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Warhammer Horror
Dark Harvest
A Warhammer Horror novel
A disgraced warrior-priest who prowls the Greywater Fastness is forced to confront his past when a message from an old friend sends him on a perilous quest. In an isolated village full of untrusting souls, his darkest secrets threaten to come to light.
READ IT BECAUSE
Explore a corner of the Mortal Realms full of dangerous characters and dark secrets in a novel by Josh Reynolds, master of the sinister.
THE STORY
Harran Blackwood was a Warrior-Priest of ruthless virtue. Now he's a man with a scorched reputation, prowling the back alleys of Greywater Fastness, content to fight the petty wars of racketeers for survival. But when a desperate message arrives from an old friend, Blackwood is forced to confront a past he thought long buried. Summoned to the isolated village of Wald, Blackwood sets off on a perilous trek to ensure the sins of his former life remain forgotten. He soon discovers that Wald is a hostile, secretive place with sins of its own. Deep in the murky marshes, where the cruel chants of village folk echo and the stink of death hovers low, Blackwood must channel his bitterness and rage to defy the ancient darkness that now hunts him before he is devoured, body and soul.
A disgraced warrior-priest who prowls the Greywater Fastness is forced to confront his past when a message from an old friend sends him on a perilous quest. In an isolated village full of untrusting souls, his darkest secrets threaten to come to light.
READ IT BECAUSE
Explore a corner of the Mortal Realms full of dangerous characters and dark secrets in a novel by Josh Reynolds, master of the sinister.
THE STORY
Harran Blackwood was a Warrior-Priest of ruthless virtue. Now he's a man with a scorched reputation, prowling the back alleys of Greywater Fastness, content to fight the petty wars of racketeers for survival. But when a desperate message arrives from an old friend, Blackwood is forced to confront a past he thought long buried. Summoned to the isolated village of Wald, Blackwood sets off on a perilous trek to ensure the sins of his former life remain forgotten. He soon discovers that Wald is a hostile, secretive place with sins of its own. Deep in the murky marshes, where the cruel chants of village folk echo and the stink of death hovers low, Blackwood must channel his bitterness and rage to defy the ancient darkness that now hunts him before he is devoured, body and soul.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2019
73 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Reynolds
313 books339 followersJosh Reynolds’ work has previously appeared in such anthologies as Historical Lovecraft from Innsmouth Free Press and Horror for the Holidays from Miskatonic River Press, and his novel, Knight of the Blazing Sun, is currently available from Black Library. He can be found at: http://joshuamreynolds.wordpress.com
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 25, 2019
A sinister, atmospheric tale of old gods and lost faith in the grey swamps of Ghyran. Once a warrior priest of Sigmar, now reduced to scraping a living as hired muscle, Harran Blackwood finds his quiet life in Greywater Fastness rocked when he receives a message which stirs up painful memories from his past. Setting out with violence in his heart, Blackwood travels to the squalid town of Wald to seek the message’s sender, but finds a deeper and older darkness lurking in the wilds.
It's maybe not as out-and-out horror as you might expect, but there’s a lot to enjoy in a rare Warhammer story which doesn’t involve Chaos, and in which the antagonists are as much wild forces of nature as anything else. It could have done with digging a bit deeper into Blackwood’s past, which is intriguing but a little nebulous, and a little more in the way of consequences for the fact he’s able to see the (properly creepy) little gheists haunting the swamps of Ghyran, but there’s nevertheless an evocative sense of darkness to the setting, the cast and the overarching narrative. If you like your Warhammer stories to feel old-school, atmospheric and properly grim, this should be right up your street.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/11/...
It's maybe not as out-and-out horror as you might expect, but there’s a lot to enjoy in a rare Warhammer story which doesn’t involve Chaos, and in which the antagonists are as much wild forces of nature as anything else. It could have done with digging a bit deeper into Blackwood’s past, which is intriguing but a little nebulous, and a little more in the way of consequences for the fact he’s able to see the (properly creepy) little gheists haunting the swamps of Ghyran, but there’s nevertheless an evocative sense of darkness to the setting, the cast and the overarching narrative. If you like your Warhammer stories to feel old-school, atmospheric and properly grim, this should be right up your street.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/11/...
June 10, 2020
Although atmospheric the story itself is slow and the climax does not really pay off. The protagonist is an anti hero but not one that is captivating. He is arrogant and somehow knows everything before it happens each step of the way. He does not encounter any trial that actually feels as though it might be of mortal danger to him. As for horror I feel that this had potential but was over all flat.
October 8, 2019
I was sent an arc copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did! I was instantly into the story and connected to the main character. I haven't read any other Warhammer books (I'll probably have to look up more now) but I didn't find myself getting too confused, there are a lot of unfamiliar places and creatures but the author does a really good job of slowly filling in your knowledge of the world without it being too much. The main character Harran is a easy character to root for, he's one of those men that act like they don't care and are out for themselves but you see that this is just a façade and he has a very intriguing back story which is slowly revealed as the story goes on but I still found myself wanting to know more. The atmosphere was creepy and dark, the plot of a isolated village in a swamp and hostile locals with dark secrets really drew me in. The side characters were interesting and complex as well, I especially liked Gint, he brought some banter and I enjoyed watching his and Harran's interactions as they slowly got to trust each other. Overall a good little creepy read for winter time.
I was pleasantly surprised, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did! I was instantly into the story and connected to the main character. I haven't read any other Warhammer books (I'll probably have to look up more now) but I didn't find myself getting too confused, there are a lot of unfamiliar places and creatures but the author does a really good job of slowly filling in your knowledge of the world without it being too much. The main character Harran is a easy character to root for, he's one of those men that act like they don't care and are out for themselves but you see that this is just a façade and he has a very intriguing back story which is slowly revealed as the story goes on but I still found myself wanting to know more. The atmosphere was creepy and dark, the plot of a isolated village in a swamp and hostile locals with dark secrets really drew me in. The side characters were interesting and complex as well, I especially liked Gint, he brought some banter and I enjoyed watching his and Harran's interactions as they slowly got to trust each other. Overall a good little creepy read for winter time.
October 19, 2021
My first AoS Horror novel, and one that is edging me closer to exploring the setting more fully. Reynolds does great work here fleshing out the edges of AoS, exploring the minutiae of life far from the battlefield and the centres of the setting, and depicts an otherworldly and unsettling existence where life is nasty brutal and short.
December 23, 2019
It is that kind of story set in a high fantasy world, but with the minimum amount of magic.
There is no chaos monsters filled with elemental power, no superheroes in golden armour waving lightning hammer, just a down-to-ground sinister story, dirty, old fashioned but also providing you a comfortable reading experience.
Ironically I will rate this book almost above all other AOS novels I‘ve read so far, even surpassed Mr. Reynolds’ previous well-written works. Telling story from a “relatively” common fool’s view point greatly help the whole setting to make sense, and also provided in-depth insight of how mortal lives functioned in such a world.
The plot and the characters are both simple and traditional, but that’s enough, combined with Josh’s vivid and darksome tone, it is already an amiable good story. No more I can ask for.
Hopefully there be a sequel, the protagonist is really a character I can get along with.
There is no chaos monsters filled with elemental power, no superheroes in golden armour waving lightning hammer, just a down-to-ground sinister story, dirty, old fashioned but also providing you a comfortable reading experience.
Ironically I will rate this book almost above all other AOS novels I‘ve read so far, even surpassed Mr. Reynolds’ previous well-written works. Telling story from a “relatively” common fool’s view point greatly help the whole setting to make sense, and also provided in-depth insight of how mortal lives functioned in such a world.
The plot and the characters are both simple and traditional, but that’s enough, combined with Josh’s vivid and darksome tone, it is already an amiable good story. No more I can ask for.
Hopefully there be a sequel, the protagonist is really a character I can get along with.
January 5, 2026
Good read, nice pacing and interesting characters.
December 6, 2019
[Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review]
Summary: This story had all the classic elements of horror. The decaying, decrepit town was of course present, as were the hostile, unhelpful inhabitants and the secret cult. So were the troubling dreams had by our main character, the dread visions caught at the corner of the eyes. But these elements, unsurprising and almost token in their predictability, were woven very effectively into a compelling narrative that kept me faithfully turning the pages. They provided a journey that is likely to be of great interest to people who crave this kind of horror in a non-urban setting.
Prose: Perhaps one of my favorite elements in the book was the prose itself. The author manages to capture and paint a vivid picture of the story events and the dreariness of Wald in a way that really made the place pop in my mind. It sure made for an enjoyable read. The word green was utterly ubiquitous, but I suppose could not be helped. 4/5
Plot: As mentioned above, the particular elements of the plot fall on the table almost as a matter of course. This by itself is not necessarily a bad thing, though at times it did feel a bit too by-the-book other than the fact it was taking place in a fantasy setting. There was a points that soured my enjoyment of the story, however. 3/5
Pacing: The story felt a little plodding near the beginning. Though Harran is a very interesting character and viewpoint for most of the story, the very start of it felt a little too studded with banal introspection. 3/5
Characterization: The characters were without a doubt the most enjoyable aspect of this story, alongside the prose and the world-building. Harran, specially, and I can't help but wonder if we'll see him again in another book. 4/5
World-building: Though this was the first book I've read set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, I feel like the author did a particularly excellent job in providing flourishes of memory of Harran's previous life to embellish his present situation and his character as a whole. The same goes with the information he provides regarding the different creatures and the setting. 4/5
Final Score: 3.6/5 rounded to 4/5.
Summary: This story had all the classic elements of horror. The decaying, decrepit town was of course present, as were the hostile, unhelpful inhabitants and the secret cult. So were the troubling dreams had by our main character, the dread visions caught at the corner of the eyes. But these elements, unsurprising and almost token in their predictability, were woven very effectively into a compelling narrative that kept me faithfully turning the pages. They provided a journey that is likely to be of great interest to people who crave this kind of horror in a non-urban setting.
Prose: Perhaps one of my favorite elements in the book was the prose itself. The author manages to capture and paint a vivid picture of the story events and the dreariness of Wald in a way that really made the place pop in my mind. It sure made for an enjoyable read. The word green was utterly ubiquitous, but I suppose could not be helped. 4/5
Plot: As mentioned above, the particular elements of the plot fall on the table almost as a matter of course. This by itself is not necessarily a bad thing, though at times it did feel a bit too by-the-book other than the fact it was taking place in a fantasy setting. There was a points that soured my enjoyment of the story, however. 3/5
Pacing: The story felt a little plodding near the beginning. Though Harran is a very interesting character and viewpoint for most of the story, the very start of it felt a little too studded with banal introspection. 3/5
Characterization: The characters were without a doubt the most enjoyable aspect of this story, alongside the prose and the world-building. Harran, specially, and I can't help but wonder if we'll see him again in another book. 4/5
World-building: Though this was the first book I've read set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, I feel like the author did a particularly excellent job in providing flourishes of memory of Harran's previous life to embellish his present situation and his character as a whole. The same goes with the information he provides regarding the different creatures and the setting. 4/5
Final Score: 3.6/5 rounded to 4/5.
April 30, 2021
C'était la première fois que je me lançais dans la lecture d'un roman de la nouvelle gamme "Horror" et le résultat est assez positif. Très souvent, les romans Warhammer, c'est guerre guerre baston (et c'est aussi ce qu'on cherche), mais il y a toujours un potentiel horrifique assez sympa.
Dans Dark Harvest, on fait un gros plongeon dans ce que les anglo-saxons appellent la "Folk Horror", une horreur basée sur une communauté isolé et des croyances locales étranges. Ici, les marais et le village glauquissime de Wald ou notre personnage, Blackwood, part à la recherche d'un ancien ami.
L'ambiance est bien là : c'est lourd, c'est suant, c'est puant et pendant une bonne partie du roman, ça fonctionne. On ne sait pas bien ce qu'il se passe, ni trop pourquoi le héros fuit son passé, mais on sait que c'est glauque et qu'on aimerait pas être à sa place. Avoir le fin mot de l'histoire apporte un peu de contexte mais rompt aussi un peu le charme. C'est probablement inévitable avec ce genre.
Dark Harvest reste donc très sympa à lire pour l'ambiance, et l'histoire est suffisamment accrocheuse et intrigante même si la fin fait retomber un peu trop rapidement la tension. Vous risquez de rester sur votre... faim. Je regrette notamment que le passé de Blackwood soit aussi nébuleux et flou à la fin qu'au début... Mais ça reste un des meilleurs romans Warhammer que j'ai pu lire ces derniers temps et dont le rythme lent et pesant permet de porter un regard différent sur cet univers pas assez exploité à mon goût.
Attention à l'audiobook cependant ou le narrateur prend un ton trainant et mystérieux amusant sur les premières heures mais qui devient vite caricatural voir agaçant d'ici la fin...
Dans Dark Harvest, on fait un gros plongeon dans ce que les anglo-saxons appellent la "Folk Horror", une horreur basée sur une communauté isolé et des croyances locales étranges. Ici, les marais et le village glauquissime de Wald ou notre personnage, Blackwood, part à la recherche d'un ancien ami.
L'ambiance est bien là : c'est lourd, c'est suant, c'est puant et pendant une bonne partie du roman, ça fonctionne. On ne sait pas bien ce qu'il se passe, ni trop pourquoi le héros fuit son passé, mais on sait que c'est glauque et qu'on aimerait pas être à sa place. Avoir le fin mot de l'histoire apporte un peu de contexte mais rompt aussi un peu le charme. C'est probablement inévitable avec ce genre.
Dark Harvest reste donc très sympa à lire pour l'ambiance, et l'histoire est suffisamment accrocheuse et intrigante même si la fin fait retomber un peu trop rapidement la tension. Vous risquez de rester sur votre... faim. Je regrette notamment que le passé de Blackwood soit aussi nébuleux et flou à la fin qu'au début... Mais ça reste un des meilleurs romans Warhammer que j'ai pu lire ces derniers temps et dont le rythme lent et pesant permet de porter un regard différent sur cet univers pas assez exploité à mon goût.
Attention à l'audiobook cependant ou le narrateur prend un ton trainant et mystérieux amusant sur les premières heures mais qui devient vite caricatural voir agaçant d'ici la fin...
August 13, 2025
Reread: 4.5 stars
I forgot enough of the story; only remembered the main plot points. Definitely, loved it this time around. The supernatural elements, the swamp, and the characters (especially the women) are the stars of the show. Still not scary, but spooky.
First Read: 3 stars
Warhammer Horror...yes please.
Dark Harvest was so atmospheric, I was immediately immersed in the world, and I really liked the narrator, Jake Urry. Mr. Reynolds's style is chef's kiss.
I just thought this had the potential of being scary, but it wasn't. I also thought it would be more fantasy than it was. I think I had made my own assumptions about what I thought this book was and what I wanted to experience, and I was disappointed when it wasn't what I hoped.
That being said, I will definitely reread this book. Now I know what's happening, I will enjoy it more.
I forgot enough of the story; only remembered the main plot points. Definitely, loved it this time around. The supernatural elements, the swamp, and the characters (especially the women) are the stars of the show. Still not scary, but spooky.
First Read: 3 stars
Warhammer Horror...yes please.
Dark Harvest was so atmospheric, I was immediately immersed in the world, and I really liked the narrator, Jake Urry. Mr. Reynolds's style is chef's kiss.
I just thought this had the potential of being scary, but it wasn't. I also thought it would be more fantasy than it was. I think I had made my own assumptions about what I thought this book was and what I wanted to experience, and I was disappointed when it wasn't what I hoped.
That being said, I will definitely reread this book. Now I know what's happening, I will enjoy it more.
October 26, 2020
Fairly standard fantasy affair with an all-too-predictable story and a tendency to get lost in Harran Blackwood's background. Engaging atmosphere yet the writing tends to paint too vague a picture sometimes. A lot of the cast was unmemorable outside of a handful. Did not like how long it took for the mystery develop--Blackwood doesn't get his first clue until the halfway point, and considering how obvious the story is, the book feels like it's dragging its feet. Could've used more twist and turns and some editing down, and excising the long forays into Harran's backstory with more left to the imagination.
March 24, 2020
I bought this book because it had green page edges. Unfortunately, that was the only thing interesting or unique about it. The story was cliché-ridden, and the protagonist is a shallow, unlikable antihero, all of which could have still made for a passable novel, if the whole thing wasn't so badly written.
February 25, 2024
An eerie tale set in the swamps of Wald, a town somewhere in the Warhammer (Age of Sigmar) universe.
Josh Reynolds caught my eye, when he contributed a story to the latest issue of Old Moon Quarterly, a magazine dedicated to publishing weird sword-and-sorcery (read: grimdark/Soulsborne) stories. I‘m happy that it did, as it in a way introduced me to the wonder that is the Black Library, the publishing arm of Games Workshop, specifically the Warhammer Horror imprint, which published Dark Harvest.
The story itself was entertaining throughout, even though some fight scenes dragged on for a bit too much and othertimes the backstories became a tad too fleshed out. Ultimately, this didn’t matter too much, as the atmosphere of dread and despair created a warm and fuzzy feeling in my belly. Think Algernon Blackwood mixed with George R. R. Martin.
So if you like your stories full of old Gods and cosmic forces, of angry townsfolk and irredeemable anti-heroes, of Lords and countless beasts in a grimdark fantasy setting — then Dark Harvest is the perfect book for you.
Josh Reynolds caught my eye, when he contributed a story to the latest issue of Old Moon Quarterly, a magazine dedicated to publishing weird sword-and-sorcery (read: grimdark/Soulsborne) stories. I‘m happy that it did, as it in a way introduced me to the wonder that is the Black Library, the publishing arm of Games Workshop, specifically the Warhammer Horror imprint, which published Dark Harvest.
The story itself was entertaining throughout, even though some fight scenes dragged on for a bit too much and othertimes the backstories became a tad too fleshed out. Ultimately, this didn’t matter too much, as the atmosphere of dread and despair created a warm and fuzzy feeling in my belly. Think Algernon Blackwood mixed with George R. R. Martin.
So if you like your stories full of old Gods and cosmic forces, of angry townsfolk and irredeemable anti-heroes, of Lords and countless beasts in a grimdark fantasy setting — then Dark Harvest is the perfect book for you.
October 13, 2022
Meh. There were some cool moments but mostly toward the end. I think if some events have happened earlier it would have been more interesting overall. It's good to have some things slowly revealed, but this book seemed like it was slowly revealing EVERYTHING.
One saving grace: It had great atmosphere. The swamp town of Wald felt like a real shithole that you would never, ever want to visit. It gave me some good ideas for D&D.
One saving grace: It had great atmosphere. The swamp town of Wald felt like a real shithole that you would never, ever want to visit. It gave me some good ideas for D&D.
May 4, 2024
Solid folk horror. I'd probably appreciate it more if I had a deeper knowledge of Warhammer Fantasy/Age of Sigmar lore, but it does stand on its own terms. Although, if I never hear or read the phrase "home spun clothes" again, I'd be more than content.
March 1, 2020
An absolute descent into gothic horror framed by the Age of Sigmar mythos.
March 16, 2025
Nice little detective-like thriller, with a sinister atmosphere. I don’t know anything about Age of Sigmar (the setting of the book) but was still a fun read
January 14, 2021
As someone with an interest in the Warhammer universe, I finally decided to investigate the many offers of Black Library. When I browsed the site and saw that there was a 'Warhammer Horror' section I was very interested.
At random, I decided to give Dark Harvest a go.
Initially it's a promising read. I found that the opening chapters conveyed a good sense of atmosphere and escalation, as well as the perils of life and travel in the Age of Sigmar world. While I didn't find much interest in the main character (as he came off as very one-note gruff guy with a troubled past) I was willing to see where it developed.
However much of this promise was cut short once the main story begins in earnest. All the attempts at a compelling hook into the mystery of the town just seemed to fall short for me.
What also doesn't help is that my hope of the main character developing some depth doesn't eventuate. This can also be said for any of the other supporting characters, who are just there to spout ominous sounding dialogue at the main character in attempt to make up for the atmosphere draining once the main plot begins.
What also doesn't help much is that whenever our main character finds himself in a tricky situation, he without fail, is able to brute force himself out of the situation. I understand he is an ex-Warrior Priest, but it really undercuts the attempts at horror when he can smash his way through any problem that appears.
He is also not a very likeable chap. I can understand that many books present unlikeable characters, but having to spend some 300 pages without a break or different perspective inside his gruff and one-note mind begins to wear thin.
I did find his interaction with a character later introduced (Sepesh) to be interesting. Their dynamic for a brief moment showed some snappy back and forth, a welcome reprieve from other characters being a doom dispenser.
If you've read any kind of mystery novel you'll pretty quickly suss out the goings on of the town, but now with a Warhammer coat of paint.
Ultimately, while it has a veneer of horror, I wouldn't really call it a horror novel. So that is a bit of a mark against this 'Warhammer Horror' line.
At random, I decided to give Dark Harvest a go.
Initially it's a promising read. I found that the opening chapters conveyed a good sense of atmosphere and escalation, as well as the perils of life and travel in the Age of Sigmar world. While I didn't find much interest in the main character (as he came off as very one-note gruff guy with a troubled past) I was willing to see where it developed.
However much of this promise was cut short once the main story begins in earnest. All the attempts at a compelling hook into the mystery of the town just seemed to fall short for me.
What also doesn't help is that my hope of the main character developing some depth doesn't eventuate. This can also be said for any of the other supporting characters, who are just there to spout ominous sounding dialogue at the main character in attempt to make up for the atmosphere draining once the main plot begins.
What also doesn't help much is that whenever our main character finds himself in a tricky situation, he without fail, is able to brute force himself out of the situation. I understand he is an ex-Warrior Priest, but it really undercuts the attempts at horror when he can smash his way through any problem that appears.
He is also not a very likeable chap. I can understand that many books present unlikeable characters, but having to spend some 300 pages without a break or different perspective inside his gruff and one-note mind begins to wear thin.
I did find his interaction with a character later introduced (Sepesh) to be interesting. Their dynamic for a brief moment showed some snappy back and forth, a welcome reprieve from other characters being a doom dispenser.
If you've read any kind of mystery novel you'll pretty quickly suss out the goings on of the town, but now with a Warhammer coat of paint.
Ultimately, while it has a veneer of horror, I wouldn't really call it a horror novel. So that is a bit of a mark against this 'Warhammer Horror' line.
July 31, 2020
Ahh, there is something about stories featuring swamps that I simply enjoy. Maybe it is the scenery itself, those misty & muddy places far, far away from proper civilization. Maybe it is the decay made manifest, the way nature claims and conquers, devouring towns and unlucky souls alike – just as in this novel. Maybe it is just enjoying the suffering of the characters while oneself is snug as a bug in a rug while they will inevitable become wet and woefully miserable? Maybe it is the way unseen things are lurking in the shadows.
Stalking. Watching. Waiting… for you to turn the next page.
This book has it all, which is why I recommend it for the proper connoisseur or Grimdark Fantasy. It felt more like one of the good old Warhammer Fantasy novels rather than what I’ve read from Age of Sigmar so far – which admittedly is not that much. It is darker and grittier than most, less heroic in action, but not in scope. It is a good book and I enjoyed reading it, but I probably won’t be reading it twice.
Stalking. Watching. Waiting… for you to turn the next page.
This book has it all, which is why I recommend it for the proper connoisseur or Grimdark Fantasy. It felt more like one of the good old Warhammer Fantasy novels rather than what I’ve read from Age of Sigmar so far – which admittedly is not that much. It is darker and grittier than most, less heroic in action, but not in scope. It is a good book and I enjoyed reading it, but I probably won’t be reading it twice.
June 3, 2022
This was a bit of an odd one. I contemplated dropping it out of boredom basically up to the last 30 pages, and then for those 30 pages I couldn't put it down. I've noticed that same issue in a few of the newer books from Black Library, so I'm curious if that's an intentional formula.
On paper, this is the story of a disillusioned, former Warrior Priest who goes to a swampy backwater after receiving a mysterious summons from a former friend. He sets out to solve an initial mystery, and that ends up spiralling out into a much bigger mystery. That's a great premise, but what ends up dragging this book down is the prose and pacing.
About 4/5 of the book is just a slog - we follow Harran around while he does uninteresting things and grumbles an endless stream of cool noir dude one-liners. In fact, every character in the book is a cool noir dude/dudette with a chip on their shoulder; and while that's interesting at first, after a few hundred pages it becomes annoying that none of the characters can make it through a conversation or even convey information to eachother without the conversation abruptly ending with some iteration of "Forget it, I don't care." It reads like gritty noir written by someone unfamiliar with gritty noir.
However, I think the most frustrating part was in the writing itself - if Brando Sando catches flak for over-describing everything, this is the opposite end of the spectrum. Descriptions are so sparse that they're often confusing, and painting a mental picture of whatever scene Harran is standing in at any particular moment can often be a real challenge. The same can be said of the characters, who pop in and out of the story so frequently, but are all so similar, that it's hard to keep them apart. Even the names are tough to differentiate - I finished the book an hour ago, and while I know there are two recurring characters name Pender and Fulder, I couldn't really tell you anything about them.
Alright, so that's a lot of real estate in this review dedicated to the negative aspects of the book. But overall, it's not a bad book, per se - I didn't DNF it, after all - but what's frustrating is that it had the potential to be so much better. But as-is, much like Harran's trek through the swamps of Wald, an overwhelming majority of this book is a dreary slog that will leave you feeling fatigued and wishing you were somewhere else.
On paper, this is the story of a disillusioned, former Warrior Priest who goes to a swampy backwater after receiving a mysterious summons from a former friend. He sets out to solve an initial mystery, and that ends up spiralling out into a much bigger mystery. That's a great premise, but what ends up dragging this book down is the prose and pacing.
About 4/5 of the book is just a slog - we follow Harran around while he does uninteresting things and grumbles an endless stream of cool noir dude one-liners. In fact, every character in the book is a cool noir dude/dudette with a chip on their shoulder; and while that's interesting at first, after a few hundred pages it becomes annoying that none of the characters can make it through a conversation or even convey information to eachother without the conversation abruptly ending with some iteration of "Forget it, I don't care." It reads like gritty noir written by someone unfamiliar with gritty noir.
However, I think the most frustrating part was in the writing itself - if Brando Sando catches flak for over-describing everything, this is the opposite end of the spectrum. Descriptions are so sparse that they're often confusing, and painting a mental picture of whatever scene Harran is standing in at any particular moment can often be a real challenge. The same can be said of the characters, who pop in and out of the story so frequently, but are all so similar, that it's hard to keep them apart. Even the names are tough to differentiate - I finished the book an hour ago, and while I know there are two recurring characters name Pender and Fulder, I couldn't really tell you anything about them.
Alright, so that's a lot of real estate in this review dedicated to the negative aspects of the book. But overall, it's not a bad book, per se - I didn't DNF it, after all - but what's frustrating is that it had the potential to be so much better. But as-is, much like Harran's trek through the swamps of Wald, an overwhelming majority of this book is a dreary slog that will leave you feeling fatigued and wishing you were somewhere else.
October 13, 2020
This is the first Warhammer Horror book and the first non-40k book that I've read, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into it. I really enjoyed it.
Reynolds did a very good job in building up the creepy atmosphere in Wald and I loved the middle-of-the-swamp setting. The world-building was great and I liked Reynolds writing. Right from the start as they are travelling it is made clear that it is not safe to leave the road and I loved all the creatures hiding in the woods and waters, particularly the treekin. There are a lot of mysteries that build up throughout the book, but everything is resolved nicely by the end, with basically all the questions answered.
There were a lot of interesting and fun characters introduced. I liked Harran's no-nonsense way of getting things done and his interactions with the people of Wald were fun. I liked watched his friendship grudgingly develop with Gint, leading to some fun scenes.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to jumping into another Warhammer Horror story soon.
Reynolds did a very good job in building up the creepy atmosphere in Wald and I loved the middle-of-the-swamp setting. The world-building was great and I liked Reynolds writing. Right from the start as they are travelling it is made clear that it is not safe to leave the road and I loved all the creatures hiding in the woods and waters, particularly the treekin. There are a lot of mysteries that build up throughout the book, but everything is resolved nicely by the end, with basically all the questions answered.
There were a lot of interesting and fun characters introduced. I liked Harran's no-nonsense way of getting things done and his interactions with the people of Wald were fun. I liked watched his friendship grudgingly develop with Gint, leading to some fun scenes.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to jumping into another Warhammer Horror story soon.
March 3, 2023
Note: I listened to this as an audiobook, so I have to include that aspect in my review.
I love this kind of horror that nestles itself into a mystery with a folk setting. This world is older than can be comprehended, and there are so many things that know it better than we ever could.
That feeling runs through Dark Harvest from near the start to the very end. We learn about Harran Blackwood's past, and his many sins, as he narrates the story. His brutish manner is reminiscent of some of the film noir detectives, which is one of the main things that had me hooked on the unfolding mystery of what is happening in this nowhere village. The pace lags a bit without falling flat until the final few chapters offer up a nightmare sprint of action and plot reveals; my only real complaint would be a need to tighten things up here and there to move towards that end a bit faster.
Jake Urry does a good job reading it, although his cadence and tone lack the kind of variety I enjoy more. He reads at a steady pace regardless of action or conversation, and despite the characters speaking with varying degrees of alarm, confidence, or whatever, Urry seldom leaves a comfortable growl. It works well, but there's so much room for better voice acting.
This really hit me just right in most ways. It's a blend of genres that I love, done well, with enough red herrings to keep the reader unsure of the full picture until the end. The setting is well-realized, and its weaker elements don't really detract much from it. High 3, rounded to 4.
I love this kind of horror that nestles itself into a mystery with a folk setting. This world is older than can be comprehended, and there are so many things that know it better than we ever could.
That feeling runs through Dark Harvest from near the start to the very end. We learn about Harran Blackwood's past, and his many sins, as he narrates the story. His brutish manner is reminiscent of some of the film noir detectives, which is one of the main things that had me hooked on the unfolding mystery of what is happening in this nowhere village. The pace lags a bit without falling flat until the final few chapters offer up a nightmare sprint of action and plot reveals; my only real complaint would be a need to tighten things up here and there to move towards that end a bit faster.
Jake Urry does a good job reading it, although his cadence and tone lack the kind of variety I enjoy more. He reads at a steady pace regardless of action or conversation, and despite the characters speaking with varying degrees of alarm, confidence, or whatever, Urry seldom leaves a comfortable growl. It works well, but there's so much room for better voice acting.
This really hit me just right in most ways. It's a blend of genres that I love, done well, with enough red herrings to keep the reader unsure of the full picture until the end. The setting is well-realized, and its weaker elements don't really detract much from it. High 3, rounded to 4.
July 21, 2020
This is the first Age of Sigmar book I've read that's come anywhere close to holding a candle to old Warhammer classics such as Drachenfels or Beasts in Velvet. It's well written, at times exiting even though it takes a while to get going. I'm not sure I'd call it "horror", although it does have elements of that, especially towards the end.
The book is well written, some of the characters are pretty interesting, and it does a very good job of showing how the Mortal Realms can be depicted as infinitely more interesting than the drivel Games Workshop put out at the launch of AoS, and are still putting into their army books... sorry, battletomes.
If you're not a Warhammer fan (in any of its incarnations), Dark Harvest is still very readable - no prior knowledge needed here. Indeed, you might find it even better than I did if you have no prior knowledge of the setting, as its more common high fantasy depiction won't be running in the back of your head trying to prevent you from entering the dark version of the world that Joshua Reynolds has painted.
All in all, I'm now hoping for more Age of Sigmar books from Warhammer Horror, and from Joshua Reynolds in particular. If they keep making things like this, they might yet make converts of Oldhammer nerds like myself.
The book is well written, some of the characters are pretty interesting, and it does a very good job of showing how the Mortal Realms can be depicted as infinitely more interesting than the drivel Games Workshop put out at the launch of AoS, and are still putting into their army books... sorry, battletomes.
If you're not a Warhammer fan (in any of its incarnations), Dark Harvest is still very readable - no prior knowledge needed here. Indeed, you might find it even better than I did if you have no prior knowledge of the setting, as its more common high fantasy depiction won't be running in the back of your head trying to prevent you from entering the dark version of the world that Joshua Reynolds has painted.
All in all, I'm now hoping for more Age of Sigmar books from Warhammer Horror, and from Joshua Reynolds in particular. If they keep making things like this, they might yet make converts of Oldhammer nerds like myself.
June 24, 2025
A chilling and atmospheric Warhammer tale that keeps you turning pages
Dark Harvest by Josh Reynolds delivers a gripping blend of horror and grimdark fantasy, set in the richly detailed world of Warhammer. From the start, the novel pulls you into a bleak, unsettling atmosphere that perfectly captures the dread and decay of the Old World. The small, isolated village setting and the surrounding cursed woods give the story a claustrophobic feel that adds to the tension.
Reynolds does a great job with character work, especially with the protagonist—flawed, haunted, and complex. The supporting cast adds depth, and their interactions raise the stakes as the mystery unfolds. The pacing is solid, steadily building suspense while scattering bursts of action and eerie discoveries throughout.
What kept this from being a full 5 stars for me is that some parts of the plot felt a little familiar if you’ve read other Warhammer horror stories, and a few twists were easier to predict. But overall, it’s an atmospheric, well-written novel that fans of dark fantasy and Warhammer lore will really enjoy.
Highly recommended for readers who want a chilling, immersive dive into the horrors lurking beyond the Empire’s borders.
Dark Harvest by Josh Reynolds delivers a gripping blend of horror and grimdark fantasy, set in the richly detailed world of Warhammer. From the start, the novel pulls you into a bleak, unsettling atmosphere that perfectly captures the dread and decay of the Old World. The small, isolated village setting and the surrounding cursed woods give the story a claustrophobic feel that adds to the tension.
Reynolds does a great job with character work, especially with the protagonist—flawed, haunted, and complex. The supporting cast adds depth, and their interactions raise the stakes as the mystery unfolds. The pacing is solid, steadily building suspense while scattering bursts of action and eerie discoveries throughout.
What kept this from being a full 5 stars for me is that some parts of the plot felt a little familiar if you’ve read other Warhammer horror stories, and a few twists were easier to predict. But overall, it’s an atmospheric, well-written novel that fans of dark fantasy and Warhammer lore will really enjoy.
Highly recommended for readers who want a chilling, immersive dive into the horrors lurking beyond the Empire’s borders.
October 12, 2020
This was an excellent, gripping read. Definitely in the "horror" category, without actually being scary.
It is very atmospheric, I could hear the swamp and feel the creeping horror lurking in the shadows. The tension of the leopard eels. It's a slow-burn, but I didn't feel that any time or space was wasted. The main characters are well-sketched, and clearly differentiated.
It's one of the few looks into a more "domestic" Age of Sigmar setting, and I would like more.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
[SPOILER ALERT]
The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 Stars is that I was disappointed in the ending. I understand, narratively, why Blackwood wasn't going to be killed by the Huntsman, because his soul was already damned and a greater horror awaited him at the hands of Sigmar, but it felt like the author pulled the punch. After all the build-up and creeping tension of the Sylvaneth and the Huntsman, I didn't feel any of the horror that Sigmar was waiting for him, saving him for His own punishment, and it seemed like Blackwood just kinda got away with it.
It is very atmospheric, I could hear the swamp and feel the creeping horror lurking in the shadows. The tension of the leopard eels. It's a slow-burn, but I didn't feel that any time or space was wasted. The main characters are well-sketched, and clearly differentiated.
It's one of the few looks into a more "domestic" Age of Sigmar setting, and I would like more.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
[SPOILER ALERT]
The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 Stars is that I was disappointed in the ending. I understand, narratively, why Blackwood wasn't going to be killed by the Huntsman, because his soul was already damned and a greater horror awaited him at the hands of Sigmar, but it felt like the author pulled the punch. After all the build-up and creeping tension of the Sylvaneth and the Huntsman, I didn't feel any of the horror that Sigmar was waiting for him, saving him for His own punishment, and it seemed like Blackwood just kinda got away with it.
Read
January 12, 2023Warhammer/40k books generally come as advertised (sword and sorcery, bolter porn, even noir if you read the 40k crime series). The stories are fun, intriguing, and fast-paced. Whilst there is character development it rarely (if ever) goes deeper than someone really competent, cool, and dangerous having a conflict of interest. Dark Harvest, is the first Black Library book which I feel did not come as advertised. It is not a horror but more a action with a bit more explicit violence. The setting has the potential to be something creepy but the subject matter only skates around that which could unnerve you (the mental anguish and effect of fanaticism and cults, toxic friendships, dealing with a torturous past, and violence towards children). The protagonist leaves as he came in, not burdened more or less by what has occurred. I'll credit the book for the whole swamp southern gothic true detective (S1) vibe
and for its interesting depiction of a certain Warhammer faction.
and for its interesting depiction of a certain Warhammer faction.
October 28, 2024
I'm not sure why I keep buying Age of Sigmar books. They are just so tedious and awful. So much so that they ruin what used to be fascinating characters in the Old World (looking at you, Gotrek). The only halfway descent characters are Callis and Toll (and I do mean halfway - they don't hold a candle to Gotrek and Felix, or Caiaphas Cain, or Ibram Gaunt, or any other truly fantastic character in Black Library).
This less-than-mediocre "horror" story leans on a disgraced priest trying to track down a long lost frenemy. I will not spoil the story (or what stands for one), but it is unsatisfying to say the least. Horror stories don't even have to have a thrilling plot, if they can provide evocative atmosphere, but Reynolds cannot even do that. In a horror story, especially for a over-imaginative wuss like myself, I should be terrified or at lest disturbed.
The only thing I felt reading this book is the urge to fall asleep, or at least find another book.
This less-than-mediocre "horror" story leans on a disgraced priest trying to track down a long lost frenemy. I will not spoil the story (or what stands for one), but it is unsatisfying to say the least. Horror stories don't even have to have a thrilling plot, if they can provide evocative atmosphere, but Reynolds cannot even do that. In a horror story, especially for a over-imaginative wuss like myself, I should be terrified or at lest disturbed.
The only thing I felt reading this book is the urge to fall asleep, or at least find another book.
June 11, 2020
I finished it so I won't give it one star but Dark Harvest is a boring story.
The main character, Blackwood, is an ex war preist turned leg breaker with a mysterious past goes to collect a debt as well as look into a mysterious coin he receives from his past. He makes his way to a swamp village where everyone is super into sickles, knives, creepy masks, and hunting.
There's some stuff about the areas past that is pretty grim and some interesting scenes with the inhabitants of the swamp but as a horror story but I never really felt that Blackwood was ever in mortal danger or really scared. Most of the characters are pretty forgettable except maybe Blackwoods would-be sidekick with a mysterious past..
If it didn't have Warhammer or Horror on the cover I probably wouldn't have picked this up to begin with.
The main character, Blackwood, is an ex war preist turned leg breaker with a mysterious past goes to collect a debt as well as look into a mysterious coin he receives from his past. He makes his way to a swamp village where everyone is super into sickles, knives, creepy masks, and hunting.
There's some stuff about the areas past that is pretty grim and some interesting scenes with the inhabitants of the swamp but as a horror story but I never really felt that Blackwood was ever in mortal danger or really scared. Most of the characters are pretty forgettable except maybe Blackwoods would-be sidekick with a mysterious past..
If it didn't have Warhammer or Horror on the cover I probably wouldn't have picked this up to begin with.
April 25, 2021
I recently read one of Josh Reynolds' works in The Wicked & The Damned. I felt Dark Harvest was more my thing, mainly due to the setting. The swamps and forests add a nice creepiness to the story. There is an off-kilter feel that kept me unsettled but absorbed.
The protagonist, Horran Blackwood, was also a better fit for me than the commissar. Although Blackwood isn't particularly likeable, I could get behind him, root for his survival.
The monsters are fantastic, ranging from treekin to something out of a dark Pagan legend, and the atmosphere drips enough dread to bring the sense that Blackwood's success is anything but a done deal. And the secondary characters are compelling, but Blackwood's apathy/tolerance of Gint was a little bewildering.
The look of these Warhammer Horror books is great! This one has green edged-paper, bringing the mood before you've even turned a page.
The protagonist, Horran Blackwood, was also a better fit for me than the commissar. Although Blackwood isn't particularly likeable, I could get behind him, root for his survival.
The monsters are fantastic, ranging from treekin to something out of a dark Pagan legend, and the atmosphere drips enough dread to bring the sense that Blackwood's success is anything but a done deal. And the secondary characters are compelling, but Blackwood's apathy/tolerance of Gint was a little bewildering.
The look of these Warhammer Horror books is great! This one has green edged-paper, bringing the mood before you've even turned a page.
July 15, 2021
Audio Book review
I just didn't get this.
I'm aware there was a general plot of the main character tying to find someone for some reason. There were obstacles in his way and an ultimate goal. But having just finished the book I'm struggling to put the meat on the bones (appropriate horror pun?).
I'm a big Warhammer/Games Workshop fan, and the swamp setting was a good one - in theory. But there was nothing that stood out whilst listening which grabbed me and made me sit up and think "I need to concentrate on this". A good audio book for me bores into your brain without you realizing it. This one didn't, sadly.
As with all my reviews when I haven't been a fan, I hope this isn't too negative. I'm sure there'll be readers out there who loved Dark Harvest. That's the beauty of opinions and this site.
I just didn't get this.
I'm aware there was a general plot of the main character tying to find someone for some reason. There were obstacles in his way and an ultimate goal. But having just finished the book I'm struggling to put the meat on the bones (appropriate horror pun?).
I'm a big Warhammer/Games Workshop fan, and the swamp setting was a good one - in theory. But there was nothing that stood out whilst listening which grabbed me and made me sit up and think "I need to concentrate on this". A good audio book for me bores into your brain without you realizing it. This one didn't, sadly.
As with all my reviews when I haven't been a fan, I hope this isn't too negative. I'm sure there'll be readers out there who loved Dark Harvest. That's the beauty of opinions and this site.
June 28, 2022
I would honestly give this 3.5/5 given the option. I think the thing that this book does really well is create a sense of dread and oppressive atmosphere in its setting. I largely don't care for the Age of Sigmar setting, especially compared to the "oldhammer" Warhammer fantasy world. There have been a few stories that have interested me but they either feature Gotrek (a character from the "world forgotten") or the witch hunters. This one doesn't directly deal with the latter but let's say its adjacent to them.
Overall I'm glad I read this and my score would probably be 4/5 but I felt the pacing felt really inconsistent and that the final chapters and ending just sort of...happen? I also don't really have any setup for what the main character is outside of this book and what his overall motivations will be at the end which is always kind of an annoyance for me.
Overall I'm glad I read this and my score would probably be 4/5 but I felt the pacing felt really inconsistent and that the final chapters and ending just sort of...happen? I also don't really have any setup for what the main character is outside of this book and what his overall motivations will be at the end which is always kind of an annoyance for me.
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