Category Archives: Reviews

QUICK REVIEW: The Book of Transformations – Matt Keefe

Matt Keefe’s first contribution to the Age of Sigmar setting – and first Black Library short story for some years – The Book of Transformations takes the feel of an old-school Warhammer story and updates it for the Mortal Realms. In the magic-infused streets of a Chamonite city, the alchemist-turned-apothecary Mehrigus practices his art and dreams of greater things. To Mehrigus, the pinnacle of the apothecary’s arts would be to meld art, science and magic and achieve transformation as a cure. Though scorned by the Collegiate Arcane, his obsession continues to deepen, and as plague wracks the city his efforts appear to be rewarded.

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Apocalypse – Josh Reynolds

Part of Black Library’s Space Marine Conquests series, Josh Reynolds’ Apocalypse is the first in the range to not focus on a single specific Chapter of Space Marines. Instead, it features a mixed Imperial force defending an isolated system against Word Bearers intent on conquest. As Amatnim Ur-Nabas Lash leads his fractious forces towards the Ecclesiarchy world of Almace, Lieutenant Calder of the Imperial Fists plans the loyalist defences with the aid of Suboden Khan of the White Scars and Raven Guard Lieutenant Karros. If he’s to succeed Calder knows he must play to his forces’ unique strengths but also get the most out of Almace’s Ecclesiarchy overlords.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Darkling Hours – Rachel Harrison

This short story is available in the Black Library Events Anthology 2018/19 or as a standalone e-short.

A dark and folklore-tinged tale featuring Commissar Severina Raine and the 11th Antari Rifles, Rachel Harrison’s Scribe Award-nominated short story The Darkling Hours pits Raine, Captain Andren Fel and his Duskhounds against an unseen foe able to tap directly into their fears. Dispatched by aerial insertion into the sinister depths of a vast open-pit mine controlled by the Sighted, the small squad’s mission is clear – to infiltrate the mine complex, find the witch lurking at its heart, and kill it. Down in the cold darkness however, the witch’s power grows as they draw closer, and their strength is sorely tested.

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The October Man – Ben Aaronovitch

The second novella in Ben Aaronovitch’s long-running Rivers of London series, The October Man is the first instalment in which the action takes place out of the UK and away from the usual cast of characters. This time around the focus is on Tobias Winter, apprentice wizard and Investigator in the German Federal Police, who’s dispatched to the city of Trier when a man’s body is discovered covered in fungus. Ably assisted by the enthusiastic Vanessa Sommer from the local Trier police, Tobias’ investigation ends up involving Trier’s wine growing traditions, reluctant water spirits, dangerous magical history and middle-age adventurousness.

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QUICK REVIEW: In the Mists of Chaos – Rik Hoskin

This story is currently only available within Inferno! Volume Three.

The Black Library debut for Rik Hoskin, Age of Sigmar short story In the Mists of Chaos is a grim little story of human bravery and faith in the face of the twisting nature of the Ruinous Powers. Having played a crucial role in the defence of his village against a Chaos warband led by the sorcerer Ty’Gzar, Freeguild soldier Uffo Weisz finds himself with a legend to live up to. When the forces of Ty’Gzar return, Weisz leads his men in a confident defence of the village and its people, but the influence of Chaos can be dangerously subtle.

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QUICK REVIEW: Bossgrot – Eric Gregory

Eric Gregory’s first Black Library short story, Bossgrot is an anarchic Age of Sigmar tale of loyalty and treachery amongst the Gloomspite Gitz. Bossgrot Gribblak knows his inspirational leadership gives him the unqualified adoration of his skrap…or at least their grudging respect. After taking a beating at the hands of some particularly violent ‘umies, however, he needs to give his gitz something to really fire them up, so he hatches a plan to give them a big win…he’ll lead them in a glorious assault on the heavily-defended Glinty Crown, and both reaffirm their loyalty and win himself great renown.

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Priest of Lies – Peter McLean

Many thanks to Jo Fletcher Books and Netgalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A sequel to the fantastic Priest of Bones, and book two in Peter McLean’s War for the Rose Throne series, Priest of Lies is another brutal, brilliant fantasy tale of gangsters, spies, violence and intrigue. Life is complex for Tomas Piety, self-made prince of Ellinburg and reluctant servant of the Queen’s Men. For all his successes, he’s still driven – largely by the demands of his wife, the Queen’s Man Ailsa – to keep fighting for his city, and for the crown. As the situation in Ellinburg deteriorates and Tomas is drawn into the murky political waters of the capital, Dannsburg, he finds himself increasingly out of his depth and troubled by the consequences of power.

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QUICK REVIEW: Anarchy’s End – Rob J Hayes

The Black Library debut for fantasy author Rob J Hayes, Anarchy’s End is an Imperial Guard short story set almost entirely within the confines of a Baneblade super-heavy tank – the titular Anarchy’s End. Battling the endless hordes of a tyranid swarm, loader Vi Modine and the rest of the crew of Anarchy’s End struggle to keep the ageing tank operational long enough to strike a decisive blow. As the longest-serving member of the crew Vi knows the history of the vehicle well, but as the battle grinds bloodily on she starts to wonder at the nature of its ancient machine-spirit.

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Agent of the Throne: Ashes and Oaths – John French

The third instalment in the excellent Agent of the Throne audio drama series (and follow up to the Scribe Award-winning Truth and Dreams), John French’s Ashes and Oaths continues the story of inquisitorial agent Ianthe and the dangerous missions she’s sent on by Inquisitor Covenant. This time around Ianthe and her team are tasked with acquiring the services of an ex-Administratum information broker, on the war-scarred world of Dustcorn. When things don’t quite go to plan, and a dubious figure from a past mission reappears, Ianthe is forced to make some unwelcome compromises in order to get the job done.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Unlamented Archpustulent of Clan Morbidus – David Guymer

A tale of scheming skaven in the Age of Sigmar, David Guymer’s wonderfully-titled The Unlamented Archpustulent of Clan Morbidus reimagines the political maneuvering of a papal conclave as the vicious, backstabbing process of electing the new spiritual leader of Clan Morbidus. As the voting draws nearer, several candidates for the position of Archpustulent employ bribery, cunning and violence to ensure they, and only they, are elevated to this vaunted – and dangerous – position of power. In typical skaven fashion, however, each candidate’s devious schemes clash, backfire and generally get in each other’s way causing carnage in the depths of Blight City.

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