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Warhammer: The End Times #2
The Fall of Altdorf
The End Times are coming. With the hordes of Chaos marshalling in the north, Emperor Karl Franz leads his armies in defence of his realm. But when the worst happens and the Emperor is lost, it falls to Reiksmarshal Kurt Helborg to return to Altdorf, capital of the Empire, and prepare to meet the forces of the Ruinous Powers in a final battle for that ancient city. As plague spreads and the defences weaken, all seems lost, until help arrives from a most unexpected source... if Helborg can bring himself to accept it.
The second book in the End Times series is one no Warhammer fan can afford to miss. The Fall of Altdorf depicts the final siege of the greatest city in the Old World and is absolutely packed with notable heroes and infamous villains, from the Glottkin lords of Nurgle to the Emperor Karl Franz himself.
The second book in the End Times series is one no Warhammer fan can afford to miss. The Fall of Altdorf depicts the final siege of the greatest city in the Old World and is absolutely packed with notable heroes and infamous villains, from the Glottkin lords of Nurgle to the Emperor Karl Franz himself.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2014
28 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
217 books377 followersChris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 20, 2017
Absolute fucking garbage so all the empire forts and castles would lay waste to the chaos besiegers BUT "the hordes of chaos were too many and kept coming" so everlasting chaos troops and spells that completely destroyed castle fortifications oh yea and how about this Vlad Von Carstein doing what he NEVER does and licking the blood of his enemy off his blade when that said enemy WAS A CHAMPION OF FUCKING NURGLE!!!
I think Vlad is alot smarter than this and his undead horde would have mopped the floor with the nurgle host the only good bit in this book was the Bretonnian part which was actually one of the most moving tales of heroism I have ever read gave me a new appreciation for Bretonnia...
I think Vlad is alot smarter than this and his undead horde would have mopped the floor with the nurgle host the only good bit in this book was the Bretonnian part which was actually one of the most moving tales of heroism I have ever read gave me a new appreciation for Bretonnia...
June 7, 2018
Disgusting and bloody battles rage across the Empire, and force unthinkable alliances. Can the Empire survive? Has the Emperor fallen? Is this the End? Good story, with lots of famous characters, many who fall, check it out.
August 7, 2015
The book was easier to read than the first book in "The End" series. That comes down to the different writing style of the various authors in the 5 book series.
The characters in book 2 are developed to a greater degree than the overwhelming number of characters in book 1. The characters are well rounded but the author fails in one sense, the description of their demise (where applicable). It felt rushed and a bit of a let down especially after a hefty amount of character development.
It's as if there's a word cap placed my the publishers on the book and there's no words left to finish the job.
Am interested now to move on to Book 3 and see what Gav Thorpe comes up with.
Finally, this is an enjoyable read, but the end seemed to be a rush job.
The characters in book 2 are developed to a greater degree than the overwhelming number of characters in book 1. The characters are well rounded but the author fails in one sense, the description of their demise (where applicable). It felt rushed and a bit of a let down especially after a hefty amount of character development.
It's as if there's a word cap placed my the publishers on the book and there's no words left to finish the job.
Am interested now to move on to Book 3 and see what Gav Thorpe comes up with.
Finally, this is an enjoyable read, but the end seemed to be a rush job.
December 22, 2014
the main reason i gave it three stars? it copies the main battle of minas tirith in lord of the rings. The depleted garisson, the neglected wisdom of the wizard from the wilds, the returning king from the north, the dead to aid the city, the unexpected arrival of the cavalery army...; anyone who saw the lord of the rings movies will recognise this. But having said that, it does not mean this is a bad book, far from it nor is the reuse of the plot of the lord of the rings badly done. It does however not live up to the first book of the end times series; the return of nagash. So a fun and tense book to read but don't expect anything extraordinary.
March 6, 2025
It was really good! Except for that part with Vlad at the end. I know that maybe the author wanted to show us something... But I don't think that Vlad would do such a thing
June 9, 2025
Best warhammer novel yet
April 27, 2020
CAUTION HERE MAY BE SPOILERS
Let me start by saying that I have high HIGH hopes for this 5 part series. And I still do. This book had some big shoes to fill because book one The Rise Of Nagash was amazing and don't get me wrong this book follows through with the promise of greatness. Not going to lie the first half was a little bit...I don't want to say it was bad because it wasn't. It was good Warhammer, just not what I'd call End Times worthy Warhammer. I mean these are the End Times novels, go in hard or past the job onto someone else. It can't be good Warhammer here we need Great Warhammer. And the first half just wasn't it. But the second half? Wow. That end battle with the Emperor? The God like figure that is eluded to appear after the Emperor sacrifices himself pretty much upon the alter? That was what pulled this book from a high 3/low 4 to good solid 5.
