Author Archives: Michael

Fleet of Knives – Gareth L. Powell

The sequel to the BSFA Award-winning novel Embers of War, Gareth L. Powell’s Fleet of Knives picks up where its predecessor left off and delivers another slice of wildly imaginative, character-driven space opera. After the climactic battle at the Gallery and the discovery of the Marble Armada, the Trouble Dog and her crew are on sabbatical trying to come to terms with recent events, while Ona Sendak languishes on death row. An urgent distress call sets Sal Konstanz and the Trouble Dog back in motion, however, while the Marble Armada is about to reveal its true purpose to the wider galaxy.

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QUICK REVIEW: Blacktalon: Hunting Shadows – Andy Clark

Blacktalon: Hunting Shadows is available as either a standalone e-short or featured within the Gods & Mortals anthology.

A tale of Neave Blacktalon, Knight-Zephyros of the Hammers of Sigmar, Hunting Shadows sees Andy Clark explore the Brazen Plains of Aqshy as Blacktalon tracks down an elusive mark which has been devastating settlements in the region. Though she normally operates alone, this time – much to her displeasure – she’s been sent assistance in the form of Knight-Venator Tarion Arlor and a band of Palladors. It’s an ominous sign that Sigmar considers her mission so dangerous as to warrant such support, but as the hunt progresses it becomes clear that she’s going to need all the help she can get.

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Perdition’s Flame – Alec Worley

The first ever Warhammer Horror audio drama, and Alec Worley’s first audio drama for Black Library, Perdition’s Flame is the story of comms man Vossk, formerly of the 86th Vostroyan Firstborn, en route to a penal legion as punishment for desertion. Imprisoned alongside murderers and sadists and warded by stern Praetorian Guard, when the ship’s systems start to fail Vossk realises that the horrors he thought he’d left behind have followed him into the void. Something on the ship is causing the failures and spooking both crew and inmates, but Vossk is trapped in his cell while the darkness draws closer.

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Lords and Tyrants (Reviews List)

While it carries on the naming convention started with the Age of Sigmar anthology Gods & Mortals, for which you can read my review here, Lords and Tyrants is a slightly different beast in that its 16 Warhammer 40,000 short stories have all been previously released as standalone e-shorts. I’ve read and reviewed all of these stories individually on Track of Words, and while I would love to kick back and re-read most of these, I just don’t really have time to do so. There are some seriously good stories in this anthology, however, so I do want to do my bit and help promote it.

As such, rather than write a full review of the anthology as a whole I’ve listed each of the featured stories with a little snippet about each one and a link out to my individual review. Hopefully this way you can get a feel for all of the stories, and make an informed decision as to whether you fancy picking up the anthology as a whole. I’ve listed them out alphabetically by author, so read on and see what you think.

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RAPID FIRE: Gav Thorpe Talks The Red Feast

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 Gav Thorpe about his new pre-Age of Sigmar novel, The Red Feast, which is available to order right now! It’s pleasantly surprising to see a book like this which explores an earlier point in the Age of Sigmar setting, so read on to find out more about what you can expect…

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The Solar War – John French

This novel was first released as a limited edition hardback, before receiving a full release in May 2019.

The Siege of Terra – the final chapter of the Horus Heresy – begins with John French’s The Solar War, which tells the story of the colossal void war that forms the opening stage of the Siege. To the backdrop of the largest void battles imaginable it weaves together a compelling, character-led tale of duty, honour, determination and even hope. While Mersadie Oliton desperately searches for a way back to Terra and Sigismund seeks out atonement in battle, Abaddon cleaves to the path laid out for him by Horus and even Ahriman diligently plays his part. As the war rages on multiple fronts, these and many other individual stories play out with the fate of Terra and the Imperium in the balance.

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QUICK REVIEW: No Honour Among Vermin – CL Werner

This short story is available within Inferno! Volume 2 or as a standalone e-short.

CL Werner has history writing about skaven and it shows in his short story No Honour Among Vermin, a devious tale of brutality and back-stabbing. Fylch Tattertail might not be the biggest or strongest of skaven but what he lacks in physical prowess he makes up in sneakiness. As part of a ramshackle crew of untrustworthy skaven undertaking a daring mission to steal a worryingly dangerous artefact from under the noses of a Chaos cult, he needs all of his cunning in order to play his role in the heist, and live to reap the rewards…such as they are.

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The Black Library ‘Coming Soon’ Page – Back Again!

It’s been an interesting few weeks for Black Library fans, not least with the ongoing saga of the disappearing – and subsequently reappearing – Coming Soon page. As business decisions go that was certainly…unusual, and I’ve been following the furore that sprung up around this topic with interest. I don’t think I was the only person waiting expectantly to see if Black Library would respond to the comments and feedback from the fanbase, and lo and behold they have indeed! I think it’s worth taking another look at what’s been happening, and talking a little about the new solution BL have implemented.

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Requiem Infernal – Peter Fehervari

Peter Fehervari’s third novel, Requiem Infernal, continues to develop his Dark Coil metaplot and the complex, intense, interconnected storytelling that defines his work. Many years after leaving her birthplace, the austere home of the Adepta Sororitas of the Last Candle, Sister Asenath Hyades returns seeking answers, and aid for the few survivors of a once-proud Imperial Guard regiment. She finds the holy Candleworld much changed, its deepening darkness profoundly challenging her faith as she attempts to unravel its secrets while reluctantly facing up to her chequered past. Her unlikely companions on this testing journey all have their own secrets, and their own parts to play in the ensuing drama.

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QUICK REVIEW: Force of Personality – David Guymer

Force of Personality is available as either a standalone e-short or featured within the Gods & Mortals anthology.

Many are the tales of Hamilcar Bear-Eater and his fearless exploits; in David Guymer’s short story Force of Personality the Lord-Castellant of the Astral Templars finds himself defending unconventional walls from an enemy he can’t even see. Sent alone to bolster the defences of the pontoon city of Nemisuvik, Hamilcar rails against the unnatural artillery employed by its Khornate besiegers and his inability to tackle them face to face. Waiting out a siege isn’t the Bear-Eater’s strong suit, but it’s going to take something special – something really big – for him to bring his enemies to heel and relieve his boredom.

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