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Warhammer Age of Sigmar
Neferata: Mortarch of Blood
A Warhammer Age of Sigmar novel
When a threat to her realm of Nulahmia rises, the Mortarch Neferata must commit herself to a centuries-long battle if she is to save her kingdom and retain her position.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's an in-depth look at one of the most fascinating of undead characters in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar setting, written by the master of creepy horror fantasy.
THE STORY
The Realm of Death convulses with the ravages of war, but Neferata continues to rule the city of Nulahmia with an iron will. Through guile and terror, she has destroyed all who would take her crown. But when a threat rises whose repercussions will stretch across the ages, Neferata must commit herself to a centuries-long battle and retain what is hers, no matter the cost.
Limited Edition, 1 000 copies
When a threat to her realm of Nulahmia rises, the Mortarch Neferata must commit herself to a centuries-long battle if she is to save her kingdom and retain her position.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's an in-depth look at one of the most fascinating of undead characters in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar setting, written by the master of creepy horror fantasy.
THE STORY
The Realm of Death convulses with the ravages of war, but Neferata continues to rule the city of Nulahmia with an iron will. Through guile and terror, she has destroyed all who would take her crown. But when a threat rises whose repercussions will stretch across the ages, Neferata must commit herself to a centuries-long battle and retain what is hers, no matter the cost.
Limited Edition, 1 000 copies
230 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2018
15 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 11, 2018
David Annandaletackles one of the surviving characters from the World-that-Was, in Neferata: Mortarch of Blood. It’s a two-strand novel, one taking place in the distant past and the other immediately after the events of CL Werner’s Lord of Undeath. In the Age of Myth, Neferata fights to maintain control of her city Nulahmia against an uprising of once-loyal citizens inciting rebellion, while in the Age of Sigmar she works to regain control of Nulahmia after Nagash punished her by granting control of half the city to Arkhan the Black and his servants.
It’s only a short novel, at 230 pages in the limited edition hardback (which is gorgeous, it should be noted). Happily, the plot rattles along nicely as the two strands are woven together, and remains tight and focused throughout. There’s not much room for expansive diversions into characters or settings, but it’s sufficiently well thought-out that everything is interesting and there’s lots to enjoy in exploring Nulahmia and its inhabitants. It perhaps lacks a touch of the elusive wow factor (possibly by virtue of its short length), especially for a novel which is only available in limited edition to begin with, but it’s very much worth reading if you’re keen to see more of the Mortal Realms and read something a little different to what’s gone before.
It’s only a short novel, at 230 pages in the limited edition hardback (which is gorgeous, it should be noted). Happily, the plot rattles along nicely as the two strands are woven together, and remains tight and focused throughout. There’s not much room for expansive diversions into characters or settings, but it’s sufficiently well thought-out that everything is interesting and there’s lots to enjoy in exploring Nulahmia and its inhabitants. It perhaps lacks a touch of the elusive wow factor (possibly by virtue of its short length), especially for a novel which is only available in limited edition to begin with, but it’s very much worth reading if you’re keen to see more of the Mortal Realms and read something a little different to what’s gone before.
August 24, 2018
Neferata: The Monarch of Blood, is a high fantasy horror themed tale penned by David Annandale. It is horror high fantasy in the most lavish sense of the genre and by that I mean that it is extraordinarily fantastical like many of the other stories set in the Mortal Realms. Whether this is a good thing or not is really down to you as an individual reader.
What do you mean? I hear you ask. Well, all of the vampiric buildings in the city of Nulahmia are made out of literally anything to do with death.
Giant skulls line the ramparts. The footpaths are made from bones, snow falls from the sky and where it lands it stains surfaces with blood while the cobblestone paths run with blood. The furniture is made from brass coated bones. There is an instance where a throne is made of skeletal remains, lecterns have mummified corpses as a support beam. Bridges are made to resemble gigantic skeletal fingers. Candle lights have rotting hands that hold candles; but instead of wax they drip blood and there are impaled villagers along the path leading up to a castle.... And somehow humans co-exist with all this going on. Of course there are many, many, MANY more examples of this but it gets to a point rather quickly where you wonder to yourself: Where are all these bones coming from!? Surely they must have run out of people in the village by now!
But I digress; if it were not for the absurdly fantastic elements I would say that this story is a fairly interesting if not an unremarkable vampiric high fantasy. For me, what keeps this story focused is the character Mathas and the Helezan family who serves as the more heroic figurehead of the tale. Without going into spoiler territory, he, his family and many other families in the city of Nulahmia – the city that Neferata rules over- are plotting to overthrow the Vampriic Queen.... I really can’t say any more without spoiling certain elements but suffice to say that the struggles of the human condition are what kept me most interested.
As for Neferata’s tale of personal and political struggles throughout the story? it was interesting enough but not so interesting that I would have to say to you that YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. The primary reason for this is that Naferata is not particularly likable; she is cold, incredibly cunning and intelligent and you could say that you at least admire her talents while never exactly rooting for her. A book that does make you sympathise with Neferata however is the Neferata: Blood of Nagash, novel a book that I would say to fans of vampiric fantasy that YOU MUST READ.... But again I digress I did enjoy this book! I just feel that it could have been more that it currently is.
Still, If Mr Annandale writes another vampiric tale I will check it out but I will not have the incredibly high expectations as I did after the original Neferata Blood of Nagash novel
A decent if not fantastical tale that id recommend to fans of High Fantasy and Vampiric lavishness. Id give a 3.5 suspiciously over sized skulls out of 5.
What do you mean? I hear you ask. Well, all of the vampiric buildings in the city of Nulahmia are made out of literally anything to do with death.
Giant skulls line the ramparts. The footpaths are made from bones, snow falls from the sky and where it lands it stains surfaces with blood while the cobblestone paths run with blood. The furniture is made from brass coated bones. There is an instance where a throne is made of skeletal remains, lecterns have mummified corpses as a support beam. Bridges are made to resemble gigantic skeletal fingers. Candle lights have rotting hands that hold candles; but instead of wax they drip blood and there are impaled villagers along the path leading up to a castle.... And somehow humans co-exist with all this going on. Of course there are many, many, MANY more examples of this but it gets to a point rather quickly where you wonder to yourself: Where are all these bones coming from!? Surely they must have run out of people in the village by now!
But I digress; if it were not for the absurdly fantastic elements I would say that this story is a fairly interesting if not an unremarkable vampiric high fantasy. For me, what keeps this story focused is the character Mathas and the Helezan family who serves as the more heroic figurehead of the tale. Without going into spoiler territory, he, his family and many other families in the city of Nulahmia – the city that Neferata rules over- are plotting to overthrow the Vampriic Queen.... I really can’t say any more without spoiling certain elements but suffice to say that the struggles of the human condition are what kept me most interested.
As for Neferata’s tale of personal and political struggles throughout the story? it was interesting enough but not so interesting that I would have to say to you that YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. The primary reason for this is that Naferata is not particularly likable; she is cold, incredibly cunning and intelligent and you could say that you at least admire her talents while never exactly rooting for her. A book that does make you sympathise with Neferata however is the Neferata: Blood of Nagash, novel a book that I would say to fans of vampiric fantasy that YOU MUST READ.... But again I digress I did enjoy this book! I just feel that it could have been more that it currently is.
Still, If Mr Annandale writes another vampiric tale I will check it out but I will not have the incredibly high expectations as I did after the original Neferata Blood of Nagash novel
A decent if not fantastical tale that id recommend to fans of High Fantasy and Vampiric lavishness. Id give a 3.5 suspiciously over sized skulls out of 5.
June 7, 2025
Neferata is a fascinating character with an intriguing and powerful design. Her abilities and strength make her stand out, but a lack of emotional depth makes her seem somewhat distant.
Moreover, in my opinion, the story failed to realise its full potential. The plot and supporting characters both felt underdeveloped, resulting in a flatter narrative than could have been achieved. Nevertheless, the book was an enjoyable read overall.
Moreover, in my opinion, the story failed to realise its full potential. The plot and supporting characters both felt underdeveloped, resulting in a flatter narrative than could have been achieved. Nevertheless, the book was an enjoyable read overall.
August 24, 2018
Neferata: The Monarch of Blood, is a high fantasy horror themed tale penned by David Annandale. It is horror high fantasy in the most lavish sense of the genre and by that I mean that it is extraordinarily fantastical like many of the other stories set in the Mortal Realms. Whether this is a good thing or not is really down to you as an individual reader.
What do you mean? I hear you ask. Well, all of the vampiric buildings in the city of Nulahmia are made out of literally anything to do with death.
Giant skulls line the ramparts. The footpaths are made from bones, snow falls from the sky and where it lands it stains surfaces with blood while the cobblestone paths run with blood. The furniture is made from brass coated bones. There is an instance where a throne is made of skeletal remains, lecterns have mummified corpses as a support beam. Bridges are made to resemble gigantic skeletal fingers. Candle lights have rotting hands that hold candles; but instead of wax they drip blood and there are impaled villagers along the path leading up to a castle.... And somehow humans co-exist with all this going on. Of course there are many, many, MANY more examples of this but it gets to a point rather quickly where you wonder to yourself: Where are all these bones coming from!? Surely they must have run out of people in the village by now!
But I digress; if it were not for the absurdly fantastic elements I would say that this story is a fairly interesting if not an unremarkable vampiric high fantasy. For me, what keeps this story focused is the character Mathas and the Helezan family who serves as the more heroic figurehead of the tale. Without going into spoiler territory, he, his family and many other families in the city of Nulahmia – the city that Neferata rules over- are plotting to overthrow the Vampriic Queen.... I really can’t say any more without spoiling certain elements but suffice to say that the struggles of the human condition are what kept me most interested.
As for Neferata’s tale of personal and political struggles throughout the story? it was interesting enough but not so interesting that I would have to say to you that YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. The primary reason for this is that Naferata is not particularly likable; she is cold, incredibly cunning and intelligent and you could say that you at least admire her talents while never exactly rooting for her. A book that does make you sympathise with Neferata however is the Neferata: Blood of Nagash, novel a book that I would say to fans of vampiric fantasy that YOU MUST READ.... But again I digress I did enjoy this book! I just feel that it could have been more that it currently is.
Still, If Mr Annandale writes another vampiric tale I will check it out but I will not have the incredibly high expectations as I did after the original Neferata Blood of Nagash novel
A decent if not fantastical tale that id recommend to fans of High Fantasy and Vampiric lavishness. Id give a 3.5 suspiciously over sized skulls out of 5
What do you mean? I hear you ask. Well, all of the vampiric buildings in the city of Nulahmia are made out of literally anything to do with death.
Giant skulls line the ramparts. The footpaths are made from bones, snow falls from the sky and where it lands it stains surfaces with blood while the cobblestone paths run with blood. The furniture is made from brass coated bones. There is an instance where a throne is made of skeletal remains, lecterns have mummified corpses as a support beam. Bridges are made to resemble gigantic skeletal fingers. Candle lights have rotting hands that hold candles; but instead of wax they drip blood and there are impaled villagers along the path leading up to a castle.... And somehow humans co-exist with all this going on. Of course there are many, many, MANY more examples of this but it gets to a point rather quickly where you wonder to yourself: Where are all these bones coming from!? Surely they must have run out of people in the village by now!
But I digress; if it were not for the absurdly fantastic elements I would say that this story is a fairly interesting if not an unremarkable vampiric high fantasy. For me, what keeps this story focused is the character Mathas and the Helezan family who serves as the more heroic figurehead of the tale. Without going into spoiler territory, he, his family and many other families in the city of Nulahmia – the city that Neferata rules over- are plotting to overthrow the Vampriic Queen.... I really can’t say any more without spoiling certain elements but suffice to say that the struggles of the human condition are what kept me most interested.
As for Neferata’s tale of personal and political struggles throughout the story? it was interesting enough but not so interesting that I would have to say to you that YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. The primary reason for this is that Naferata is not particularly likable; she is cold, incredibly cunning and intelligent and you could say that you at least admire her talents while never exactly rooting for her. A book that does make you sympathise with Neferata however is the Neferata: Blood of Nagash, novel a book that I would say to fans of vampiric fantasy that YOU MUST READ.... But again I digress I did enjoy this book! I just feel that it could have been more that it currently is.
Still, If Mr Annandale writes another vampiric tale I will check it out but I will not have the incredibly high expectations as I did after the original Neferata Blood of Nagash novel
A decent if not fantastical tale that id recommend to fans of High Fantasy and Vampiric lavishness. Id give a 3.5 suspiciously over sized skulls out of 5
January 9, 2019
Although it's AoS, it is nice to read about the glorious first vampire herself. I liked the city/realm she reigns upon, but the constant timeline switching put me off.
December 19, 2025
Neferata sets up multiple interesting plot threads in an almost anathological format throughout its narrative; jumping from one time to another over the course of the titular vampire's life. Of course being a Warhammer book one knows going in that any threat to the main character is almost promised to be moot by the end. But even with that, there is potential to tell a very interesting story establishing how she ends up where she does in the 'present day' sections of the book, and to prove the genius of the character by showing her ruthlessness and problem solving abilities. For the vast majority of its length Neferata: Mortatch of Blood does a great job building tension and leaving the reader wondering.
Unfortunately, it is all dashed by a pair of endings so sudden, unsatisfying, and poorly written that it sullies the rest of the book upon looking back upon it. The most interesting questions are left unanswered, and there is no proof of the character's prowess or intellect, only her ability to rely on Dues Ex Machina. This is supremely dissapointing considering what an interesting story and character Neferata had been shown to be up to that point. There is immense potential within the character of Neferata within the realm of story telling, and this book throws all that aside in the 11th hour.
Even within the realm of an Age of Sigmar book, this one could be skipped; there is no lore explained or needed for a greater understanding of the world, no great or meaningful revelation about the characters within the setting. The entire book is spent building up to a pair of finales that it fully and totally throws away at the very last, abrupt minute.
Unfortunately, it is all dashed by a pair of endings so sudden, unsatisfying, and poorly written that it sullies the rest of the book upon looking back upon it. The most interesting questions are left unanswered, and there is no proof of the character's prowess or intellect, only her ability to rely on Dues Ex Machina. This is supremely dissapointing considering what an interesting story and character Neferata had been shown to be up to that point. There is immense potential within the character of Neferata within the realm of story telling, and this book throws all that aside in the 11th hour.
Even within the realm of an Age of Sigmar book, this one could be skipped; there is no lore explained or needed for a greater understanding of the world, no great or meaningful revelation about the characters within the setting. The entire book is spent building up to a pair of finales that it fully and totally throws away at the very last, abrupt minute.
April 7, 2025
Big fan of the character. I just love watching (reading) Neferata do her thing. The two stories were both pretty cool, though I found the story of rebellion far more compelling than the siege. The masterwork of manipulation Neferata accomplished is horrifying if you apply it to your own life.
On one hand, a story of loss and dissolution so complete there is nothing left of the self to destroy. On the other, a tale of ambition and fury powerful enough for the god of death to come witness personally.
Good stuff.
On one hand, a story of loss and dissolution so complete there is nothing left of the self to destroy. On the other, a tale of ambition and fury powerful enough for the god of death to come witness personally.
Good stuff.
September 1, 2018
This was an amazing insight into the power games conducted by Neferata, and to a larger extent, Nagash and the other Mortarchs. The novel portrays Neferata as the consummate power player and master manipulator in dealing with two conflicts, masterfully written about in two different eras. The action is on an epic scale. Neferata is not a sympathetic character but her villainy is written in such a way as to elicit fascination and even a kind of respect.
February 6, 2024
This was honestly significantly better than anticipated. Based on the subject matter, the ending was foreseen, but the writing was better than expected given my previous experiences with warhammer stories. If you are interested in Neferata or Soulblights (despite this being pre-Soulblight battletome), then this is worth a read. Consider Neferata Mortarch of Blood to be 3.5 stars in the grand scheme of things, but a solid 4 stars in the world of Black Library AoS fiction.
November 18, 2018
Really good throughout but the very ending fell a little flat for me. Literally in the last 15 pages. Still a very interesting read! Makes you cheer for the villain.
September 27, 2020
Neferata is a great character who carries an intertwining narrative that, by jumping back-and-forth in time, gives the game away early. Not well plotted but well characterized so still worth a read.
February 21, 2021
I've published a spoilerless review on my channel here: https://youtu.be/RbnOH0RkIJc
November 19, 2025
Love the sbgl really dislike Neferata
October 4, 2019
Annandale's take on the first Vampire and her kingdom in Shyish is an action filled, conspiracy laden, quick paced novellette. Age of Sigmar is high fantasy, so expect hyperbole to be on full display in the descriptions of the setting and the locations, to the point of near ridiculousness.
The action is well described, and the sense of horror at some of Neferata's actions is palpable, Annandale coming to Black Library from the world of horror writing, after all.
The twin tiered story telling, one in the Age of Myth, the other in the Age of Sigmar (set immediately after the final book in the Realmgate Wars series) was well done, and flowed together smoothly at the very end.
All that said, this just isn't a favorite of mine.
Neferata is a villain, here as well as in the Old World of Warhammer Fantasy from whence she originated. However, she is utter irredeemable, has zero likeable qualities outside of her physical looks (much like your Ex), and is so monstrously cruel that she doesn't stand out from the Chaos Legions or the other Vampires around her.
While entertaining and very well written, I thought Neferata's dark side was far too prominently displayed and it left the reader with no one to root for.
Well, maybe the poor Rebel who you knew was doomed from the get go.
An easy three stars, which is not a bad rating or a downvote, but Neferata herself is just too unlikable a character as portrayed here to get higher.
Well, that and her stupid tall hat that she now wears in AoS. Sigh...
The action is well described, and the sense of horror at some of Neferata's actions is palpable, Annandale coming to Black Library from the world of horror writing, after all.
The twin tiered story telling, one in the Age of Myth, the other in the Age of Sigmar (set immediately after the final book in the Realmgate Wars series) was well done, and flowed together smoothly at the very end.
All that said, this just isn't a favorite of mine.
Neferata is a villain, here as well as in the Old World of Warhammer Fantasy from whence she originated. However, she is utter irredeemable, has zero likeable qualities outside of her physical looks (much like your Ex), and is so monstrously cruel that she doesn't stand out from the Chaos Legions or the other Vampires around her.
While entertaining and very well written, I thought Neferata's dark side was far too prominently displayed and it left the reader with no one to root for.
Well, maybe the poor Rebel who you knew was doomed from the get go.
An easy three stars, which is not a bad rating or a downvote, but Neferata herself is just too unlikable a character as portrayed here to get higher.
Well, that and her stupid tall hat that she now wears in AoS. Sigh...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews