Very Quick Review: SCIONS OF THE EMPEROR (Black Library)

August 19, 2020May 12, 2021 Civilian Reader Review Anthology, Black Library, Chris Wraight, Darius Hinks, David Annandale, David Guymer, Gav Thorpe, Guy Haley, Horus Heresy, Ian St Martin, James Swallow, Sci-Fi, Scions of the Emperor, WH40k

A short collection of stories to add colour to some of the Primarchs

From their shadowed origins to the desperate battles that ensued when half of them rebelled against their father, the Sons of the Emperor – the vaunted primarchs – were among the greatest of humanity’s champions. They were warriors without peer and heroes whose deeds became legend. From a tale of Ferrus Manus in his earliest days to mysterious murders that lead Rogal Dorn into peril on the eve of the Siege of Terra, the eight tales in this volume lay bare key moments in the lives of these mighty heroes.

CONTENTS
Canticle by David Guymer
The Verdict of the Scythe by David Annandale
A Game of Opposites by Guy Haley
Better Angels by Ian St Martin
The Conqueror’s Truth by Gav Thorpe
The Sinew of War by Darius Hinks
The Chamber at the End of Memory by James Swallow
First Legion by Chris Wraight

Each of these stories adds a bit of colour and depth to what we know about the Primarchs. There are eight stories, so they don’t cover all of the Emperor’s sons, but a good range is featured. I enjoyed these. Continue reading →

Quick Review: LORDS AND TYRANTS by Various (Black Library)

October 21, 2019 Civilian Reader Review Alec Worley, Ben Counter, Black Library, Cavan Scott, Chris Wraight, Gav Thorpe, Ian St Martin, Josh Reynolds, Justin D Hill, LJ Goulding, Lords and Tyrants, Mike Brooks, Peter Fehervari, Rob Sanders, Robbie MacNiven, Sci-Fi, Short Stories, Steve Lyons, WH40k

A substantial, engaging collection of WH40k short fiction — perfect for long-time fans and newcomers

Many are the horrors of the 41st Millennium, from alien tyrants to dark lords in the grip of Chaos. But arrayed against them are champions of humanity, who fight to defend all that is good in the galaxy.

Wracked by the ravages of war, the galaxy has known no peace for untold millennia. To exist is to fight. To thrive is to conquer. Once-proud worlds lie in ruins at the hands of traitorous warlords and vile alien despots. Cowed by the unstoppable march of the Ruinous Powers, humanity stands on the precipice of oblivion. All hope is banished. Yet, there are many who take up arms against these horrors. Noble heroes of the Imperium sally forth to do battle while enigmatic Inquisitors explore the shadowy secrets of this benighted era. In the terror of the 41st Millennium, righteous lords and iron-willed tyrants clash to decide who is worthy of inheriting the galaxy.

Contents:
Argent by Chris Wraight
Lucius: Pride and Fall by Ian St Martin
Whispers by Alec Worley
The Battle for Hive Markgraaf by Justin D Hill
A Brother’s Confession by Robbie MacNiven
Rise by Ben Counter
Flayed by Cavan Scott
A Memory of Tharsis by Josh Reynolds
Left for Dead by Steve Lyons
Unearthed by Rob Sanders
The Aegidan Oath by L J Goulding
Hidden Treasures by Cavan Scott
Carcharodons: The Reaping Time by Robbie MacNiven
The Greater Evil by Peter Fehervari
The Path Unclear by Mike Brooks
Shadows of Heaven by Gav Thorpe

This is a pretty substantial collection of short fiction set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Sixteen stories, drawing together some fan-favourite characters and some new, I think it would serve very well as an introduction for anyone who has not yet delved into the extensive body of WH40k fiction, while also satisfying long-time fans of the IP looking for some quick-hits of sci-fi action and adventure. Continue reading →

Review: ANGRON — SLAVE OF NUCERIA by Ian St. Martin (Black Library)

February 22, 2019 Civilian Reader Review Angron, Black Library, Horus Heresy, Ian St Martin, Most Anticipated 2019, Must Read 2019, Primarchs, Sci-Fi, Slave of Nuceria, WH40k, World Eaters

Angron’s fateful demand of his Legion

As the Emperor travels the galaxy at the head of his Great Crusade, few events are as important as rediscovering his scattered sons, the primarchs, and bestowing them as the masters of their Legions. United, a Legion becomes a reflection of its primarch, both in his strengths and his flaws. For the Twelfth Legion, once the War Hounds and now the World Eaters, the line between strength and flaw is almost impossible to separate. Placed in command of a Legion he does not want, in service to a father he cannot forgive, Angron gives an ultimatum to his children, one that will set them down a path that they can never return from. So desperate for his acknowledgement, will the World Eaters follow their father and cast themselves in his broken image or will they resist? And will any of them ever learn who their father was truly meant to be?

In this, the eleventh novel in the Horus Heresy: Primarchs series, Ian St. Martin draws back the curtain on one of the most important events in the World Eaters’ history: the adoption of the Butcher’s Nails. A fast-paced and interesting short novel, which really improves the overall picture we have of Angron. I really enjoyed this. Continue reading →

New Books (January-February)

February 16, 2019February 13, 2019 Civilian Reader New Books Adam Scovell, Arwen Elys Dayton, Astrid Scholte, Barbara Bourland, Bobby Hall, Brian Raftery, Cavan Scott, Christopher Golden, Danny Goldberg, David Dalglish, David Mack, Douglas Brinkley, Douglas Waller, Elise Levine, Helen Zia, Ian St Martin, James Alan Gardner, James Ellroy, James SA Corey, Janna King, Joakim Zander, John Gwynne, Justin Call, KJ Parker, Marlon James, Melissa Caruso, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Ronan Frost, Snorri Kristjansson, Stéphane Larue, Wayne Holloway, Wil Medearis, William R Forstchen

Featuring: Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Barbara Bourland, Douglas Brinkley, Justin Call, Melissa Caruso, James S.A. Corey, David Dalglish, Arwen Elys Dayton, James Ellroy, William R. Forstchen, James Alan Gardner, Danny Goldberg, Christopher Golden, John Gwynne, Bobby Hall, Wayne Holloway, Harris & Nick Katleman, Janna King, Snorri Kristjansson, Stéphane Larue, Elise Levine, David Mack, Wil Medearis, K.J. Parker, Brian Raftery, Astrid Scholte, Cavan Scott, Adam Scovell, Ian St. Martin, Douglas Waller, Joakim Zander, Helen Zia

[UK Links are Amazon Affiliate Links, just FYI]

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Review: Catching up on Horus Heresy Audio-Dramas (Black Library)

April 16, 2018 Civilian Reader Review Audiobook, Black Library, Blackshields, First Lord of the Imperium, Horus Heresy, Ian St Martin, Joshua Reynolds, Konrad Curze, Lesson in Darkness, LJ Goulding, Malcador, Perturabo, Primarchs, Red Fief, Robbie MacNiven, Sci-Fi, Stone and Iron, WH40k

I recently realized that I’d accumulated a handful of shorter Black Library audio-dramas, and decided it was time to get caught up. One thing that unites them all is the incredible production values: the sound is crystal clear, each performance excellent, and complemented by plentiful sound effects. At times, the latter can feel a bit omnipresent and distracting (in the grim darkness of the 31st millennium, there is rarely, if ever, quiet), but for the main they remain in the background.

Featuring: LJ Goulding, Robbie MacNiven, Josh Reynolds, Ian St. Martin

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Four Quick Audio Reviews (Black Library)

June 9, 2017June 9, 2017 Civilian Reader Review Antonia Beamish, Audiobook, Audiodrama, Black Library, Champions of the Eternal War, Chris Dows, Chris Wraight, Cliff Chapman, Daedalus, Dan Abnett, David Guymer, Echoes of Revelation, Games Workshop, Gareth Armstrong, Gav Thorpe, Horus Heresy, Ian Brooker, Ian St Martin, John Banks, Joshua Reynolds, Luis Soto, Penelope Rawlins, Robin Bowerman, Saul Reichlin, Scions of Elysia, Scythes of the Emperor, Steve Conlin, Toby Longworth, WH40k

In each of the stories mentioned below, the performances are excellent, and the production values superb. This has become an always-met expectation for Black Library’s audio-dramas.

Featuring: Dan Abnett, Chris Dows, David Guymer, Ian St. Martin, Joshua Reynolds, Gav Thorpe, Chris Wraight

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New Books (May 2017)

June 3, 2017August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Alec Worley, Anne Corlett, Benedict Jacka, Benjamin Percy, Cassandra Khaw, Curtis Armstrong, Daniel Godfrey, Dave Hutchinson, David Guymer, Eddie Izzard, Eric Brown, Fantasy, Garbage, Graham McNeill, Greatcoats, Greg Cox, Ian St Martin, J Patrick Black, Jason Cohen, Jeff Abbott, Jennifer Egan, Jo Fletcher Books, Joel Dicker, Josh Reynolds, Malka Older, Max Gladstone, Nate Crowley, Quercus, RJ Barker, Sebastien de Castell, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Tade Thompson, Tyrant's Throne, Yoon Ha Lee

Featuring: Jeff Abbott, Curtis Armstrong, R.J. Barker, J. Patrick Black, Eric Brown, Sebastien de Castell, Anne Corlett, Greg Cox, Nate Crowley, Joel Dicker, Chris Dows, Jennifer Egan, Anthony Franze, Garbage & Jason Cohen, Max Gladstone, Daniel Godfrey, Dave Hutchinson, Eddie Izzard, Benedict Jacka, Cassandra Khaw, Richard Lange, Yoon Ha Lee, Graham McNeill, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Malka Older, Benjamin Percy, Josh Reynolds, Salman Rushdie, John Sandford, Tade Thompson, Wendy N. Wagner

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