The Way of Caine

Warmachine

by Miles Holmes

Allister Caine has always been an enigma and an outsider among the warcasters of Cygnar, but few are privy to his true motivations or his complicated past…

Born into poverty, Allister Caine did what he must to survive, and the choices he made have followed him like a vengeful specter throughout his life. Now, just months after the Lion’s Coup and his full commission as a warcaster, he has been secretly assigned by Scout General Rebald to investigate plots against King Leto in lands just north of the Bloodsmeath Marsh. The game changes, however, when mercenaries camped inside Cygnar’s borders threaten hostility against the country’s divided nobility. In a test of grit and arcane power, Caine alone must make choices that will affect all the nations of the Iron Kingdoms.

Follow Cygnar’s most unpredictable warcaster from his early days on the streets and roofs of Bainsmarket to his first covert mission in the shadowy Cygnaran Reconnaissance Service as you uncover The Way of Caine.

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, Fiction, Audiobook

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2013

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the back story on Caine even though I have not played him in-game. I always thought he was an interesting character just from the fluff in various rule books. It was especially interesting to see the warjack Ace and his special ability since I haven't seen anything like that in the game yet (Warmachine). This story had a lot of variety from street thugs to military training to espionage which keeps the reader on their toes.

This felt different from the other warcaster and warlock books which is a good thing. So far I have enjoyed all the Iron Kingdoms fiction and this one is no exception. It felt really good to finally read this after owning it for well over a year.

[Benn C Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mighty Have Fallen...or Have They?

Allister Caine, newly minted into the ranks of the vaunted Warcasters, elite men and women with the magical gift to do amazing feats and the ability to control mighty iron clad Warjacks. But everyone knows Caine to be a drunkard, a fool, one who flouts the rules and barely holds his rank by virtue of his gift. Everyone thinks they know Caine...or do they? In this epic tale follow the exploits of one of the greatest Warcasters Cygnar has ever known. But how far can a star rise before it falls again?

[Rogan Hamby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book laking. I'm a fan of the Warmachine universe and recently read two other of the short books in the series which I enjoyed a lot more. I understand it's only 108 pages but even in such a short book the plot and characterizations were predictable and flat. A few well written action scenes were really it's saving graces that kept it from one star.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope they continue the series. I really like the way Miles Holmes portrayed Caine and want to read more.

[Dev Null · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fantasy based on a fun character from Privateer Press' miniatures game. It's an all-right bit of backstory for the character if you play the game, but nothing you'd bother with if you don't.

[Mario Medina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was Okay. Entertaining, short read, especially considering I knew nothing about Warcaster. It's quite short, so it can be read in one sitting.

[Christopher Yuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story did exactly what I hoped it would do. It delivered an easy and entertaining foray into the Iron Kingdoms. Caine is slick and tough, as Warcasters should be.

[Petrow84 · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was some really good read. If you're not familiar with the setting, you'll find only a simple action-fantasy on the pages.

However, if you have some basic understanding on the Wrmachine lore, you'll find a very good novel right here.

Without revealing any important part of the story, it blows away the usual "Cygnar is the good guy" cliché, not only in its plot, but also because of its main character, who is a drinking, pickpocketing ne'er-do-well street kid in his twenties.

And even when later wearing a uniform, he keeps quite a lot from his ill traits. But hey, that's what makes him much more likeable than a standard, knight-in-a-shining-armour-type good guy.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read (actually listened to ) this book because I like the iron Kingdoms setting and I was hoping that in this novel the feel and sphere of this setting would become vivid. But the opposite was actually true. I think the setting and the background of this story only makes sense when you already have an understanding of the iron kingdoms and the rules of warmachine.

The story and characterizations of the main characters are also flat and predictable. The story was also driven a lot by coincidence.

I might try some of the other Iron Kingdoms books but I hope these are better.

[Leah Nicolich-henkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot of this book is completely unrelated to that of Hugo-nominated sequel "The Butcher of Khardov", and I highly recommend that you skip this one and go on to the next. This book is purely about a battle, but not even in a particularly exciting way. There's no real emotional arc; there's an attempt at one, but it feels tacked on. There's a beautiful woman who shows up briefly, and looks pathetic, and then strong, and then vanishes and has no further purpose in the story. Waste of time.

[Mphecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caine was the character that sucked me in to the Warmachine game, and I was very pleased to see a novella dedicated to him. This was a solid story, but it felt a bit jammed together at the end. Despite the rush through the story at the conclusion, this was an enjoyable tale about the rise of a fun character, and I would recommend it to other fans.

[Taddow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being a Cygnar player, I was never really interested in Caine but after reading this story, I see more depth to him than I originally thought. The story was an easy and quick read with some enjoyable moments.

[Shane Fraughton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting depiction of Allister Caine. Not quite what I imagined him to be like, but still a fun read.

[Ian James · Rating 3 out of 5]

this short story was good. I really liked looking into Caines back story a little deeper and the introduction of Magnus (however brief) was good as well.

[Michael Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent short novel with a look at Cygnar's favorite commando gunmage. Good story, done with style.

[Scott Carmody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little start for the warcaster Caine.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad fantasy fare, and the first time I've come across Warcaster, having not met the game. Some interesting ideas.

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short, but a fun read.