Black Library Celebration 2019

Black Library Celebration 2019

by Chris Wraight (Contributor), Rachel Harrison (Contributor), David Guymer (Contributor)

Short stories set in the Warhammer 40k/Horus Heresy and Age of Sigmar universes.

"Endurance" by Chris Wraight
"A Company of Shadows" by Rachel Harrison
"Gods' Gift" by David Guymer
"Hallowed Knights: Ghosts of Demesnus" by Josh Reynolds
"The Board is Set" by Gav Thorpe
"Grandfather's Gift" by Guy Haley

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fantasy, Anthologies

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2019

About the author

Chris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.

His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.

He is based in the south-west of England.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Except for "Grandfather's Gift," I already owned and read the 40k and Horus Heresy stories reprinted in here. I don't know anything about Age of Sigmar, but "Gods' Gifts" and "Ghosts of Demesnus" were both solidly written.

[Dario · Rating 2 out of 5]

One Saturday earlier this year I took a friend of mine to a Warhammer shop because he was looking for a book, and the shop had this collection of short stories to give away for free. I got it on a whim, as I do very much like free books (who doesn’t?).

Unfortunately, as I suspected, this is a book best enjoyed by people knowledgeable on Warhammer lore, something that I’m not, despite having been curious enough to pick up a copy. They are still very well written though. I do feel that I should have had more proficiency in the world of Warhammer (the game, the story arcs, the locations/universes and the characters) to appreciate these stories. I sadly found the author’s biographies at the end of the book more interesting than most of the stories themselves.

I did, however, enjoy “Grandfather’s Gift” - a fun read overall with two interesting characters.

[Ned Leffingwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories that Games Workshop gave a way for free. I really enjoyed them. I am impressed with the quality of writing that Games Workshop has acquired to write their fiction. There are two stories from the Horus Heresy period, two from the 40k universe, and two from the Age of Sigmar universe. They all do a great job of showing intriguing characters.

[Sarah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts of Demesnus added 20 years to my life (Gardus is to good for this fake world and he has my entire little heart)
All the other stories were good as well. I don’t think there was a story that wasn’t great in there.

[Dev S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of stories here. Some solid entries. The AoS stories weren't that interesting to me but I've never gotten into the universe.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given away for free at Games Workshop stores in February 2019. I enjoyed it. If you missed out on it for free, I wouldn’t kill yourself to track down a copy to purchase. It’s a collection of short stories, vignettes, excerpts, and prologues. I could see a newcomer reading several of these stories and being intrigued enough to pick up one of the recommended follow on titles. I could also see a newcomer being completely lost when reading several of these stories.

Worth your time: Hallowed Knights

Intriguing but for insiders only: Board is Set, Grandfather’s Gift

Fun teasers: God’s Gift, Company of Shadows

Confusing and Forgettable: Endurance, Sacrosanct excerpt

[Carlos Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sólo recomendable para los aficionados a los juegos de Games Workshop. Nivel irregular de los diferentes relatos, aunque te pierdes si no conoces el transfondo de los juegos.

[Carl Grider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would say pretty darn good for free. I only read the 40k related stories and enjoyed gr them

[Christophe Rodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une sympathique anthologie qui permet notamment de découvrir le personnage de Severina Raine.