardus leads a rescue mission that risks the very souls of the Hallowed Knights.

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RAPID FIRE: David Guymer Talks The Voice of Mars

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 David Guymer about his latest 40k novel The Voice of Mars, which is his second 40k Iron Hands book. It’s available to order right now, so do check it out!

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QUICK REVIEW: Confessions of a Broken Blade – Ariel Lawrence

A three-act League of Legends short story set in Ionia after the conclusion of the Noxian invasion, Ariel Lawrence’s Confessions of a Broken Blade features Riven and Yasuo, a pair of characters haunted by events in their pasts. The main focus is on Riven, who when we meet her is hurting, repressing memories, trying to live a quiet life. Before long, however, she’s confronted with the consequences of actions she can no longer remember, and the fragile peace she had managed to find is shattered. The emotions of those around her are running hot as her past catches up with her.

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Black Library Cover Reveals – April 2018

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, right? We all know this – it’s one of those sayings that’s just so obvious that it’s wheeled out in all sorts of situations, whether actual books are involved or not. And yet…we all do it, to at least a certain extent. There’s a reason why publishers invest time and money into commissioning cover artwork, and it’s simple – a really, genuinely great cover will help a book sell. Simple as that. The question of what makes a great cover is an entirely different thing, of course – there’s no secret recipe for success, and a cover which is hugely enticing to one reader might be a massive turn off for another.

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QUICK REVIEW: Missing in Action – Dan Abnett

Set between Xenos and Malleus, Dan Abnett’s short story Missing in Action sees inquisitor Eisenhorn returning to the field having recovered from the events of the Necroteuch affair. Sent to Sameter for a routine mission to ease him back into work, when bodies start appearing with signs pointing to ritual killings he realises there’s a much bigger puzzle for him to solve on Sameter. As he digs deeper into the horrifying crimes being committed a pattern begins to emerge, but it seems to point in an unexpected direction.

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QUICK REVIEW: Deus Ex Mechanicus by Andy Chambers

An Inferno! magazine classic given the e-short treatment, Andy Chambers’ Deus Ex Mechanicus sees an Adeptus Mechanicus explorator mission delving into the supposedly dead world of Naogeddon. An expert in cryo-stasis, Lakias Danzager joins the mission just as the unusually charismatic Magos Egal succeeds in finding a way into a necron tomb complex. With his suspicions already roused by absent members of the mission and the eerily regular attacks by the tomb’s strange, metallic defenders, Lakias reluctantly joins Egal in exploring the tomb and facing its many horrifying dangers.

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Warlord: Fury of the God-Machine – David Annandale

Anyone familiar with David Annandale’s writing for Black Library will know he likes to tell big stories. There’s not much bigger in 40k than a Warlord Titan…except lots of Warlord Titans, which you’ll find in David’s novel Warlord: Fury of the God-Machine. The legios of Pallidus Mor and the Imperial Hunters couldn’t be much less alike in philosophy or approach to warfare, but on Khania they forge an uncomfortable alliance against the tyranid hordes. When rebellion arises on nearby Katara they’re forced further still into uneasy cooperation, exposing dangerous cracks even as Chaos rises and a world falls.

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RAPID FIRE: Gav Thorpe Talks Imperator Wrath of the Omnissiah

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 legendary Black Library author Gav Thorpe about his latest 40k novel, Imperator: Wrath of the Omnissiah. It’s an interview that’s notable for not just my favourite elevator pitch yet (you’ll see what I mean) but also for being the first time (I think) an author has used genderless pronouns in their answers. If that sounds weird, keep reading and it will all make sense.

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