Category Archives: Black Library

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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The Black Library ‘Coming Soon’ Page – Gone But Not Forgotten?

Back in October 2016 I published this article commenting on how exciting it felt after a long time with zero information about new releases to finally have a Coming Soon page on the Black Library website – a place where fans like me could find out about new books and audios due for release in the following months. Just under two and a half years later the Coming Soon page quietly disappeared, much to the disappointment – in some cases vociferous – of many BL fans. Now the dust has settled I want to have a look at what happened, what’s been said since, and what the future looks like for finding out about new BL releases.

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QUICK REVIEW: Obsidian – David Annandale

Obsidian is available as either a standalone e-short or featured within the Gods & Mortals short story anthology.

One of a growing number of Neferata stories exploring the political power structures of Nulahmia and the relationship the Mortarch of Blood has with her subjects, David Annandale’s Obsidian is a short but satisfying tale of two houses briefly united in unexpected love. When young lovers Karya Treveign and Evered Halorecht seek Neferata’s blessing for their union, it seems as though the ensuing wedding will bring the long conflict between their houses to a close. It remains to be seen, however, whether their love is as star-crossed and innocent as it appears, and how their families will behave during the wedding ceremony.

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Cadian Honour – Justin D. Hill

Justin D. Hill’s Cadian Honour – a sequel to 2017’s Cadia Stands but interestingly billed by Black Library as ‘Book 1 of the Cadian series’ – is an action-packed story of what life is like for the Cadian Shock Troops in the Dark Imperium. Burdened by the loss of Cadia and the disapproval of other Imperial forces, the remnants of the Cadian 101st are posted to Potence, capital world of the Gallows Cluster. As Chaos forces make worrying inroads into the system and peace on Potence is threatened, what should be an easy posting turns into a desperate defence against enemies within and without.

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QUICK REVIEW: Turn of the Adder – JC Stearns

This short story is featured in Inferno! Volume 2, which is out now.

For his second Black Library short story, Turn of the Adder, JC Stearns explores a little of the impact that the birth of Ynnead has had upon the drukhari. The wyches of the Jade Labyrinth have turned from the Kabal of the Bladed Lotus and sided with the Ynnari, much to the disgust of the Bladed Lotus’ Archon, K’Shaic, who leads an overwhelming assault against the Ynnari forces. Tasked with a key, if secondary, part of the attack, K’Shaic’s youngest son Naeddre sees an opportunity for advancement (in the drukhari fashion) but soon finds his entire worldview challenged by the Ynnari.

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Black Library Monthly – March 2019

Welcome to Black Library Monthly for March 2019, the latest in this series of articles where I take a look back at all the Black Library-related news and releases of the preceding month, as well as talk a little about what I’ve been reading and reviewing. March has been an interesting month for Black Library fans with some interesting news, a few major releases, and a little controversy, so there’s lots to talk about this time around. For the first time in 2019 I’ve actually got this roundup ready for the end of the month itself, rather than partway into the following month, so hopefully there’s plenty of interesting, relevant info to digest.

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