‘Sarcophagus’ (David Annandale) & ‘A Point of Pride’ (Evan Dicken)
I’m not quite sure where yesterday went but there wasn’t a lot of time left for reading by the end of it; and even then, I kept falling asleep in my chair. Oh well :o)
It’s at times like this when I’m glad that my Kindle app is always handily stocked with some short reads. I’ll always be a ‘paperback guy’ (especially since I finally got my glasses sorted out…) but the Kindle is a nice little backup. And reading is like exercise, do a little bit every day and it keeps your brain healthy ;o)
A couple of Black Library ‘short reads’ then because, of course they were. It’s the end of a hard year, I’m really tired and more than ever, I’m after reads that will entertain. Did I get that this time? I think so...
‘Sarcophagus’ (David Annandale)
Page Count: 26 Pages
Trapped in an overturned tank after being caught in a bombing run on Armageddon, Commissar Sebastian Yarrick fights to escape and return to his forces, but as he emerges, he finds himself surrounded by greenskin foes. Can the Old Man of Armageddon survive the onslaught with power claw and Evil Eye, or will he finally fall to the servants of the Great Beast Ghazghkull Thraka?
I don’t often open a review with comments on the cover art, but when I do… What is it with Commissars and those big hats? Seriously, look at the size of it, I’m surprised that it stays on Yarrick’s head to be honest. Sorry, ‘mini-rant’ over.
I’ve heard of Commissar Yarrick but have never read anything with him in it so ‘Sarcophagus’ looked like an intriguing quick read. And… As a ‘snapshot’ look at Yarrick, ‘Sarcophagus’ does a great job of introducing him to the reader, we get a very clear picture of who he is and what he prepared to do in the face of adversity. And the conclusion that he reaches, at the end, tells us a lot about how the enemy view him as well.
Because of the ‘snapshot focus’ of the tale, it’s all over before you know it but to be honest, if you’re like me and buying these individual tales, you know what you’re in for by now. If I want something a little more in-depth, well, that’s what the novels are for ;o) ‘Sarcophagus’ knows its job and does it well.
‘A Point of Pride’ – Evan Dicken
Page Count: 28 Pages
Master Assassin Deathmiser Khrut leads a pack of Night Runners to murder a Sigmarite magister who has chanced upon a skaven plot.
As Deathmiser Khrut infiltrates the magister’s ancient citadel, he discovers that another assassin has beaten him to his target. Can he escape the citadel to take credit without the magister’s killer killing him too? And is the murderer a skaven, a daemon, or a certain female Khainite assassin?
In case you were wondering, I’ve got no problems with this cover, I particularly appreciate the decision to use ‘80s Heavy Metal Album’ font for the title ;o)
But onto the story, and it’s a good one with Dicken packing a lot into a few pages. If you’re looking at a plot involving Skaven, you already know you’re in for a lot of double-crossing and Dicken delivers that plus a little extra that throws everything on its head at just the right moment. ‘A Point of Pride’ is a fast moving and entertaining tale that gave me no choice but to keep on reading. And that was just what I needed last night so well played ‘A Point of Pride’, well played ;o)
It’s at times like this when I’m glad that my Kindle app is always handily stocked with some short reads. I’ll always be a ‘paperback guy’ (especially since I finally got my glasses sorted out…) but the Kindle is a nice little backup. And reading is like exercise, do a little bit every day and it keeps your brain healthy ;o)
A couple of Black Library ‘short reads’ then because, of course they were. It’s the end of a hard year, I’m really tired and more than ever, I’m after reads that will entertain. Did I get that this time? I think so...
‘Sarcophagus’ (David Annandale)
Page Count: 26 Pages
Trapped in an overturned tank after being caught in a bombing run on Armageddon, Commissar Sebastian Yarrick fights to escape and return to his forces, but as he emerges, he finds himself surrounded by greenskin foes. Can the Old Man of Armageddon survive the onslaught with power claw and Evil Eye, or will he finally fall to the servants of the Great Beast Ghazghkull Thraka?
I don’t often open a review with comments on the cover art, but when I do… What is it with Commissars and those big hats? Seriously, look at the size of it, I’m surprised that it stays on Yarrick’s head to be honest. Sorry, ‘mini-rant’ over.
I’ve heard of Commissar Yarrick but have never read anything with him in it so ‘Sarcophagus’ looked like an intriguing quick read. And… As a ‘snapshot’ look at Yarrick, ‘Sarcophagus’ does a great job of introducing him to the reader, we get a very clear picture of who he is and what he prepared to do in the face of adversity. And the conclusion that he reaches, at the end, tells us a lot about how the enemy view him as well.
Because of the ‘snapshot focus’ of the tale, it’s all over before you know it but to be honest, if you’re like me and buying these individual tales, you know what you’re in for by now. If I want something a little more in-depth, well, that’s what the novels are for ;o) ‘Sarcophagus’ knows its job and does it well.
‘A Point of Pride’ – Evan Dicken
Page Count: 28 Pages
Master Assassin Deathmiser Khrut leads a pack of Night Runners to murder a Sigmarite magister who has chanced upon a skaven plot.
As Deathmiser Khrut infiltrates the magister’s ancient citadel, he discovers that another assassin has beaten him to his target. Can he escape the citadel to take credit without the magister’s killer killing him too? And is the murderer a skaven, a daemon, or a certain female Khainite assassin?
In case you were wondering, I’ve got no problems with this cover, I particularly appreciate the decision to use ‘80s Heavy Metal Album’ font for the title ;o)
But onto the story, and it’s a good one with Dicken packing a lot into a few pages. If you’re looking at a plot involving Skaven, you already know you’re in for a lot of double-crossing and Dicken delivers that plus a little extra that throws everything on its head at just the right moment. ‘A Point of Pride’ is a fast moving and entertaining tale that gave me no choice but to keep on reading. And that was just what I needed last night so well played ‘A Point of Pride’, well played ;o)
Gaunt was a great commissar and I enjoyed the whole run of "Gaunt's Ghosts" series. Does Yarrick have a whole series, or just some random books featuring him?
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