‘Death and Duty: An Astra Militarum Anthology’ – Various Authors (Black Library)

 

‘No bold act is too small to be without consequence.’

The true strength of the Emperor’s largest military force lies not in their artillery, trenches and tanks, but in the courage of the ordinary men and women of the Astra Militarum. Against the countless foes of the Imperium, Guardsmen stand together. They fight to live and die not only for the glory of the God-Emperor, but for their fellow soldier.

To survive against the Ruinous Powers and the overwhelming xenos tide, the trust and bravery of daring Catachan jungle fighters, indomitable Cadians, stoic Kriegsmen and more will be tested to the limits.

Black Library’s authors give voice to the untold stories of heroism, determination and betrayal amongst the endless war of the 41st millennium.

This is a little bit of a ‘cheat post’ as a number of the stories included, in this anthology, have already been covered here (as part of my ‘commuter reading’ on the Kindle app); I’ll link to these as we go ;o) I ended up buying the book as well though and… Here we are.

I don’t want to just end up repeating what I’ve said about previous Black Library collections but it’s really difficult not to so…

It’s a rare anthology indeed where you pick it up and enjoy every story as much as you did the one before it. As many anthologies as I’ve read and enjoyed, there’s always at least one story that doesn’t quite work. It’s the law of averages, or something like that ;o)

‘Death and Duty’ didn’t buck the trend but I’ve got to say, it came really close. The standard of tales on offer here is really high and as someone who is very partial to an Imperial Guard tale (I still can’t quite bring myself to say Astra Militarum…), I enjoyed reading more of these and getting a little added insight on life, in the 41st Millennium, for those regular folk who aren’t gene-enhanced or have immense pyschic power. Because as awesome as the Space Marines and Inquisition are (and they are), it’s the stories of the Guard that are often the most engaging. Regular men and women, dropped into a war-zone with minimal training and left to find their own way out.

Quick thoughts to follow on each of the stories then, or a link to where I’ve already spoken about them…

‘Less Than Human’ – Steve Lyons

The book opens with a tale that I’d already spoken about, right Here.

‘Blood Sands’ – Victoria Hayward

The book then proceeds with another tale that I’d also spoken about, just Here. It was at about this point where I started to wonder if buying the paperback had made sense. I’m a sucker for Warhammer 40K cover art featuring tanks. Anyway...

‘Hell Fist’ – Justin Wooley

Two stories in and the third was one that I hadn’t actually read; Catachans vs. Orks is a short and sweet tale that’s perhaps a little too short to be anything other than a signpost to an obvious ending. Don’t get me wrong, it was fun (and it’s nice to get something from the Ork point of view for a change) but it was just a little too clear cut to be really engaging.

‘The Sum Of Its Parts’ – Rhuairidh James

Now this was more like it and easily one of the stand out tales in this collection. A tale of the Imperium as seen through the eyes of various crews of the same tank. ‘The Sum Of Its Parts’ has a lot to say and says it beautifully. It’s a story that I’d highly recommend to all 40K fans, no question about it.

‘The Strength Of Symbols’ – Carrie Harris

And then it was onto another story that I’d already read and posted about, right Here as it happens ;o)

‘The Redoubt’ – John Sollitto

In which the Guard face off against the t’au, only to find that the xenos are being helped by a traitor…

Is it just me or are the t’au and the Imperium more similar than you’d think? Both sides have a strict ideology that leaves no room for anything else, the Imperium has just been around for a lot longer that’s all.

Anyway… It was interesting to see these two factions clash but more interesting to see Mazran cope with a friend of his turning traitor, and where it leaves him. The overall outcome wasn’t in any real doubt (and I’m not sure how I felt about that, I needed a little more uncertainty here I think) but that dynamic playing out was what really made things work here.

‘Finest Hour’ – Sam Ryan

And here is the other standout tale in the anthology, at least from where I was sat. This tale of a regimental standards journey through a battlefield never failed to surprise me and also had a little sting in its tail with a neat nod to just how unfair this setting can be to a regular soldier just trying to make it out in one piece.

‘Resounding’ – Russell Zimmerman

This tale of an Imperial Guard engagement with the Death Guard (and assorted Nurgle cultists) was another one that not only constantly surprised me, with who it was willing to kill off, but also had a sweet little sub-plot about all the politicking that goes on up the chain of command. Not only does a Guardsman have to face whatever is in front of them, they must also contend with commanders who see them as pieces to advance their own ends. It’s regular work, for as long as you can stay alive, but I’d hate to be in the Imperial Guard...

‘Those Without Mercy’ – Callum Davis

And then I came to another story that I’d already read and posted about, right Here if you’re interested :o)

‘The Last Psyker’ – Shauna Lawless

And this is the last story that I’d already read and posted about (promise!) Have a click right Here if you want to see what I thought of it.

‘Exterminator’ – Mike Vincent

The Tallarn Desert Raiders are out of their element as they are dispatched to an inhospitably cold planet. Trooper Larno Semic is assigned as driver to a Leman Russ Exterminator with a hostile crew, and ordered to escort important cargo across the frozen wastes. But when said cargo breaks loose, the crew must use all of their resources to survive in the midst of the icy storm.

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure about the viability of the scenario that Vincent presents here (is that really how that kind of ‘cargo’ would have been transported, really?) but what he does with it is superb. It’s chilling stuff and there is a nice contrast between the threat waiting outside the tank and the threat of a particularly zealous Commissar inside the tank with the crew. I wouldn’t mind seeing this animated in Warhammer +. Well, I’d have to subscribe first but you know what I mean.

‘Worm of Valhalla’ – Tom R. Pike

‘Death and Duty’ concludes with ‘Worm of Valhalla’, another tale that looks at what heroism really means for the soldier of the 41st Millennium, and how it impacts on a tank commander who is just looking to complete his term and return to his family.

Some of these stories read like the author is auditioning for a shot at a series of novels, and this is where ‘Worm of Valhalla’ sat for me. Having said that, I’d probably read a series though, the characters feel like they’d be worth following. Not a standout tale but definitely not a bad tale to end the collection on.

Remember earlier when I said that I was starting to wonder if buying the paperback made sense? It did ;o)