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Warhammer 40,000
Bringers of Death
A storming anthology of dark and gritty fiction from the Warhammer 40,000 universe featuring popular characters like Ciaphas Cain.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 13, 2005
2 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Marc Gascoigne
101 books61 followersPublisher, editor, designer – a lifetime in books. Previously publisher of Aconyte, Angry Robot, Black Library, and Solaris. Before that, responsible for a whole bookcase worth of books, both fiction and non-fiction, tie-ins and original works, as well as games design, journalism, computer game scripting, etc. Winner of both the World Fantasy Award and British Fantasy Award.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 26, 2025
Bringers of Death: Classic and Deadly
Even Unto Death – Mike Lee
Mike's very first 40k story is a fast-paced tale about Space Wolves Scouts whose stealth mission to eliminate Orks goes horribly wrong – meaning it’s time for vengeance! A bolter-action story fitting for its era, where nearly all the Wolves come across as incompetent and crazy, but with some interesting details—like one Scout who keeps chewing poisonous Fenrisian berries, seemingly pulling them from nowhere.
Red Reward – Mitchel Scanlon
Spin-off to Fifteen Hours. In the ruins of Brusharok, city shattered by a decade-long war, a Guardsman sergeant faces judgment and tells his story – about a man who seemed mad, about heroism long abandoned by the battlefield, only to return in an unexpected form. This short is almost Fifteen Hours in miniature: though told from the perspective of a more experienced guardsman, it remains just as merciless, somber, and tinged with a faint glimmer of hope.
Menshad Korum – C.S. Goto
An early take on Eldar lore by the infamous Goto. The story revolves around the concept of Menshad Korum, an empty-hearted Exarch who walks multiple Aspects. Here, the Exarch in question is from Saim-Hann, but there’s a problem – he's dead, smoked by his own kin, and his spirit stone stolen. Over the course of the story, buried under endless, tedious descriptions, we slowly uncover why he had to die and what Chaos-aligned (yes, really!) Lelith Hesperax has to do with it. The concept is somewhat intriguing, but the execution is exactly what you’d expect from the author. Nothing more to add.
Xenocide – Simon Jowett
More of a novella than a short story. The pastoral life of Brael, a simple farmer and family man, along with the feudal world he calls home – long cut off from the Imperium’s light – comes to an end when an Ork invasion begins. Alongside other untrained farmers, armed with primitive weapons and led by incompetent commanders, Brael, driven by sheer determination, fights through the entire war, all the way to the final battle for the last remaining city. Astartes, despite expectations, never show up until the very end – an undeniable plus. This is a story of ordinary people, bloodthirsty Orks, and an equally ruthless Imperium, to which the ends always justify the means. I’m almost certain Simon took inspiration from Helm’s Deep, as a significant portion of the novella feels like a grimdark version of that battle – and after the previous story, this is a breath of fresh air.
Sector 13 – Sandy Mitchell
Ciaphas Cain story. Back when he was still serving with the 12th artillery, Cain, in an attempt to dodge a potentially dangerous mission under the guise of “Commissarial duties,” accidentally (as always) exposes gene cultists and saves the day.
Even Unto Death – Mike Lee
Mike's very first 40k story is a fast-paced tale about Space Wolves Scouts whose stealth mission to eliminate Orks goes horribly wrong – meaning it’s time for vengeance! A bolter-action story fitting for its era, where nearly all the Wolves come across as incompetent and crazy, but with some interesting details—like one Scout who keeps chewing poisonous Fenrisian berries, seemingly pulling them from nowhere.
Red Reward – Mitchel Scanlon
Spin-off to Fifteen Hours. In the ruins of Brusharok, city shattered by a decade-long war, a Guardsman sergeant faces judgment and tells his story – about a man who seemed mad, about heroism long abandoned by the battlefield, only to return in an unexpected form. This short is almost Fifteen Hours in miniature: though told from the perspective of a more experienced guardsman, it remains just as merciless, somber, and tinged with a faint glimmer of hope.
Menshad Korum – C.S. Goto
An early take on Eldar lore by the infamous Goto. The story revolves around the concept of Menshad Korum, an empty-hearted Exarch who walks multiple Aspects. Here, the Exarch in question is from Saim-Hann, but there’s a problem – he's dead, smoked by his own kin, and his spirit stone stolen. Over the course of the story, buried under endless, tedious descriptions, we slowly uncover why he had to die and what Chaos-aligned (yes, really!) Lelith Hesperax has to do with it. The concept is somewhat intriguing, but the execution is exactly what you’d expect from the author. Nothing more to add.
Xenocide – Simon Jowett
More of a novella than a short story. The pastoral life of Brael, a simple farmer and family man, along with the feudal world he calls home – long cut off from the Imperium’s light – comes to an end when an Ork invasion begins. Alongside other untrained farmers, armed with primitive weapons and led by incompetent commanders, Brael, driven by sheer determination, fights through the entire war, all the way to the final battle for the last remaining city. Astartes, despite expectations, never show up until the very end – an undeniable plus. This is a story of ordinary people, bloodthirsty Orks, and an equally ruthless Imperium, to which the ends always justify the means. I’m almost certain Simon took inspiration from Helm’s Deep, as a significant portion of the novella feels like a grimdark version of that battle – and after the previous story, this is a breath of fresh air.
Sector 13 – Sandy Mitchell
Ciaphas Cain story. Back when he was still serving with the 12th artillery, Cain, in an attempt to dodge a potentially dangerous mission under the guise of “Commissarial duties,” accidentally (as always) exposes gene cultists and saves the day.
May 12, 2019
Good selection of stories, but a lot of repeats from other anthologies .
December 6, 2023
The best stories are the Xenocide and Sector 13 (Caiphas Cain). The worst is the Eldar one.
June 27, 2024
I guess i am a new fan of Caiphas Cain!
Xenocide was a pretty epic novella. Just shows you you can never trust the Inquisition.
Xenocide was a pretty epic novella. Just shows you you can never trust the Inquisition.
May 30, 2012
Even Unto Death - Mike Lee 26
Red Reward - Mitchel Scanlon 30
Menshad Korum - CS Goto 36
Xenocide - Simon Jowett 124
13 Sector - Sandy Mitchell 28
This first story given to us by Mike Lee, the writer behind Malus Darkblade series, is of Space Wolf Scouts on an Ork occupied world. The plot is plagued by too-convenient devices toadvance the tale, and the Orks are written as boring, brainless antagonists manipulated by dark eldars. Interesting plot but I didn't like it. On the other hand I love Malus Darkblade serie.
"Red Reward" written by Mitchel Scanlon, is a story that continues where "15 Hours" left of or began. In the story nothing is said about it. Either way, "15 Hours" is one of my favorite WH40K book, and I was glad to take another look at the doomed planet of Broucheroc. The endless war, the violence and the grit really come through in a story that, by itself, might come off as creatively weak. The atmosphere is the most important part of the story. I really hope to see one more book or story about that planet by Scanlon.
C.S. Goto seems to champion the Xeno-tale for the Black Library and his offering here, Menshad Korum, is no different, using Eldar as its main characters. Unfortunately, though he provides a very interesting concept for his tale, its execution leaves something to be desired. He works a little too hard to integrate named characters from the wargame into the tale, and his action sequences push beyond "suspension of disbelief." The year after this story was release he wrote a book about Eldar called Eldar Prophecy and one story about eldars in another anthology. It was the most confusing story to me. Maybe I don't know much of eldar race or their actions. Either way it was good.
The longest tale, Xenocide by Simon Jowett, is a well crafted yarn dealing with an Orkish invasion of an early-gunpowder era world (one quite similar in devolved technology to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, but otherwise unconnected). The characters are engaging and cunningly combine many disparate elements of the 40K background. Both the primary and secondary climaxes are unexpected and enjoyable. By the end, we learn that the salvation that some look for can condemn us just as easily. A challenging and ultimately sad story. It's a suitable centerpiece for the anthology.
If Xenocide was one of the saddest story this one was the opposite. It brings back Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain in a story called, Sector 13. The short story is actually better than some of his longer works (it brings back memories of second book), ,presenting Commissar Cain at his worst, which is at his best and most humorous for the reader. It's a fitting, almost light-hearted, ending for an otherwise dark collection of tales.
Althought I prefer the warhammer world rather than warhammer40k but from time to time I like to travel to 40k. After all I have them all. Probably the next book from warhammer 40k to be devour is Brothers of the Snake from Abnett.
Red Reward - Mitchel Scanlon 30
Menshad Korum - CS Goto 36
Xenocide - Simon Jowett 124
13 Sector - Sandy Mitchell 28
This first story given to us by Mike Lee, the writer behind Malus Darkblade series, is of Space Wolf Scouts on an Ork occupied world. The plot is plagued by too-convenient devices toadvance the tale, and the Orks are written as boring, brainless antagonists manipulated by dark eldars. Interesting plot but I didn't like it. On the other hand I love Malus Darkblade serie.
"Red Reward" written by Mitchel Scanlon, is a story that continues where "15 Hours" left of or began. In the story nothing is said about it. Either way, "15 Hours" is one of my favorite WH40K book, and I was glad to take another look at the doomed planet of Broucheroc. The endless war, the violence and the grit really come through in a story that, by itself, might come off as creatively weak. The atmosphere is the most important part of the story. I really hope to see one more book or story about that planet by Scanlon.
C.S. Goto seems to champion the Xeno-tale for the Black Library and his offering here, Menshad Korum, is no different, using Eldar as its main characters. Unfortunately, though he provides a very interesting concept for his tale, its execution leaves something to be desired. He works a little too hard to integrate named characters from the wargame into the tale, and his action sequences push beyond "suspension of disbelief." The year after this story was release he wrote a book about Eldar called Eldar Prophecy and one story about eldars in another anthology. It was the most confusing story to me. Maybe I don't know much of eldar race or their actions. Either way it was good.
The longest tale, Xenocide by Simon Jowett, is a well crafted yarn dealing with an Orkish invasion of an early-gunpowder era world (one quite similar in devolved technology to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, but otherwise unconnected). The characters are engaging and cunningly combine many disparate elements of the 40K background. Both the primary and secondary climaxes are unexpected and enjoyable. By the end, we learn that the salvation that some look for can condemn us just as easily. A challenging and ultimately sad story. It's a suitable centerpiece for the anthology.
If Xenocide was one of the saddest story this one was the opposite. It brings back Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain in a story called, Sector 13. The short story is actually better than some of his longer works (it brings back memories of second book), ,presenting Commissar Cain at his worst, which is at his best and most humorous for the reader. It's a fitting, almost light-hearted, ending for an otherwise dark collection of tales.
Althought I prefer the warhammer world rather than warhammer40k but from time to time I like to travel to 40k. After all I have them all. Probably the next book from warhammer 40k to be devour is Brothers of the Snake from Abnett.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2014
A good collection of 40k short stories, I guess it depends on personal tastes which stories of the collection you will enjoy.
Even Unto Death - Mike Lee
It's a Space Wolf short story, it starts with a group of scouts and their mission on a world attacked by orks and things go from there. Overall I liked, the fight scenes were good and especially the final battle and ending had me smilling.
Red Reward - Mitchel Scanlon
A story of a city under siege by orks and a sergeant from the Imperial guard that has been accused of charges of being a traitor, the bulk of the story takes place in a different time from which shows what happened to bring up the charges. I still liked but the guestion remained as to why the Space Marines weren't called in given the resources on the planet.
Menshad Korum - C.S. Goto
Considering I haven't read a lot of books about Eldar or those in which they appear this story was the odd one for me, while it is interesting it just isn't my particular cup of tea. The story starts with a murder and the implication that there is more to it than meets the eyes. While I liked the schemes in it, I found the terms used off being accustumed to those of the Space Marines or Imperial guard.
Xenocide - Simon Jowett
This one is fighting for the position of my favorite story alongside Sector 13, it's about a regressed Agri world that is invaded by as the title suggests xenon and what happens after that. At first it paints the picture of how the world is and hints about what it once was, the people have forgotten about the Empire for the most and what remains is viewed as legends. As the invasions begins the people learn that pikes and swords don't work that well against guns and bullets and trying to go into melle is suicidal.
Sector 13 - Sandy Mitchell
A Caiphas Cain short story that starts with him trying to get out of a potentially dangerous assaingment by dealing with a minor regimental discipline issue in a local town and of course given his luck things spiral out from there.
Even Unto Death - Mike Lee
It's a Space Wolf short story, it starts with a group of scouts and their mission on a world attacked by orks and things go from there. Overall I liked, the fight scenes were good and especially the final battle and ending had me smilling.
Red Reward - Mitchel Scanlon
A story of a city under siege by orks and a sergeant from the Imperial guard that has been accused of charges of being a traitor, the bulk of the story takes place in a different time from which shows what happened to bring up the charges. I still liked but the guestion remained as to why the Space Marines weren't called in given the resources on the planet.
Menshad Korum - C.S. Goto
Considering I haven't read a lot of books about Eldar or those in which they appear this story was the odd one for me, while it is interesting it just isn't my particular cup of tea. The story starts with a murder and the implication that there is more to it than meets the eyes. While I liked the schemes in it, I found the terms used off being accustumed to those of the Space Marines or Imperial guard.
Xenocide - Simon Jowett
This one is fighting for the position of my favorite story alongside Sector 13, it's about a regressed Agri world that is invaded by as the title suggests xenon and what happens after that. At first it paints the picture of how the world is and hints about what it once was, the people have forgotten about the Empire for the most and what remains is viewed as legends. As the invasions begins the people learn that pikes and swords don't work that well against guns and bullets and trying to go into melle is suicidal.
Sector 13 - Sandy Mitchell
A Caiphas Cain short story that starts with him trying to get out of a potentially dangerous assaingment by dealing with a minor regimental discipline issue in a local town and of course given his luck things spiral out from there.
October 18, 2011
A decent collection of 40k short stories. As usual some are better than others and preference will depend on what you like about 40K. Pretty safe to say there's something foreveryone in this collection and there are no real duds.
Even Unto Death
Author: Mike Lee
A Space Wolf short story. It's a disappointing story when held up to the standard of Battle of the fang and Thousand Sons.
Red Reward
Author: Mitchel Scanlon
A Sergeant in the Imperial guard has been accused of charges of Heresy and being a Traitor to the Imperial Guard. The Imperium at it's finest.
Menshad Korum
Author: C.S. Goto
One of the more entertaining stories in the collection. I always feel that Goto doesn't play nice in the shared universe of 40K. His eldar feel a lot different to my memory of Gav Thorpe's eldar, being very casual about telepatic communication for example. He also bends/breaks the background about exarchs within eldar society. This is a story that you need to take as "Saim Hann are different" and just go with it. If you can then you will want a Saim Hann army with all the aspect warriors on bikes. Hint GW if this was a codex you would sell lots of eldar bike variants.
Xenocide
Author: Simon Jowett
I'm not very familiar with this author but I'm going to be keeping an eye out for him in future as IMHO this and sector 13 are the most entertaining short stories in the collection with this probably being the best.
The story follows what happens when a regressed Agri world is invaded. It's dark, it's gritty, it's brutal. It's 40K
Sector 13
Author: Sandy Mitchell
Caiphas Cain has a minor regimental discipline issue in a local town. What should be a simple investigation, isn't.
I always enjoy the Cain stories and this one is the usual mix of Black adder and 40K. The only annoying thing is I'm pretty sure I've already read it before this collection, I just can't rememebr where
Even Unto Death
Author: Mike Lee
A Space Wolf short story. It's a disappointing story when held up to the standard of Battle of the fang and Thousand Sons.
Red Reward
Author: Mitchel Scanlon
A Sergeant in the Imperial guard has been accused of charges of Heresy and being a Traitor to the Imperial Guard. The Imperium at it's finest.
Menshad Korum
Author: C.S. Goto
One of the more entertaining stories in the collection. I always feel that Goto doesn't play nice in the shared universe of 40K. His eldar feel a lot different to my memory of Gav Thorpe's eldar, being very casual about telepatic communication for example. He also bends/breaks the background about exarchs within eldar society. This is a story that you need to take as "Saim Hann are different" and just go with it. If you can then you will want a Saim Hann army with all the aspect warriors on bikes. Hint GW if this was a codex you would sell lots of eldar bike variants.
Xenocide
Author: Simon Jowett
I'm not very familiar with this author but I'm going to be keeping an eye out for him in future as IMHO this and sector 13 are the most entertaining short stories in the collection with this probably being the best.
The story follows what happens when a regressed Agri world is invaded. It's dark, it's gritty, it's brutal. It's 40K
Sector 13
Author: Sandy Mitchell
Caiphas Cain has a minor regimental discipline issue in a local town. What should be a simple investigation, isn't.
I always enjoy the Cain stories and this one is the usual mix of Black adder and 40K. The only annoying thing is I'm pretty sure I've already read it before this collection, I just can't rememebr where
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews