Author Archives: Michael

RAPID FIRE: David Guymer Talks Realmslayer: Blood of the Old World

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with 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 Age of Sigmar audio drama box set, Realmslayer: Blood of the Old World, the sequel to 2018’s brilliant Realmslayer. Read on to find out more about Gotrek Gurnisson’s next epic audio adventure, which you can order in CD or MP3 formats right now.

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RAPID FIRE: Darius Hinks Talks Ghoulslayer

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with 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 Black Library book, the Age of Sigmar novel Ghoulslayer featuring everyone’s favourite grumpy Slayer – Gotrek Gurnisson. It’s available to pre-order in ebook, audiobook and hardback right now, so check out the interview and get ordering!

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Monthly Highlights – July and August 2019

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Monthly Highlights post, but I think it’s time to resurrect the concept and get back in the habit – so I’m starting off by looking back at the last two months! I’m going to pick out a few of the best books I’ve read in the second half of the year so far and talk a little about each, linking back to my reviews, then do the same thing for short stories as well. I love a good short story! I’ll quickly touch on some interesting news regarding submitting stories to Black Library, then finish with a look ahead to a few things I’m particularly looking forward to in September.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Warp’s Curse – Michael J. Hollows

The Warp’s Curse is Michael J. Hollows’ second Black Library short story, but his first Blackstone Fortress tale. For Primaris psyker Aradia Madellan, venturing into the fortress is an opportunity to understand the cause of the visions that have been plaguing her, and to find a way to avert the catastrophe they foretell. As she sets out to explore in the company of Taddeus the Purifier and the aeldari Amallyn Shadowguide she’s forced to confront not only the fortress’ dangerous inhabitants but the prejudices of her companions too, with her own warp-born powers proving both a blessing and a curse.

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The Imaginary Corpse – Tyler Hayes

Tyler Hayes’ debut novel The Imaginary Corpse is a rare book which genuinely deserves the label of unique, a wildly imaginative story that’s as much about acceptance, honesty and overcoming trauma as it is about a stuffed-toy dinosaur investigating crimes in a technicolour imaginary world. Detective Tippy (a yellow triceratops) lives in the Stillreal, the place where abandoned Ideas too real to fade away can live and thrive, solving crimes and helping his Friends. When a newly-birthed nightmare – The Man in the Coat – starts murdering other Friends (for real, not just temporarily), Tippy has to work through his own deep-rooted issues and find a way to solve – and survive – the deadliest mystery he’s ever faced.

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QUICK REVIEW: To Speak As One – Guy Haley

Guy Haley’s 40k short story To Speak As One is an unusual tale of conflicting Imperial jurisdiction, and the ongoing repercussions of Guilliman’s return and Belisarius Cawl’s unorthodox genius. Inquisitor Cehen-qui isn’t best pleased to receive orders to hand off a xenos prisoner to one of Cawl’s lieutenants, Magos Qvo-87, so refuses and hunkers down in an abandoned Ordo Xenos void station to defend his prize. To his mind, the Inquisition’s remit supersedes the authority of Cawl, or even Guilliman. Undeterred, Qvo deploys his forces – including Alpha Primus, a Space Marine of ambiguous origins and unusually dour demeanour – to press the issue.

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QUICK REVIEW: Miracles – Nicholas Wolf

For his second Black Library short story – Miracles – Nicholas Wolf ventures into Warhammer Horror territory with a bleak tale of a family man pushed to his limits. Jacen Hertz might not find it easy to pray to the Emperor, but he works hard and loves his wife and children. As tension rises within Praxis Hive amid talk of disappearances and mutilated bodies, Jacen’s past comes back to haunt him when he miraculously survives a terrible disaster only to fall under the suspicion of the enforcers. As the pressure upon him increases, Jacen must decide how far he’s prepared to go to find salvation.

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We Are the Dead – Mike Shackle

An intense, enthralling rollercoaster of a debut novel, We Are the Dead starts Mike Shackle’s The Last War series off with a bang and never lets up, a captivating book packed full of drama, violence and emotion in an East Asian-influenced fantasy world. The Shulka have always protected Jia against its enemies, but even their vaunted skill at arms isn’t enough when the Egril launch a blistering, magic-fuelled surprise assault. The Jian people soon find themselves enslaved by cruel new overlords in cities suffering under enemy occupation, but while some try to make the best of their new lives, others resist and strike back against the Egril.

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QUICK REVIEW: Born of the Storm – Edoardo Albert

Edoardo Albert makes his Black Library debut with Born of the Storm, a 40k short story offering a characterful view of the Fulminators Chapter’s recruitment process. Even at an early age, listening to his father read stories of angels, dragons, wolves and knights, Augustin knew he wanted to grow up to fight monsters. From battling ambushing gangers as a cadet in the Astra Militarum to surviving hardships under the storm-ridden skies of Mars, he must overcome challenge after challenge, endure brutal hardships and sacrifice much – even the last links to his family – for the chance to attain his dream.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Heart of the Fallen – Sarah Cawkwell

Sarah Cawkwell’s second Age of Sigmar/Warcry short story, The Heart of the Fallen takes place in the desolate plains of the Bloodwind Spoil as warriors from the Untamed Beasts hunt dangerous prey in search of honour for their tribe. While one young hunter stalks the ‘meat’ on his own, determined to prove himself and claim his prize, three further warriors follow his trail, a core of concern underlying their youthful bickering. They all know that the hunt will be dangerous but great prestige is on offer, and the opportunity for one of them to truly make their name.

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