Peter McLean continues to impress with his fourth Black Library short story, this time tackling the Tallarn Desert Raiders. On the arid world of Marbas II, the Tallarn 236th Sand Lords have deployed in force, an armoured column storming into the ork-held city of Iblis Amrargh intending to reclaim a lost relic of their regiment. The story begins as Captain Amareo Thrax is leading the battered remnants of his force in a desperate retreat through the baking desert. As they race for safety, Thrax bitterly recalls the horrors that took the lives of so many of his warriors.
It’s an exploration of the psychological toll war takes on the Imperial Guard, though this time it’s on a slightly larger scale than the close focus of Baphomet by Night or No Hero. Focusing on an armoured company makes for an interesting power dynamic as the tankers find themselves up against a monstrous foe that all their guns and armour can’t truly help them with, and McLean’s trademark (is it too early to say that?) sense of stomach-clenching darkness gradually builds up as the story progresses, flicking back and forth between Thrax’s past and present. It’s a rough ride for the Desert Raiders but it’s worth it for the reader!
This was released as part of the 2018 Black Library Advent Calendar – click here to see the main page for the Advent Calendar, with links to all of the reviews.
