Gotrek and Felix 3rd omnibus (Giantslayer, Orcslayer, Manslayer)

The 3rd Gotrek and Felix omnibus include the transition from the original author William King to the new author Nathan Long. Willaim King is probably my favourite Black Library author, and the Gotrek saga was a big mantel for Nathan to take over from. In all honesty, and especially in light of recent attempts by authors such as Josh Reynolds, Nathan does a pretty good job of taking on the mantel. Gotrek still feels like Gotrek and Felix the same, though obviously subtle differences may sometimes occur. The biggest change (and one which retrospectively makes sense) is that Nathan jumps 20 odd years into the future, which on the one hand leaves the ending of Giantslayer a little frustration, it does however all start to balance out as the series continues.

Giantslayer is the last Gotrek and Felix book by Willaim King, and follows on directly after the events of Vampireslayer. Inside Gotrek and Felix are magically transported to the fabled island of Albion, a island normally wreathed in mist to prevent outsiders from landing on mass, the island itself was the setting of those summer campaigns Games Workshop used to run (sadly it has been a while since they've done one, and they used to be something particularly to look forward to. Here's hoping that recent changes in company policy will eventually lead to their return). For clarification for those without any knowledge of the island, it's pretty much Scotland, with magic and giants. Gotrek and Felix are brought to the island, and seek to undo the scheming plot of two twin sorcerers of Tzeentch introduced back in Beastslayer (or Dragonslayer in reference). Along the way they meet a companion which Gotrek struggles not to put and axe through almost as much as the forces of Chaos. I'm talking about none other then the High-Mage Teclis himself who is a very interesting companion for the duo to travel alongside.

Giantslayer: 8/10 (Simply for the bit where Gotrek chops through a whole tree, otherwise a 7)

Orcslayer sees Gotrek and Felix return to the Old world, specifically the Dwarf port/Fortress of Barak Varr, and later the dwarf hold of Karak Hirn. Full of dwarf characters galore, and a substantial orc army, Orcslayer has a lot of what I personally enjoy in a Gotrek and Felix novel. It also investigates a lots of Gotrek past, and presents a very unique insight into his past before becoming a slayer. In many ways this book is just a enjoyable and captivating to read as previous novels such a Beastslayer and Vampireslayer, and it's hard to put my finger on many bad things in the novel to separate it from earlier works. There is plenty of dwarfy-ness, often a sure fire way for me to enjoy a book, but if i put it next to Dragonslayer or Skavenslayer I just feel that maybe the switch over to Long from King takes a few books to really get into.

Orcslayer 7/10

Manslayer see's Gotrek and Felix return to Nuln, the ill-fated city from the previous novel Skavenslayer. Manslayer has a lot in common with Beastslayer, in that the adventure's find themselves involved in plots and intrigue meant to case harm to the Empire and undermine it's efforts in the war against chaos in the ongoing invasion by Archaon. It has sees the re-appearance of a previous cast members, further deepening the plot (and giving room for a spin-off series "hint hint-nudge nudge"). I think Manslayer (for me atleast) see's Nathan getting to grip with the Gotrek and Felix series, and whilst it's not the best one i've ever read, I do feel it's a good stepping stone in his telling of the saga.

Manslayer 7/10

Gotrek and Felix 2nd omnibus (Dragonslayer, Beastslayer, Vampireslayer)

The 2nd Gotrek and Felix omnibus follows on with another 3 books from William King, taking the story forward from the events at the end of Daemonslayer. Further involvement from their nemesis Thanquol, and the introduction of a new character in Ulrika are key inclusions. Questions like what is Gotrek's shame, what was his past life like, and what is the back story regarding Felix's blade are all delved into. A great selection of enemies in their myriad forms are included, and cover areas ranging from Kislev, and the World's Edge Mountains to Sylvania. Also I failed to mention in the earlier review the addition of Snorri Nosebitter (how i could forget is a great shame, in fact I may shave my head and dye it orange). Snorri often fills comic relief in the book, as well as showing another of the slayer cult in a different light. The companions go through their adventures together about the Old Word as the slayers seek their dooms.

Dragonslayer is possibly my second favourite book of the Gotrek Saga. Filled with lots of Dwarfs and their engineering innovations (I'm an engineer by trade, and have a preference for dwarfs if it wasn't obvious, which probably explains my personal bias to some of the novels). Heading back to the Old world after the events of Daemonslayer, the companions return to Karak Kadrin with Malakai Makaisson (another dwarf introduced in Daemonslayer I should have introduced). Unsurprisingly the events involve a dragon, and begin to show a plot line that is woven into the following 3-4 books in the series. The inclusion of a variety of slayers start to delve into dwarven culture a little more, and how various members of that grim society may become slayers. Also present are a nice handful of orcs and bandits for your pleasure. This story along with Skavenslayer probably rank joint second, as it really depends on whether your more in the mood for some comic skaven warfare or a little more dangerous foe for Gotrek and Felix (and Co.) to face.

Dragonslayer: 9/10

Beastslayer brings out group back to the chaos wastes, looking to help save the Empire from a huge Chaos Invasion (not an Archaon one for those who keep track of those things). Going to the citadel/fortress city of Pragg, the first bastion against against the chaos hordes, they seek to help the defenders in repelling the invaders. But Pragg is a bastion which would take months to wear down and, unsurprisingly, the chaos horde is fractious, only held together by its warmaster and leader Arek Daemonclaw, a follower of Tzeentch. So when events seem to undermine the city of Praag's ability to holdout against the invading force, treachery is assumed. What follows is a story that further delves in Gotrek's past, and continues the build suspicion about the grand fate which waits for the Slayer. Beastslayer almost has the feel of a murder/cop drama, with investigate and intrigue rife. Tzeentch is the Weaver of Fate and the Great conspirator, and unsurprisingly the story involves a great deal of intertwining plots. The score for Beastslayer is only 8 due to my (somewhat personal) bias towards Skavenslayer and Dragonslayer, but it is still a great William King novel.

Beastslayer: 8/10

Vampireslayer rounds up the 3rd book in the second omnibus, and like the name implies involves the undead of the warhammer world. Warhammer Fantasy vampires have a certain appeal to them, not only do they come in a variety of forms (Necrarch, Von Carstein, Blood Dragon, Lahmian and Strigoi to name the main few), but represent a force of evil in the warhammer world which isn't a follower of chaos (unlike skaven and dark elves, which in many ways are tools of/or twisted by the dark powers, vampires supposedly are a anathema to the powers of chaos, and both forces reject each other). Thus they often seek to dominate the worlds of men, rather than annihilate them. Often beings of immense age and magical powers, they present a very intriguing character for Gotrek and Felix to face. Unlike Daemons and Dragons, a vampire is or was a man(woman) at some point or another, and often has character features or flaws which are entirely human. This story presents a more Von Carstein vampire (for those that don't know, think standard Dracula style, with a bit of necromancy).Vampireslayer is probably a little bitter-sweet by Gotrek and Felix standards, and whilst gripping, doesn't leave me with that same feeling to grab my axe and go to the pub. For that i give it an 8.

Vampireslayer: 8/10

P.S.  I found this whilst double checking i wasn't making any mistakes, someone has gone to the trouble of creating as accurate a timeline for the Gotrek and Felix saga. It's an impressive piece of work, so I thought I'd'd post it here and give full kudos to kalevalahammer, the site it is hosted on, great work :) http://kalevalahammer.webs.com/timelinegotrekfelix.htm

Gotrek and Felix 1st omnibus (Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Daemonslayer)

Gotrek and Felix are probably the most famous duo from the warhammer fantasy universe. Gotrek is a slayer, a dwarf who has earned some great shame, and seeks atonement through death. So great do dwarves feel the weight of shame that the only resolution is to seek an honourable death. But for a dwarf not to seek to win in combat would be dishonourable, thus do they seek victory even whilst they seek death. Some dwarves are so skilled (unlucky) that they keep staying alive, but the longer they stay alive the more unhappy and disagreeable they become (for a race already holding a slight disposition towards grumbling). This helps set the foundation for Gotrek. Felix on the other-hand is a man of the Empire, who was an aspiring poet before a mishap in a duel with a fellow college student resulted in his death. Thus expelled from his position, in a fit of drinking he agrees to chronicle the story of Gotrek's demise. But not until the morning does the full depth of what that commitment means sink in, nor is he aware of just how capable a combat Gotrek truly is. Thus most stories for the Gotrek and Felix series involve the battling and (normally) destruction of some quite powerful/dangerous opponent(s). All the while generally learning a little bit more about Gotrek and Felix.

Trollslayer is actually a series of short stories written by William King about the adventures of Gotrek and Felix. Generally based in the lands of the Empire, it has a few very key moments in the overall story that stay with them throughout their adventures. Whilst a collection of short stories, William King (the creator of Gotrek and Felix) brings to life the nature of both adventurers, he lays the foundation which has given birth to over 15 books and a number of short stories/audiobooks. If you want to read Gotrek and Felix, I would almost demand that it be read in order, despite regularly making reference back to previous books (with the exception of the most recent few), there is often critical/important information which would otherwise lessen ones enjoyment if you went back to read them.

Trollslayer: 8/10

Skavenslayer is the second book in the series, and involves unsurprisingly the skaven. Besides them being an appropriate enemy for a dwarf, the skaven antagonist provides an element of humour and introduces Gotreks (often unbeknownst) nemesis, Thanquol. The events of Skavenslayer take place in Nuln (i believe) in the Empire, and introduces the infinitely fickle and varied ways in which the skaven operate. A classic in the Gotrek and Felix series. 

Skavenslayer: 9/10

Daemonslayer is the 3rd book in the 1st omnibus, and personally I'd say it's my favourite. It involves so many elements of dwarf nature that it's hard not to love. The stoicism, the determination, the engineering, the axes, the beards, the value of material wealth over their very lives, and the notion of fighting a battle to the very bitter end for their families and honour. Introduce some daemons (not much of a spoiler their), and more background into Gotrek's history and you have everything you could want in a Gotrek and Felix book. Introduction of a few more important characters for the next few books and you have my personal favourite from the 15+ books available.

Daemonslayer: 10/10

Horus Rising- Horus Heresy book 1

Dan Abnett, a regular author for the warhammer 40k genre, brings us the first novel in the now 20+ long series, The Horus Heresy. The Horus heresy is arguably the most singularly defining moment in the warhammer (40k) universe. If you don't know the story, go read about that first, because to be honest you probably don't know very much about warhammer 40k in the first place. Assuming you've done that, then I can go on and explain how this book sets the foundation for Horus Lupercal to become Horus the betrayer.

Horus Lupercal, along with 8 other Primarchs, turned against the emperor, and joined forces with chaos. But how did they fall? How were they seduced? Why weren't they wary of chaos in the first place? Why didn't any external forces intervene? And who were those loyalists troops that ultimately meet their end on Isstvan III? How did the other brothers respond to their treachery? and what twisted their aims and goals so much that they were willing to give up on everything they had fought for up to that point in the Great Crusade?

The first three novels of the Horus Heresy series are, whilst written by different authors, part of a trilogy following the events leading to Horus' fall and the eventual betrayal of loyalists from Sons of Horus, Death guard, Emperor's Children and World Eaters on Isstvan III. Horus Rising details Horus relatively soon after his ascension to Warmaster and the Emperors return back to Terra. It explores the entirely human side of Horus, and introduces a number of previously unknown characters including but not limited to: Garviel Loken, Tarik Torgaddon, Horus Aximand, Saul tarvitz, and Lord-Commander Eidolon. Abaddon and Lucius (the eternal) are present in their pre-heresy form, and the Primarchs Sanguinius and Rogal Dorn have some cameo appearances. Also present in the series are Remembrancers. In typical Dan Abnett fashion, the inclusion of non-astrates personal were vital for the effect story-telling of the heresy, and so the unheard of (ok from my reading) inclusion of poets, historians, dramatists, painters, photographers etc are present aboard Horus battleships, and many other of his brother Primarchs (but not all it is noted). Some of these civilians play important roles in the character development of the Astrates as well as the plot line in the story.

The first book plots the core character, Garviel Loken, in his journey as captain of the 10th company to a member of the Mournival, a not-so-secretive group of four individuals who act as Horus' advisers. It covers the legions exploits on 3 alien worlds/civilisations, and highlights the burden and human nature of Horus and his legion. Without simply going through the whole story, Abnett in his classic fashion pulls you into the different personalities, and tells a wonderful initial tale for the characters. Ultimately Horus Rising is just that, the ever continual rise of Horus Lupercal, First among brothers and Warmaster to the entire Great Crusade. But with the fairly well know end to the story, it's all the more upsetting to see the great and magnificent being he is presented as, knowing his eventual path into darkness will follow.

If you want to read any books in the Horus heresy, read this one, especially if you don't have a massive allegiance to any other (chaos) space marine chapters, and even if you do, this book (and the following 2) are telling the story of the betrayal from the core antagonist (Horus), and thus worth a read for better clarity with the other books worth reading.

Score: 8/10