Customer Reviews

Dominion (Warhammer: Von Carstein Trilogy Book 2)

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

 

 

Our story begins in the harsh winter of 2052. Kallad Stormwarden, the young dwarf prince, fights the undead by his father's side at the walls of Grunberg Keep. The king and many of his followers sacrifice themselves to give Kallad a chance to save the few women and children left of Karak Sadra. Kallad now lives for retribution. He makes a promise on the dead. He will bring all of the vile creatures to their unnatural deaths. But within Kallad's chest beats the rare bleeding heart of a hero. Kallad and his precious axe, Ruinthorn, travel slowly. They join every battle they come across involving the undead. Kallad makes many friends along the way. With each death a little more of Kallad's spirit seems to die. Yet the last dwarf of Karak Sadra continues onward.

Vlad von Carstein fell at Altdorf. Those he sired battle among themselves for dominion. Though Mannfred von Carstein was not Vlad's favorite, he was still the first Vlad made. Mannfred wanders alone and forgotten by his kin. Yet Mannfred has not forgotten about them. As the other Von Carsteins fight, betray, and kill each other for the throne, Mannfred seeks knowledge. Upon his finger resides Vlad's signet ring with its restorative magic. Within his cloak is a book with the incantations crafted by the first and greatest necromancer, Nagash. Even as Mannfred bides his time learning and growing ever more powerful, he keeps a watchful eye on his brothers in Sylvania via some well placed spies.

Konrad von Carstein currently rules the court. He prides himself on his cruel savagery. Though the Blood Count hand picked each member of his elite guards, he grows too paranoid to trust any but one. Konrad is in the process of creating an undead army, a vampiric horde. He keeps his pet necromancers busy with raising the dead and his prisoners screaming in a spiraling chorus of suffering. Konrad will not fail as his sire, Vlad, did before him. All of humanity will bow before him! The dead are coming!

***** The first book in this trilogy is INHERITANCE. You do not have to read it in order to understand and enjoy this novel. If you have not read the first title, but plan to, do so before you begin this one. In my opinion, this book is even better than the first. Within these pages is one of the goriest tales I have ever read (and that is saying something). I sat up long past bed time to see what would happen next. A dark and compelling tale that I highly recommend! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Tight, exciting writing on every page. The set scenes (from massive battles to vampire blood baths) just kept coming and each more interesting than the last. Felt I'd read two or three dark fantasy novels... Savile got so much in. I also laughed out loud half a dozen times. Amid all the mayhem, the characters actually have thoughts and world views worth learning more about. Much richer than the typical tie-in novel. Don't have to be a Warhammer fan to enjoy this one!

I love this book, probably even more than I loved Inheritance. It gets right into the action at the beginning and it has an interesting plot. Much of the story is based on Konrad von Carstein's insecurities and it makes for a very interesting story. It is also so delightfully bloody! I can't wait for Retribution!!!

Fans of gothic fiction and fantasy should pick this one up right away!

This book is amazing. I loved the action described in it and the dwarf's plot.

I can't wait for the next one!!!

Steven Savile's 2nd novel in the dark fantasy Von Carstein series - DOMINION - isn't as all powerful as the first one was - INHERITANCE.

Although I give this 2nd outing a 3.5 star rating, it was still a solid read in terms of dark fantasy filled with everything from vampire lords to dwarfs bent on revenge. Like in INHERITANCE, Dominion is filled with lots of interesting characters of both Good and darkest Evil.

The seemingly newest main character in this volume, the dwarf Kallad Stormwarden, is a good character, but not a great one. Personally I think the continuation of Jon Skellon's transformation from monster hunter to monster himself, battling for his humane side as his stronger monster side takes over, is a more interesting character to read about. As well as Jared, the once White Wolf soldier who has also been turned into a vampire/werewolf monster, battling inside himself to keep a shred of humanity.

Even though Steven Savile has true strength in this genre, his seeming weakness is in writing in more details, ie, clothing and such. I found myself forming my own details way too often.

But if you like dark fantasy filled with necromancers, werewolves, vampires, dwarfs, and humans battling the all-consuming darkness - as well as with themselves! - then this series should fill your darkest needs. I look forward to the upcoming next volume coming in March - RETRBUTION. I hope the 3rd novel is going to blow us all away.