Wraithbound

Black Library Advent Calendar 2016 #8

by J.C. Stearns

Though the Imperium defends its worlds with vigour, not all cries for help are answered in time, or even heard at all. A nameless Imperial world has been conquered by orks; its resources seized for the greenskins’ war effort, and its human population enslaved. The eldar have foreseen that if the ork warlord is not stopped, and soon, the consequences will be dire. Enraged by its losses, the Imperium will eventually launch an anti-xenos crusade of unparalleled ferocity. To protect the future of their own craftworld, the eldar must be prepared to sacrifice all to defeat the ork invaders.

Read it because
Those tricksy eldar are up to their usual ploys – manipulating mankind for their own benefit. But with humans on one side and orks on the other, have the aliens bitten off more than they can chew this time?

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2016

About the author

Jim Stearns started writing for Black Library in 2016. He lives in Illinois.

Reviews

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting tale of the Eldar, from an interesting perspective that we haven't seen before(to my knowledge anyways). Our main character is an Eldar fighter pilot, and while the action is definitely at a breakneck pace and keeps you at the edge of your seat, there was a surprising element of romance and a very strong character progression for such a short story.
Those 2 elements alone really sold the story for me, and I really hope that we can see more stuff in the same vein as that. After all, as great as grimdark is, the lowest of lows is most complimented by the highest of highs!
Fantastic job Mr. Stearns! Can't wait to see more from you!

[T R Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite having a rather predictable ending, Wraithbound was the most entertaining Warhammer 40,000 short story focusing on aerial combat. It is always good to get some fiction without any human characters and the main Eldar character in this quite interesting, giving a good look at how his people turn their minds to war. The aerial combat was very well written, being both entertaining and easy to follow. This was apparently the first story that the author wrote for Warhammer 40,000 and I will definitely be looking out for some of his subsequent works.

[Lorilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection. I have to say that J.C. Stearns’ story was by far my favorite of the entire collection.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of the “On Wings of Blood” anthology.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok short story to read in between books

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The eldar arrive on day eight of Black Library’s 2016 Advent Calendar in Wraithbound by JC Stearns, in which a combined force of craftworld and corsair eldar make a daring webway assault onto an Imperial world that’s been overrun by orks. Among the first wave is Crimson Hunter pilot Seoci, firmly on the path of the hunter but not yet lost to it. Donning his war mask as he goes into battle, he pushes aside thoughts of his previous path until his past comes back to haunt him when his craftworld’s wraith constructs take to the field.

Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...

[peter eells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

A great short story, exciting and absorbing. All fans of Warhammer 40K Wil enjoy this one.
Well done. Look forward to more from Jim Stearns.