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Warhammer 40,000
Pestilence
As war grinds on in the Genovingian sector, Imperial medicae Lemual Sark investigates Uhlren's Pox, a mysterious and deadly plague that is striking down the Imperial Guardsman who fight the war. As he narrows down the source of the contagion, Sark finds himself thrown into a plot by to wipe out the defenders of the sector and allow the Ruinous Powers their triumph.
Read it because
It's an intriguing look behind the lines at how the forces of Chaos fight in many different ways, and salvation sometimes comes from sources you don't expect.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 2, 2024
4.5 ⭐
"He had no eyes and yet he was terrified of the light."
"He had no eyes and yet he was terrified of the light."
June 5, 2022
This was fun to read during a pandemic lol
September 19, 2024
I’m pretty new to Warhammer 40k and wanted to start reading the books, many online suggested starting with the Eisenhorn series and this seems to be the first in the reading order.
I really liked this book a lot, it’s a short, sharp story, with a very grim setting. The characters all intrigued me, but my favourite part was the tone, which was dark and oppressive. The story follows a man of many who have been tasked with searching for a cure to a particularly nasty plague. The plot slowly unfurls and was really engrossing, as a new reader of Dan Abnett’s work I was impressed – the story felt much longer than its pages and his style is captivating and vivid.
I really liked this book a lot, it’s a short, sharp story, with a very grim setting. The characters all intrigued me, but my favourite part was the tone, which was dark and oppressive. The story follows a man of many who have been tasked with searching for a cure to a particularly nasty plague. The plot slowly unfurls and was really engrossing, as a new reader of Dan Abnett’s work I was impressed – the story felt much longer than its pages and his style is captivating and vivid.
September 19, 2021
Interesting read. Not sure why it was the magos as a short story as it has nothing to do with eisenhorn but enjoyed it nonetheless.
August 20, 2020
This is the first in Abnett’s Inquisitor series. Eisenhorn does not appear in the story. He is not even mentioned. However, this story’s theme becomes important as you plunge through the entire set of the Inquisitor stories and novels.
In this story, High Administer Sark travels to a medical facility to do a recollection of facts pertaining to a disease that is destroying an Astra Militarum force that is also in active combat. The facts of the disease are found to be frightening.
In this story, High Administer Sark travels to a medical facility to do a recollection of facts pertaining to a disease that is destroying an Astra Militarum force that is also in active combat. The facts of the disease are found to be frightening.
March 15, 2018
Fascinating story, not sure what it has to do with Eisenhorn
April 1, 2026
If we do not pause to fight that infection here, within our own selves, what purpose is there in taking our fight to the stars?
Pestilence by Dan Abnett, is a grotesque story set in the universe of Warhammer 40K.
It began with a rapid virulent outbreak Uhlren's Pox spreading through Genovingia & corrupting everything from within, with no known cure or its origin.
This sinister event recalls the Torment disease of Pirody Campaign from horrors of long-past war between Imperial forces & Chaos that exist beyond just the battlefields.
As part of investigation & with hope of finding a cure, medicae & recollector Lemual Sark is sent to Symbal Iota to consult a survivor, Colonel Fege Ebhoe from Lammark Lancers. Their cryptic exchange at Saint Bastian hospice then slowly unveiled the horrifying blasphemy that had twisted the minds & despairs into corrupted devotion.
“No darkness. In a place where none came naturally, even the shadows of closed rooms were banished. Everything was bright. Perhaps you can see now why I abhor the light and cling to darkness.”
And I will never forget the sight of him, revealed at last in the light. I still believe that memory is the finest faculty we as a species own. But by the Golden Throne, there are things I wish I could never remember again.
Abnett masterfully elevates this grim story through psychological impact rather than sheer spectacle. One that’s subtle, yet deeply unsettling. It’s a memory that lingers long after my reading.
Note: I read this story from The Magos, chronologically listed as first in Eisenhorn-Inquisition series.
________________________
My Links: Instagram | Blog
Pestilence by Dan Abnett, is a grotesque story set in the universe of Warhammer 40K.
It began with a rapid virulent outbreak Uhlren's Pox spreading through Genovingia & corrupting everything from within, with no known cure or its origin.
This sinister event recalls the Torment disease of Pirody Campaign from horrors of long-past war between Imperial forces & Chaos that exist beyond just the battlefields.
As part of investigation & with hope of finding a cure, medicae & recollector Lemual Sark is sent to Symbal Iota to consult a survivor, Colonel Fege Ebhoe from Lammark Lancers. Their cryptic exchange at Saint Bastian hospice then slowly unveiled the horrifying blasphemy that had twisted the minds & despairs into corrupted devotion.
“No darkness. In a place where none came naturally, even the shadows of closed rooms were banished. Everything was bright. Perhaps you can see now why I abhor the light and cling to darkness.”
And I will never forget the sight of him, revealed at last in the light. I still believe that memory is the finest faculty we as a species own. But by the Golden Throne, there are things I wish I could never remember again.
Abnett masterfully elevates this grim story through psychological impact rather than sheer spectacle. One that’s subtle, yet deeply unsettling. It’s a memory that lingers long after my reading.
Note: I read this story from The Magos, chronologically listed as first in Eisenhorn-Inquisition series.
________________________
My Links: Instagram | Blog
March 25, 2018
Originally published in the 2001 reprint of the Deathwing anthology, this is a slowly-unfurling mystery set to the backdrop of an astonishingly virulent plague wracking Imperial worlds. As Uhlren’s Pox rampages through the Genovingia system, Lemuel Sark – a recollector, tasked with researching long-buried medical knowledge – is one of many sent out to look for a cure.
Published the same year as Xenos this feels almost like a proto-Inquisition story; Sark is more Aemos than Eisenhorn, but it’s a similar style overall. It’s a dark little story that's quietly satisfying, and well worth checking out.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/03/...
Published the same year as Xenos this feels almost like a proto-Inquisition story; Sark is more Aemos than Eisenhorn, but it’s a similar style overall. It’s a dark little story that's quietly satisfying, and well worth checking out.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/03/...
February 24, 2025
A lovely post pandemic read.
I wasn't too sure where this one was heading at first as Abnett very much keeps us in the dark to begin with. He doesn't let us know who the main character is until about chapter 3.
But....in Abnett we trust.....and this tale eventually ends up being somewhat incredibly eery in a post pandemic world. The story follows an imperial medical investigator trying to thwart a viral out break that is currently killing thousands of people that shares similarities to a previous outbreak. I love the world building that is achieved here in so small a word count and I was truly absorbed into this great little mystery.
The whole thing is worth it for the messed up ending. It will stick with you.
I wasn't too sure where this one was heading at first as Abnett very much keeps us in the dark to begin with. He doesn't let us know who the main character is until about chapter 3.
But....in Abnett we trust.....and this tale eventually ends up being somewhat incredibly eery in a post pandemic world. The story follows an imperial medical investigator trying to thwart a viral out break that is currently killing thousands of people that shares similarities to a previous outbreak. I love the world building that is achieved here in so small a word count and I was truly absorbed into this great little mystery.
The whole thing is worth it for the messed up ending. It will stick with you.
November 22, 2020
A good, dark short read this one, as we delve into the mystery of the plague, and I found the outcome quite interesting - while guessed from the get go likely Nurgle behind it all, the actual method of transmission used here was quite clever really. Not directly linked to Eisenhorn, though reading this in the Magos collection, so I'm interested to see if there is an indirect link somewhere. Also shows well that even victory comes at quite a cost in the WH40k galaxy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2018
Was told this was the first short story in the eisenhorn series (date wise). Not sure if it is (saruthi races is briefly mentioned) time and other books will tell, but a enjoyable story nonetheless
December 13, 2018
part of The Magos book
January 18, 2021
easy to read engaging short warhammer story
June 9, 2023
Bão d+
March 27, 2024
Predictable and not terribly interesting or atmospheric. The weakest thing I've read by Abnett.
December 7, 2024
Great little short story. Dan knows how to hook you immediately with a little story like this.
Reading this made me want to pick up a 40k horror story.
Has me excited for the Eisenhorn trilogy!
Reading this made me want to pick up a 40k horror story.
Has me excited for the Eisenhorn trilogy!
February 2, 2025
Solid short story giving some background on the Eisenhorn universe.
January 28, 2026
A quick entertaining short story about a space detective. Enjoyed how it reached its resolution and the atmosphere was well done. First thing I've read related to Warhammer, better than I expected.
July 10, 2014
This is definitely among the best of the best warhammer short stories.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews