Agent of the Throne: Blood and Lies

The Horusian Wars

by John French

For Ianthe, war is all too familiar. A former soldier in the Astra Militarum, she now serves Inquisitor Covenant as an agent of the Throne. Her first mission sees her investigating a cult called the Children of Eternity. Falling foul of the local Enforcers, Ianthe soon learns that war in the shadows is seldom straightforward and that the local, angry law-keepers are the least of her troubles.

Genres: 40k, Audiobook, Science Fiction

1 pages, Audible Audio

First published August 1, 2017

About the author

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full series review: https://bitsandpieces.games/2021/01/2...

Just another murder cult. Offering a fairly straightforward start to the series, we’re introduced to Ianthe in media-res after her less than smooth arrival on Mithras 10. Sent to destroy a Chaos Cult, The Children of Eternity, Ianthe’s adventure takes us on a brisk journey into the underhive. Given the brevity of each drama, it’s difficult to say more without spoiling the whole adventure.


I’m not certain where exactly the story falls in the grand timeline of 40k. It doesn’t particularly matter as at only 1 hour 7 minutes a piece, the dramas don’t really have the luxury of stopping to ponder or discuss what’s going on beyond the immediate action. Instead, the story offers a pulpy romp with just enough Warhammer flavour to make it distinct. It’s also nice to get a glimpse into a setting familiar to Necromunda & Inq28 players. It’s not a story laden with lore revelations or sweeping new ideas about the 40k Universe, The Inquisition or even life in an underhive. The whole thing is dramatised nicely, which helps to anchor the slightly hammy dialogue in the grunge and grime of the world.#

[DarkChaplain · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best, most exciting audio drama productions Black Library released to date. On point with the sound effects, pacing and frantic action sequences. Colleen Prendergast's acting/narration, especially during the quiet meta scenes, is absolutely on point.
A brilliantly written script combined with a stunning production like this? What more can you ask for, really.

[Tal · Rating 5 out of 5]

GA-like Audio dramas for warhammer 40k? count me in. Was a blast.

[Igor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid opening to the series. An Inquisitor's work is nasty...

[Hawke Embers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanna hear a tale of heresy and purification? asked the drunken and beat down inquisitor,
then stay a while and listen!

I must confess that when I heard the quote
+Mistress, I may inquire if this means you will be ending your operation on Mithras+
"No, Artivanus, we are only just getting started."
After the protagonist had been significantly wounded; I grew worried where this story was going, luckily, that was where the cliche's ended.

Blood and Lies is a side story that ties into author; John French's main ongoing Horusian Wars series and follows a former soldier turned Inquisitorial agent as she seeks to uncover corruption on an Imperial world. It is quite a thrilling tale, filled with some of the best production values Black Library has produced to date. Some scenes have our heroine downing a bottle as she recounts horrific events while others have us in the heart of the story, all of which are excellently executed and really pull the audience in. The story ultimately wraps up in a nice little bow that gives this a very side story-esk feel; which is completely fine as the journey was more than worth it.

If you enjoy Inquisitors, noir styled fiction, strong characters or spy thrillers, give this one a go!

I give Blood and Lies a 4 out of 5.

[Michael Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening instalment of John French’s Agent of the Throne audio drama series, which ties into the wider Horusian Wars arc, this sees Ianthe (first seen in the short story The Purity of Ignorance) recounting the tale of her first solo mission for Inquisitor Covenant.

If all you’re after is a thrilling, exciting story then you should absolutely enjoy this, but if you’re interested in the Inquisition and fancy a look at a ‘peripheral mission’, not quite important enough for a full inquisitor but dangerous enough that it needs an Inquisitorial presence, this really hits the spot.

Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/08/...

[Jessaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story revolves around the enigmatic protagonist, an agent of the Inquisition, whose mission unravels a web of conspiracy and deception set against the backdrop of a crumbling Imperium. As the protagonist delves deeper into the shadows, readers are treated to unexpected twists and turns that keep the tension high throughout. French's adept use of descriptive language painting vivid imagery of the Warhammer 40 universe.The pacing is well balanced, alternating between slow burn tension and fast paced action sequences.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story of a woman who serves the inquisitors. It takes the form of a story being told by her as part of a conversation but also taking you into conversations that is first person. It is an unusual format jumping back and forth. Makes it a little hard to fully into the investigation as to the cult but good for backstory information and world building in some ways. Corruption comes to all areas of society and in many forms.

[Cloak88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good audiodrama 3.5 stars

An Inquisitorial agent goes on an investigation, has some difficulty, fiends and ally and kills a few people... Sounds dull? Well it isn't. This is one of those fully cast, well edited and furnished with af awesome sound design audiodrama's that let you: just step into the story.

The voice-acting and sound effects are superb. Add to that a solid if rather short story, and you get glorious 40K audiodrama just over an hour long.

[Aaron Beardsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Showcases why Black Library is one of the best audio-production companies. This was a killer story, with an enjoyable triad of characters, each of whom is distinct from the rest of the team. An hour well spent.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

For such a macho, male-dominated franchise, 40k authors sure write great female characters. Voice acting and sound effects were fantastic.

[Chris Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like it, characters with personality. Tense situations. But... painfully short.

[Garrison Weekes · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF THERE IS A PRINT COPY OF THIS BOOK YOU SHOULD BURN IT AND LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great production value. Story was less great. The little vignettes were more interesting than the main bit.

[Brian Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this audio drama. My only complaint was it was over too quickly. I will have to find the others.

[C. K. Andersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of Toby Longworth's narration, I decided to give this audio drama a go and I absolutely loved it! The writing is solid, so is the performance.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short story in the Horusian Wars narrative. I don't remember Ianthe as being as big of a character in the books (hopefully in the future) but enjoying her storyline.

[David Sastre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous, immersive audio production!

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

[Sarah McNally · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is how I thought it would be. A strong, independent woman…who is actually weak and scarily dependent on others. She is female, though. One out of three isn’t bad, I suppose.

I’m hoping the next book will be a bit better. At the very least, I’d like to see her open a door by herself without the aid of another person, and to not get all googly love-heart eyed when a male character appears.

[Nils Ax · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler!
This book had a suprisingly "good" (as in not a bad ending for the characters) ending compared to most other Warhammer 40,000 books i have read. I it was a bit different from the Horus Heresy audio dramas i usually listen to.

[nooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** I did like this, cuz it's fun to have a woman as the protagonist, but I really could have done without the "she's gotta be saved by a man" ending.

[John Hooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story, with a decent twist and decent action. Good quick read/listen