Warhammer Twitch Previews - Warhammer Fest 2021 Day 3

Today is all about Black Library, the publishing side of Games Workshop. So there was considerable surprise when the first thing revealed was a line of Gaunt’s Ghosts models. I can’t say that I have read the books but the miniatures look absolutely fantastic. I am a little tempted to get started on the series, depending how many books I would need to read I guess. Certainly not helped by the fact that Dan Abnett has written a new novel, the Vincula Insurgency, to go along with the releases. Or the models were designed to go along with the book release.   

Speaking of the Sabbat Worlds, within which the Gaunt’s Ghosts series is set, there is an anthology being released featuring various forces that fought in the Sabbat War. I may have to pick this up, see if the Sabbat Worlds setting appeals to me.

Also to be released is Sabbats Worlds Crusade, which is an in-universe historical document of said conflict. It’s a limited release, so I expect it to last minutes after going up for pre-order.

Urdesh The Serpant and The Saint (Matthew Farrer) is a novel set in the Sabbat Worlds, on the titular world of Urdesh no less as the Iron Snakes Space Marines take on some traitors. I’m fairly sure that I have read about the Iron Snakes previously, I want to say in the Brothers of the Snake which I remember as being a really good read. 

The stories set in the Sabbat Worlds continue with Volpone Glory, which centers around the Volpone Bluebloods as they attempt Gnostes. I dear say that it will be no easy task. A quick Google search suggests that the Volpone’s are some key players in the Gaunt’s Ghosts novels. Probably not on my reading list but certainly looks like an interesting story, Nick Kyme has written some good stuff in the past.

Definitely on my reading list will be the next Siege of Terra novel: Warhawk, by Chris Wraight. Although I really need to get a wiggle on reading through the series, I haven't even started First Wall yet! There’s only so long I can go avoiding Saturnine spoilers. 

Next up is a couple of anthologies for Warhammer Crime; Broken City and Sanction & Sin. I’ve not read any of the Warhammer Crime stuff as of yet but as with Sabbat War, it might be a good place to cut my teeth into it. And finally there is Grim Repast by Marc Collins, not sure if this is a series or not. The blurb from the stream seems to suggest there are other books. 

Looks like we’re getting a few Astra Militarum books (one can hope this is a portent of a model refresh down the line): Traitor Rock by Justin D Hill that follows survivors of the Fall of Cadia and Steel Tread (author unknown) that follows the crew of a Leman Russ Demolisher. The former is a follow up to Cadian Honour (also by Justin D Hill) so I would need to read that first. 

It’s not all about the human however! The Twice-Dead King -Ruin by Nate Crowley looks like it’s going to kick off a series of novels following the disgraced Necron Lord Oltyx. The first novel will feature a conflict between Necrons, Orks and a mysterious third party. It will probably be Chaos, let's be honest. 

Overall, a lot of good stuff here! Somewhat ironic that we got more new model reveals for Black Library day than we did for Warhammer 40,000 but that’s showbiz baby! Either way, looking forward to boxed games tomorrow.