The Good Stuff
- As I said the second half made this book but that doesn't mean there wasn't some good stuff in the first half that shined through. First of all we have the new Grand Patriarch who's somewhat sees the future. He's great in that he's not your average Empire man in power who thinks that the best way to deal with any threat is to throw as many people at it as possible. He actually cares for the people of the Empire, so much so that he even visits a priestess to try and comfort her.
- The Emperor is one of those characters that's always mentioned but never seems to get enough (or any) screen time so it was great to see him actually play a part in this book, and his sacrifice to somehow be the conduit to allow some sort of god to enter back into the mortal realm was epic.
- Who is this mysterious god like being who breaks through? Well we have to live with suspense. But I'm going to call it, its definitely Sigmar. Has to be.
Not going to say there was a bad part to this book because even the first half was good, plus The Rise Of Nagash was such a high that anything that came after was going to suffer. But that aside this book was great, it kept the momentum going and I'm all but frothing at the mouth in anticipation for the 3rd one.
Spoiler alert i have all of them, I'm just spacing them out because I want to enjoy them at my own pace. 🙌🏻🙏🏻
Let me start by saying that I have high HIGH hopes for this 5 part series. And I still do. This book had some big shoes to fill because book one The Rise Of Nagash was amazing and don't get me wrong this book follows through with the promise of greatness. Not going to lie the first half was a little bit...I don't want to say it was bad because it wasn't. It was good Warhammer, just not what I'd call End Times worthy Warhammer. I mean these are the End Times novels, go in hard or past the job onto someone else. It can't be good Warhammer here we need Great Warhammer. And the first half just wasn't it. But the second half? Wow. That end battle with the Emperor? The God like figure that is eluded to appear after the Emperor sacrifices himself pretty much upon the alter? That was what pulled this book from a high 3/low 4 to good solid 5.
The Good Stuff
- As I said the second half made this book but that doesn't mean there wasn't some good stuff in the first half that shined through. First of all we have the new Grand Patriarch who's somewhat sees the future. He's great in that he's not your average Empire man in power who thinks that the best way to deal with any threat is to throw as many people at it as possible. He actually cares for the people of the Empire, so much so that he even visits a priestess to try and comfort her.
- The Emperor is one of those characters that's always mentioned but never seems to get enough (or any) screen time so it was great to see him actually play a part in this book, and his sacrifice to somehow be the conduit to allow some sort of god to enter back into the mortal realm was epic.
- Who is this mysterious god like being who breaks through? Well we have to live with suspense. But I'm going to call it, its definitely Sigmar. Has to be.
Not going to say there was a bad part to this book because even the first half was good, plus The Rise Of Nagash was such a high that anything that came after was going to suffer. But that aside this book was great, it kept the momentum going and I'm all but frothing at the mouth in anticipation for the 3rd one.
Spoiler alert i have all of them, I'm just spacing them out because I want to enjoy them at my own pace. 🙌🏻🙏🏻
September 11, 2025
I see now why so many people are upset at how the end times series was handled.
first off, for a positive; the combat scenes are well done. I felt immersed in the great battles, the mighty duels, and the outlettings of magic and skill. the writing us competent and descriptive. if you have no connection to the characters or just really like the nurgle faction will enjoy it for these reasons. that being said....
the characters are the issue. Basically if you liked any of the old world characters, this book feels like a slap in the face. they are all beaten, humiliated and crushed by new characters that seem made up just for this series. if they had just allowed the big bads like archaon, belakor, or any of the established named enemies to be the antagonist it might have escaped this criticism, since there would be attachment established to both sides. but as it is I had to see alot of my favorite characters get chumped by a group of saturday morning enemies that wouldnt have been a problem to beat in any other story. it feels lazy, itt rips away my investment, and it doesnt even impart gravitas. more like a new kid showed up to the playground game of make-believe and said "yeah, well I have an everything proof shield, so I beat all of you"
first off, for a positive; the combat scenes are well done. I felt immersed in the great battles, the mighty duels, and the outlettings of magic and skill. the writing us competent and descriptive. if you have no connection to the characters or just really like the nurgle faction will enjoy it for these reasons. that being said....
the characters are the issue. Basically if you liked any of the old world characters, this book feels like a slap in the face. they are all beaten, humiliated and crushed by new characters that seem made up just for this series. if they had just allowed the big bads like archaon, belakor, or any of the established named enemies to be the antagonist it might have escaped this criticism, since there would be attachment established to both sides. but as it is I had to see alot of my favorite characters get chumped by a group of saturday morning enemies that wouldnt have been a problem to beat in any other story. it feels lazy, itt rips away my investment, and it doesnt even impart gravitas. more like a new kid showed up to the playground game of make-believe and said "yeah, well I have an everything proof shield, so I beat all of you"
January 26, 2018
I'll admit, it's been a couple of months since I read this & my memory is hazy, so this will be a lazy review.
There are quite a few plotlines and quite a few characters. I felt like Wraight juggled them all pretty deftly. I'll admit, I ALMOST didn't make it through the first section, a giant battle with Karl Franz and the two hirsuite men that seem to command so much of the Old World's attention (I can't stand either of them). Once that's over and we move into the defense of Altdorf, things get far more interesting. Wraight has some fun with the baddies (the three brothers were a hoot), but I think got a LITTLE too attached to some characters to be as bloodthirsty as the story called for, so it's a bit of a mixed bag, but still fun.
Vampire politics, Chaos turning on itself, insane transformations - it's the End Times, for sure.
There are quite a few plotlines and quite a few characters. I felt like Wraight juggled them all pretty deftly. I'll admit, I ALMOST didn't make it through the first section, a giant battle with Karl Franz and the two hirsuite men that seem to command so much of the Old World's attention (I can't stand either of them). Once that's over and we move into the defense of Altdorf, things get far more interesting. Wraight has some fun with the baddies (the three brothers were a hoot), but I think got a LITTLE too attached to some characters to be as bloodthirsty as the story called for, so it's a bit of a mixed bag, but still fun.
Vampire politics, Chaos turning on itself, insane transformations - it's the End Times, for sure.
April 19, 2020
This has the same problem as every other book in this series, namely that you know what is going to happen at the end and therefore most of the well desctibed battles are Chaos curb stomps. That results in very little narrative tension but is inevitable given the strictures placed on this series.
Having said that Chris Wraight does handle the book well. The characterisations are interesting and, although I am much more a WH40K aficionado that Fantasy battle. seem right for the characters and situations described. The fighting is well described and you are drawn into the combat well. I was suddenly struck as the story began the main fighting around Altdorf itself that what Wraight has done is play with the battle of Pellenore Fields in "Return of the King. That added a whole new level to my enjoyment of the story.
All in all a worthy addition to the series and a decent read
Having said that Chris Wraight does handle the book well. The characterisations are interesting and, although I am much more a WH40K aficionado that Fantasy battle. seem right for the characters and situations described. The fighting is well described and you are drawn into the combat well. I was suddenly struck as the story began the main fighting around Altdorf itself that what Wraight has done is play with the battle of Pellenore Fields in "Return of the King. That added a whole new level to my enjoyment of the story.
All in all a worthy addition to the series and a decent read
March 5, 2020
Ну, да, спешка по убийству Старого Мира заметна невооруженным взглядом. Логика прихрамывает, множество иконических персонажей вселенной вынужденно кучкуются на квадратном метре и им явно тесновато, некомфортно. По-хорошему, здесь бы романов десять а ля "Осада Терры", чтобы расписать все спокойно, с чувством, с толком, с расстановкой, как говорится.
Но даже так... эх, старый-добрый гримдарк, превозмогание, эпик и здоровый вархаммеровский пафос - все то, что требовалось. Империя это я, бейтесь за честь людей, ну и каноничное и такое родное для меня бретонское chaaaaaaaarge! Ах, как жаль, как жаль.
Но даже так... эх, старый-добрый гримдарк, превозмогание, эпик и здоровый вархаммеровский пафос - все то, что требовалось. Империя это я, бейтесь за честь людей, ну и каноничное и такое родное для меня бретонское chaaaaaaaarge! Ах, как жаль, как жаль.
May 3, 2019
I like Chris Wraight as a writer and normally really enjoy his books but I found this book a real grind to get through.
I think my issue with this book and the first in the End Times series is they are so relentlessly miserable in terms of the “heroes” that it’s like watching an episode of The Walking Dead!
I have now conceded that the End Times series is not for me so will avoid the final two books and read something else as life is too short to read books that you don’t enjoy.
I will happily read other novels from Chris Wraight in the future though - he is still an excellent writer.
I think my issue with this book and the first in the End Times series is they are so relentlessly miserable in terms of the “heroes” that it’s like watching an episode of The Walking Dead!
I have now conceded that the End Times series is not for me so will avoid the final two books and read something else as life is too short to read books that you don’t enjoy.
I will happily read other novels from Chris Wraight in the future though - he is still an excellent writer.
June 30, 2021
As a devoted servant to Sigmar and a citizen of the Empire, the title of this book and the synopsis on the back pained me. I feared what I would read. It is the End Times, but could that really mean the death of everything I love and hold dear? I have really been enjoying all of the books in the End Times event. I thought Chris did a great job with the characters, and places. Really enjoyed his battles and the build up. Brought me joy to read about all the characters I saw spring up as new miniatures. Makes me eager to paint them all!
November 12, 2021
Of all 5 novels, I liked this the most. The way Mr. Wright plays with the setting, the pacing, the character development, their secrets and thrivings, it is just perfect . Well, at least I experienced it that way.
Portraiture of the Emperor, and of the Reiksmarshal, as well as of the whole chaos horde, this time accentuating the aspect of Father Nurgle, had it for me. I'm sad that there is no more of it.
Perhaps they shold've invade Altdorf one more time :)
Portraiture of the Emperor, and of the Reiksmarshal, as well as of the whole chaos horde, this time accentuating the aspect of Father Nurgle, had it for me. I'm sad that there is no more of it.
Perhaps they shold've invade Altdorf one more time :)
February 6, 2023
Not the best of Wraight, but still good, especially when considering what he has to work with - End Times isn't exactly the best of narrative environments. Character portrayal is top notch, albeit the prolonged descriptions and settings might not be to everyone's taste.
Leoncoeur steals the show, but all the Empire characters are well-written with the theme of sacrifice running throughout the book, and Wraight does a great job to show it from different angles.
Leoncoeur steals the show, but all the Empire characters are well-written with the theme of sacrifice running throughout the book, and Wraight does a great job to show it from different angles.
January 5, 2024
I wasn't a WHFB player, I'm reading this for the build up to the rerelease and the story is ok. There's not much character development, most of that happens in the individual army books, this book is more here to continue the story of the end times and begin the wrap up to the death of this GW universe.
September 27, 2025
The Old Word End Times continue in the hands of Chris Wraight, who does a decent job bringing the followers of Plague God Nurgle to center stage, but otherwise this is a fairly pedestrian affair. I'd almost certainly enjoy it more if I weren't skipping straight to the end of the many works written in this world.
December 17, 2025
This book was a wild ride. It started off with a huge bang (or blow if you’re the Empire of Man) and it just kept going and becoming better (or again, worse if you’re the Empire of Man). This a rollercoaster of never ending battles, gutwrenching magics and an ever encroaching apocalypse! I loved every second of it!
May 25, 2020
Cracking story. Chris Wraight brings the epic storytelling he is known for to the battle for Altdorf. The Glotkin are explored here and each of their personalities comes across, and the defenders of the city have a couple of supremely cast characters. This series continues to impress me.
January 5, 2024
Segundo de la Saga. Inicio increíble, y desarrollo calmado, pero épico. La trama de Bretonia me gustó especialmente, aunque en el final hay algún momento decepcionante en torno a personajes que parecían que podían dar más de si, y parece que quedan desperdiciados (Vlad concretamente).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
The city of Altdorf is destroyed. The emperor is sacrificed with the invasion Chaos army vanquished.
January 27, 2021
Vlad is an idiot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2022
Más bien son 3.5, me ha gustado, aunque tampoco ha sido mi favorito.
March 10, 2024
Ni Karl Franz ni Louen se merecían ese destino, qué menos que un Archaón cara a cara :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2024
Loved it
June 29, 2025
Excellent
A brilliant follow up to the previous book of this series. Great detail on the explanation of all the thing going on in the world too.
A brilliant follow up to the previous book of this series. Great detail on the explanation of all the thing going on in the world too.
August 4, 2025
el peor libro de Warhammer que he leído (palabras de un fanático del lore)
October 4, 2016
Wraight has penned an amazingly epic novel in The Fall of Altdorf, however the end left me sorely disappointed.
Overall, this is an amazing book that takes some of the largest players of the Warhammer Fantasy world and brings them to the forefront. Wraight handles each person with great care and keeps their stories interesting, be they the Emperor or Vlad, each is given a personality and personal goals the reader can relate to. When one falls, the reader feels it and genuinely gets behind each of the characters as they strive for what they desire.
The mass combats are also handled well. Each battle that leads up to the final siege is a treat to read and I found myself swept up into the action with each sentence I read. The siege itself was handled with a skilled pen as the reader doesn't get too bogged down in minute details while it also doesn't gloss over the major moments of the conflict.
What I did have an issue with though, was the ending of the entire book. The fact that it all ends with a deus ex machina cheats the reader from what could have been a glorious ending. Hell, the very thing one of the protagonists spends the last few moments of the novel doing gets left hanging and forgotten about. For a reader who has gone through this large novel expecting a grand showdown, this novel ended on a very disappointing note.
Still, I did rather enjoy this novel and it was a fun read. I recommend you pick it up if you are interested in anything Nurgle related and want to see the Empire at its finest. (and Bretonnia as well) Well worth reading, even with the terrible ending.
Overall, this is an amazing book that takes some of the largest players of the Warhammer Fantasy world and brings them to the forefront. Wraight handles each person with great care and keeps their stories interesting, be they the Emperor or Vlad, each is given a personality and personal goals the reader can relate to. When one falls, the reader feels it and genuinely gets behind each of the characters as they strive for what they desire.
The mass combats are also handled well. Each battle that leads up to the final siege is a treat to read and I found myself swept up into the action with each sentence I read. The siege itself was handled with a skilled pen as the reader doesn't get too bogged down in minute details while it also doesn't gloss over the major moments of the conflict.
What I did have an issue with though, was the ending of the entire book. The fact that it all ends with a deus ex machina cheats the reader from what could have been a glorious ending. Hell, the very thing one of the protagonists spends the last few moments of the novel doing gets left hanging and forgotten about. For a reader who has gone through this large novel expecting a grand showdown, this novel ended on a very disappointing note.
Still, I did rather enjoy this novel and it was a fun read. I recommend you pick it up if you are interested in anything Nurgle related and want to see the Empire at its finest. (and Bretonnia as well) Well worth reading, even with the terrible ending.
February 25, 2015
The Warhammer world is changing, as The End Times carry on apace and the shadow of Chaos falls across the map. Released to accompany the Glottkin background book, the second Black Library novel in the series is The Fall of Altdorf, by Chris Wraight. After the dark events of Josh Reynolds’ The Return of Nagash, the focus now turns to the lands of men, as Archaon sends a vast horde deep into the Empire, led by the foul Glottkin, three siblings who have long since shed their past lives as men in favour of Grandfather Nurgle’s blessings. With the devastating loss of the Emperor, plague ravaging Altdorf, and the other cities of the Empire falling one by one, things are looking bleak for the stoic defenders of the realm.
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...
August 7, 2018
Interesante para cualquier fan de Warhammer Fantasy, este libro es la segunda novela de la narrativa épica de El Fin de los Tiempos, centrado en los acontecimientos que llevaron al devastador asedio de la ciudad de Altdorf por parte de los ejércitos de Nurgle.
Al igual que el primer libro, La Caída de Altdorf está muy centrada en sus personajes, aunque contiene descripciones muy repetitivas y poco placenteras que hacen la lectura un poco tediosa en algunas partes. Aún así, merece la pena como lectura ligera y como fuente para conocer los detalles de la campaña que terminó con Warhammer Fantasy.
Al igual que el primer libro, La Caída de Altdorf está muy centrada en sus personajes, aunque contiene descripciones muy repetitivas y poco placenteras que hacen la lectura un poco tediosa en algunas partes. Aún así, merece la pena como lectura ligera y como fuente para conocer los detalles de la campaña que terminó con Warhammer Fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews