The Bleeding Stars

Black Library Celebration 2023

by Robert Rath

A Trazyn the Infinite Short Story

READ IT BECAUSE
Everyone's favourite futuristic kleptomaniac returns, with his eye on a new and catastrophic prize.

THE STORY
Fresh from the near-destruction of the prismatic gallery by the Bell of St. Gerstahl, Trazyn sets out to visit another necron crownworld. His aim? To verify a hunch that the chime foretold the arrival of another Black Crusade, en route to Cadia…

Genres: 40k, Short Stories, Science Fiction

27 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2023

About the author

Robert Rath is an author and screenwriter from Honolulu, Hawai'i.

As an author, he's known for working with the publisher Black Library, writing fiction set in the worlds of Warhammer. His work for them includes the necrons novel THE INFINITE AND THE DIVINE, the assassins novel ASSASSINORUM: KINGMAKER, the war epic THE FALL OF CADIA and numerous short stories.

Since 2018 he's served as Head Writer of the animated YouTube show Extra History, where his scripts have attracted over 200 million views

He lives in Hong Kong with his family, amid and a growing pile of models he *swears* are for research.

Reviews

[DarkChaplain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trazyn might not be the hero humanity wants, but he's the hero humanity needs.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite an interesting story, and it showcased Trazyn in a more human role, a hero nobody wants but the galaxy desperately needs. However, a lot of context and lore is needed to understand what is happening (I'm just starting in the 40K universe so I was mostly lost and had to ask a lot). If you're like me and are just beginning this adventure maybe wait a little for this short story. Get to know what happens with Cadia and then come back.

[Jorge Rosas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trazyn is no dout "Not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed."

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trayzn is the best because he is Trayzn and you are not.

[Mk-V (MarkVHun) · Rating 5 out of 5]

.SPOILER.

Badam tum badum tam

‘They need a saviour,
And until their God-Emperor rises,
I will have to suffice.’

Drum drops and Duke Nukem Forever Theme starts

[AA_Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Rath is one of BL’s very best writers, returning with a character who he’s totally made his own.

This story depicts a pivotal event in the ongoing 40k narrative- it didn’t need to be written, but I’m so glad that it was.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting little story that explores the way the Necrons view the other inhabitants of the 41st Millennium. It is really just a short explanation as to why Trazyn got to Cadia.

It is not quite as fun or in depths as previous Trazyn stories, although there are some entertaining Necron bureaucracy bits. It also requires a lot of knowledge about the reader's knowledge of the 40k lore (and current storyline), which is a strange choice for a book that came out in 2023 (given that it references the fall of Cadia books, which came out in 2017)

It is an interesting little filler though, and more Trazyn is always a good thing.

[Brian Heinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick Trazyn story. He ferments war among his own people in order to force their hand and get access to a device that will let him see the future (Sort of) By the end it sets him off on his path that he takes in the "Fall of Cadia" storyline.

So-so story. No Orikan.

[jord · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute little short story which i assume takes place before the fall of cadia. trazyn does trazyn things, and it is good to get a bit more of Rath's genius on the character after The Infinite and the Divine. but not much else to write home other than that

[Charley Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Trazyn is always welcome - and I really enjoyed the little glimpse into the higher workings of the necrons, their worldview (or lack of it), and of course all their glorious Space Skeletor politics.

Absolute banger of a final dialogue too.

[Andrew Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story starring our favourite Trazyn and has a nice link to events at Cadia and the The Great Rift.

[Kassar Krennic · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of money, these events are covered in the sourcebook, 'Gathering Storm: The Fall of Cadia' and this story doesn't add much.

[Urgewyrm]

Oh Trazyn, you'll always be my hero.

[Ian Waddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trazyn rules.

[Cesar Rodriguez Feliciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

He will suffice.

[Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, I love seeing Necrons interact with one another.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing palate cleanser after reading all 5,950 pages of the Siege of Terra. ;)