bazhsw
11/11/2015
This is a thoroughly enjoyable collection of short stories featuring everyone's favourite Trollslayer and his long suffering Rememberer. As with many short stories this is a bit of a mixed bag - some are very good and some are only so-so but the book works as a collection. Where the collection struggles a little is that Gotrek and Felix are peripheral characters in many of the stories. Whilst there are some welcome cameos from many characters from other stories it doesn't always work.
Slayer's Honour - Nathan Long - This is the stand out tale in the book. Nathan Long's novella here is excellent. Gotrek and Felix meet another Slayer and Rememberer as they descend into an abandoned Dwarf hold. I did see the plot coming from a far way off but the story was pretty exciting with lots of action and tension with the body count ramping up to the usual ridiculous levels. Thoroughly enjoyable and to be honest I think only Nathan Long has 'got' Gotrek and Felix like William King did.
A Cask of Wynters - Josh Reynolds - I really enjoyed 'Road of Skulls' by Reynolds but this is a so-so. Gotrek and Felix are not in this one but never fear, this story features Snorri Nosebiter as the hero. Everyone loves Snorri and it's great to see him get his own tale but it falls a little flat towards the end.
A Place of Quiet Assembly - John Brunner - This story doesn't really feature Gotrek and Felix that much, it's not really about them. It is interesting in that it explores a Solkan monastery. I really like the concept here and there is a good story in here somewhere but towards the end it tails off. I kind of feel the story didn't need the Slayer and felt tacked on to perk interest in the story.
Kineater - Jordan Ellinger - Good fun! The story is about saving a woman from a tribe of Ogres. I find in the Warhammer world Ogres are portrayed in numerous ways which I think works. Again, the story has a fair amount of ultraviolence which is over the top. I really liked the resolution of the story too.
Prophecy - Ben McCallum - I enjoyed this one although again Gotrek and Felix are just in the background. If you've not read Dragonslayer or Manslayer then there are definitely some spoilers in here. This story is from the perspective of Kelmain and Lhoigor, two Tzzeentch sorcerors whose paths have crossed Gotrek and Felix before. The story is really a synopsis of the two aforementioned novels from the Chaotic wizards perspective.
The Tilean's Talisman - David Guymer - I just can't get into David Guymer at all. This story has skaven in a bar pinching a magical item before coming into contact with our heroes. Gotrek and Felix are in the background again and I don't think the story passes the sense check. Just not a fan of David Guymer.
Last Orders - David Smillie - Another bar room brawl following on from the last story and yet once again our pair are really on the periphery and not needed. That said, there is a good story in here with a nice ending.
Mind-Stealer - C.L. Werner - Okay, yet again no Gotrek and Felix in this one but never mind, this is a story about everyone's favourite Grey Seer - Thanquol. I really want to read the Thanquol series as I think the author really captures the skaven personality - cowardly, cunning, boastful, deceitful, clever yet fearful. Thanquol comes into contact with another magic force which causes him problems. Lots of fun this one which pushed all the right buttons for me.
The Two Crowns of Ras Karim - Nathan Long - Another story from Nathan Long set in Araby. I do like Warhammer stories written outside of The Empire - it helps to bring the world to life. There is a real Arab Spring element to this and perhaps a nod to Sinbad. Long's two stories in the book are both great with action from start to finish.
The Funeral of Gotrek Gurnisson - Richard Salter - This was the story I didn't want to read and I won't review the story. That said, the story is good and has a very welcome cameo.