Customer Reviews

Trollslayer (Warhammer Gotrek & Felix 1)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I started reading the Felix & Gotrek series with the third book "Daemonslayer" and continued on with a couple more before deciding to come and check out the previous ones I had missed.

This book is the very first in the series, and collects the short stories William King published about the pair in various Games Workshop magazines and anthologies before he began writing full-length novels about them.

Since I was used to the novels, I was a bit apprehensive that the short story format might not be as enjoyable or might not allow for as much story development. But it turns out I worried for nothing. -- As usual, FELIX & GOTREK ROCK!

I was expecting the very first story to show the actual events which brought the two heroes together, but instead King picks up the tale some time later, after they have been on the road a while.

Although these stories were originally written as individual stand-alone pieces, in fact they do follow an ongoing and logically progressing geographical trail for the pair, so in a way they are linked. Thus rather than seeming disjointed, it felt something like watching an episodic movie where the screen fades completely to black for a moment, then picks up the action some time later and a little further down the road. It all seemed like one long and very enjoyable Dark Age-ish "road movie".

-- And what a road it is! From ugly deformed mutants to wolf-riding orcs, to werewolves, to Chaos warriors and beastmen, to foul and nameless things that dwell in the dark bowels of the earth -- they meet them all in this one!

As I say, since they are on the move throughout this book, it has a different feel from some other entries in the series where they are stationary in one location throughout, such as "Skavenslayer" and "Beastslayer". And the multitude and variety of foes they face seemed to make it even more interesting than usual for me. A couple of the stories towards the end seemed a little weak and predictable, but overall I still loved the book.

Now "Stand back, Manling", and let me get on to my next Felix & Gotrek book!

More of a themed anthology than a novel, "Trollslayer" has the verve and energy of the old pulp barbarian stories blended fairly successfully with the depth and intelligence of post-Tolkien or Moorcock fiction. William King has done a fine job of presenting the Warhammer setting without sounding too much like an encyclopaedia. Stories based upon games are frequently awful (TSR, anybody?) and it was a distinguishing feature of Games Workshop's publishing efforts that they often rose above their origins. Even the obligatory fantasy cliches seem fresh when penned by Mr. King. Good to see these books being reprinted at last.

Bill did a great job on this. They are his short stories compiled in a book, as well as the 2nd part, Skavenslayer. So the chapters as pretty long. however, i found each part of the book to be interesting and fun. The characters are intense, and so is the action. Not to mention that it has a lot of funny moments. I recomend all three of the slayer books, that take place in the great Warhammer world..

Let me preface this review by saying that I have never played Warhammer and knew nothing about it before reading Mr. Kings' books.

I actually picked up TrollSlayer because I liked the cover (it's a shame the publisher has changed them out with more traditional fantasy oil paintings. Those violent/cartoonish covers were really cool) and was looking for something cheesy and fun to read on a trip.

What I found was a book of terrific modern day pulp stories. Big, violent battles between unstoppable heroes and slimy villains. The adventures of Felix and Gotrek remind me a lot of the spirit of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories. Not that these are a knockoff.

William King has a great, over-the-top style that works well with the stories he has to tell. You can tell that he's having a lot of fun with these characters.

Gotrek can be a bit much to take, so the stories wisely focus on Felix. It's great to see a hero that actually fears for his well being and even somewhat fears his companion. It helps you to identify a bit more with these people.

I also liked the use of Germanic names for people and places. It gave the stories a flavor different from other fantasies.

One thing I will warn you on: These stories were originally written over the course of a couple of years and when you read them all together you'll notice that Mr. King has a few stock phrases he uses again and again. I'd swear that in every story Gotrek 'ran his thumb along the edge of his great ax until it drew blood'. His thumbs must be a mess! And in every third story there's a castle 'clutching a mountain like a stone spider'.

Don't let that scare you away from this book. These stories are of high quality. The other Slayer books were written as novels and don't have the problem this first book has.

I have also read and recommend William King's Space Wolf books and Farseer.

I first discovered two of my favorite fantasy characters of all time about a decade ago in a Warhammer short story anthology called Ignorant Armies by GW Books and a story in it by William King called "Geheimnisnacht" (The first story in Trollslayer). I liked it. But the second short story anthology in the Warhammer series called Wolf Riders and the story by the same name (the second story in Trollslayer) which was a sequel of sorts had me hooked. Fortunately, there was a third anthology, Red Thirst, which continued the adventures in a story called "Dark Beneath the World". But my enjoyment seemed to be shortlived as GW Books ceased to exist and I only ever discovered one more story, "Skaven's Claw", in a magazine. Oh how I'd wished William King could have written a novel about his characters Gotrek and Felix.

Fate shined on me a decade later when I was wandering around the bookstore. Trollslayer: A Gotrek and Felix novel by William King. I must have been dreaming.

William King may not be a literary master nor is any of his work critically acclaimed, but he does things right. And what he does right, he does oh so right. King knows how to write characters. He knows how to write a setting. And he knows how to write dialogue (especially with Gotrek). He knows how to make fantasy fantastic, but he also knows how to keep his world realistic and believable.

I gave this book four stars only because it's not a masterpiece and I'm rating it objectively. My personal bias would have given it five stars.

Now I have read a ton of the best of fantasy books and series by top authors, and to me TROLLSLAYER was well written and action-packed, but due to its short story type book, it was not an epic. But for a book to be linked with a huge sci-fi WARHAMMER link, it was very well in the other direction in the fantasy genre and a fun read. This author William King is a gifted writer and I already purchased the other two novels of Gotrek and Felix, as well as the new SPACE WOLF, which really sounds like a good one! Anyway, if you like your fantasy short and violent, kind of reminded me somewhat of Robert E. Howards shor Conan stories - dark and violent with colorful heroes and monsters and sorceror's. My only real complaint about the book was the last storyline at the end seemed very rushed and did not clinch like it should. Perhaps because there are two more books, I dont know. And also the real main character of the story to my surprise was the human Felix. I thought Gotrek was and very little was told about his character and background. But again, perhaps its in the other two books eh? Its a good read though, so enjoy.

Usually I am a pretty hard man to please with fantasy and sci-fi novels. With this book, I was not only satisfied with the writing but I often found myself laughing out loud or even gripping the pages tight with suspense. Being a fan of the Warhammer universe I really enjoyed reading the stories.

I highly recommend this book to you if you like action-fantasy and/or the world of Warhammer. It's non-pretentious as a lot of self-aggrandizing authors are lately. It's just good, old-fashioned mutant skull breaking.

I cannot give a higher review then to say that a writer has finally come forward with an excellent fantasy book. If you like, Robert E Howard, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, or R.A. Salvatore then you will like this book. Lots of action and no wading through endless pages of boredom. Now if only the major publishers would get their acts together and start printing this kind of fiction again.

Gotrek and Felix are two itinerant wanderers whose travels across the Old World and beyond have taken them into many battles. William King pumps out some excellent fantasy fiction in this Games Workshop Black Libray classic. The book is organized into several short stories which link together to tell the tale of a Dwarf Slayer who has committed a crime against himself and his people, and now must seek his death in the most grand and mad way possible. Gotrek Gurnisson is the most accomplished Slayer in the Warhammer world, having felled mighty creatures from the Badlands to the Realms of the Chaos. To add to the conflict of the story, the mad dwarf Gotrex is aided by a young man named Felix. Felix is a poet, and an exiled noble. Felix meets up with Gotrex in a tavern and after getting roaring drunk on spirits, agrees to travel with the Slayer and record his deeds and death in a journal which will be translated into an epic tale. This makes for a grand story, and interesting plots. All the way, the two learn more about themselves and wage war against the Ruinious Powers of Chaos. The Dwarf Ancestor Gods seem to have some plan for Gotrek, driving him towards an unknown doom. Since swearing his oath to accompany the Slayer, Felix has also been bound into this mysterious destiny. Although this means that they are forever wandering, unable to settle, they are also able to survive battles that see thousands of others die. Read this book, and then read the others in the series. You will NOT be disappointed. ...

With talented writers like this....you really have to wonder why Games Workshop continues to "borrow" themes from other writers, history, etc! A great series of short stories...I can't wait to read the other two books in the series! Whether you're a R.E. Howard or a Tolkien fan...you will enjoy this book!