Category Archives: Short Stories

QUICK REVIEW: Acceptable Losses – Gav Thorpe

First published way back in 1998 in issue 9 of Inferno! magazine, Gav Thorpe’s Imperial Navy short story Acceptable Losses is a slice of vintage Black Library which still feels relevant and entertaining over 20 years later. Flight Commander Jaeger’s new command, the Marauder crews of Raptor Squadron, are a little rough around the edges to say the least, but he’s determined to whip them into shape. When they’re dispatched on a dangerous mission against a vast ork hulk, Raptor Squadron have the opportunity to prove their worth in battle and justify Jaeger’s faith in them.

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QUICK REVIEW: Martyr’s End – Alec Worley

Alec Worley’s third Adepta Sororitas short story for Black Library, Martyr’s End continues Sister Adamanthea’s story as the redeemed ex-Repentia – idolised by her Sisters for surviving her penance – searches for martyrdom in glorious battle. With her Sisters embattled against the T’au, Adamanthea is tasked with leading her youthful squad of Dominions on a hunt for an enemy leader, but her strict orders conflict with her own desire for battle. As she hurls herself into danger, she struggles to understand the purpose she’s been given by the Emperor – to fight and die, or survive and lead her Sisters to victory?

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QUICK REVIEW: Sturmhex – EJ Davies

Currently available only within the On Wings of Blood anthology, EJ Davies’ debut Black Library short story Sturmhex sees the entire First Brotherhood of Grey Knights launch an aerial insertion to combat a gathering daemonic incursion. Techmarine Aegir leads his Stormraven squadron into battle despite his misgivings at the unusual tactics, braving enemy fire to deliver his brothers into the thick of the action. The Grey Knights take the fight to the Lords of Decay, but even as they drive the enemy back Aegir can sense that there’s more to this conflict than he was led to believe.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Neverspike – Darius Hinks

A prequel to his Age of Sigmar novel Ghoulslayer, Darius Hinks’ short story The Neverspike sees the Celestial Vindicator Trachos stumble upon Gotrek Gurnisson in the mountains of Aqshy. Troubled by temperamental memories and an unnatural voice in his head, accusing him of weakness and cowardice, Trachos sees in the doom-seeking Slayer an opportunity to return to Azyr in glory. Accompanying Gotrek and Maleneth on their search for the Neverspike – a dangerous fragment of Shyish – he plots how to part the Slayer from the Master Rune embedded in his chest, without quite realising who he’s dealing with.

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QUICK REVIEW: Last Flight – Edoardo Albert

For his second Black Library story – Last Flight – Edoardo Albert delivers a tale of courage and survival in the skies over a war-torn water world. The war on Sagaraya reaches a turning point when the heretic fleet is forced into attack range of the Imperial Navy…just. Pilot Commander Baruch Neriah leads his Marauder squadron on a daring attack run against a gargantuan aircraft carrier that forms the backbone of the Chaos forces, despite knowing that his bomber, the Spirit of St. Pascale, doesn’t have the range to safely return to the following Imperial fleet.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Warp’s Curse – Michael J. Hollows

The Warp’s Curse is Michael J. Hollows’ second Black Library short story, but his first Blackstone Fortress tale. For Primaris psyker Aradia Madellan, venturing into the fortress is an opportunity to understand the cause of the visions that have been plaguing her, and to find a way to avert the catastrophe they foretell. As she sets out to explore in the company of Taddeus the Purifier and the aeldari Amallyn Shadowguide she’s forced to confront not only the fortress’ dangerous inhabitants but the prejudices of her companions too, with her own warp-born powers proving both a blessing and a curse.

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QUICK REVIEW: To Speak As One – Guy Haley

Guy Haley’s 40k short story To Speak As One is an unusual tale of conflicting Imperial jurisdiction, and the ongoing repercussions of Guilliman’s return and Belisarius Cawl’s unorthodox genius. Inquisitor Cehen-qui isn’t best pleased to receive orders to hand off a xenos prisoner to one of Cawl’s lieutenants, Magos Qvo-87, so refuses and hunkers down in an abandoned Ordo Xenos void station to defend his prize. To his mind, the Inquisition’s remit supersedes the authority of Cawl, or even Guilliman. Undeterred, Qvo deploys his forces – including Alpha Primus, a Space Marine of ambiguous origins and unusually dour demeanour – to press the issue.

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QUICK REVIEW: Miracles – Nicholas Wolf

For his second Black Library short story – Miracles – Nicholas Wolf ventures into Warhammer Horror territory with a bleak tale of a family man pushed to his limits. Jacen Hertz might not find it easy to pray to the Emperor, but he works hard and loves his wife and children. As tension rises within Praxis Hive amid talk of disappearances and mutilated bodies, Jacen’s past comes back to haunt him when he miraculously survives a terrible disaster only to fall under the suspicion of the enforcers. As the pressure upon him increases, Jacen must decide how far he’s prepared to go to find salvation.

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QUICK REVIEW: Born of the Storm – Edoardo Albert

Edoardo Albert makes his Black Library debut with Born of the Storm, a 40k short story offering a characterful view of the Fulminators Chapter’s recruitment process. Even at an early age, listening to his father read stories of angels, dragons, wolves and knights, Augustin knew he wanted to grow up to fight monsters. From battling ambushing gangers as a cadet in the Astra Militarum to surviving hardships under the storm-ridden skies of Mars, he must overcome challenge after challenge, endure brutal hardships and sacrifice much – even the last links to his family – for the chance to attain his dream.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Heart of the Fallen – Sarah Cawkwell

Sarah Cawkwell’s second Age of Sigmar/Warcry short story, The Heart of the Fallen takes place in the desolate plains of the Bloodwind Spoil as warriors from the Untamed Beasts hunt dangerous prey in search of honour for their tribe. While one young hunter stalks the ‘meat’ on his own, determined to prove himself and claim his prize, three further warriors follow his trail, a core of concern underlying their youthful bickering. They all know that the hunt will be dangerous but great prestige is on offer, and the opportunity for one of them to truly make their name.

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