What do you think?
Rate this book
Gotrek Gurnisson #5
Blightslayer
Gotrek Gurnisson, the legendary Slayer, picks up a new accomplice – and faces a truly grotesque challenge in the disease-ridden spawn of the Plague God himself.
Deep in the wilds of Ghyran, a former warrior priest preaches for humanity to reject the gods. The sole survivor of a massacred Dawnbringer Crusade, Amara Fidellus believes that Sigmar has betrayed her. But when she faces execution for such blasphemy, it’s only the intervention of a drunken, taciturn and incredibly violent duardin that saves her life. Now bound to Gotrek Gurnisson by this life-debt, Amara finds herself caught up in his quest for revenge. But as they become aware of a sorcerous threat building on the far Rocanian Coast, Gotrek and Amara must put aside their own needs for vengeance to confront a terrible danger that could plunge all of Ghyran into Chaos, and see a deadly aspect of Nurgle’s Garden manifest in the Mortal Realms.
Deep in the wilds of Ghyran, a former warrior priest preaches for humanity to reject the gods. The sole survivor of a massacred Dawnbringer Crusade, Amara Fidellus believes that Sigmar has betrayed her. But when she faces execution for such blasphemy, it’s only the intervention of a drunken, taciturn and incredibly violent duardin that saves her life. Now bound to Gotrek Gurnisson by this life-debt, Amara finds herself caught up in his quest for revenge. But as they become aware of a sorcerous threat building on the far Rocanian Coast, Gotrek and Amara must put aside their own needs for vengeance to confront a terrible danger that could plunge all of Ghyran into Chaos, and see a deadly aspect of Nurgle’s Garden manifest in the Mortal Realms.
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2023
16 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Richard Strachan
42 books25 followersRichard Strachan lives in Edinburgh, UK. He has had stories published in magazines like Interzone, The Lonely Crowd, Gutter and New Writing Scotland, and writes for Games Workshop's Black Library imprint.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 17, 2024
I love Gotrek Gurnisson as a character, and more than ever I think this series has an important part to play in Black Library's otherwise standalone-heavy Age of Sigmar range. Where else can readers follow a single character through the Mortal Realms, exploring its exotic locales and getting to know its wildly diverse peoples from a consistent (ok, consistent-ish, given Gotrek's various companions) perspective? Until such time as BL commits to a few more trilogies/series, the Gotrek books are the best option for readers keen to really dig into the setting.
Happily, Blightslayer is (in my opinion) fantastic book in its own right, and a great addition to the Gotrek series. Strachan's depiction of Gotrek is spot on, Amara makes for an engaging new companion, and while early on I was a touch surprised at how much page time was given over to additional viewpoints (no spoilers), as the book progressed the value of those perspectives quickly became clear. There's another human POV character who really provides a strong emotional core for the story, and I can never get enough of Nurgle knights as antagonists!
As with all the best AoS novels, I love the sense of place that this gets across, and all the wild invention of the setting. Frontier settlements protected by the dried stalks of giant flowers? A town hidden within a giant pinecone? Whale-sized birds feeding on mile-wide insect swarms? Gotrek mocking all of this very inventiveness? ("Let me guess, the whole place walks around on chicken legs, or it was built on the back of a giant armadillo, or something equally daft.") I love it all, and the way it brings the Mortal Realms to life.
Gotrek stories are bit like AC/DC songs for me - I'm happy with a bit of variation on the theme, but not too much. Give me the big riffs and the killer solos, and I'm happy. Same with Gotrek! Blightslayer pretty much nails that for me, getting across Strachan's writing style without losing the essence of fun that Gotrek stories need. I really enjoyed it, and whoever picks up the baton next has got a tough act to follow!
Happily, Blightslayer is (in my opinion) fantastic book in its own right, and a great addition to the Gotrek series. Strachan's depiction of Gotrek is spot on, Amara makes for an engaging new companion, and while early on I was a touch surprised at how much page time was given over to additional viewpoints (no spoilers), as the book progressed the value of those perspectives quickly became clear. There's another human POV character who really provides a strong emotional core for the story, and I can never get enough of Nurgle knights as antagonists!
As with all the best AoS novels, I love the sense of place that this gets across, and all the wild invention of the setting. Frontier settlements protected by the dried stalks of giant flowers? A town hidden within a giant pinecone? Whale-sized birds feeding on mile-wide insect swarms? Gotrek mocking all of this very inventiveness? ("Let me guess, the whole place walks around on chicken legs, or it was built on the back of a giant armadillo, or something equally daft.") I love it all, and the way it brings the Mortal Realms to life.
Gotrek stories are bit like AC/DC songs for me - I'm happy with a bit of variation on the theme, but not too much. Give me the big riffs and the killer solos, and I'm happy. Same with Gotrek! Blightslayer pretty much nails that for me, getting across Strachan's writing style without losing the essence of fun that Gotrek stories need. I really enjoyed it, and whoever picks up the baton next has got a tough act to follow!
July 25, 2023
A competent continuation to Gotrek's journeys. With Gotrek's pointy eared companion gone, it's time for a new partner to appear. This time around it is a follower of Sigmar who has lost faith in her god. Her hatred for the gods and desire to die strike a cord with the dwarf, and before long they're off on an adventure to stop some of Nurgle's plague knights.
The last few Gotrek books were written by Darius Hinks, who did a great job of settling Gotrek into the realms and developing his character. I was a bit hesitant when I saw a new author was working on this book, but I didn't have to worry. Strachand did a commendable job on the story. His writing style is slower and more descriptive (there were a few paragraphs that were almost a page long), but I think it worked out well for the story being told.
Speaking of the story, I don't think I'll ever get tired of plague knights as one of the main narrative focuses. Just the idea of these rotting, chaos tainted warriors having their own twisted sense of honor, hopes and dreams, is a wonderfully intriguing one.
Gotrek remains a strong character, and one who thankfully retains his character development from the past few books. His new companion might not be my favorite, but she has potential, and if she sticks around she could develop into something good.
The last few Gotrek books were written by Darius Hinks, who did a great job of settling Gotrek into the realms and developing his character. I was a bit hesitant when I saw a new author was working on this book, but I didn't have to worry. Strachand did a commendable job on the story. His writing style is slower and more descriptive (there were a few paragraphs that were almost a page long), but I think it worked out well for the story being told.
Speaking of the story, I don't think I'll ever get tired of plague knights as one of the main narrative focuses. Just the idea of these rotting, chaos tainted warriors having their own twisted sense of honor, hopes and dreams, is a wonderfully intriguing one.
Gotrek remains a strong character, and one who thankfully retains his character development from the past few books. His new companion might not be my favorite, but she has potential, and if she sticks around she could develop into something good.
August 13, 2023
Unfortunately, the worst Gotrek book I've read thus far. The pacing was reasonable, and the history wasn't too bad, but it had a few glaring issues that, at least in my opinion, make it quite subpar when compared to other books in the saga:
- Amara goes in the span of a single book (less than two weeks of in-universe time) from despising the gods with all her heart to channeling Sigmar's fury to the point where she can badly wound THE most powerful Great Unclean One the realms have ever seen AND heal Gotrek of the poxes of Nurgle that had nearly killed him.
- Despite how much she goes on about the massacre, we only find out three quarters of the book in that she had a son, which hadn't been hinted even in her own inner monologues.
- The timing of the full flashback is atrocious, giving us a wider perspective of what happened only after the main knot of the story had already been solved. Felt like padding, since it doesn't add anything to the character: we already knew her child died.
All in all, still an enjoyable book, but far from the high bar set by its predecessors.
- Amara goes in the span of a single book (less than two weeks of in-universe time) from despising the gods with all her heart to channeling Sigmar's fury to the point where she can badly wound THE most powerful Great Unclean One the realms have ever seen AND heal Gotrek of the poxes of Nurgle that had nearly killed him.
- Despite how much she goes on about the massacre, we only find out three quarters of the book in that she had a son, which hadn't been hinted even in her own inner monologues.
- The timing of the full flashback is atrocious, giving us a wider perspective of what happened only after the main knot of the story had already been solved. Felt like padding, since it doesn't add anything to the character: we already knew her child died.
All in all, still an enjoyable book, but far from the high bar set by its predecessors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
Blight slayer is the latest instalment of the refurbished Gotrek Gurnisson series, previously helmed by Darius Hinks. It follows on very shortly behind Soulslayer, as we find Gotrek searching for the Idoneth responsible for Maleneth’s downfall.
Richard Strachan has released a slew of novels for AOS in the last few years, with a consistently high standard of writing. His world building and development of the broader universe is excellent, and he creates unique and interesting characters that aren’t necessarily what you would expect. Blightslayer is no exception.
Richard Strachan has taken over the Gotrek series with earnest, delivering an action packed novel that has heart and soul. The new companions he finds on the way are deep and nuanced, with real character development.
The only downside is that the story feels somewhat predictable now, as Gotrek indefatigably marches on through the mortal realms, smashing and drinking his way to an unknown end.
This is an excellent addition to the series and an great read for anyone interested in AOS or fantasy in general.
Richard Strachan has released a slew of novels for AOS in the last few years, with a consistently high standard of writing. His world building and development of the broader universe is excellent, and he creates unique and interesting characters that aren’t necessarily what you would expect. Blightslayer is no exception.
Richard Strachan has taken over the Gotrek series with earnest, delivering an action packed novel that has heart and soul. The new companions he finds on the way are deep and nuanced, with real character development.
The only downside is that the story feels somewhat predictable now, as Gotrek indefatigably marches on through the mortal realms, smashing and drinking his way to an unknown end.
This is an excellent addition to the series and an great read for anyone interested in AOS or fantasy in general.
May 27, 2023
This is a fresh start to Gotrek's adventures, and Richard Strachan does a fantastic job of taking charge of the series. It's all about exciting hack-and-slash action with even bigger and badder enemies than in previous novels. When it comes to novels, they can be good, fun, or both. And this episode in the Age of Sigmar Gotrek series definitely falls into the fun category. It's pure, delightful pulp fantasy fun that will keep you thoroughly entertained.
The backstories of our main characters are somewhat scattered throughout the read, but they remain solid. Although they make references to previous novels, if you haven't read them, you may feel slightly lost. However, this doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
4.5/5 Pure Dumb Fun
The backstories of our main characters are somewhat scattered throughout the read, but they remain solid. Although they make references to previous novels, if you haven't read them, you may feel slightly lost. However, this doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
4.5/5 Pure Dumb Fun
June 8, 2023
Book is all right but reading gotrek books for the last 10 years makes me something of an expert of him. In my opinion Gotrek isn't portrayed as unstoppable force that he is in previous books. He never was just charging like a brute at everything, he was intelligent and cunning as well. Woman accompanying him is a little annoying but she rehabilitates herself by the end of the book. All in all I am looking forward to more of Gotrek books and recommend all fans of him to read this book.
June 29, 2023
This is my fourth Gotrek book and while I really like the characters and the world lore, the over all story is a little “generic” this time. I guess it comes along with the Gotrek territory, but it just didn’t do it for me so well this time.
I do think it’s a good book, it’s just that the combat parts are basically all the same with Gotrek. The characters are great though, and so is Gotrek who even sees a little development in a nice direction. So you’ll likely enjoy the book!
I do think it’s a good book, it’s just that the combat parts are basically all the same with Gotrek. The characters are great though, and so is Gotrek who even sees a little development in a nice direction. So you’ll likely enjoy the book!
August 17, 2025
This was I think the weakest of the Age of Sigmar Gotrek novels. Gotrek himself is a bit one dimensional in this book, and the story is pretty straightforward with very little intrigue or complexity to the plot. This writer was decent with action and descriptive writing, but felt like they lacked experience compared to the previous two series writers. It’s alright and entertaining enough, but not really a notable entry to the series.
December 28, 2023
That was great! Gotrek was really vicious and intimidating and the supporting cast was very sympathetic. There was even some humor with the baddies. I really want t lo know who or what that was in the last scene. I also want to know who is chasing Gotrek as I have my own suspicions (I hope it is a certain father-daughter team!)
May 2, 2024
A new author takes on the role of tale-teller of Gotrek. Works, it’s a good story and a good book. Hope he gets to finish the little threads he has sewn here too.
Gotrek has a new companion, he’s becoming a bit like Dr Who now, cycling through them so that each new one means less and less. Felix is still missed, but he’s no longer mentioned.
Gotrek has a new companion, he’s becoming a bit like Dr Who now, cycling through them so that each new one means less and less. Felix is still missed, but he’s no longer mentioned.
July 14, 2023
A good continuation for Gotrek and an all-around very strong human cast. Marred by some of the most generic, trite depictions of Nurgle worshippers I've ever read.
May 6, 2024
This is one of the finer entries in the series. Gortrek and a wayward priest of Sigmar go on an adventure to fight the Nurgles. It is fast-paced and action packed. Not bad at all.
June 11, 2024
Gotrek never fails to make a good story!
December 5, 2024
The definitive low point of the Age of Sigmar-era Gotrek series. I hate to say it, but Richard Strachan was not up to the task of writing for this series, and it's apparent. Stylistically, the book is lacking a certain je ne sais quois, and much as I am loathe to use such vague criticism when I'm coming down so hard on someone's work, it's hard to point to anything specific that becomes a problem in the moment-to-moment line reading.
What's not a problem to articulate is how boring Amara is as a companion. She does herself no favors coming in as a replacement for Maleneth, a dry wit with a lot of use in combat, whose style contrasted with her boorish companion stunningly. Maleneth was textured by her interactions with the mentor she murdered and tortured by splitting loyalties.
Meanwhile, Amara is the same Sigmarite priest you can read in any other book, for all her professed apostasy, minus combat effectiveness or even the interest that the faith of her counterparts can summon from readers. Her backstory is pointlessly teased unto tedium, even though "bad shit happened to her son" is practically pasted into every second thought she has, and she doesn't even have beef with the antagonizing force of this book in particular, which tells me that either Strachan or GW had horrendously miscalculated that we would be clamoring to see more of Amara for reasons yet unclear.
Whereas Gotrek alighting faith in Maleneth was an interesting turn, because she was a lost cynic in need of something worthwhile to believe in, his doing the same for Amara has no impact because she's essentially having a one-week tantrum after the worst event in her life. And because the sap is laid on so thick, you don't even feel bad in the moment her son dies (That's a spoiler, but it's not, I promise) because she raised him to send as many signals that he is plot-disposable as possible, so my reaction was "Why do you even care? He's been all but telling you he's planning to get fridged for years at this stage."
If anything in this book is deserving of praise, it is this: Richard Strachan has a clear appreciation for the Maggotkin of Nurgle, and he writes their disparate elements in clear, distinct ways with interesting intra-factional interplay. Most are executed well, one was executed excellently, and one was horrendous, confusing, and awkward, but I will get to that later. Nurgle is my least favorite Chaos god in both settings, so I was impressed at his ability to make me appreciate his followers; the demented, childlike simplicity of the Beasts of Nurgle was the stuff of nightmares, and the sorcerer's deep-seated fear of going mad and being remembered only as a swamp boogeyman to scare children in their beds was compelling and humanizing.
It is now later.
The good news is, because so little of consequence happens in this book and nothing came of anything that happened, I think it's a safe skip. See you all in Verminslayer, and may David Guymer's return redeem the series after this valley.
What's not a problem to articulate is how boring Amara is as a companion. She does herself no favors coming in as a replacement for Maleneth, a dry wit with a lot of use in combat, whose style contrasted with her boorish companion stunningly. Maleneth was textured by her interactions with the mentor she murdered and tortured by splitting loyalties.
Meanwhile, Amara is the same Sigmarite priest you can read in any other book, for all her professed apostasy, minus combat effectiveness or even the interest that the faith of her counterparts can summon from readers. Her backstory is pointlessly teased unto tedium, even though "bad shit happened to her son" is practically pasted into every second thought she has, and she doesn't even have beef with the antagonizing force of this book in particular, which tells me that either Strachan or GW had horrendously miscalculated that we would be clamoring to see more of Amara for reasons yet unclear.
Whereas Gotrek alighting faith in Maleneth was an interesting turn, because she was a lost cynic in need of something worthwhile to believe in, his doing the same for Amara has no impact because she's essentially having a one-week tantrum after the worst event in her life. And because the sap is laid on so thick, you don't even feel bad in the moment her son dies (That's a spoiler, but it's not, I promise) because she raised him to send as many signals that he is plot-disposable as possible, so my reaction was "Why do you even care? He's been all but telling you he's planning to get fridged for years at this stage."
If anything in this book is deserving of praise, it is this: Richard Strachan has a clear appreciation for the Maggotkin of Nurgle, and he writes their disparate elements in clear, distinct ways with interesting intra-factional interplay. Most are executed well, one was executed excellently, and one was horrendous, confusing, and awkward, but I will get to that later. Nurgle is my least favorite Chaos god in both settings, so I was impressed at his ability to make me appreciate his followers; the demented, childlike simplicity of the Beasts of Nurgle was the stuff of nightmares, and the sorcerer's deep-seated fear of going mad and being remembered only as a swamp boogeyman to scare children in their beds was compelling and humanizing.
It is now later.
The good news is, because so little of consequence happens in this book and nothing came of anything that happened, I think it's a safe skip. See you all in Verminslayer, and may David Guymer's return redeem the series after this valley.
August 9, 2023
"Let me guess, the whole place walks around on chicken legs, or was built on the back of a giant armadillo or something equally daft." Strachan takes the reins and the Gotrek steed slows none. A lovely continuation to Gotrek being the greatest unwilling tour guide in the mortal realms. Knights of Nurgle are fascinating to me and I hope we see more of them.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews