Category Archives: Short Stories

QUICK REVIEW – Ahriman: Fortune’s Fool – John French

Part two of John French’s The Tale of Ctesias arc and available exclusively within the Ahriman: Exodus anthology, Fortune’s Fool sees Thousand Sons daemonologist Ctesias documenting the second task he was given upon joining Ahriman’s cabal. When a potential ally arrives bearing the key to finding a safe route out of the Eye of Terror, Ahriman sends Ctesias to greet and negotiate with his former Thousand Sons brother, Ichneumon. Matching his strength and his wits against the newcomer, Ctesias finds himself caught in a typically intricate plan of Ahriman’s, but to what end?
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QUICK REVIEW – Ahriman: The Dead Oracle – John French

In a chronological sense Ahriman: The Dead Oracle is the first short story in John French’s The Tale of Ctesias arc that accompanies and runs through the wider Ahriman series. Set between Exile and Sorcerer we meet daemonologist Ctesias as he first joins Ahriman’s resurgent cabal, taking his place in a mission in that takes him to the domain of Menkaura, the Blind Oracle. Preparing to sully his soul with yet another despicable act, Ctesias soon finds himself in deeper trouble than he expected.
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QUICK REVIEW : The Wolf Within – Rob Sanders

The Wolf Within is the sixth short story in Black Library’s ongoing Space Wolves serial and the second by Rob Sanders, picking up where The Darkness of Angels left off. With the help of his Dark Angel allies Krom Dragongaze has made it off Commorragh, and before long sees Ulrik the Slayer arrive to return him to his chapter. Despite initial hostilities the Wolves and the Angels soon find themselves united in purpose, tracking down a traitor Marine who might hold a clue to Logan Grimnar’s location.
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QUICK REVIEW : The Darkness of Angels – Rob Sanders

The fifth title in Black Library’s Space Wolves serial sees Rob Sanders get involved with his short story The Darkness of Angels. We last saw Krom Dragongaze fighting for survival in the arenas of Commoragh and that’s where we find him here, battling against all manner of monstrosity and forced to accept help from a Dark Angel, of all people, in order to survive. With time running out for the Marines, can Krom and his new allies find a way to escape?
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QUICK REVIEW : The Silence – Steve Lyons

Black Library’s Deathwatch serial continues with The Silence, Steve Lyons’ second contribution, in which Raven Guard Edryc Setorax puts his stealth skills to use on an eldar exodite world. Leaving his Deathwatch brothers to their own devices and infiltrating deep into enemy territory, he plys his lone (and deadly) trade in pursuit of intelligence on the enemy’s movements and the opportunity to strike a grave blow for the Imperium of Man.
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QUICK REVIEW : Dark City – Steve Lyons

Black Library’s Space Wolves serial continues with Dark City, the fourth short story in the series and Steve Lyons’ second contribution. The Wolves’ original mission of finding Logan Grimnar has been put on hold as Krom Dragongaze has been captured and taken to Commoragh to fight for the amusement of its dark eldar residents, while Ulrik the Slayer launches an audacious rescue mission through the Webway in search of his captured brothers.
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QUICK REVIEW : Eye of the Dragon – Steve Lyons

The third story in the ongoing Space Wolves serial, Eye of the Dragon sees the reins handed over to Steve Lyons, who picks up where Ben Counter left off at the end of The Caged Wolf. Reinforced by the headstrong Krom Dragongaze, Ulrik the Slayer continues his quest to find the Great Wolf, the Wolves venturing into a ruined city in search of Grimnar. They soon find a new foe however, as Dark Eldar Raiders come between them and their hunt.
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QUICK REVIEW : City of Ruin – Ian St. Martin

After a break for the 24 stories in Black Library’s 2015 Advent Calendar, the Deathwatch series continues with part seven, in the form of City of Ruin by Ian St. Martin. When Rodricus Grytt of the Imperial Fists leads his squad to their deaths fighting to clear an Imperial system of orks, he readily accepts a commission in the Deathwatch as his own form of penance. The reckless Marine soon finds himself butting heads with his new squadmates as they launch a mission to rescue a captured member of the Navis Nobilite from the clutches of the invading orks.
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QUICK REVIEW : Lord of the Cosmic Gate – Gav Thorpe

Black Library’s 2015 Advent Calendar comes to a close with Lord of the Cosmic Gate by Gav Thorpe, the twelfth and final Age of Sigmar short story in the series. Rikjard of the Many Numbers, mathemagician and sorcerer of Tzeentch, masses his forces within the bizarre, enclosed land of the Thousand Portals as he enacts a plan to draw forth the armies of the Slann and learn the final part of the Eternal Equation. With that arcane knowledge he hopes to open the Cosmic Gate and break through to the Crystal Labyrinth of Tzeentch, returning the Thousand Portals to their rightful place and raising himself up above even the Everchosen.
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QUICK REVIEW : The Staff of Asclepius – Graham McNeill

The final 40k story in Black Library’s 2015 Advent Calendar comes from Graham McNeill, who returns to the Ultramarines with the micro-short The Staff of Asclepius. Fleeing through his ship carrying the precious gene-seed of his fallen brothers, apothecary Isstvan Cantaro races against time to keep his cargo from the grasp of the Emperors Children fleshsmith Dzyban and his horde of cultists. With hope fading fast, Cantaro faces the possibility of failing in his duty to safeguard the chapter’s future.
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