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 →

Quick Reviews: THE BONE DESERT by Robbie MacNiven & ONE, UNTENDED by David Guymer (Black Library)

February 23, 2019 Civilian Reader Review Age of Sigmar, Black Library, Bone Desert, David Guymer, Fantasy, Gotrek Gurnisson, Novella, One Untended, Robbie MacNiven, Short Story, Warhammer

Two short Age of Sigmar outings for Gotrek Gurnisson, my favourite dwarf…

The world that Gotrek Gurnisson knew is long dead, alongside every soul the legendary monster slayer once cared for. Adrift in this curious new age, the duardin scours the treacherous Bone Desert in search of the axe he inherited from the God Grimnir, which too has been lost to the annals of time.

When a series of assassination attempts strike, Gotrek and his aelf companion Maleneth soon learn that it is not only the wasteland’s ravenous beasts and sinking sands that hunger for their flesh. The heroic duardin is certain these highly calculated and creative attacks are the work of his infamous nemesis – the skaven, Thanquol. But is all as it seems?

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned a couple of times (at least) on CR, I’ve been reading about the exploits of Gotrek Gurnisson for decades. I first stumbled across his adventures, alongside his human companion Felix Jaegar, in the Warhammer Armies books. Then, William King and others’ novels that I still return to whenever I feel like a fantasy-comfort-read. With the demise of the Old World, and the shift to the Age of Sigmar, the venerable dwarf returns! Continue reading →

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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New Books (February-March)

February 27, 2018August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Andrea Dunlop, Anthony Horowitz, Ben Fritz, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Claire North, Corey J. White, Dan Abnett, Darius Hinks, Frank Herbert, Gav Thorpe, Guy Haley, Ian McDonald, Jane Harper, Jo Piazza, Joe Mungo Reed, John Connolly, Josh Reynolds, K.R. Richardson, KR Richardson, Kristin Hannah, Lucas Mann, Melissa Caruso, Melissa F. Olson, Michael Redhill, Nick Kyme, Paul French, Paul Goldberg, Rachel Harrison, Robbie MacNiven, S J Morden, Simon Morden, Stephen Markley

Featuring: Dan Abnett, Kevin J. Anderson, Melissa Caruso, John Connolly, Andrea Dunlop, Paul French, Ben Fritz, Paul Goldberg, Kristin Hannah, Jane Harper, Frank Herbert, Anthony Horowitz, Sarah A. Hoyt, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Lucas Mann, Stephen Markley, Ian McDonald, S.J. Morden, Claire North, Melissa F. Olson, Jo Piazza, Michael Redhill, Joe Mungo Reed, K.R. Richardson, Gav Thorpe, Corey J. White

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New Books (March-April)

April 15, 2017August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Anne Stephens, Ben Sanders, C.L. Werner, David Annandale, David Grann, David Swinson, Don Carpenter, Giacomo Bevilacqua, Graham McNeill, Ivy Pochoda, J.D. Barker, Jardine Libaire, Jonathan Dee, Jonathan Lethem, Karin Tidbeck, L R Fredericks, L.J. Goulding, Leena Likitalo, Marcus Thompson, Margaret Killjoy, Melissa Scrivner Love, Michael R Fletcher, Omar El Akkad, Paul Kearney, Peter Newman, Richard Kadrey, Robbie MacNiven, Sarah Lotz, Sarah Menkedick, Tom Perrotta, William C Dietz

Featuring: David Annandale, Neal Asher, J.D. Barker, Giacomo Bevilacqua, Edward Carlson, Don Carpenter, Jonathan Dee, William C. Dietz, Omar El Akkad, Michael R. Fletcher, L.R. Fredericks, L.J. Goulding, David Grann, Richard Kadrey, Paul Kearney, Jardine Libaire, Leena Likitalo, Sarah Lotz, Melissa Scrivner Love, Robbie MacNiven, Graham McNeill, Sarah Menkedick, Peter Newman, Tom Perotta, Ivy Pochoda, Ben Sanders, John Scalzi, Anna Stephens, David Swinson, Marcus Thompson II, Karen Tidbek, C.L. Werner, Timothy Zahn

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