Traitor's Gorge

Space Marine Battles

by Mike Lee

For nearly ten millennia, the Crimson Fists waged war against the enemies of mankind from their home planet of Rynn’s World. And then, in one cataclysmic event, Rynn’s World fell, despoiled by the hordes of the orks. Six months later, Chapter Master Pedro Kantor leads the shattered remnants of his Space Marines in pursuit of a force of greenskins still clinging to life in the mountains of the devastated world. But when they are drawn into a trap, Kantor and his battle-brothers realise that they have massively underestimated their foe…

30,000 word hardback Novella
Only 1000 copies printed worldwide

Wrap around dust jacket over Crimson Fists hardcover
Exclusive colour section with map and additional artwork
Individually numbered

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Fiction, Novella

126 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Mike Lee is an author, scriptwriter and game designer whose most recent credits include Fallen Angels, the latest installment in Black Library Publishing’s best-selling Horus Heresy series, and the dark fantasy epic Nagash the Sorcerer. Along with UK author Dan Abnett, Mike also wrote the five-volume Chronicles of Malus Darkblade, whose signature character has become a cult favorite among fans of Black Library’s Warhammer Fantasy fiction.

In addition to his novels, Mike’s scriptwriting credits include Tom Clancy’s HAWX, a game of near-future jet combat, and Splinter Cell: Conviction, the hit sequel to the popular Splinter Cell franchise published by Ubisoft Entertainment. He has also contributed to more than two dozen pen-and-paper role-playing games and supplements, including the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade, Adventure!, Vampire: Dark Ages and Hunter: The Reckoning, published by White Wolf Games Studio.

An avid wargamer, history buff and devoted fan of two-fisted pulp adventure, Mike lives with his wife, artist JK Lee, and their family in the United States.

Reviews

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picks up where Steve Parker’s Rynn’s World leaves off, with Pedro Kantor left leading a pitiful number of Crimson Fists once Rynn’s World is relieved and Snagrod’s ork hordes driven off. With the Imperial reinforcements long gone, it’s left to Kantor to wipe out the last remaining pockets of orks – a dangerous task, but one the vengeance-hungry Crimson Fists approach with relish. Bringing one such group to battle at Traitor’s Gorge, Kantor doesn’t realise the trap he’s fallen into until it’s too late, but help is on hand from an unexpected quarter.

As an action-heavy novella, this isn’t quite such an in-depth or character-led story as Rynn’s World was (although it does a good job with the time available) so it definitely rewards familiarity with its predecessor. While it’s packed to the gills with action scenes, there are perhaps a few more twists and turns than some novellas, and it turns out to be exactly the right story to follow on from a full-length novel. It’s not just ‘what happens next’, but rather an enjoyable companion piece – and it’s well worth checking out.

Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/04/...

[Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much action and not enough story.

Also coming from the previous novel (Rynn's World), Pedro Kantor's character and motivations are widely different and conflicting, pretty much a 180 in terms of personality.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the book has the Crimson Fists pushing forth in chapter after chapter of killing Orks and saying cheesy Space Marine lines like "We must not falter....onward men!" and "For the Emperor!"

However, the last couple chapters get really good as the space marine characters start to show a bit more personality and they have tough decisions to make. Overall, an OK book.

[Ulzeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite fun.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little sequel with pure action and a little bit of mystery.

This novel picks up right where Rynn's World ends, following the story of Peter Kantor and the Crimson Fists as they cleanse the planet of the remaining orks that have survived the war.

Kantor, deluded into vengeance and honor, follows a band of orks to a gorge, where he happens upon a powerful ambush that threatens to end his story. Unexpected help enters the scene.

This little book is decently written and continues the same quality as the last few chapters of Rynn's World. It is simple but effective in its entertainment. It manages to give about two hours of sweet reading for Warhammer 40k fans, but at the same time opens up a few more questions that we won't find here.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun short book about a campaign by the space marines. The end in the caverns had a short section that reminded me of the tunnel rats during the Vietnam War. Very well written story and engaging characters.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crimson Fist and the Eldar work together to eliminate the last of the orks on their homeworld.

[Tyler Kershaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of my fav blue and red boyz

[Anthony Giordano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The events of Traitor's Gorge take place roughly two years after the attack on the Crimson Fists home planet, Rynn's World. Snagrod has left, and the remaining humans (the roughly 1% that survived), and the last hundred Fists are still expunging the greenskin taint. After finishing up a sweep of xenos filth, they receive word that an exploratory group (dispatched by the nobles at New Rynn City to obtain some agricultural equipment) have gone missing. Given the amount of time since they disappeared, Kantor knows chances for a rescue are dim. There is, however...

You can read my full review of this action-packed novella here:

http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...

[Michael T Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mike Lee writes eldar well. Frustrating that their entire plot in this story can be summed up as, "wait for it ... wait for it ... waiiiiiiit for it .... no, never mind."

A weak coda to a fairly weak book (Rynn's World) that didn't really need to be written. But I guess if you want to see Pedro Kantor & co. fight some more orks, this certainly has that.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging book. The story is well written and the description of the battles themselves are in depth. Great characters on all sides of the battle.