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Warhammer Age of Sigmar
Dominion
A Warhammer Age of Sigmar novel
Witness the destructive forces that are on the rise in the Realm of Beasts first-hand, and see the indomitable defences of Excelsis tested like never before.
READ IT BECAUSE
This tie-in novel coincides with the launch of Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Dominion, and it brings you right up to date with the events that are taking place in the bestial realm of Ghur.
THE STORY
In the rain-soaked shanty towns of Excelsis, sellsword Niksar Astaboras drunkenly barters his way to a meaningless existence. Little does he care for the war that rages between men and monsters beyond the city walls, despite portents of its encroaching threat. Mortal life in the Realm of Beasts is short enough, and to leave the shelter of civilisation is to surrender to certain death.
But death is coming to Excelsis. The forces of Destruction are on the move and the realm quakes with each thunderous step. In the wildlands, a sinister new foe overwhelms even the mighty Stormcast Eternals. Yet just as all seems lost, an unexpected champion rises – one to whom Niksar is inextricably linked – ready to lead a crusade into the very heart of darkness. Embroiled in this harrowing journey, Niksar is forced to choose between loyalty and the chance of survival, and in so doing discover his true worth in the greatest battle yet against the savage forces of Destruction.
Witness the destructive forces that are on the rise in the Realm of Beasts first-hand, and see the indomitable defences of Excelsis tested like never before.
READ IT BECAUSE
This tie-in novel coincides with the launch of Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Dominion, and it brings you right up to date with the events that are taking place in the bestial realm of Ghur.
THE STORY
In the rain-soaked shanty towns of Excelsis, sellsword Niksar Astaboras drunkenly barters his way to a meaningless existence. Little does he care for the war that rages between men and monsters beyond the city walls, despite portents of its encroaching threat. Mortal life in the Realm of Beasts is short enough, and to leave the shelter of civilisation is to surrender to certain death.
But death is coming to Excelsis. The forces of Destruction are on the move and the realm quakes with each thunderous step. In the wildlands, a sinister new foe overwhelms even the mighty Stormcast Eternals. Yet just as all seems lost, an unexpected champion rises – one to whom Niksar is inextricably linked – ready to lead a crusade into the very heart of darkness. Embroiled in this harrowing journey, Niksar is forced to choose between loyalty and the chance of survival, and in so doing discover his true worth in the greatest battle yet against the savage forces of Destruction.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2021
About the author
Darius Hinks
109 books136 followersDarius Hinks is an author, writing primarily in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1972. He works and lives in Nottinghamshire. Hinks' first novel, Warrior Priest, won the David Gemmel Morningstar award.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 5, 2026
This one took me a bit to finish and was probably the weakest Age of Sigmar book I’ve read so far.
I mean, it’s fine, but that’s not exactly the feeling I want to feel after a 400 page story taking place in Ghur with Greenskins fighting human and Stormcast. It felt like the story didn’t really know what it wanted to be and any time characters got a little more depth or introspection the narrative had to throw in some action, which I will say was the highlight.
I think I am getting a little sick of reading about Stormcast Eternals as their stories and characterizations so far have been a bit boring.
Again, a fine read, nothing bad or offensive here just kind of a meh with some good action scenes an occasional interesting characters.
3 stars.
I mean, it’s fine, but that’s not exactly the feeling I want to feel after a 400 page story taking place in Ghur with Greenskins fighting human and Stormcast. It felt like the story didn’t really know what it wanted to be and any time characters got a little more depth or introspection the narrative had to throw in some action, which I will say was the highlight.
I think I am getting a little sick of reading about Stormcast Eternals as their stories and characterizations so far have been a bit boring.
Again, a fine read, nothing bad or offensive here just kind of a meh with some good action scenes an occasional interesting characters.
3 stars.
July 13, 2021
It’s a light read as a tie in for the new edition, introducing the new orc faction and the new stormcast. And in that sense it’s great, engaging and fun to read. It doesn’t have crazy amounts of lore - which people are complaining about - but it provides a “mortal” look into the realms which is more akin to the old fantasy world and I appreciated that.
November 1, 2021
A decent fantasy novel with some interesting world building. However, the character portrayals could have been a bit more interesting.
April 12, 2022
Following along with the new 3rd edition storyline Dominion is about a brother and sister who inadvertently end up leading a Dawnbringer Crusade, and an effort by the forces of Order to retake the land of Ghur. But they soon find out that there is a reason so many of these crusades are failures. In addition to facing the usual challenges in the land of beasts, there is a new mysterious threat that lurks in an unnatural mist that hangs over the land. This is a very entertaining story that is an excellent introduction to the storyline in the latest edition of Warhammer AOS. If you like stories that take place in this fantasy universe you should definitely give this one a read!
February 26, 2024
Dit was gewoon sick. Ben wel blij dat ik niet in dit universum leef.
July 29, 2021
One of the best age of sigmar novels.
Read
December 23, 2025It's fine.
January 19, 2023
I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up. I've been painting Age of Sigmar figures recently - though not playing the game yet - and I wanted to tie in some storyline to make it interesting. It worked. The book fueled my painting and the painting fueled my reading. Everything came to life. The story provides a "mortal" look into the world of Sigmar. There isn't a crazy amount of lore. It provides just enough to get you going and keep things interesting. Fast-moving, well-written and has a wonderfully imagined climax. This is a great, natural introduction to the world of Age of Sigmar. I can't wait to read - and paint - more.
August 30, 2021
This was my first AOS novel i have ever read. I was always a bit put off getting into AOS fiction as i wasn't sure where to begin. This book was the perfect first start. A great and natural introduction to the world of AOS, giving a small taste of the setting and characters. Easy to understand, and follow. I soon got into the characters and plot and it was a real joy to listen to on audio. I hope this the start on an on going series, and I'd love to know more about these characters.
Read
October 31, 2021Way better then reviews
This book is epic, great characters, excellent story, really does a good job of bringing Aos current, I throughly enjoyed it.
This book is epic, great characters, excellent story, really does a good job of bringing Aos current, I throughly enjoyed it.
August 31, 2026
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Darius Hinks’ Warhammer: Age of Sigmar – Dominion is a lively and ambitious fantasy adventure that captures the scale, strangeness and sheer exuberance of the Mortal Realms. It is a novel where immortal warriors descend from the heavens, Orruks stalk the wilderness, magic is as much a part of the landscape as the trees and mountains, and enormous beasts can turn an otherwise ordinary journey into a fight for survival. Yet what makes Dominion work is that beneath all of this spectacle, Hinks keeps returning to the people caught in the middle of it.
At the heart of the novel is Niksar Astaboras, a sellsword whose greatest concern at the beginning of the story is looking after himself. That makes him an immediately appealing protagonist in a setting filled with characters who can feel almost impossibly heroic. Niksar is not a legendary warrior or chosen champion. He is a survivor, and his instinct is to stay alive rather than charge towards danger simply because it is the heroic thing to do. This gives the novel a refreshing perspective on the Mortal Realms. When Stormcast Eternals appear, Niksar does not simply look upon them with unquestioning admiration; he sees powerful beings whose actions can have enormous consequences for ordinary people.
His development is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Niksar is gradually forced to confront the difference between merely surviving and actually having something worth fighting for. His relationships with those around him give the story an emotional grounding that prevents the enormous scale of the setting from overwhelming the characters. His growing sense of responsibility is not always subtle, but it provides a satisfying counterpoint to the spectacular events unfolding around him.
The supporting cast adds further depth, although this is also an area where the novel occasionally feels as though it could have gone further. Some characters have fascinating concepts or connections to the wider Mortal Realms but are not explored as deeply as they might be. Hinks clearly understands that the best fantasy settings are built through characters as much as mythology, but there are moments when Dominion feels eager to move on to the next battle or revelation rather than lingering with a particularly interesting character.
The Stormcast Eternals are nevertheless handled effectively. Their presence demonstrates one of Age of Sigmar’s most distinctive ideas: these are not simply knights in magical armour but immortal warriors repeatedly reforged to continue Sigmar’s war. From Niksar’s perspective, they retain something of the mythical quality that makes them so imposing. They are powerful, disciplined and seemingly larger than life, but Hinks also allows glimpses of the burden that comes with being a Stormcast. Their victories come at a cost, and their existence is tied to an endless cycle of warfare and sacrifice.
The real surprise, however, is how well the novel uses the Kruleboyz. The Orruks of the Kruleboyz are very different from the straightforward image of greenskins as nothing more than warriors who want to smash things. They are sneaky, opportunistic and vicious, preferring ambushes, tricks, poisons and dirty tactics. That gives them a distinct identity and makes their conflict with the Stormcast much more interesting. Where the Stormcast represent order, discipline and overwhelming celestial power, the Kruleboyz thrive on deception and exploiting weaknesses.
Their magic fits this philosophy perfectly. The Swampcalla Shamans bring an unpleasant, organic form of sorcery to the story, with their knowledge of potions, poisons and strange swamp-based rituals reinforcing the idea that Kruleboyz magic is fundamentally different from the celestial powers associated with Sigmar’s forces. Dominion understands that good fantasy world-building is not simply about giving different factions different costumes and weapons. Their beliefs, tactics, magic and relationship with their environment should all feel connected, and the Kruleboyz benefit from this approach.
Magic throughout the novel helps reinforce the alien nature of the Mortal Realms. This is not a conventional fantasy world where magic exists at the edges of society. The realms themselves are shaped by supernatural forces, and the boundary between the natural and magical worlds is deliberately blurred. Ghur is particularly effective in this respect. It is a realm where nature is not passive scenery but an active threat, and Hinks makes the environment feel dangerous enough to have its own personality.
Ghur is arguably the star of Dominion. The Realm of Beasts gives Hinks an ideal playground for the novel’s enormous creatures, dangerous wilderness and violent conflicts, but he also uses it to establish a sense of scale. The further characters travel from civilisation, the more vulnerable they become. Monsters, hostile terrain and supernatural forces are always waiting beyond the relative safety of the cities. It makes survival feel like a genuine achievement.
Excelsis provides the necessary contrast. The city represents civilisation attempting to establish itself within an environment that seems determined to destroy it. Its people have created homes, businesses and communities, but their security is ultimately fragile. The presence of the Stormcast becomes more meaningful because we understand what is at stake if that protection fails. This is where Hinks’ world-building is particularly effective: the Mortal Realms stop feeling like a collection of enormous battlefields and start feeling like places where people actually live.
The scale of Age of Sigmar can sometimes be intimidating for newcomers. There are gods, realms, factions, ancient wars, magical powers and seemingly endless armies to keep track of. Dominion largely avoids allowing that complexity to become a barrier. Niksar provides an accessible route through the setting, allowing readers to discover the world alongside someone who does not possess the power or knowledge to control it. The result is a novel that can introduce the setting without becoming a glossary disguised as a story.
That accessibility does come with a price. Readers looking for a deeply complex examination of every faction may find Dominion somewhat frustrating. The novel introduces a huge amount of material, but not every idea receives the attention it deserves. The Kruleboyz, in particular, could have benefited from more time on the page, while some supporting characters feel like they have considerably more potential than the story has room to explore. At times the novel feels caught between being a complete fantasy adventure and serving as an introduction to a much larger Age of Sigmar storyline.
The action is similarly spectacular but occasionally predictable. Hinks clearly enjoys throwing enormous threats at his characters, and the battles are energetic and imaginative, but the sheer frequency of danger can sometimes lessen its impact. When almost every journey can become a fight against monsters, warriors or supernatural forces, the quieter moments become especially important. Fortunately, the novel has enough character-driven material to provide some balance.
Where Dominion ultimately succeeds is in understanding what makes Age of Sigmar distinctive. It embraces the ridiculous scale of the setting rather than trying to make it into something more conventional. There are moments of brutality, moments of wonder and plenty of wonderfully over-the-top fantasy imagery, but the story remains grounded by characters who have something recognisably human to lose.
Niksar’s journey gives the novel its emotional centre, while the contrast between the Stormcast Eternals and Kruleboyz provides its factional identity. Around them, Hinks builds a fascinating world of magic, monsters, dangerous landscapes and fragile civilisation. Ghur feels alive, Excelsis feels inhabited, and the Mortal Realms feel like somewhere where anything could happen.
Dominion is not without surprises. Its ambition occasionally exceeds the space available to explore all of its ideas, and several characters and factions deserve greater development. But as a piece of fantasy adventure and world-building, it is an enjoyable and visually imaginative introduction to one of Games Workshop’s most expansive settings. Darius Hinks understands that the appeal of Age of Sigmar is not simply the battles between enormous armies. It is the collision between the ordinary and the extraordinary: sellswords standing alongside immortal warriors, cities struggling against living wilderness, and people trying to find their place in a universe where gods and monsters are real.
That combination makes Dominion an entertaining and accessible Age of Sigmar novel, but its greatest achievement is making the Mortal Realms feel like a world rather than simply a battlefield.
Darius Hinks’ Warhammer: Age of Sigmar – Dominion is a lively and ambitious fantasy adventure that captures the scale, strangeness and sheer exuberance of the Mortal Realms. It is a novel where immortal warriors descend from the heavens, Orruks stalk the wilderness, magic is as much a part of the landscape as the trees and mountains, and enormous beasts can turn an otherwise ordinary journey into a fight for survival. Yet what makes Dominion work is that beneath all of this spectacle, Hinks keeps returning to the people caught in the middle of it.
At the heart of the novel is Niksar Astaboras, a sellsword whose greatest concern at the beginning of the story is looking after himself. That makes him an immediately appealing protagonist in a setting filled with characters who can feel almost impossibly heroic. Niksar is not a legendary warrior or chosen champion. He is a survivor, and his instinct is to stay alive rather than charge towards danger simply because it is the heroic thing to do. This gives the novel a refreshing perspective on the Mortal Realms. When Stormcast Eternals appear, Niksar does not simply look upon them with unquestioning admiration; he sees powerful beings whose actions can have enormous consequences for ordinary people.
His development is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Niksar is gradually forced to confront the difference between merely surviving and actually having something worth fighting for. His relationships with those around him give the story an emotional grounding that prevents the enormous scale of the setting from overwhelming the characters. His growing sense of responsibility is not always subtle, but it provides a satisfying counterpoint to the spectacular events unfolding around him.
The supporting cast adds further depth, although this is also an area where the novel occasionally feels as though it could have gone further. Some characters have fascinating concepts or connections to the wider Mortal Realms but are not explored as deeply as they might be. Hinks clearly understands that the best fantasy settings are built through characters as much as mythology, but there are moments when Dominion feels eager to move on to the next battle or revelation rather than lingering with a particularly interesting character.
The Stormcast Eternals are nevertheless handled effectively. Their presence demonstrates one of Age of Sigmar’s most distinctive ideas: these are not simply knights in magical armour but immortal warriors repeatedly reforged to continue Sigmar’s war. From Niksar’s perspective, they retain something of the mythical quality that makes them so imposing. They are powerful, disciplined and seemingly larger than life, but Hinks also allows glimpses of the burden that comes with being a Stormcast. Their victories come at a cost, and their existence is tied to an endless cycle of warfare and sacrifice.
The real surprise, however, is how well the novel uses the Kruleboyz. The Orruks of the Kruleboyz are very different from the straightforward image of greenskins as nothing more than warriors who want to smash things. They are sneaky, opportunistic and vicious, preferring ambushes, tricks, poisons and dirty tactics. That gives them a distinct identity and makes their conflict with the Stormcast much more interesting. Where the Stormcast represent order, discipline and overwhelming celestial power, the Kruleboyz thrive on deception and exploiting weaknesses.
Their magic fits this philosophy perfectly. The Swampcalla Shamans bring an unpleasant, organic form of sorcery to the story, with their knowledge of potions, poisons and strange swamp-based rituals reinforcing the idea that Kruleboyz magic is fundamentally different from the celestial powers associated with Sigmar’s forces. Dominion understands that good fantasy world-building is not simply about giving different factions different costumes and weapons. Their beliefs, tactics, magic and relationship with their environment should all feel connected, and the Kruleboyz benefit from this approach.
Magic throughout the novel helps reinforce the alien nature of the Mortal Realms. This is not a conventional fantasy world where magic exists at the edges of society. The realms themselves are shaped by supernatural forces, and the boundary between the natural and magical worlds is deliberately blurred. Ghur is particularly effective in this respect. It is a realm where nature is not passive scenery but an active threat, and Hinks makes the environment feel dangerous enough to have its own personality.
Ghur is arguably the star of Dominion. The Realm of Beasts gives Hinks an ideal playground for the novel’s enormous creatures, dangerous wilderness and violent conflicts, but he also uses it to establish a sense of scale. The further characters travel from civilisation, the more vulnerable they become. Monsters, hostile terrain and supernatural forces are always waiting beyond the relative safety of the cities. It makes survival feel like a genuine achievement.
Excelsis provides the necessary contrast. The city represents civilisation attempting to establish itself within an environment that seems determined to destroy it. Its people have created homes, businesses and communities, but their security is ultimately fragile. The presence of the Stormcast becomes more meaningful because we understand what is at stake if that protection fails. This is where Hinks’ world-building is particularly effective: the Mortal Realms stop feeling like a collection of enormous battlefields and start feeling like places where people actually live.
The scale of Age of Sigmar can sometimes be intimidating for newcomers. There are gods, realms, factions, ancient wars, magical powers and seemingly endless armies to keep track of. Dominion largely avoids allowing that complexity to become a barrier. Niksar provides an accessible route through the setting, allowing readers to discover the world alongside someone who does not possess the power or knowledge to control it. The result is a novel that can introduce the setting without becoming a glossary disguised as a story.
That accessibility does come with a price. Readers looking for a deeply complex examination of every faction may find Dominion somewhat frustrating. The novel introduces a huge amount of material, but not every idea receives the attention it deserves. The Kruleboyz, in particular, could have benefited from more time on the page, while some supporting characters feel like they have considerably more potential than the story has room to explore. At times the novel feels caught between being a complete fantasy adventure and serving as an introduction to a much larger Age of Sigmar storyline.
The action is similarly spectacular but occasionally predictable. Hinks clearly enjoys throwing enormous threats at his characters, and the battles are energetic and imaginative, but the sheer frequency of danger can sometimes lessen its impact. When almost every journey can become a fight against monsters, warriors or supernatural forces, the quieter moments become especially important. Fortunately, the novel has enough character-driven material to provide some balance.
Where Dominion ultimately succeeds is in understanding what makes Age of Sigmar distinctive. It embraces the ridiculous scale of the setting rather than trying to make it into something more conventional. There are moments of brutality, moments of wonder and plenty of wonderfully over-the-top fantasy imagery, but the story remains grounded by characters who have something recognisably human to lose.
Niksar’s journey gives the novel its emotional centre, while the contrast between the Stormcast Eternals and Kruleboyz provides its factional identity. Around them, Hinks builds a fascinating world of magic, monsters, dangerous landscapes and fragile civilisation. Ghur feels alive, Excelsis feels inhabited, and the Mortal Realms feel like somewhere where anything could happen.
Dominion is not without surprises. Its ambition occasionally exceeds the space available to explore all of its ideas, and several characters and factions deserve greater development. But as a piece of fantasy adventure and world-building, it is an enjoyable and visually imaginative introduction to one of Games Workshop’s most expansive settings. Darius Hinks understands that the appeal of Age of Sigmar is not simply the battles between enormous armies. It is the collision between the ordinary and the extraordinary: sellswords standing alongside immortal warriors, cities struggling against living wilderness, and people trying to find their place in a universe where gods and monsters are real.
That combination makes Dominion an entertaining and accessible Age of Sigmar novel, but its greatest achievement is making the Mortal Realms feel like a world rather than simply a battlefield.
January 16, 2022
Une bonne surprise au final avec des personnages auxquels on s'attache, de l'action héroïque (c'est un roman AoS...) et une véritable histoire (même si simple) dans cet univers Age of Sigmar plein de potentiel mais malheureusement très souvent sous-exploité.
On peut regretter que les Kruelboys n'arrivent que tardivement dans le roman (dommage pour un roman de lancement d'une édition centrée sur des antagonistes Orks), mais j'ai tout de même passé un bon moment avec cette croisade perdue sur Ghur, un monde où littéralement tout essaye de vous bouffer.
Un bon roman Warhammer, rien de plus mais rien de moins (et c'est déjà pas mal !)
On peut regretter que les Kruelboys n'arrivent que tardivement dans le roman (dommage pour un roman de lancement d'une édition centrée sur des antagonistes Orks), mais j'ai tout de même passé un bon moment avec cette croisade perdue sur Ghur, un monde où littéralement tout essaye de vous bouffer.
Un bon roman Warhammer, rien de plus mais rien de moins (et c'est déjà pas mal !)
October 25, 2021
I know absolutely nothing about Warhammer, and after walking into a Warhammer store with my friend who is obsessed with the worlds and miniatures and games, I saw a bookshelf and thought, eh, why not read a book to see what the lore is about? And golly, was it a read. I regret nothing. There is so much action in this book, my heart was racing as if I were the one running from wild monsters. Great descriptions of beasts and greenskins—absolutely would recommend this to anyone who is a beginner and knows next to nothing about the Age of Sigmar.
September 20, 2021
I throughly enjoyed every part of this book. All the characters are interesting, the sturmmarines are actually grim dank and the story has a nice share of surprises a long the way.
I think this book could stand on its own as a fantasy novel without Warhammer and that is just rare for black library books. That’s sort of a backhanded compliment that’s a little mean, but you know that it’s true.
I think this book could stand on its own as a fantasy novel without Warhammer and that is just rare for black library books. That’s sort of a backhanded compliment that’s a little mean, but you know that it’s true.
September 29, 2021
This was written and released as a tie-in to the launch of the version of Age of Sigmar. Hopefully it's a relaunch of the fiction as well.
Fast moving, well written and with a wonderfully imagined climax, Dominion is one of the best Age of Sigmar novels recently published.
I highly recommend it, even if you haven't read any of the books.
Fast moving, well written and with a wonderfully imagined climax, Dominion is one of the best Age of Sigmar novels recently published.
I highly recommend it, even if you haven't read any of the books.
July 12, 2021
Straight off, I want to say this - if you're just after a story from the Warhammer Age of Sigmar this is a fine book, well written with an interesting underlying story.
However, I picked it up because it was the companion book to the recent release of Age of Sigmar 3, which is the first edition to have Destruction (one of the Age of Sigmar factions) as well as the Stormcast. As such, I'm looking forward to more expansion of the history and background of the Destruction races - especially the new Kruleboyz released in the boxed set...
... Unfortunately this book didn't achieve this. There was the (now reasonably common) Black Library usage of a human as the main character to make them more relatable - in this case a brother and sister whose father had been killed by Orruks (Orcs) before they escaped to Excelsis (a very large city in Ghur - the Realm of Beasts). If you're not into Warhammer I've made this sound a bit confusing, but you can honestly read this book with no knowledge of the background.
The Realm of Ghur becomes one of the things that the siblings must overcome and they encounter monsters not released by Games Workshop (Kraken), and some that have (Kraken Eater Gargant), on their Crusade. If this is familiar to those who have read the Age of Sigmar rule book, it's because Crusades are a new way to play the game... all good so far.
But... the story revolves around the brother (Niksar), with his sister being relegated to a supporting role. This is unfortunate given the need for Warhammer to appeal to more women readers and gamers, and missed a perfect opportunity in a big release book.
And then my biggest complaint - there is a little background on the Stormcast from the box, but the Kruleboyz (Orruks) only make an appearance late and are hidden behind their mist, only appearing to attack and then be attacked by the Stormcast. There was little development for them and - as they are a new race - I expected a lot more. It's about time Black Library released some books from the perspective of the 'bad guys' which we know they can do, but which is sadly lacking for the new army - and indeed all the Destruction forces.
Disappointing.
However, I picked it up because it was the companion book to the recent release of Age of Sigmar 3, which is the first edition to have Destruction (one of the Age of Sigmar factions) as well as the Stormcast. As such, I'm looking forward to more expansion of the history and background of the Destruction races - especially the new Kruleboyz released in the boxed set...
... Unfortunately this book didn't achieve this. There was the (now reasonably common) Black Library usage of a human as the main character to make them more relatable - in this case a brother and sister whose father had been killed by Orruks (Orcs) before they escaped to Excelsis (a very large city in Ghur - the Realm of Beasts). If you're not into Warhammer I've made this sound a bit confusing, but you can honestly read this book with no knowledge of the background.
The Realm of Ghur becomes one of the things that the siblings must overcome and they encounter monsters not released by Games Workshop (Kraken), and some that have (Kraken Eater Gargant), on their Crusade. If this is familiar to those who have read the Age of Sigmar rule book, it's because Crusades are a new way to play the game... all good so far.
But... the story revolves around the brother (Niksar), with his sister being relegated to a supporting role. This is unfortunate given the need for Warhammer to appeal to more women readers and gamers, and missed a perfect opportunity in a big release book.
And then my biggest complaint - there is a little background on the Stormcast from the box, but the Kruleboyz (Orruks) only make an appearance late and are hidden behind their mist, only appearing to attack and then be attacked by the Stormcast. There was little development for them and - as they are a new race - I expected a lot more. It's about time Black Library released some books from the perspective of the 'bad guys' which we know they can do, but which is sadly lacking for the new army - and indeed all the Destruction forces.
Disappointing.
May 18, 2026
Released a few years back as the companion novel to a new edition of Age of Sigmar, Dominion follows a pair of relatively ordinary siblings who get caught up in great events; one notably more enthusiastically than the other.
Our protagonists are nicely defined in the opening chapters, giving a sense of the world they inhabit and the moral lines that must be crossed to make survival that little bit easier.
Once they leave their comfort zone and are propelled towards the crusading business everything slows down dramatically and becomes much less interesting. The Orruks (don't call them Orcs!) fall into the 'faceless enemy' trap that greenskin enemies so often fall into in Black Library novels, only marginally more interesting than the Stormcast Eternals, the immortal supersoldiers who seem to be composed of all the most tedious elements of Space Marines and Brandon Sanderson's Knights Radiant.
The tone meanwhile is fairly dour, far less fun and charming than the Old World books to which AoS works must inevitably be compared. At times it feels like Logen Ninefingers' arc without the grim humour, at others like the Stormlight Archive with neither the creativity or whimsy.
The Stormcast tabletop miniatures are undoubtedly beautiful so perhaps collectors of those will enjoy reading about them in action, but aside from a strong opening and pleasingly Human central characters there wasn't much here to interest me.
Our protagonists are nicely defined in the opening chapters, giving a sense of the world they inhabit and the moral lines that must be crossed to make survival that little bit easier.
Once they leave their comfort zone and are propelled towards the crusading business everything slows down dramatically and becomes much less interesting. The Orruks (don't call them Orcs!) fall into the 'faceless enemy' trap that greenskin enemies so often fall into in Black Library novels, only marginally more interesting than the Stormcast Eternals, the immortal supersoldiers who seem to be composed of all the most tedious elements of Space Marines and Brandon Sanderson's Knights Radiant.
The tone meanwhile is fairly dour, far less fun and charming than the Old World books to which AoS works must inevitably be compared. At times it feels like Logen Ninefingers' arc without the grim humour, at others like the Stormlight Archive with neither the creativity or whimsy.
The Stormcast tabletop miniatures are undoubtedly beautiful so perhaps collectors of those will enjoy reading about them in action, but aside from a strong opening and pleasingly Human central characters there wasn't much here to interest me.
May 17, 2026
You don't need to know anything about Warhammer lore, and still read this novel . It's a High fantasy story. The MCs are two siblings. A mercenary brother that isn't bothered by too many brains or morality, and always lookin for the next 'get rich fast' scheme . And his sister, a smart , dutybound guard and stickler for the rules . Her only weakness....The forementioned brother.
Ironically this novel was more confusing for me than it had been for a complete Warhammer layman . Because I knew enough of the lore to see something was off with the worldbuilding , while not realizing this was the first Warhammer Age of Sigmar novel I've read.
In short : There are two different Warhammer fantasy worlds because the Warhammer tabletop game company decided there was more profit in re-booting the whole fantasy world, and thus selling a lot of new merchandise. This means the Warhammer fantasy lore changed overnight , and the new worldbuilding is very similar with the old Fantasy , but also different enough...pfff ...No need explaining this any further . Those who need to know, know more than me anyway ;)
I do miss the German-Dutch influences in the worldbuilding of the old fantasy. That aside, it's the same grimdark warhammer world as before . Humans in their Bastions of light in a constant battle against the forces of chaos..( and other scum ;)
Ironically this novel was more confusing for me than it had been for a complete Warhammer layman . Because I knew enough of the lore to see something was off with the worldbuilding , while not realizing this was the first Warhammer Age of Sigmar novel I've read.
In short : There are two different Warhammer fantasy worlds because the Warhammer tabletop game company decided there was more profit in re-booting the whole fantasy world, and thus selling a lot of new merchandise. This means the Warhammer fantasy lore changed overnight , and the new worldbuilding is very similar with the old Fantasy , but also different enough...pfff ...No need explaining this any further . Those who need to know, know more than me anyway ;)
I do miss the German-Dutch influences in the worldbuilding of the old fantasy. That aside, it's the same grimdark warhammer world as before . Humans in their Bastions of light in a constant battle against the forces of chaos..( and other scum ;)
January 30, 2024
Okay the ending boosted this to 3 stars because that was excellent and a fun little twist.
This book is designed to be very introductory and it works very well as just that. You are introduced to this very weird world that feels like a lot of previous fantasy, but is clearly restricted by a bunch of rules that you aren't quite aware of.
The narrative is split between two characters. Arulos is a demigod who is as unknowable as he is vague. But there's something endearing about that. Niksar is an idiot who is designed to make his sister look good. That's probably unfair to him but he spends most of his narrative complaining and trying to con his way up a ladder, only to be told what to do by women he will subsequently not listen to. His huge triumph in the end is the brave decision to actually help out of his own accord and not listen to anyone else's advice, despite everyone tell him to help out the entire book (I'm being vague for spoilers sake, but seriously he constantly contradicts what he wants to do, in a way that feels underwritten.)
Fine book, can't wait to read better Age of Sigmar books.
This book is designed to be very introductory and it works very well as just that. You are introduced to this very weird world that feels like a lot of previous fantasy, but is clearly restricted by a bunch of rules that you aren't quite aware of.
The narrative is split between two characters. Arulos is a demigod who is as unknowable as he is vague. But there's something endearing about that. Niksar is an idiot who is designed to make his sister look good. That's probably unfair to him but he spends most of his narrative complaining and trying to con his way up a ladder, only to be told what to do by women he will subsequently not listen to. His huge triumph in the end is the brave decision to actually help out of his own accord and not listen to anyone else's advice, despite everyone tell him to help out the entire book (I'm being vague for spoilers sake, but seriously he constantly contradicts what he wants to do, in a way that feels underwritten.)
Fine book, can't wait to read better Age of Sigmar books.
January 3, 2023
Golden-armored warriors ride literal lighting down from the sky and crash into their snarling foes. A wild, untamed land filled with deadly surprises and ever-bigger threats. Magic, miracles, mistakes, redemptions--if any of this sparks interest in you then check out Dominion!
This was my first Black Library book, and I got it as a primer for getting into the Age of Sigmar wargame. As a former aficionado of other licensed stories (like Shadowrun and Star Wars novels) I went in with lowered expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. Dominion had some compelling characters in a story told quite well, and even subverted my expectations at some points. It was nice to see the various shades of good with the main characters as opposed to them all being of one righetous mind or something. Of course if you came looking for epic depictions of combat and warriors making solemn vows to rend their foes, there's plenty of that too!
This was my first Black Library book, and I got it as a primer for getting into the Age of Sigmar wargame. As a former aficionado of other licensed stories (like Shadowrun and Star Wars novels) I went in with lowered expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. Dominion had some compelling characters in a story told quite well, and even subverted my expectations at some points. It was nice to see the various shades of good with the main characters as opposed to them all being of one righetous mind or something. Of course if you came looking for epic depictions of combat and warriors making solemn vows to rend their foes, there's plenty of that too!
May 18, 2023
Dominion was one of the better AoS books to have come out so far. The premise is simple: led by visions from Sigmar, a crusade is led into the wilds to forge a settlement and shield against the chaos. The protagonists are a brother and sister who both seek to rise from their tragic beginnings and become something more than they were. You also get to meet one of the more interesting Stormcasts, who really elevated the story to another level.
As can be expected from any Warhammer book, there's plenty of violence and twisted creatures for the crusade to pit themselves against and even more obstacles for them to overcome. The only complaint I have was that I kept waiting for a twist to occur with a certain object and woman which just never occurred. A lot of shade was dropped, so I spent the last half of the book anticipating something that would never happen. As such, I feel that I will enjoy the story a lot more on a second read through.
As can be expected from any Warhammer book, there's plenty of violence and twisted creatures for the crusade to pit themselves against and even more obstacles for them to overcome. The only complaint I have was that I kept waiting for a twist to occur with a certain object and woman which just never occurred. A lot of shade was dropped, so I spent the last half of the book anticipating something that would never happen. As such, I feel that I will enjoy the story a lot more on a second read through.
October 5, 2025
It's a decent book overall. Niksar, love him or hate him, is an interesting character with how he addresses the world around him, doing some half-assed scheming to secure a better place for himself. The zealotry of the world is a tad dull. It could've been explored a little more but the crisis of faith is at least somewhat compelling. The characters, despite many of them being grand embodiments of ideals in faith, are quite grounded. This book is almost a 4 for me. It just falls a little flat for me, especially with how many of the action scenes are less plot devices and more just hurdles used to show grimdark suffering. I did like the final conflict overall though. It did a little more of what I would've liked to see happen once or twice more throughout the book.
August 28, 2024
Hmm something was off here. Best character was the dwarf and they were against my boy the whole time! Dwarf racism up in here. Why would you ask him to built a giant keep, and give him an ancient relic that will allow him to do it. And then when he builds the giant keep using the ancient relic you guys are like “STOPP OH GOD STOP!!” And then he keeps using it and nothing bad happens and it’s never brought up again.
Also the stormcast eternals had me snoozing. Bunch of idiots walking around aimlessly. Getting beat up by a bunch of skinny orks. SKINNY ORKS.
Darius, I’m sorry for my three star review. I’m sorry you must forgive me!
Also the stormcast eternals had me snoozing. Bunch of idiots walking around aimlessly. Getting beat up by a bunch of skinny orks. SKINNY ORKS.
Darius, I’m sorry for my three star review. I’m sorry you must forgive me!
April 1, 2024
In the context of Warhammer books this was a really entertaining read! A bit of the hero’s journey with normal men and women overcoming (and not) the odds on a holy crusade to save their city in the realm of life; a place that makes a regular wilderness and the law of the jungle look like playing in a greenhouse. Narrating the story around regular humans makes the superhuman Stormcast Eternals more mysterious and all the threats even more frightening, so it’s usually something I welcome in both Age of Sigmar and 40K books!
September 28, 2021
This was an increasingly nuanced look into the personalities and motivations of people and Stormcast Eternals. It was interesting to read about the characters’ blind spots and how they dealt with disappointment and their own failures. It took a while to get to the fighting but it’s there for a long while toward the last quarter of the story. I’m saddened to think that readers won’t get a chance to read more about the relationship between the brother and sister.
November 18, 2024
One of the best black library stories I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. I thought the characters were really well made I would like to have known more about some like Ocella and Tyndaris but what a great fantasy novel I loved it.
Being an age of Sigmar modeller it brought several of them to life for me. Great stuff.
Being an age of Sigmar modeller it brought several of them to life for me. Great stuff.
December 19, 2024
A minor but enjoyable fantasy potboiler. Niksar’s a fun character, and watching Colgrim go insane was amusing. A few of Kruleboyz chapters are genuinely freaky. But everything with Erulos kind of sucks. He’s pretty boring, his visions don’t amount to anything, and he reads like an idiot who is always falling into obvious traps.
January 4, 2022
As a massive Warhammer Age of Sigmar fan I absolutely loved reading this book and I also had the pleasure of speaking to the writer of this book which was absolutely amazing I one hundred percent recommend this book.
January 12, 2023
La verdad que esta bien bruto el librito. Mucho Sigmar, como siempre, pero desde otra perspectiva, que esta súper chulo eso. Los personajes súper chulos y la evolución brutal. La historia chulona también
January 14, 2023
It had a banger finish, but the road to reach it, much like the route of the crusaders, was rather circuitous. I think a third perspective could have been spared to give the reader time with the orruks so that they did not just pop up out of the blue halfway through the novel.
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