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Darkblade #1-3
The Chronicles of Malus Darkblade Volume One
This omnibus edition collects the first three Darkblade novels The Daemon's Curse, Bloodstorm and Reaper of Souls, by Dan Abnett and Mike Lee. This series has a strong sales history and is the second most popular seiries for Warhammer.
768 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2008
46 people are currently reading
1018 people want to read
About the author
Mike Lee
65 books154 followersMike Lee is an author, scriptwriter and game designer whose most recent credits include Fallen Angels, the latest installment in Black Library Publishing’s best-selling Horus Heresy series, and the dark fantasy epic Nagash the Sorcerer. Along with UK author Dan Abnett, Mike also wrote the five-volume Chronicles of Malus Darkblade, whose signature character has become a cult favorite among fans of Black Library’s Warhammer Fantasy fiction.
In addition to his novels, Mike’s scriptwriting credits include Tom Clancy’s HAWX, a game of near-future jet combat, and Splinter Cell: Conviction, the hit sequel to the popular Splinter Cell franchise published by Ubisoft Entertainment. He has also contributed to more than two dozen pen-and-paper role-playing games and supplements, including the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade, Adventure!, Vampire: Dark Ages and Hunter: The Reckoning, published by White Wolf Games Studio.
An avid wargamer, history buff and devoted fan of two-fisted pulp adventure, Mike lives with his wife, artist JK Lee, and their family in the United States.
In addition to his novels, Mike’s scriptwriting credits include Tom Clancy’s HAWX, a game of near-future jet combat, and Splinter Cell: Conviction, the hit sequel to the popular Splinter Cell franchise published by Ubisoft Entertainment. He has also contributed to more than two dozen pen-and-paper role-playing games and supplements, including the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade, Adventure!, Vampire: Dark Ages and Hunter: The Reckoning, published by White Wolf Games Studio.
An avid wargamer, history buff and devoted fan of two-fisted pulp adventure, Mike lives with his wife, artist JK Lee, and their family in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 27, 2016
"I'm fine," snarled Malus. "These jagged rocks managed to break my fall."
I don't care. These books might not be the products of some grand literary ambition, but I loved them. I loved the plot, the style, and the characters. Is it vaguely embarrassing to love a 'Warhammer' novel? Probably. I don't care.
I've read a lot of Warhammer novels, but Malus really stole the show. Brunner pales before Malus' majestic grit. I've read quite a few novels with anti-heroes, but they're difficult to get right; and Malus is downright loveable. In a twisted way. Lee understands that, even if you're writing a bad person, you still have to ensure people care enough about what happens to him to keep reading.
But wait, what's the novel even about?
Malus Darkblade is a dark elf. Usually, in fantasy jargon, elf means 'pansy'. So, logically, dark elf would mean 'emo evil pansy'. Now, the 'druchii' may be emo and evil, but they are definitely no pansies. They're vicious, brutal, sadistic slavers who feel that they deserve to do what they want because they can. They have no friends, merely postponed victims. They dwell in Naggarond, Warhammer's equivalent of America. And like your stereotypical real-life Americans, they are arrogant and intent on meddling in things that are none of their business. Unlike your stereotypical real-life Americans, however, they rot away in a bunch of chilled wastes feeling bad about being banished. You see, they are colonists from a powerful sea-faring island natio-. Nope. We're back in real life again.
Malus is the hated bastard son of a powerful warlord. His siblings are richer, more attractive, more clever, and more popular. All our hero has is his spite. And boy, is he spiteful. When a spirited bout of sea piracy doesn't exactly land him the fortune he feels he deserves, he goes and gets himself possessed by a demon. This demon threatens to consume his soul in about a year if Malus doesn't collect five magical artifacts.
Now, if this gets your plot-coupon alarm bells ringing, I understand, but these are no macGuffins. Every artifact has relevance to the plot and is rooted into, connected with, the places they are located. And with Malus, it's not about the end, it's about the journey.
Our hero snarls and cuts his way through the plot with gusto, his anger only matched by his masochism. Thehe way Lee has handled his character is very, very clever. The people he fights are almost always somehow worse than he is. So much hardship is inflicted on him that you inevitably begin to feel for him, and you can't help but love his dogged resilience: the man is a moving rock.
The violence is gripping, the pacing is great (most of the padding is violence, which is to be expected in a Warhammer novel) and the female characters were pretty solid as well, on the whole. That was really quite the achievement on Lee's part: Warhammer novels aren't exactly required to have strong female characters. The developed female characters are usually the most evil ones, since they have defined ambitions which they are willing to fight for. (What? Were you expecting me to say 'the women with flaws'? They're dark elves. There's nothing good about their character to be flawed in the first place.)
So why not give the novel five stars? Because it did have its weaker sides. It could be a little repetitive, and the whole 'Warhammer' concept seemed to limit its potential. Malus was perfectly realized, but I felt the supporting cast deserved to be fleshed out a little more. Still, this is one of my favourite Fantasy novels.
April 9, 2014
fun, dark sword & sorcery we would expect from the warhammer universe. Brings to mind more Elric and less Drizzt, which is a plus in my opinion. I think Dark Elves should be...well, you know....dark.
January 31, 2014
This is another book that I have read several times. It took me awhile to actually get past the first few chapters. I'm not very into reading about the "bad guys" and Malus (along with the rest of the Dark Elves) is violent, ruthless, masochistic, bloody, and pretty universally "bad." Still, Malus somehow appealed to me. He is an outsider and fights to gain what he has. He uses a cunningness (as well as a willingness to do ANYTHING to get what he wants) to fight against the odds - the odds being a demon possessing his soul.
The pacing of the story can be a bit off. Sometimes I can't wait to turn the page, others the story drags on some. This is really the only complaint that I have. I do skim some of the gory parts of the story, which I'm sure cuts my reading time considerably, since there is A LOT of gore. This is definitely a book for adults.
This is the first book in the Warhammer fantasy universe that I read and it was generally easy to understand. I did Google a map of the fantasy world to better understand how the different races (dwarves, humans, vampires, orcs, Chaos, High Elves, etc) came into contact with each other. There is a map in the front of both volumes of Malus Darkblade, but they only show the Dark Elf territory, which Malus does go beyond. As long as you are prepared for extreme violence, this isn't a bad choice to get into the Warhammer fantasy series. I would also suggest The Sundering by Gav Thorpe. While I detest Thorpe's writing, the story tells how there came to be Dark Elves and High Elves, which helps to explain the "current" Warhammer world. I've done a review on The Sundering if you want to check it out.
Just an super quick explanation of the Warhammer fantasy world - it is similar to the Earth in middle ages, but with orcs, goblins, elves, vampires, magic, demons, etc. There are even rat-people. Each race is trying to either protect it's borders, wipe out the other races, and pretty much everyone is trying to stay away from Chaos' influence (with a few exceptions). There are some similarities to the Warhammer 40k universe (and plenty of theories as how the 2 are 1, but I won't get into that) such as the 4 Gods of Chaos and their followers. Many of the races of fantasy correspond to those in 40k (elder are high elves, dark elder are dark elves, orks are orcs, etc). Really, the two are kept separate, so you don't need to know anything about Warhammer 40k to read fantasy, or vice versa.
The pacing of the story can be a bit off. Sometimes I can't wait to turn the page, others the story drags on some. This is really the only complaint that I have. I do skim some of the gory parts of the story, which I'm sure cuts my reading time considerably, since there is A LOT of gore. This is definitely a book for adults.
This is the first book in the Warhammer fantasy universe that I read and it was generally easy to understand. I did Google a map of the fantasy world to better understand how the different races (dwarves, humans, vampires, orcs, Chaos, High Elves, etc) came into contact with each other. There is a map in the front of both volumes of Malus Darkblade, but they only show the Dark Elf territory, which Malus does go beyond. As long as you are prepared for extreme violence, this isn't a bad choice to get into the Warhammer fantasy series. I would also suggest The Sundering by Gav Thorpe. While I detest Thorpe's writing, the story tells how there came to be Dark Elves and High Elves, which helps to explain the "current" Warhammer world. I've done a review on The Sundering if you want to check it out.
Just an super quick explanation of the Warhammer fantasy world - it is similar to the Earth in middle ages, but with orcs, goblins, elves, vampires, magic, demons, etc. There are even rat-people. Each race is trying to either protect it's borders, wipe out the other races, and pretty much everyone is trying to stay away from Chaos' influence (with a few exceptions). There are some similarities to the Warhammer 40k universe (and plenty of theories as how the 2 are 1, but I won't get into that) such as the 4 Gods of Chaos and their followers. Many of the races of fantasy correspond to those in 40k (elder are high elves, dark elder are dark elves, orks are orcs, etc). Really, the two are kept separate, so you don't need to know anything about Warhammer 40k to read fantasy, or vice versa.
August 27, 2021
Si nos olvidamos de una sociedad imposible de que se mantenga ya que sus miembros se están matando constantemente entre ellos a la primera oportunidad, de que el personaje es un egoísta que nunca se equivoca (según su punto de vista) y que si lo hace al final le favorece, y de que en cierto momentos parece que tiene superpoderes para resolver los problemas en los que se mete... En el resto este recopilación de tres novelas no está mal, da lo que promete como siempre Abnett, acción sin freno, enemigos cada vez más peligrosos, traiciones y complots organizados para eliminar al protagonismo que gracias al ingenio, suerte o preparación es capaz de salir vivo de esos entuertos.
May 7, 2019
Just finished the first story: The Demons Curse,. I will review the whole book when done.
Just a note to say I've finished the second story. On to the third!
Well folks, the cover is closed, the book finished. What do I have to say about it? Not to just copy anothers review, but it is worth repeating. Although these aren't winning any prizes from Oprah, there is always a good word to say regarding books read for the sheer enjoyment of them, or at least the ability to steal us away from reality for a much needed break. In fact I could argue that today's society has so much unnecessary drama and madness, these books are at the very least, the only sure-fire escapism that doesn't come with a horrible cost, as most escapist addictions do.
Having said that I happily give this book 5, count 'em 5 giant gold stars. Each of the three stories was well written, and I only put the first one down part way because my eyes were to blurry to continue! Hehe! The next two were read in one sitting each.
Normally this would only garner four stars, but these two authors were able, at least once per story, to leave me, mouth gaping wide in shock at the twist in the plot, for at least 5 minutes, once at least 10 and I had to reread two pages about three times to get it to adhere to the inside of my skull.
That is a serious rarity for me. Although I am beginning to expect it from Dan Abnett. It's one reason I'm a fan.
Just a note to say I've finished the second story. On to the third!
Well folks, the cover is closed, the book finished. What do I have to say about it? Not to just copy anothers review, but it is worth repeating. Although these aren't winning any prizes from Oprah, there is always a good word to say regarding books read for the sheer enjoyment of them, or at least the ability to steal us away from reality for a much needed break. In fact I could argue that today's society has so much unnecessary drama and madness, these books are at the very least, the only sure-fire escapism that doesn't come with a horrible cost, as most escapist addictions do.
Having said that I happily give this book 5, count 'em 5 giant gold stars. Each of the three stories was well written, and I only put the first one down part way because my eyes were to blurry to continue! Hehe! The next two were read in one sitting each.
Normally this would only garner four stars, but these two authors were able, at least once per story, to leave me, mouth gaping wide in shock at the twist in the plot, for at least 5 minutes, once at least 10 and I had to reread two pages about three times to get it to adhere to the inside of my skull.
That is a serious rarity for me. Although I am beginning to expect it from Dan Abnett. It's one reason I'm a fan.
November 13, 2011
Malus Darkblade is a highborn of the dark elves, a cruel and treacherous race. He is possessed by the daemon Tz'arkan and to regain his soul he must collect five ancient artifacts within a year. What follows is an action packed journey filled with sibling rivalry, schemes, betrayals, deadly magic, prophecies and gory battle scenes. There are no heroes in these books, Malus Darkblade follows his dark elf nature and does anything necessary to achieve his goals. The reader will not get bored with the many twists and surprises throughout the series. Warhammer fans get to see a unigue culture and parts of the world not explored in many other novels. The complete series include the following: 1. A DAEMON'S CURSE 2. BLOODSTORM 3. REAPER OF SOULS 4. WARPSWORD 5. LORD OF RUIN
April 9, 2012
Malus dark blade is a very thrilling twisting and turning book about a highborn Druchii (dark elf) who is confronted with a decision. Find five items of huge power or forfeit his soul for eternity to an evil daemon Tzar'Kan.
He wil be faced with many daring things that he will need to do in order to find these items concerning his family who quite frankly treat him with a degree of disgust.
But he will make it through due to his wits and dark help from the daemon.
He wil be faced with many daring things that he will need to do in order to find these items concerning his family who quite frankly treat him with a degree of disgust.
But he will make it through due to his wits and dark help from the daemon.
November 3, 2022
Por donde empezar con este libro. Tal vez con la historia de como llegó a mi biblioteca. Fue una de las cosas que me quedó después de una relación de cuatro años, y me llevó otros cuatro para leerlo. Para él, fue uno de los mejores libros que leyó. Para mí, fue una tortura constante en la cual me preguntaba cuando todo terminaría.
Empecemos por el protagonista: Malus Darkblade. Cabe mencionar que ya tenía expectativas altas de este personaje, por lo que me había comentado mi ex sobre él. Quiero decirles que nunca me había sentido tan engañada en mi vida. Malus es el típico personaje que es inútil, pero se cree que todas las puede. Además de ser un hijo de mami con fuertes complejos con su padre.
Tengo que decir que realmente no tengo mucho amor por este libro. Tuvo un inicio muy prometedor, pero al último fue demasiada violencia solo por avanzar la historia, saltos de lógica que son casi imposibles y una raza que resuelve todos sus problemas con matar a todos. Ni siquiera hablemos de sostenibilidad, porque ¿cuántos niños tienen que nacer para poder sostener ese sistema?
También hubo temas con el incesto. Ni siquiera voy a hablar del tema.
El ritmo de la historia hizo que me doliera la cabeza y solo rescato dos frases que se me hicieron épicas que se las dejo, a continuación:
Through wind and storm, red rain, and splintered shields, I Will serve thee, Captain. Lead, and I Will follow.
We’ll be the death of you yet, my lord,’ the young knight said.
Les recomiendo que si tienen algún otro libro a la mano no pierdan su tiempo. Creo que hay muchos mejores libros de fantasía épica, que no están llenos de batallas de que no tienen sentido, un protagonista que es capaz de tomar decisiones y no es un pelele.
Si deciden leerlo, solo háganlo con precaución, ya que pueden terminar gritándole al libro por cosas que no tienen sentido, frustrados por otra acción que mata a todos los personajes secundarios, pero dejan al protagonista sin ninguna herida. No lo hagan.
Empecemos por el protagonista: Malus Darkblade. Cabe mencionar que ya tenía expectativas altas de este personaje, por lo que me había comentado mi ex sobre él. Quiero decirles que nunca me había sentido tan engañada en mi vida. Malus es el típico personaje que es inútil, pero se cree que todas las puede. Además de ser un hijo de mami con fuertes complejos con su padre.
Tengo que decir que realmente no tengo mucho amor por este libro. Tuvo un inicio muy prometedor, pero al último fue demasiada violencia solo por avanzar la historia, saltos de lógica que son casi imposibles y una raza que resuelve todos sus problemas con matar a todos. Ni siquiera hablemos de sostenibilidad, porque ¿cuántos niños tienen que nacer para poder sostener ese sistema?
También hubo temas con el incesto. Ni siquiera voy a hablar del tema.
El ritmo de la historia hizo que me doliera la cabeza y solo rescato dos frases que se me hicieron épicas que se las dejo, a continuación:
Through wind and storm, red rain, and splintered shields, I Will serve thee, Captain. Lead, and I Will follow.
We’ll be the death of you yet, my lord,’ the young knight said.
Les recomiendo que si tienen algún otro libro a la mano no pierdan su tiempo. Creo que hay muchos mejores libros de fantasía épica, que no están llenos de batallas de que no tienen sentido, un protagonista que es capaz de tomar decisiones y no es un pelele.
Si deciden leerlo, solo háganlo con precaución, ya que pueden terminar gritándole al libro por cosas que no tienen sentido, frustrados por otra acción que mata a todos los personajes secundarios, pero dejan al protagonista sin ninguna herida. No lo hagan.
August 23, 2018
Dark elves are evil (all know that) evil are their society evil their relatives evil their ways and evil their thoughts and feelings!. The book is an omnibus of more than seven hundred pages but if you take out the description of entrails spread in the ground, blood scattered around in abundant quantities, members slashed, heads cracked, brains spilled in the ground, bodies eaten by huge lizardoid mounts and elves wounded in pain and in rage you end up with about two or three hundred pages of a demonic adventure. Malus darkblade is a highborn dark elf eager to ascent in the dark elf society and eager to commit every atrocity, treachery and intrigue to achieve. He is soon caught up in a deep net of manipulation where foe and friend change faces constantly and his enormous stubbornness is what keeps him moving and alive. The three novels are packed with action and although there is too many evil characters and no hero the stories are enjoyable and read easily and quick. The reader gets a comprehensive inside of the dark elf society of the Warhammer setting and realizes why the dark elves will never win. But this remains to be read…
March 29, 2025
I loved this book—immersive, engaging, and packed with an interwoven plot that never lets up. That said, if you don’t enjoy dark fantasy, this may not be for you.
There are no heroes here—just cruelty, corruption, and a daemon whispering from inside a sociopath’s skull. Malus Darkblade is grimdark at its purest: sharp prose, relentless pacing, and a protagonist so vile you can’t look away. Each book escalates the descent into madness and power with brutal precision, dragging you through a world where betrayal is expected and survival is a dirty word.
Malus isn’t possessed—he’s perfectly suited to the darkness within. If you like your fantasy bloody, brooding, and unapologetically bleak, this omnibus is your next unholy grail.
⸻
There are no heroes here—just cruelty, corruption, and a daemon whispering from inside a sociopath’s skull. Malus Darkblade is grimdark at its purest: sharp prose, relentless pacing, and a protagonist so vile you can’t look away. Each book escalates the descent into madness and power with brutal precision, dragging you through a world where betrayal is expected and survival is a dirty word.
Malus isn’t possessed—he’s perfectly suited to the darkness within. If you like your fantasy bloody, brooding, and unapologetically bleak, this omnibus is your next unholy grail.
⸻
June 22, 2025
Me encanta el grimdark y las aventuras de Malus son la pura representación de eso. Propósitos crueles, ambición desmedida, demonios, magia... Ha sido una lectura que me ha hecho no apartar la vista del libro durante mucho tiempo y obsesionarme con él hasta el punto de querer leerme todo el universo Warhammer, aunque ya veremos.
Todo el estilo crudo que tiene, la maldad de los elfos oscuros, las guerras que parecen sacadas del señor de los anillos, todo ello conforma un entorno que me parece tan familiar como la primera ley de Abercrombie.
Sinceramente, me he enamorado de este mundo tan oscuro.
Todo el estilo crudo que tiene, la maldad de los elfos oscuros, las guerras que parecen sacadas del señor de los anillos, todo ello conforma un entorno que me parece tan familiar como la primera ley de Abercrombie.
Sinceramente, me he enamorado de este mundo tan oscuro.
January 16, 2024
Malus Darkblade, he was given a poor lot to begin with. I feel like fate is a thing here and so far he has suffered more in 3 books than other Protagonists have in all their books. He has been tortured, nearly eaten I want to say 3 times. In the last book alone he has nearly been killed by the venom of his favoured creature, just to cleanse wounds. I dont know any sane person who would willing put himself through all this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2024
Amazing book combining the first three stories of Malus’ journey. I recommend this book to everyone. You get to see just how different the Dark Elves are from the High Elves and why they’re called the Dark Elves. Lots of great story, action everything! You won’t be disappointed, especially if you’re into the elves.
December 20, 2019
A solid Warhammer Fantasy omnibus. Malus himself is a despicable person who we can't help but root for as he strives against all odds to overcome his bastard heritage and escape his doom. Any fans of the setting who wish to dive deeper into Dark Elf lore would be advised to read this series.
August 8, 2022
Fairly mediocre, hampered with shallow characterisation, unlikeable characters, and a certain predictability. (When almost everyone is a backstabbing traitor, the backstabs stop being surprising.) Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201...
October 25, 2018
Overall was a great book I'm excited to finish out the series with the next book. The setting and characters are very Warhammer which is great.
December 22, 2021
Amazing. I was rooting for the bad guy the entire time...
March 8, 2023
There's just something absolutely amazing about a protagonist that has to deal with the daemon inside.
Perhaps a beautiful euphemism for the lives so many of us live ourselves.
Perhaps a beautiful euphemism for the lives so many of us live ourselves.
October 13, 2023
This is an excellent book. Not overly gruesome, but not filled with "heroic hope" either. Very well balanced. A good introductory book into the universe.
October 2, 2024
Excellent Dark look at Dark Elf life and Chaos Daemons - The Character arc through this series is fabulous. I re-read it often
March 17, 2021
4th read-through.
A dark, gritty and bleak story that unfolds and swells in size with every chapter and volume. While the subject matter is always dancing between visceral combat, shadowy intrigue and frosty landscapes.
Through it all a witty, if often black, humor prevails and while most characters are sadistic and double-crossers in their own right they are very distinct and, perhaps aided by the sense of world-weariness, beacons of diverse individuals’ will in an ever twisting plot.
I have been an avid Warhammer fan for 20 years and the world the Darkblade series plays out in is dear to me, but the authors manage to knit their environment in such a way that no knowledge of the larger world outside of it is a must (indeed, there was probably little talk of ‘lore canon’ at the time of writing).
The way the Dark Elves are portrayed is very well done; they are haughty with ambition and age, tied by tradition and cause, quite alien from human standards yet not devoid of ‘humanity’. For all their distrust, bitterness and strife, they are a people united in an ancient sense of loss and expulsion.
They are horrible, intriguing. Malus is an outcast among outcasts in this and gives the reader a boots-on-the-ground view of greater forces that pressure him.
Below some, spoiler free, reviews on the individual entries.
The Blood Price
A solid intro into the characters and Malus in particular. The elements that will carry the following books are there in smaller scale and, while not as refined, serve as great showcases. I really like this one for its short-story form and wish there would have been more smaller, self contained, adventures like this.
The Daemon’s Curse
Things kick off in earnest and the web of plots and intentions is woven. We get introduced to the power hierarchy of the Druchii, Malus’ family and their ambitions and, of course, the Daemon itself. The first interactions between Malus and T’Zarkan are incredibly memorable. There is quite some wonderful scenery changes and cultures. The combat still tends to be a bit cut and paste at times and the many wounds endured hardly ever last more than a page after their infliction.
Bloodstorm
The plot thickens and turns more sinister. We get a better look at the Druchii culture and some very nice maritime storytelling. The lack of Malus-Daemon banter in the first half is made up for in the second. Hints of the scale of plots in motion are brought forward as prophecies are unveiled. I really enjoyed this one as it provided a very dynamic cast in the microcosm of the ships’ hold. It relies heavily on the Cult of Khaine (the elven god of murder), sometimes too obviously twisted from its sources, but mostly as a new welcome power in the plots’ players.
Reaper of Souls
A nice Tomb Raiding adventure is followed by sweeping political changes as the powers at play ramp up toward their goals. The writing and characters are even more fleshed out and, while the plot still twists and turns, more time is taken to detail the world and its inhabitants. The (already present) themes of fate, individual choice and feminine willpower are the bloody threads by which the plot is guided.
While it takes great liberties with the Warhammer lore, it more solidly becomes into its own.
A dark, gritty and bleak story that unfolds and swells in size with every chapter and volume. While the subject matter is always dancing between visceral combat, shadowy intrigue and frosty landscapes.
Through it all a witty, if often black, humor prevails and while most characters are sadistic and double-crossers in their own right they are very distinct and, perhaps aided by the sense of world-weariness, beacons of diverse individuals’ will in an ever twisting plot.
I have been an avid Warhammer fan for 20 years and the world the Darkblade series plays out in is dear to me, but the authors manage to knit their environment in such a way that no knowledge of the larger world outside of it is a must (indeed, there was probably little talk of ‘lore canon’ at the time of writing).
The way the Dark Elves are portrayed is very well done; they are haughty with ambition and age, tied by tradition and cause, quite alien from human standards yet not devoid of ‘humanity’. For all their distrust, bitterness and strife, they are a people united in an ancient sense of loss and expulsion.
They are horrible, intriguing. Malus is an outcast among outcasts in this and gives the reader a boots-on-the-ground view of greater forces that pressure him.
Below some, spoiler free, reviews on the individual entries.
The Blood Price
A solid intro into the characters and Malus in particular. The elements that will carry the following books are there in smaller scale and, while not as refined, serve as great showcases. I really like this one for its short-story form and wish there would have been more smaller, self contained, adventures like this.
The Daemon’s Curse
Things kick off in earnest and the web of plots and intentions is woven. We get introduced to the power hierarchy of the Druchii, Malus’ family and their ambitions and, of course, the Daemon itself. The first interactions between Malus and T’Zarkan are incredibly memorable. There is quite some wonderful scenery changes and cultures. The combat still tends to be a bit cut and paste at times and the many wounds endured hardly ever last more than a page after their infliction.
Bloodstorm
The plot thickens and turns more sinister. We get a better look at the Druchii culture and some very nice maritime storytelling. The lack of Malus-Daemon banter in the first half is made up for in the second. Hints of the scale of plots in motion are brought forward as prophecies are unveiled. I really enjoyed this one as it provided a very dynamic cast in the microcosm of the ships’ hold. It relies heavily on the Cult of Khaine (the elven god of murder), sometimes too obviously twisted from its sources, but mostly as a new welcome power in the plots’ players.
Reaper of Souls
A nice Tomb Raiding adventure is followed by sweeping political changes as the powers at play ramp up toward their goals. The writing and characters are even more fleshed out and, while the plot still twists and turns, more time is taken to detail the world and its inhabitants. The (already present) themes of fate, individual choice and feminine willpower are the bloody threads by which the plot is guided.
While it takes great liberties with the Warhammer lore, it more solidly becomes into its own.
January 27, 2013
This omnibus contains three novels: The Daemon's Curse, Bloodstorm, and Reaper of Souls. I will update my reviews and rating as I finish each book.
The Daemon's Curse: I liked it - 3/5 stars
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
A slow-paced, gory, and blood filled dark adventure motivated by greed!
Bloodstorm: I really liked it - 4/5 stars
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
A fast-paced, sea-faring adventure full of humour and sibling rivalry!
Reaper of Souls: It was amazing - 5/5 stars
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
A world altering adventure that brings new meaning to the word chaos!
The Chronicles of Malus Darkblade Volume One: Average 4/5 stars - I really liked it
Well, that's the end of the Chronicles of Malus Darkblade Volume One! Despite taking an absurdly long twenty-two days to finish, it kept me engaged nearly right from the start!
This omnibus contains a real sense of beginning, middle, and exciting end, with a piercing hook that will leave you scrambling for Volume Two.
If you're interesting in reading from a villain's perspective, this is surely the series for you!
The Daemon's Curse: I liked it - 3/5 stars
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
A slow-paced, gory, and blood filled dark adventure motivated by greed!
Bloodstorm: I really liked it - 4/5 stars
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
A fast-paced, sea-faring adventure full of humour and sibling rivalry!
Reaper of Souls: It was amazing - 5/5 stars
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
A world altering adventure that brings new meaning to the word chaos!
The Chronicles of Malus Darkblade Volume One: Average 4/5 stars - I really liked it
Well, that's the end of the Chronicles of Malus Darkblade Volume One! Despite taking an absurdly long twenty-two days to finish, it kept me engaged nearly right from the start!
This omnibus contains a real sense of beginning, middle, and exciting end, with a piercing hook that will leave you scrambling for Volume Two.
If you're interesting in reading from a villain's perspective, this is surely the series for you!
October 30, 2022
Truly an absolutely stunning book, from the first to the last page I wasn't left unsatisfied, from the betrayals to the twists to the deaths and just the absolute breathing taking and soul shocking moments, this book never leaves you bored, it makes you makes you so much more, it's a thrilling feeling really.
Malus is an absolute devious bastard who while isn't always one step ahead, he can easily put a complicated plan together in a matter of moments and overcome his opponents all the while backstabbing, poisoning and deceiving pretty every around him, despite how useful they can be.
Overall the characters are amazing, they leave you wondering, what the in the name of the prince of pleasure is gonna happen next and my lord I can't wait to read the second volume of this so far masterful duology
Malus is an absolute devious bastard who while isn't always one step ahead, he can easily put a complicated plan together in a matter of moments and overcome his opponents all the while backstabbing, poisoning and deceiving pretty every around him, despite how useful they can be.
Overall the characters are amazing, they leave you wondering, what the in the name of the prince of pleasure is gonna happen next and my lord I can't wait to read the second volume of this so far masterful duology
June 23, 2016
Kabul etmek lazım, Punisher’dan bu yana bir anti-kahraman sempatizanlığımın olduğu bir gerçek. Yani iki ayağında iki kanat olan, işte her yaptığı gül, çiçek ve kelebek esintileri ile dolu olan karakterleri bir yere kadar okuyabiliyorum, sonra kaşıntı basıyor.
Malus Darkblade, diğer sevdiğim anti-kahramanlardan öte bir yere konumlanıyor. Zira anti-kahraman dediğimiz trope dahilinde, karakter iyidir ama iyi olduğu için belli kuralları takip etmek zorunda hissetmez kendini. İşte Batman’in adam öldürmeme kuralı veya masumlara zarar vermeme gibi, bazı şeyleri pratik ölçülerde uygulanabildiği kadar uygulamaya çalışır...
Devamı için: http://kahramangiller.com/kitap/malus...
Malus Darkblade, diğer sevdiğim anti-kahramanlardan öte bir yere konumlanıyor. Zira anti-kahraman dediğimiz trope dahilinde, karakter iyidir ama iyi olduğu için belli kuralları takip etmek zorunda hissetmez kendini. İşte Batman’in adam öldürmeme kuralı veya masumlara zarar vermeme gibi, bazı şeyleri pratik ölçülerde uygulanabildiği kadar uygulamaya çalışır...
Devamı için: http://kahramangiller.com/kitap/malus...
September 3, 2016
This book follows Malus Darkblade, a dark-elf in the Warhammer world. He's deceptive and ambitious. His warped schemes always seem to be running ahead of him, making him his own worst enemy. As an anti-hero, it's fun to cheer for Malus, even if it's just for his persistence. He succeeds in spite of himself, because he won't give up. For those who like dark-fantasy, I always recommend Warhammer, and this particular series is a good one.
August 12, 2009
As a fan of adventure, and of course fantasy, this was a defenite hit with me. Somewhat darker than my usual reads, and although area`s of the book typically showed its comic-book origins it was generally better than the usual action packed, yet weak plotted stuff, Black Library all to commonly publishes.
April 21, 2013
This book was awesome. The dark elves and their scheming and plotting had me blown away. You cheer on Malus when you really shouldn't because this guy makes the devil look tame. But it was such a good break from your traditional characters and their high moral stance and their need to save even those that wish them ill.
September 29, 2010
I was amazed at how entertaining Abnett and Lee made reading about Malus, a complete despicable character.
I've seen Malus described as an anti-hero. Personally I find that a little generous. He's a villain to the core, always out for number one. Entertaining, though.
I've seen Malus described as an anti-hero. Personally I find that a little generous. He's a villain to the core, always out for number one. Entertaining, though.
May 26, 2011
Malus is my anti hero. He has selfishly murdered and maimed his way into my heart. The plots in these books are beautifully contructed and never was I bored. Evil causing evil to suffer is oft very interesting and these books is all of that plus blue corn chips.
Read
March 29, 2012Pretty good story and a lot of background on the dark elves of warhammer. The plot was decent but nothing extraordinary. Still worth reading for the please of seeing how Malus gets out of all the crazy situations he faces.
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