Traitor’s Gorge – Mike Lee

Mike Lee’s Space Marine Battles novella Traitor’s Gorge picks up where Steve Parker’s Rynn’s World leaves off, with Pedro Kantor left leading a pitiful number of Crimson Fists once Rynn’s World is relieved and Snagrod’s ork hordes driven off. With the Imperial reinforcements long gone, it’s left to Kantor to wipe out the last remaining pockets of orks – a dangerous task, but one the vengeance-hungry Crimson Fists approach with relish. Bringing one such group to battle at Traitor’s Gorge, Kantor doesn’t realise the trap he’s fallen into until it’s too late, but help is on hand from an unexpected quarter.

It’s an interesting continuation of themes from Rynn’s World, with the focus very much on Kantor and his relationship with what’s happened to his Chapter on his watch. There’s no Alessio Cortez, or any human characters at all (although it’s not a spoiler to say that it does introduce a couple of eldar characters), so it’s really all about the big picture that Kantor has to focus on. Lee does an excellent job of continuing Parker’s good work, giving Kantor a remarkably consistent tone of voice and fitting things in, narratively, in such a way as to feel like a natural extension of the same story.

In many respects it’s a typical Black Library novella, sitting somewhere between a novel and a short story and focusing on a single narrative, with lots of fighting (as usual) but plenty of room to breathe as well. The eldar add a slightly different dimension without ever getting in the way of the main story, but it all comes back to the Crimson Fists’ determination to reclaim their world and their purpose – and how that lands them in hot water, but helps get them back out again as well. There’s something very satisfying about seeing the Crimson Fists really taking it to the orks this time around, venting some of their fury and (for the most part) coming out on top.

It’s worth pointing out that, as an action-heavy novella, this isn’t quite such an in-depth or character-led story as Rynn’s World was (although it does a good job with the time available) so it definitely rewards familiarity with its predecessor. Sure, there’s enough to be enjoyable on its own, but definitely read it after Rynn’s World for best effect. While it’s packed to the gills with action scenes, there are perhaps a few more twists and turns than some novellas, and it turns out to be exactly the right story to follow on from a full-length novel. It’s not just ‘what happens next’, but rather an enjoyable companion piece – and it’s well worth checking out.

Check out Traitor’s Gorge on Amazon or Audible – it’s currently available in print as part of the War for Rynn’s World collection, or as an audiobook narrated by Robin Bowerman. Buying anything via these links will help support Track of Words.