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Blackhearts #1-3
Blackhearts: The Omnibus
Classic collection of stories from the Warhammer Fantasy universe.
Under threat of death for their crimes, Reiner Hetzau and his fellow prisoners are given a choice: they can either be executed or work for the very people that have imprisoned them. Forced to carry out the most desperate and suicidal secret missions, all for the good of the Empire, the Blackhearts encounter Chaos cultists, ratmen, dark elves, rogue army commanders and more. Time and again they are pitted against impossible odds and survive – yet what they most desire they cannot have: their freedom.
Under threat of death for their crimes, Reiner Hetzau and his fellow prisoners are given a choice: they can either be executed or work for the very people that have imprisoned them. Forced to carry out the most desperate and suicidal secret missions, all for the good of the Empire, the Blackhearts encounter Chaos cultists, ratmen, dark elves, rogue army commanders and more. Time and again they are pitted against impossible odds and survive – yet what they most desire they cannot have: their freedom.
800 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2007
17 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Long
60 books164 followersNathan Long is a screen and prose writer, with two movies, one Saturday-morning adventure series, and a handful of live-action and animated TV episodes to his name, as well as eleven fantasy novels and several award-winning short stories.
He hails from Pennsylvania, where he grew up, went to school, and played in various punk and rock-a-billy bands, before following his writing dreams to Hollywood - where he now writes novels full time - and still occasionally plays in bands.
His latest novel is Jane Carver of Waar, available March 6th from Night Shade Books. Visit his blog at www.sabrepunk.com.
He hails from Pennsylvania, where he grew up, went to school, and played in various punk and rock-a-billy bands, before following his writing dreams to Hollywood - where he now writes novels full time - and still occasionally plays in bands.
His latest novel is Jane Carver of Waar, available March 6th from Night Shade Books. Visit his blog at www.sabrepunk.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 6, 2008
You know that feeling that you get when you have read too many best seller/extremely good books? It's kind of like eating too much fancy food, after a while you feel like junk food. Blackhearts is probably the best junk food you will ever get. It has a simple plot, tons of action, and lots of humor. So if you feel like junk food then read The Blackhearts Omnibus
September 22, 2017
blackhearts...to me!
July 31, 2012
Very entertaining, far from a masterpiece but more than I expected from a fantasy novel inspired by the RPG / Miniature Wargaming.
The characters are a lot of fun, the world is both deadly, scary but at the same time, fun.
I am only sad the series is too short, I would love to see more adventures of the Blackhearts!
The characters are a lot of fun, the world is both deadly, scary but at the same time, fun.
I am only sad the series is too short, I would love to see more adventures of the Blackhearts!
April 10, 2018
Memorable characters thrust into impossible situations, using their wit and trickery to barely scrape by. Not heroes, but better.
August 15, 2019
Yeah, low fantasy is my shit. Band of misfits saddled with a suicide mission, trying to survive it, and changing along the way? Yeah, sign me up, it was fun.
May 7, 2022
#LOL, so funny and original!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2024
A fun adventure with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and entertained!
May 18, 2025
First non-40k Warhammer and I really enjoyed it.
March 22, 2017
Really one of my all time favorites from the Warhammer library
December 28, 2011
De retour aux sources :)!!! Après plusieurs livres d'auteurs originaux et d'oeuvre non-liés à des jeux, j'ai décider de recommencer à lire du Warhammer. Qu'est-ce qui a bien pu motivé cette décision. C'est simple, un nouvel auteur a pris possession de la série Félix et Gotrek. Comme une bonne majorité de gens, j'ai décidé de boudé cet auteur. Premièrement parce que les critiques disaient qu'on ne reconnaissait pas les personnages et deuxièmement parce que je trouvais que l'auteur avait affaiblit l'histoire en choisissant des enemies moins puissants (orc, humains et elves). Cependant, il est venu un moment où j'ai eu un doute. Pourrais-je regretter un jour d'avoir boudé cet auteur?
J'ai donc décider de tenter au moins de savoir s'il était bon en m'achetant Blackhearts: The Onmnibus. Je me suis dit, que si l'auteur avait du talent je donnerais ensuite la chance au coureur.
J'ai donc commencer par lire les critiques sur le net et sa semblait aller plus dans le sens du bon que du mauvais (bah anyway il y a plein de chialeux qui plantent les livre car c'est la seul chose qu'ils peuvent planter dans la vie). Ensuite le synopsis était vraiment accrocheur: Un groupe de malfaiteur est condamné à mort mais un dirigeant de l'empire décide de leur donner une seconde chance. En échange, il doivent faire les pires mission suicidaires, les mission les plus folles et les missions où ceux que l'on envois sont indéniablement remplaçables. Des mission fait pour les Blackhearts.
D'entré de jeu l'onibus commence avec une histoire bonus où l'on apprend comment un des personnage devient un Blackheart. Totalement charmant est le mot ici, car on embarque dans l'histoire immédiatement. Une petite touche d'humour ici et là ainsi que des scènes d'action à couper le souffle. Le pire? J'en suis juste à l'histoire bonus. Je n'ai même pas encore commencer à lire les roman principaux.
Un vrai bonheur qui aurait eu 5 étoiles si ce n'était que l'auteur n'est pas très "friendly" avec les néophites de Warhammer. Si vous ne connaissez pas le monde, vous allez être confus à certains points et vous allez vous demander s'il ne manque pas des pages à l'histoire. Il n'en manque pas, il faut juste connaitre le monde.
Alors, je conclu en disant que ce roman est d'une qualité rarement vu dans des livre lier à des jeux. L'auteur passe le test amplement et me voit donc dans l'obligation de commander les 3 opus suivant de la saga de Félix & Gotrek.
J'ai donc décider de tenter au moins de savoir s'il était bon en m'achetant Blackhearts: The Onmnibus. Je me suis dit, que si l'auteur avait du talent je donnerais ensuite la chance au coureur.
J'ai donc commencer par lire les critiques sur le net et sa semblait aller plus dans le sens du bon que du mauvais (bah anyway il y a plein de chialeux qui plantent les livre car c'est la seul chose qu'ils peuvent planter dans la vie). Ensuite le synopsis était vraiment accrocheur: Un groupe de malfaiteur est condamné à mort mais un dirigeant de l'empire décide de leur donner une seconde chance. En échange, il doivent faire les pires mission suicidaires, les mission les plus folles et les missions où ceux que l'on envois sont indéniablement remplaçables. Des mission fait pour les Blackhearts.
D'entré de jeu l'onibus commence avec une histoire bonus où l'on apprend comment un des personnage devient un Blackheart. Totalement charmant est le mot ici, car on embarque dans l'histoire immédiatement. Une petite touche d'humour ici et là ainsi que des scènes d'action à couper le souffle. Le pire? J'en suis juste à l'histoire bonus. Je n'ai même pas encore commencer à lire les roman principaux.
Un vrai bonheur qui aurait eu 5 étoiles si ce n'était que l'auteur n'est pas très "friendly" avec les néophites de Warhammer. Si vous ne connaissez pas le monde, vous allez être confus à certains points et vous allez vous demander s'il ne manque pas des pages à l'histoire. Il n'en manque pas, il faut juste connaitre le monde.
Alors, je conclu en disant que ce roman est d'une qualité rarement vu dans des livre lier à des jeux. L'auteur passe le test amplement et me voit donc dans l'obligation de commander les 3 opus suivant de la saga de Félix & Gotrek.
May 6, 2012
The Blackhearts series may be one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. Nathan Long does an excellent job creating interesting characters cut from the cloth of the grim Warhammer Fantasy setting by Games Workshop. The premise is simple and seen before -- a ragtag bunch of miscreants and criminals are forced to work together, hoping for a chance at redemption while in reality, they aren't given any other option.
The stories are compelling, the characters are interesting, and the action, drama, and suspense kept me glued to the pages.
The stories are compelling, the characters are interesting, and the action, drama, and suspense kept me glued to the pages.
August 11, 2012
Take the ideas, concepts and characters of the Warhammer and then you take the rough idea of both The Dirty Dozen and The Devils Brigade and you would begin to get the idea of The Blackhearts. From start to bloody finish this set of boos is beyond amazing and good. The black humor of our hero and his companions, the situations they are forced into, and just the forces that aline themselves against them. All are above and beyond the call of what makes such a good and memorable book! A MUST READ!!!
April 1, 2014
I really enjoy fantasy books and this is one of my favourites. I've never read another Warhammer book, I tried reading one once and I didn't even make it 3 chapters in before I got rid of it. However, I definitely want to read more of Nathan Longs books.
The book was well written and the characters were interesting. The story was fantastic and the action was constant. My sisters have read the book as well and really enjoyed it. My brother and I have both read the book at least three times and I am looking forward to reading it again soon.
The book was well written and the characters were interesting. The story was fantastic and the action was constant. My sisters have read the book as well and really enjoyed it. My brother and I have both read the book at least three times and I am looking forward to reading it again soon.
March 30, 2009
This was a GREAT book with easily relatable and likeable cast of characters. They were also not your standard "good guys" which is a huge plus. It kind of reminds me of Villians by Necessity by Eve Forward. Almost nonstop action in this book and I could not put it down. This goes in my top 10 books for sure.
August 15, 2015
I loved this Omnibus from start to finish. Very well written with great characters with the perfect amount of intrigue, action and humour! I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested into fantasy worlds.
October 30, 2015
A juicy two day read! The series keeps getting better as you read along, and ends in a Three Stooges esque death ball that will leave you exhausted and exhilarated. Not as grim-dark as some of the other Warhammer Fantasy books out there: plenty of humor and silliness to go about!
November 17, 2009
Average rogues with all the blessings and foibles humanity is subject to make these adventures humorous,entertaining and heartfelt.
November 11, 2010
fun, brainless, escapest dark fantasy
February 6, 2012
My first book i the War hammer series and I was a bit disappointing. Some of the plot twists involving the main chars just ended up annoying me.
May 21, 2012
More Warhammer Antihero's kicking ass. Good read. RPG guilty pleasure, light reading.
November 21, 2012
A good book but nothing to the Last Chancers which i think it was trying to capture
January 30, 2013
amazing book, the only omnibus that I've finished in just two days. I loved the characters and the story engrossing
April 19, 2015
Excellent dark fantasy. I like it! =)
October 23, 2021
Burned through in less than 12 hours. Quick read, like Redwall for adults. Author paints himself into a corner sometimes with the narrative. Good rainy day read.
August 19, 2010
Best book set in the Old Warhammer world I've yet to come across.
April 30, 2017
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The Old World, Games Workshop’s high fantasy universe, is a somewhat lighter setting than their despair-filled 40k counterpart. While both engage in “grimdarkness,” the former is often laden with joviality and gallows humor. And thanks to authors like Robert E. Howard, Ursula K. LeGuin and J.R.R. Tolkien, a lot of people understand fantasy long before they touch a new novel in the genre, as the concepts of orcs and magic have been carefully established.
The double edge of the sword is that franchise fiction can make readers apprehensive. There can either be plentiful rules we frustratingly don’t know, or that we’re too familiar and jaded for any surprising plot twists. It takes a skillful writer to infuse old content with something new, something that can appease old fans and yet is accessible enough for casual audiences.
Fortunately, Nathan Long has that kind of talent.
A three-in-one package of Valnir’s Bane, The Broken Lance and Tainted Blood, Blackhearts: The Omnibus makes it a point to be lower than high fantasy. Never mind complex histories or mythologies, and forget about learning the world’s lore. There’s little need, as the trilogy is an easy read about ordinary guys in extraordinaire situations.
Nathan Long’s tale stars luckless trickster Reiner Hetzau. Although far from innocent, Hetzau is imprisoned on false charges and is spared for a secret mission with a pack of other criminals. Eventually earning the group’s leadership, Hetzau and the Blackhearts face marauders from the north, treacherous Imperial commanders, rat men and plenty of other dangers. All the while knowing that their freedom remains elusive, even when their captors are at a distance.
Nathan Long excels at two things; characters and plots. Because the story is told exclusively from Reiner’s point of view, a fair bit happens off scene and outside his knowledge. Thus political intrigue and unforeseen surprises keep shaking up events, turning the books into true page turners. There may be times one wonders if the plot has gotten off track, right before it comes sailing back at the reader… and then explodes.
With the Old World setting established for him, Long focused on creating a cast of smirk-jerking characters that may remind people of some adult version of The Goonies. What’s more, you cannot help but feel that there is some similarity between Reiner Hetzau and one Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean fame. The book feels like it was made for the movies too, with many of the characters’ backgrounds addressed through dialogue over narration. Long did a fine job with showing over telling.
But in that statement lies the only possible weakness to the collection, as the stories follow Reiner Hetzau exclusively. If you happen to like him and his roguish ways, you’ll probably end up loving this book. But if dashing scoundrels aren’t your thing, then this is probably not the book for you.
But Blackhearts: The Omnibus is an enjoyable, leisurely read for even the uninitiated. Try a chapter for free. You’ll probably like it, or may even love it.
The Old World, Games Workshop’s high fantasy universe, is a somewhat lighter setting than their despair-filled 40k counterpart. While both engage in “grimdarkness,” the former is often laden with joviality and gallows humor. And thanks to authors like Robert E. Howard, Ursula K. LeGuin and J.R.R. Tolkien, a lot of people understand fantasy long before they touch a new novel in the genre, as the concepts of orcs and magic have been carefully established.
The double edge of the sword is that franchise fiction can make readers apprehensive. There can either be plentiful rules we frustratingly don’t know, or that we’re too familiar and jaded for any surprising plot twists. It takes a skillful writer to infuse old content with something new, something that can appease old fans and yet is accessible enough for casual audiences.
Fortunately, Nathan Long has that kind of talent.
A three-in-one package of Valnir’s Bane, The Broken Lance and Tainted Blood, Blackhearts: The Omnibus makes it a point to be lower than high fantasy. Never mind complex histories or mythologies, and forget about learning the world’s lore. There’s little need, as the trilogy is an easy read about ordinary guys in extraordinaire situations.
Nathan Long’s tale stars luckless trickster Reiner Hetzau. Although far from innocent, Hetzau is imprisoned on false charges and is spared for a secret mission with a pack of other criminals. Eventually earning the group’s leadership, Hetzau and the Blackhearts face marauders from the north, treacherous Imperial commanders, rat men and plenty of other dangers. All the while knowing that their freedom remains elusive, even when their captors are at a distance.
Nathan Long excels at two things; characters and plots. Because the story is told exclusively from Reiner’s point of view, a fair bit happens off scene and outside his knowledge. Thus political intrigue and unforeseen surprises keep shaking up events, turning the books into true page turners. There may be times one wonders if the plot has gotten off track, right before it comes sailing back at the reader… and then explodes.
With the Old World setting established for him, Long focused on creating a cast of smirk-jerking characters that may remind people of some adult version of The Goonies. What’s more, you cannot help but feel that there is some similarity between Reiner Hetzau and one Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean fame. The book feels like it was made for the movies too, with many of the characters’ backgrounds addressed through dialogue over narration. Long did a fine job with showing over telling.
But in that statement lies the only possible weakness to the collection, as the stories follow Reiner Hetzau exclusively. If you happen to like him and his roguish ways, you’ll probably end up loving this book. But if dashing scoundrels aren’t your thing, then this is probably not the book for you.
But Blackhearts: The Omnibus is an enjoyable, leisurely read for even the uninitiated. Try a chapter for free. You’ll probably like it, or may even love it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews