Book Review: Sabbat Worlds Anthology by Multiple Authors
It's time to start ramping up the blog and filling out some pages on this new site. A nice easy filler piece today - Sabbat Worlds, is a title of multiple short stories that we can rattle through quite quickly, so let us get on with it.
Title: Sabbat Worlds by Multiple Authors
Published by: Black Library
Genres: Sci-fi/war
Format: Hardback Book
Fluff:
"Across the Sabbat Worlds, a bitter conflict can only end in victory or annihilation. Yet even amidst this, the Astra Militarum and their allies stand stoic against their foes."
This review is a bit different from the norm as it is an Anthology of tales set within the time frame of Gaunt's Ghost and Sabbat Crusade. As we go through the adventures, I will write more about the stories I enjoyed and less about the ones I didn't. Simple.
Apostle's Creed by Graham McNeill
The opening story is a follow on from Dan Abnett's original novel "Double Eagle". Double Eagle followed the exploits of the Phantine XX Thunderbolt pilots, and this story continues along this theme. We are introduced to the infamous thunderbolt fighter group of the Imperial Navy code named "Apostles". The "Apostles" are the aces of the aces. Think of a 40k version of Top Gun; you are not far off. Even though they are elite, they come across as proud and aloof from their peers. But as the story progresses, we learn why these guys chose to act this way. They strongly believe commandery to be a distraction, and in these war-torn skies, one distraction will lead to death.
The main character in this story is Flight Lieutenant Larice Asche. She was chosen by the "Apostles" flight leader to join the elite wing, but in doing so, she had to turn her back on and leave the Phantine XX (an already highly decorated unit of Imperial pilots). Throughout the story we sit in the cockpit with her and experience the war through her eyes in the skies. Thanks to this unique viewpoint, we are treated to each g-force-crushing dive and feel the adrenaline rush as she blows up an enemy plane.
McNeill kicks the action off right from the get-go with this fast-paced air combat. A highlight for me is that McNeill puts you right in the cockpit. He describes each adrenaline-pumping high-g turn, stunning dive, and stomach-churning roll with a skill only a master like him can achieve. Yet even with all of this air combat excitement, McNeill produces excellent characters who instantly make you want to succeed. Even though it was a short story, McNeill rounded out the main characters nicely. He shows us why the "Apostles" are a select few and make you want to be one of the elite. And I hope in future, he might return to add to this story arc.
Great author, great story, great start for the Sabbat world book.
The Headstone and the Hammerstone Kings by Matthew Farrer
The first part of this story confused the hell out of me. The Headstone and the Hammerstone Kings center around the co-heads of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the way it stockpiles destroyed relics of war machines. In this case, those of the arch-enemy. Sounds easy enough, I hear you say, but then you start to read more and get lost entirely by his use of point-of-view narration as he jumps from character to character. One minute, you are a rebel, then an Imperial, then a rebel again. It quickly lost me as I struggled to keep up with who I saw the world through. It just did not sit well with me. I even backtracked to reread sections to try and set my head straight (which didn't help). If the story had been given the space to explain itself fully, it could have been a great tale. However, a lack of accurate info left me confused and disheartened by a story with great promise.
Regicide by Dembski-Bowden
Here is some background context to help: Regicide is a game similar to chess that I believe Dan Abnett invented for his 40k characters to play in his Inferno days.
The intro to this story had me in fits of joy. It's what I would call a pure fluff/fanboy story. Centring around the fallen (in the current Gaunt's Ghost arc) Warmaster Slaydo and his bodyguard regiment, the Argentum (which I believe means silver or is a chemical name for silver?), also known as the Silver Kindred, the Warmaster's Own, and on the Munitorum rosters - the Khulan 2nd Huscarls.
This is all about the now-fallen Warmaster Slaydo and his final moments on Balhaut before his famous death. The tale's main character is Senior Sergeant Commodus Ryland, who recounts Slaydo's final moments while being tortured on the eighteenth hour of the tenth day. His story culminates in the EPIC scene where Warmaster Slaydo duels with Archon Nadzybar (the first Archon of Gaur's lieutenants) to the death on the rooftop of a collapsed palace. This story is impressive. Dembski-Bowden makes the characters come to life. It brings forward Slaydo's mannerisms and cheerful nature as much as his tactical brilliance and martial skill. You can see why Slaydo is loved and idolized by his men. The story's pacing is quick and action-packed; I did not want to stop reading this at all. I seriously hope Dembski is allowed to write more for the Sabbat crusade lore.
The Iron Star by Dan Abnett
This story is a continuance of the Gaunt's Ghosts series by Abnett (I love this series. Everyone needs to read it!) and is set between the novels 'Only in Death' and 'Blood Pack'’ The story takes us into Gaunt's mind during the aftermath/fallout of the Hinzerhaus operation. Abnett reveals this detail slowly throughout the story. And that's all I can say without giving away too many spoilers. To find out more, buy the book! However, we do see the return of a few fan-favourite characters in this story, including my personal favourite, Try Again Bragg. What can I say? It's Dan Abnett and is a classic piece, as I've come to expect from him.
The Cell by Nik Vincent
Vincent's tale takes us to the chaos-held world of Reredos. All the crops are replaced by chaos warp-infused crops, slowly destroying the planet from within as they grow (basically GM crops). The main story arc involves an Ayatani priest named Perdu, who holds a religious mass for six workers who come to pray with him once a week. Through this group, we see how a rebel cell works and communicates with one another. The story takes us into the mindset of a resistance fighter, showing us how they don't trust anyone, especially their comrades. You spend the whole tale wondering if or when someone may betray them. I found the characters well-developed, and the story was quick and action-filled. It was a great short read.
Blueblood by Nick Kyme
Known chiefly for his work on Salamander stories I was interested to see how Kyme would handle the Bluebloods aka The Royal Volpone 50th. Yes, they are the same "Bluebloods" who are always causing trouble for Gaunt and the Tanith First. I believe the story is set after the siege of Vervunhive just after General Noches Sturm deserts his post, is court-martialed, and is nearly shot by Gaunt (that is a story far from done with).
Kyme writes a story about the Volpone 50th and what happens when a formation gets recycled into a reserve position. Stationed at Sagorrah Depot (an important fuelling station for the crusade), the Bluebloods find discipline and order out of control. The Blueblood's Major Regara notes how the local Commissar for this garrison lacks power over the stationed men and decides to take matters of discipline into his own hands. His first port of call is a mission into the slums surrounding the depot. Major Regara and his three squads of men suffer from an ambush of Archenemy troopers. When all seems lost, allies are found in the "Longstriders," a regiment that reminds me and the main characters a little too much of the Tanith 1st. Due to this memory, Regara is rude towards the Longstriders and refuses to thank them for saving the Bluebloods.
As the story progresses, we slowly see the camp falling apart. The garrison is going crazy. As each hour passes, it just gets worse; fights are breaking out, troopers are killing each other, and allies are turning on one another. Major Regara notices that the only place where the camp is peaceful is where the Longstriders live. After a friendly chat (it so isn't), the Longstriders tell Regara they've discovered the reason for the infighting. Major Regara and the Volpones join the long striders to go on a secret mission into the local caves. Where they soon realize that things are far worse than they ever feared.
This story was one of my favourites. It was nice to see some old enemies having an adventure and, for once, wanting to see them succeed in what they were doing. All in all, this is another strong story.
A Good Man by Sandy Mitchell
This little story is set once again after the Siege of Vervunhive. It's follows an Imperial scribe that arrives shortly after the fighting has ended (a year or two I believe), to aid with the reconstruction efforts. While looking for a missing friend he is slowly drawn into a web of lies. The story is "narrated" by an Adeptus Arbites called Wil Feris, as he searches for another scribe that has "falsified documents," a crime equal to high treason in the scribe's world law book. It's a great story with elements of humour that Sandy expertly adds to it, making it all the more enjoyable.
Of Their Lives in the Ruins of Their City by Dan Abnett
There isn't much I can write about this tale without ruining it. So, I plan on keeping spoilers to a minimum. It's a newly written Gaunt story just for this anthology, but it hasn't occurred as recently as The Iron Star has. It takes place during the 'Ghostmaker' book. Of Their Lives in the Ruins of Their City is set between the actions of Voltis City, on Voltemond, and the action on Caligula. The clear theme of this story is the pressure upon Gaunt's shoulders at this time. It's a tough job, especially for a man who is hated by those who follow him. And that's all I can tell you! It's a great read, a must for Gaunt fans, and well worth the read.
Overall, this anthology was a pleasure to read, and I hope you've enjoyed the mini-reviews. Should you buy this book? YES!!
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, and please leave a comment. Cheers
