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Necromunda
Terminal Overkill: Necromunda
A Necromunda novel.
When full-scale gang war erupts between Houses Goliath and Escher, Brielle of the Wild Hydras finds herself on the run and desperate for revenge....
Listen to it because....
Delve into the darkest reaches of the underhive in a tale of vengeance, ambition and gruesome deeds from Necromunda's underhive.
The story....
In the polluted, sprawling hive cities of Necromunda, life is short. From the decadent heights of the Spire to the murderous deeps of the underhive, those on the climb must be bold and brutal, or face a violent end.
When the barbarous Fettnir, Goliath overlord of the Chemfall Butchers, turns his attention to Escher territory, the result is nothing short of a massacre.
Brielle of the Wild Hydras escapes the slaughter and is cast into the deepest levels of the underhive.
Determined to avenge her family, Brielle vows that she will end those responsible, but to reach Fettnir and the bounty hunter who murdered her mother, she must first survive...and the darkness is full of horrors.
Written by Justin D Hill. Running time 9 hours and 5 minutes. Narrated by Emma Noakes.
When full-scale gang war erupts between Houses Goliath and Escher, Brielle of the Wild Hydras finds herself on the run and desperate for revenge....
Listen to it because....
Delve into the darkest reaches of the underhive in a tale of vengeance, ambition and gruesome deeds from Necromunda's underhive.
The story....
In the polluted, sprawling hive cities of Necromunda, life is short. From the decadent heights of the Spire to the murderous deeps of the underhive, those on the climb must be bold and brutal, or face a violent end.
When the barbarous Fettnir, Goliath overlord of the Chemfall Butchers, turns his attention to Escher territory, the result is nothing short of a massacre.
Brielle of the Wild Hydras escapes the slaughter and is cast into the deepest levels of the underhive.
Determined to avenge her family, Brielle vows that she will end those responsible, but to reach Fettnir and the bounty hunter who murdered her mother, she must first survive...and the darkness is full of horrors.
Written by Justin D Hill. Running time 9 hours and 5 minutes. Narrated by Emma Noakes.
Audible Audio
First published September 3, 2019
18 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Justin D. Hill
50 books65 followersJustin is a long-time Astra Militarum player with a trophy cabinet of painting and gaming awards. He now leads his Imperial Fists into the hell of the Horus Heresy.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 14, 2021
Really should be subtitled: Diary of a Escher Queen. Diary isn't really my favorite genre, but I did enjoy this book & Brielle is a fun character. I don't like the cover as it doesn't really portray anything from the book.
January 28, 2020
“The past cannot see you. But the future can. Who holds the future, there lies real power.”
Justin D. Hill’s first Necromunda novel tells a delightfully personal, relatable and all-out grimdark story of the young Brielle from House Escher – that exclusively female Hive Clan specialising in poisons and chemicals and generally getting up close and personal with the countless rival bands. In essence, it is a tale recounted entirely in the first person by the woman herself to... whom? Wait for the very end to find out...
Either way, it is exactly this manner of narration which makes Terminal Overkill one of those books where the readers aren’t simply the detached onlookers at best but feel like they’re right there by the protagonist’s side and in the very midst of the action. This is a gripping chronicle of a brave, ambitious and highly determined hive girl’s life path replete with numerous losses, hardships and tempts – not all of which are that easy to overcome even for a person used to them literally from birth. On her years-long journey, mostly forced to rely on nobody but herself and to draw strength from her proud legacy and righteous thirst for vengeance, Brielle of the Wild Hydras manages not just to stay alive without the benefit of some deus ex machina – which given her background is an impressive feat in its own right – but also to achieve her goals and create her own Escher warband along the way. The larger part of the book sees Brielle’s fate hang on quite a thin thread, but fortunately she has an admirable knack for always learning from friends and foes alike – if not always the heavy cost of ambition and victory. And .
The author’s strong, dynamic style and his impressive attention to the minutest details enriching the setting, together with the trademark (far)futuristic Wild West vibes, all serve to create a powerful feeling of what a daily (or should I say cycle-y?) existence in the Underhive is like… Undoubtedly it’s the least desirable sort of living in the already ruthless Imperium of Man; and, since the Necromunda fans must also have a pretty accurate idea of what being a typical specimen of the ruling Houses means, this striking contrast between the “up and down” is – come to think of it – turned up to eleven. Along with the hugely engaging protagonist the book offers up a whole gallery of unforgettable characters, and even though each one of them – no matter good or bad or in-between – is only a spark of life in the depths of a crumbling dystopian megalopolis, their stubborn perseverance and sheer grit speak volumes about humanity at large. After all, there’s a good reason for Necromunda to be one of the Imperial Fists Chapter recruiting worlds!
