Customer Reviews

Oathbreaker (Warhammer Novels)

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First, and foremost, I am a huge fan of the Warhammer universe. The race which I love the most are the dwarves, so I was thrilled to see a book written all about them. With that said, I thought the book was average at best. The whole story was interesting but I just felt that the way it was put together was weak. You start off enjoying many of the characters. However characters personalities seem to change just to suite what the author needs without lots of explanation. (Spoiler Alert) Another thing I had issue with was that if 1,000s of skaven weren't enough, 100s of orcs and goblins show up as well. And if even those two aren't enough, there is a dragon. It just seems to me 200 dwarves against thousands of skaven is plenty of "us against them" without adding more conflict. Another feeling I got from the book is that Kyme just kept writing without chapters, and later went back and randomly put in chapter heads. What did I like about the book? I loved the insight into Dwarven society with looks at engineers, miners, and slayers. The action of the book is very compelling as well making it a quick read. If you enjoy the Dwarves of Warhammer, check this book out. If your only vaguely interested, it might be best to pass on it.

When Karak Varn, an ancient dawi hold, is overrun by skaven and orcs, Dwarf Thane Uthor and his new companions swear an oath to reclaim it in the name of his ancestor Kadrin Redmane, Lokki Kraggson, and all of the dwarfs that gave their lives to defend it. They go to Everpeak in hope of being granted an army from the High King. However, due to a possible war to the north and another hold to be retaken, the dwarfs only receive sixty warriors. As they return to Karak Varn, a group of slayers join them, hoping to find their glorious deaths.

In order to succeed, the brave dwarfs must overcome impossible odds. Skaven Warlord Thratch, his assassin, and their rat-kin are but a few obstacles. There is also Goblin Warlord Skartooth, his pet troll, and the orcs. And just to make the odds even more interesting, an ancient and long forgotten beast far down into the underdeep begins to stir.

*** It is not often I find myself rewarded with a Warhammer tale set among the dawi race. This title shows the Dwarfs in all their cunning and hard-headed glory. My biggest problem with this story is that there are way too many characters to keep up with. I had to write them down as I read just so I could keep them straight. (Almost a full dozen names and titles.) When the dwarfs began to break off into three or more groups, it got really tricky because the scenes kept changing between them. There is just too much toggling going on. Several of the dwarfs died needlessly and often too easily.

Readers who understand what an "Oathbreaker" is, such as myself, will find themselves wondering why the novel was given the title until near the end. As for the enemies, the skaven are given the most attention. The orcs are not given much attention at all and are smarter than normal. The beast is seldom mentioned and has very little time in the spot light. Yet all-in-all, this is a good read and worth your time to pick up a copy. ***

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I did like this book because it had a lot of action and battle ((Hell Yeah!)), but it was a the plot was a little to narrow for me. Basically dwarfs just battling for a page or two the running and waiting for another fight to come up. Most of the main characters((and a huge amount of minor ones)) died for no reason other than to make the remaining ones emotionally distressed. Side-plots were half added or abadoned too suddenly. Quick read, entertaining, but not the best black library book I have ever read.

"Oathbreaker" is one of the black library novels that are good addition for veteran readers that wish to continue in their warhammer education, on the other hand the novel is not the best introduction to warhammer for those novice readers who are barely wading into the dark universe of black library. As other reviewers have noted, Oathbreakers begins with a strong cast of characters with interesting traits, histories and specific goals to conquer. By the middle of the story the author has failed to keep the reader in the edge of his/her seat since the story changes from a LOTR style storyline to a simple "KILL EM' ALL" mentality. By the end of book Kyme seems to have lost his trail of though and simply wishes the story to end. In the end as I said before, if you are an avid reader and dont mind to walk in mental circles but learn some new facts then please read "Oathbreakers", if you are not patient, interested in fact or a n00b, then go elsewhere for your reading pleasure.

Skip this one. Too many characters to get to know, and not enough time to care about any of them. Too many enemies to deal with, and not enough time, detail, or interaction to understand their purpose in the story. It seems the author just tried to cram it all into this single book without really considering how to use each component. He even has a little glossary of dwarvish words in the back. What's the point of having a few dwarvish words when the rest of the book is written in English when it is understood that the dwarves (all the protagonists in the book are dwarves) are most likely speaking their language?

Mine is going to the used bookstore. Maybe I can get a good price for it with it's nice cover art.

The book is good. Keeps you entertained and guessing, unfortunately it does break some lore, All in all though, good read.