Called to a distant world to solve a mystery that could link to the history of her order, Sister Superior Augusta contends with orks as well as her own hopes…
READ IT BECAUSE It sheds light on the Sisters of Battle from a different angle, and explores their relationship to their history, as well as their interactions with the Missionaries of the Imperial Church.
THE STORY Sister Superior Augusta of the Order of the Bloody Rose has been called to a planet in the far reaches of the Imperium, a world where no Imperial foot has stepped in thousands of year, save a missionary sent to bring the Emperor's light to the natives. On the world is a cathedral, ancient and run down – but with an icon at its heart, a warrior-woman with a bloodied rose on her chest. Is this a symbol that Saint Mina, founder of the Order, once walked on this world? Augusta is determined to find out…
Author of the Ecko trilogy (CyberPunk/Fantasy mashup) and Children of Artifice (queer science fantasy). Writer of Sisters of Battle (and other things) for WarHammer 40k, Judge Anderson for Rebellion, Twilight Imperium for Aconyte Books, and numerous short stories.
Reader, writer, crusader geek, re-enactor (retired) and role-player. After seventeen years conjuring PR, events and social media for Forbidden Planet (London) Ltd, you can now find me in the Manga/GNs at Waterstones Piccadilly.
Follow me on most Social Media channels as @Danacea
Augusta saw Viola punch her scarlet gauntlet clean into an ork’s face, saw the ork rock backwards, then shake itself and grin. But her attention was still on the leader. Just as its was on her. They were the eye of the storm. The ork carried twin axes, each as long as its muscled forearm, and there was a second grenade at its belt. It said, ‘Sis-tah.’ But the snarl of the chainsword was its only reply.
Sisters of Battle looking for an holy icon of their order on a jungle world meet Orks in a bloody action-packed debut from new Black Library author Danie Ware. Not bad at all for a short story and a real quick must read if you are a fan of W40K Adepta Sororitas.
In Mercy, Sister Superior Augusta and her contingent have been dispatched to the jungle world of Lautis to liaison with Tanichus, a missionary who has been working to bring the light of the Emperor to the indigenous population. However, according to data received, there is the possibility of a holy relic being present on Lautis - an icon of Saint Mina, founder of the Order of the Bloody Rose. Of course, the Sisters are not the only ones interested in what lies within the ruins...
Mercy is a brief short story, and it is immensely action-heavy. And, the reason why it works so damn well is that Ware is doing the Sisters and their tactics right. Let's see how it all stacks up:
Characters: Yes, there are strong characters in this action piece. It's obvious that Ware has thoughfully (and lovingly) assembled this team, fleshing out the individuals fully. This team is built with legs for the long run, not just a one-off short story (as evidenced in Augusta returning in the new novella The Bloodied Rose. Since I haven't read it yet, I can't say for sure who else is returning).
These Sisters retain all the discipline and zeal instilled in the Schola, yet remain human. They experience tests of their morale in the face of insurmountable odds, they lapse into rage-fueled battle fury. I've always said, the test for good 40K authors is adhering to the certain draconian doctrines of the Imperium, but being skillful enough to show the humanity shining through. Because no matter how oppressive a regime is, it will not quell the basic human spirit. Sisters might be among the most disciplined humans, but they're still human. And that's what will always make stories centered around the Guard or the Sisters more inherently intimate than those following the emotionally-truncated, engineered Space Marines.
Story: The story is in the synopsis....the Sisters come looking for the icon, and get ambushed by orks. It's the most basic of premise, and that's why we focus on the quality of characters and action. There's a little twist thrown in, but it's telegraphed fairly early on. There's still elements to keep the proceedings interesting.
Action: A lot of it, and it's done well. Ware pays attention to the tactics of the Sisters, and the methodology of the weapons utilized. She also has a good handle on the orks; emphasizing the "size and strength rulez" aspect of their tactical acumen. There are good descriptions of their physicality and brute ferocity. I mean, it's orks. I kind of wish she would've played with descriptions regarding the orks fungal nature, and the dank jungle that they were emerging from. Other than that, good stuff.
Overall: Mercy is an auspicious start for Danie Ware's tenure at The Black Library. These are good times when we have both plastic Sisters and solid Sisters fiction to look forward to!
A Sisters of Battle short story in which Sister Superior Augusta leads her squad to a distant corner of Ultima Segmentum to investigate an ancient, ruined cathedral. Rumoured to contain an icon of her own Order, the cathedral is a powerful symbol that appeals to Augusta’s faith, but that faith is soon tested when it becomes clear that the Sisters are not alone.
As depictions of the Adepta Sororitas go this is a strong one. It’s nice to see the Sisters cutting loose a bit, and while there’s not much subtlety here there’s enough depth for the characters, and the story overall, to still resonate.
An excellent short story featuring Games Workshop’s Sisters of Battle. For once, the Sisters are portrayed as tough superlative warriors, rather than simply material for a desperate last stand (though the author does manipulate that trope brilliantly!)
Great to see more Adepta Sororitas stories coming out of BL. What I liked the most of Danie's unique approach to the battle sisters is the way they constantly chant and sing hymns in battle. It really does make these all-female warriors stand out from your usual Space Marine bolter-pron stories.
A short, fun action-packed read featuring the Sisters of Battle.
Though it was nice to see them up close and center for once, that still does not make up for the uninspired, forgettable plot elements, even if thr prose itself was good.
Admittedly, I was hoping things would take a slightly more suspenseful turn so maybe I was a little disappointed in that regard.
Definitely recommend for a quick commute read though.
These daughters of divine slaughter are shown doing what could be imagined as a common mission for a small squad of the Adeptas Sororitas, and we are shown exactly what they consider as mercy. It's a bit on the messy side, but sure, that's one of the reasons I like Black Library publications. A good read for between bigger reads.
Short, sharp and brutal. I suspect I missed some of the references as I've not read or played any Warhammer 40K, and being a short story it's light on background, but I enjoyed it a lot.
A short story about Sister Augusta, packed with a dose of action against orks.
It was fine, but I expected a bit more. The book consisted of battle, and then a little twist at the end. I was hoping for a bit more background information about their mission. The overall presence of the orks in this story was well done. They felt frightening and made the battles intense.
If you wish to read a quick story including the Adepta Sororitas, and how they fight in battle, this may scratch that itch.
“She was wrath incarnate, the rage of the Emperor, carving flesh and bone and armour, and spraying gore like red wine.”
Classic Black Library bolter porn. Ware’s “Bloodied Rose” and “Forsaken” are far superior stories than this one. Read if you’re a completionist and would enjoy a prologue to the prologue of “Bloodied Rose”.
Great story! Well written, great look at Battle Sisters!! Look forward to the other Order of the Bloody Rose stories. Will also look at Danie Ware's Ecko novels!! Great writer!!