Eisenhorn Omnibus

Eisenhorn Omnibus by Dan Abnett

When heresy breaks out across the Helican Sub-Sector it’s up to Gregor Eisenhorn to track down the source of the corruption, and the man with the blank eyes who haunts his dreams. Will Eisenhorn be able to defeat the forces of chaos and the xenos threat? Or is the power of the Inquisition insufficient to save the hardworking citizens of the Imperium?

Halo: Evolutions

I really enjoyed Halo: Evolutions... but having said that...

The whole book is a huge downer. Everyone gets wasted, betrayed, condemned, or made redundant. This book and the Halo Encyclopedia both paint a picture of the post-Halo 3 universe being just as volatile and conflict ridden in what seems to be a blatant set up for future titles, going so far as to even hint at certain characters involvement and possible plot points.

Don't go reading this looking for happy endings. This isn't 'saving the world by the skin of your teeth' stuff, this is 'sacrificing yourself for little or no gain' stuff.

This isn't to say that it isn't enjoyable, or well written.

But it is an emotional slog the the trenches. In particular the first story, Pariah, about a SPARTAN II recruit called Soren, was very powerful.

The book is held back from greatness, I feel, by neglecting the humour and the tales of victory against the odds that make Halo great.

If I want grim dark I'll read Warhammer 40,000.

Ultramarines - A Warhammer 40,000 Movie

Ultramarines, a CG movie in development at Codex Pictures featuring Games Workshops eternally popular blue armoured servants of the Emperor, now has a writer and a director.

Martyn Pick, director of the film Age of Stupid, will be helming this epic undertaking.

But it is the writer of this upcoming film that will knock the socks off regular readers of Warhammer 40,000 fiction. The movie will be written by none other than Dan Abnett, author of some of the best of the current crop of Warhammer titles, including working on the Horus Heresy, Malus Darkblade, and writing the hugely popular Gaunt's Ghosts series!

I must admit to having had a certain amount doubt as to how this film would be handled, but my fellow readers will surely agree that this movie could be placed in no better hands. While Dan Abnett is most often praised for his ability to capture the unique warfare of the grim future, it is the humour and warmth he instills in his characters that makes one really feel the rocket propelled bolter rounds fly past.

If anyone can make 8 foot tall armour plated walking death into real human characters that the audience truly feels for, its Dan Abnett.


Keep up to date, and follow movie related news at the Ultramarines - A Warhammer 40,000 Movie website.

Image courtesy of Games Workshop via Wikipedia, used under fair use.

Elder Scrolls: The Infernal City

In my preview of this title I talked about my experience playing Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. As I read The Infernal City, I was stunned by how Greg Keyes managed to capture the feel of the game, and constructed characters based on classic role playing game archetypes, without the book feeling cliche or formulaic. The Infernal City has made me want to go back and give Oblivion another go, if only to get a better picture of the background against which this book is set.

When the infernal city of the title, known to its occupants as Umbriel, threatens the lands of Tamriel and Morrowind with unprecedented levels of death and suffering, and as the major political powers sit on their hands rather than deal with the potential threat, its left to the self-obsessed heir to the imperial throne to find a way to stop the city from consuming the souls of the innocent. Cut off from Imperial aid, the prince must make do with the help of a mage with a chip on his shoulder, an amateur alchemist, and a tribe of the cat like Khajiit, in his quest halt Umbriels advance.

Umbriel is a city of secrets, with a darkly beating heart, and a trail of destruction in its wake. Will the prince overcome his fears and find a way to stop its path of destruction?

Games don't make me violent.

Halo: Box Set

Halo: The Fall of Reach / The Flood / First Strike
by Nylund, Eric S. / Dietz, William C.

When Halo launched with the Xbox way back in 2001, it changed the way that gamers thought about FPS (first person shooters). Halo brought to the fore the notion that an action game could have a deeply involving story, instead of being just a series of enemy encounters. In a market oversaturated with no-brainer shoot-em-ups, Halo's epic tale of an alien Covenant, sworn to wipe out humanity, and the discovery of a massive object in space, the eponymous Halo, an object that may just be the path to salvation, staggered players with its scope, and had them demanding more. Thankfully Eric Nylund had already spotted the potential of Halo's story and, with the careful collaboration of the studio behind the game, soon the first of many novels based on the franchise was published.

The Fall of Reach, by Eric S. Nylund, tells the tale of the Spartan II program, a combined physical training, biological, chemical and cybernetic enhancement regime designed to create the ultimate soldiers. The group of recruits, taken at the age of 6 and put through the rigorous and sometimes fatal program are gradually honed into the most elite unit in the United Nations Space Command. But the surviving Spartan IIs are faced by a previously unimaginable threat, an advanced alien race on a religious crusade: to scourge mankind from the face of the galaxy. Nylund really nails the highs and lows of what mankind will do in the face of adversity, not to his enemies, but to himself.

The Flood, by William C. Dietz, closely follows the events of the game Halo, with both Halo and the Flood following on directly from Fall of Reach. Rather than being merely a direct novelisation of Halo, The Flood covers many of the events of the game from the point of view of secondary characters and events. While the game portrays the hero, John 117, a graduate of the Spartan II program, as a one man army singlehandedly saving humanity from ruthless alien aggression, Dietz uses his real military experience to bring to life the struggles of the other survivors who have crashed on the alien construct known as Halo. Dietz brings real pathos to the men and women fighting an impossible battle against terrible odds in a situation most of us couldn't truly comprehend: trying to save our entire species from extinction. With the true purpose of the Halo revealed, and an ancient horror unleashed, the clock is ticking for humankind.

First Strike, by Eric S. Nylund, follows the two preceding books with two concurrent plot arcs. One following the survivors of the Battle of Reach, as they descend deep into a classified stronghold to escape the scouring plasma of the victorious alien fleet. The other arc follows the few survivors of the Pillar of Autumn, the ship that escaped Reach only to crash land on the Halo. When its discovered that the Covenant have discovered the location of Earth, its up to the few survivors to band together to buy humanity time to prepare for one last stand, by warning Earth, and by taking the fight to the enemy. An engaging story that bridges the gap between Halo and Halo 2, First Strike was also the first book in the series to make it onto the New York Times bestsellers list.

These three books are available as a box set of three, or individually. They are a must have for any fan of the Halo series, and I think that anyone who marches to the snare drum of military sci-fi should have a look too.

Horus Heresy

For more than 30,000 years, the Emperor has protected us. As humankind spread its way across the galaxy, always did the Emperor watch over us.

But now the Emperor has sequestered himself away in the depths of his vast fortress capital on Terra, and the Primarchs are left to their own devices. So when the most charismatic of all the Primarchs, and the Emperors chosen, the great Warmaster Horus succumbs to the temptation of the vile creatures of the warp lines must be drawn.

Horus Heresy: Collected Visions is both a synopsis of the overall course of the Heresy, as well as a fantastic artbook, featuring the collected Heresy artwork of both the Games Workshop studio artists and the Horus Heresy CCG. It also includes a short story that ties into the Horus Heresy novel Mechanicum, explaining the origins of some of the characters.

The Horus Heresy series of novels chronicles the fall of a civilisation on the doorstep of ruling the galaxy from its pinnacle of achievement to a new dark age of constant war. The series covers the great fall of the Imperium of Man through the eyes of the good and the bad, everyone from the mightiest space marine primarchs to the lowliest servitors. The depiction of all that the modern era of the 41st Millennium has lost really gives one an insight into the violence now plaguing the galaxy.

The tales told in this series are many and varied, ranging from tales of heroic sacrifice to the depths of hedonistic depravity. Characters and sub-plots weave their way in and around the main story arc, and despite the major outcomes being known, it is the fates of the hundreds of minor characters that make this a compelling series.

I happily give this series my seal of approval, and I would (and do) recommend it to anyone, not just Warhammer 40000 players.

Be on the look out for the next two novels, A Thousand Sons and Prospero Burns, which detail the sacking of the Thousand Sons homeworld of Prospero by the Space Wolves from both sides of the conflict. These books are due March/April next year.

As a special treat, I plan to have my own Thousand Sons miniatures painted up by then, and will be posting pictures of them for my review!

Bioware Sex Controversy

Back in 2008 a game called Mass Effect sparked controversy when over zealous bloggers accused the game of being a 'rape simulator' with 'fully explicit digital nudity' deliberately targeted at 'children'. Gamers and the gaming industry tried to stand up for the games artistic merits but were largely ignored (Fox News "se'xbox" 'debate').


Now it seems that Bioware and EA have caved in to the pressure or perhaps deliberately moved to prevent further controversy by dumbing things down. Bioware's new game, Dragon Age: Origins, is a role playing game set in an epic, dark fantasy world, a world that comes alive thanks to its well thought out world building, and compelling characters. After reading the two Dragon Age novels, Stolen Throne and Calling, my expectations for the game were very high. Then I saw this video. Y'know what? NOTHING throws off my suspension of disbelief like seeing characters have sex in their underwear... actually, maybe seeing two girls in a fantasy setting wearing IDENTICAL LINGERIE does.


When characters had intimate relations in Stolen Throne and Calling it made me wonder what kind of effect it would have on their relationships, and their situation. It made me think what it might mean for the story. When I play Dragon Age: Origins I will be thinking how stupid it looks, and how stupid it is that these companies have sold away their artistry for the media's hollow threats.

I find it offensive that in this day and age I am subjected to this ridiculous censorship.

(Images Courtesy of ign.com)

Halo Encyclopedia

I really like the Dorling Kindersley (DK) visual dictionaries. Its great to see the fantastic artwork and visual style of such iconic works as Star Wars, Pixars movies, Transformers, and now Halo, brought to the page in full colour glossy large format.

Getting caught up in the 'feel' of a game can sometimes render the beautiful art design as a grey blur, in fact good art design will always do this. Good art design will enmesh one so completely in a game world that a zen like state of complete oneness may be achieved. As the bullets fly, alien battle cries ululate, and war machines tear up the battlefield, there is no time to stop and smell (or visually take in in this case) the roses.

After saving the universe, its good to go back and take a look at just how beautiful everything you saved is. It can be easy to forget that every plant, every rock, every tree, weather, water, fire, every character movement, twitch and facial expression was crafted by the hands of talented artists. Every chunk of metal flying out of that tank you just blew up was meticulously brought to life by a visual effects artist.

And I haven't even started on the insights a reference like this can bring to the fiction of the universe...

Keep your eyes peeled for the guy in green with the can do attitude, due later this month.

Elder Scrolls: The Infernal City

I enjoyed Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. At least until my incredible vampire powers could no longer keep up with the enemy characters. The scaling enemies in the game rapidly become invincible if you spread your skill points to thin. I never finished the game, maybe I'll go back to it someday.

Or maybe I'll just move onto the next installment, Elder Scrolls V, a game which had its existence confirmed by the the announcement of the new Elder Scrolls book, The Infernal City.

The cover art is great to boot.

The Infernal City is due at the end of the month, and I'll post a review here once I've read it.

EVE: The Empyrean Age

I was in my ship when it happened. Reading the news feeds, I set my autopilot for the Malkalen System. I saw the damage wrought by the Gallente Nyx class mothership after it rammed the Caldari Ishukone Corporation station. Plumes of flame projected out into space from its rent decks. Hundreds of fellow pilots were also in the system, bearing witness to the devastation caused by just one capsuleer.

This event, a turning point in the history of EVE online, was but a minor part of the massive upheaval that swept the galaxy of New Eden. Seemingly unrelated events rocked the known universe, as old rivalries reignited, and old wounds reopened.

EVE: The Empyrean Age, chronicles the chain of events that shook the galaxy to its foundations, and created a new environment of capsuleer led warfare between New Eden's major power blocs.

The sweeping narrative is guided by the tales of individuals, who for varying reasons find themselves caught in the storm of events, and the decisions they must make when faced by the shadowy forces driving the galaxy to war, and finally questioning everything that is known about mankinds place in New Eden.

Empyrean Age is a fantastic novel, throwing you deep into the lore of an incredible universe, continuing the EVE Online tradition of fantastic worldbuilding see here for EVE's online fiction. A great read, whether for an EVE Online pro-capsuleer, or anyone who needs a new galaxy to explore.

Halo Chronology

Chronological listing of Halo media:

Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear

Halo: Primordium by Greg Bear

Halo: Forerunner Trilogy 3 by Greg Bear (forthcoming)

Halo: The Cradle of Life by Bungie Studios (web comic)

Halo: Contact Harvest by Joseph Staten
Halo Wars: Genesis by Eric Nylund and Phil Noto (only with Halo Wars: Limited Edition)
Halo Wars by Ensemble Studios (game)
Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund

Halo: The Fall of Reach by (Marvel Comics)
Halo: Cole Protocol by Tobias S. Buckell (takes place during the events of Fall of Reach)
Halo: Reach by Bungie (game)
Halo by Bungie (game)
Halo: The Flood by William C. Dietz (takes place during the events of Halo)
Halo: First Strike by Eric Nylund
Halo: Graphic Novel
Halo 2 by Bungie (game)
Halo 3: ODST by Bungie (game, takes place during Halo 2)
Halo: Ghosts of Onyx by Eric Nylund
Halo: Uprising by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Marvel Comics)
Halo: Landfall by Neill Blomkamp (short films)
Halo 3 by Bungie (game)

Halo: Glasslands by Karen Traviss

Halo: Glasslands Sequels by Karen Traviss (forthcoming)

Titles that don't fit in the Chronology:

Halo: Evolutions (short story anthology)
Halo: Legends (short animated film anthology)

Halo Graphic Novel (Comics collection)
Halo: Helljumper (Marvel Comics collection)
Halo: Blood Line (Marvel Comics collection)
Halo (Film, dead in the water)

This chronology will be updated as information becomes available. (Finally got around to updating it!)

Stolen Throne (Dragon Age)

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne by David Gaider

Stolen Throne sets the scene for the new Bioware videogame Dragon Age: Origins. After two generations of Orlesian oppression, the people of Ferelden rally around the young prince Maric, his friend and mentor Loghain Mac Tir, and his warrior betrothed Rowan. Maric leads his army of rebels in a desperate fight against the forces of the Orlesian usurper, King Meghren.

What I've Been Reading

What We've Been Reading is a monthly component of Galaxy Bookshop's Nexus Magazine. It is a brief ('bout 50 words) description of a title that a staff member has read recently. Any that are relevant to the topic at hand will be posted here.

First Post!

Welcome one and all to Game>>Worlds, home to as much info on video, computer, and role playing game fiction as I can process and reinterpret for your reading pleasure, with a smattering of media related fiction, and some vanilla sci-fi-fantasy to boot.

Stay Tuned for articles on both old titles and upcoming releases!