Author Archives: Michael

First and Only – Dan Abnett

First published in 1999, Dan Abnett’s First and Only is book one in the epic Gaunt’s Ghosts series, following on from several short stories in Inferno! magazine. On the forge world Fortis Binary, the Tanith First and Only are one of many Imperial Guard regiments arrayed against the once-loyal population, now turned to Chaos. As Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and the Ghosts are drawn deeper into the brutal conflict, they’re faced with not just the forces of Chaos but enemies within the ranks of their allies, as a horrifying conspiracy is gradually revealed within the ranks of the Sabbat Crusade itself.

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QUICK REVIEW: Exodus – Steve Lyons

Steve Lyons’ short story Exodus is a bleak tale of an Imperial world falling under the shadow of a Hive Fleet, and the varied way its defenders react to the impending doom. With the evacuation underway, Arch Teilloch of the Katraxis Home Guard clings to the comfort of following orders as his world falls apart around him. Meanwhile sergeant Konrad Ven Mikkelson of the Valhallan Ice Warriors leads his squad in an inglorious retreat through a city gripped by panic, as the population begins to tear itself apart.

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The Eye of Medusa – David Guymer

The Iron Hands are generally under-represented in Black Library fiction, but with The Eye of Medusa, his first full 40k novel (excluding The Beast Arises), David Guymer tackles de facto Chapter Master Kardan Stronos, back when he was only a sergeant. The Adeptus Mechancius world of Thennos lies under the aegis of Medusa, so when its population turns traitor the Iron Hands fall upon it with crushing, calculating brutality. Stronos, newly inducted into Clan Garrsak, leads his squad into battle but soon finds himself frustrated by the secrets Thennos holds, and the unthinking obedience expected of him by his new clan.

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Ruinstorm – David Annandale

Sixteen books and three years after The Damnation of Pythos, David Annandale’s second Horus Heresy novel is Ruinstorm, book forty-six in the series overall. Signalling the end of the Imperium Secundus arc (therefore NOT to be read before Angels of Caliban), it sees the Triumvirate of primarchs – Guilliman, Sanguinius and the Lion – setting out from Ultramar to defy the Ruinstorm and find their way to Terra. Each chooses an approach based on their own approach and inclination, but can they find a way through? Most 40k fans know the answer to that, but now we can find out just what happened and why.

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Josh Reynolds Talks Humour, Horror and the Age of Reynolds: Part Two

In the first part of my interview with prolific, dark-humoured author Josh Reynolds we discussed his early career, and looked at his work for Black Library in the Age of Sigmar setting as well as a little bit about old-school Warhammer. If you haven’t yet checked that out, click here to go back and have a read of part one.

In this, the second part of the interview, Josh talks about his Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresy writing, including Fabius Bile, Lukas the Trickster and the primarch of the Emperor’s Children – Fulgrim. If you’ve read any of his Fabius stories then you’ll know just how good they are, and hopefully this will provide a little extra insight, but if you haven’t…firstly, what are you waiting for?! Read on to learn what influenced Fabius’ tone of voice, and get a bit of a sense of what you might be able to expect.

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QUICK REVIEW: Heartwood – Robbie MacNiven

Robbie MacNiven’s first Age of Sigmar short story, Heartwood is a tale of the sylvaneth exploring one branch (sorry) of their arboreal kingdom, and the role branchwyches play in their society. When Nellas the Harvester is wounded defending the Wyldwood from invading Rotbringers, she returns to the heart of her domain bearing with her the lifeseeds of fallen sylvaneth to be planted and born anew. The question remains, however, whether she also bears with her a taint that might yet spell doom for the Wyldwood and her household.

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Angels of Caliban – Gav Thorpe

Book 38 of the Horus Heresy series, Gav Thorpe’s Angels of Caliban continues the Dark Angels’ involvement in the series that began with Descent of Angels, and caps off the ongoing Imperium Secundus arc. In his role as Lord Protector of Ultramar, Lion El’Jonson focuses his attention on what he considers the gravest threat – the continued survival of his wayward brother, Konrad Kurze. Meanwhile back on Caliban, the Dark Angels tasked with garrisoning the homeworld, led by Luther, Astelan and Zahariel, are a mess of conflicting loyalties, ambitions and mysteries. Secrets abound and questions of loyalty become ever more important.

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Black Library Weekly – W/C 23/10/17

Hello and welcome to another instalment of Black Library Weekly, my regular look at what’s been happening in the world of Black Library. Amongst other things this week has brought us a fantastic new short story from a familiar-but-slightly-different name, a new White Scars novel, and a glimpse of the opening to Dan Abnett’s latest Gaunt’s Ghosts novel. Let’s jump straight in and take a look, shall we?

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RAPID FIRE: Robbie MacNiven on The Last Hunt

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with Black Library authors talking about their 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 it.

In this instalment I spoke to Robbie MacNiven about his new White Scars novel The Last Hunt, which is available to buy right now.

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