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Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning #1
Empire in Chaos
In a land ravaged by plague and swarming with mutants, a young woman and her companions become swept up in an epic battle to save the Empire from its most ferocious foes - the forces of Chaos.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
5 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Reynolds
93 books169 followersAnthony Reynolds was a Games Developer and manager at Games Workshop in the UK. Since then he's written freelance for a number of companies, including Black Library Publishing, Mantic Games, THQ, Bandai-Namco, Behaviour Interactive, and River Horse Games. He currently lives in California.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anthony^Reynolds
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anthony^Reynolds
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 7, 2025
I’m giving this a 5, with the caveat that it’s a novel based on an MMORPG that is, in turn, based on a miniatures game. Considering what it is, it’s amazing.
As far as I can tell, this is a standard Warhammer Fantasy novel. I was expecting a bit of a tonal shift, given that it’s based on the MMORPG, but I didn’t notice one. If anything, it was interesting to see a classic fantasy party dynamic: a human Witch Hunter, an Elf warrior, a Priest of Sigmar, a Knight, and a Dwarf. That kind of alliance isn’t so common in the Warhammer Fantasy novels I’ve read, which distinguishes this as an adaptation of the MMORPG.
The plot was gripping and incorporated a lot of events. The origin stories of the characters are explored, and the novel offers a variety of scenes and sequences—from atmospheric battles in dark forests to epic sieges and underground dungeon crawls.
The Warhammer Old World setting felt right. It was dark, gritty, and visceral. I particularly enjoyed visiting Karak Kadrin, the Slayer Keep, home of the Slayer King.
The real strength of the novel is its characters, and I’m eager to read more about them. Annaliese, the Lady of Sigmar, was a fantastic character—the Warhammer Fantasy version of Joan of Arc. Udo Grunwald, the merciful Witch Hunter, serves as the party leader and something of a centering protagonist. Karl, a Knight of the Blazing Sun, provided an intriguing character study. Thorrik, the Dwarf Ironbreaker, was as conventional as they come, but I can’t get enough of Warhammer Fantasy Dwarfs. Eldenair, the Elf warrior, was mysterious and quiet, and while he was probably the most static of the group, this worked for his character.
Overall, the novel was well-paced, rich and varied in terms of worldbuilding and conflict, and both colorful and brutal. What more can you ask for? The story begins near Black Fire Pass and ends in Nordland, and it looks like the party is heading to Praag next. I’ll be following them there.
As far as I can tell, this is a standard Warhammer Fantasy novel. I was expecting a bit of a tonal shift, given that it’s based on the MMORPG, but I didn’t notice one. If anything, it was interesting to see a classic fantasy party dynamic: a human Witch Hunter, an Elf warrior, a Priest of Sigmar, a Knight, and a Dwarf. That kind of alliance isn’t so common in the Warhammer Fantasy novels I’ve read, which distinguishes this as an adaptation of the MMORPG.
The plot was gripping and incorporated a lot of events. The origin stories of the characters are explored, and the novel offers a variety of scenes and sequences—from atmospheric battles in dark forests to epic sieges and underground dungeon crawls.
The Warhammer Old World setting felt right. It was dark, gritty, and visceral. I particularly enjoyed visiting Karak Kadrin, the Slayer Keep, home of the Slayer King.
The real strength of the novel is its characters, and I’m eager to read more about them. Annaliese, the Lady of Sigmar, was a fantastic character—the Warhammer Fantasy version of Joan of Arc. Udo Grunwald, the merciful Witch Hunter, serves as the party leader and something of a centering protagonist. Karl, a Knight of the Blazing Sun, provided an intriguing character study. Thorrik, the Dwarf Ironbreaker, was as conventional as they come, but I can’t get enough of Warhammer Fantasy Dwarfs. Eldenair, the Elf warrior, was mysterious and quiet, and while he was probably the most static of the group, this worked for his character.
Overall, the novel was well-paced, rich and varied in terms of worldbuilding and conflict, and both colorful and brutal. What more can you ask for? The story begins near Black Fire Pass and ends in Nordland, and it looks like the party is heading to Praag next. I’ll be following them there.
September 17, 2008
For a 'novelization', which I expected to be disappointing, this was, IMHO, surprisingly good.
While I haven't read much as far as Warhammer Fantasy (focusing mostly on WH40k), I think this novel captured the grittiness, urgency(well, for the inhabitants anyway) and brutality of the setting quite well.
While I haven't read much as far as Warhammer Fantasy (focusing mostly on WH40k), I think this novel captured the grittiness, urgency(well, for the inhabitants anyway) and brutality of the setting quite well.
September 27, 2017
I was pretty impressed with this book. I didn't notice till after I grabbed it from my local used book store that it was a video game tie in. I was expecting a fat load of crap after noticing that but the book surprised me. Sure, it's just an easy genre read, but as brain candy it does it's job.
The book also does a good job at introducing a little bit of almost everything in the Warhammer fantasy world, which is pretty impressive on it's own. I'm not sure if any of these characters show up in other books or in a sequel but I'd be more than happy to read them if they do. There is a pretty good hook on the last page that deserves a whole book on its own.
The book also does a good job at introducing a little bit of almost everything in the Warhammer fantasy world, which is pretty impressive on it's own. I'm not sure if any of these characters show up in other books or in a sequel but I'd be more than happy to read them if they do. There is a pretty good hook on the last page that deserves a whole book on its own.
June 27, 2018
El libro esta bastante bien para ser una novelización del videojuego.
Muestra distintos personajes protagonistas donde todos tienen sus momentos de brillantez. Personajes bien definidos y que desempeñan a la perfección el papel para el que fueron concebidos, especial mención al enano y al cazador de brujas que son fieles reflejos de los arquetipos en ese universo.
Para los amantes de WH y que quieran disfrutar de una novela donde hay una historia sencilla pero con una gran cantidad de combates durante todo el libro
Puntuación: 3,5/5
Muestra distintos personajes protagonistas donde todos tienen sus momentos de brillantez. Personajes bien definidos y que desempeñan a la perfección el papel para el que fueron concebidos, especial mención al enano y al cazador de brujas que son fieles reflejos de los arquetipos en ese universo.
Para los amantes de WH y que quieran disfrutar de una novela donde hay una historia sencilla pero con una gran cantidad de combates durante todo el libro
Puntuación: 3,5/5
July 20, 2019
I bought this book by mistake as I usually avoid all books based on games, event games in which I spent thousands of hours ;P. But... It was much better than I expected. Interesting characters, nice plot, and this Warhammer typical atmosphere. And these fight description! Damn, they were really good, I felt like in-game or good RPG session. One thing for minus was a way too basic plot, but well its game-based book.
April 11, 2021
3,5,⭐ Libro entretenido y rápido de leer, especialmente recomendado para los amantes de Warhammer Fantasy.
Personajes bien construidos en una historia sencilla, con mucha acción y batallas bien descritas.
Personajes bien construidos en una historia sencilla, con mucha acción y batallas bien descritas.
December 24, 2024
jak czytałem pierwszy raz, dawno temu, to bardzo mi się podobała, pamiętam że chciałem wtedy czytać dalszy ciąg ale kolejne części nie powstały jeszcze. teraz mam wszystkie trzy części i zobaczę jak wypada całość. pierwszy to fajny ale bez rewelacji
March 22, 2016
Reynolds is a very good author, and has written some stories that I really enjoyed. This, sadly, wasn't one of them. To be clear, I really don't think it's the plot of the story that lets this book down; it was the absolutely abysmal editting. Countless typos, wrong words and repetition/rephrasing within concurrent sentences.
If, like me, you're a fan of Warhammer Online, this book DOES provide you with some additional information on the timeline of events, but will probably not be much more illuminating than the in-game information.
If, like me, you're a fan of Warhammer Online, this book DOES provide you with some additional information on the timeline of events, but will probably not be much more illuminating than the in-game information.
March 1, 2015
I'm going to go ahead & call this good. Made it about 20% through. It's written well, and it's a fairly quick read, but ... ugh. It's really just 'super basic plot for those who like the game, but with a WHFRP twist!' Like it just seemed to be an adventuring party coming together & fighting some bad guys. Like '80s D&D. Nothing like 40K's usual, somewhat more complex style. I get it, it's for the WAR fans, so it's meant to be simplistic, but it's a waste of Antony Reynolds' talent and my time.
June 15, 2015
I got this book somewhere for free and due to having to box up my books, I couldn't find the book the books I was reading so I read this. I wouldn't recommend it but as far as a Warhammer themed book it was ok. The ending left me a little flat which is why only 2 stars.
If you are a Warhammer fan, the author does a good job of describing the many type of characters/models from the game.
If you are a Warhammer fan, the author does a good job of describing the many type of characters/models from the game.
October 29, 2011
Amazing!
April 30, 2017
4 star for a fantasy novel............let's see we have Dwarf(whether singular or plural, still my favorite race....Bruenor anyone??? Or Flint), elf ("looks at you and sniffs!!") and of course humans (insert your favorite name here>>) and a quest that is supposed to test their mettle........WOW!!! Time to sit down and start this.........
Ok, opening chapter, we got undead attacking a human village(umm......yes good start, undead always a measure of the difficulty of opponents), human cleric/paladin introduced, elf ranger(??) comes in and both were able escape certain death, next comes a witch hunter and yey(!!) Dwarf knight(I only guess, Thorrik came out wearing a full suit of armor.....so I guess), a human knight and after some more time the whole group goes out as a team/fellowship/party.......
Ok......, so you noticed only Thorrik was named, ok...ok....we have Annaliesse(human cleric/paladin), Eldonair (elf ranger), Udo(witch hunter), Karl(human knight)......I think I got them all, the problem with reading warhammer fantasy is the names, most of them reads and feel like german.......
So, continuing our party races to their destination, each preoccupied with personal problems, and upon reaching their destination, they see the forces arrayed against them, of course after a tremendous battle against impossible odds, I was wondering where and how the writer was going to save the party.......and here comes the cavalry..........I think in reading this one, you will understand why I was particularly unhappy with the climax....hence the negative one star......
This is a good entry level for a beginner of fantasy, not a lot of subplots, straight to the point story, and a what we call saving grace ending........sighhhhhhhhh...........Sigmar could have..........next book please!!!
Ok, opening chapter, we got undead attacking a human village(umm......yes good start, undead always a measure of the difficulty of opponents), human cleric/paladin introduced, elf ranger(??) comes in and both were able escape certain death, next comes a witch hunter and yey(!!) Dwarf knight(I only guess, Thorrik came out wearing a full suit of armor.....so I guess), a human knight and after some more time the whole group goes out as a team/fellowship/party.......
Ok......, so you noticed only Thorrik was named, ok...ok....we have Annaliesse(human cleric/paladin), Eldonair (elf ranger), Udo(witch hunter), Karl(human knight)......I think I got them all, the problem with reading warhammer fantasy is the names, most of them reads and feel like german.......
So, continuing our party races to their destination, each preoccupied with personal problems, and upon reaching their destination, they see the forces arrayed against them, of course after a tremendous battle against impossible odds, I was wondering where and how the writer was going to save the party.......and here comes the cavalry..........I think in reading this one, you will understand why I was particularly unhappy with the climax....hence the negative one star......
This is a good entry level for a beginner of fantasy, not a lot of subplots, straight to the point story, and a what we call saving grace ending........sighhhhhhhhh...........Sigmar could have..........next book please!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews