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Warhammer 40,000
Chosen of Khorne
Kharn the Betrayer takes to the field of battle as the champion of his old comrade Argus Brond, but his own motives go far beyond the petty squabbling of rival Chaos warlords...Deep within the Eye of Terror, the followers of the blood god Khorne war amongst themselves to win their patron’s favour, and for the right to lead a new crusade against the Imperium in his name. Argus Brond, berserker champion of the old World Eaters Legion, has called upon his old comrade Kharn for assistance – surely, this legendary warrior will break the deadlock and secure victory for him? But Kharn, known with good reason as ‘the Betrayer’, is far more than just a crazed killer, and his own agenda will always come first...
1 pages, Audio CD
First published September 25, 2012
93 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Reynolds
93 books169 followersAnthony Reynolds was a Games Developer and manager at Games Workshop in the UK. Since then he's written freelance for a number of companies, including Black Library Publishing, Mantic Games, THQ, Bandai-Namco, Behaviour Interactive, and River Horse Games. He currently lives in California.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anthony^Reynolds
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anthony^Reynolds
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 28, 2023
Loved the audiobook! So dramatic and fun. Highly recommend.
April 1, 2016
I don't get it.
I've been playing 40K for quite some time now. Always Eldar and never chaos. Especially the blood crazed and predictable rabble of Khorne.
So how come almost every time I hear an audio drama featuring my favourite pointy eared elf-look-alikes I cringe and almost regret it. But whenever it's chaos... it's splendid!
This story manages to flesh out one of the most iconic characters of the 41st millennium, Kharn, the betrayer. In the game I remember him as a very capable fighter who every so often went bat-shit crazy and attacked his own comrades.
And here he is. sure, still as crazy as expected, but now I get the feeling that there's a method to his madness. Is he really just raging about randomly or does he have a plan?
I like to think the later.
He's not Cypher, but he suddenly got a lot more interesting!
I've been playing 40K for quite some time now. Always Eldar and never chaos. Especially the blood crazed and predictable rabble of Khorne.
So how come almost every time I hear an audio drama featuring my favourite pointy eared elf-look-alikes I cringe and almost regret it. But whenever it's chaos... it's splendid!
This story manages to flesh out one of the most iconic characters of the 41st millennium, Kharn, the betrayer. In the game I remember him as a very capable fighter who every so often went bat-shit crazy and attacked his own comrades.
And here he is. sure, still as crazy as expected, but now I get the feeling that there's a method to his madness. Is he really just raging about randomly or does he have a plan?
I like to think the later.
He's not Cypher, but he suddenly got a lot more interesting!
September 19, 2012
Blood for the Blood God. Skulls for the Skull Throne. Kharn is at it, and its awesome.
April 21, 2020
”Would you trust someone named ‘The Betrayer’ – whom and what did he betray? Great question, I could tell you about the time he…”
Let’s be real, Black Library has gone from strength to strength when it comes to their audio dramas over the years. Given that the Warhammer 40,000 setting is so very large and filled with a great many strange and complicated things, audio suits the franchise splendidly (Did I mention Games Workshop are also dipping their toes in anime?) after all, the pictures you make in your head are usually much better than that of any movie budget – we won’t mention the Ultramarine movie here! This sort of thing works especially well in tales that feature the outlandish and bizarre, and this is why Chosen of Khorne is a great choice for such a thing.
This audio drama is a gladiatorial-esque tale, featuring one of the main characters from the setting, Kharn the Betrayer, a metahuman brute blessed by the dark god of blood and war to wreak vengeance upon humanity. In the realm of Chaos or the warp, there exists a place called the Eye of Terror upon which the World Eaters (and about every traitor legion/chapter you can think of) do battle against one another in order to decide who shall lead their fallen legion whom are devoted to the Chaos god Khorne.
The story is told from two perspectives, the inhuman Kharn and pitifully mortal Malven, a human seneschal who works for a powerful warlord. Kharn has been selected to act as champion for this warlord, and has to fight a warped and twisted Space Marine which has devolved into a horrifically mutated and savage warrior, whilst being egged on by an arena filled with the strangest of hell-twisted freaks.
The tale suffers, somewhat, from Kharn being the only signature character in the entire piece - though it’s nice to see him get the spotlight, it does rather reduce the sense of peril though. You get up-close-and-personal with Kharn – there are moments you fill like your somehow part of his blood-hazed-madness, it’s all rather personal. The way the story builds up where Kharn is dispatching World Eaters whom are trying to recruit him is expertly written. We do get a lovely sense of what it’s like to be a metahuman psychotic killer blessed by hell-bound forces. Kharn is, erratic, stubborn, rage-fuelled and all kinds of fucked up, it’s kind of great.
Anthony Reynolds (come back, I miss your stories!) narrative paints a powerful picture of hell-torn cities and desperate struggles between fallen angels, and the production standards are superb as always. As much as it is nice to see the darker heroes in the Warhammer 40K setting getting an outing, this piece is mostly atmosphere and little substance; this audio-book equivalent of a heavy metal album, despite the tale being rather one-note. Treat this audio drama as a sort of bridge between The Horus Heresy and 40K and you’ll enjoy it. Worlds will run red with blood… and no doubt skulls!
Let’s be real, Black Library has gone from strength to strength when it comes to their audio dramas over the years. Given that the Warhammer 40,000 setting is so very large and filled with a great many strange and complicated things, audio suits the franchise splendidly (Did I mention Games Workshop are also dipping their toes in anime?) after all, the pictures you make in your head are usually much better than that of any movie budget – we won’t mention the Ultramarine movie here! This sort of thing works especially well in tales that feature the outlandish and bizarre, and this is why Chosen of Khorne is a great choice for such a thing.
This audio drama is a gladiatorial-esque tale, featuring one of the main characters from the setting, Kharn the Betrayer, a metahuman brute blessed by the dark god of blood and war to wreak vengeance upon humanity. In the realm of Chaos or the warp, there exists a place called the Eye of Terror upon which the World Eaters (and about every traitor legion/chapter you can think of) do battle against one another in order to decide who shall lead their fallen legion whom are devoted to the Chaos god Khorne.
The story is told from two perspectives, the inhuman Kharn and pitifully mortal Malven, a human seneschal who works for a powerful warlord. Kharn has been selected to act as champion for this warlord, and has to fight a warped and twisted Space Marine which has devolved into a horrifically mutated and savage warrior, whilst being egged on by an arena filled with the strangest of hell-twisted freaks.
The tale suffers, somewhat, from Kharn being the only signature character in the entire piece - though it’s nice to see him get the spotlight, it does rather reduce the sense of peril though. You get up-close-and-personal with Kharn – there are moments you fill like your somehow part of his blood-hazed-madness, it’s all rather personal. The way the story builds up where Kharn is dispatching World Eaters whom are trying to recruit him is expertly written. We do get a lovely sense of what it’s like to be a metahuman psychotic killer blessed by hell-bound forces. Kharn is, erratic, stubborn, rage-fuelled and all kinds of fucked up, it’s kind of great.
Anthony Reynolds (come back, I miss your stories!) narrative paints a powerful picture of hell-torn cities and desperate struggles between fallen angels, and the production standards are superb as always. As much as it is nice to see the darker heroes in the Warhammer 40K setting getting an outing, this piece is mostly atmosphere and little substance; this audio-book equivalent of a heavy metal album, despite the tale being rather one-note. Treat this audio drama as a sort of bridge between The Horus Heresy and 40K and you’ll enjoy it. Worlds will run red with blood… and no doubt skulls!
November 17, 2022
This short story is a perfect example of why the 40k lore would be better served staying away from named characters and other personalities from the tabletop game.
At its core, this is a really fun short story that perfectly encapsulates the twisted duality of the World Eaters, and the worshippers of Khorne in general. It has lots of good fighting, a neat twist or two, and a few narrative devices with an uncertain narrator that kept me really engaged. Combine that with excellent voice acting and some cool effects and production, and you have a great tale.
My biggest criticism, and what keeps this from being more than just 'good', is the fact that it stars Kharn, a named bloke from the game that comes with all of the obvious plot armour and super-powers that entails. I don't mind the end result here, but it robs the story of any kind of real tension or mystery. Who will win? Kharn or this interesting new character we've never heard about and who doesn't appear anywhere in the setting? You get two guesses...
Whenever Kharn takes the stage, it starts to feel very 'Marvel'. All of the drama between these two new World Eater characters seems rather pointless in the end, because the guy whose miniature they want to sell obviously has to win and can't pay any price that would interfere with his lore from the Codex.
This Marvel-ification is clearly popular with a lot of fans, but to me it makes the galaxy feel too small, and too predictable. Countless trillions and we're always hearing about the same twelve lads.
Still would recommend, though, especially if you're a fan of Khorne and all that bloody stuff!
At its core, this is a really fun short story that perfectly encapsulates the twisted duality of the World Eaters, and the worshippers of Khorne in general. It has lots of good fighting, a neat twist or two, and a few narrative devices with an uncertain narrator that kept me really engaged. Combine that with excellent voice acting and some cool effects and production, and you have a great tale.
My biggest criticism, and what keeps this from being more than just 'good', is the fact that it stars Kharn, a named bloke from the game that comes with all of the obvious plot armour and super-powers that entails. I don't mind the end result here, but it robs the story of any kind of real tension or mystery. Who will win? Kharn or this interesting new character we've never heard about and who doesn't appear anywhere in the setting? You get two guesses...
Whenever Kharn takes the stage, it starts to feel very 'Marvel'. All of the drama between these two new World Eater characters seems rather pointless in the end, because the guy whose miniature they want to sell obviously has to win and can't pay any price that would interfere with his lore from the Codex.
This Marvel-ification is clearly popular with a lot of fans, but to me it makes the galaxy feel too small, and too predictable. Countless trillions and we're always hearing about the same twelve lads.
Still would recommend, though, especially if you're a fan of Khorne and all that bloody stuff!
March 3, 2025
Some are lost to the madness and the blood lust. Others learn to utilise it to enhance their skills and awareness. Khorne is the latter though at first it is hard to see how. Yet the more you learn and the further into the story you get the more you see how his control on the blood lust helps him. A great short that really highlights how your control can grant greater rewards in the end. Blood for the Blood God!
October 8, 2020
In this short story, I was treated to a glimpse into the mind of Kharn. The contrast between the violent fury he can enact and the composed facade he exudes makes him more interesting to me. The severe and primal nature of this work is an enjoyable flavour. I am very likely to look more into Reynolds's Black Library publications.
March 10, 2018
My boyfriend introduced me to this book and, at first, I was hesitant to read it because I have no clue about warhammer and 40k stuff (I just know it because he keeps talking to me about it) and I actually enjoyed it. This is a very interesting read and would totally read more of these.
November 26, 2017
Good one. Kharn truly is one of the most fascinating characters in 40k so every bit about him is easy to enjoy.
August 31, 2021
Everything you could want from story containing Kharn and the world eaters
January 26, 2022
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE
Somehow, this audio book about bloody carnage kinda gives me focus.
Somehow, this audio book about bloody carnage kinda gives me focus.
June 16, 2022
It's about Khârn, so expect blood and skulls 🤷♂️
Jokes aside, it's awesome. It goes kind of how you expect it to go, but it is still one helluva ride.
Jokes aside, it's awesome. It goes kind of how you expect it to go, but it is still one helluva ride.
September 23, 2023
I love a well-acted World Eaters audio piece. Voice actors having a blast.
January 10, 2024
Loved it
Short, dramatic, and fun.
Short, dramatic, and fun.
July 31, 2024
A shorty, sloppy gorefest fit for the Blood God, himself.
February 9, 2025
Only complaint is that it’s too short! I could have easily done with another hour of Kharn’s violent internal monologues.
December 6, 2012
“A bloody, gritty Audio Drama that emphasizes the grim-darkness of Warhammer 40k, and provides a treat for fans of Kharn the Betrayer.” ~The Founding Fields
I was first introduced to Anthony Reynolds’ work through his fantastic Word Bearers Omnibus which was some very enjoyable, action-packed encounters that gave more depth to the Word Bearers, a legion that I’d never seen a full novel devoted to before outside of the phenomenal The First Heretic by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Before going into this Audio Drama I had high expectations, and did Reynold’s deliver? The answer is quite simply: Yes. Chosen of Khorne is a great standalone tale that will delight not just fans of Kharn as mentioned above, but also fans of Chaos as a whole. I really enjoyed listening to this Audio Drama, although I think the person that sat next to me on the bus one on of the journeys may have been surprised by what I was listening to when I found out that I’d turned up the volume on my IPod too high by accident. As it turned out, he wasn’t a 40k fan.
"Deep within the Eye of Terror, the followers of the blood god Khorne war amongst themselves to win their patron’s favour, and for the right to lead a new crusade against the Imperium in his name. Argus Brond, berserker champion of the old World Eaters Legion, has called upon his old comrade Kharn for assistance – surely, this legendary warrior will break the deadlock and secure victory for him? But Kharn, known with good reason as ‘the Betrayer’, is far more than just a crazed killer, and his own agenda will always come first…"
This is a very interesting Audio Drama that despite suffers from a weak cover in my opinion, excels in its Audio format and though it may not be as good as Garro: Legion of One by James Swallow, my favourite Black Library Audio Drama to date, it’s probably in the top 5, in the lower half – mainly due to a few nagging issues that I had with this title that prevents it from achieving top marks.
Read the Rest of the Review: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/12/...
I was first introduced to Anthony Reynolds’ work through his fantastic Word Bearers Omnibus which was some very enjoyable, action-packed encounters that gave more depth to the Word Bearers, a legion that I’d never seen a full novel devoted to before outside of the phenomenal The First Heretic by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Before going into this Audio Drama I had high expectations, and did Reynold’s deliver? The answer is quite simply: Yes. Chosen of Khorne is a great standalone tale that will delight not just fans of Kharn as mentioned above, but also fans of Chaos as a whole. I really enjoyed listening to this Audio Drama, although I think the person that sat next to me on the bus one on of the journeys may have been surprised by what I was listening to when I found out that I’d turned up the volume on my IPod too high by accident. As it turned out, he wasn’t a 40k fan.
"Deep within the Eye of Terror, the followers of the blood god Khorne war amongst themselves to win their patron’s favour, and for the right to lead a new crusade against the Imperium in his name. Argus Brond, berserker champion of the old World Eaters Legion, has called upon his old comrade Kharn for assistance – surely, this legendary warrior will break the deadlock and secure victory for him? But Kharn, known with good reason as ‘the Betrayer’, is far more than just a crazed killer, and his own agenda will always come first…"
This is a very interesting Audio Drama that despite suffers from a weak cover in my opinion, excels in its Audio format and though it may not be as good as Garro: Legion of One by James Swallow, my favourite Black Library Audio Drama to date, it’s probably in the top 5, in the lower half – mainly due to a few nagging issues that I had with this title that prevents it from achieving top marks.
Read the Rest of the Review: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/12/...
January 4, 2018
You can read the full review over at my blog:
https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...
“Kharn the Betrayer proves why he is called by that epithet and why the Blood God cares not from whence blood flows.”
World Eaters. Butchers and psychotic rage-machines of the highest order. A legacy of blood. Gladiator Primarch Angron. Berserkers. There’s lots to like about them. As best as I can tell, this is the fourth outing of theirs, and its just as great as the ones before were. Anthony Reynolds has captured the sheer brutality and rage of the World Eaters perfectly in this audio drama, as well as highlighting the infighting between Chaos warbands dedicated to the Blood God, Khorne.
The focal character of this script is Kharn the Betrayer, a legion-captain from the early days of the Horus Heresy, the most favoured mortal champion of his gene-father Angron, and of Khorne, his patron. Kharn for me has always been a character who just plain kicks ass, no matter what type of scene he is in. He features quite a bit in the on-going Horus Heresy series and he has some particularly memorable scenes, the best two of them being the final scene in Butcher’s Nails, in which he duels with the Word Bearer Captain Argel Tal. , and the other in the short story After Desh’ea in which he meets Angron for the first time. The series has attempted to highlight his noble aspect, one uncorrupted by service to the Blood God. But in the time that this story is set in, there is nobility left in him, no sense of honour, or right, or wrong. He is driven by only one thing: his oaths to the Blood God are the only thing that matter, everything else is just a means to an end.
https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...
“Kharn the Betrayer proves why he is called by that epithet and why the Blood God cares not from whence blood flows.”
World Eaters. Butchers and psychotic rage-machines of the highest order. A legacy of blood. Gladiator Primarch Angron. Berserkers. There’s lots to like about them. As best as I can tell, this is the fourth outing of theirs, and its just as great as the ones before were. Anthony Reynolds has captured the sheer brutality and rage of the World Eaters perfectly in this audio drama, as well as highlighting the infighting between Chaos warbands dedicated to the Blood God, Khorne.
The focal character of this script is Kharn the Betrayer, a legion-captain from the early days of the Horus Heresy, the most favoured mortal champion of his gene-father Angron, and of Khorne, his patron. Kharn for me has always been a character who just plain kicks ass, no matter what type of scene he is in. He features quite a bit in the on-going Horus Heresy series and he has some particularly memorable scenes, the best two of them being the final scene in Butcher’s Nails, in which he duels with the Word Bearer Captain Argel Tal. , and the other in the short story After Desh’ea in which he meets Angron for the first time. The series has attempted to highlight his noble aspect, one uncorrupted by service to the Blood God. But in the time that this story is set in, there is nobility left in him, no sense of honour, or right, or wrong. He is driven by only one thing: his oaths to the Blood God are the only thing that matter, everything else is just a means to an end.
April 23, 2014
One of the best audio dramas so far this story takes place some time between The Scouring and the 41st millenium and tells us much about Kharn, his changing relationship to his former legion since the Heresy and the eightfold path.
Any story that fleshes out any of the previously one dimensional 40k personalities is welcome and Kharn has been taken from one the worst of those to a fan favorite with stories like this starting from After Desh'ea through Betrayer and into this excellent piece.
Kharn's perspective is perfect here, contemptuous, intense and a bit confusing at first, I have no trouble believing that Kharn spends most of his day having vivid dilutions of killing everyone and everything around him in horrendously messy fashion until even he isn't always sure whether he's killed any particular individual yet or not.
Any story that fleshes out any of the previously one dimensional 40k personalities is welcome and Kharn has been taken from one the worst of those to a fan favorite with stories like this starting from After Desh'ea through Betrayer and into this excellent piece.
Kharn's perspective is perfect here, contemptuous, intense and a bit confusing at first, I have no trouble believing that Kharn spends most of his day having vivid dilutions of killing everyone and everything around him in horrendously messy fashion until even he isn't always sure whether he's killed any particular individual yet or not.
November 27, 2012
Slightly too much bolter porn
December 29, 2012
Actually was impressed as audio dramas fail to most of the time...
September 3, 2015
First time with an audio drama. pleasantly surprised, fluid story and pace with plenty of action/gore for the blood God.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews