Category Archives: Black Library

Taker of Heads – Ian St. Martin

Taker of Heads is a 70 (ish) minute Mortifactors audio drama which sees Ian St. Martin return to the character of Adoni from his short story Deathwatch: Swordwind. This time it’s a story of Adoni’s youth, as he and his fellow neophytes are deployed to the jungle world of Aztlan to aid the embattled, outclassed Imperial Guard in their fight against the cunning t’au. There’s more at stake for Adoni than just defeating the t’au however, as this mission offers him the opportunity to prove himself a taker of heads, and earn his name and his place within the Chapter.

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Blood of Iax – Robbie MacNiven

Robbie MacNiven returns to the characters introduced in his short story A Brother’s Confession with the novel Blood of Iax, a Dark Imperium-era Ultramarines story featuring a Primaris-only strike force. Blood brothers Kastor and Polixis – Chaplain and Apothecary respectively – are part of Strike Force Fulminata, and are taking the fight to the invading orks on Ikara IX when the tide turns and Imperial forces hurriedly go on the defensive. The arrival of ork warlord Urgork changes everything, especially as his objectives go beyond simply finding the biggest scrap possible – the canny Urgork has a plan, and it involves Polixis.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov – Chris Wraight

Chris Wraight’s short audio drama The Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov is a direct sequel to his excellent novel Vaults of Terra: The Carrion Throne, and as such is somewhat spoilerific (even in its title). It’s a dialogue-heavy two-hander, as Inquisitor Crowl and the captive traitor Salvor Lermentov – voiced by John Banks and David Seddon respectively – match wits in a surprisingly civilised manner. There are no thumbscrews here, just impassioned arguments as two men, both loyal and dedicated in their own way, debate doctrine, history, and the state of the Imperium.

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RAPID FIRE: Guy Haley Talks Prophets of Waaagh!

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 Guy Haley (for the third week in a row!) about his latest 40k audio drama, Prophets of Waaagh!, which contains three short audios (previously released in MP3-only format) all rolled up into a single package. It’s available to order right now via Black Library and also Audible, and it’s brilliant fun!

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QUICK REVIEW: The Emperor’s Wrath – Steven B Fischer

Steve B Fischer’s debut Black Library story, The Emperor’s Wrath is a story of three civilians caught between their world’s corrupt local militia and the vengeful Imperial Guard. As a child, Caius watched the Emperor’s Wrath murder his parents during a brutal rebellion. Growing up in the ruins of his world, trying to look after his younger siblings, he’s become embittered by what he sees as the Imperium’s abandonment of his world. When Imperial forces return he sees little distinction between them and the militia, but it’s not long before he finds himself forced to choose a side.

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Black Library Weekender 2018 – A Survival Guide

The 2018 Black Library Weekender is rapidly approaching, and it promises to be a great weekend at the Nottingham Belfry (3rd and 4th November, in case you were wondering). I’ve been to all of the Black Library Weekenders so far, and a few of the Horus Heresy Weekenders too, so I’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect – barring surprises, at least. There’s going to be a lot going on, and I find it’s usually best to try and plan ahead and get organised before the event kicks off. In this article I’m going to take a look at the sort of preparations you might want to think about, and offer some suggestions for how to get the most out of the event.

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QUICK REVIEW: A Common Ground – Mike Brooks

Mike Brooks’ first Necromunda story for Black Library, released before his novella Wanted: Dead, the short story A Common Ground is a tale of pit fighters and blood-sport brutality, but also of careful planning and lasting legacies. Jaxx is a member of House Goliath, and has chosen to make a name for himself fighting in the arena of impresario Drost Khouren rather than work in the foundries. Shortly after discovering that Khouren rigged his last contest, costing him a shot at a lucrative fight, Jaxx is offered an opportunity to claim one last paycheck, but at a high cost.

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QUICK REVIEW: Repentia – Alec Worley

Repentia is Alec Worley’s second Adepta Sororitas short story, after the impressive Whispers, this time exploring – as the title suggests – the Sisters Repentia, Battle Sisters whose sins have seen them cast out from their Orders and sworn to seek redemption in death. Two such nameless Sisters are all that remains of their squad, sent out to search for a priceless relic that might turn the tide of an ongoing campaign. Though their prize is at hand, the forces of Chaos stand between them and safety, and the God-Emperor has need of their lives yet.

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Of Honour and Iron – Ian St. Martin

The fourth novel in the Space Marine Conquests series, Of Honour and Iron completes the set of the big four Chapters as Ian St. Martin tackles a story of the Ultramarines during the Indomitus Crusade. Pulled from an active warzone by order of their Primarch, Chaplain Helios and Sergeant Theron are sent on a secretive mission to retrieve something vital to the ongoing crusade, with only a handful of the new Primaris Marines for company. Meanwhile on a ravaged Imperial world, the Genesis Chapter lead a doomed defence against the forces of Warsmith Bolaraphon of the Iron Warriors.

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