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Starseer's Ruin
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26A Warhammer Age of Sigmar Novel
A loyal Seraphon is sent to the ruins of a derelict temple-ship to recover an ancient prophecy, but other forces are set on finding the same ruins for very different reasons. Will Irixi Starseer find what they're looking for, or will there be conflict with other armies of Order?
READ IT BECAUSE
Find out what happens when the servants of Order find themselves on opposing sides of the same objective. Will the Seraphon, Stormcast Eternals, and Cities of Sigmar come to blows, or will they come together in the end? The rise of a mysterious evil might just save them from disgrace in Adrian Tchaikovsky's first full-length novel set in the Mortal Realms, following on from his short story, Written in Stars.
THE STORY
An age ago, the Seraphon temple-ship Wings of Serendipitous Fire was blasted from the skies of Shyish. Not by the powers of Chaos, but by the misplaced servants of Sigmar himself. Now, Irixi Starseer, servant of the mage-priest Sek’atta, is sent to the ancient ruin of the temple-ship to recover a prophecy inscribed on its walls, a prophecy as shattered as the rest of the fallen vessel.
The Stormcast Vael Scar-Helm seeks the same ruin, chasing a memory that has haunted him through many Reforgings. Simultaneously, the mage Perlo leads a group of Steelhelms to the site, pursuing rumours of a treasure beyond imagining. But while others seek the Seraphon’s power and riches, an even greater, more insidious enemy arises that threatens the very fabric of the Great Plan.
Written by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
A loyal Seraphon is sent to the ruins of a derelict temple-ship to recover an ancient prophecy, but other forces are set on finding the same ruins for very different reasons. Will Irixi Starseer find what they're looking for, or will there be conflict with other armies of Order?
READ IT BECAUSE
Find out what happens when the servants of Order find themselves on opposing sides of the same objective. Will the Seraphon, Stormcast Eternals, and Cities of Sigmar come to blows, or will they come together in the end? The rise of a mysterious evil might just save them from disgrace in Adrian Tchaikovsky's first full-length novel set in the Mortal Realms, following on from his short story, Written in Stars.
THE STORY
An age ago, the Seraphon temple-ship Wings of Serendipitous Fire was blasted from the skies of Shyish. Not by the powers of Chaos, but by the misplaced servants of Sigmar himself. Now, Irixi Starseer, servant of the mage-priest Sek’atta, is sent to the ancient ruin of the temple-ship to recover a prophecy inscribed on its walls, a prophecy as shattered as the rest of the fallen vessel.
The Stormcast Vael Scar-Helm seeks the same ruin, chasing a memory that has haunted him through many Reforgings. Simultaneously, the mage Perlo leads a group of Steelhelms to the site, pursuing rumours of a treasure beyond imagining. But while others seek the Seraphon’s power and riches, an even greater, more insidious enemy arises that threatens the very fabric of the Great Plan.
Written by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
48 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Tchaikovsky
194 books17.9k followersADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading, before practising law in Leeds. He is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Mary Gently, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 28, 2025
Lizard.
November 25, 2025
An absolutely outstanding novel. Adrian Tchaikovsky really knows how to write a good Warhammer novel! I haven't read a single story written by him yet that has disappointed me!
All the characters in this book were unique, with their own motivations and goals. The plot was interesting and moved at a good pace. A tiny reveal at the end was good for intrigue (Even if I disliked what it led to plot-wise!)
Definitely worth picking this up if you're on the fence!
Adrian, write more please!
All the characters in this book were unique, with their own motivations and goals. The plot was interesting and moved at a good pace. A tiny reveal at the end was good for intrigue (Even if I disliked what it led to plot-wise!)
Definitely worth picking this up if you're on the fence!
Adrian, write more please!
December 4, 2025
Without question one of the best Warhammer Age of Sigmar books to hit shelves.
November 24, 2025
Not an absolutely perfect book, but it shows off Tchaikovsky's talent for writing non-human characters really well. The Seraphon are written fantastically and their alien mindset really comes across. Sadly, the human characters feel a little less fleshed out by comparison - but this can be perhaps attributed to them not really being as important to the plot as the lizards are.
It's also worth noting a bit of general Games Workshop smell about the book. There's always a few sentences in a BL book that stick out like a sore thumb, clearly added by the marketing department in post to sell a particular model. I really wish they wouldn't, as the novels are already a great advert for the games, and it just cheapens the whole experience to have a particular kit all but named in an action scene.
I'd say this is a 7.5/10, to go much more granular than a star rating (though perhaps stars are a better way to measure this particular book...!)
It's also worth noting a bit of general Games Workshop smell about the book. There's always a few sentences in a BL book that stick out like a sore thumb, clearly added by the marketing department in post to sell a particular model. I really wish they wouldn't, as the novels are already a great advert for the games, and it just cheapens the whole experience to have a particular kit all but named in an action scene.
I'd say this is a 7.5/10, to go much more granular than a star rating (though perhaps stars are a better way to measure this particular book...!)
December 3, 2025
There is too much going up and down into the ruins - and we never have a clear idea of the geography of the ruin. There are really only two, or maybe three, locations in this book; the forest, above the temple, and down in the audience chamber.
Thats my main criticism. Otherwise a perfectly decent Adrian Tchaikovsky book. Story is built across three points of view; Seraphon Lizard Priest made specifically to continue a multi-aeon Grand Plan which (should) lead to the defeat of Chaos, a memory-blasted Stormcast who's remaining tatters of identity are only locked in place by his most traumatic memory, and a pair of humans, brother and sister, one mage one worldling.
There is an enemy in the book; the reliably maniacal and psychopathic Skaven*, but they are almost not the real enemy, the true antagonist is the gulf in understanding and paradigm between the three main group/individuals. Each is dedicated against chaos, each has an utterly different and mutually incoherent understanding of the meaning of their own lives and of the lives of others.
Perhaps the most interesting is that of the Seraphon; the Starseer in question is intelligent, curious and self-aware, and is also made a one part or agent of a plan; the 'Nine Orchid Path', which is itself one tiny fragment of a much larger plan. This life lived 'in service to the plan' is almost Platonic in its nature. All meaning, truth and purpose descends exclusively from above, from the grand creators of the plan, and all any Seraphon needs to think about is how adept they are an instrument in the hands of the plan. To be a living, breathing creature yet also a willing instrument of absolute purpose, is a queer thing. They are somewhat Angelic, or Robotic, in that sense, with a relative absence of anguish.
By comparison, a short human life seems both savage and philosophical. Humans are fighting not only to survive but to discover and instil meaning in their short lives. Material, greedy, short-sighted and craven, they have ranges of thoughts regarding _meaning_ itself that a Seraphon would never conceive.
The fact that the plan can conceive of its own destruction and recombination (as part of it at least), makes it feel more like an entity, somewhere between an idea and an Abrahamic God. That it may require apparent 'failure', corruption, death and sacrifice as part of it, also feels deeply Abrahamic. In some ways 'Starseers Ruin' is the Book of Job writ large.
*The absence of a deep dive into the 'Philosophy' or life-path of the Skaven is perhaps another mild flaw. They are made essentially to be villains, but what is it like, and what does it mean, if *every* member of a society, all think they are the Main Character and Nietzschean Superman/Prophet who will lead the Race to Greatness and possibly become a god. It would have been interesting to bring the myriad viewpoints of the Skaven into greater depth and sympathy; they are after all, in part a reflection of Humanities search for meaning.
It would be interesting to see a sequel and what becomes of these characters.
Thats my main criticism. Otherwise a perfectly decent Adrian Tchaikovsky book. Story is built across three points of view; Seraphon Lizard Priest made specifically to continue a multi-aeon Grand Plan which (should) lead to the defeat of Chaos, a memory-blasted Stormcast who's remaining tatters of identity are only locked in place by his most traumatic memory, and a pair of humans, brother and sister, one mage one worldling.
There is an enemy in the book; the reliably maniacal and psychopathic Skaven*, but they are almost not the real enemy, the true antagonist is the gulf in understanding and paradigm between the three main group/individuals. Each is dedicated against chaos, each has an utterly different and mutually incoherent understanding of the meaning of their own lives and of the lives of others.
Perhaps the most interesting is that of the Seraphon; the Starseer in question is intelligent, curious and self-aware, and is also made a one part or agent of a plan; the 'Nine Orchid Path', which is itself one tiny fragment of a much larger plan. This life lived 'in service to the plan' is almost Platonic in its nature. All meaning, truth and purpose descends exclusively from above, from the grand creators of the plan, and all any Seraphon needs to think about is how adept they are an instrument in the hands of the plan. To be a living, breathing creature yet also a willing instrument of absolute purpose, is a queer thing. They are somewhat Angelic, or Robotic, in that sense, with a relative absence of anguish.
By comparison, a short human life seems both savage and philosophical. Humans are fighting not only to survive but to discover and instil meaning in their short lives. Material, greedy, short-sighted and craven, they have ranges of thoughts regarding _meaning_ itself that a Seraphon would never conceive.
The fact that the plan can conceive of its own destruction and recombination (as part of it at least), makes it feel more like an entity, somewhere between an idea and an Abrahamic God. That it may require apparent 'failure', corruption, death and sacrifice as part of it, also feels deeply Abrahamic. In some ways 'Starseers Ruin' is the Book of Job writ large.
*The absence of a deep dive into the 'Philosophy' or life-path of the Skaven is perhaps another mild flaw. They are made essentially to be villains, but what is it like, and what does it mean, if *every* member of a society, all think they are the Main Character and Nietzschean Superman/Prophet who will lead the Race to Greatness and possibly become a god. It would have been interesting to bring the myriad viewpoints of the Skaven into greater depth and sympathy; they are after all, in part a reflection of Humanities search for meaning.
It would be interesting to see a sequel and what becomes of these characters.
November 17, 2025
For me, Adrian Tchaikovsky is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only is he one of the most interesting voices in sci-fi currently who pumps out books as if he has been blessed by the Machine God personally but he's also now written a novel over my favorite faction from each Warhammer 40K and Warhammer Age of Sigmar.
All of that to say I'm a bit biased but this is an excellent read. I was initially disappointed by the split focus among multiple human characters with a Stormcast to boot as well as the Seraphon. However, it didn't take long for Tchaikovsky to cement these humans and the Stormcast as real characters thankfully avoiding the dreaded trope too frequently tree in Warhammer 40K books of every book actually being a secret Space Marine book despite who/what is on the cover. Not only is this folly avoided but the Stormcast does nothing but add to this story as well as the characterization of some of the Seraphon cast, notably the Saurus warrior Gokumet with their mirrored tale of survivors guilt.
Shades of Tchaikovsky's prior sci-fi works add color to quite a few sections of this particular book making these moments little treats seeing him expand or continue previous ideas, though this is the first of his fantasy flavored offerings I've read so I cannot speak to the same methods being done with his prior fantasy works.
As was done with Genestealer Cults when I finished Day of Ascension, I am now greatly motivated to finish assembling and painting a Seraphon army even though I do not play AoS. Such is the power of well written Warhammer books.
All of that to say I'm a bit biased but this is an excellent read. I was initially disappointed by the split focus among multiple human characters with a Stormcast to boot as well as the Seraphon. However, it didn't take long for Tchaikovsky to cement these humans and the Stormcast as real characters thankfully avoiding the dreaded trope too frequently tree in Warhammer 40K books of every book actually being a secret Space Marine book despite who/what is on the cover. Not only is this folly avoided but the Stormcast does nothing but add to this story as well as the characterization of some of the Seraphon cast, notably the Saurus warrior Gokumet with their mirrored tale of survivors guilt.
Shades of Tchaikovsky's prior sci-fi works add color to quite a few sections of this particular book making these moments little treats seeing him expand or continue previous ideas, though this is the first of his fantasy flavored offerings I've read so I cannot speak to the same methods being done with his prior fantasy works.
As was done with Genestealer Cults when I finished Day of Ascension, I am now greatly motivated to finish assembling and painting a Seraphon army even though I do not play AoS. Such is the power of well written Warhammer books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
I believe Adrian Tchaikovsky prefers beasts to people. He loves to write from the perspective of alien minds. Having written 'Children of Time', a science fiction novel about sentient space spiders, he was bound to do wonders with 'Warhammer: Age of Sigmar'. Seraphon and Skaven would give him a chance to prove his skills yet again.
For decades, Black Library have been the lords of tie-in fiction. They insist on hiring professional writers to bring their worlds to life. In this novel, lore from the game is put to great purpose. Mr. Tchaikovsky explores the minds of devious rodents and pious reptiles. Readers will surely be enthralled by all the first-person vignettes.
What becomes remarkable as the story progresses is how human characters lose their prominence. Stormcast Eternals are warriors chosen by the god Sigmar to be reborn each time they die, these resurrections costing them solace and sanity. Despite these fascinating tropes, the Stormcast turn out to be less interesting than the monsters.
Seraphon and Skaven have their faiths, their goals, and their motives. Lesser writers would have made them mindless beasts to slay. Mr. Tchaikovsky gives them space to scheme, speak, and think. Such is his skill that non-human characters become the most intriguing. (More than once, I wanted to paint a few of their models 😆.)
Because I know 'Age of Sigmar' less, this novel was less impressive than 'Day of Ascension', Mr. Tchaikovsky's book about a Genestealer Cult in 'Warhammer 40,000' - but my ignorance shouldn't sour the view of those who know 'AoS' better. 'Starseer's Ruin' is a fun adventure and will delight the fans of rats and lizards alike.
For decades, Black Library have been the lords of tie-in fiction. They insist on hiring professional writers to bring their worlds to life. In this novel, lore from the game is put to great purpose. Mr. Tchaikovsky explores the minds of devious rodents and pious reptiles. Readers will surely be enthralled by all the first-person vignettes.
What becomes remarkable as the story progresses is how human characters lose their prominence. Stormcast Eternals are warriors chosen by the god Sigmar to be reborn each time they die, these resurrections costing them solace and sanity. Despite these fascinating tropes, the Stormcast turn out to be less interesting than the monsters.
Seraphon and Skaven have their faiths, their goals, and their motives. Lesser writers would have made them mindless beasts to slay. Mr. Tchaikovsky gives them space to scheme, speak, and think. Such is his skill that non-human characters become the most intriguing. (More than once, I wanted to paint a few of their models 😆.)
Because I know 'Age of Sigmar' less, this novel was less impressive than 'Day of Ascension', Mr. Tchaikovsky's book about a Genestealer Cult in 'Warhammer 40,000' - but my ignorance shouldn't sour the view of those who know 'AoS' better. 'Starseer's Ruin' is a fun adventure and will delight the fans of rats and lizards alike.
November 22, 2025
Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite Sci-fi/fantasy writers atm so it is always a special thrill when he pops into the Black Library to deliver another winner.
Really great characterization in this, Tchaikovsky has a knack for creating characters that genuinely feel other. His Seraphon are really unique and interesting.
Hope this leads to more in the future.
Really great characterization in this, Tchaikovsky has a knack for creating characters that genuinely feel other. His Seraphon are really unique and interesting.
Hope this leads to more in the future.
December 4, 2025
A wizard lizard and his companions embark on an incredible journey to an ancient ruin all to gleefully inform a woman, her brother, and their friends that she's been predetermined to fuck up biggly to the benefit of all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2025
A superb read, it shows why Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of the best writers around.
January 24, 2026
Loved this book - I think it's a fantastic view into how Seraphon actually think as a faction!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews