Author Archives: Michael Dodd

QUICK REVIEW : The Word of the Silent King – LJ Goulding

On the thirteenth day of Christmas, Black Library gave to us…a Shield of Baal short story by L J Goulding. In preparation for events taking place within the Shield of Baal campaign, The Word of the Silent King looks back to an unusual moment in the history of the Blood Angels. As Dante and Tycho lead them in battle against the necrons on Gehenna, a tyranid splinter fleet threatens both forces and leads to an unlikely alliance. Seen through eyes on both sides of the alliance this looks at some of the justifications each had for forming the alliance, and some of its implications.

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Ahriman: Sorcerer – John French

John French’s Ahriman series continues with the second novel, Ahriman: Sorcerer, in which the exiled Thousand Son sorcerer is still searching for knowledge, looking for a way to save his legion and repair the mistakes he has made in the past. Now firmly on this path after the events of Ahriman: Exile, he has gathered a vast warband to his banner as he seeks the Athenaeum of Kalimakus, a record made by Magnus the Red’s personal remembrancer, hoping to find a clue to where his rubric went wrong. A range of foes bar his path or dog his heels, from the Inquisition and the Grey Knights to a tireless pack of Space Wolves, not to mention his own treacherous allies.

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QUICK REVIEW : Brethren – Phil Kelly

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Black Library gave to us…a Space Marine Battles audio short by Phil Kelly. Brethren looks back to an early conflict between the Imperium and the Tau Empire and offers a comparison of sorts between the two. As the Ultramarines descend upon the world of Vespertine and battle the tau, sergeants Numitor and Sicarius lead their assault squads in vicious close-quarters fighting against the disciplined and technologically advanced xenos.

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QUICK REVIEW : Last Step Backwards – Justin D. Hill

On the eleventh day of Christmas Black Library gave to us…an Imperial Guard short story by Justin D. Hill. Set on the barren desert world of Besana, Last Step Backwards is a story of the Cadian Shock Troops, and the iconic Ursarkar E. Creed. With their armies retreating against the forces of the Archenemy, a vital route to the heart of the Imperial defences is defended by Cadian Whiteshields, cadet soldiers ill-suited to such a task. The situation looks bleak until the arrival of Creed.

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QUICK REVIEW : Vorax – Matthew Farrer

On the tenth day of Christmas Black Library gave to us…a Horus Heresy short story by Matthew Farrer. With Vorax, Farrer continues his look at all things technological, after his contributions to the Sabbat Worlds/Sabbat Crusade anthologies. This takes place on the Ring of Iron, a Mechanicum facility orbiting Mars, during the Imperial Fists’ blockade of the red planet. An adept of the Dark Mechanicum hunts loyalists through the Ring, unaware that he himself has become prey for something lurking in the shadows.

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QUICK REVIEW : A Son’s Burden – Andy Smillie

On the ninth day of Christmas Black Library gave to us…a Flesh Tearers short story by Andy Smillie. A Son’s Burden follows Captain Temel as he leads a force of Scouts on a mission behind the Archenemy lines, while Chapter Master Seth and his closest advisors wait impatiently to attack. Outmatched by the Traitor marines they face, the Scouts are forced to rely on stealth instead of brute force, duty to the mission and to their brothers overriding their desire for blood.

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QUICK REVIEW : Blood Angels Short Stories – Black Library Advent Calendar 2014

On the eighth day of Christmas Black Library gave to us…no less than six Blood Angels short stories. With contributions from veteran authors (Dan Abnett and James Swallow), well-established names (Chris Wraight and David Annandale) and relative newcomers (Ray Harrison and Mark Clapham), between them these six 1000-or-so word stories illustrate various facets of this noble but flawed chapter, only really scratching the surface but hinting at what lies beneath.

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QUICK REVIEW : Enyalius, In Memoriam – Josh Reynolds

On the seventh day of Christmas, Black Library gave to us…a World Eaters short story by Josh Reynolds. Enyalius, in Memoriam follows the World Eater Marakitedes as he leads what’s left of his brothers in battle against the Ultramarines, in order to honour their fallen captain, the titular Enyalius. As they fight their way across the hull of the Ultramarines’ ship Marakitedes recalls what brought them there and considers what the future holds for him and his brothers, all the while taking skulls on behalf of Enyalius.

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QUICK REVIEW – Yarrick : Concordat – David Annandale

On the fifth day of Christmas Black Library gave to us…a Commissar Yarrick short story by David Annandale. Picking up threads from elsewhere in this growing series, Concordat sees still-young Yarrick on the hive world of Aighe Mortis, participating in a recruitment drive to replenish depleted Mortisian regiments. As some familiar faces unexpectedly appear and he’s forced into conflict with the Inquisition, he has to draw upon every weapon at his disposal to survive.

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QUICK REVIEW : Stratagem – Nick Kyme

On the fifth day of Christmas Black Library gave to us…a Horus Heresy audio drama by Nick Kyme. Following on from Censure and The Unremembered Empire, Stratagem features Aeonid Thiel (for real this time) on his return to Macragge, as he meets with the primarch Roboute Guilliman to discuss his place within the Ultramarines legion. His unconventional mindset and methods have served him well so far, but what will his purpose be in the new Imperium Secundus?

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