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Sigmar's Blood
A great darkness has fallen over the land of Sylvania, and monsters are abroad... When an artefact of unholy power and evil is stolen from the Imperial Palace itself, Grand Theogonist Volkmar leads a crusade of the faithful into the benighted realm of the vampire counts to confront and destroy the source of the darkness: Mannfred von Carstein. With the aid of an embittered witch hunter and a senile old wizard, Volkmar faces the dread forces of the undead even though he knows it means his own end...
Sigmar's Blood is a novella by Phil Kelly, expanding on the story told in the Warhammer Campaign Book, Sigmar's Blood.
Sigmar's Blood is a novella by Phil Kelly, expanding on the story told in the Warhammer Campaign Book, Sigmar's Blood.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Phil Kelly
86 books58 followersPhil Kelly (born 1977) is the Creative Lead for 'Warhammer: Age of Sigmar' in the Games Workshop design studio.
He has written over 60 gaming books in the last twenty years.
He has also written several Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar and Warhammer Horror books and audio dramas for Black Library.
Librarian Note: there is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He has written over 60 gaming books in the last twenty years.
He has also written several Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar and Warhammer Horror books and audio dramas for Black Library.
Librarian Note: there is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 26, 2014
Sigmar's Blood is one interesting little novella that incorporates much of what makes Warhammer Fantasy such an excellent universe, but at times the read can be a tad jumpy and overfilled with characters.
Mannfred Von Carstein is hell-bent on reclaiming the land of Sylvania and a crusade comprised of only the most devout followers of their various religions has a chance of stemming this evil. At the forefront of the crusade is Grand Theogonist Volkmar, who at times seems to have the ability to shoot out bolts of pure faith in order to banish the undead or heal the wounded. Volkmar was a strong character, but my favorite was the battle entrenched witch hunter, Von Korden. Von Korden barely slows or takes a rest in his pursuit to destroy one of Carstein's allies, a Necromancer named Ghorst. We find out later that Von Korden is so driven because he is seeking retribution for the murder of his family.
The opening description of the Necromancer Ghorst is especially noteworthy and I think it really exemplifies Phil Kelly's imaginative writing ability which is the strength throughout the novel focused on the gory details of battle and the undead. Ghorst is literally dragged in on a rotting bone carriage, pulled stuttering across the lands by hitched-up undead. Inside the carriage are mounds of putrefied and still squirming corpses, all the while Ghorst is singing a song and a bell on the carriage is tolling out.
Next is Jovi Sunscryer a powerful wizard of the Light Order and his two acolytes. Wait what, more characters? Yes, more characters, there are tons more characters in this novella of only one-hundred and twenty some odd pages. Flagellants, Crusaders, Mercenaries, The Silver Bullets, Knights of the Blazing Sun, Sigmar's Sons, Tattersouls, a group of militia men from The Drunken Goat, Reiksguard, and a few Royal Altdorf Gryphites. The funny thing is the number of men from these accompaniments only total around a hundred and ten or so and I think we are introduced to about half of them.
The other disorienting bit in Sigmar's Blood for me is the battle locations. We are continually jumping from one ruined site to another in some semi-epic confrontation with the undead but I'm never really sure how anyone ended up there.
Despite these small annoyances, Sigmar's Blood is actually a real treat to read. Beautifully graphic descriptions of decay, death, and gore. A solid, fast paced read from one scene to the next, if a bit jumpy. Then the ending, another Black Library story that leaves so damn many strings left either uncut or that simply fall out of the readers hands into the lands of imagination. Sigmar's Blood is most definitely worth the read if you can stomach a few minor faults.
Mannfred Von Carstein is hell-bent on reclaiming the land of Sylvania and a crusade comprised of only the most devout followers of their various religions has a chance of stemming this evil. At the forefront of the crusade is Grand Theogonist Volkmar, who at times seems to have the ability to shoot out bolts of pure faith in order to banish the undead or heal the wounded. Volkmar was a strong character, but my favorite was the battle entrenched witch hunter, Von Korden. Von Korden barely slows or takes a rest in his pursuit to destroy one of Carstein's allies, a Necromancer named Ghorst. We find out later that Von Korden is so driven because he is seeking retribution for the murder of his family.
The opening description of the Necromancer Ghorst is especially noteworthy and I think it really exemplifies Phil Kelly's imaginative writing ability which is the strength throughout the novel focused on the gory details of battle and the undead. Ghorst is literally dragged in on a rotting bone carriage, pulled stuttering across the lands by hitched-up undead. Inside the carriage are mounds of putrefied and still squirming corpses, all the while Ghorst is singing a song and a bell on the carriage is tolling out.
Next is Jovi Sunscryer a powerful wizard of the Light Order and his two acolytes. Wait what, more characters? Yes, more characters, there are tons more characters in this novella of only one-hundred and twenty some odd pages. Flagellants, Crusaders, Mercenaries, The Silver Bullets, Knights of the Blazing Sun, Sigmar's Sons, Tattersouls, a group of militia men from The Drunken Goat, Reiksguard, and a few Royal Altdorf Gryphites. The funny thing is the number of men from these accompaniments only total around a hundred and ten or so and I think we are introduced to about half of them.
The other disorienting bit in Sigmar's Blood for me is the battle locations. We are continually jumping from one ruined site to another in some semi-epic confrontation with the undead but I'm never really sure how anyone ended up there.
Despite these small annoyances, Sigmar's Blood is actually a real treat to read. Beautifully graphic descriptions of decay, death, and gore. A solid, fast paced read from one scene to the next, if a bit jumpy. Then the ending, another Black Library story that leaves so damn many strings left either uncut or that simply fall out of the readers hands into the lands of imagination. Sigmar's Blood is most definitely worth the read if you can stomach a few minor faults.
February 19, 2014
Well this was an interesting reading.
I don't know why but I last year was the year I read less Black Library books. I love the setting, so I really don't know. Maybe this year will change. There are a lot of books I want to read, Dark Disciple, 13th Legion, Skarsnik, Headtaker, Zombieslayer, Valkia, Wulfrik, The Red Duke and three hundred more. But as I said, it was not planned my away but things will change.
I read Dreadfleet in 2011 by the same author and I really enjoyed it. A novel in the seas, which is not the usual; the only one I can remember features sea battles was Fell Cargo by Dan Abnett in a time that Pirates of Carabean was in spotlights.
In this novel we follow several characters, each chapter a different one, that converge in the finale. We've got Volkmar the Grim the Grand Theogonist of the Cult of Sigmar, Von Korden a savage witch hunter and Sunscreyer a magic-user.
This book reads as a tabletop game, and that's where it fails. You've got Manfredd who has proclaimed himself ruler of Sylvania and the Emperor instead of sending some troops sends Volkmar, a bunch of zealots, state troopers, Knights of Blazing Sun, Reiskguard, three Gryphs, some musketeers and two artilery pieces. One Hundred guys to destroy one of the most powerful Vampire? Hard to assimilate. But as game rules each army Manfredd sent never had more than hundred skeletons, bats and the such. So, as you read this line, I say yes. Open a box of the Empire and the Vampire Counts and battle. It's the same.
Well, at least until the end it was not so good. Besides Von Korden most of characters are just there. Ok Volkmar is also displayed nicely and the magic-users could have been name Ricewind and his two pals. They are comic as hell.
The end was very interesting.
Usually when you read a warhammer or 40k book it's like, someone is wining but you know in the grand-scale of things nothing happens. No matter what armies orks, skaven or chaos throws against the Empire they are doomed to failed. The Empire just exists to protects his lands and thwarted the evil tribes. Kislev only exists to be destroyed again and again. Brettonia are almost no existence and the high elves help humankind, hate the dark elves (that are always scheming to destroy them) and then the dwarves - always fighting the skaven and orcs and helping the feeble Empire. The Tombkings exist to be there. Nothing more than that.
After reading this, you wonder so... what's go about it? Well you've go to read a book or two to understand and love. The setting is great. Grim and despair rules it's pages. There is always someone darker than you. There are few "white" knights. And most of all some books have the best portrayals of evil characters as main characters. That's really uncommon. C L Werner in that area is the lord and king.
But on this tale the finale blow me away... it's a spoiler so...
I don't know why but I last year was the year I read less Black Library books. I love the setting, so I really don't know. Maybe this year will change. There are a lot of books I want to read, Dark Disciple, 13th Legion, Skarsnik, Headtaker, Zombieslayer, Valkia, Wulfrik, The Red Duke and three hundred more. But as I said, it was not planned my away but things will change.
I read Dreadfleet in 2011 by the same author and I really enjoyed it. A novel in the seas, which is not the usual; the only one I can remember features sea battles was Fell Cargo by Dan Abnett in a time that Pirates of Carabean was in spotlights.
In this novel we follow several characters, each chapter a different one, that converge in the finale. We've got Volkmar the Grim the Grand Theogonist of the Cult of Sigmar, Von Korden a savage witch hunter and Sunscreyer a magic-user.
This book reads as a tabletop game, and that's where it fails. You've got Manfredd who has proclaimed himself ruler of Sylvania and the Emperor instead of sending some troops sends Volkmar, a bunch of zealots, state troopers, Knights of Blazing Sun, Reiskguard, three Gryphs, some musketeers and two artilery pieces. One Hundred guys to destroy one of the most powerful Vampire? Hard to assimilate. But as game rules each army Manfredd sent never had more than hundred skeletons, bats and the such. So, as you read this line, I say yes. Open a box of the Empire and the Vampire Counts and battle. It's the same.
Well, at least until the end it was not so good. Besides Von Korden most of characters are just there. Ok Volkmar is also displayed nicely and the magic-users could have been name Ricewind and his two pals. They are comic as hell.
The end was very interesting.
Usually when you read a warhammer or 40k book it's like, someone is wining but you know in the grand-scale of things nothing happens. No matter what armies orks, skaven or chaos throws against the Empire they are doomed to failed. The Empire just exists to protects his lands and thwarted the evil tribes. Kislev only exists to be destroyed again and again. Brettonia are almost no existence and the high elves help humankind, hate the dark elves (that are always scheming to destroy them) and then the dwarves - always fighting the skaven and orcs and helping the feeble Empire. The Tombkings exist to be there. Nothing more than that.
After reading this, you wonder so... what's go about it? Well you've go to read a book or two to understand and love. The setting is great. Grim and despair rules it's pages. There is always someone darker than you. There are few "white" knights. And most of all some books have the best portrayals of evil characters as main characters. That's really uncommon. C L Werner in that area is the lord and king.
But on this tale the finale blow me away... it's a spoiler so...
September 28, 2020
Surprisingly poignant.
This bit - after a Witch Hunter is attacked at his home base:
‘You bastards!’ cried von Korden, kicking the stonework of the well so hard a part of it crumbled down into the darkness. He threw the shattered table leg across the room, and it clattered in the corner. ‘You’ll pay for what you did to us!’ he shouted, tears stinging in his eyes. He slumped into what remained of his armchair, hand questing for the cameo portrait that hung next to his heart. With his wife’s pig gone, the necklace was all that was left of the old days. It was the last remnant of the farm they had loved so much. Even Alberich von Korden – the man he had been – had died a long time ago.
‘Lynn, my dear,’ he gasped as he pried open the jewelled image, ‘Oh, Lynn, I’m sorry… I’m sorry I was too late to save the girls.’ Alberich shut his eyes hard, fighting to stay in control as a decade of suppressed emotion roiled inside. ‘I’m so sorry I never told you that I needed you, my love.’
This bit - after a Witch Hunter is attacked at his home base:
‘You bastards!’ cried von Korden, kicking the stonework of the well so hard a part of it crumbled down into the darkness. He threw the shattered table leg across the room, and it clattered in the corner. ‘You’ll pay for what you did to us!’ he shouted, tears stinging in his eyes. He slumped into what remained of his armchair, hand questing for the cameo portrait that hung next to his heart. With his wife’s pig gone, the necklace was all that was left of the old days. It was the last remnant of the farm they had loved so much. Even Alberich von Korden – the man he had been – had died a long time ago.
‘Lynn, my dear,’ he gasped as he pried open the jewelled image, ‘Oh, Lynn, I’m sorry… I’m sorry I was too late to save the girls.’ Alberich shut his eyes hard, fighting to stay in control as a decade of suppressed emotion roiled inside. ‘I’m so sorry I never told you that I needed you, my love.’
August 6, 2019
Interesting start to the End Times.
This is decent standalone novel but the beginnings of a vast project It tells the story of Manfred von Carstein seceding the province of Sylvania from the Empire and the Crusade of the Faithful that is the response.
The fight scenes are quite well handled though there are a couple of deus ex machina moments which push it even in fantasy. The writing is easy on the eye and you can consume large amounts in a single reading.
This is decent standalone novel but the beginnings of a vast project It tells the story of Manfred von Carstein seceding the province of Sylvania from the Empire and the Crusade of the Faithful that is the response.
The fight scenes are quite well handled though there are a couple of deus ex machina moments which push it even in fantasy. The writing is easy on the eye and you can consume large amounts in a single reading.
November 23, 2022
And so it begins...again.
When the End Times first emerged, I'm sure I read them all but alas my memory fails me.
So I have chosen to retread the path once trodden; it's sights, smells and sounds ringing bells long silenced.
When the End Times first emerged, I'm sure I read them all but alas my memory fails me.
So I have chosen to retread the path once trodden; it's sights, smells and sounds ringing bells long silenced.
July 7, 2023
Es una novela corta, que relata la batalla entre las fuerzas del imperio encontra de los Lords de la Noche y sus huestes de la muerte. Le doy un 100 de 100, creo que es un buen libro, si bien no me cambio la vida, tiene mucha acción y esta muy bien escrito.
July 16, 2020
This was a good little novel I enjoyed the story and it was cool seeing Manfred's character fleshed out more rather than just a bloodthirsty servant of Nagash
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2021
This is something I needed after the first Archaon book killed me. Fun fantasy read, enjoyed it all the way through.
December 16, 2025
Too many characters for such a short story.
May 25, 2015
Ouch. A couple of stand-out characters, but I kept getting so bored I'd get them mixed up, so I guess not really THAT stand-out. This could have been interesting if a little better organized. As it is it just feels like a running battle and a bunch of really disparate characters that never gel into their own identities.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews