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The Black Library Novella Series 1 #6
Wanted: Dead
A Necromunda novella
When an ambush in the underhive goes wrong, and a Guilder gets killed, an Escher gang suddenly find themselves outlawed. Now the hunters have become the hunted, and everyone is after their blood…
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a rare excursion into the underhive, where we'll see what happens when gang warfare turns sneaky…
THE STORY
In the teeming hives of Necromunda, from the highest peaks to the lowest depths, life is a constant fight for survival. When an ambush in the Underhive goes wrong, and a Guilder gets killed, an Escher gang suddenly find themselves outlawed. Now the hunters have become the hunted, and everyone is after their blood – enforcers, bounty hunters, even other gangs. With their leader dead, Jarene has to take control and save the lives of herself and her sisters in arms, as well as restoring the honour of their gang. For the fateful ambush was no accident, and the true culprits need to face justice.
When an ambush in the underhive goes wrong, and a Guilder gets killed, an Escher gang suddenly find themselves outlawed. Now the hunters have become the hunted, and everyone is after their blood…
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a rare excursion into the underhive, where we'll see what happens when gang warfare turns sneaky…
THE STORY
In the teeming hives of Necromunda, from the highest peaks to the lowest depths, life is a constant fight for survival. When an ambush in the Underhive goes wrong, and a Guilder gets killed, an Escher gang suddenly find themselves outlawed. Now the hunters have become the hunted, and everyone is after their blood – enforcers, bounty hunters, even other gangs. With their leader dead, Jarene has to take control and save the lives of herself and her sisters in arms, as well as restoring the honour of their gang. For the fateful ambush was no accident, and the true culprits need to face justice.
122 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2018
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Mike Brooks
79 books558 followersMike Brooks was born in Ipswich, Suffolk and moved to Nottingham when he was 18 to go to university. He’s stayed there ever since, and now lives with his wife, two cats, two snakes and a collection of tropical fish. When not working for a homelessness charity he plays guitar and sings in a punk band, watches football (soccer), MMA and nature/science documentaries, goes walking in the Peak District or other areas of splendid scenery, and DJs wherever anyone will tolerate him.
And, y’know, writes.
And, y’know, writes.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 28, 2018
Wanted: Dead is my favorite Necromunda novel and possibly in the top 10 favorite novels period. I like the main character, Jarene, a lot and she's cute with her girlfriend in way that seems real and doesn't make me want to gag or is salacious. It's also fucking brutal, which feels right for the Underhive. And speaking of the Underhive, this is the first novel that really talks about the anatomy of the Underhive that also really seems to understand it (ok there are others, but this one does so very well). Several of the novels obviously take place in the Underhive, but it's anatomy isn't a big part of the story so they only touch on it, which is fine. Others do talk about the anatomy of the hive, but get REALLY wrong, from putting the Ash Wastes solidly inside the hive, to making it some sort of hollowed out cone where you could see the sump from the spire. The only other book that did it well was Junktion, but I didn't really like that one (found the main character to be WAY too lackadaisical about the deaths occurring around him). Wanted: Dead takes in the new lore and rules, it even starts with a scenario. So, if you don't like the new rules, you won't like this, but I think the new take on Eschers are pretty cool as the old lore was basically, look: girl gang! (I do know it was more than that, but not a whole lot more) The characters feel real, gang feels real, the hive feels real. The twist at the end was a lot of fun too. It is awesome!
January 14, 2019
Well written, with interesting characters, and a surprisingly involved plot. BL tend towards straight action, but this one was a refreshing change that showed members of an Escher gang purposefully trying to save their skins, and getting vengeance. Kept me interested, moved well, and actually felt fulfilling, which is impressive for a novella of this size!
December 24, 2019
Awesome introduction into the clan system of Necromunda.
December 22, 2018
This tells the story of Jarene, a hardened Escher ganger and member of the Wild Cats gang, who finds herself in a tight spot when an ambush goes awry. Life in the underhive is tough at the best of times, but when the Wild Cats find wind up outlawed, hunted and on the run, Jarene has to dig deep and make some difficult decisions if she’s to survive, and protect those she loves the most.
An all-female cast of protagonists lends the story a genuinely fresh feel, enhanced by Brooks’ smart exploration of how an entirely female House would think and operate. That means praying to the Empress (because why would they identify with a male god?) and loving other women – with potentially the first lesbian protagonist in a Black Library book – for example, concepts which in Brooks’ capable hands feel entirely appropriate to the characters. Add to all of that a plot which is pacy and exciting (try to avoid the synopsis on the back of the book, which is SPOILERIFIC) with diversions and drama aplenty, and carefully-measured lashings of edge-of-the-seat action, and you’ve got a recipe for a compelling story.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/12/...
An all-female cast of protagonists lends the story a genuinely fresh feel, enhanced by Brooks’ smart exploration of how an entirely female House would think and operate. That means praying to the Empress (because why would they identify with a male god?) and loving other women – with potentially the first lesbian protagonist in a Black Library book – for example, concepts which in Brooks’ capable hands feel entirely appropriate to the characters. Add to all of that a plot which is pacy and exciting (try to avoid the synopsis on the back of the book, which is SPOILERIFIC) with diversions and drama aplenty, and carefully-measured lashings of edge-of-the-seat action, and you’ve got a recipe for a compelling story.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/12/...
April 21, 2022
Really didn't like this one.
While being short (less than 100 pages with last 20 or so being boring action), the story somehow feels longer than it needs to be. I HATED the main characters because they didn't act like they were part of a Necromunda gang. I love the Eschers in the lore, easily my second favorite gang next to Van Saar but there is no way this lot are part of Escher, the main character, Jarene, is so indecisive, always being worried and feeling her 'gut tighten' (a phrase used far, far too often is this story) and she's so easily afraid. Where are the psychotic, man hating warrior women House Escher is supposed to have?
When you read about Escher in the rulebooks and lore, do you ever get the feeling one of these lunatics would freeze on the spot, wide eyed and terrified just because there's a large Goliath standing before her? Of course not, she'd be too busy trying to rip his throat out simply because he's a Goliath!
The world is well realised, I'll give it that. Necromunda is perfect in terms of how it's described and the places they go to are at least interesting but that's probably the only thing I really liked.
The way people talk is so annoying! Every man and women in this book talks like a simpleton who doesn't understand English (or Gothic I guess since it's 40K) which I guess is supposed to make them seem more like Underhivers with a poor education. Sure, I get that. Still makes it bloody annoying.
I hate the concept of the God Empress for two reason. One, every Escher in existence would be looong dead after being killed as heretics if they worshipped the Emperor in a different form either by the Inquisition, House Cawdor or the Ecclesiarchy. Second, the author couldn't even stick to this piece of stupid lore because I noted two places in the story where the Eschers refer to their deity as the God Emperor, not God Empress.
Still hate fake swear words like skut, really wish GW would just let the author swear but oh no, in the GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FAR FUTURE THERE IS ONLY WAR! B...but no potty mouths, ok kids?
The action is dull, predictable and goes on far longer than it needs to, which is no time at all since not every story needs action.
The 'twist' on who really set the gang up and betrayed it is so predictable I was angry that the author treated it like a surprise.
And finally, I don't care if characters are gay. As a dude currently dating another dude I'm fine with people being gay and it makes sense that the famously misandristic Eschers would only date women. However, STOP CALLING THEM 'PARTNER' ALREADY! Girlfriend does just fine, or "My girl" or something like that. Why would an Underhiver refer to her girlfriend as 'partner' exactly? It's...I don't know, very woke and out of place.
It comes off as GW saying, "We can't call them girlfriends because that might upset someone in this stupid age we live in!" and annoyed the hell out of me.
So all in all, don't bother reading this one.
While being short (less than 100 pages with last 20 or so being boring action), the story somehow feels longer than it needs to be. I HATED the main characters because they didn't act like they were part of a Necromunda gang. I love the Eschers in the lore, easily my second favorite gang next to Van Saar but there is no way this lot are part of Escher, the main character, Jarene, is so indecisive, always being worried and feeling her 'gut tighten' (a phrase used far, far too often is this story) and she's so easily afraid. Where are the psychotic, man hating warrior women House Escher is supposed to have?
When you read about Escher in the rulebooks and lore, do you ever get the feeling one of these lunatics would freeze on the spot, wide eyed and terrified just because there's a large Goliath standing before her? Of course not, she'd be too busy trying to rip his throat out simply because he's a Goliath!
The world is well realised, I'll give it that. Necromunda is perfect in terms of how it's described and the places they go to are at least interesting but that's probably the only thing I really liked.
The way people talk is so annoying! Every man and women in this book talks like a simpleton who doesn't understand English (or Gothic I guess since it's 40K) which I guess is supposed to make them seem more like Underhivers with a poor education. Sure, I get that. Still makes it bloody annoying.
I hate the concept of the God Empress for two reason. One, every Escher in existence would be looong dead after being killed as heretics if they worshipped the Emperor in a different form either by the Inquisition, House Cawdor or the Ecclesiarchy. Second, the author couldn't even stick to this piece of stupid lore because I noted two places in the story where the Eschers refer to their deity as the God Emperor, not God Empress.
Still hate fake swear words like skut, really wish GW would just let the author swear but oh no, in the GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FAR FUTURE THERE IS ONLY WAR! B...but no potty mouths, ok kids?
The action is dull, predictable and goes on far longer than it needs to, which is no time at all since not every story needs action.
The 'twist' on who really set the gang up and betrayed it is so predictable I was angry that the author treated it like a surprise.
And finally, I don't care if characters are gay. As a dude currently dating another dude I'm fine with people being gay and it makes sense that the famously misandristic Eschers would only date women. However, STOP CALLING THEM 'PARTNER' ALREADY! Girlfriend does just fine, or "My girl" or something like that. Why would an Underhiver refer to her girlfriend as 'partner' exactly? It's...I don't know, very woke and out of place.
It comes off as GW saying, "We can't call them girlfriends because that might upset someone in this stupid age we live in!" and annoyed the hell out of me.
So all in all, don't bother reading this one.
August 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this. Necromunda was a 40K setting I was totally unfamiliar with but this novella made me want more... now. Wanted: Dead is basically a re-skinned Western from the 50’s set in the dystopian Underhives of 40K. All the classic Western tropes are there in mutated form: a heist gone wrong, double crosses, a gunfight at the corral, etc. I loved it. Reminded me of my favorite Shadowrun novels but better written with more engaging characters, like Jarene (who I would gladly read a whole series about).
December 11, 2018
Dammmmmn that was good. And not just because of the nearly all-female cast and queer protagonist. Wanted: Dead is an exciting tale of danger, betrayal, and loyalty with a twist towards the end I did not see coming and really cool descriptions of a crumbling dystopic city. This needs to be a graphic novel! I had found Brooks's e-short "The Path Unclear" fairly mediocre so this was quite a pleasant surprise.
February 20, 2019
Black library have recently released several novellas, all great entry level books for people wanting to learn more about the Games Workshop universe and this is one of my favourite so far. In my opinion there are not enough books being released aboout Necromunda but with its rerelease last year I am hoping to see a lot more. This is a fun little novella dealing with a heist gone wrong when an Escher gang finds themselves outlawed in the Underhive.
January 29, 2021
Wow, diese Mädels haben's drauf! Aber um in der Warhammer-Welt überleben zu können, ist das wohl auch eine Voraussetzung ;)
Toll fand ich auch die Beschreibung der Beziehung von Jarene, die ihre Handlungen motiviert und erklärt. Es ist toll, dass immer mehr LGBTQ-Charaktere geschrieben werden, ohne dass ihre Sexualität spezifisch erklärt werden muss. Es ist nun einfach so - was muss man da noch weiter ausführen?
Ansonsten bietet Mike Brooks erstklassige Necromunda-Unterhaltung mit allem, was dazugehört. Grosse Waffen, blutige Gefechte und Kickass-Mädels. Hell yeah!
Toll fand ich auch die Beschreibung der Beziehung von Jarene, die ihre Handlungen motiviert und erklärt. Es ist toll, dass immer mehr LGBTQ-Charaktere geschrieben werden, ohne dass ihre Sexualität spezifisch erklärt werden muss. Es ist nun einfach so - was muss man da noch weiter ausführen?
Ansonsten bietet Mike Brooks erstklassige Necromunda-Unterhaltung mit allem, was dazugehört. Grosse Waffen, blutige Gefechte und Kickass-Mädels. Hell yeah!
May 21, 2023
A short novella about the Wild Cat gang, a hold up gone wrong, backstabbing, and a few shoot outs. Plot streams along at a fast pace and doesn't overstay it's welcome, and it even managed a twist that I didn't see coming (though in hindsight, really should have!). A good introduction to Necromunda fiction.
May 26, 2019
Underhive crime intrigue! I've never followed the Necromunda sub-setting for 40K all that closely, but I know enough of the basics I didn't have any trouble following the plot here. Pretty fun all around.
September 5, 2019
A light read from the GW Novella series. This book does a great job of really making it feel like people live in the underhive. It's not going to revolutionize your reading but you will likely enjoy it if you are interested in the setting.
September 26, 2019
Necromunda.!
Part Warriors, part Dread Pirate Roberts, action, and vengeance, just another day in the Underhive. I like Necromunda stories, they are usually high speed and really violent. Looking for more.Check it out.
Part Warriors, part Dread Pirate Roberts, action, and vengeance, just another day in the Underhive. I like Necromunda stories, they are usually high speed and really violent. Looking for more.Check it out.
January 31, 2019
This book is great. A nice and simple read filled with awesome action read this book. Done in a day. A 40k take on the Warriors and well worth it!
August 1, 2023
Quite fun.
February 27, 2023
This is a very entertaining novella that deals with an Escher ganger and her friends trying to survive after being forced into making a mistake that leaves their gang outlawed and at the mercy of their Goliath enemies. The plot was a little predictable but still enjoyable and the action was good, particularly the fight against the Goliaths. The characters are all mostly well written and I did think that the the relationship that the main character had with her girlfriend was nicely done. On the other hand, I did think the overall villain of the book could have used a bit more fleshing. Also, the lore of the setting has been developed a bit since this book was released, but this doesn’t effect the plot too much and can easily be ignored.
October 8, 2025
The first book I have read in the Black Library 'Novella Series 1', and it's a classic Necormunda tale of gangs, treachery and just a little bit of hope for the near future.
Brooks captures the spirit of the Necromunda Hive and the Gangs within it perfectly with his protrayal of two Escher gangs and a Goliath gang. Keeping the action fast (as required in a Novella) there is certainly assumed knowledge of a lot of the background of Necromunda which may make it difficult as a first book for new readers, but it's still classic, fun, pulp sci-fi which most people will have no trouble following and enjoying.
Hoping the rest of the series lives up to this first promise.
Brooks captures the spirit of the Necromunda Hive and the Gangs within it perfectly with his protrayal of two Escher gangs and a Goliath gang. Keeping the action fast (as required in a Novella) there is certainly assumed knowledge of a lot of the background of Necromunda which may make it difficult as a first book for new readers, but it's still classic, fun, pulp sci-fi which most people will have no trouble following and enjoying.
Hoping the rest of the series lives up to this first promise.
March 19, 2022
Au début j'ai été un peu déstabilisé, ne connaissant pas Necromunda et assez peu W40K.
De prime abord ça semblait un peu lourd comme le sont souvent les romans de la franchise, mais on se prend au jeu sans s'en rendre compte et les pages finissent par se tourner toutes seules.
De prime abord ça semblait un peu lourd comme le sont souvent les romans de la franchise, mais on se prend au jeu sans s'en rendre compte et les pages finissent par se tourner toutes seules.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews