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Blackhearts #2
Сломанное копье
Пустынной форпост... крик о помощи... Ловушка? Райнер Гетцау и его отряд головорезов получают новую миссию. Все связи с обжитыми границами Империи оборваны, и банда Райнера отправляется разузнать, что случилось, — командиры поразбежались, или поработали более зловещие силы. Компания лихих сорвиголов, не слишком отягощенных моральными принципами, но знающих, что такое честь, дружба и верность, полюбилась чи тателю с первой книги Натана Лонга о Черных сердцах — «Проклятия Валнира». Новое приключение потребует от героев отчаянной храбрости, проницательности и недюжинного везения.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 29, 2005
3 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Long
81 books164 followersNathan Long is a screen and prose writer, with two movies, one Saturday-morning adventure series, and a handful of live-action and animated TV episodes to his name, as well as eleven fantasy novels and several award-winning short stories.
He hails from Pennsylvania, where he grew up, went to school, and played in various punk and rock-a-billy bands, before following his writing dreams to Hollywood - where he now writes novels full time - and still occasionally plays in bands.
His latest novel is Jane Carver of Waar, available March 6th from Night Shade Books. Visit his blog at www.sabrepunk.com.
He hails from Pennsylvania, where he grew up, went to school, and played in various punk and rock-a-billy bands, before following his writing dreams to Hollywood - where he now writes novels full time - and still occasionally plays in bands.
His latest novel is Jane Carver of Waar, available March 6th from Night Shade Books. Visit his blog at www.sabrepunk.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 22, 2025
More like ⭐⭐⭐1/2, but so be it. Another fun read by Long. The 'dirty dozen' (really the dirty nine) ended the last installment by warning the brother of the lord that created them of the treachery of his brother and his ambitions; a final battle lead to the original lord's death. The winning brother, however, did not free the dirty dozen (of which only 5 were left), but instead decided that the 'blackhearts' may have uses for him. He gets his house mage to remove their brandings, but offsets this by administering a poison; the poison is latent, but if the blackhearts attempt to flee, or otherwise displease the Lord, only a few words will activate it, leading to a horrible death.
The desponded blackhearts are sequestered by the Lord, but after a few months, several new blackheart are added and given a new mission. Apparently, at an Imperial outpost on the border, one that guards the one of the Empire's most important gold mines, some embezzlement is suspected. The blackhearts are tasked to find out what is going on and the kill the 'traitor' responsible. Hence, they journey to the largest city outside the outpost and enlist in the ongoing muster for new outpost troops...
I enjoy Long's dark humor and the political machinations that riddle all the Lords and worthies of the Empire. It seems these folks all have their own agenda and are looking to climb the next rung on the ladder. The backbiting, treachery and such among them comes to the fore here, as the general of the outpost and some other worthies there all seem to have their own agendas for their rise to greater power and the Blackhearts are stuck right in the middle of the covert infighting. Long also tosses in some new baddies here, like the rat-men. Some pitched battles and action, but this is longer on intrigue. Fun stuff!
The desponded blackhearts are sequestered by the Lord, but after a few months, several new blackheart are added and given a new mission. Apparently, at an Imperial outpost on the border, one that guards the one of the Empire's most important gold mines, some embezzlement is suspected. The blackhearts are tasked to find out what is going on and the kill the 'traitor' responsible. Hence, they journey to the largest city outside the outpost and enlist in the ongoing muster for new outpost troops...
I enjoy Long's dark humor and the political machinations that riddle all the Lords and worthies of the Empire. It seems these folks all have their own agenda and are looking to climb the next rung on the ladder. The backbiting, treachery and such among them comes to the fore here, as the general of the outpost and some other worthies there all seem to have their own agendas for their rise to greater power and the Blackhearts are stuck right in the middle of the covert infighting. Long also tosses in some new baddies here, like the rat-men. Some pitched battles and action, but this is longer on intrigue. Fun stuff!
October 11, 2010
This is some of the better Warhammer fare. I'm actually surprised that The Blackhearts sequence isn't as popular as, for example, the Gotrek & Felix books, or Dan Abnett's Malus Darkblade series. It is no surprise that Nathan Long has inherited the Gotrek & Felix mantle. He is certainly a competent writer.
So, to the book then. This is the second Blackhearts novel. This time round Reiner Hetzau and the Blackhearts must investigate a general who is suspected of treason. 'Investigate' in this case is a synonym for 'wading in and causing all kinds of mayhem'. As expected things take a turn for the worst and, well... See, here's the thing, if you're reading this for the right reasons you will certainly like it. Although there are conspiracies and twists the focus is firmly on the mayhem. The characters are amusing rather than deep. The action is over the top and really grim. This is the Warhammer universe after all.
I'm enjoying the Blackhearts series thus far. It is really atmospheric. Fans of adventure or military fantasy, and especially fans of Warhammer, could do worse than The Blackhearts.
So, to the book then. This is the second Blackhearts novel. This time round Reiner Hetzau and the Blackhearts must investigate a general who is suspected of treason. 'Investigate' in this case is a synonym for 'wading in and causing all kinds of mayhem'. As expected things take a turn for the worst and, well... See, here's the thing, if you're reading this for the right reasons you will certainly like it. Although there are conspiracies and twists the focus is firmly on the mayhem. The characters are amusing rather than deep. The action is over the top and really grim. This is the Warhammer universe after all.
I'm enjoying the Blackhearts series thus far. It is really atmospheric. Fans of adventure or military fantasy, and especially fans of Warhammer, could do worse than The Blackhearts.
May 30, 2012
The last book several companions died.
It remain the Captain Reinier Hetsau, the two pikemen Hals and Pavel, the tilean crossbow Giano and the she-he Frank(a) Shoentag, which Reiner discovered she was a girl and they fell in love.
Now a new story begins in which they've got to go the border princes and see if the general who commands there the forces are a treachorous bastard or not.
They are given new companions. Karelinus, Abel Halstieg, Jergen Rohmmer, Dag Nuller and Helgertkrug. Every one of them are villains. Again as the same book not all of them are evil.
This is another great book by Nathan Long which gives us something to read and he made us not only like the characters but to admire them... to see in them heroes not vilains. And I personnally did. In one part I had tears in my eyes as one of the old friends die in a tragically but heroic dead.
It remain the Captain Reinier Hetsau, the two pikemen Hals and Pavel, the tilean crossbow Giano and the she-he Frank(a) Shoentag, which Reiner discovered she was a girl and they fell in love.
Now a new story begins in which they've got to go the border princes and see if the general who commands there the forces are a treachorous bastard or not.
They are given new companions. Karelinus, Abel Halstieg, Jergen Rohmmer, Dag Nuller and Helgertkrug. Every one of them are villains. Again as the same book not all of them are evil.
This is another great book by Nathan Long which gives us something to read and he made us not only like the characters but to admire them... to see in them heroes not vilains. And I personnally did. In one part I had tears in my eyes as one of the old friends die in a tragically but heroic dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
Prostredni dil trilogie party "zbytecnych" ze "stareho sveta". Jizda od zacatku do konce. Svet mame dany, postavy jsou fajn, kazda ma svuj moment. Par cernohumornych scen u kterych jsem se zasmal by se naslo a par "plot twistu" take. Chvilema mozna trochu prekombinovane, nic ale, co by rusilo. Trilogie je dobrym startovnim bodem do WH fantasy. Jedine co me rusilo, byly skaveni vsude prelozeni jako "krysaci", to je preci zbytecne.
January 27, 2024
Very similar to the first, but there was a section reminiscent of weekend at bernies that I did enjoy. This was sort of countered by being the one with the most issues of characters homophobia and misogyny, so overall it was a bit of a wash.
July 24, 2019
Love the Blackhearts novels! Good fast paced adventure in the gritty world of Warhammer!
June 18, 2023
Pretty solid Warhammer story. Good twists, lots of cloak and dagger, and even a big battle.
January 7, 2024
Another classic Nathan Long. All the swashbuckling vigour of the Gotrek and Felix series, but more of a sense of jeopardy and crisis.
May 23, 2025
Man, I was sad about my favorite Tilean, but all in all, it was a very fun read!
May 8, 2011
“The Broken Lance” is the second novel in the Blackhearts trilogy, following the events in “Valnir’s Bane”. It is preceded by the short story titled “Rotten Fruit” which takes place immediately after the first novel and before the second, more specifically on the road to Altdorf where “The Broken Lance” begins. Once again, this short story is far from spectacular. It is simple and straightforward and ultimately unremarkable. Its value, however, lies in the fact it fleshes out the character of Count Manfred, the Blackhearts’ employer and boss, and thus makes the reader more aware of exactly how desperate and grim is the Blackhearts’ existence.
“The Broken Lance” definitely features a more interesting storyline than its predecessor. To the Empire’s south, in the Black Mountains near the Border Princes, there is a fort that protects a narrow pass and a nearby gold mine, one of the most abundant in the Empire. In recent months, the gold flow from the fort to the Imperial treasury has been reduced to a trickle, and when unsatisfying explanations were given, the Blackhearts are dispatched to go undercover as army recruits to be assigned to the force stationed at the fort. Once there, the Blackhearts are to investigate the matter and pay close attention to the man in charge – the charismatic and brilliant General Gutzmann – and if he is caught in foul play, dispose of him. Once again, the Blackhearts are thrown into a web of lies and intrigues woven by different parties, all the while a lurking threat is about to spell doom not only for the fort, but potentially the whole Empire.
Basically, what I said about “Valnir’s Bane” applies here as well. “The Broken Lance” is a well-written novel, one of the better titles in the fantasy genre nowadays, but not among the best. Nathan Long’s writing oscillates somewhat: sometimes he’s great, and on other occasions there are certain sections which are very mediocre. While the plot is a welcomed refreshment for the most part dealing entirely with political scheming and manipulations, it drops in quality in the last third of the book, introducing several elaborate and a bit farfetched plans to get out of danger and save the day, which miraculously work. Also, the last battle was in parts confusing to me, featuring several opposing hosts fighting on different places of the one locale – the fort. By the end of it, I didn’t know who was in the courtyard, and who in the keep, on the walls, in the towers, etc. This action jumble all leads up to an ending that is almost a cliffhanger. Long also assumes the reader is familiar with the characters from the first novel, and does not do much to develop them further. In that regard, it is once again recommended to read the novels in order.
And an observation: mysteriously, some 2/3 into the novel, Reiner Hetzau becomes Reiner Hetsau for no apparent reason, and remains as such in the next Blackhearts installment.
Bottom line, if you liked the first Blackhearts’ adventure, “The Broken Lance” is a recommended read. It has thrills, suspense, plenty of action, some witty humor, but doesn’t excel in any of the elements. A good read like the novel before it, but as well not essential.
Rating: 8/10
“The Broken Lance” definitely features a more interesting storyline than its predecessor. To the Empire’s south, in the Black Mountains near the Border Princes, there is a fort that protects a narrow pass and a nearby gold mine, one of the most abundant in the Empire. In recent months, the gold flow from the fort to the Imperial treasury has been reduced to a trickle, and when unsatisfying explanations were given, the Blackhearts are dispatched to go undercover as army recruits to be assigned to the force stationed at the fort. Once there, the Blackhearts are to investigate the matter and pay close attention to the man in charge – the charismatic and brilliant General Gutzmann – and if he is caught in foul play, dispose of him. Once again, the Blackhearts are thrown into a web of lies and intrigues woven by different parties, all the while a lurking threat is about to spell doom not only for the fort, but potentially the whole Empire.
Basically, what I said about “Valnir’s Bane” applies here as well. “The Broken Lance” is a well-written novel, one of the better titles in the fantasy genre nowadays, but not among the best. Nathan Long’s writing oscillates somewhat: sometimes he’s great, and on other occasions there are certain sections which are very mediocre. While the plot is a welcomed refreshment for the most part dealing entirely with political scheming and manipulations, it drops in quality in the last third of the book, introducing several elaborate and a bit farfetched plans to get out of danger and save the day, which miraculously work. Also, the last battle was in parts confusing to me, featuring several opposing hosts fighting on different places of the one locale – the fort. By the end of it, I didn’t know who was in the courtyard, and who in the keep, on the walls, in the towers, etc. This action jumble all leads up to an ending that is almost a cliffhanger. Long also assumes the reader is familiar with the characters from the first novel, and does not do much to develop them further. In that regard, it is once again recommended to read the novels in order.
And an observation: mysteriously, some 2/3 into the novel, Reiner Hetzau becomes Reiner Hetsau for no apparent reason, and remains as such in the next Blackhearts installment.
Bottom line, if you liked the first Blackhearts’ adventure, “The Broken Lance” is a recommended read. It has thrills, suspense, plenty of action, some witty humor, but doesn’t excel in any of the elements. A good read like the novel before it, but as well not essential.
Rating: 8/10
March 2, 2015
Previously published at TheQwillery.com
In my review of Valnir's Bane, I mentioned I came across this series by mistake as I was looking for a different series with the word 'black' in the title. Since then, I've read the first book in each series and The Black Hearts series is by far the more enjoyable one, so I had to dive into its second book.
The Broken Lance is a superb second book. It gets right into the action and has an even quicker pace than the first book. Our favorite group of dishonorable men—and one woman—find themselves once again forced to serve the crown on a secret mission to discover the intentions of a general that feels slighted by the king. Of course, Nathan Long begins to throw enjoyable twists into the plot that force the protagonists to battle with the choice of protecting their own hides or saving the kingdom again.
I truly enjoy a well-written rogue, and Long does it marvelously. He knows how to make scoundrels worth rooting for. It's one of the reasons I hate the modern, dark, and gritty fantasies with their unlovable rogues. I want to laugh and cheer my scoundrels to victory. Even with the fun of the book, Long still allows moments of emotional weight to come into the story and show that his characters have substance.
The Broken Lance is the second book everyone wants to read. It adds to the mythology of the characters and amps up the action and twists. I'll be reviewing the third book in the near future so keep an eye out for it. There are a few minor moments of descriptive violence and implied sexual activities, but I have no problem recommending this book to teens or adults. After enjoying the first and second book, I recommend you go out and buy your own copy, or better yet, the omnibus.
In my review of Valnir's Bane, I mentioned I came across this series by mistake as I was looking for a different series with the word 'black' in the title. Since then, I've read the first book in each series and The Black Hearts series is by far the more enjoyable one, so I had to dive into its second book.
The Broken Lance is a superb second book. It gets right into the action and has an even quicker pace than the first book. Our favorite group of dishonorable men—and one woman—find themselves once again forced to serve the crown on a secret mission to discover the intentions of a general that feels slighted by the king. Of course, Nathan Long begins to throw enjoyable twists into the plot that force the protagonists to battle with the choice of protecting their own hides or saving the kingdom again.
I truly enjoy a well-written rogue, and Long does it marvelously. He knows how to make scoundrels worth rooting for. It's one of the reasons I hate the modern, dark, and gritty fantasies with their unlovable rogues. I want to laugh and cheer my scoundrels to victory. Even with the fun of the book, Long still allows moments of emotional weight to come into the story and show that his characters have substance.
The Broken Lance is the second book everyone wants to read. It adds to the mythology of the characters and amps up the action and twists. I'll be reviewing the third book in the near future so keep an eye out for it. There are a few minor moments of descriptive violence and implied sexual activities, but I have no problem recommending this book to teens or adults. After enjoying the first and second book, I recommend you go out and buy your own copy, or better yet, the omnibus.
September 16, 2014
Not as good as the first one. I felt that some of events were kind of forced, the new members felt mainly distant or very hollow. The plot has a nice twist, the original members keep their well working dynamics and the writer is one of the best Warhammer writers. These things save the book. Really hoping the third and last book is better because in the end I like the Blackhearts books.
July 18, 2008
Amazing book. I have read multiple times and it never gets old. If you want to talk about the book or the series, let me know.
May 5, 2023
The middle book in the trilogy is just as good as the first with some nice twists in the fast paced plot
November 15, 2018
"We are all villains here."
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews