Author Archives: Michael

Short and Sweet – August 2023

Hello and welcome to my August 2023 Short and Sweet review roundup, and another trio of recent(ish) reads to talk about. After missing June’s roundup entirely and opting for an Aconyte-only approach in July, it’s back to business as usual this time – I’ve picked out an Age of Sigmar novel from Black Library, the first book in a recent fantasy series that I’d been meaning to read for ages, and then something a little different involving an octopus. These are all books that for one reason or another I haven’t wanted or been able to write a full review for, but I still want to talk about!

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A Few Thoughts On: Ahsoka – E.K. Johnston

E.K. Johnston’s 2016 novel Ahsoka takes a much-loved Star Wars character from the small screen and brings her story into a different medium, picking up where she left off in her animated form and filling in some of the gaps in what happened next. A year after the establishment of the Empire and the horrors of Order 66, ex-Padawan Ahsoka Tano finds herself on a small moon in the Outer Rim, in the company of a close-knit farming community. All she wants is to rest and centre herself, but when the Empire arrives on Raada she’s forced to choose between continuing to hide herself and her powers, and taking a stand to protect the people who have taken her in and shown her kindness.

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Where to Start With Black Library: Necrons

Welcome to Where to Start with Black Library: Necrons, in which I offer up some suggestions for which Black Library stories to read if you’re particularly interested in the deathless legions of the Necrons. The expansive nature of the worlds of Warhammer can be both a strength and a weakness – there’s loads to explore, but it’s hard to know where to look and where to begin. That’s where this series of articles comes in, as I’ve scoured the dusty halls of the Black Library to pick out a range of great stories that will set you on the right path. I’ve split this article up into two main sections, looking at Necrons as protagonists and then Necrons as antagonists, each one further divided into older lore and more recent releases.

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RAPID FIRE: Rob Young Talks Longshot

Hello and welcome to this Rapid Fire author interview, where today I’m chatting to Black Library author Rob Young about Longshot, his debut Warhammer 40,000 novel. Rob’s written a few 40k short stories already, and he’s previously featured on Track of Words as a guest reviewer (you can read his review here), but this is the first time we’ve chatted for an interview – and what better opportunity to talk than to celebrate the launch of his debut novel? Part of a growing range of new Imperial Guard Astra Militarum books, Longshot offers an unusual perspective on a Guard novel and promises to be an excellent read. Read on to find out what you can expect from Longshot, the challenges of writing about snipers, where Rob thinks he’d find himself if he was part of a Guard regiment, and loads more.

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QUICK REVIEW: Compulsory – Martha Wells

Previously published by Wired Magazine and now available as a standalone e-short from Subterranean Press, Martha Wells’ Compulsory is a very short but satisfying story that acts as a prequel of sorts to the main body of her Murderbot Diaries series. Set before the events of All Systems Red, but after Murderbot hacked its governor module, this sees everyone’s favourite SecUnit paying its usual scant attention to a contract guarding mining machinery, preferring to watch The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. When one of the humans on the contract finds themself in danger, Murderbot has to choose how to respond – a choice that might just set it on a particular path.

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The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch – Melinda Taub

Pride and Prejudice meets Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell, with added witches, in Melinda Taub’s The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch, coming in October 2023 from Jo Fletcher Books. In this re-envisioning of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, we see the events of Pride and Prejudice – and more – through the eyes of the youngest Bennet sister, whose magical abilities offer intriguing new explanations for familiar events. But as Lydia’s story unfolds, the truth of her high spirits, troublesome behaviour and relationship with the devilish Wickham proves to be unexpectedly dark, and her story filled with wild magic and terrible dangers (not all of which are her own fault).

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Teaser Interview: Matthew Ward Introduces The Darkness Before Them

Hello and welcome to this Track of Words Teaser Interview with the excellent Matthew Ward, who’s here to talk a little about what to expect from his upcoming novel The Darkness Before Them. Book one in a brand new fantasy trilogy, if this is anything like his previous books it’s definitely going to be one to look out for! The release date – November 2023 – is still a little way off though, so rather than a full, regular interview, we’ve gone for something a little different. It’s not as in depth as usual – it is a teaser interview after all – but hopefully this will be enough to whet your appetite for the novel!

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Monthly Roundup – July 2023

Hello and welcome to my Track of Words Monthly Roundup post for July 2023, back to its normal place at the end of the month (rather than several days into the next month, like last time). After a hectic June, my July has been considerably quieter – I’ve maintained my usual rhythm of posting on ToW but I’ve slowed down a little with reading, and really found myself pulling back from spending time online (by which I mean on social media). I don’t mind that sort of ebb and flow though, and I’m sure things will even out in time. As usual, for this post I’ve got a recap of the month’s new (and updated) articles and reviews, followed by some updates about what I’ve been up to, and anything interesting that’s caught my eye.

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Behind the Scene: Excerpt from Storming Heaven by Miles Cameron

Book two in The Age of Bronze series, and the sequel to 2022’s fantastic Against All Gods, Miles Cameron’s Storming Heaven is out now – and I’m delighted to present an excerpt from this brand new novel for your enjoyment. Not only that, but Miles has very kindly contributed some additional commentary on this excerpt, first setting the scene and then discussing the historical inspiration behind some of the featured characters. Storming Heaven is out now from Gollancz, so read on to get a taste of what to expect, then you can go ahead and order your copy once this has whetted your appetite.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Cure – Guy Haley

Published in Grimdark Magazine issue 34, Guy Haley’s short story The Cure is a short, sharp blast of mud-splattered action and black humour that blends fantasy and science fiction into an intriguing whole. When Velth and his companions set out on their latest contract – escorting a priest and an unwell priestess to a remote temple in search of a cure to her ailment – their mercenary company numbers ten, under the leadership of their captain, Arnolli. The further they travel though, through rotten forest and stinking marsh, the harder their journey becomes, and as they begin to fall through accident, illness and battle, Velth has his work cut out to protect their charges and keep faith with the contract.

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