To be honest, I’d initially expected a bit more twists and turns from the Terminal Overkill plot (as well as for Brielle’s twin brother to get more story time), yet still I greatly appreciated this in no way ordinary tale with its unmistakable hints at a sequel that I strongly feel is already underway. And I’m pretty sure that I’m going to enjoy that one as well...
Justin D. Hill’s first Necromunda novel tells a delightfully personal, relatable and all-out grimdark story of the young Brielle from House Escher – that exclusively female Hive Clan specialising in poisons and chemicals and generally getting up close and personal with the countless rival bands. In essence, it is a tale recounted entirely in the first person by the woman herself to... whom? Wait for the very end to find out...
Either way, it is exactly this manner of narration which makes Terminal Overkill one of those books where the readers aren’t simply the detached onlookers at best but feel like they’re right there by the protagonist’s side and in the very midst of the action. This is a gripping chronicle of a brave, ambitious and highly determined hive girl’s life path replete with numerous losses, hardships and tempts – not all of which are that easy to overcome even for a person used to them literally from birth. On her years-long journey, mostly forced to rely on nobody but herself and to draw strength from her proud legacy and righteous thirst for vengeance, Brielle of the Wild Hydras manages not just to stay alive without the benefit of some deus ex machina – which given her background is an impressive feat in its own right – but also to achieve her goals and create her own Escher warband along the way. The larger part of the book sees Brielle’s fate hang on quite a thin thread, but fortunately she has an admirable knack for always learning from friends and foes alike – if not always the heavy cost of ambition and victory. And .
The author’s strong, dynamic style and his impressive attention to the minutest details enriching the setting, together with the trademark (far)futuristic Wild West vibes, all serve to create a powerful feeling of what a daily (or should I say cycle-y?) existence in the Underhive is like… Undoubtedly it’s the least desirable sort of living in the already ruthless Imperium of Man; and, since the Necromunda fans must also have a pretty accurate idea of what being a typical specimen of the ruling Houses means, this striking contrast between the “up and down” is – come to think of it – turned up to eleven. Along with the hugely engaging protagonist the book offers up a whole gallery of unforgettable characters, and even though each one of them – no matter good or bad or in-between – is only a spark of life in the depths of a crumbling dystopian megalopolis, their stubborn perseverance and sheer grit speak volumes about humanity at large. After all, there’s a good reason for Necromunda to be one of the Imperial Fists Chapter recruiting worlds!
To be honest, I’d initially expected a bit more twists and turns from the Terminal Overkill plot (as well as for Brielle’s twin brother to get more story time), yet still I greatly appreciated this in no way ordinary tale with its unmistakable hints at a sequel that I strongly feel is already underway. And I’m pretty sure that I’m going to enjoy that one as well...
January 3, 2020
What do you get when you mix western gunslinger movies with mad max and judge Dredd? A mess but a maliciously tasty one.
Terminal overkill was a surprise for me, I have to point out from the start that the title sucks, not only does it make little sense to me but it comes across as one of the social media games that say; your month of birth is the first word and the last number of your birth year is the second, hazah your band name is maniacal slaughter. It really does not do the quality of the story any justice.
Speaking off the story lets jump right in; it is a classic story and heroes arch done right. Without spoiling to much this is a story of falling from grace as low as one can go, refusing to die and against all odds rising up to take back what was yours by birth, earning it back long after all have assumed you had died. If that sounds somewhat familiar to the premise of the lion king, your absolutely right. Unlike the lion king though, this is Necromunda so no kind pseudo parents here but raw survival and it makes for a great hero's arch.
the characters are easy to like and picture, in particular the main character Brielle is a fun and likeable figure one can not help but root for as she struggles and fights for her little inch in this uncaring universe. However for all of the Necromunda stuff I have read, I still have some trouble picturing their universe. Not the spires and underhive nor the upper hive city but rather the lower hives were the gangers live and fight. There is something about this hive city structure that I simply can't wrap my head around how it all works. Not only the world as in how do towns look like in this near the underhive setting (I can't help but picture these as westerns gunslinger towns but somehow in the belly of a gargantuan spire city) but also their society. To what extent are gangers such as those from house Esher a workforce and to what extent a gang? House Goliath is shown to be both or at least a portion of them is represented as part time fighters and laborors but Esher? All they do it seems is fight, train, gather equipment, collect taxes ahum protection fees and bicker. In this story we are told that their gang originated from a distillery workforce some of whom had enough and became gangers of their house, that is all fine but how can they afford it? Who does the actual work? It is with house Esher and Delaque that I really struggle with picturing this relation in my head.
Gosh I got a bit off track there didn't I? Back to this book. I believe it is by far the best of Necromunda stories out there and perhaps one of the 40K top books I have read in a while and it is refreshing to have a setting in 40k that does not include space marines, orcs, the warp and all that galaxy wide cosmic stuff, A lot of fun and a good read.
Terminal overkill was a surprise for me, I have to point out from the start that the title sucks, not only does it make little sense to me but it comes across as one of the social media games that say; your month of birth is the first word and the last number of your birth year is the second, hazah your band name is maniacal slaughter. It really does not do the quality of the story any justice.
Speaking off the story lets jump right in; it is a classic story and heroes arch done right. Without spoiling to much this is a story of falling from grace as low as one can go, refusing to die and against all odds rising up to take back what was yours by birth, earning it back long after all have assumed you had died. If that sounds somewhat familiar to the premise of the lion king, your absolutely right. Unlike the lion king though, this is Necromunda so no kind pseudo parents here but raw survival and it makes for a great hero's arch.
the characters are easy to like and picture, in particular the main character Brielle is a fun and likeable figure one can not help but root for as she struggles and fights for her little inch in this uncaring universe. However for all of the Necromunda stuff I have read, I still have some trouble picturing their universe. Not the spires and underhive nor the upper hive city but rather the lower hives were the gangers live and fight. There is something about this hive city structure that I simply can't wrap my head around how it all works. Not only the world as in how do towns look like in this near the underhive setting (I can't help but picture these as westerns gunslinger towns but somehow in the belly of a gargantuan spire city) but also their society. To what extent are gangers such as those from house Esher a workforce and to what extent a gang? House Goliath is shown to be both or at least a portion of them is represented as part time fighters and laborors but Esher? All they do it seems is fight, train, gather equipment, collect taxes ahum protection fees and bicker. In this story we are told that their gang originated from a distillery workforce some of whom had enough and became gangers of their house, that is all fine but how can they afford it? Who does the actual work? It is with house Esher and Delaque that I really struggle with picturing this relation in my head.
Gosh I got a bit off track there didn't I? Back to this book. I believe it is by far the best of Necromunda stories out there and perhaps one of the 40K top books I have read in a while and it is refreshing to have a setting in 40k that does not include space marines, orcs, the warp and all that galaxy wide cosmic stuff, A lot of fun and a good read.
November 17, 2019
You can’t keep a good woman down
This is a wide-ranging account of one woman’s journey through the Underhive, from life as the daughter of a successful leader to mere existence as a slave - and back again. The descriptions of the Underhive are so vivid that I frequently felt claustrophobic, and the battle scenes are fast-paced and breathtaking. I’m looking forward to finding out what’s next for Brielle!
This is a wide-ranging account of one woman’s journey through the Underhive, from life as the daughter of a successful leader to mere existence as a slave - and back again. The descriptions of the Underhive are so vivid that I frequently felt claustrophobic, and the battle scenes are fast-paced and breathtaking. I’m looking forward to finding out what’s next for Brielle!
January 3, 2020
Necromunda is a really great setting. I read the Underhive collection and really enjoyed it so of course I would have to check out a full length novel.
This novel has a very different feel than the short story comp, which blended cyberpunk and western in a pulpy fashion.
Necromunda is an oppressively bleak setting. What this novel accomplishes really well in the first 3 of 5 parts is that. There is a constant sense of disgust, of suffocation and cruelty. It is some of the best atmosphere I have read. Given that it takes place in the collapsing bottom of a mountain sized city it really got the feel down. You feel trapped and like you are being suffocated by concrete. My only complaint about this part is that maybe its too bleak. It was admirable written but maybe not fun to actually read? However, I did think the first 3/5 of the book were very good.
The reason for the 3 and 4 not out for 5 is the following. Parts 4&5 really felt like they took a nosedive quality wise. I think the protagonists return to her home and rise to power feels flimsy. It just doesn’t have the same atmosphere and feels very contrived. The conclusion has a nice bittersweet feel, but I felt like all the creativity was in the characters decent and trier rebirth and revenge so to speak felt easy and by the numbers.
Still if you like revenge story and the idea of cyberpunk meets western it’s a decent read.
This novel has a very different feel than the short story comp, which blended cyberpunk and western in a pulpy fashion.
Necromunda is an oppressively bleak setting. What this novel accomplishes really well in the first 3 of 5 parts is that. There is a constant sense of disgust, of suffocation and cruelty. It is some of the best atmosphere I have read. Given that it takes place in the collapsing bottom of a mountain sized city it really got the feel down. You feel trapped and like you are being suffocated by concrete. My only complaint about this part is that maybe its too bleak. It was admirable written but maybe not fun to actually read? However, I did think the first 3/5 of the book were very good.
The reason for the 3 and 4 not out for 5 is the following. Parts 4&5 really felt like they took a nosedive quality wise. I think the protagonists return to her home and rise to power feels flimsy. It just doesn’t have the same atmosphere and feels very contrived. The conclusion has a nice bittersweet feel, but I felt like all the creativity was in the characters decent and trier rebirth and revenge so to speak felt easy and by the numbers.
Still if you like revenge story and the idea of cyberpunk meets western it’s a decent read.
May 17, 2020
This book suffers a lot from the presentation. The cover is pretty generic, the title is meaningless and the back cover blurb manages to both spoil where it shouldn't and also not mention some of the more interesting appeal of the story itself.
In contrast to many other Necromunda-set titles, this is less about the constant gang warfare (though there is plenty of that anyway) and more about a single character's journey, about what oddities they encounter and how they are shaped by these meetings.
If I were to set a few negatives here, there are several rather odd similies sprinkled throughout, and the narrator does end chapters being knocked out to reawaken later a few times too many.
In contrast to many other Necromunda-set titles, this is less about the constant gang warfare (though there is plenty of that anyway) and more about a single character's journey, about what oddities they encounter and how they are shaped by these meetings.
If I were to set a few negatives here, there are several rather odd similies sprinkled throughout, and the narrator does end chapters being knocked out to reawaken later a few times too many.
August 12, 2020
Justin D. Hill’s Necromunda novel Terminal Overkill is a grim tale of survival and the search for revenge, which leans hard on the darker side of life in the underhive. The Wild Hydras of House Escher scraped a living controlling territory in the Dim Zone bordering the underhive, until the rise of brutal Goliath overlord Fettnir and the death of their leader, Red Tori. Escaping into the darkness of the underhive, Brielle – teenage daughter of Red Tori – must first learn to survive on her own, before clawing her way back to a position from where she might strike back against Fettnir and claim revenge for what he took from her.
Taking place over a number of years, it’s essentially a coming of age story. With a lot to pack in the pacing feels a little strange at times, dwelling for much of the book on grim moments of pain and desperation before racing through the build-up to Brielle’s long-desired revenge in an action-packed final third. In the end it pays off though, with the plot neatly coming full circle as Brielle steps up to essentially reclaim her birthright, having survived everything the underhive could throw at her. All told this offers something a little bit different for Necromunda fans. Just be prepared for some really unpleasant moments…and lots of spiders!
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/08/...
Taking place over a number of years, it’s essentially a coming of age story. With a lot to pack in the pacing feels a little strange at times, dwelling for much of the book on grim moments of pain and desperation before racing through the build-up to Brielle’s long-desired revenge in an action-packed final third. In the end it pays off though, with the plot neatly coming full circle as Brielle steps up to essentially reclaim her birthright, having survived everything the underhive could throw at her. All told this offers something a little bit different for Necromunda fans. Just be prepared for some really unpleasant moments…and lots of spiders!
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/08/...
March 9, 2021
Blood-thirsty action-packed dungeon crawl through the dystopian compost heap of the near-apocalyptic Warhammer 40k 'verse. While intended to be distant in time and space (40K after all) the grimy struggles of the protagonist against gangers, mercenary assassins, and mutants. Yet our girl is something of a mutant herself. It's a rich setting, an intricate tapestry of triumph and tragedy. The only point of dissatisfaction for me is the lack of romantic passion for our protagonist, but that's to be expected of most Warhammer stories because most characters just don't have time for that.
July 16, 2020
I never knew Hive Primus had such a problem with spiders...
Well, it's not the most well written book around. It certainly won't win any high brow prices. But it's quite an easy read and I did have a hard time putting it down, so that should at least count for something.
The first few parts are the most interesting, and I've noticed I share this view with others. The parts spent in the underhive. The author paints a bleek and horrid picture of the forlorn and derelict, and frankly I loved it.
Though as a reader with a background in the tabletop game which the book is based (which I'd think goes for the vast majority of it's readers..) on it feels more like the sump and hive bottom than the underhive. But that might be nit picking, and I do love the setting and overall sense of hopelessness and the crushing weight of the hive.
The last few parts are, well, not as interesting. The story feels a bit rushed, but it has a few nice highlights.
Contrary to many others, I quite like the ending. It's not without irony.
But seriously, whats up with all the spiders?
Well, it's not the most well written book around. It certainly won't win any high brow prices. But it's quite an easy read and I did have a hard time putting it down, so that should at least count for something.
The first few parts are the most interesting, and I've noticed I share this view with others. The parts spent in the underhive. The author paints a bleek and horrid picture of the forlorn and derelict, and frankly I loved it.
Though as a reader with a background in the tabletop game which the book is based (which I'd think goes for the vast majority of it's readers..) on it feels more like the sump and hive bottom than the underhive. But that might be nit picking, and I do love the setting and overall sense of hopelessness and the crushing weight of the hive.
The last few parts are, well, not as interesting. The story feels a bit rushed, but it has a few nice highlights.
Contrary to many others, I quite like the ending. It's not without irony.
But seriously, whats up with all the spiders?
January 20, 2020
Terminal Overkill is the story of a young girl, her life in the Underhive and her quest to avenge the death of her family.
I really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of following the adventures of someone in the Underhive who loses everything. The pacing can be quite fast at times but at least it is never boring.
I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to delve into Necromunda. It's a great first read for that Ip.
I really enjoyed this book. I love the idea of following the adventures of someone in the Underhive who loses everything. The pacing can be quite fast at times but at least it is never boring.
I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to delve into Necromunda. It's a great first read for that Ip.
February 28, 2020
Dark and gritty, even by 40k universe standards; but in a far more subtle way than most authors. Highly recommended.
January 19, 2021
Super brutal and gory! Fun steampunk / sci fi, plot could have been better and was predictable; however, fun nonetheless
February 5, 2021
Enjoyed it. Simple Story Godd Characters.
June 5, 2022
Bättre än mycket annat i 40k-universat.
February 8, 2020
Was a fun read, seemed to slow in the 2nd and 3rd part but the rest was great.
Wasn't too pleased with the ending, didn't wrap up so good, maybe they'll carry it on to another book
Wasn't too pleased with the ending, didn't wrap up so good, maybe they'll carry it on to another book
August 24, 2021
In the truest sense, this book was OK. The episodic nature of the narrative means that nothing is really handled in any great depth, and towards the end of the book in particular there is a LOT of repetition in the descriptions of things. In particular, things are describes as "foul smelling" so often that it really may be as well for the reader to just assume everything smells terrible.
If you're a fan of Necromunda - as I am - there is plenty to enjoy in a simple adventure hijinx sort of way, but that is really the whole depth of it.
If you're a fan of Necromunda - as I am - there is plenty to enjoy in a simple adventure hijinx sort of way, but that is really the whole depth of it.
October 26, 2020
3,5 stars.
Good content. First half of the book (underhive) is excellent! Dark,gritty, makes want to hold your breath. The second half feels like it was written very fast as if a deadline had to be met. Which is a pity because Mr. Hill is much better than this. Well, what can you do? I am still a fan looking forward to the next book by the author!
Terrible book cover though. Terrible!!!
Good content. First half of the book (underhive) is excellent! Dark,gritty, makes want to hold your breath. The second half feels like it was written very fast as if a deadline had to be met. Which is a pity because Mr. Hill is much better than this. Well, what can you do? I am still a fan looking forward to the next book by the author!
Terrible book cover though. Terrible!!!
November 23, 2023
Gritty and claustrophobic in places, epic in others this book is Necromunda in a nutshell. Fantastic stuff. I was both delighted and horrifies by Scrape. Definitely one for Necromunda fans but I would also recommend it as a great read even for the uninitiated
May 1, 2020
OK book. Had some pacing problems.
August 26, 2023
More weird pacing. Gross descriptions of the Underhive got me through.
December 18, 2023
I think this overtakes Junktion for best Necromuda novel in my opinion.
Read
July 25, 2025DNF at a bit over 50%. Just didn’t grab me and characters weren’t for me
November 23, 2025
Great descriptions of the Underhive, loved reading about the Eschers, just generally enjoyed. Light read, I zoned in and out without missing major plot points.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews