What do you think?
Rate this book
Warhammer Horror #Anthology
Anathemas
A Warhammer Horror anthology
Unexplained deaths terrify the crew of a tank. A strange instrument beguiles its audience. A man fears for his sanity within a plague-riddled hive. This grim collection of unspeakable cosmic horrors and arcane menaces unveils the subtle darkness that lurks within the souls of mankind and the sinister forces tormenting them.
READ IT BECAUSE
Experience bite-sized chunks of terror in a collection of spine-chilling short stories that will shine a light on the very darkest corners of the Warhammer worlds.
DESCRIPTION
A bitter sacrifice haunts the forest of a backwater planet; in a plague-riddled hive, a man faces a harrowing choice; an instrument of singular beauty beguiles a failing musician…
There is darkness within the beleaguered souls of those who suffer the worlds of Warhammer. Whether it’s the arcane menaces of the Mortal Realms, or the cosmic nightmares of the 41st Millennium, none are immune to the evil that preys upon the desperate, exploits the cruel and seduces the unfulfilled.
The third in the series of Warhammer Horror anthologies, Anathemas includes more razor-sharp tales of terror and insanity from the imaginings of David Annandale, C L Werner, Jake Ozga, Lora Gray and many more.
CONTENTS
A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks
Vox Daemonicus by James Forster
The Thing in the Woods by Paul Kearney
Hab Fever Lockdown by Justin D Hill
Voices in the Glass by Richard Strachan
Skin Man by Tim Waggoner
These Hands, These Wings by Lora Gray
A Deep and Steady Tread by David Annandale
Mud and Mist by John Goodrich
Suffer the Vision by Jake Ozga
The Funeral by Darius Hinks
The Shadow Crown by C L Werner
Runner by Alan Bao
Miracles by Nicholas Wolf
Unexplained deaths terrify the crew of a tank. A strange instrument beguiles its audience. A man fears for his sanity within a plague-riddled hive. This grim collection of unspeakable cosmic horrors and arcane menaces unveils the subtle darkness that lurks within the souls of mankind and the sinister forces tormenting them.
READ IT BECAUSE
Experience bite-sized chunks of terror in a collection of spine-chilling short stories that will shine a light on the very darkest corners of the Warhammer worlds.
DESCRIPTION
A bitter sacrifice haunts the forest of a backwater planet; in a plague-riddled hive, a man faces a harrowing choice; an instrument of singular beauty beguiles a failing musician…
There is darkness within the beleaguered souls of those who suffer the worlds of Warhammer. Whether it’s the arcane menaces of the Mortal Realms, or the cosmic nightmares of the 41st Millennium, none are immune to the evil that preys upon the desperate, exploits the cruel and seduces the unfulfilled.
The third in the series of Warhammer Horror anthologies, Anathemas includes more razor-sharp tales of terror and insanity from the imaginings of David Annandale, C L Werner, Jake Ozga, Lora Gray and many more.
CONTENTS
A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks
Vox Daemonicus by James Forster
The Thing in the Woods by Paul Kearney
Hab Fever Lockdown by Justin D Hill
Voices in the Glass by Richard Strachan
Skin Man by Tim Waggoner
These Hands, These Wings by Lora Gray
A Deep and Steady Tread by David Annandale
Mud and Mist by John Goodrich
Suffer the Vision by Jake Ozga
The Funeral by Darius Hinks
The Shadow Crown by C L Werner
Runner by Alan Bao
Miracles by Nicholas Wolf
351 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2020
26 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 19, 2022
It's almost poetic that my 1000th book read (accordingly to goodreads) it had to be a horror Black Library novel.
For people who like info dump - here is something for you:
In terms of Genres I've read 374 (Sci-Fi); 233 (Horror) and 232 (Fantasy)
In terms of Black Library I've read 231 novels. So it's interesting that the 1000th book it's Sci-Fi and Fantasy at the same time (40K and Sigmar) plus they are horror stories.
Are these horror stories? Not all of them. Some are dark but most are not horror.
Hab Fever Lockdown by Justin D. Hill - 40K story - e first tale is told in second perspective . Horrific. Why? I really dislike that kind of narration unless you are you playing a game OR that choose your own adventure. The story it's about Australian lockdown measures due to some covid cases... what? No? It's about a plague being release on a hive? Ah okay, it sure like it was in Australia draconian laws..."
Suffer the Vision by Jake Ozga - where is the horror? They should invite horror writers to write horro tales.
A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks - t's again, not an horror story , unless you just find out that there cities and surrounding areas in Terra. I thought it was just a planet-city (with some very big palaces). I believe I've read this somewhere else... Go there!
These Hands, These Wings by Lora Gray he next tale s is a interesting horror tale to tell by the fireplace- BUH! Finally a horror tale
Vox Daemonicus by James Forster - have you ever wanted to learn how Night Lords recruited more space marines? Yes? Then go here.
Skin Man by Tim Waggoner - Interesting story about revenge & retribution. Very cool but not that horrific - althought the depictions of the Skin Man were unsettling- but if you want more horrible depictions go Tim Curran.
A Deep and Steady Tread by David Annandale
The Thing in the Woods by Paul Kearney -This tale could easily, after changing some words, set in Sigmar World. But alas it's 40K. I must say it took me a while to understand that.
Mud and Mist by John Goodrich - The horrible tales of imperial guard guarding against tyranids. You've got yourself the commisar and the character level insanity and how far are you able to go to survive - temporarly? You want to learn that? Go here.
The Shadow Crown by CL Werner - I love CL Werner. But this tale didn't connect with me. Either because I don't know much about Sigmar World. I've added info in the book. I will return to it later on.
Runner by Alan Bao - Run Forest Run!. That's it. Imagine that you have to run 200 kilometres to warn another place of incoming miasma and plague... Now imagine your mind wondering of all the running and such. If you have ever wanted to make a really hazardous marathon times 5 - Oh you will be alone or ... Go here
Miracles by Nicholas Wolf - Have you ever wonder what would happen if you get mad, hallucinating and thinking you are seeing angels? Oh you've heard angels? Then go here.
Voices in the Glass by Richard Strachan - Have you ever gone to the Shadespire? No? Go there. (one of the weakest tales) I will be honest saying that I don't know much about this setting.
The Funeral by Darius Hinks - Ah very cool. Imagine you being so sure of yourself, so sure you are doing the right thing without any kind of repercussions . Now imagine that person you wrong - returns! Go there.
Overall, I would say that this is a good anthology of some sweet stories. BUT to be quite honest not all of them are horror.AT ALL.
The problem with horror is that it mixes with grimdark feeling of the 40K universe. So just by reading some passages - which I find truly horrific BUT they are not horror, disturbing, violent, psychological... Enfin, overall a good compilation. Some are good, some are not. To me, as previous said, the Sigmar tales are the ones I am not realy enjoying. Warhammer Fantasy was a very good place to tell dark gothic horror tales - Sigmar world is not. Sigmar are more focus on action, less on characters and ambience. I don't know much about it. Maybe I will enjoy it after reading some novels...
For people who like info dump - here is something for you:
In terms of Genres I've read 374 (Sci-Fi); 233 (Horror) and 232 (Fantasy)
In terms of Black Library I've read 231 novels. So it's interesting that the 1000th book it's Sci-Fi and Fantasy at the same time (40K and Sigmar) plus they are horror stories.
Are these horror stories? Not all of them. Some are dark but most are not horror.
Hab Fever Lockdown by Justin D. Hill - 40K story - e first tale is told in second perspective . Horrific. Why? I really dislike that kind of narration unless you are you playing a game OR that choose your own adventure. The story it's about Australian lockdown measures due to some covid cases... what? No? It's about a plague being release on a hive? Ah okay, it sure like it was in Australia draconian laws..."
Suffer the Vision by Jake Ozga - where is the horror? They should invite horror writers to write horro tales.
A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks - t's again, not an horror story , unless you just find out that there cities and surrounding areas in Terra. I thought it was just a planet-city (with some very big palaces). I believe I've read this somewhere else... Go there!
These Hands, These Wings by Lora Gray he next tale s is a interesting horror tale to tell by the fireplace- BUH! Finally a horror tale
Vox Daemonicus by James Forster - have you ever wanted to learn how Night Lords recruited more space marines? Yes? Then go here.
Skin Man by Tim Waggoner - Interesting story about revenge & retribution. Very cool but not that horrific - althought the depictions of the Skin Man were unsettling- but if you want more horrible depictions go Tim Curran.
A Deep and Steady Tread by David Annandale
The Thing in the Woods by Paul Kearney -This tale could easily, after changing some words, set in Sigmar World. But alas it's 40K. I must say it took me a while to understand that.
Mud and Mist by John Goodrich - The horrible tales of imperial guard guarding against tyranids. You've got yourself the commisar and the character level insanity and how far are you able to go to survive - temporarly? You want to learn that? Go here.
The Shadow Crown by CL Werner - I love CL Werner. But this tale didn't connect with me. Either because I don't know much about Sigmar World. I've added info in the book. I will return to it later on.
Runner by Alan Bao - Run Forest Run!. That's it. Imagine that you have to run 200 kilometres to warn another place of incoming miasma and plague... Now imagine your mind wondering of all the running and such. If you have ever wanted to make a really hazardous marathon times 5 - Oh you will be alone or ... Go here
Miracles by Nicholas Wolf - Have you ever wonder what would happen if you get mad, hallucinating and thinking you are seeing angels? Oh you've heard angels? Then go here.
Voices in the Glass by Richard Strachan - Have you ever gone to the Shadespire? No? Go there. (one of the weakest tales) I will be honest saying that I don't know much about this setting.
The Funeral by Darius Hinks - Ah very cool. Imagine you being so sure of yourself, so sure you are doing the right thing without any kind of repercussions . Now imagine that person you wrong - returns! Go there.
Overall, I would say that this is a good anthology of some sweet stories. BUT to be quite honest not all of them are horror.AT ALL.
The problem with horror is that it mixes with grimdark feeling of the 40K universe. So just by reading some passages - which I find truly horrific BUT they are not horror, disturbing, violent, psychological... Enfin, overall a good compilation. Some are good, some are not. To me, as previous said, the Sigmar tales are the ones I am not realy enjoying. Warhammer Fantasy was a very good place to tell dark gothic horror tales - Sigmar world is not. Sigmar are more focus on action, less on characters and ambience. I don't know much about it. Maybe I will enjoy it after reading some novels...
September 24, 2021
Warhammer Horror?
The 40k stories are no more or less horror than any other 40k story that doesn’t involve generic “slam bang blam” SPESS MAHREEN action.
(Try The Purity of Ignorance for a start)
The Mortal Realms stories are… just like any that doesn’t involve generic Sigmarine action! None of these hold a candle to most stories from the Old World in terms of chills, which were dark and unpleasant without even trying.
In fact, some the Warhammer Crime stories have had better horror elements.
So, I genuinely don’t get the point of Warhammer Horror. It’s very disappointing.
A case in point: A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks - how is this horror? There is LOTS of scope for horror but none actually achieved.
.: edit :.
I recently came back to this and the very next story “These Hands, These Wings” is excellent horror. After that, the very next story “Vox Daemonicus” is just another day in the Imperium. The search for actual horror continues…
Skin Man - this was actually unsettling if not very well written.
A Deep and Steady Tread - has something of an M.R. James feel to it. Pretty good.
The Thing in the Woods - average 40k stuff
Mud and Mist - a poor taste riff on WW1 mustard gas attacks. I guess in that sense, this is true horror, but there is nothing “genre” in this story.
The Shadow Crown - no horror here
Runner - this is a superb short, definitely horror, but could have been terrifying
The 40k stories are no more or less horror than any other 40k story that doesn’t involve generic “slam bang blam” SPESS MAHREEN action.
(Try The Purity of Ignorance for a start)
The Mortal Realms stories are… just like any that doesn’t involve generic Sigmarine action! None of these hold a candle to most stories from the Old World in terms of chills, which were dark and unpleasant without even trying.
In fact, some the Warhammer Crime stories have had better horror elements.
So, I genuinely don’t get the point of Warhammer Horror. It’s very disappointing.
A case in point: A Threnody for Kolchev by Darius Hinks - how is this horror? There is LOTS of scope for horror but none actually achieved.
.: edit :.
I recently came back to this and the very next story “These Hands, These Wings” is excellent horror. After that, the very next story “Vox Daemonicus” is just another day in the Imperium. The search for actual horror continues…
Skin Man - this was actually unsettling if not very well written.
A Deep and Steady Tread - has something of an M.R. James feel to it. Pretty good.
The Thing in the Woods - average 40k stuff
Mud and Mist - a poor taste riff on WW1 mustard gas attacks. I guess in that sense, this is true horror, but there is nothing “genre” in this story.
The Shadow Crown - no horror here
Runner - this is a superb short, definitely horror, but could have been terrifying
June 5, 2020
This was a very focused collection of stories that really explored the different kinds of fear one could experience.
June 26, 2022
Really solid collection of horror stories, wringing the potential out of the rich worlds of Warhammer AOS and 40,000. The stories represent a broad cross-section of horror genres on various scales, with psychological horror most heavily represented, but plagues ('Hab Fever Lockdown'), military crises ('Vox Daemonicus'), body horror ('Skin Man') and various others all making appearances as well. As with any such collection the quality varies and some stories are prone to the flat endings by which horror short stories are often plagues, but the best stories of the collection are so good that I would recommend this to any horror fan, especially as no knowledge of the worlds presented is actually needed if you don't mind ignoring some names of worlds (after all, most of the people represented in these stories don't know any more about them than you will!).
Particular praise goes to 'Runner' by Alan Bao, 'A Threnody for Kolchev' by Darius Hinks, and especially to Lora Gray, submitting the best story of the collection for the third Warhammer horror collection in a row, with the brutal, heartbreaking, and beautiful 'These Hands, These Wings'.
Particular praise goes to 'Runner' by Alan Bao, 'A Threnody for Kolchev' by Darius Hinks, and especially to Lora Gray, submitting the best story of the collection for the third Warhammer horror collection in a row, with the brutal, heartbreaking, and beautiful 'These Hands, These Wings'.
June 16, 2022
The stories were pretty good, however, many were a bit anticlimactic.
As someone still new to the Warhammer universe, some of the descriptions of the different factions/creatures left a lot to be desired.
A lot of these stories had a lot of potential, but then they just kind of fell off at the end. Not a bad book and still entertaining, but I had been hoping for a little more.
Also, alot of the "horror" factor was mostly just gore, which I don't have a problem with but should be noted.
As someone still new to the Warhammer universe, some of the descriptions of the different factions/creatures left a lot to be desired.
A lot of these stories had a lot of potential, but then they just kind of fell off at the end. Not a bad book and still entertaining, but I had been hoping for a little more.
Also, alot of the "horror" factor was mostly just gore, which I don't have a problem with but should be noted.
January 10, 2023
I thouroughly enjoy and tend to geek out on Warhammer, and that is probably what carried my interest through this book. If you are not a Warhammer fan or even a casual observer, you may find this collection of stories very mediocre.
That being said, a few of the stories had me hooked and were well worth the read.
That being said, a few of the stories had me hooked and were well worth the read.
May 8, 2025
40k is one of my favorite fictional settings and horror is my favorite genre. I don’t know why I never considered they’d be a great mix.
Thank god for this imprint then.
But anyway, this anthology was good. There were some genuinely chilling stories and only a few I’d categorize as “just okay”. There’s even a couple stories I’d say are great really.
Thank god for this imprint then.
But anyway, this anthology was good. There were some genuinely chilling stories and only a few I’d categorize as “just okay”. There’s even a couple stories I’d say are great really.
September 17, 2022
Another somewhat hit-and-miss collection, with a list of contributors absurdly skewed towards men for this day and age. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...
November 14, 2025
Hab fever lockdown: 3
Suffer the vision:4
A threnody for Kolchev:2
These hands, these wings:5
Vox Daemonicus:5
Skin man:4
A deep and steady tread:4
The thing in the woods:1
Mud and mist:5
The shadow crown:4
Runner:5
Miracles:5
Voices in the glass:4
The funeral:3
3.8 stars total :)
Suffer the vision:4
A threnody for Kolchev:2
These hands, these wings:5
Vox Daemonicus:5
Skin man:4
A deep and steady tread:4
The thing in the woods:1
Mud and mist:5
The shadow crown:4
Runner:5
Miracles:5
Voices in the glass:4
The funeral:3
3.8 stars total :)
August 5, 2020
A fantastic collection of gruesome and disturbing stories from the worlds of Warhammer.
January 23, 2021
It was a decent collection of horror stories, but there wasn't anything particularly special about them.
June 30, 2021
It was fine. Some stories were better than others, but there was some really good ones. The musical instrument was my favorite. It was easy to see where it was going, but fun still.
August 31, 2021
Cool and scary
February 1, 2022
I missed the 40k universe.
May 6, 2024
Janna reads these Warhammer horror short stories for us I. the car when we drive. Fun stuff.
November 19, 2024
Expected much more in a horror aspect. Anticlimactic at times, but a fine read overall
July 27, 2025
Just not for me, I guess. The Thing in the Woods was fantastic but I wasn't a big fan of the other ones.
December 30, 2020
The compilation of Warhammer and Warhammmer 40k related horror stories varies in the quality and the level of creepiness. Over all something I could reread in the future.
March 4, 2022
I literally don’t know anything about Warhammer but i really loved half the stories in this. Super cool!!
April 13, 2020
A compelling collection of low-key tales highlighting the strange, sinister fringes of the 40k and Age of Sigmar universes. Across fourteen stories from thirteen authors, all but two of which are published here for the first time, it’s an exploration of characters driven by fear and desperation, ordinary people just trying to survive in the midst of terrible, horrifying worlds. These are stories to unsettle, that keep you wondering where they’re going and leave you feeling uncomfortable afterwards.
None of these tales tie in with existing stories or series in the range, so there’s no required reading or sense of needing to know anything before getting started, and while there’s Warhammer texture aplenty to reward long-term fans, there should be very little that readers new to the settings can’t follow – which is surely the point of Warhammer Horror! All told, whether you’re a regular Black Library reader or not there’s a lot to enjoy – if enjoy is the right word, for these sorts of stories – in this anthology.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/03/...
None of these tales tie in with existing stories or series in the range, so there’s no required reading or sense of needing to know anything before getting started, and while there’s Warhammer texture aplenty to reward long-term fans, there should be very little that readers new to the settings can’t follow – which is surely the point of Warhammer Horror! All told, whether you’re a regular Black Library reader or not there’s a lot to enjoy – if enjoy is the right word, for these sorts of stories – in this anthology.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2020/03/...
June 20, 2024
This was a very nice book! It is one that you would not need to have any knowledge of the Warhammer 40K universe or Age of Sigmar to understand. Like the summary states it is a collection of horror short stories. It is a variety of different kinds of horror, bound to make anyone's hair stand on end at some point.
Because some people are scared by things that others are not, it is a high probability that not all the stories will be your favorite. This might also apply to various authors writing styles not always being your cup of tea. But I found that that was a rare instance. I loved the different stories, and reading about different parts of the worlds. It is a lovely bit of reading, and very nice for reading in small chunks.
Because some people are scared by things that others are not, it is a high probability that not all the stories will be your favorite. This might also apply to various authors writing styles not always being your cup of tea. But I found that that was a rare instance. I loved the different stories, and reading about different parts of the worlds. It is a lovely bit of reading, and very nice for reading in small chunks.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews