'Gloomspite' – Andy Clark (Black Library)

The last few months have seen me dip in and out of the 'Age of Sigmar' short stories that keep popping up on Amazon when I should be doing literally anything else other than spend money, that I can't really afford, on books. “Shut up! They're good reads” is one of the excuses that I tend to throw in the face of my 'purchase guilt' along with “look, they're really good for those days when you can't get into anything longer.” Both of these excuses are true of course, and these short stories have also helped me get over there not being an 'Old World' to read about; so much so, in fact, that I figured it was time to try something a little (okay, a lot) longer and really throw myself into the Mortal Realms. Luckily, the TBR pile had me covered and it was time to finally give 'Gloomspite' a go. The only other story that I'd read of Clark's was the short story 'The Will of the Legion' so I was looking forward to seeing how he'd do with a broader canvas to tell his story on.

As it happens... 'Gloomspite' wasn't the story I thought I was getting but was all the better for it..

In the dark corners of the Mortal Realms, the mysterious Gloomspite Gitz go to war, following the trail of their abominable deity. Nowhere is beyond the sight of the Bad Moon, not even those places under Sigmar’s protection, like the city of Draconium, sweltering beneath the scalding rain of Aqshy. In this boiling pot of tension, the regent prays to Sigmar for guidance while Captain Helena Morthan puts out fires: blades drawn in the streets, heretical doomsayers preaching the end of days, and insects eating watchmen alive.

When the grieving warrior Hendrick and his warband arrive at the gates with a prophetic warning, Captain Morthan sees a way to save her people. But with Skragrott the Loonking plotting underneath Draconium, and the Bad Moon looming in the sky above, will there be a city left to save?

So I made the mistake of thinking that 'Gloomspite' would be another stand up fight between the forces of Sigmar and whatever the 'evil of the day' happened to be today. In this case, evil little Grots (goblins, if you were wondering) that live underground and like to jump out unexpectedly and really ruin your day. And that was ok, a big scrap was just what I was in the mood for, as it happened, so I was keen to get to it.

Now don't get me wrong, 'Gloomspite' is all about the big scrap (and more on that in a bit) but it's a whole lot more at the same time and that's where the real joy is in this story.

For me, all the best bits of 'Gloomspite' weren't so much about the fighting as they were about what came next for the main players, or what experiences they were bringing to the fight in the first place. Clark uses this in the case of the mercenary 'Swords of Sigmar' and shows us how a seemingly dysfunctional group of warriors can combine and bring the best out of each other, despite everything. There's fresh trauma in this band, as well as old, and it drives these mercenaries to do the right thing, even when the job has been done. In the case of Eleanora, there's the fear that her differences will continue to cast her out so she fights (in her own way) even harder for her adopted family. Even the Duardin (because Games Workshop can't just call a dwarf a dwarf...) discovers that doing the right thing doesn't just end with being paid. It all comes together and adds a personal touch to the conflict that gives the fight proper meaning. This is all happening for a reason and that really benefits the story. I've got a real soft spot for warrior bands, in fantasy, and the 'Swords of Sigmar' are now right up there in my list of favourites (which may well be a post for another time...) Reading back, I haven't done Clark's accomplishment here real justice in terms of just how good it is. It's a very special feat of writing, trust me on that.

If that wasn't enough, Clark gives us a story that's part suspenseful horror and part 'beating the crap out of monsters with whatever comes to hand'. You wouldn't think it would work but despite a couple of bits early on where the story is still finding its feet (and the pace suffers a little for it), 'Gloomspite' switches effortlessly between the two and swiftly becomes a tale where anything can happen and will take you by surprise.

I think what I liked the most here is that there seems to be a lot more licence now to really make your own mark on the landscape of the Mortal Realms (something lacking in the Old World setting) and Clark uses this to really lay waste to the city of Draconium in a campaign of terror followed by all out war on the streets, both of which will put me off mushrooms for, well... Not that long actually but there is still some really gross stuff happening with fungi in this book. Damn...

The Grots are well used in the creepy ' who'd be a nightwatchman in Draconium' moments but also make for some surprisingly fearsome moments when they attack en masse. It all makes for compelling reading the whole way through.

'Gloomspite' ended up being one of those books that had me wondering why I didn't pick it up earlier. The characterisation is superb and that's what made the book for me. The creeping body/fungi horror and the climactic battle didn't hurt either... If you're looking for a decent entry point into the Mortal Realms, you could do a lot worse than pick 'Gloomspite' to start off with.