Category Archives: Black Library

RAPID FIRE: David Guymer Talks Lion El’Jonson Lord of the First

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, in which I spoke to Black Library author David Guymer about his new novel Lion El’Jonson: Lord of the First, his second contribution to the Horus Heresy Primarchs series. It was available to order in Limited Edition hardback format as part of the 2020 Black Library Celebration, and while the standard edition was delayed for a few months over the summer, it’s now available to order at last. If you’re a Dark Angels fan, or have been looking forward to finding out more about the Lion, this is going to be the book for you.

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RAPID FIRE: Gav Thorpe Talks The First Wall

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to veteran Black Library author Gav Thorpe about his new novel The First Wall, the third book in the Siege of Terra series. After its initial release in Limited Edition hardback in November 2019, it’s now available in standard formats, so if you want to find out what happens next in the concluding part of the Horus Heresy, now’s your chance. Here’s Gav to give you a head’s up on what to expect…

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The Horusian Wars: Divination – John French

The third book in John French’s Horusian Wars series, Divination is not a novel but rather a collection of short stories, exploring some of the key characters in Inquisitor Covenant’s warband to add depth and emotional weight to the series as a whole. Covenant himself remains a slightly distant figure, always seen through others’ eyes (as per the novels), but over the course of these eleven stories French delves into the backstory and/or mindset of all the inquisitor’s key companions, and even an old ally. Each story takes a very different approach, some more action-packed than others, but they’re all united in shedding light on these intriguing characters and through them Covenant’s philosophy.

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QUICK REVIEW: Voice of Experience – JC Stearns

JC Stearns’ Warhammer 40,000 short story Voice of Experience takes a look at the T’au Empire through the eyes of its auxiliaries, exploring how the t’au interact with their gue’vesa allies. Having turned from the Throne and firmly embraced the Greater Good, Captain Kalice Arkady of the Follaxian 113th is now the highest-ranking and most trusted human on the orbital shipyard Suu’suamyth. When a series of worrying accidents seem to suggest sabotage, she’s called upon to investigate on behalf of the ruling council, and in the process comes to question her understanding of – and place within – t’au society.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Knave of Stars – John French

John French turns his attention to Duke Cleander von Castellan in his Horusian Wars short story The Knave of Stars, digging into the Rogue Trader’s troubled history to explore the roots of his glib, nihilistic attitude. In the Rot-margins of Panetha Varn, Cleander seeks a balm for his soul, finding it in the elusive Decagogue and his patchwork followers. As he takes his first steps on a new path which promises freedom from his past and the void at his core, Cleander faces up to the pain that shaped him and the man it made him into.

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Farsight: Crisis of Faith – Phil Kelly

Phil Kelly’s Farsight: Crisis of Faith follows on from his 2016 novel Blades of Damocles, and continues to explore the career of the headstrong t’au Commander at a pivotal moment in time. As the T’au Empire rebuilds after the aborted Imperial crusade, Farsight is tasked with leading a massive expedition back across the Damocles Gulf to reconquer worlds lost to the humans. Uncomfortable with the role given to him by the ethereals, Farsight has to deal with conflicting emotions regarding his people’s leadership and secrets lurking within the expedition even as he faces up to the brutal, uncompromising might of the Imperium.

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The Sabbat Worlds Crusade – Dan Abnett

A richly detailed and beautifully produced 220-page hardback, Dan Abnett’s The Sabbat Worlds Crusade makes for a fantastic companion to his epic, 15-novel Gaunt’s Ghosts series. Written from an in-universe perspective as a historical account of the Sabbat Crusade from its outset up to the liberation of Urdesh, it covers everything from the macro-level – the original context of the crusade, and Warmaster Slaydo’s (and later, Macaroth’s) overarching strategies – down to the micro-level – individual character portraits, vignettes, even vehicles, wargear and regimental awards. With gorgeous maps, graphics and artwork complementing the meticulous text, every page highlights new details and serves to expand both the setting and the series as a whole.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Last of the Longhorns – Nick Kyme

Blackstone Fortress short story The Last of the Longhorns sees Nick Kyme revisit the cheeky ratling twins Rein and Raus from his previous story Motherlode, and explore some unexpected details from their backstory. In the depths of the Fortress, the twins find themselves at the mercy of malicious Traitor Guardsmen, whose sinister leader seeks an item in the ratlings’ possession. When physical interrogation tactics fail, the traitors employ psychic means to try and ascertain where their prize is hidden, dredging Raus’ mind for information and bringing to light painful memories of a time before the Blackstone Fortress.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Fourfold Wound – Eric Gregory

Eric Gregory’s Age of Sigmar short story The Fourfold Wound is an ambitious, evocative exploration of the Mortal Realms, and a cautionary tale warning of the cost of seeking revenge. Across the Realms, Sigmar’s Stormcast Eternals are not universally loved, and discontented souls carefully watch and share their observations in secret. Shinua Gan travels the Realms sifting through the watchers’ notes for mention of a name, determined to track down the man responsible for the deaths of her family. Disgusted that he should be raised up as a hero by Sigmar, she’s determined to make him pay for his crime.

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QUICK REVIEW: Faith in Iron – Cameron Johnston

Established fantasy author Cameron Johnston’s first Black Library short story, Faith in Iron is a grim tale of the Iron Hands – or rather an Iron Hand – seen through human eyes. The agri-world of Dundas II has become a breeding ground for a terrifying plague which affects both flesh and machine equally, and threatens an entire sector if not stopped. Responding to a distress call from Magos Biologis Viridan Shale, who believes she has a cure, the lone Iron Father Rathkugan must rally support from Imperial Guard survivors and brave the plague itself to enact a dangerous rescue.

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