Audio Review 129 // The Rage of Asmodai by C Z Dunn

Okay, take two with the Dark Angels Audio dramas. The last C Z Dunn tale was a bit of a bust, so I hope this will have some decent Dark Angel action. It's a short tale 25 minutes long, so here we go.

Title: The Rage of Asmodai

Author: Christian Z. Dunn

Narrators: John Banks, Steve Conlin, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth and Saul Reichlin.

Blurb: A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama

Captain Vidarna of the Relictors finds a mission to capture a Chaos artefact complicated by Dark Angels Chaplain Asmodai, who has his own sinister mission.

Link to buy via Amazon

THE STORY

Captain Vidarna of the Relictors leads a squad of his brothers in pursuit of a dark artefact on a world riven by heresy. But the appearance of Chaplain Asmodai of the Dark Angels changes his mission. The Dark Angel claims to have the relic they seek – but to claim it, the Relictors need to aid him in capturing the leader of the rebellion, a mysterious black-armoured Space Marine whose armour bears symbols similar to that of the Dark Angels themselves…

Written by C Z Dunn

Running time: 25 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Steve Conlin, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth and Saul Reichlin.

Review

Am I missing the point of these stories? They don't seem to be that focused on the Dark Angels. Instead, it's more a case of here is a single Dark Angel, and let us highlight another branch of the Imperium.

An example is this story. Here we have a Dark Angels Interrogator Chaplain working alone, who stumbles upon a squad of Relictor Marines. From here on it becomes a Relictors tale, and I'm left wanting more Dark Angels. I get the heavy-handed hints of the Fallen etc... but why wasn't it a squad of Dark Angels and no Relictors. The joining forces seem forced and rather too convenient. Of course the acting and sound are amazing, but I feel let yet down once again. This is not a Dark Angel tale, I want a real Dark Angel story please Black Library!

Audio Review 124 // Perfection by Nick Kyme

I have ridden the Sons of Baal tales enough for now. Time to turn our gaze on to the sons of Fulgrim, the true perfectionist! 

Title: Perfection

Author: Nick Kyme

Publisher: Black Library

Buy now on Amazon

Blurb: Under siege from Chaos Space Marines of the Emperor's Children, survival for the world of Vardask looks bleak. Matters worsen with the arrival of the World Eaters of Khorne. Still, when the Champions of Slaanesh are slowly murdered in mysterious circumstances, the enmity of the rival warbands threatens to turn them on one another on a scale not seen since the aftermath of the Horus Heresy. Are there no depths to which the scions of Fulgrim will not stop in pursuit of true perfection?

Review

Well, that was an enjoyable listen for sure. It's always fun reading about the "villains" and when bad things happen to them it becomes even more enjoyable. The interesting twist to this tale is the murder mystery, hidden within a battle someone is slowly killing off the Emperor's Children and seems all too easy to blame the World Eater rivals who happened to turn up at the same time...

Now the main issue with this title is that I can't reveal too much without spoiling it. But I can confirm this title is well worth the listen to, so go treat yourself. If I have to sum it up for you I would say, action pack, mastering that is a fun listen. If you are looking for character-building lore, give it a miss. But if you are looking for a fun, commute to work tale this could be "perfection"!

Audio Review 116 // Bloodquest: Prisoners of the Eye of Terror by Ben Counter

When I discovered I had this title in one of my audio collections, I got super excited! I remember fondly reading the comic, and I even had the metal miniature of Captain Leonatos (sadly now lost to time). Will this audio title bring the heat, I sure hope so.

Title: Bloodquest: Prisoners of the Eye of Terror

Author: Ben Counter

Blurb: Travelling across the daemon world of Eidolon in search of the stolen Blade Encarmine, Blood Angels Captain Leonatos and his battle-brothers are saved from death by another servant of the Emperor, Murius Aquinam. To their surprise, they recognise his name – he fought alongside the Blood Angels four thousand years ago. Can he still be trusted after four millennia in the Eye of Terror, or is he as much of a threat as the servants of Chaos that they fight?

Buy now on Amazon

Review

What a time-travelling memory filled adventure for me. Roughly 22/23 years ago, when I was a fresh-faced sixteen-year-old, I remember reading the epic adventures of a comic called Bloodquest (I need to read that again). It followed a shamed Blood Angel captain and his team, whose goal was to recover a lost relic. Until the relic is found or the group killed, they were to never return to the chapter. Having faced down an Ork leader possessed by a daemon, the team discovers their prize is in the Eye Terror. Here the adventure takes off, and I recommend you go find it and read the tale.

This story is set at about halfway, with only three marines left. Unfortunately, the enjoyable story lacked depth and could have added more to the overall adventures. The location within the title was really well done: the obsidian prison. The place sounded terrible and very fitting for a Daemon world. The idea of it growing open and decaying like a skeleton is a horror-inducing thought. What an amazing-sounding location that should be made into a kill-team board.

The plot was clever enough, with the marines feeling honour-bound to an Imperial Guard Regiment that was believed lost and, upon seeing their flag go to discover their fate. Unfortunately, the plot twist of the story was rather obvious, but the build-up was handled well enough to have you guessing when it would strike.

Bloodquest: Prisoners of the Eye of Terror is a definite buy for the collector and comic-book fan. But a miss if your knowledge of the lore or characters needs to be improved. There are some gems in the rough when listening, but I feel a real opportunity has been missed to expand the series or reignite interest in it. I guess I am on the fence.

Let me know your thoughts.

Book Review 176 // Lorgar: Bearer of the Word by Gav Thorpe

I couldn't stay away from Warhammer 30k for long! One of my favourite "Bad Guy" Primarch in his own story. Though this could have been a Kor Phaeron tale instead. Read on to discover the truth (of sorts).

Title: Lorgar: Bearer of the Word (The Horus Heresy: Primarchs #5)

Author: Gav Thorpe

Commercial Fluff: The fifth title in The Horus Heresy: Primarchs series, delving into the story of Lorgar, primarch of the Word Bearers Legion and the first of the Emperor's sons to fall to Chaos.

Most devoted of all the primarchs, it was Lorgar who first fell to the lure of Chaos. Once known as Aurelian, this golden son of the Emperor of Mankind found himself an outcast because he worshipped his father as a god. Humbled before the ruins of Monarchia, chastened and brought low, Lorgar yearned for deeper meaning. He found it in the power of Ruin and thus began the descent into heresy. His fate had not always been so. On Colchis, his adopted birth world, Lorgar was not always the zealot, though his path would be nurtured by one: the priest Kor Phaeron.

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Format: Kindle, 256 pages

Review

As with many Horus Heresy titles, this is a hit and a miss. But this title mainly swings into a hitting category. Lorgar is primarily set pre-crusade, set on the unusual world of Colchis. A planet of desert wasteland ruled by religious zealots and tribal nations. The tale kicks off with a rogue Prophet called Kor Phaeron (yep, him) and how he discovers a youth among the tribes who completely stuns him. Soon he is tutoring the boy in the Colchis religion, which happens to be the Chaos powers (how did the Big E miss this?). We then follow the pair as Lorgar creates a cult to the One (i.e. Emps) and unites the planet, while Kor Phaeron secures his position to become the high priest and keep the old faith alive.

A well-written story, which explains a lot. It shows how Lorgar always had "father" worshiped even from a young age, and through this fault, he was able to be corrupted. It also showcases Kor Phaeron as the true evil rather than a moustache-twirling villain. The planet is a fascinating location and deserves more time; Tatooine meets Mad Max and meets Dune.

But it had some flaws. Firstly a lot of Kor Phaeron and this title could have easily been; Kor Phaeron: The Heretic. Not a bad thing, but I would have preferred more insight into Lorgar instead. Not experiencing the uniting of Lorgar and the Emperor, how did it happen, how did the Emperor not see the corruption etc. How did Lorgar convince the Legions to accept the Chaplains?

Though a lot of questions were answered, many more questions were created. What are your thoughts on this book?

Book Review 170 // Furnaces of Haeleon by Chris Dows

Hitting up another short story this week focused on Khârn the Betrayer. I hope it is as good as last week's Lost King. Here are the details:

Title: Furnaces of Haeleon (Part one of the Red Path Quick Reads series)

Author: Chris Dows

A brand new series begins, focusing on the infamous Khârn the Betrayer and his blood-soaked wars against the Imperium and his fellow Chaos Space Marines.

READ IT BECAUSE

Kill, maim, burn, kill, maim, burn, kill, maim, burn, Blood for the Blood God, skulls for the skull throne of Khorne! (Also, it's free, and it's about one of the 41st millennium's most ruthless and fascinating characters. What have you got to lose?)

THE STORY

Khârn the Betrayer wages bloody war across the Imperium, following the Red Path and leading his Warband of Khorne Berzerkers in greater and greater acts of battle and bloodshed against all-comers. Abaddon desires to yoke Khârn's strength and ferocity for his own ends. Still, the Champion of Khorne will not kneel quickly as his violent crusade brings him into conflict not only with the Imperium but also the Black Legion...

Review

I have been hooked to this character since seeing a 2nd Edition piece of artwork for Kharn in Codex Chaos. Unfortunately for Khârn, his backstory and lore suffered for years as he was viewed as a psycho killer, more dangerous to his own side than the enemy. Then books like the First Heretic and Betrayer came along; they made a character that was interesting, believable and slowly becoming broken by the Heresy. We had a chance to rewrite Kharns story to make him something more than a killer. Then I read this opening short for this series and realized the opportunity had been lost. Seems the author went back to the safe and sound psycho, who cares little for "allies" as long as the blood flows.

Everything reads a little safe, a little uninspiring and completely lacking purpose. It seems Kharn is trapped as a being who just fights and kills and never with a goal. The few characters we are introduced to are left flat and lifeless, maybe this changes later in the series, but I don't see why you would include characters that add nothing to the plot.

I feel disappointed and deflated. I don't see me wanting to read the rest of this series. To sum up, it is dull please avoid it.

Book Review 124 // Fabius Bile: Primogenitor by Joshua Reynolds

You know what Adventures with Peps should do? He should start another book series! It not like he has 5 or is 6 currently unfinished series on the go (Horus Heresy, Sharpe, Discworld, Eisenhorn, Judge Dredd and Gotrek & Felix), staring at me from the shelf.....

Welcome to this week's Book Review. I have been enjoying the Horus Heresy series a lot of late and sometimes I fear burning out. So I am making sure to take breaks in the reading and to tip my toe elsewhere to refresh myself, even if it is still along the same theme. This book is a perfect example of that, as it involves a key character from the 30k verse, but places him squarely in the 40k verse.

Fabius Bile: Primogenitor (Book 1)

Exiled into the depths of the Eye of Terror for his dark deeds, former Emperor's Children Apothecary Fabius is drawn back to the Imperium in search of a secret that could be the key to saving his misbegotten life…

THE STORY

He is known by many names - Clonelord, Manflayer, Primogenitor. He is the epitome of deceit and perversion and feared by man and monster alike. Once the Chief Apothecary of the Emperor's Children, the madman knew as Fabius Bile possesses a knowledge of genetic manipulation second to none. Now a renegade among renegades, he is loathed by those he once called brother, and even the most degraded of Chaos Space Marines fear his name. Exiled for his dark experiments, Bile has retreated deep into the Eye of Terror, leaving a trail of twisted abominations in his wake. But when a former student brings word of the ultimate prize for the taking, Bile is unable to resist being drawn once more into the cauldron of war. For in seizing this prize, Fabius Bile might yet discover the one secret he has been unable to unlock... the secret which will prevent his inevitable doom.

Page Count: 320

Author: Josh Reynolds

Review

As strongly hinted at during my opening, Fabius Bile: Primogenitor is the first in series of books by Joshua Reynolds. With it being the first novel, I knew this would be a lot introducing characters and world-building. But I did not expect it to be so good, whilst doing it!

The cast working alongside Fabius Bile is great. They each have their own intriguing backstories, leaving you wondering if they are slaves, equals or wannabe usurpers. It is once again interesting to be rooting for the bad guys, something Reynolds seems good at. The early tale introduces plenty of violence and action that has you wondering what is going to happen next and kept me hooked chapter after chapter. Whilst the invasion of a Craftworld ignited my imagination to another level!

Overall a great start to a new series, I am excited to see where Fabius and his crew will go now. I love the fact that Fabius isn't a thrall to the dark gods and holds onto the belief that they are still a Xeno force to be overcome. It is also intriguing how some of the characters believe that Fabius could help resurrect the fractional 3rd Legion, which would be crazy to see happen.

Overall one of my favourite reads in a long time, even if he does attack an Aeldari Craftworld. Have you read this book?  Let me know in the comments, then use the following links to help support the blog. Thanks in advance as always for stopping by.

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Comic Review 128 // Warhammer 40,000 Marneus Calgar Issue 5

Boom! The series is complete, we have now hit issue 5 of the series and the end of the story arc. Having headed back to where it all began, Marneus Calgar arrives on the moon where his best friend died and his companions turned to Chaos. Here he discovers that the forces of chaos are trying to unbury a fallen Wordbearers Spacecraft and repair the destroyed Khorne shrine located in the region.

Of course, Marneus can't let this happen. Hugely outnumbered Marneus heads to the tunnels to help narrow the numbers of attackers. The rest of the issue cleanly wraps up the story with a bow and we are left not wanting or needing more.

The series as a whole was an okay introduction to the 40k verse. It is designed to interest new people in the 40k game system and I can see it working for sure. It was fun to read Blood for the Blood God and Skulls for the Skull Throne. It seems silly but made me smile so was worth the price of admission. Another highlight was Marneus Calgar declaring that "Space Marines do not run, they withdraw", this gentle humour helps to breakdown the grimdark and keep the story light, compared to all the violence and blood happening on every other page.

It will be intriguing to see what the next topic for marvel will be, I would love to see Orks making an appearance. Let me know who you want to see in the comments below.

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Audio Book 18 // Trollslayer by William King

As I looked for inspiration on what to listen to next, I remembered fondly, my Warhammer Quest adventure days as a teenager (20+ years ago). Wanting to reignite that excitement, I searched for a classic Warhammer story, which of course lead me to William King's Trollslayer. Trollslayer is a collection of short stories designed to introduce the reader to the main characters: Felix a human bard/warrior and Gortek a shamed Dwarf warrior seeking his doom.

Diving into the short stories we start with a creepy human sacrifice story involving the Chaos Gods, setting the tome for the work. This is going to be a gory, battle filled trip. We follow the pair as they move through tales and the realm of men starting within the Border Princes region and then up into the Empire heading to Nuln. Throughout this, we get to view the world through two very different sets of eyes, and it is a rewarding experience. We have Felix, who still sees the chance of a real life, he falls in love, he loses love, but ultimately due to his honour aways stays besides Gotrek. Whilst Gotrek, seems to be a one dwarf wrecking ball on a suicidal quest, but he isn't one dimensional in the slightest and even has a soft side, as he struggles to admit he enjoys the comradeship of Felix. It is these two playing off against each other, that really makes the stories. It is through these small very realistic moments of brotherhood, that King is able to bring the Warhammer World to life, reminding me why I loved it so much back in the day.

This has definitely sparked my interest in listening to more of the series, which I believe moves away from the short story format into a more rounded fuller stories. This excites me as I want to delve into the characters more, which you can't do with a short story. You are just expected to assume things about the characters and except that they aren't completely formed individuals. We will see where this take us moving into 2021.

Solid opening novel that was lacking in parts, the voice acting was great and for the time it was written this was the height of Warhammer Lore. I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5. Solid piece but I need more character info to want to commit to loving it. As always drop me a comment, or sign up for email notifications of posts. Using any of these links provided also helps to support my blogging adventures. Cheers!

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Trollslayer by William King

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Book Review 92 // Black Legion (Black Legion Book 2)

A few months ago I read The Talon of Horus and was definitely impressed by the birth story of the Black Legion. What this meant is that I had high hopes for the second book in the series and was excited to see how the story will progress. A big highlight of the first book is that it is told by a Thousand Sons Sorcerer called Khayon and I hope the story continues on this path. So without further ado let us dive in.

Book Details

Title: Black Legion (Black Legion #2)

Author: Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Publisher: Black Library

Type: E-book

Page Count: 288

Commercial Fluff: Ezekyle Abaddon and his warlords strive to bind the newborn Black Legion together under threat of destruction. Now Khayon, as Abaddon's most-trusted assassin, is tasked with ending the threat of Thagus Daravek, the self-proclaimed Lord of Hosts - a rival to the Ezekyle's final fate.

Fighting the vile whispers of the Dark Gods within his mind, Abaddon turns a fevered gaze back to the Imperium, where his destiny awaits. Yet the Emperor's Champion and his Black Templars stand guard at the gates of Hell, and Sigismund has waited centuries to face Abaddon in battle

Review

As mentioned in the opening paragraph this is the follow up to The Talon Horus, and it has a big task ahead of it to best the first book, but somehow it does. The book is packed with full-on action and for any fan of fluff and background then this is a book for you, especially if you are a Black Legion collector. It once again follows Khayon's story who has now become Abaddon's Assassin and is being tasked with the downfall of Daravek Lord of Hosts. We get to journey along with his trials as Khayon attempts to complete his mission but it would seem Daravek is blessed by the Dark Gods and is, in fact, playing his own games as well. I don't want to give anything away but when the twist comes I did not expect it at all it was a great part of the book when it happens.

Another highlight was when the Black Legion burst into realspace for the first time only to be greeted by the newly formed Black Templars led by Sigismund. This fleet has been stationed here for centuries awaiting the return of the traitorous forces. We get a great ship battle and the ultimate showdown of Abaddon vs. Sigismund on the Eternal Crusader and this was a great moment for the lore buff inside me.

Ultimately I have to say this is a great improvement on book one. Characters are naturally progressing and flawed, the battle scenes are brutal but not bolter porn and travelling around the Eye of Terror has never been so much fun. My final question is; when is book three?

As always say hi in the comments section and let me know your thoughts on this book.

Beginning of the End times.

***Please note this was written before the big release reveals on May 23rd, which is so cool I really enjoy seeing a new edition and how they change or tweak things up. Lucky for me the mainline of Chaos Marines is pretty new and updated so I will concentrate on the bulk of the force and then be able to add any new toys later***

Last week I raised the question of which army should I start next? If you didn't see or read it here is a link.

Basically, it came down to one of two choices Dark Angels or Red Corsairs. Well after a week of deep thought and planning I have decided that Red Corsairs will be the next project. The main reasons for them beating the Dark Angels are as follows:

• A more complex paint scheme that I feel will push me more than the Dark Angels.
• More freedom to convert and play with the design aspect of the models.
• The ability to possibly expand the host to include traitor guard as well.

Now with the army chosen I have to start making what I will call my mood board. Images that will help inspire this project. With this in mind, the rest of this post is going to be a photo dump and I will most likely continue adding to it as I see more images. Thanks for stopping by and I hope I can make some real progress soon with this.

But for now, I will crack open my Forgeworld manuals and reread the Badab Conflicts.

Official Fandom Page: https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Red_Corsairs

Huron Blackheart Inspiration

A popular idea of using Abaddon the Despoiler Model to create Huron.

Power Armour Huron Conversion by Eternal Hunt

A more human-looking Huron.

A truer version of Huron in my mind.

OG - Huron. The version I came to love.

Standard Red Corsair Marines

Koltti - Instagram. Some amazing conversions and paint schemes.

Koltti - Instagram. Some amazing conversions and paint schemes.

Koltti - Instagram. Some amazing conversions and paint schemes.

A classic looking scheme.

John Blanche - Red Corsair

Logo - Red Corsair

Audio Review 13 // Watcher in the Rain

Unlucky for some it is time for Audio Review 13. Now it won't surprise anyone when I say that it is a Warhammer 40,000 tale. Back in February I had my first adventure into Warhammer Horror with the House of Night and Chains

Title: Watcher in the Rain
Written by: Alec Worley
Running time: 74 minutes
Performed by: Matthew Hunt (Narrator), Deeivya Meir (Narrator), Melvin Rawlinson (Narrator), Richard Reed (Narrator), Toby Longworth (Narrator), Andrew Wincott (Narrator)

Commercial Fluff: In the far reaches of Imperial space, a ferocious warp storm approaches an Administratum world, cutting off the entire planet from the rest of the Imperium. As their towering grey spires are punished by endless rain, countless administrators, tithe-masters, and book-keepers are forced to evacuate. Among them is Greta, a lowly data-drone with a terrible secret, wanted for questioning by the sadistic Imperial interrogator Stefan Crucius. As disaster strikes and the pair are left stranded in the depths of the drowning city, captor and captive must co-operate to stand any chance of escaping. But a mysterious presence stalks them through the abandoned, flooded towers, a dread entity each must confront but which neither dare acknowledge, a Watcher in the Rain

Review

Wow. Once more Black Library have created a immersive world to get lost in. The acting was exciting, the sound effects on point and add depth to the surroundings. And what amazing surroundings they are. We are flung to an Administratum world that is starting to find itself absorbed into a warp storm. As the populace attempts to evacuate the weather weirdly turns south and starts constantly raining, causing the cities to start sinking in overflowing waters.

Into this mix we meet Greta Vern a data drone who seemingly has been wrong accused of a crime by Interrogator Stefan Crucius. Following a quick chase scene the pair are forced to work together in an attempt to escape the sinking city and the planet itself. As the pair continues through the city the Interrogator seems to keep seeing someone or something watching them from a far, is it Greta's cult or something far more sinister...

I really enjoyed this tale from start to finish and the insane patients that have escaped, really made for an exciting and weirdly believable scenario for the pair. I found myself surprised and happy with the conclusion of the tale which I will do spoil.

A definitely worth while listen that I plan on listening to again soon.

Have you partaken any audio dramas of late? What should I check out. Let me know in the comments below. Thank you for reading.

Audio Review 12 // Horus Heresy: Dark Compliance #52

Welcome to another 30k audio book, this time it falls under #52 Herald's of the Siege. By now the Horus Hersey is in full swing, the galaxy is being carved in half by the traitorous forces and the march to Terra is underway. This is just one story of many and I am sure I will revisit the other tales soon so expect more at some point.

Title: Dark Compliance
Number: #52
Written by: John French
Running time: 64 minutes.
Performed by: Gareth Armstrong, Ramon Tikaram, Jonathan Keeble, Matthew Hunt, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Melvyn Rawlinson, Penelope Rawlins

Commercial Fluff: For more than two hundred years, the armies of the Emperor of Mankind fought to reconquer the galaxy – led by the superhuman primarchs, the Space Marine Legions brought countless worlds back under the rule of ancient Terra. Now Horus, once honoured Warmaster and favoured son of the Emperor, has been corrupted by the whispered promises of Chaos. At his command the Imperium is torn apart by a terrible and bloody civil war, the likes of which the galaxy has never seen... As Horus’s rebellion gains momentum, more and more worlds flock to his banner. For some, it is through fear of annihilation; for others, it is out of malicious desire. Any that consider resistance are given one chance to swear fealty. To do anything other is to court disaster and worse. Accazzar-Beta is one such defier, but in bringing this heavily-fortified Mechanicum world to heel, just how far is the Warmaster willing to go and what truly is the meaning of a dark compliance? As two fleets engage across the gulf of the void, Accazzar-Beta will find out.

Review

A rather simple tale, even though it is only a filler, it does a great job of portraying what is happening in a galaxy wracked by civil war. The tale begins with a planetary system that is refusing to bend the knee to Warmaster Horus. As the Planetary Governor faces off against Emissary Argonis of the Sons of Horus, he is informed of the demise of Accazzar-Beta, a planet that was brought to ruin in one day by the forces of Horus. Why this important? Accazzar-Beta was heavily fortified world and if it can fall so quick, how can anyone hope to survive?

This is basically a fear mongering tale taken to the extreme. Designed to bring systems into the fold without a shot fired. It shows a Horus wanting to preserve troops and resources for the final push on Terra. But it also shows he isn't an out of control killer, he is still the skill tactician and diplomat.

After the 64 minutes comes to an end I feel satisfied by the tale. Did it move the story arc forward? Nope. Does anything special happen? Nah. But as stated above it does show a side of the story we haven't seen for a while but does happen behind the action packed scenes and was well worth listening to.

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Book Review 42 // The Daemon's Curse by Dan Anett and Mike Lee

Welcome back to the bookshelf, here we are at book five of 2019. If you have been a follower of mine over my blogging attempts either on here, Instagram or Facebook, you would know I love Sci-fi, but especially 40k Sci-fi. Most of my readings have been in this dark, grim future so I have a treat for you all. This time we get to hangout in the World that was, Warhammer fantasy.

But were to start? The answer for me seemed quite simple in the end. I love Dan Abnett, I love Elves and I love an anti-hero. Here proudly steps in Malus Darkblade - the most infamous of the Dark Elves of the World that was. With about six titles to his name this will definitely become a series of reviews. I managed to pick the main books and so we will begin with Book 1- The Daemon's Curse.

Book Details

Title: The Daemon's Curse
Author: Dan Abnett & Mike Lee
Publisher: Black Library
Type: Paperback
Page Count: 414
Commercial Fluff: Ambitious dark elf warrior Malus Darkblade learns the location of a powerful relic and decides he wants it for himself. Malus leads an expedition into the dangerous Chaos Wastes in search of it but finds far more than he had bargained for. Possessed by a powerful daemon, he must undertake an epic quest to save his very soul.

Review

First up I remember the tale from my teenage years reading the short lived comic series. I remember an anti hero, processed by a Daemon and having to collect artifacts to free himself. I remember loving the artwork and having an evil character to enjoy in my comic reading. With such fond memories it is quite shocking it has took me this long to adventure into this series.

Let's cut to the chase this book involves the Druchii (aka Dark Elves), it is also set in the Warhammer Fantasy era. These are going to be dark, very dark books. This darkness is portrayed perfectly in this opening title as we follow the ruling highborns of the Hag through ambitious political plots, treacherous ploys and just plain torture!

The opening scene shows how yearly all the Highborns of the Hag must present the Lord of the Hag some form of gift. If they ultimately fail to prove loyalty or are lacking in the right gift, the Lord is allowed to torture them or in some cases kill them. Unlucky for Malus he has neither loyalty or gifts and is tortured to the extreme. The only thing saving him is the fact that he is a bastard son of the lord.

The character of Malus is a fun one to follow and is extremely easy to like, which is weird as he is an evil villain. Born as a bastard into the ruling household Malus got the nickname Darkblade as he is seen as a flaw. Barely viewed as a Highborn, Malus has struggled throughout life. Everytime something seems to be going well one of his older siblings betray him and take the glory for themselves or revel in Malus' failures.

Soon Malus is left with very few options socially and has to team up with one of his older siblings to raid one of his other siblings (Family intrigue). After a daring raid on one of his brothers towers, Malus is on the run and being chased by warriors filled with mystical powers. His goal lays in the Chaos Wastes, here Malus will search for treasure and unknown power. From here on it becomes a book of betrayal, brutal warfare, challenges and ultimately failure and the loss of his soul to a deamon.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Elves in general and haven't really explored Dark Elves or Wood Elves or any Elves outside of the 40k setting (something I will try to fix). A highlight of this book is feeling the conflict within Malus. His need to take big risks in attempt to gain bigger rewards and his pure stubbornness born for the hatred for his siblings. You can't help but wish Malus would succeed for once and when he does it still seems to go wrong for him. This makes Malus a very likeable character and you end up forgiving his faults as you end up hating those around him more.

I highly recommend reading this tale. As you read this I am now starting the second book so come and check back in a week or two for an update.