Customer Reviews

Empire (Warhammer Time of Legends)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As the story opens, Sigmar Heldenhammer is being crowned Emperor. King Marius of the Jutone is absent from the ceremony. Come Spring, Sigmar declares war and sets out to persuade the Jutones to join the Empire. During the final battle, Sigmar allows his darkness to slip its leash and it very nearly destroys all he has created in one moment of hatred.

Meanwhile, the Norsii have been raiding all along the coast, destroying dozens of settlements and massacring all (human and animal) within. They are led by Kar Odacen, a Norsii shaman, and a man who calls himself Azazel. (Azazel was named Gerreon in the previous book titled "Heldenhammer".) Sigmar and his allies must deal with these dark god followers, but the task is made more difficult because of a magical crown Sigmar wears. The crown was gained from killing an evil necromancer that wore it upon his brow. Sigmar believes the crown's power will help him to defend the newly made empire. However, the crown demands a heavy price from any who dare to set it upon their head.

**** FOUR STARS! This book did not come across to me as a full-length novel. Instead, it felt more as if several novellas were tacked together with the Norsii being a constant running sub-plot. (Example: First novella is the war against the Jutones. Second is a necromancer. Third is dealing out some revenge on Roppsmenn, tribal warriors from the east.) Only then does the Norsii get major attention. Still, the book as a whole is wonderful. The author's writing style is smooth, vivid, and easy to follow. The battles are well written and the emotions of the Empire's warriors are clearly expressed. Graham McNeill has written another winner! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

What this book reminded me of was an amusement park just like the ones you went to when you were little. Years later when you go back, you remember how much fun you had and how things have changed. This is like that. It's the same story you've read a hundred times. You could almost tell it yourself because not much has changed.

This novel is about the founding of the Human Empire. This is not a new world; it has existed for years. The Human Empire has a history which has been repeated again and again across the Games Workshop universe. There are few surprises.

Predictable clichés; the action sequences were fun, but you always knew what was going to happen. This is a weakness of most serialized fantasy; you want it to be different, and then it's not. While it's comforting to know that your world will never really change, it's nice to be tricked into thinking otherwise. Empire doesn't do that.

If you are new to Games Workshop serials, you may enjoy the Sigmar Trilogy. The endless amount of detail helps feed your experience with Warhammer. The writing and pace is quite good. If you are looking to suspend disbelief and go to a brand new place you've never imagined before, this is just not it.

Warhammer books can be pretty hard to review. When I pick up a Warhammer novel, I enjoy the fact that I know what to expect and I'm probably going to get just that. I'm not looking to find the next American classic and I usually try to turn off the part of my brain that critiques the book. Warhammer is a good way to waste a few hours and I'll admit, they are fun.

Empire is the second book in the Sigmar trilogy. I think there's a lot more action in this one than in Heldenhammer so readers who didn't like that one will probably like this one better. The plot lines introduced in Heldenhammer are carried over for the most part so you do need to read that one before picking up Empire (sometimes with Warhammer you can get away with skipping parts of the series). The Hack N Slash is fun and the characters are somewhat three dimensional (somewhat being the key word)

If you like Warhammer, you'll probably enjoy this book. If you dislike Warhammer, then I'm surprised you're even reading this. I found it to be better than the last Warhammer book I reviewed, Iron Company. I haven't read part three yet but Empire made me compelled to do so.

Sigmar has driven back the orcs and united the clans. The clan kings now Sigmar counts and he thier first Emperor have begun the to make the lands an empire. But with the Norsii still looming from the north. A kingdom unwilling to bend to sigmar rule and a vile threat from an ancient necomatic power will Sigmar be able to keep his newly forged empire from becoming another ancient page in history?
The second book takes place shortly after the evetns of Black Fire Pass and the bloody war with the Orcs. Sigmar sees great things and great hardships ahead. If you loved Heldenhammer you will love Empire.

If you've ever read a Warhammer fantasy novel, you probably came across the name of Sigmar Heldenhammer. He's the mighty emperor who brings the clans of men together and united they fight the forces of Chaos and other evil beings in the Warhammer world. He's worshipped and praised throughout the Warhammer books and games. "Empire," written by Graham McNeill, gives us a look at Sigmar's rise to power during the early days of his empire.

This book is the second in the "Legend of Sigmar" series and it opens with Sigmar being crowned emperor of the united clans. Once his coronation is complete, the book focuses on four key stages of the empire's development and how Sigmar deals with each.

The first stage finds Sigmar and his loyal companions dealing with a dark plague that has fallen on the land of the Endals. Once the true source of evil is revealed, actions taken to resolve the problem will prove to be a harbinger of Sigmar's own actions much later in the book.

The second stage shows how Sigmar deals with the proud King Marius and the Jutones, who did not appear at Sigmar's coronation. It is a true clash of egos, and plays out wonderfully on the page. Again, actions taken in this stage of the Empire's development will affect Sigmar's actions later on.

Sigmar and his allies tackle a dark necromancer and his army of the dead in the third stage of the book. This particular stage features a great battle between man and the undead, and Sigmar acquires a trophy in the battle's aftermath that will eventually prove to be one a key part of the emperor's development as a man and leader.

The final stage of "Empire" is an epic battle between the Norsii and the clans of the young Empire. Sigmar must match wits with not only the vicious leader of the Norsii, but a man bent on revenge and a dark sorceror who has called forth beastmen to aid the Norsii in battle.

What makes this particular novel stand apart from other sword and sorcery books to me is the strong character development and the way in which McNeill ties all of the stages of the book together with just a few characters and their actions. While the focus of the book is obviously on Sigmar's growth as a leader, key characters such as Wolfgart, Pendrag, Myrsa, and Otwin grow and change as well. They play crucial roles in Sigmar's role as emperor. I am particularly fond of Redwane, an interesting character who begins the book as a happy-go-lucky youth full of fight who matures into a loyal warrior of Sigmar.

No previous knowledge of the Warhammer universe is necessary to enjoy this book. There are a few flashbacks and references to the previous book, "Heldenhammer," in this particular series but they shouldn't throw off readers at all. If you enjoy fantasy, epic quests or plain ol' fashioned blood, guts, and gore, "Empire" has something for you. It's a pulp novel that tries to become something more and succeeds. Highly recommended.

I must say reading this book and the first book of the triology has been great. These 2 books have amazing details of every fight. The books touch on almost every emotion. There are a few sentences of dialog that make you laugh gloruious battle that give you goose bumps and tragedy when heros die. If you love warhammer fantasy and have been following it as long as i have you will like this book. I just cant wait untill the last book is released

Having played Warhammer periodically over the years with my son, I decided that McNeil's Empire gave me a chance to immerse myself a bit in the mythos that make up the table top game.

And I was certainly correct, as Empire thrusts you deeply and immediately into the Warhammer universe. I enjoyed McNeil's pacing of the story. He doesn't dwell long on Sigmar's ascension to Emperor, which honestly I enjoyed. McNeil quickly takes the reader into the action, which is fast and furious sword play, with some over the top dramatics...but hey Sigmar is basically a barbarian who got lucky! And to be fair, I think McNeil captures how a barbarian might hold his coalition of tribes and warlords together. Certainly, Sigmar only has the strength of his will, his mighty thews (forgive me Robert E. Howard) and a hammer that is the envy of every barbarian and maybe even Gallagher.

Yes, I am being a bit tongue in cheek in this review, because we are not talking about a Tolkienesque read here. Empire is really a bit more of the pulp fiction type reads that brought Conan to life. But unlike Howard's characters, McNeil's Sigmar is a more full-blooded embodiment of a person. He is plagued by emotions in a way that more shallow, pulp fiction characters are not.

And this intensity of emotion and the scenes that bring it out, are where McNeil really captured my interest and my attention to the story. Sigmar's desire to give the Thrice Death to those "old" friends who betrayed him in the swamps was my favorite moment in this story. It is the moment that a barbarian has to become an Emperor. I'll say no more to reveal the story, but seeing his soul reflected in the Hag Woman's Eyes, changed Sigmar and made this book a 4 star read.

So beware the crowns of gold and trust to men like Wolfgart who will bring your Empire glory!

I picked up this book primarily because of the Author. I'd read a couple of works from him in the past and had enjoyed his vivid and clear writing style with good description of battles and the emotions that warriors felt both on and off the battlefield.

This book was no different, Mcniell delivers the goods on this work as well. He's crisp and articulate and brings this world to life. I'll admit that I'm not a gamer and had never read a Warhammer novel but have become somewhat of a fan of Warhammer 40K. Overall, I was happy that I chose Mcniell to take me into this world and guide me around. It did feel that I could smell the sweat of the warriors and the dampness of the forest floor, the cracking of twigs, the labored breaths of men marching etc. It was a good ride.

If you're a gamer, I think you'll find quite a bit of material here that can provide depth to a gaming experience - at the very least it broadens this ever growing world.

This book is squack in the middle of the sword-and-sorcery genre, with kings, witches, armor, battle axes, serving wenches, court intrigue, dwarves, prophesies, tankards of ale, enchanted zombies, and lots and lots of battle scenes. The writing and storylines mostly remind me of Harry Turtledove's Tale of the Fox and related books (though this isn't quite as fanciful). However, the characters are well developed, and the prose is readable if flowery.

I found this book to be a bit darker and stiffer than other books I've read in the Warhammer universe. Perhaps it's because this trilogy is presenting the origins of the world, and therefore taking itself more seriously. Perhaps it's because the author is British (which was evident in the writing, though I couldn't put my finger on why). However, this isn't a dealbreaker.

If you are a Warhammer fan, this book is worth reading. If you're not, this book (and, I assume, the trilogy) is probably not where you should start.

I'm something of a "newbie" to the Black Library, and this second volume in Graham McNeil's Trilogy helps me better understand the frequent oaths in "Blackhearts" of "by Sigmar." This is a satisfying and violent swords-and-sorcery novel, and is very nicely crafted. Descriptions of the characters are well-drawn and sufficiently vivid to create great mental images. Imagine: Arnold Schwartzenegger as Sigmar!

The tale has a very definite Germanic taste, as all of the names are of a Germanic origin; i.e. "Heldenhammer" = heroic hammer, or hammer of heroes in a direct translation. Also, the enemy "greenskins" are from "the East," as are all traditional German enemies.

Too complicated a tale to outline, but after Sigmar "Heldenhammer" is crowned Emperor, the violence starts and fills most of the pages.

Recommended for anyone new to the Black Library, needing to "get a handle" on this sub-genre.