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Warhammer Fantasy
Dwarfs. Nick Kyme and Gav Thorpe
The dwarfs are a stoic and long-lived race. Their unbending will and pride serve them as fearsome warriors on the battlefield and the greatest craftsmen across the Old World. But cross them at your peril, as a dwarf grudge is never forgotten, a quest for revenge handed down from generation to generation until the debt is settled in blood - In this action-packed omnibus, the bravery and resilience of the dwarfs is brought to life as they wage war against the twisted powers of Chaos, vile skaven ratmen, brutal greenskins and their oldest adversaries, the mysterious and powerful elves. From the ancient dwarf holds to the killing fields of the Empire, war will be waged in the name of Grungni , Grimnir and Valaya, and no foe shall forget the day they met these unbreakable warriors in battle. Contains the novels Grudgebearer, Oathbreaker and Honourkeeper.
768 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Nick Kyme
280 books161 followersNick Kyme (b. 1977) writes mostly for Black Library. His credits include the popular Salamanders series and several audio dramas.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 16, 2011
I know it's a slight cheat to post a response before finishing, but having read two of the stories in this omnibus prior and grimly (Dwarven tales can only be grimly enjoyed with a stoic demeanor)enjoying the ones I hadn't read it was safe to say my opinion was formed before I ever opened the book.
As I have written elsewhere, Dwarves (or Dwarfs as presented here) are my favorite fantasy race. Their dour pride, their deep-rooted sense of honor, and their refusal to face their doom with anything other than iron resolve are things I hearken to, and who doesn't love those mighty beards? Add to that their painstaking skills with craftwork that all can aspire to, as well as their insistence on looking after even the lowliest of their clans, and even the most pretentious elf-lover can grudgingly admit to respecting a well-told Dwarf tale. And that is exactly what Misters Kyme and Thorpe present to the reader. Four stories told in the dark Warhammer tradition, which at times read more like the Elder Eddas, and not just aesthetically. The common archetypes of heroes are easily found in each story, but perhaps most obviously told in the centuries-spanning tale ofGrudgebearer , which follows the Kings of Zhufbar, specifically Throndin and his son Barundin, as they seek to put right ancient grudges, or crimes done against their people, while still leading their folk wisely and honorably. And of course, whilst obtaining more of that precious gold.
Oathbreaker, as the title might suggest, was a very grim and sad tale and at times it felt like I was slogging through it. Although I'd read the book upon release, after the triumph of Grudgebearer and Ancestral Honour, it felt like one had gutted me with a rusty blade.
As I have written elsewhere, Dwarves (or Dwarfs as presented here) are my favorite fantasy race. Their dour pride, their deep-rooted sense of honor, and their refusal to face their doom with anything other than iron resolve are things I hearken to, and who doesn't love those mighty beards? Add to that their painstaking skills with craftwork that all can aspire to, as well as their insistence on looking after even the lowliest of their clans, and even the most pretentious elf-lover can grudgingly admit to respecting a well-told Dwarf tale. And that is exactly what Misters Kyme and Thorpe present to the reader. Four stories told in the dark Warhammer tradition, which at times read more like the Elder Eddas, and not just aesthetically. The common archetypes of heroes are easily found in each story, but perhaps most obviously told in the centuries-spanning tale ofGrudgebearer , which follows the Kings of Zhufbar, specifically Throndin and his son Barundin, as they seek to put right ancient grudges, or crimes done against their people, while still leading their folk wisely and honorably. And of course, whilst obtaining more of that precious gold.
Oathbreaker, as the title might suggest, was a very grim and sad tale and at times it felt like I was slogging through it. Although I'd read the book upon release, after the triumph of Grudgebearer and Ancestral Honour, it felt like one had gutted me with a rusty blade.
January 22, 2014
After reading this book a second time I can grasp now the different contents within. I can now really see how gold for dwarves is not just gold Ur a lifestyle for them, how mining and fighting are a necessity. How beer basically runs in their blood. However what I really liked about this book was its different tales fk how dwarves encountered obstacles and had to overcome overwhelming odds to win. However one thing that I didn't like was that this book felt a bit rushed. There was no real backstory to each character and you could easily forget who was who and it really did not help the storyline. But even though there were some discrepancies overall I really enjoyed this book because of it's very action packed events. Constant fighting and baffles and glory.( although killing off almost all his characters seemed a bit much) but all in all great book. 4 out of 5!
October 18, 2014
An epic read! I love dwarfs in the Warhammer Fantasy setting and this collection novel-sized stories brings their culture, worldview and personalities alive. Yet it never forgets their non-humanity and how alien their long life-spans, strict codes and underground civilizations makes them. The author has done a great job in getting inside their hairy heads while preserving all the tropes and entrenched stereotypes the setting requires of them. It's an incredible balancing act.
June 8, 2021
All Dwarfs and no play…
Boring.
The grumbling, oath-keeping, deep-layered hierarchizing characters of the Dwarfish society are at their best in a Fantasy setting when mingled with the distinctive traits of the other races. Left at themselves (or with other races in a not much more than Manichaean role), Warhammer Dwarfs are not entertaining, resulting in a repetitive and predictable narrative. This collection may thus be useful for research when roleplaying a Dwarf or a Dwarf army, but cannot possibly reach the same level of amusement found in the Slayer series .
Boring.
The grumbling, oath-keeping, deep-layered hierarchizing characters of the Dwarfish society are at their best in a Fantasy setting when mingled with the distinctive traits of the other races. Left at themselves (or with other races in a not much more than Manichaean role), Warhammer Dwarfs are not entertaining, resulting in a repetitive and predictable narrative. This collection may thus be useful for research when roleplaying a Dwarf or a Dwarf army, but cannot possibly reach the same level of amusement found in the Slayer series .
January 3, 2024
Pretty good read. The Dwarf characters do become a bit samey after awhile though.
December 22, 2024
Book 1 was okay. Book 2 was a drag. Book 3 was good.
September 27, 2014
Warhammer Dwarfs by Nick Kyme and Ggay Thorpe
In this omnibus of the warhammer universe, you will able to learn about the basic practices and traditions of this stout and long-lived species, the dwarfs. It will give you a front up account of the bravery and resilience of dwarfs in short stories where they wage war against the forces of Chaos, mutant ratmen, barbaric greenskins, and their old nemesis, the elves.
Pick up a copy today to learn about these fearsome warriors and their heroic acts.
For more information on the book, visit the authors’ websites at:
http://www.nickkyme.com/
And http://mechanicalhamster.wordpress.com/
Reviewed by Wyatt R, TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012.
In this omnibus of the warhammer universe, you will able to learn about the basic practices and traditions of this stout and long-lived species, the dwarfs. It will give you a front up account of the bravery and resilience of dwarfs in short stories where they wage war against the forces of Chaos, mutant ratmen, barbaric greenskins, and their old nemesis, the elves.
Pick up a copy today to learn about these fearsome warriors and their heroic acts.
For more information on the book, visit the authors’ websites at:
http://www.nickkyme.com/
And http://mechanicalhamster.wordpress.com/
Reviewed by Wyatt R, TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012.
January 15, 2016
I'm firmly of the belief that are either a "Dwarf" person, or an "Elf" person, and I am unabashedly in the former camp.
Something about the Dwarf race has always called out to me, ever since I was a kid. Their innate stubborness, hardiness, and dedication speak volumes to me, while Elves and their flighty, care-free ways have always left me cold.
So, I'm pleased to say that this trilogy carried on that proud tradition. While not as good as Markus Heitz "Dwarves" series, and constrained a bit (by neccessity) due to it's need to adhere to Warhammer canon, it still captured all the elements that make me excited to read about Dwarves.
Something about the Dwarf race has always called out to me, ever since I was a kid. Their innate stubborness, hardiness, and dedication speak volumes to me, while Elves and their flighty, care-free ways have always left me cold.
So, I'm pleased to say that this trilogy carried on that proud tradition. While not as good as Markus Heitz "Dwarves" series, and constrained a bit (by neccessity) due to it's need to adhere to Warhammer canon, it still captured all the elements that make me excited to read about Dwarves.
September 19, 2014
In this omnibus of the warhammer universe, you will able to learn about the basic practices and traditions of this stout and long-lived species, the dwarfs. It will give you a front up account of the bravery and resilience of dwarfs in short stories where they wage war against the forces of Chaos, mutant ratmen, barbaric greenskins, and their old nemesis, the elves.
Pick up a copy today to learn about these fearsome warriors and their heroic acts.
For more information on the book, visit the authors’ websites at:
http://www.nickkyme.com and http://mechanicalhamster.wordpress.com
Reviewed by Wyatt R, TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012
Pick up a copy today to learn about these fearsome warriors and their heroic acts.
For more information on the book, visit the authors’ websites at:
http://www.nickkyme.com and http://mechanicalhamster.wordpress.com
Reviewed by Wyatt R, TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012
October 19, 2011
i think this book was a great story for fantasy lovers, and fiction lovers. It was really good with all the action and suspense, and battles. Honour, glory, GOLD!
October 6, 2011
Love those Dwarves... Now off to meet their staunchest human supporter - Sigmar Heldenhammer.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews