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Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning #2
Dark Storm Gathering (Warhammer)
Human and elf adventurers join forces with the armies of the Empire to turn back an invasion by the forces of Chaos.
- GenresFantasy
411 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 24, 2009
4 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Chris Wraight
218 books380 followersChris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 12, 2017
More of a 3.5, than an actual 4............on second thought, that fight at the end might have clinched it for me..........
So in this second book for Warhammer Online, everything is different from the first book, a new group of heroes and villains, here we are introduced to the Druchii, the mirrorimage of the elf in this universe albeit of a darker path, unfortunately, for me that is they were used sparingly(I would have prefered a bigger role for our dark elf(S)), as usual the Elves(they do not call them that I think, Elf singular = Elves plural) got the best part of the whole straightforward story, even a glimpse of Karl Franz ,the Emperor of the Empire of Man, was a bit of a letdown...........
Fortunately, that slow pace to the final battle was every bit as exciting as they come, even if you already know where the story is headed to........witch hunters, knights, traitors galore and yes!!! Do read the book!!! No spoilers nor an inkling of what to expect, just the end of the Empire of Man in a slow moving manner!!!
On to book three!!!!
So in this second book for Warhammer Online, everything is different from the first book, a new group of heroes and villains, here we are introduced to the Druchii, the mirrorimage of the elf in this universe albeit of a darker path, unfortunately, for me that is they were used sparingly(I would have prefered a bigger role for our dark elf(S)), as usual the Elves(they do not call them that I think, Elf singular = Elves plural) got the best part of the whole straightforward story, even a glimpse of Karl Franz ,the Emperor of the Empire of Man, was a bit of a letdown...........
Fortunately, that slow pace to the final battle was every bit as exciting as they come, even if you already know where the story is headed to........witch hunters, knights, traitors galore and yes!!! Do read the book!!! No spoilers nor an inkling of what to expect, just the end of the Empire of Man in a slow moving manner!!!
On to book three!!!!
February 20, 2025
This is the second Warhammer Fantasy novel written for the MMORPG Age of Reckoning, and in some ways it offers a distinctly different portrayal of the Old World. The plot focuses on an adventuring party: a Bright Wizard named Alexander, a Witch Hunter named Annika (accompanied by Dieter, a Great Swordsman devoted to Myrmidia), the Asur (High Elf) white lion Morgil and his mistress, the archmage Artheris, and an Imperial Captain–turned–rebel leader named Schulmann. Together, they unite against a cult of Tzeentch that aims to summon a Lord of Change--a Greater Demon of Tzeentch.
I really enjoyed Chris Wraight’s writing style. He does an admirable job weaving together the various threads and perspectives, especially given the large cast of characters. I’m not entirely sure how much creative freedom he was allowed, given the novel’s MMORPG tie-in, but the resulting characters feel epic. Not only do we follow the protagonists, but there is an equally extensive roster of villains: a Chosen of Tzeentch, a Dark Elf Disciple of Khaine, a Dark Elf sorcerer (who seems to disappear in an unfinished thread), a cultist sorcerer, and probably a few more I’m forgetting. Normally, I don’t resort to taking notes for Warhammer novels, but this time I found myself jotting down names in the margins. A cast list would have been a helpful tool.
One intriguing aspect--though I won’t explore it in depth here--is how these MMORPG tie-in novels depict the Old World. It felt lighter, more colorful, and more straightforwardly "adventurous" than the usual grimdark atmosphere that I associate with Warhammer fantasy. I wonder if that was part of the guidance given to the authors when they wrote these.
As for specific characters, I particularly enjoyed Alexander, the Bright Mage. He’s reluctant, frustrated, duty-bound, and just sarcastic enough to feel realistic without becoming annoying. That combination really resonated with me and made him stand out. Overall, while it can be a bit challenging to keep track of everyone, I found the novel entertaining, especially as a peek into a slightly different version of the Warhammer fantasy setting.
I really enjoyed Chris Wraight’s writing style. He does an admirable job weaving together the various threads and perspectives, especially given the large cast of characters. I’m not entirely sure how much creative freedom he was allowed, given the novel’s MMORPG tie-in, but the resulting characters feel epic. Not only do we follow the protagonists, but there is an equally extensive roster of villains: a Chosen of Tzeentch, a Dark Elf Disciple of Khaine, a Dark Elf sorcerer (who seems to disappear in an unfinished thread), a cultist sorcerer, and probably a few more I’m forgetting. Normally, I don’t resort to taking notes for Warhammer novels, but this time I found myself jotting down names in the margins. A cast list would have been a helpful tool.
One intriguing aspect--though I won’t explore it in depth here--is how these MMORPG tie-in novels depict the Old World. It felt lighter, more colorful, and more straightforwardly "adventurous" than the usual grimdark atmosphere that I associate with Warhammer fantasy. I wonder if that was part of the guidance given to the authors when they wrote these.
As for specific characters, I particularly enjoyed Alexander, the Bright Mage. He’s reluctant, frustrated, duty-bound, and just sarcastic enough to feel realistic without becoming annoying. That combination really resonated with me and made him stand out. Overall, while it can be a bit challenging to keep track of everyone, I found the novel entertaining, especially as a peek into a slightly different version of the Warhammer fantasy setting.
December 11, 2018
Still mourning the loss of Warhammer Fantasy, I've started to re-read the Black Library's collection. Dark Storm Gathering is the second book in the Age of Reckoning trilogy, but you can read it quite comfortably as a stand alone novel.
As ever, the Old World is beset by a dozen foes, each with the ability to bring the empire to its knees. In Dark Storm Gathering, the threat comes from beyond the borders of the empire, and from within the empire itself. Against these innumerable foes stand the men and women of the Order of the Griffon. The Order, instituted by the emperor himself, counts mighty knights, witch hunters and wizards amongst its members. It is these men and women that take centre stage in Dark Storm Gathering. Alexander, a Bright wizard, and reluctant member of the order is sent on a mission which may swing the course of the coming war in the empire's favour. Of course, nothing quite goes as planned and he is quickly thrown into a world of witch hunters, plague beasts and vengeful elves.
The book is well written, though the author has a tendency of bouncing between POVs at a frequent rate. At times this became slightly confusing. Spotted a couple of typos, but nothing deal-breaking. Overall, I'd say that Dark Storm Gathering makes for a fun read, and is certainly worth adding to your collection if Warhammer Fantasy is your thing!
As ever, the Old World is beset by a dozen foes, each with the ability to bring the empire to its knees. In Dark Storm Gathering, the threat comes from beyond the borders of the empire, and from within the empire itself. Against these innumerable foes stand the men and women of the Order of the Griffon. The Order, instituted by the emperor himself, counts mighty knights, witch hunters and wizards amongst its members. It is these men and women that take centre stage in Dark Storm Gathering. Alexander, a Bright wizard, and reluctant member of the order is sent on a mission which may swing the course of the coming war in the empire's favour. Of course, nothing quite goes as planned and he is quickly thrown into a world of witch hunters, plague beasts and vengeful elves.
The book is well written, though the author has a tendency of bouncing between POVs at a frequent rate. At times this became slightly confusing. Spotted a couple of typos, but nothing deal-breaking. Overall, I'd say that Dark Storm Gathering makes for a fun read, and is certainly worth adding to your collection if Warhammer Fantasy is your thing!
December 29, 2024
Bardzo średnia, przez pół książki coś mi nie pasowało, za dużo postaci, za dużo wątków, ciężko było dać się ponieść opowieści choć niemal każdy z wątków jest jak zapis sesji RPG
February 27, 2023
A fun grim dark fantasy free for all. It had wizards, knights, witch hunters and two types of elves, all crammed into a race to stop something horrible from being unleashed on the old world. If you like Warhammer fantasy books than this is a good one to pick up.
May 25, 2013
A good addition to the Warhsmmer series with am equal share of great characters, story line and bloody battles.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews