I’m giving this a 5, with the caveat that it’s a novel based on an MMORPG that is, in turn, based on a miniatures game. Considering what it is, it’s amazing.
As far as I can tell, this is a standard Warhammer Fantasy novel. I was expecting a bit of a tonal shift, given that it’s based on the MMORPG, but I didn’t notice one. If anything, it was interesting to see a classic fantasy party dynamic: a human Witch Hunter, an Elf warrior, a Priest of Sigmar, a Knight, and a Dwarf. That kind of alliance isn’t so common in the Warhammer Fantasy novels I’ve read, which distinguishes this as an adaptation of the MMORPG.
The plot was gripping and incorporated a lot of events. The origin stories of the characters are explored, and the novel offers a variety of scenes and sequences—from atmospheric battles in dark forests to epic sieges and underground dungeon crawls.
The Warhammer Old World setting felt right. It was dark, gritty, and visceral. I particularly enjoyed visiting Karak Kadrin, the Slayer Keep, home of the Slayer King.
The real strength of the novel is its characters, and I’m eager to read more about them. Annaliese, the Lady of Sigmar, was a fantastic character—the Warhammer Fantasy version of Joan of Arc. Udo Grunwald, the merciful Witch Hunter, serves as the party leader and something of a centering protagonist. Karl, a Knight of the Blazing Sun, provided an intriguing character study. Thorrik, the Dwarf Ironbreaker, was as conventional as they come, but I can’t get enough of Warhammer Fantasy Dwarfs. Eldenair, the Elf warrior, was mysterious and quiet, and while he was probably the most static of the group, this worked for his character.
Overall, the novel was well-paced, rich and varied in terms of worldbuilding and conflict, and both colorful and brutal. What more can you ask for? The story begins near Black Fire Pass and ends in Nordland, and it looks like the party is heading to Praag next. I’ll be following them there.