Customer Reviews

Forged in Battle (Warhammer)

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

 

 

Even for gaming fiction this is poor. The book has way too many characters, all of whom are poorly detailed - enough so I had a hard time keeping them all straight.
The basic plot is straight forward enough - it centers around defending a town from invading beastman. Unfortunately, the author left in too much extraneous material which add nothing to the plot which further undermines the already weak focus. To make matters worse, plot elements are introduced and them simply abandoned. I have to agree with the other reviewer - needs better editing.
The book's only redeeming feature is the combat scenes (what saved it from 1 star). Unfortunately, you have to plow through pages of meaningless activity to get there.
Only for die-hard Warhammer fans.

This, like all Black Library warhammer books is hack writing. Some do it better than others, but to argue for literary merit is like saying that a smash-up derby lacks elegence. File the last interview under 'NSS', for "No s**t Sherlock".

Anyway, Justin's strengths are a solid focus on small events in a small town, some good characterization of the important people to the story, nice little period details, and exciting battle scenes. This is an enjoyable little tale and good 'beach reading'.

If you want great literature, look elsewhere. If you're into Warhammer, you'll enjoy this book about a unit of Empire halberdiers fighting to protect the small town in which they live.

The Good:
It's only 243 pages long.

The Bad:
It feels like 1000 pages long.

Forged in battle is in dire need for editor and Justin Hunter is in dire need for a basic writing course. Did no one ever tell him of the Show & Tell principle?

Dialogs - I don't think you can get more uninspiring and inane.

Characters - Tons of stereotyped totally flat characters. I had to flip again and again to the back up the book, just to remind myself of the main protagonist's name. Imagine that he was so well developed, rounded and inspiring, that I can't even remember his name. I swear that it never happened to me before.

Inflated Text, no proportion -
One sample out of thousands:
p.53 "Sigmund shook his head, stood up and moved to the doorway."
No kidding why didn't you write: "Sigmund shook his head to the left, then to the right, then he put his left leg forward, then his right leg followed, then his left again...
This is the 21st century, not the Victorian age.
Instead of writing:
The phone rang, Sigmud ran over to the phone, sat on a stool beside it, picked up the phone and said "Hello?".
It's enough to say:
The phone rang.
"Hello?" Sigmund said.

Maybe the author had a quota of words to fill?


I can keep up, telling howe Justine cuts his story into extremly short scenes resulting in something that resembles a long tiring stutter, or I can point out how chewed his plot is.
But why bother?
This book has already taken too much of my time. Don't bother picking it up even if you're a Warhammer fan.

This is a straight forward no nonsense Warhammer story. It's a short quick read (sometimes you just need a break from huge tomes). It's focused on a small group of characters in a small area. If you want a long saga this isn't it. Perhaps it is a little plot lite, but I enjoyed the characters and found the book to be a pleasure. If you're looking for an in depth exploration of the Warhammer world look elsewhere, but if you're looking for a good read this is just fine.