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capnlinnius's review
3.0
I received an eARC from Black Library, via Netgalley.
Rated 3.5/5
A quick read, set in the 40k universe. On a dying planet, Arch-Deacon Ambrose is struggling to keep people from completely giving in to despair, while at the same time having to find ways to fight back a strange plague that breaks out in the possibly last living settlement on Theotokos.
While I am far more of a Warhammer Fantasy nerd, the horror fiction from Black Library really hits the spot. If you're not that versed in the 40k universe, you can still read and enjoy this short novel. If you know absolutely nothing, you'll probably get hung up on names and other stuff that gets thrown around, because the reader is expected to have a basic knowledge and understanding of the world going into the book. So don't expect world-building.
All in all, an enjoyable read that had no real surprises, but more than made up for it with the lyrical writing and the generally gritty, grim dark depictions of life on a world that it seems the Emperor forgot.
Rated 3.5/5
A quick read, set in the 40k universe. On a dying planet, Arch-Deacon Ambrose is struggling to keep people from completely giving in to despair, while at the same time having to find ways to fight back a strange plague that breaks out in the possibly last living settlement on Theotokos.
While I am far more of a Warhammer Fantasy nerd, the horror fiction from Black Library really hits the spot. If you're not that versed in the 40k universe, you can still read and enjoy this short novel. If you know absolutely nothing, you'll probably get hung up on names and other stuff that gets thrown around, because the reader is expected to have a basic knowledge and understanding of the world going into the book. So don't expect world-building.
All in all, an enjoyable read that had no real surprises, but more than made up for it with the lyrical writing and the generally gritty, grim dark depictions of life on a world that it seems the Emperor forgot.
pinkeyeofsauron's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
caribourou's review
4.0
This was so. goddamn. new. I never read anything like this and that might be singleminded of me but I liked this a lot. I couldn't tell at ALL where this story was going and it amazed me at several turns. The last scenes are chilling also. Very cool. Sinners - Barns Courtney
findingtimeforreading's review
4.0
Following Deacon Ambrose, this book dives into the concept of religion during times of hardship and how ultimately, corruption really dose take over all. I love books with a non-happy ending.
nassuada's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
paperwitches's review
4.0
I will say I am not familiar with former related work, so it took a while for me to slip easily into the world and it’ lore. It can be quite overwhelming in the beginning. This can be a deterrent for new readers, but I do believe it pulls off what it is trying to accomplish. The author is obviously passionate about the book and it’s backstory, it feels like it has culture and soul. I always love a good fall from grace, rather than a stereotypical heroic save.
I’m not easily rattled, so the horror didn’t bother me - but I would warn reader’s against body horror! I would say the biggest drawback is the romantic interest, it seemed underdeveloped and forced. But, the world feels grey and depressive - like you can’t escape it, and it’s the books greatest strength. You know the end, it’s more about how it comes about. Death hangs above everyone, inevitable and the main character only seeks to watch it happen.
I’m not easily rattled, so the horror didn’t bother me - but I would warn reader’s against body horror! I would say the biggest drawback is the romantic interest, it seemed underdeveloped and forced. But, the world feels grey and depressive - like you can’t escape it, and it’s the books greatest strength. You know the end, it’s more about how it comes about. Death hangs above everyone, inevitable and the main character only seeks to watch it happen.
ncf160's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
midrel's review
2.0
So, first of all, I got a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
That being said, I am not quite sure where I stand with this book. The writing was in itself good, pleasantly atmospheric and enjoyable to read, but the overall direction of the plot was predictable. This was a book about someones unwittingly being used by chaos, and it was obvious from the start what the final outcome would be.
As such, one could argue the joy was not in the destination but rather in the road itself, and in this regard I found that the swiftness of the deacons delusion were at odds with the otherwise slowness of events. This wasn't helped by the constant use of introspection, which, while interesting, also contributed to the overall feeling of slowness.
I felt the bit about the undead really didn't add anything to the tale, either. It was mentioned two or three times and dropped. It felt like a very token horror thing to add, except until then there had been no hint whatsoever of the Plague affecting the dead or rising them.
I kind of wish the book hadn't ended on such a cliff hanger, though any further elaboration might have made it less memorable.
All in all, 2.5
That being said, I am not quite sure where I stand with this book. The writing was in itself good, pleasantly atmospheric and enjoyable to read, but the overall direction of the plot was predictable. This was a book about someones unwittingly being used by chaos, and it was obvious from the start what the final outcome would be.
As such, one could argue the joy was not in the destination but rather in the road itself, and in this regard I found that the swiftness of the deacons delusion were at odds with the otherwise slowness of events. This wasn't helped by the constant use of introspection, which, while interesting, also contributed to the overall feeling of slowness.
I felt the bit about the undead really didn't add anything to the tale, either. It was mentioned two or three times and dropped. It felt like a very token horror thing to add, except until then there had been no hint whatsoever of the Plague affecting the dead or rising them.
I kind of wish the book hadn't ended on such a cliff hanger, though any further elaboration might have made it less memorable.
All in all, 2.5
nightshade_novels's review
4.0
I love a Warhammer horror story, they're always a good read. This one was no exception.
At the start I wasn't really sure where it was going but, as I know what Warhammer horror books are usually like, I was happy to stick with it. My persistence was paid off as this story quickly descended from and planet in drought to something dark and eventually horrifying.
Ambrose is an interesting character. He tries so hard to do what is right and help everyone in the city. Yet in the pursuit of such good aims it all goes so horribly wrong. What starts as a couple of hard, but necessary, decisions soon descends into a sort of single minded madness.
The plague was suitably creepy and the descriptions wonderfully vivid. I don't think it really needed the alien aspect to the plague though, it would have worked just as well as an ordinary illness in my opinion. Although it would have been a bit less creepy, so it worked for the vibe they were going for.
The world building and character creation were both done really well. I felt fully immersed in the story and all the characters felt fully formed, even those with smaller roles.
Overall this story was just what I'd expect from a Warhammer horror - there are no happy endings here - and it was delivered well. I can't wait for the next one.
At the start I wasn't really sure where it was going but, as I know what Warhammer horror books are usually like, I was happy to stick with it. My persistence was paid off as this story quickly descended from and planet in drought to something dark and eventually horrifying.
Ambrose is an interesting character. He tries so hard to do what is right and help everyone in the city. Yet in the pursuit of such good aims it all goes so horribly wrong. What starts as a couple of hard, but necessary, decisions soon descends into a sort of single minded madness.
The plague was suitably creepy and the descriptions wonderfully vivid. I don't think it really needed the alien aspect to the plague though, it would have worked just as well as an ordinary illness in my opinion. Although it would have been a bit less creepy, so it worked for the vibe they were going for.
The world building and character creation were both done really well. I felt fully immersed in the story and all the characters felt fully formed, even those with smaller roles.
Overall this story was just what I'd expect from a Warhammer horror - there are no happy endings here - and it was delivered well. I can't wait for the next one.