Book Review // Scourge the Heretic by Sandy Mitchell
The summer holidays are ending and soon the children are heading back to school. Meaning a bit more free time to do some projects other than reading. But before then it is time to delve into the Grim Dark worlds of 40k. By now you all must realize that I really enjoy this franchise, full of dark and grim sci-fi packed to the brim with action. So without further ado let us jump in:
Book Stats
Title: Scourge the Heretic
Author: Sandy Mitchell
Publisher: Black Library
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 416 pages
Buy via Amazon
Fluff: When an Ordo Hereticus warband is sent to investigate an interplanetary people-trafficking operation, they soon find something much more sinister than people being smuggled…
Review
Let's begin with some basics. This tale is set up in a sector of the 40k galaxy known as Calixis. Those new to 40k may not know about it, but it was an area designed purely for the 40K roleplaying game Dark Heresy (a now-defunct Fantasy Flight Game). The idea behind the game was to be a character who worked as a henchman for an all-powerful inquisitor, and that is how this book is set up as an adventure for the henchmen of an unseen inquisitor.
The way the story is written and portrayed is almost like a game written into fan fiction. The team (aka player characters) are sent in to investigate a smuggling ring, and as they discover more, the story unfolds. What should be a straight go-in and bust up the bad guys suddenly becomes a full-on detective series that could send the team exploring the entire sector. The cast of characters is a selection of classic character archetypes: A Psychic (Wizard), An Arbiter (Leader Warrior), Two Guardsmen (archer and Barbarian), an Assassin (Rogue) and a Techpriest (Priest), led by an all-powerful Inquisitor (NPC). As the story progresses, we get weird love stories, planetary backgrounds and some pretty well-thought-out characters.
The best part is the planet the adventure is set on. I love the idea of deep mines that a mutant population works over, a population prone to psykers, within which lies a military prison under attack, along with wealthy nobles lording it over everyone in their noble households and glass palaces. There are so many unique and exciting locations to explore.
Throughout the book, there are hints of bigger plots and sinister villains, and we are left with a story designed to be spread over at least one or two more books. With a pretty open ending, we are left wondering what will happen next. Unfortunately, the second book is challenging to find. Overall, it is an okay read that can lead you to a lot of fun playing Dark Heresy, and I hope to see the second book one day.
