If you’ve been following the 2017 Black Library Advent Calendar throughout December then you’ll probably already know that three of the twenty-four stories were audio dramas in the Horus Heresy Primarchs series. These three stories are the first audio dramas we’ve seen so far in the Primarchs series, and two of them offer the first contributions to the Heresy in any form by the authors in question.
Black Library Weekly – W/C 18/12/17
Hello and welcome to the penultimate instalment of Black Library Weekly in 2017, my regular look at what’s been happening in the world of Black Library. This week it’s been Advent all the way, so I’m focusing almost entirely on the seven stories that have been released. I say almost…because there’s at least one other cool thing for me to talk about this week. Let’s crack straight on, though…
QUICK REVIEW: The Board is Set – Gav Thorpe
A smart, cleverly-told tale, Gav Thorpe’s Horus Heresy short story The Board is Set shows an unusually open side to Malcador, in the final moments before Horus’s forces arrive and the Siege of Terra begins. Looking for guidance and insight, Malcador sits down at an unusual game board with the Emperor to discuss what has been, what might have been, and what might yet be. With the last act approaching, he looks to the Emperor for a hint of what His final plan might be, and how they might survive what’s to come.
QUICK REVIEW: A Lesson in Darkness – Ian St. Martin
A suitably dark and grisly tale, Ian St. Martin’s short audio drama A Lesson in Darkness is a Primarchs story concerning Konrad Curze, primarch of the Night Lords. When the human world of Piamen refuses to join in Imperial unity, the Imperium sends Curze and his legion to bring the Piameni to heel. Newly reunited with his legion, Curze demonstrates his instinctive mastery of terror tactics as he brings compliance to the horrified population of Piamen. For his legion, and Captain Nivalus in particular, it’s an early taste of what’s to come under Curze’s leadership.
QUICK REVIEW: The Dance of the Skulls – David Annandale
The first Age of Sigmar story featuring the vampire Neferata, David Annandale’s The Dance of the Skulls sees the Mortarch of Blood waging war on her enemies on a battlefield suited to her specific skills. Attending a grand ball held in her honour by the scheming rulers of two rival kingdoms, Neferata uses all of her guile and experience to spring the obvious trap, confident in her ability to turn the situation to her favour. To the ancient vampire, navigating such political currents is second nature, though she knows she will need to be on her guard throughout.
QUICK REVIEW: Fireheart – Gav Thorpe
Part of the Rise of the Ynnari series, Gav Thorpe’s short story Fireheart sees the action turn to Craftworld Saim-Hann. Druthkhala, a Commoraghan emissary of Yvraine, requests the Craftworld’s aid in a mission to an aeldari maiden world, in search of one of the lost Croneswords of Morai-Heg. Though generally met with disdain, she finds support from the bold Wild Rider Nuadhu Fireheart. Accompanied by members of Nuadhu’s clan they venture out in search of the fabled weapon, only to find that whatever lies on that maiden world, it is well defended.
QUICK REVIEW: The Tainted Axe – Josh Reynolds
A tale of the Eight Lamentations, Josh Reynolds’ short story The Tainted Axe follows Sir Roggen as, post-the events of Spear of Shadows, he embarks on a quest in the Realm of Ghyran at the behest of a handmaiden of Alarielle. Though wounded in body, Roggen remains strong in faith, and ventures deep into an old and dangerous forest accompanied only by his loyal demigryph and a spiteful forest spirit. There he hopes to find and return with a foul weapon that has been tainting its surroundings with its Nurgle-infused filth.
QUICK REVIEW: The Rage of Asmodai – CZ Dunn
A short Warhammer 40,000 audio drama, CZ Dunn’s The Rage of Asmodai sees the Dark Angel Interrogator Chaplain join forces with a squad of Relictors, led by Captain Vidarna (remember him from Ben Counter’s Heart of Decay?), to hunt down a Chaos Space Marine who has led the local population in rebellion. Though their objectives differ, the two Chapters agree to work together and achieve both – Asmodai will get his prisoner, while Vidarna will get the ‘object’ the Relictors have come for.
QUICK REVIEW: A Brother’s Confession – Robbie MacNiven
A Brother’s Confession by Robbie MacNiven acts as a prequel short story to the forthcoming novel Blood of Iax and introduces the characters of Kastor and Polixis (geddit?), two Ultramarines Primaris Marines whose bond of brotherhood goes deeper than Chapter ties alone. Apothecary Polixis comes before Chaplain Kastor to make a confession, relating to his brother the tale of his last mission, and the sin he committed.
Black Library Weekly – W/C 11/12/17
Hello and welcome to another instalment of Black Library Weekly, my regular look at what’s been happening in the world of Black Library. It’s been another Advent-heavy week, with not a huge amount of other stuff to talk about. Don’t worry, though, there have been some really juicy Advent stories so still plenty to cover…