Customer Reviews

Ancient Blood (Warhammer Novels)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Throughout the whole book, I was bored. I did not like the setting, the characters, or the plot. It was just quickly put together and it just went nowhere. As a new buyer/reader you might be thinking; hey there are blood thirsty creatures in there! But quite honestly, yes there are. Only briefly and not the way you expect. They are not vampires but rather starved ghouls so ancient that they crave new blood. The story ends where one would expect a sequel, but that hasn't happened. I suggest moving on and reading Curse of the Necrarch which was fathomly better than this one.

The Elector Counts of Averland and Stirland have decided that the disappearances of people and plagues are due to the nomadic Strigany (a.k.a. gypsies). They decide to be rid of the Strigany menace by driving them out of the Empire forever. The Strigany are ordered to move to Flintmar, a barren section close to the mountains. Some Strigany are found and killed before they even receive word of the order. Some Strigany are ambushed while en route to Flintmar.

The Strigany keep mainly to themselves. Each caravan has a leader, a Domnu, and a person of magic, a Petru. Dannie of the caravan Ionescu, returns to his group only to find everyone slaughtered. Even the women and children have been eviscerated. Dannie, somehow, manages to reach another caravan and begs guidance to one of the Old Fathers. As the sole survivor of the caravan Ionescu, Dannie is the Domnu. As the apprentice to his caravan's Petru, Dannie claims the Petru title, though his training is not complete. With revenge in his heart, Dannie seeks out one of the Old Fathers and begs the ancient horror for revenge.

Meanwhile, Averland and Stirland have decided that rounding up the Strigany people is not enough. A massive force of mercenaries, derived from various races and sources, are sent to Flintmar with orders for the total annihilation of the Strigany menace. But the would-be slaughterers find the tables turned when they discover the Strigany have dark and ancient allies who rise to their defense.

***** Set in the Warhammer fantasy universe, blood and revenge are everywhere in this story. Readers will find themselves cheering the Strigany people, especially a few choice characters within the caravans. Prejudice abounds and causes most of the trouble. Believable characters, familiar situations, and blood-thirsty action combines to create some memorable fighting moments that will keep you up reading late into the night. Well done! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

It is a very good book that will keep you reading through. Excellent if you are into Warhammer or like its mitholgy, as it lets the reader see the link between the wandering strigany and the powerful Strigoi vampires.

Excellent book told from the perspecitve of a nomadic gypsy tribe trying to scrape a living out of the Empires realm. This book is absolutly excellent even if you dont read warhammer this book is both engrossing and deep. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a good fantasy story.

Although the book profers to entertain us with insights into the Strigoi bloodline, it's more of a look into the culture of the Strigany, which is not as exciting. It was written decently, but this sort of misleading cover text has happened recently in another Black Library title: Legion.

I hope it is not the start of a trend!