The Path Forsaken

Warhammer 40,000

by Rob Sanders

Indiscriminate in their destruction, the tyranid host consumes all in its path, sparing nothing and brooking no parley. The exodite world of Ephraeleon will be the next to fall, its people unprepared and undefended, but for Eldar Ranger Una Belphoebe the fate of the planet means nothing compared to the love of her prince. With the chitinous horde already descending on the jungles of Ephraeleon has her desperate rescue come too late?

Read it because
The eldar aren't the most compassionate of aliens at the best of times, but with their entire race facing extinction, one group of rangers is faced with a terrible decision: the death of a world or the extinction of their species. It's also one of the few times in Black Library's fiction where we get to explore one of the deadly dinosaur-infested exodite worlds of the ancient eldar empire.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Audiobook

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2013

About the author

Rob Sanders is the author of twelve novels, as well as numerous anthologised short stories, novellas, audio dramas, computer games and comics. His fiction has won national writing competitions, been featured on the BBC and appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. His poetry has been short listed in national contests. He lives off the beaten track in the small city of Lincoln, UK.

Reviews

[Terrible Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Doo do doo doo DO Doo do doo doo Do Doo dedo doo doo do dooo DE doo” – Yes I was humming the Jurassic Park theme tune well listening to this audio drama

Happy New year to you and welcome to the exodite world of Ephraeleon – things aren’t good here. Tyranids have made planetfall and poor old Ranger Ola Belphoebe is attempting a rescue mission that could stop the extinction of their entire race. The Eldar aren’t the most compassionate of xenos the universe has to offer, but with their entire race facing oblivion, one group of rangers is faced with a terrible decision; the death of a world or the death of their species.

Now, I’ve never heard of a ‘exodite’ world before, so it was interesting to learn about one. These worlds are often described as ‘wild’ plants and untamed. They are home to vast herds of megadons, or other type of dinosaurs. Many of these Eldar worlds have been destroyed, but those which still exist are vigorously defended by the Biel-Tan, a sect of Eldar who look after these worlds, they remind me of shepherds in a way.

The story is simple – Belphoebe are sent to save an Eldar exodite prince before the planet is overrun by the Tyranids. We get to follow the rangers as they navigate their way through not only the dinosaur herds but also the ‘Nids. I really enjoyed the fights between those dinosaurs and Tyranids, even if they don’t stand a chance. Kind of fun. My main issue was the characters weren’t that interesting and at times I found myself disinterested.

So, how’s the voice acting… well why wouldn’t an Eldar sound Scottish or Welsh – personally I prefer them with that musical tone you hear from most audiobooks/dramas. Perhaps they sounded like this before becoming the massive dicks they are in current 40K lore - they do refer to humans as 'mon-kiegh' after all. Sound effects are excellent and help to bring alive Ephraeleon jungle-infested world.

Overall, if you want a different take on the Eldar then give The Path Forsaken your time as it’s defiantly a different take on the space elves (sorry, couldn’t resist). I should also mention Rob Sanders is a very underrated author from Black Library and just for that reason I’d suggest going to read The Soul Drinkers novels. Thank me later – bye :P

[Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent short audio adventure, not much substance beyond straight action. Wish they’d have toned down the noise of the effects they used to try and make it like a radio drama. Made it difficult at times to hear the narration. If you read the description for the story that’s all there really is to it, wish it had gone a bit more into the reaction of the prince and the ranger, but this instead focused mainly on the action of the rescue. Probably the reason I’m rating it as high as three stars was I enjoyed listening to an Eldar story since they don’t get enough representation in publications as a POV, and the interest to learn more of them kept me listening to the very thin plot. It filled the role of something to listen to on the 30ish minute commute to work.

[Jack Creagh-Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A black library publication where an exodite world is heavily featured, a rare and precious thing. A colourful and appealing setting.
Given the short length, the narrative does a good job of characterising the minor characters. There is no nameless or bland ranger in the squad. I'm left feeling the loss of whatever character had passed and the implications thereof.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-produced as always... but not even a tyranid invasion can make the aeldari interesting.

[Lenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ranger Una Belphoebe goes on a desperate mission against time to save her lover, the Exodite price Isarion Stormsmourn, from the consumption of his world. With the doom of the world of Ephraeleon in full swing we get a glimpse into the life of the Exodides.

It's a nice and short listen with a lot of information about the Exodides, which is a rarity. Although the plot and the voice actors are quite good, this story never clicked for me. I couldn't get invested in the characters, a shame since I really tried to like it, and it began on a good note with a glimpse of Kelmon Firesight before he became a wraithseer.

Overall I can't quite pin down what the story lacks (Maybe the audio format just wasn't the best for this story) but it is a definite listen for everyone who likes something with more information about the Exodites. Otherwise I would recommend the Heirs of the Laughing God Series as a fun alternative instead.

[Stephan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small band of Eldar rangers are sent on a mission to save an eldar exodite prince from a planet about to be overrun by tyranids. There you have it. We follow the rangers as they navigate their way through dinosaur infested jungles while the tyranids are closing in all around them.
There's a few fights between dinosaurs/dragons and tyranids which sounds more interesting and fun than it actually is listening to. The characters never really felt that interesting and the voice actors, while doing a good job, never managed to capture me. the Sound effects are... ok, I guess, maybe I had to high hopes here.

I'd describe this story as Eldar rangers and tyranids trapped in Jurassic Park. Make of that what you want.

[Premysl Fiala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice and straightforward story. I never thought I would read (hear) some cues of love in grim dark future.

I can recommend this audio book.

The sounds of animals (Tyranids) were surprisingly rooooooaaaarrriiiing.

[Nicholas Sacco · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was simple, a team of scouts sent to rescue a prince on the surface of an Exodite planet infested by Tyranids. Not the best Eldar story I listened to, but I really liked the sound effects and the soundtrack.

[nooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really like this. It was cool to hear a non-mainstream story of the Eldar.