My honour is called loyalty!

Review Deathwing - Anthology

2012-02-09T09:58:00.002Z

Title - Deathwing

Author - Anthology

Year - 1990/2002

Stand Alone or Series - 7 short stories

Pages - 288

Reading Time - October 2011 to February 2012

Synopsis

In the nightmare future of the 41st Millennium, galaxies burn in the fires of eternal war. Fighting for its very survival, humanity must battle a myriad heretical alien races, but the most dangerous enemies of all are the former champions of mankind itself, perverted by the foul taint of Chaos.

This classic science fiction anthology was first published by Games Workshop in the late 1980s and richly deserves its cult reputation. Finally made available once more in this expanded edition with three new tales, it includes superb dark SF stories by Storm Constantine, William King, Neil McIntosh,, Charles Stross, & Ian Watson.

Review

This book had two printings. First by Boxtree in 1990 with only seven stories and the latter with nine. Those two short shories I reviewed here

This was an anbiguous book with great stories and some who I didn't enjoy. Some die-hard fans would say I am heretic and who cares, right?

1) Deathwing by Bryan Ansell & William King - This tale is where Deathwing company was born. Here we learn what Deathwing is all about*. Here we also learn that the Dark Angels were based on the american indians. This particular tale involves Genestealers infesting on one recruiting feral world and how they cope with it. It's quiet good and gave me another perspective from the Dark Angels. Later fluff the Dark Angels are presented as consumed with the pursuit of their fallen brothers called Fallen Angels, even sometimes putting them in the path of other chapters or the Inquisition. Because of it they are eyed with suspiction. Top notch story. 8/10

*Info: Deathwing and Ravenwing are two companies within the Dark Angels

2) Warped Stars by Ian Watson - This tale was possible one that I must read in later time to fully compreehend. In this tale we set of as Inquisition, with Grimm (the squat that is part of the retinue of Jaq in the Inquisition Trilogy) and a Ogrynn bodyguard with the help of loyalist chapter Grief Bringers are set against The Enslavers (a psychic sentient beings). Interesting tale. I won't give any rating since I am waiting to read it again.

3) Lacrymata by Storm Constantine - This tale is about the perils of the Warp as a Navigator and an Astropath deal with the calling of the warp. There are something that draw them to it. It's like that phrase that we are Children of Light but we are drawn to Darkness because deep inside we are chaos. This phrase says it all and if you don't get the meaning as Nietsche "if you stare into the abyss long enough the abyss stares back at you". Maybe with time the writer could have developed more this story. 7/10

4) Monastry of Death by Charles Stross - I didn't knew he wrote a story for black library and it was a good story with a great plot and twist in the end. This tale we follow a invasion/colonization from a Imperial Fleet to bring another planet back to Terra's dominion. Of course, the planet residents don't want that but a frontal war is foolish so a compromisse must be met. 8/10

5) Seed of Doubt by Neil McIntosh - This tale is the weakestof the collection. I really didn't understand what was happening and I didn't care. It was the main reason I stop reading these tales. 3.5/10

6) Devil's Marauders by William King - It was one of the best tales of the anthology. Almost worth reading the book because of it. In a jungle wars a group of imperial soldiers led by an Commissar are fleeing from an area that is going to be torched from the fleet above. After some minor conflicts they arrive to an area knowing that their work is not done. With a short story, King made a good character development. Great interaction betweeen the characters. This is another example of why William King is the best writer in BL. 9.5/10

7) The Alien Beast Within by Ian Watson - In this tale we follow Meh'Lindi before she was integrated within Draco team. This tale we learn how and why she was morphed with a genestealer DNA. Meh'Lindi. To anyone who read the Inquisitor War Trilogy I would reccomend reading these two short stories becasue will give depth to the characters even if it's not required to do. 7/10

Review: Aylmer Vance: Ghost-Seer by Alice & Claude Askew

2012-02-08T23:15:00.003Z

Title - Aylmer Vance: Ghost-Seer

Author - Alice & Claude Askew

Year - 1915

Stand Alone or Series - Anthology

Pages - 127

Reading Time - December 2012

Synopsis

The Aylmer Vance stories date from the Edwardian period, and there are echoes in them of the Sherlock Holmes adventures which had proved so popular in the preceding decade. The friendship between Aylmer Vance and Dexter is not unlike that between Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and the two investigators approach the world of the supernatural in the same fearless and enquiring spirit in which Conan Doyle's heroes approach the world of crime. The parallel is not exact: Dexter, with his clairvoyant powers, is a more useful (and intelligent) ally than Watson, and Vance for the most part does not 'solve' mysteries the way Holmes does. What we get instead is a loosely-connected series of stories in which surprise is the major element, a world where not all ghosts are bad, where it is not always clear whether they are ghosts, and where being dead may for some be better than being alive.

Review

This is a compiliation of short stories published on the verge on the year of the First World War. We met Dexter and Aylmer Vance as they are on a Inn on vacations. Dexter becomes interested on Aylmer stories and each night he tells him one. Seanse, Ancient Gods, Ghosts, Vampires, Possession, Haunted Castles and so on. All the requisites for a good anthology of Gothic stories.

1) The Invader is a story of a session of spiritism séance that goes wrong. An husband distress to find out who did belong some ancient bracers ask his wife to be a vessel for an ancient princess. After some seansés something goes wrong and the wife is possessed by a spirit who doesn't want to leave. He then tries everything at his dispossal but to no avail. The ending is quite dramatic leaving the husband killing his own wife and then commiting suicide. Here Aylmer has a small part on this story. Most of it he is telling what happenned to their friends and not participating.

2) The Stranger: tale about love between a girl and an old being of the wilds. In the end we learn that that being may be a ancient god. Again these tale as minor intervation of Aylmer and the plot itself. This was one of the most interesting tale on this book.

3) Lady Green-Sleeves: This story is about the meeting between Aylmer and a ghost in a ball. Only in the end he discovers as she dissappears. Quite good.

4) The Fire Unquenchable: a poet return from the grave to finish his poetry by sheer possession of his wife. In this tale we learn about Dexter clairovyan powers.

5) The Vampire: This is one of the best tales of this lot. A curse that makes someone of that bloodline to "consume" other. It's quite nice tale and it's the first Aylmer solution is to destroy the castle so the curse can be cured.

6) The Boy of Blackstock: Another tale that Aylmer almost doesn't have any part except being there.Villanious human and ghosts competing "who's the worst". It was in my opinion one of the worst of the lot.

7) The Indissoluble Bond: Another weak story in my opinion and not that frightful tale. But interesting. Love and Hate.

8) The Fear: This tale supposedly is quite frightfull but it isn't. Suposedly there is a castle where at some time of night a terrifying aura surrounds it and we get a fear that almost kill a person. Again... "Destroy the place".

To whom I would advice this book? To anyone who wants to try reading Edwardian/ghotic tales. Very interesting. If you want a frightful story of horror then... no.

Review: Conto da Ilha Desconhecida - Saramago

2012-02-08T10:44:00.003Z

Para Saramago até que está muito interessante este livro. Nunca fui nem nunca serei um aficionado por ele. Não gosto como ele escreve, o que ele pretende transmitir aficionado(sinceramente irrita-me que queira transparecer em todas as histórias algo comunista ou algo politico).

Mas esta história, embora uma critica, é bastante interessante. Fez-me lembrar de como pensamos e vivemos a nossa vida. Existem conversas interessantes e rápidas.

Sinceramente, gostei. Fiquei surpreendido pela positiva com este pequeno conto. Acho que se pode tirar N moral desta história. Uma que eu tiro é: Por mais que alguém que te diga que tal não é possível, nunca desistas. Fá-lo apesar de todo o mundo dizer o contrario. Ou como o provérbio diz.. "Nunca singas uma multidão" e finalmente... Abre os braços ao Universo.

Sendo um pequeno conto, aconselho-o a toda a gente. Há muita filosofia por detrás. Só lendo percebem.

Review: Rage - Stephen King

2012-02-08T10:03:00.000Z

Title - Rage

Author - Richard Bachman (Stephen King)

Year - 1977

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 211

Reading Time - September 2011 to February 2012

This was the first book printed under the name of Richard Bachman. In my humble opinion is not that good BUT is not without merit. A good main character and plot but....

Synopsis

Here we are presented with a boy (Charlie) who is being expelled because of an iccident. He snaps and gets his weapon from the locker and go to a classroom where he kills the teacher. As another teacher is arriving at the door he shoots him as well (these are the two only victims from Charlie).

After this Charlie tries to talk to his classmate and here we are presented with a clear situation of Stockholm Syndrome as most of the students stand beside him. As the siege continues outside Charlie starts his own "psychotherapy" group as most students tell him and him to them about their various secrets. There is a try by the police to break the siege and Charlie is hit on the chest but the locker from his lockerroom saves him. In the end, there is only one student (Ted) who is held against his will and as he tries to escape the rest of the classroom bearts him. In the end Charlie release all students and the police enter and Charlie feign that he has a gone on his pocket and the police shoot him.

In the end we read two letters. First from the court that found him not guilty but clearly insade and so he locked on a sanitarium and a letter from a student that befriend charlie and says that all outside are rooting for him.

This was an itneresting read but I didn't enjoy it. Something was missing that I can't put my finger on it.

Apart from this, Stephen King let the book fall out from print since there have been several shooting who have been found holding (or having read) this novel. 5/10

Ice - Tv Series (mini)

2012-02-05T22:41:00.002Z

Post Apocalpytic fiction min-series? AWRIGHT!

Besides... It was made in England? Double AWRIGHT!

After seeing it... Total disappointment (I was writing what a pile of crap but it's too ofensive)

First these series start with the why all happenened, the apocalpyse itself and then an post apocalpytic journey.

A small synopsis/review/critic whatever:

A scientist says that oil companies are evil and they are damaging the ice in the Arctic polar region. Nobody cares. Then he goes there to stop them and fail to do it. The Ice melt and the Gulf Stream collapse bringing a new Ice Age. Strangley enough it appears in a couple of hours and all uk dissappear beneath 12 meters of Ice.

Right! That would happen in a couple of hours. It's even more proposterous than the Day After Tomorrow.

Besides that the story it's... stupid. This scientist that is in Greenland when everything happened, helped by a woman fly in that storm and crash outside London where is wife, child, father and illegal immigrant are waiting. Of course the father sacrificies himself (I already knew it would happenend), of course the immigrant and the child fall in love, he get's reunited with them all, the woman who helps him die saving him... what else was "plausible"... hmm, oh yeah, band of pillagers are cordial and don't kill anyone, "only want what they have", plus the goverment is totally innapt but is able to save 30 million british in a couple of hours and the rest 40 million are left dying. Didn't I say that everything happens in 3 or 4 hours?

I only give him 2 stars. One for the grandfather heroism and another because the writer predicted that due to extensive immigrants the goverment would have to close it's borders. Everything was a waste of my time. How much time you ask? 4 Hours! The same time that would take to someone to arrive from greenland to england, that same england to be beneath dozens upon dozen meters of snow and ice, save someone with a gps and head south and live happily ever after.

Thoughts X

2012-01-24T12:22:00.002Z

Why do we stop readings the books we read?

In 2007 - I stop reading 2 books
In 2008 - I stop reading 7 books.
In 2009 - I stop reading15 books
In 2010.- I stop reading14 books
In 2011 - I stop reading 4 books

I've stop reading some books in the last couple of years that Ididn't go back. I really didn't care about them. Others I stop reading for a while holding them back to read them whenever I feel like it. I am trying to finish some and I would like to finish everyone of them. I really don't like stoping at the middle, out of respect for the authors. Maybe someday things will change.

Some I really didn't care about the book. I was bored to death and trying for nothing like...

The Book with No Name: It's was a boring book without anything good in my opinion
The Devil's Day: Interesting theme but poor execution. I didn't care about any personages or story.
Knowledge of Angels: Boring book, boring plot, boring characters (one-dimensional if that's possible.)
Earth Factor X - Nothing good came out of it.I didn't even care what I was reading. I can't even remember the plot or characters.
Only Forward - Interesting Setting and Concept but not to my liking. I think the characters were a little weak.
Blood County - I must say... What? I didn't even underestand anything.
Blood Eagle - Maybe I will return but in the end was a poor executed book which didn't grip me to it.
Out of Ashes - Post Apocalyptic in their worst compenent. I really didn't care about any character or setting.
Mass Effect - Revelation - I really thought that would give something new about Mass Effect World. It did not and I really hated the book.
Age of Ra - I really didn't care about anything even if the Gods concept was nice.
To Challenge Chaos - Confusion, slow as hell, and poor book.
Jennifer Goverment - I enjoy the setting and plot but the characters were too weak in my opinion. Made me hate the book almost...
When the Wind Blows - I really like one of his book, the rest I gave up because all his books have the same pace and are boring as hell.
Un-Lun-Dun - Interesting concept, interestnig plot but the story itself was slow and the characters so strange that I didn't enjoy them so I gave up
Servatns of Twilight - I really wanted to read this book but I was boring myself to death.
Meat - Another good book but didn't captivate me. I want to try again.
Maiden of Pain - Started and after one month gave up. Trying again a couple of months later but I didn't work for me.
Star Wars - The Force Unleash. - Again I thought it would enrich the game I was playing. I was so wrong.
Planescape Torment - It read like the videogame without anything new.
Queen of Blades - I really didn't care about anything. I gave up
Impact - Intersting setting. Maybe I will return but probably not.

I will return. I must return.

Do android dreams of electric sheep - Boring book I must say. Maybe in one time It was good but I t was so slow paced that I am feeling bored
Flood - Enjoy the theme, the characters were not that good - Will return.
Northern Light- I found myself bored with almost everything but will return.
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix - With so many books out there why wasting 700 pages in one book I can see a good movie? but it's on my nightstand and I will finish and the rest of the books.

Desire - GROWLS - Beautiful

2012-01-24T00:26:00.001Z

You must see the music live. The sound is not that good. But listen to that GROWLS!!!!

That's why Desire is the Best Doom Metal Band in the world without question. No other band can make you feel despair, hate, sorrow, love in one music.

If you don't want to hear all the music just here the screams... At 06:00

TAKE ME BEYOND INFINITY!

IN YOUR MOONLIGHT WINGS

I WANT TO CRY OUT A LAST SCREAM

I WANT TO FALL ASLEEP AND DREAM

Totally fucking awesemoness...

As I hear the music now, happy, It makes me wanna smile. Beautiful.

If you want hear the not live music and listen to the lyrics... You will understand.

Review: Velocity - Dean Koontz

2012-01-22T22:52:00.002Z

Title - Velocity

Author - Dean Koontz

Year - 2005

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 495

Reading Time - 8 in January 2012

Well here we go again. Wherever you check you read that if you like Stephen King you will like Dean Koontz but that's just plain wrong. Dean Koontz is a good writer don't get me wrong. But he is not at the same league as King.

He writes small fast chapters (it reminds of James Patterson) with a quick and easy to-read story.

Then we you start reading it goes so wrong. Billy is a bartender who receives notes mainly on his windshield that makes him choose one of the choises. First he informs the police and somenoe dies, or if he doesn't another person dies. After the first two victims someone close to him is going on the spotlight. As the tale progress we see Billy trying to understand who is doing this.

There are some things that I don't understand.

- Disposing bodies in a place where nobody will notice. Who the hell have a bottomless pit in the backyard?

- He mistakenly dials 911 and the police comes to talk to him and even search his house. what?

- Someone cares to explain what his wife had? I didn't understood. I really didn't.

- A police officer gives information about an investigation via telephone without confirming anything?

- How could the evil-doer able to do some of the things he did? At some point he seemed quite tranquil. Not even bothering that billy had a weapon. Walking in his house without Billy noticing. And other things like that.

- And the ending. Wtf? Can't Dean Koontz end a book in any other way? That's the main reason I don't want to read any other book by him. Everything ends fine and everybody is happy. (Not even the consequence of disposing the bodies, saying in a telephone "Waste that bitch" and other things...

I think the book will slowly fade out in my mind. 5/10

Review: Crusade for Armageddon - Jonathan Green

2012-01-20T10:55:00.000Z

Title - Crusade for Armageddon

Author - Jonathan Green

Year - 2003

Stand Alone or Series - 1st in Black Templars duology

Pages - 280

Reading Time - 14days in September 2007

Synopsis

Battle-weary Marshal Brant of the Black Templars returns home after leading his Space Marines to victory through countless campaigns. But all hopes of respite soon fade when they find their planet, Solemnus, under savage attack from battle hungry orks. After a desperate struggle, Brant finds his forces are all but destroyed and the honor of the Chapter stained with blood. His vow for revenge takes him to the fiery shores of Armageddon, a sulphurous world synonymous with war, and into the heat of battle!

Review

This is the first book of a duology (or at least only two were written so far) set on Armageddon and if you know about 40k this is a world locked in constant war. This story is set on the third armageddon war that confronts the Imperial Guard and a panoply of Space Marine chapters against one of the biggest Ork armies to set foot on a planet. We follow the tale of a crusade fleet of the Black Templars chapter; probably the most zealous and dedicated of all Space Marines, as they hunt a ork warlord that destroyed their home planet. The follow him to Armageddon and instead of joining the war like other Chapters they go on their own quest. If you want a book with twists and such don't expect nothing here. This is a straightforward plot.

The tale is told in three prespectives. First the Black Templars, the other a Warlord Titan with Tyrannus Maximus (already damaged and alone on the battlefield) and the last a Steel Legion Imperial Guardsmen with an important information and trying to get back to HQ. The plot in then converge the three viewpoints into a single massive battle against a factory for the Orks.

Overall, nice book with great action but nothing that will make you want to read it again. Not the best printed by Black Library. But it's about the Black Templars Chapter so a must read for a afficionado. 6/10

Review: Ass Goblins of Auschwitz - Cameron Pierce

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000Z

Title - Ass Goblins of Auschwitz

Author - Cameron Pierce

Year - 2010

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 215

Reading Time - September 2011

This is the most bizarro book I've ever the displeasure of reading. I read it because I wanted to try this genre but it was just not good to my liking. Of course this book will appeal to others but to me it didn't.

The plot is quite weird (what?) we’re introduced to Prisoners 999 and 1001, conjoined twins attached at the ribcage. They are prisoners in Auschwitz which is run by race of aliens called Ass Goblins. These aliens abduct children from the neighboring planet of Kidland and throw them in Auschwitz in order to build bicycles and sex dolls out of other dead children. They receive a sadistic treatment by the ass goblins and at the same time avoid being chosen or else they will be turn to hard cider to the Ass Goblins to drink. The rest is for the other "children" to eat it. There are rectum fingering, a toilet toads that stick their long tongues up the asses of prisoners kids, cockrats, ass dolls and also experiments alike the nazi ones. The snow outside is made of "swastikas". The book resolves about the escape of the join twins and a couple of other children. 3/10

Review: Traitor's Gambit - Sandy Mitchell

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000Z

Title - Traitor's Gambit

Author - Sandy Mitchell

Year - 2009

Stand Alone or Series - Commissar Ciaphas Cain VII

Pages - 32

Reading Time - 1 day October 2011

This is a short story released by Black Library in one of their events. You won't get anything more here than other Ciaphas Cain novels. The plot was simple and direct (with only 32 pages we get only a small amount of information). We follow Ciaphas as Commissarial Liaison Officer to the staff of the Lord General as they arrive at the Deepwater System. Not a warzone but as to show all imperial citzens that they could count on the Imperial Guard. This is an almost mystery novel as we follow him to find out who the really enemies are and who's ploting against the IG. It's quite good but as I said before. Too small. 6.5/10

Review: The Kobold Wizard's Dildo of Enlightment +2 - Carlton Mellick III

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000Z

Title - The Kobold Wizard's Dildo of Enlightment +2

Author - Carlton Mellick III

Year - 2010

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 215

Reading Time - 13 days in October 2011

Synopsis

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY SOME DUNGEONS AND FUCKING DRAGONS?

The Kobold Wizard's Dildo of Enlightenment +2 is an absurd comedy about a group of adventurers (elf, halfling, bard, dwarf, assassin, thief) going through an existential crisis after having discovered that they are really just pre-rolled characters living inside of a classic AD&D role playing game. While exploring the ruins of Tardis Keep, these 6 characters must deal with their inept Dungeon Master's retarded imagination and resist their horny teenaged players' commands to have sex with everything in sight.

Featuring: punk rock elf chicks, death metal orcs, porn-addicted beholders, a goblin/halfling love affair, a gnoll orgy, and a magical dildo that holds the secrets of the universe.

Review

This is parody of all those dungeons and dragons books out there. A sexual parody I might say. We get to see the players (all young teens) and their made up characters and some NPC's created by a young deep troubled dungeon master. The made up characters are all that made up and as they are penetrated by the dildo they become aware of their "lives". Almost in every page there is a sexual action or hint and drawings made to look like a teen has drawn them. This is not a children's book and it's a good gift for any dungeon and dragon player because the normal view of a person about D&D players like Magic the Gathering is that they are a male frustated boy. Even if this is not true at all. Good funny book but not one that I will read it twice even if there are some beautiful elf looking girls in small garnements. The character development is done not without merit and the plot itself is too cliché. The sexual parts are almost all quite funny. I would give these book to anyone who plays Dungeons 7/10

Review: Draco - Ian Watson

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000Z

Title - Draco

Author - Ian Watson

Year - 1990

Stand Alone or Series - Inquisitor Wars I

Pages - 238

Reading Time - 22 days - October & November 2011

Synopsis
Forty thousand years in the future, the human Imperium struggles for survival against its relentless enemies. Inquisitor Jaq Draco uncovers a plot that threatens the psychic future of Mankind. Can he unravel the trail of con- spiracy before he himself is destroyed by its deadly clutches? Dazzling and frenetic, Ian Watson’s Inquisition War presents a unique vision of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Review

This was the first book written in the 40k world. We follow the story of Draco, a Malleus inquisitor, and it's odd retinue . A Squat (Grimm), a Callidus Assassin (Meh'Lindi) able to transform itself and a Navigator (Vitali Googol). There is also for a small brief of time the inclusion of an odd psyker. In the beginning we follow draco into a world (Stanlislav) besiege by genestealers (strangely at this time genestealers were not know to be a part of Tyrannid, or if they were nobody in the all book linked them together). In this world Draco must follow an inquisitor work and from here we jump from one place to another. The main story is Draco is investigating something odd that his happening within his own order. He travels to a Space Hulk, to the Eye of Terror and finally to Earth. This all betrayal was part of the Hydra plan. The Ordo Hydra is an extremist faction of the secret illuminati society. What they want is to link (enslave) all mankind at the orders of Ordo Hydra and with it they believe that it will be enough to destroy all that threatens it's survival,. The book ends with a cliffhanger. Some strange ancient words made the reading quite dificult. 8.5/10

Review: Death in the Clouds - Agatha Christie

2012-01-16T15:49:00.000Z

Title -Death in the Clouds

Author - Agatha Christie

Year - 1935

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone - Story of Herculae Poirot

Pages - 217

Reading Time - 5 days in November 2011

Review

This was an interesting read from Agatha Christie. An Herculae Poirot novel and one of the best so far. This tale takes place on a flight from France to England. There a murder occurs and the now retired Poirot gets to solve another mystery not because he wants it but because he is one of the suspects (even if the authorities don't believe he has done it).

As the story moves on we get to see a couple of that characters interactions and as other Agatha Christie's books not everything is at it seems. We have the clues but I didn't find out the killer. I guess a normal people wouldn't have found out. I really wanted to meet someone who have found out a killer in a Poirot novel with only the clues. Not guessing. But the clues. Looking back there are some hints that Poirot knows who the killer his from the middle of the book but only in the end, which is similar all other books, he joins all or a couple of suspects together to dramatize the plot and unveil the killer. 7.5/10

I have to believe in something...

2012-01-13T01:23:00.004Z

My hope is with Heart of Steel by Manowar

Build a fire a thousand miles away to light my long way home

I ride a comet

My trail is long to stay

Silence is a heavy stone...

I fight the world and take all they can give

There are times my heart hangs low

Born to walk against the wind

Born to hear my name

No matter where I stand I'm alone

Stand and fight

Live by your heart

Always one more try

I'm not afraid to die

Stand and fight

say what you feel

Born with a heart of steel

Burn the bridge behind you

Leave no retreat

There's only one way home

Those who laugh and crowd the path

And cut each other's throats

Will fall like melting snow

They'll watch us rise with fire in our eyes

They'll bow their heads

Their hearts will hang low

Then we'll laugh and they will kneel

And know this heart of steel was

Too hard to break

Too hard to hold

Stand and fight

Live by your heart

Always one more try

I'm not afraid to die

Stand and fight

Say what you feel

born with a heart of steel

But the rest... heart and mind are with Desire. My will to battle for life is in ruins and yet again with Desire... My Life is Desire....

(not of this song...)

My heart... My frozen heart
Is bleeding and crying
With our torn apart

You were the last scrap of life within my being
You tore up and eternal wound
You left me dying...
My heart burning in flames, for you,
For all eternity...

Chapter First - Objectives

2012-01-11T23:07:00.003Z

I can never end my damn objectives in reading material but last year I had an excuse.

But these year I have some new objectives...

Read 100 books
Watch at least one movie a week
Go to the movie theater at least once a month
Read at least seven books with at least 500 pages.
Read at least one book with at least 1000 pages
Read at least three trilogies.
Read at least 15 books published by Black Library
Read at least 5 classics

Lady Death - I Summon Thee

2012-01-02T23:21:00.001Z

Lady Death I summon Thee

Thou art Love

Thou art Desire
Thou art Salvation

Thou art Life

I love Thee, my Princess

I miss Thee, my Goddess

Thou art the one I always desire

I call to Thee - Come to me.

O sabor da tua boca

O echo do teu gemido

Tal amor levou-me a loucura

Meus elhos olhos perdidos nos teus...

Os teus belos seios

De puro mel,

Nús apenas com um véu

Onde eu dou beijos silenciosos

Apenas ouvidos pela lua

Lá em cima no céu...

Lady Death - Come to me.

Take me away

And let me sit besides you.

Lady Death Thou Art My Life.

May the Gods have mercy on my soul...

2012-01-01T12:04:00.002Z

So I am watching Smallvile in a episode that Lionel and Martha Kent are trapped and must escape a series of sick games of a mad-man and Lionel Luthor talks about a fail takeover of a company called APEX. In the same day I am watching the ending of an episode of Burn Notice and Bruce Campbell (don't know the character name) says that if he wants to make money he would bet on APEX. What are the odds?

Following this line of reasoning he would lose all money because the Apex firm went bankrupt ahah

2011 Review

2011-12-31T01:24:00.000Z

This was undoubtly one of the worst years of my life. Probably the worst. Personal things aside it was not also a good year of reading material. I've read almost half the pages of last year. So... This is something that I Want to change. So you can see, my average page per day was 45 against last year that was 74. had a goal of 80 so I get half. Bah...

Best books this year?

The Giver, Gathering Blue and Messenger by Lois Lowry.
The Long Walk by Stephen King
Pawn of Chaos by Brian Craig (Black Library)
Mark of Heresy & Mark of Heresy by James Wallis (Black Library)
Drachenfels by Jack Yeovil (Black Library)
Dead Men Walking by Steve Lyons (Black Library)
My Work is not Yet Done by Thomas Ligotti
Aylmer Vance: Ghost Seer by Alice & Claude Askew (One of the oldest book I've ever read. This stories were published before 1918).

Most of them I must make a review because unfortunally I messed up that too.
I've finish 58 books. 20 are from Black Library.

I really hope I can improve my performace. Reading, noawadays is my life. I can't fall on temptation of doing nothing.

Covers (2)

2011-12-13T18:06:00.001Z

How to profit and use the same cover in several books?

Review: Terry Pratchett - Discworld Graphic Novels

2011-12-11T16:38:00.000Z

I bought this book a while ago and after reading the first two novels in Discworld I read it so I could see whata Pratchett made me imagine. There are some things kind of strange... for what I learn there isn't set an age for Rincewind. In the cover of the novel he is depicted old but on the graphic novel he is young.that was odd. The graphic novel isn't that bad but it left out some interesting things mainly on the second part where the last battle is not the even the same. Either way it's a good book with funny moments that are presented also on the books. Quite good. I would advice it to anyone who have read the novels. To anyone else I would start on the novels.

Review: The Light Fantastic - Terry Pratchett

2011-12-11T00:26:00.000Z

Title The Light Fantastic (2st on Discworld)
Author Terry Pratchett
Pages 285
Year 1986
Publisher Corgi
Reading time 5 days (January 2010)
Rating 7.5 / 10

Review

This book follows the first book on discworld and it's the only one that has a direct sequel. All other books have the same characters but they can read independently. The first was The Colour of Magic (here).

In these tale we follow the (mis)adventures of Rincewind the Mage, Twoflower the first Tourist and it's faithful companion The Luggage. As the story progress we get to see Cohen the Barbarian which will later appear in other stories, Bethan a virgin to-be-sacrificed, Death with a minor role, Ysabell, his daughter and a couple of other characters like Herrena the Henna-Haired Harridan and the main antagonist Trymon the archmage.

In this novel we learn more about the Discworld, it's origins and goings, the Unseen Academy and other fantastic beings. There is some references to some fairytales that were done superbly.

The plot it's simple. A red star is going straight foward for Discworld and nobody knows what to do. The Mages think that the solution is the magic book Octavo and Rincewind with the help of the lost spell on this mind guides him. The all plot is quite good. In my opinion this sequel is greater than the first. 7.5/10

BC and AC

2011-12-09T15:07:00.000Z

There is a time in life when things changes... for the worst. And what do you do?
You start living again. It's difficult but that's life.

You live not because you want but because you are told that you must live or else other people will be sad. Fuck up life when you can't even be sad because someone will say "stop feeling piety for yourself".

To you all, who said that, Fuck You.

Desire Lyrics says it all....

Chapter XV: Torn ApartMy eyes shed tears
When I recall the saddest moment
Which filled me with sorrow
When I watched your going away...
Gone with the wind... Going away...

You parted, no word spoken
Without a tender beckoning
You left me sore
Handed over to grief's embrace...

My heart... My frozen heart
Is bleeding and crying
With our torn apart

You took in your hand
The autumn's tear
Spilt on the emotion
You caused by forsaking me

You were the last scrap of life
Within my being
You tore up an eternal wound
You left me dying...

And I told you...
That I felt this love was killing me
And pain was tearing me apart...
Forever I will long for you
In my silence... Silence... In my Solitude...
Solitude...

My silence... My solitude...

I will never forget that look of yours,
Pierced through my heart...

Chapter XVI: (Love Is) Suicide...
You were the last scrap of life within my being
You tore up and eternal wound
You left me dying...
My heart burning in flames, for you,
For all eternity...

I can't live without my life...
I can't live without my soul...

Love is suicide

Life begins anew, fuck up but it begins... And now I have BC or AC.

But you get the picture...

And a phrase of hope from the movie The Crow.... "Sometimes Love is Stronger than Dead" (Of course it's my own Death)

Life Changes

2011-11-19T12:09:00.000Z

The World is always in motion and life changes and evolves.

Sometimes it grabs you and fvck you.

I don't know what is life purpose and how can I lift me up from the floor.

So many things happened in my life... this is the worst year of my life yet...

I really don't understand why do I continue.

Maybe I should change, maybe I should dissapear.

Maybe I should be a Doom Eagle.

All of creation suffers. Only in accepting our own mortality can we make a difference. Only in bearing the burden of our failures can we find the strength to go on. Only in detachment from glory, or honour, or jealousy... from life itself can we hope to spare others from grief (and myself)

We are Doom Eagles. And we are already dead

But doing that the doom eagles do why should I live?

Life is worth living if you live for the future. If you hope for something and not living "Carpe Diem". I still believe in people and each day I do I get slap in the face. Fvck the World and fvck society. Maybe I should die because I don't belong on this hypocritic world where everyone only things on themselves. Life is not worth living like that. Fvck you all that say that.

Desire - Dark Angel Bird (A Poet Of Tragedies)

2011-10-16T21:05:00.001+01:00

Through the night... All night long...

A tragic croaking can be heard...

The voice of an angel keeps calling...

An angel with a bleeding soul is falling...

Dark Angel of melancholy

I am a cold tear of misanthropy

Dark Angel of suffering

I'm an angstfull whinning

You rant poems of pain

In a bitting elegy

Deep red is the color

Of your boundless agony

Dark Angel of melancholy

I am a cold tear of misanthropy

Dark Angel of suffering

I'm an angstfull whinning...

An angstfull... An angstfull whinning...

Dark Angel Bird...

The sadness in your chant

Is my own grief

A mournful melt of tears

Which arises as nightfalls

In your eyes... I behold the eyes of a soul

A soul with a bleeding heart

And nobody's love

My existence depends on yours

My... My soul is as yours

For... For you I cry

In the cold bare night

Take me beyond infinity

In your moonlight wings

I want to cry out a last scream

I want to fall asleep and dream

I am... I am the Dark Angel Bird... A poet of tragedies...

I am the Dark Angel Bird... I am the Dark Angel Bird...

Scratch with your deadly claws

Pounce well on, on my chest

Burial ground for autumnal invocations

Sanctuary for a broken love

Selfless I call for you

My soul bleeds for yours

For you I die... For you I die...

In the cold... In the cold... In the cold bare night

In the cold bare night... In the cold bare night...

Anjo de coração ferido

Como é triste o fim...

Sentir-me perdido

Morrer dentro de mim...

Das Aussterben (III)

2011-10-11T09:38:00.000+01:00

From Test of Twins by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (but this time I don't feel like Raistlin)

Raistlin drew closer. Kneeling down upon the still-warm ashes, he turned the figure over.

"Crysania," he murmured.

"Raistlin?" Her face was horribly burned, sightless eyes stared into the emptiness around her, she reached out a hand that was little more than a blackened claw. "Raistlin?" She moaned in agony.

His hand closed over hers. "I can't see!" she whimpered. "All is darkness! Is that you?"

"Yes," he said.

"Raistlin, I've failed-"

"No, Crysania, you have not," he said, his voice cool and even. "I am unharmed. My magic is strong now, stronger than it has ever been before in any of the times I have lived. I will go forward, now, and defeat the Dark Queen."

The cracked and blistered lips parted in a smile. The hand holding Raistlin's tightened its feeble grasp. "Then my prayers have been granted." She choked, a spasm of pain twisted her body. When she could draw breath, she whispered something. Raistlin bent close to hear. "I am dying, Raistlin. I am weakened past endurance. Soon, Paladine will take me to him. Stay with me, Raistlin. Stay with me while I die. . . ."

Raistlin gazed down at the remains of the wretched woman before him. Holding her hand, he had a sudden vision of her as he had seen her in the forest near Caergoth the one time he had come close to losing control and making her his own-her white skin, her silken hair, her shining eyes. He remembered the love in those eyes, he remembered holding her close in his arms, he remembered kissing the smooth skin....

One by one, Raistlin burned those memories in his mind, setting fire to them with his magic, watching them turn to ash and blow away in smoke.

Reaching out his other hand, he freed himself from her clinging grasp.

"Raistlin!" she cried, her hand clutching out at the empty air in terror.

"You have served my purpose, Revered Daughter," Raistlin said, his voice as smooth and cold as the silver blade of the dagger he wore at his wrist. "Time presses. Even now come those to the Portal at Palanthas who will try to stop me. I must challenge the Queen, fight my final battle with her minions. Then, when I have won, I must return to the Portal and enter it before anyone has a chance to stop me."

"Raistlin, don't leave me! Please don't leave me alone in the darkness!"

Leaning upon the Staff of Magius, which now gleamed with a bright, radiant light, Raistlin rose to his feet. "Farewell, Revered Daughter," he said in a soft, hissing whisper. "I need you no longer."

Das Aussterben (II)

2011-10-05T09:44:00.003+01:00

-Como prossegue a guerra Joachim?
-Conseguimos repelir mais um ataque contra a fortaleza mas isto está a ser cada vez mais dificil.
A batalha por Nord Vale prosseguia há varios meses e cada ataque apenas mais um teste aos defensores. Cada ataque mais uma pedra ruia. Em tempos os defensores tentaram sair da fortaleza e atacar mas fora um ataque louco. Os invasores eram mais numerosos e poderosos. Ganhariam a batalha ou por ataques consecutivos ou apenas por esperar que os defensores caissem.
-porque não atacam eles e acabam connoso de uma vez? - questionou o outro soldado para ninguém em particular.
Pensando que seria para ele Joachim respondeu:
-Também tenho pensado nisso. Eles são mais numerosos e facilmente conquistariam esta fortaleza. Eu acho que se nos conquistarem acabam com aquilo que os define. Eles conquistaram tudo o que havia para conquistar. Somos os ultimos que estamos de pé. Se nos conquistarem eles proprios podem ser destruidos por guerras interiores. As varias facções iriam guerrear entre elas até nenhuma sair victoriosa e auto-destruirem.
O Outro soldado olhou atentamente para ele e abanou a cabeça.
-Talvez seja isso. E nós? Aonde nos enquadramos nisto? Vamos sofrer perdas e fome até não termos algo para lutar?
-Ou isso, ou desistimos. Até lá talvez algo mude. Uma ultima cavalgada da nossa parte e morreremos aos pés dos invasores ou siucidio em massa ou talvez a sorte divina meter-se-á na conversa e dar-nos-á paz. É como digo. Talvez tenhamos de existir para que eles também existam. Só o tempo dirá.

Das Aussterben (I)

2011-09-30T23:10:00.000+01:00

-You can't count on anyone to help you - said the Voice.
-Shut up! You do't know them as I do. - replied Sotan. - You are wrong. People can be relied upon if you know them.
-You are indeed a poor fool.
-Then leave me alone.
-No. I cannot and I will not. You are an interesting being. Full of notions that you don't fully understand. Pure and uncorrupted. How sweet will be to see it change beneath the real world. That's what I crave. That's what my people crave. To enter someones mind and leave with them as they enjoy and most importantly go through pain. There is no sensation more pleasant than to feel your pain. Feel you suffer beneath your supposed friends. Feel you fall beneath Their motivations and their self-preservation. You humans are worms. You all are egocentric.
-I don't believe - spat Sotan. - We are a people of sacrifices and love.
-You are selfish.
-And you are a pessimist and odious. I want you gone from my mind.
-Only when I'm fully sated. Only when I see you fall. For now let us think what must be done so you can release your shackles. The shackles they put it on you because your friends left you alone in the battlefield.
-They will come and then you'll be wrong.
-Poor fool. Alright let us say they will save you. Let us join our minds and escape.
-We are already joined... in "my" mind.
-Details...

As he tried to open the lock through a metal string he had found beneath the bed the Voice spoke:
-She will never miss you. Nobody will ever miss you.
-You lie.
-I do? Search your feelings. You know this to be true. I am inside your mind. You don't truly believe that she will sacrifice her life as your friends to help you.
Sotan stopped thursting the string into the padlock and sighed.
-I will escape on my own. Help me and stop destroy my hope or else you will never be fully sated.
A laughter echoed in his head so loud that made him giddy.
-Machiavellic. I will stop for now.

Smallville

2011-09-30T12:40:00.000+01:00

This is a wonderful series. No matter what anyone says. The concept of Clark Kent / Superman and it's transition it's something unique and very deep. His changes from a farm boy to a man-of-steel is portrayed nicely. It's sad that this series ended at the 10th season. There was so much they could give... I am not at the end of season two and the series are getting better and better....

Review: Heart of Rage (Audiobook) - James Swallow

2011-09-25T23:33:00.000+01:00

Title - Heart of Rage
Author - James Swallow
Year - 2009
Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone (Ties with the Blood Angels Saga)
Pages - 80m
Reading Time - April 2011

Being not an avid reader of audiobooks, and not wanting to start being one, I always listening these books with depritadion. First I am portuguese. My english is what you read. Reading I am as good as other english native. Unfortunaly I am not used to speak or hear so... I always have some fear hearing these books. I hear them twice always.

These tale follows a discovery of a tyranid bio-ship by the Imperial Navy and since it's valuable item in the war against them they call the Blood Angels. Our main characters are Brother Librarian Nord and Brother Sergeant Kale. From the beginning we learn that not all things are what it seems and someone knows more than they are telling them. After hearing these story I want to start digging in on the books he wrote. This story is more that Space Hulk adventure. We learn more about Blood Angels and their genetic taint.

The narrator and every character was voiced by Toby Longworth and he try to give them each own voice and maneirism but it was confusing. The sound-effects are good and not overdone as other books tend to do.

If you follow Blood Angels or 40k for that matter then listen to this audiobook but I think it's better to read it. And from what I know it's avaiable through BL Print on Demand book. 8/10

Small Reviews: Olde Library (13)

2011-09-25T21:33:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I review several books at the same time but my time is very short...

Antibothis is a short stories collection printed here in portugal but in english. Bizzare is the name I could give them but they are pretty weak. I read it but I won't advice it to anyone. There is a story or other that it's good but in the end it's not that good. 2/10

The Hound of Death by Agatha Christie is a collection of short-stories. Once again Agatha shows us why she is the master storyteller of Detective stories. In here you will find several situations. Again the supernatural is rpesented here. My favourite tales is the Red Sygnal, The Fourth Man, The Witness for the Prosecution and the The Mystery of the Blue Jar. 8/10

The Lightining Thief by Rick Riordan. I read this book last April trying to read it before seeing the movie. There are some differences. First and foremost their age. Supposedly he is 12 years old but in the movie he has like 17 or 18. Annabeth is the worst case being 25 at the time of casting. At least she looks 17/18. But it's a big difference. At least Alexandra Daddario is as cute as it you can get. Then the movie suck because almost everything was made simpler. I was hooked up as Percy arrive at the camp and how he coped with everybody else. The greek gods references is also another great point to the story. I will read the next books and will give a better large review. 7/10

The Time Machine by HG Wells. A piece of fiction from another time. When science fiction was almost anything you wanted. There was no science fomr most things so you could write about anything and marvel the masses. Nowadays SF is another thing. You've got a dozen branchs but almost none are so innovating as Wells or Verne where on their days. The Golden Age of SF (and the Silver Age) have passed. But on this book in particular is a tale about time traveling. And what a journey it is. I really enjoy reading about the main character and the Morlocks. A fine tale that anyone should read it even if in the end they don't enjoy it. After all we are used to Star Wars, Star Trek or Avatar and now reading this novel is like seeing a movie from the 30/40's. The movie made last decade is also a good movie. Check it out. The book itself will not be for all people...

Review: Camouflage - Joe Haldeman

2011-09-18T21:45:00.000+01:00

Title - Camouflage
Author - Joe Haldeman
Year - 2004
Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone
Pages - 289
Reading Time - June 2010

This was my second time to a book of Joe Haldeman. First was the “Forever War” even if I didn’t finish I was liking the book. This book takes another turn and unfortunally I am not in favor of it. After some deep-ocean salvaging our protagonist (Russell) is approach by Jack (a retired naval officer) to retrieve a mysterious oval object in Samoa. There is a second storyline as we follow an alien that has being around since the beginning of time. This being is called a changeling and he has taken form of marine animals from most time. In the 30’s he takes the form of human to learn more ‘bout them. There is another alien called the Chameleon and this one has been around from the stone age.

I think that Haldeman gave much importance to this being and the main plotline was not as developed. This characters were in my opinion weak. In some way the alien appeared more human than the humans themselves. It remind me of Data from Star Trek.

After the first couple hundred pages we get to see the meeting between both immortal alien being and humankind. There is a little suspense in the end and in my opinion was the best part of the book.

Overall I didn’t enjoy the book that much. It’s a nice, fast read but besides that it isn’t nothing new in my opinion. 7/10

Review: Giantslayer - William King

2011-09-18T21:33:00.005+01:00

Title - Giantslayer
Author - William King
Year - 2003
Stand Alone or Series - Gotrek and Felix Seventh novel
Pages - 320
Reading Time - June 2010

This is the seventh book by William King about Gotrek and Felix and the last one written by him. Nowadays Nathan Long is on top of Gotrek and Felix books and Ulrika spinoff after Vampireslayer. Trollslayer (here); Skavenslayer (here), Daemonslayer (here), Dragonslayer (here), Beastslayer (here) and a short story called Redhand's Daughter (here); Vampireslayer (here)

This story begins in the elf lands as the magical energy needed to maintain Ulthuan is being bled off and if nothing is done Ulthuan is destroyed. Gotrek being a Dwarf doesn’t care about elves so good riddance to them. But Teclis the mightiest of elf magicians tells him that if he doesn’t help him the mountains that the dwarves so much enjoy are going to be destroyed as well. So help is needed and the three of them go through the Paths of the Old Ones to battle whomever is tapping on the magic. This is my first reading about the magical Albion. I know a novel of Orfeu is passed there and after reading this I want to read more of it. It’s a magical place where fog engulfs all. It reminds me a music by Bal Sagoth called “As the Black Moon broods over Lemuria”. The tale as I said goes to Albion (a place that remind me of Britain/Scotland from the time of the wars against the romans) where Gotrek and his new found allies battle orcs to the climax where they battle a giant (thus the name) and two mages from a previous book (Beastslayer) called Kelmain and Lhoigor.

I really enjoy Gotrek and Teclis interaction because they both hate each other race. After all one of the most important wars on the Olde World was between them. I really urge you to read the first tales because 1. they are good and 2. Each follows the last one and 3. They are all good.

There are some things that upset me like Snorri and Max that are presented on the beginning of the book and then they are discarded. I really enjoy Snorri.

Would I recommend this book? Of course yes. But in my humble opinion to enjoy the fullest read the previous six books. 8.5/10

Review: Vampireslayer - William King

2011-09-18T21:28:00.002+01:00

Title - Vampireslayer
Author - William King
Year - 2001
Stand Alone or Series - Gotrek and Felix Sixth novel
Pages - 319
Reading Time - December 2008

The Vampire Slayer is the sixth book about Gotrek and Felix. I am will not dwell on Gotrek quest because if you have being follows the series you will know and if you haven’t then I recommend to read the first books before. Or if not possible read Daemonslayer. The best book written by William King and probably the best book on the Warhammer setting (alongside Gilead’s Blood). If you want these are my previous reviews... Trollslayer (here); Skavenslayer (here), Daemonslayer (here), Dragonslayer (here), Beastslayer (here) and a short story called Redhand's Daughter (here)

This book it follows Beastslayer after the battle that put Praag against the beasts from the chaos wastes. Almost a quarter of the population lies dead and another quarter is expected to die since winter is coming and hunger and disease at it's footsteps. After some corpses drained by blood Felix is suspicious of what’s happening. Meanwhile Adolphus Krieger (vampire) and Roche (henchman) have being trying to get hold of a talisman called the Eye of Khemri. After Max springs a trap and rendered unconscious Krieger steals the talisman and kidnaps Ulrika. Max, Gotrek, Snorri, Felix and some Kislevites try to follow the talisman and thus Ulrika.

This book is a little different from other books written by him. In this book the main evil character his given a decent amount of time. Also I enjoy the love triangle between Max, Felix and Ulrika and in character development is quite good. This book is the first where hack and slash are in equal terms of characterization and plot development.

The ending is excellent and because of his choises, after 8 years Black Library commission Ulrika own series. That alone is worth reading this novel. In the end I was satisfied and anxious for the next book… Giantslayer.

William King is truly unique in this vast universe. Should I recommend this book? To anyone who wants to read about Vampires, Dwarves or like a good series. Start at Trollslayer. 9.5/10

300th Post

2011-09-16T00:46:00.000+01:00

Urra... 300 post. This journey began in 2006 and after five years what has changed? Nothing. Nothing at all.

Reviews, texts, thoughts, love and everything that matters to me.

Let us see what the future holds to me.

Elficidium - Paulo Gonçalves

2011-09-13T01:16:00.000+01:00

Elficidium

“- Negros seres das profundezas. Belicosos demónios do Abismo. Hediondos bestas do Inferno. Ouvide o meu chamamento. Outrora orgulhosos e nobres elfos agora jazem no chão. Ensanguentados e mortos. Sem membros e cegos. Protectores da vida e ordem dizimados sem piedade nem honra.

As flechas voam sobre nós em nome de Compaixão. Os punhais entranham-se nas nossas costas em nome do Caminho Correcto. As espadas cortam os nossos corações em nome da Piedade Divina. Maldito sejas tu Helvetto. As minhas lágrimas lavam o sangue das minhas espadas… A chuva jamais irá extinguir o fogo de ódio do meu coração…

Min Byzantin minha mestre, minha deusa. Nem tu eles pouparam… Encontrar-te amarrada, violada, humilhada e despedaçada… Que dor. Que vazio… Que os teus irmãos deuses te poupem na eternidade. Outrora Deusa do Mal redimiste-te perante mim e os Nobres Elfos. Perdoamos-te… Que o corvo te leve a alma para a eternidade via caminho da glória…

Wraith… fiel companheiro. Honrado Humano. Como tu existem outros da tua raça que são nobres. Infelizmente corrompidos por um deus ganancioso e vil seguem o caminho da destruição. Pois quando acabarem com os elfos e os outros seres para onde se virará a Inquisição? Contigo no meu negro coração jaze Alliana. Outra nobre humana que lutou por uma causa nobre perecendo com o veneno de Elmuth.

Vala’Kia… de todos os meus amigos, a tua morte, foi quem mais me doeu. Tu uma elfa de coração negro como todos os Elfos do Submundo, que me odiavas como a morte odeia a vida e sacrificaste-te por mim. Maldita sejas Vala’Kia. Não devias ter feito isso… a minha alma derrama lágrimas de sangue. Quem diria que tu serias capaz de tal acção. Odeio e amo-te. Que encontres a paz na morte que nunca tiveste na vida.

Ao meu lado ensanguentados Misha, Rydia e Steaya lutam. Kry’Tae de todos a minha melhor amiga… Matarem o teu marido e meu mestre de armas foi mais terrível que queimarem-me o peito com uma ferro. Olho para ti agora e nada vejo nos teus olhos. Apenas pura e branca raiva. Ódio. Fúria. Morte. Em breve tudo acabará.

Da outrora raça apenas restamos uma mão cheia de elfos e anões. Lutamos lado a lado. Em breve pereceremos e para sempre o conhecimento e magia ancestral desaparecerão connosco. Para sempre reinará as Trevas e o Medo. Para sempre reinarão os humanos.

Oh grandes forças do Inferno Eu apelo-vos neste mesmo momento agora que os meus irmãos estendem-se no chão. Concedam-me o vosso poder e eu passarei mil anos em dor e sofrimento. Eu sacrifico o meu coração e a minha alma. Se me concedeis força para vingar os meus amigos e povo. O tempo não será juiz nem carrasco do meu fim e queda. As lâminas na minha mão NigraFlamma e GelidaGladium cantam victória. Que tu NigraFlamma te tornes Funebribus. Que cada corte teu envie para o inferno as almas dos meus inimigos. Que tu GelidaGladium te transformes em Tenebrarum. Que cada toque teu envie dor imensurável e os condenes para toda a eternidade no tenebroso vazio.

Pelo Fogo, Pelo Ódio, Pela Espada, Pelas Trevas e todo o Inferno eu invoco todas criaturas que alguma vez negaram a luz e comando-vos a matarem tudo o que vive. Fúria e Agonia, Victória e Morte. Pelas sagradas palavras eu invoco-vos:

R'acan Ahalgana chamiabac ahalmez ahatocob tocapa chiamiaholom ahchami."

O dia transformou-se em noite. O sol que anteriormente ardia no seu poiso agora esconde-se por entre as nuvens. A Lua brilha como nunca outrora brilhara. Nos céus portais vindos de todos os cantos do inferno abrem-se e milhares de demónios, guerreiros e outros seres indescritíveis são cuspidos.

Outrora os Nobres Elfos que sempre lutaram para preservar o bem e a Ordem invocam os seus mais odiosos inimigos. Traição gritam os seus antepassados. Vingança gritam os sobreviventes.

Nyx, outrora um belo elfo com o seu cabelo prateado e os seus cinzentos como o gelo do árctico. Agora um demónio. Nos seus olhos apenas a Morte vivia. As suas espadas que dantes tinham um contorno azul e vermelho respectivamente agora negras como a noite sem estrelas. Um uivo e lançou-se sobre os inimigos.

Medo.

Cada movimento e um humano caía em agonia.

Misha e Rydia juntaram forças e lançaram o mais potente feitiço. Das florestas todos os restantes animais vieram em auxílio. Ratos e esquilos. Pombos e Pardais. Veados e Javalis. Lobos e Ursos. Com a natureza a morrer a sua força vital já diminuta Exaustas tombam sem vida. O trovador Steaya toca a sua flauta incentivando e redobrando o esforço dos já cansados guerreiros.

“Nascido para ser o Defensor da Pátria.

Nascido para ser chuva dando vida.

Nascido para ser o leito de um rio.

Nascido com o sangue de um selvagem lobo.

Para ser a Chama da Esperança.

Para ser Ele mesmo entre as almas perdidas…”

O ataque de Nyx e os restantes guerreiros redobra enviando para a perdição centenas de humanos. Terror invade os seus vazios corações.

“Os deuses colocaram as espadas nas nossas mãos,

O vento vira a chama do destino na nossa direcção,

A Derrota é maior que a Morte.

As Lágrimas de crianças doem-nos mais que feridas.

A Fé une-nos. A Cruz jamais irá substituir as florestas e o livre céu.”

Quando o ódio primordial invade a alma de um ser, esse mesmo ser já está morto. Quando Nyx proferiu aquelas malditas palavras amaldiçoou-se para sempre. Nenhuma paz virá. Quando ele tombar irá para sempre sofrer os caprichos dos deuses do submundo. Cada dia será como uma vida. Cada dor sentida como nada anteriormente sentido. Todos os dias morrerá. Todos os dias voltará a vida para sofrer novamente. Mas mais terrifico que tal destino é a sua imortal alma. Para sempre condenada a permanecer sozinha… “Arima Bakarti Ibiltaria.”

Chacina.

“Duodecim hominum (elfos) horribilium sine deo,

Terror serpit inter perturbatos humanes, qui non habent tempus fugiendi” (1)

Nada nem ninguém consegue deter Nyx e os restantes elfos que ainda permanecem de pé.

“Contra eos dispelans transitu eius omnia res

Adesti cum omnia sua vi demum apparet...

Inundans sanguine inter ululatum belvae terram infra positam.” (2)

Um novo poder emerge… Só com maldade se derrota maldade. Temos de lutar o Mal com Mal. E se o Mal temos que ser para derrotá-los, então seremos. Que as nossas almas ardam no inferno para todo o sempre. Que as nossas existências sejam vazias. Pela Natureza e o Equilíbrio. Pela Vingança.

“Humanes Resistentes Superavit.” (3)

Um novo Terror emerge… Um Avatar. E ele chama-se Nyx, o Destruidor.

“Elficidium!”

Esta história foi escrita 25/12/2008. Uma altura muito negra da minha vida... algumas das frases aqui foram retiradas de musicas que influenciaram a minha vida...

1. “Uma dúzia de abomináveis (Élficas) ímpias criaturas…

(O) Pânico espalha-se pelos perdidos humanos que não teem tempo de escapar”

2. “Erradicando tudo sobre o seu caminho

Ai vem ele revelando-se todo o seu grandioso poder

Encharcando de sangue o chão entre os gritos das bestas.”

3. “Resistência Humana Cai.”

Review: The Hour of Shadows – C.L. Werner

2011-09-11T18:06:00.001+01:00

Title - The Hour of Shadows

Author - C.L. Werner

Year - 2011

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone (Part three of three indepedent novellas about Storm of Magic)

Pages - 126

Reading Time - August 2011

Synopsis

“For thousands of years, the Golden Pool has been a source of malignant energy within the forest of Athel Loren. The wood elf spellweaver Ywain, secretly entrusted with the stewardship of this magical fulcrum, prophesises the coming of a terrible enemy to the ancient realm – even now, the undead hordes of the Black Seer Huskk Gnawbone approach. As the elves marshal their forces against him, the power of the pool grows and an eternal evil rises to corrupt even the very forest itself.”

Review

This was the third book released commissioned for the game expansion called Storm of Iron. The first's book review can be read here and the second here.

As you all are aware (the ones following warhammer) the storm of magic is a time when the winds of magic blow at their strongest and strange things happened. Mythical beast roam the lands, unholy alliances are formed (summoned) and magic-users are able to cast the most powerful spells.

This is the third novella and it was the best. It has briefly Tomb Kings and Bretonians and later and more importantly Skavens versus and Wood Elves.

The story begins as a aftermath of a battle that put wood elves, aided by Bretonia, against the Tomb Kings. They eventually win and parted ways. Skavens for a lower faction plundered the battlefield. Huskk Gnawbone, encounters on the battlefield a powerfull artifact that will eventually made him a powerful Black Seer. After two hundred years we follow a Grey Seer as he is tasked to encounter and kill Huskk. Of course being Skaven nothing happens as it should happen and he is captured and used by Huskk who wants the tap the power of the Golden pool deep within Athel Loren. Here a spellweaver (Ywain) receives a promonition that an attack his under way and asks for the help of the Guardian of the Golden Pool who tells how she must act and who she must ask for help. Here we learn more about Ywvain and a noble she is in love but being what she is, can’t happen without consequences. The ending is unpredictable and the battle between the skaven necromancer and his undead horde against the Wood elves and Athel Loren inhabitants (Treeman, Giant Warhawks, etc) is quite interesting. C L Werner weave a powerful tale and again we are presented a reason to make him the best writer in the Warhammer world.

Another thing that I enjoyed and just for that it’s a must have is the ways of Athel Loren. The author really knows how to make it alive and almost a being in his own right. He also talks about the balance that exists with the wood elves with other beings that make the forest their home. I thought that the wood elves rule supreme but that’s not true. The Wood Elves are considered with the denizens that they are the protectors but they do not own the forest.

Summary

The Third installment finish the story arc beautifully. Very good Herr Werner. 9/10

Review: Dragonmage - Chris Wraight

2011-09-11T00:10:00.000+01:00

Title - Dragonmage

Author - Chris Wraight

Year - 2011

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone (Part two of three indepedent novellas about Storm of Magic)

Pages - 124

Reading Time - July 2011

I've read Masters of Magic (here) by Chris and two short stories (here) and (here) and to me I think he is an excelent writer, and one that I enjoy reading.

This is the second book on the trilogy of novellas penned by three of the most interesting writers noawadays writing for Warhammer (Fantasy). The first was reviewed here These novellas links to the new expansion on the warhammer tabletop game called Storm of Magic where magic is running amok. Wizards are more powerful, giant beasts ravage the lands and everything can happened..

This tale is set on a island (Ulthuan) and on the Sea. Razumov was on plains/forest (Empire)and the sands (Tomb King lands), and the Hour of Shadows was in a forest/mountain (Athel Loren).

As the Phoenix King of the high elves nears death there are war on the horizont. After a disastrous battle both participants try to achieve the goal to become the next Phoenix King. Lord Rathien of Caledor seeks the aid of the dragon (even if he is not a dragon lord) and in other end Prince Valaris of Ellyrion aided by a naïve mage wants to harness the power of magic that will allow him win.

It's interesting as the chapters go and we see what each party is seeing. I really enjoy reading about the dragons and dragon fighting. We've got here some interesting battle scenes and the epilogue was very good.

In overall another great tale and in my opinion of the three there isn't one that is all that above other. They are equivalent and I enjoy reading them. Chris Wraight is great writer. 8.5/10

Review: The Langoliers - Stephen King

2011-09-09T01:52:00.002+01:00

Title - The Langoliers
Author - Stephen King
Year - 1980
Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone
Pages - 235
Reading Time - Started on March and ended on August.

Review
How can anyone say that this is a novella is strange to me. This is not a full lengthen book but with 235 pages it stands wrongly in the novella department. Now for the review... Of course, I've watch the movie and I enjoy it. I thought that reading the novel I would learn more about the Langoliers and personages. The Langoliers is a story about a flight that goes astray and when 10 people wake up they find out that anyone else is gone. First they try to reason what happen and after bouncing ideas they stop to fuel in Maine (where most stories King wrote take place).

The story behind the Langoliers is about a flight that goes wrong and 10 people wake up and find that everyone else is gone. First they try to reason what happen and after bouncing ideas they stop to fuel and that's where they found out about the Langoliers. There are some interesting characters. The blind girl and Mr. Toomey are both excellent characters. Besides them two the others are not that interesting. There are almost no twists but something’s are pretty good. The effects of being on the past are quite good. The food tasting wrong, the smell and even the effects on things like gasoline or even a pistol. This story reminds me of something that I watch on the Twilight Zone and that was something good. Being a story that I had already watched the book I knew what was happening. There are some parts that the movie doesn’t tell us and some of them are quite important to make the book be better.

Mr Toomey and Dinah characterizations are what saved this book in my view but I also think that this is a solid tale by Stephen King. This book that I am reading has four novellas so in due time I am going to read the next three. Unfortunately I’ve watch some criticisms toward the latter three… let us hope they are unfounded.

Summary

Why should I read it? If you fail to watch the movie then go right ahead. But, if you have watch them movie I advise to keep away. 6.5/10

Review: Population Zero - Wrath James White

2011-09-05T01:04:00.000+01:00

Title -Population Zero

Author - Wrath James White

Year - 2009

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 105

Reading Time - August 2011

Synopsis

An intense sadistic tale of how one man will save the world through sterilization. When Todd was just a child, he learned that sometimes it was necessary to sterilize or euthanize animals in order to keep their population from growing too rapidly. It was the humane thing to do, the best thing for the environment. Yet, every day at his job at the Welfare Department, Todd sees the dregs of humanity multiplying unchecked, overburdening the earth with a tidal wave of waste, abuse, and cruelty. But if he can convince them not to reproduce, if he can convince everyone to voluntarily sterilize themselves, then he might just prevent the coming population explosion. And those who can't be convinced... Population Zero is the story of an environmental activist named Todd Hammerstein who is on a mission to save the planet. In just 50 years the population of the planet is expected to double. But not if Todd can help it. From Wrath James White, the celebrated master of sex and splatter, comes a tale of environmentalism, drugs, and genital mutilation.

Review

From time to time I read a novel that suprises me. I read Drachenfels and I was suprised by the tale. I cursed myself why I didn't read it before because it's excelent. The Mark of Chaos or even Pawn of Chaos are another examples. These were nice books that I would recommend to anyone who like fantasy or a good book. But this novel I wouldn't reccommend to many people... mayhaps my girlfriend.

To summarise, this book got blood, sadism, castration, force abortion, psychopaths, world problems and dozen other things. Each chapter would scare someone that I know. From the first killing, to the first "birth" procedure or even the killing of the infants. Most people I know would burn this book with each passing chapter.

I like the book but I don't want to read it again any time soon. The novel (novella) is divided in twenty-four chapters each with four of five pages. We follow the descent of Todd to dementia as he tries to "help" society. First is just words as he tries to make men and woman from lower society of america become sterile, sugestion abortation an such. Then he goes up another level as he begins to makes the procedures himself. Then the killing began... Then comes the crazy part.

This novel is quite good as we watch him transform, as he struggles with his past and present and questions his actions.

One thing that made it more interesting is that this book was written by a african-american guy and even if Todd is white, he talks about the lower society of america as he tells us the problems with it such as overpopulation, people applying for funds instead of working, abortation and other such things.

The ending of this tale was my least favourite part. I didn't enjoy how it ended. I really hoped for more and it was anti-climatic. But it didn't spoil the all reading experience.

Summary

To whom I advice? As I said. to my girlfriend and to anyone who enjoys gore, bizarre and isn't easily touch by some graphic images of babies being cutten from their mother wombs and such... 8/10

Review: Let the Galaxy Burn - Warhammer 40k Anthology

2011-09-05T00:37:00.003+01:00

Title - Let the Galaxy Burn

Author - Several

Year - 2006

Stand Alone or Series - 38 Short Stories

Pages - 766

Reading Time - August and Setempber 2011

Rating - 8/10

Summary

Featuring stories by Barrington J Bayley, Mark Brendan, Andy Chambers, Ben Counter, Jonathan Curran, Robert Earl, Matthew Farrer, CS Goto, Alex Hammond, Jonathan Green, Simon Jowett, William King, Graham McNeill, Andras Millward, Chris Pramas, Neil Rutledge & Gav Thorpe.

By popular demand, we’ve gathered up the best SF short stories ever written for the Black Library into one massive volume, and added some brand new tales! Warhammer 40,000 fans will be keen to get their hands on classic stories that have been unavailable for some time, and all readers will enjoy the exciting and varied range on offer in this high-value volume

Contents

Almost of these stories were presented on the first anthologies they printed (Dark Imperium, Words of Blood and Into the Maelstrom. I have yet to read Words of blood but I won't be reading it from here because the font is too small for my feeble eyes. Of course they added a few so everyone needed to buy. They are divided not in books but on themes which is nice.

1 WE ARE THE SPACE MARINES, THE CHAMPIONS OF HUMANITY

Words of Blood (from Words of Blood)

The Black Pearl (here)

Angels (here)

Unforgiven

In the Belly of the Beast (here)

2 SUFFER NOT THE ALIEN TO LIVE

Hellbreak (here)

Small Cogs (here)

The Fall of Malvolion

Children of the Emperor (here)

Deus ex Mechanicus (from Words of Blood)

Business as Usual (from Words of Blood)

3 ONLY IN DEATH DOES DUTY END

Salvation (here)

Hell in a Bottle (here)

Tenebrae (here)

Daemonblood (here)

Know Thine Enemy (here)

4 INNOCENCE PROVES NOTHING

Nightmare (here)

Ancient History (here)

The Tower

Loyalty's Reward (from Words of Blood)

Raptor Down (from Words of Blood)

5 FOR THE EMPEROR!

Defixio (from Words of Blood)

Ancient Lances (here)

Ork Hunter (from Words of Blood)

The Raven's Claw (here)

Emperor's Grace (here)

Acceptable Losses (here)

6 BURN THE HERETIC, KILL THE MUTANT, PURGE THE UNCLEAN

Pestilence

Barathrum (from Words of Blood)

Suffer Not the Unclean to Live

The Lives of Ferag Lion-Wolf (here)

Playing Patience

7 KILL THEM ALL!

Snares & Delusions (here)

Apothecary's Honour (here)

Unthinking Justice (here)

Battle of the Archaeosaurs (here)

The Wrath of Khârn (here)

Into the Maelstrom (here)

Unforgiven - Graham McNeill is another story about the neverending hunt for the fallen dark angels. As you all know they hunt their fallen brethern fervoulsy and above about anything else. That's what make them interesting. This story is nice but it's nothing from out of this world 6.5/10

The Fall of Malvolion - Dan Abnett - Now this is a story. It's one of those stories that can make you buy a book just for it. It's a story about some imperial forces who are trying to evacuate the world of Malvolion. The last two pages are one of the best written pages I've read from 40k. 30 space marines from the Lamenters chapter fall on the planet to help the imperial guard and if in the beginning they start to turn the tide the end if beautifully portraited. Nothing can stop the Great Devourer. It was nice to see the image that the IG have of Space Marine. God-like unstopabble killing machines. The ending is perfect. This is another story that tells us why Dan Abnett is the best writer in Black Library and shouldn't never stop writing fiction for it. 10/10.

The Tower - C S Goto - This tale as odd but suprising good. In one part we follow a sanitiser in his day by day at the tower where he works. It's another good detective/psycological story. It was interesting to see the daily life and also how the system works. 8/10

Pestilence - Dan abnett - Another great tale by Mr Abnett. In these tale we follow Higher Administrator Medica Lemual Sark as he travells to an asylum hoping to find a cure to a plague. This is another great tale and I don't know why but as I read it I was reminded of Shutter Island. 9.5/10

Suffer Not the Unclean to Live - Gav Thorpe - This was an different story. We follow the life of a preacher in a world were slaves are mutants. This preacher goes to the settlements to help the needed and there he makes aquaintence with an rebel who wants to make a revolt because they are dying of a plague. It's quite nice story and the ending was also quite good. One think that I wonder is that all other books the preachers, holy man of the Imperium, are always distrustful of mutants and even ogryn are seen with suspicious. It's nice to see that here that don't apply. In the end this story was nice reading. 7.5/10

Playing Patience - Dan Abnett (Whem I read Ravenor)

Summary

Would I advice this book to anyone? Yes. This book is a good start to anyone who want to enter the warhammer 40k world. It's got Imperial Guard, space marines, chaos marines, inquisitors, eldars, tyranids, orks etc... Almost ever single race is presented here. And one thing is for sure... you can make your own asset if the Imperium of Man are the good guys, bad guys or... grey. That's the real treat to anyone reading warhammer 40k. Everyone thinks something different of it....

What D&D character am I?

2011-08-31T00:22:00.000+01:00

True Neutral Human Druid (3rd Level)

Ability Scores:

Strength- 11

Dexterity- 13

Constitution- 12

Intelligence- 16

Wisdom- 15

Charisma- 10

Alignment: True Neutral- A true neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. He doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most true neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil after all, he would rather have good neighbors and rulers than evil ones. Still, he's not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way. Some true neutral characters, on the other hand, commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long run. True neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion. However, true neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of conviction.

Race: Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Class: Druids- Druids gain power not by ruling nature but by being at one with it. They hate the unnatural, including aberrations or undead, and destroy them where possible. Druids receive divine spells from nature, not the gods, and can gain an array of powers as they gain experience, including the ability to take the shapes of animals. The weapons and armor of a druid are restricted by their traditional oaths, not simply training. A druid's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast.

Alignment:

Lawful Good ----- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (21)

Neutral Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (22)

Chaotic Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)

Lawful Neutral -- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (21)

True Neutral ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (22)

Chaotic Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (20)

Lawful Evil ----- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)

Neutral Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (14)

Chaotic Evil ---- XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)

Law and Chaos:

Law ----- XXXXXXXXX (9)

Neutral - XXXXXXXXXX (10)

Chaos --- XXXXXXXX (8)

Good and Evil:

Good ---- XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)

Neutral - XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)

Evil ---- XXXX (4)

Race:

Human ---- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)

Dwarf ---- XXXXXXXXXX (10)

Elf ------ XXXXXXXX (8)

Gnome ---- XXXX (4)

Halfling - XX (2)

Half-Elf - XXXXXXXXX (9)

Half-Orc - XXXXXXXXXX (10)

Class:
Barbarian - (-8)

Bard ------ (-4)

Cleric ---- XX (2)

Druid ----- XXXX (4)

Fighter --- (-2)

Monk ------ (-15)

Paladin --- (-17)

Ranger ---- (-2)

Rogue ----- (-4)

Sorcerer -- XX (2)

Wizard ---- XX (2)

http://easydamus.com/character.html

Review: Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

2011-08-28T00:45:00.000+01:00

Title - Fahrenheit 451

Author - Ray Bradbury

Year - 1953

Stand Alone or Series -Stand Alone

Pages - 227

Reading Time - August 2011

Rating - 7/10

Fanhereit 459 it's an odd book. I can't figure if I liked it or not. I enjoy reading a book about alternative history, dystopian and post-apocalpytic fiction and this one inserts alongside "1984", "We" or "Brave New World" but this one is a little difference. The author doesn't focus much on the politics and briefly we are told why the world change the way it change but even that is so scarce that it didn't quenched my thirst. In this point it was a let down. I really hope for more.

This edition have an introduction and afterwords by the author were he tells us a bit how he became a writer and how this book came to be. I always enjoy introductions by the authors specially the ones that try to explain something of the novel.

This novel was first published in a shorter form called The Fireman, later Ray tried to enlarge the story and by what I learn it was sold first to the playboy magazine. The title comes from the temperature need to paper to get burn which is at 450 degrees which gives around 850 Fanhereit degrees.

The main character is Guy Montag, a fireman (in this future he doesn't put out fires but instead is a book burner. We learn in the beginning of the (to-be)society full of hedonistic anti-intellectual. America is a lawless state where teenagers are violent and to other horrific grotesque pleasures like watching animals die. Reading is prohibit and anyone who is catch are put in a mental hospital and the books burnt (specially important authors).One day Montag meets a neighbour (Clarisse) with free-thinking ideals which makes him question his ideals and hapiness and life. Montag after arriving home and finding his wife full of pills and the "saving" by some technicians makes Montag question about society. In a following day they go to a house full of books where a old inflammes herself before the firemen do it. This also disturbed montag. In that "raid" he also snatch a book.

Montag calls for a sick leave and receives the captain of the fire team who explains the political and social causes that are tie in with their work.

We learn that the reason that there aren't so many books it's because society in search for hapiness and minimize cultural offences supress the literature through an act of self-censorship. He also says that all firemen passes what he is passing, even stealing a book out of curiosity. It's also implied that he knows montag had stolen a book. We learn eventually that Montag had been stealing books for a while having dozen books in the house. The reason is that he is trying to memorize the books but is failing the quest because the words escape him. He then remembers Faber, professor who helps him understand books but also with a ear-piece. He travels back to his work and after a card game they are called to a house.. Montag house. Here Beatty confronts him and tells him to burn his house because he knows of he's doing. Montag instead burns Beatty and runs away.

There is chase broadcast in TV as a spectacle (to distract people from on the oncoming threat of war). He goes to Faber house who tells him of vagabonds who roam the land and they are also book-lovers who preserv books orally. He escapes afterwards toward the river and the mechanical hound chasing losses his scent. He arrives at an encampent of these book lovers who make him watch in a TV that even if he escape another "montag" was capturerd and we watch the hound capture another person, probably scapegoat.

The book ends with Montag seeing bombers flying overhead and a nuclear explosion of the city he lived. Mildred died but Faber supposedly moves to another city. We are left with a optimistic ending that as a phoenix society must also rise from his ashes with the help of the book-lovers.

As I said, this book is a odd book. I liked reading and read it rapidly. But at the same time I hoped that more information about the society would have been given. But in overall I

understand it's value and why it seats along 1984 or Brave New World.

Recommend? To anyone.

Review: A Gathering of Crows - Brian Keene

2011-08-13T23:31:00.000+01:00

Title - A Gathering of Crows

Author - Brian Keene

Year - 2011

Stand Alone or Series -Stand Alone

Pages - 204

Reading Time - July/August 2011

Rating - 7/10

Brian Keene is no stranger to me. It's one of those authors that I follow and read each and every book he releases. I have three more to read in my house but I am yet to read them .

Almost every book he released is a continuation of the Labyrinth mythos he created. Starting with The Rising and City of the Dead, by far my favourite alongside with The Conqueror Worms and the short story novel that links with the first two books The Rising - Selected Scenes from the End of the World. Then we've got The Dead Sea, Urban Gothic and Darkness on the Edge of Town also have some shed some information bout this mythos. The only one that I think don't have nothing on this mythos is Castaways (but I could be mistaked).

Unfortunally for me I should have read Ghostwalk and Dark Hallow because on the most important characters here is also on those books. I will read them shortly.

This book focus more on the Labyrinth and for the first time we get a glimpse of what is the Labyrinth and what it stands for. We learn more of the mythos and that was a plus on this tale. The connection with the Ronoake incident is also a plus side. The rest of the characters besides Levi are well accomplished but as The Dead Sea and Urban Gothic I failed to connect with most of them. I think Keene is focusing on integrating some types of characters like gay and black people and in my opinion they are not that well done. Again those young white boys behaving like black folk. I mean in a small town in the middle of nowhere should this people exist at all? I don't know.

Besides that I really enjoy the comeback of a war veteran and his problems integrating the small community. I think that character was good. But Levi Stoltzfus, the ex-Amish Magus was in my opinion the only character likeable. The evil characters are also on their "best" behaviour and enter in the mythos easily. Top notch. If you follow Brian Keene then read this book because some questions are answered here. If you are new or just want a quick read then I advice you to head for The Rising and City of the Dead.

I think Brian Keene is slowly becoming on the most interesting horror writers out there. He writes fast-paced books with interesting lovecrafian beasts and some good characters. I really hope he continues to write in his mythos.

Top 100 books

2011-08-12T23:55:00.002+01:00

NPR recently released the results of its poll asking readers to pick the Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books. Of course this is not the official list of the one Hundred Top books Sci-Fi and Fantasy but it's as close as it gets.
Black Bold - I've Read the All Series
Red Bold - I've read partial
Orange Bold - I've got it but never read it (yet)
The ones in normal letters are the ones I don't have.

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide the the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
3. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
4. The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert
5. A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R.R. Martin
6. 1984 by George Orwell
7. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
8. The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
9. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
10. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
11. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
12. The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
13. Animal Farm by George Orwell
14. Neuromancer by William Gibson
15. Watchmen by Alan Moore
16. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
17. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
19. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
20. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
22. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
23. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
24. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
25. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
26. The Stand by Stephen King
27. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
28. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
29. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
30. The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman
31. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
32. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
32. Watership Down by Richard Adams
33. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
34. The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
35. A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
36. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
37. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
38. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys
39. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
40. The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny
41. The Belgariad by David Eddings
42. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
43. The Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson
44. Ringworld by Larry Niven
45. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
46. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
47. The Once and Future King by T.H. White
48. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
49. Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
50. Contact by Carl Sagan
51. The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons
52. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
53. Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
54. World War Z by Max Brooks
55. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
56. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
57. Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
58. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen R. Donaldson
59. The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold
60. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
61. The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
62. The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind
63. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
65. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
66. The Riftwar Saga by Raymond E. Feist
67. The Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks
68. The Conan the Barbarian Series by R.E. Howard
69. The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
70. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
71. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
72. A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
73. The Legend of Drizzt Series by R.A. Salvatore
74. Old Man's War by John Scalzi
75. The Diamond Age by Neil Stephenson
76. Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
77. The Kushiel's Legacy Series by Jacqueline Carey
78. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
80. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
81. The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson
82. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
83. The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks
84. The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
85. Anathem by Neal Stephenson
86. The Codex Alera Series by Jim Butcher
87. The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe
88. The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
89. The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldan
90. The Elric Saga by Michael Moorcock
91. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
92. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
93. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
94. The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
95. The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson
96. Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
97. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
98. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville
99. The Xanth Series by Piers Anthony
100. The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis

So I have read 13, but Î have most of them.... Oh my... I have so many books... :X

Review: Razumov's Tomb - Darius Hinks

2011-08-12T23:33:00.001+01:00

Title - Razumov's Tomb

Author - Darius Hinks

Year - 2011

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone (Part one of three indepent novellas about Storm of Magic)

Pages - 124

Reading Time - July 2011

This was my fourth story (second novella of Darius Hinks) First was Island of Blood here, then two short stories here and here.

This was an interesting read about a world a bit different from "our" Olde Worlde". Magic is running amock and many beasts, dragons and other beings are rampaging throughout the Empire. Bizzare plagues are stiring and it seems that there arent any safe havens. Even people are acting differently. And cat's are talking...

The reason? The Chaos Moon Morrslieb is closer and so it's influence is greater. But the Celestial College, pressured by the Emperor himself as an asnwer. The Grand Astromancer Caspar and his faithful apprenditice Gabriel must go to a place where an ancient mage made an atempt to be more powerfull harnessing the power of azyr. There they would try to continue the attempt and help the Empire. From this moment on we are inside the mind of Caspar jealousy of the young Gabriel which seems to know it all and likely the saviour.

There are other characters but they are not that desenvolped besides the previous mention and, Niclas the Reiksgraf of the Knights of Twin Tailed Comet (first time I heard of them).

The tale is told in several perpesctives (Caspar, Gabriel and Niclas) but also from the antagonists perspective. Besides the main plot line there are also two or three minor that intercede with the main plot. The setting travels from Altdorf to Schwarzbach and then to some Tomb King land and then back to where they start. The book ends as it begins with a chronicle from a "A History of Celestial Magic" book.

Overall, was an interesting read and another good story by Darius Hinks. 8.5/10

Review: Enemies & Allies - Kevin J Anderson

2011-06-30T13:37:00.001+01:00

Title - Enemies & Allies

Author - Kevin J Anderson

Year - 2009

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 303

Reading Time - June 2011

This was a surprising book. Superman and Batman were two of my favoritecharacters of DC Comics and when I saw this book in the store I had to buy it.I didn’t expect much of it but I was surprised… In a good way.

Enemies and Allies is 303 pages divided in 65 chapters each with only a couple ofpages. The narration is between Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Superman(Clark Kent & Kal-El). There are also some chapters that the narrationfall to Lex Luthor and Lois Lane.

Characterization

In my humble opinion Superman & Batman were done greatly neverleaving what I knew from the comics / movies and while based on comic bookreaders unfamiliar with the background of Batman and Superman will have noproblem following the storyline. Both heroes get theirown lights but make no mistake because this is a Superman novel with the help of Batman. But at thesame time we have more of Bruce Wayne than Clark Kent (or Kal-El).

Review

This book takes placein 1950 when the Cold War was beginning and the space program was also taking itsfirst steps and both characters were beginning their “careers” as heroes or morecorrectly Batman as anti-hero. There is plenty of background for someone whodoesn’t follow the comics and for me it was splendid. Some other readers whofollow both characters will experience boredom because of all the fluff theyalready know.

The plot is simple butthat didn’t take any interest on the book. Luthor, of course, wants to rule theworld or be its hero and every action he takes superman and batman are one stepahead. The first half of the book we learn about Superman and it’s alter-egoClark Kent and Bruce Wayne (Batman). Only at half the book they meet and onlyin the last couple of chapters they work together in their common enemy.

Throughout the firstpart Bruce Wayne tries to uncover problems within his own company and ClarkKent in his first steps as a journalist going from a love column to chasingaliens in Nevada and Area 51. At the same time Lois Lane was following is ownleads against Luthor. Luthor also get his own chapters and we learn about someof his own ideas and links to a Soviet KGB General. The first attack of Luthoris trying to earn more money with new technology, some of them stolen fromWayne Enterprises, as a defense mechanism against a potential threats. And how didhe do it? His allie in the soviet union send some false information to a coupleof generals and they send three nuclear warheads to the USA. With the warheads going and withno possibility of USA to destroy themLuthor would test his new weapons and save America becoming his new heroinstead of Superman and at the same time gaining some contracts with themilitary. But something goes wrong and Superman saves the world, yet again. Asthe book wents on Superman tries to uncover more of Soviet plans and it’s drawnto a place where a meteor had fall but unbeknowest to him the meteorite wasfrom his own planet and we all know what Kryptonite does to him right? He wascapture by the soviets and branded a spy and weak. With this Luthor sees theopportunity to unravel his second plan.An fictious alien invasion of spaceships and with no superman in the way hewould “save” the world. But Batman who was following some other leads helpSuperman escape and they travel back to America to save them from the “aliens”.At this point Lois Lane was following his own lead that led to a secret islandof Luthor near Cuba. There she communicates with the USA’s army and they send aforce to help but Superman arrives early and saves the day. In the end we learnthat both Superman and Batman know each other secret identities but swear neverto tell anyone.

Conclusion

Excellent tie-in conversionfrom a comic book to a novel. I know there are some out there in the market butI never read one or know about one. I learn that there are one written by thesame writer called The Last Days of Krypton. Maybe I will try acquire it.

Also I found interesting the view both personagens had of each other. There is a chapter were Superman debates with Batman about "How help humankind?". Superman doesn't understand Batman work as a vigilante. Batman explains that Justice is not the same thing as Law. And both things are indepent. Superman on the other hand believes in Law. That's why Superman is a Good Lawful Hero (if this was D&D) and Batman is a Good Chaotic. It was one of the best chapters.

To whom I advice it?

Toanyone who wants a fast novel to read in the train or anyone into comics andwant to learn more about the possibility of Batman working alongside Superman.And of course to all Kevin Anderson fans.

Thoughts: Superman or Superevil

2011-06-25T13:55:00.001+01:00

Superman couldn't bring world peace. He couldn't even bring safety to metropolis. There was someone commiting crimes. Batman couldn't either. Spider-man was a weakling as well. So what's the solution? Fight evil with evil mayhaps?

To bring peace someone must suffer. In these case criminal. So if a super hero could kill every major criminal peace would be obtained.

Long live Vlad Tepes! Fight Evil with Evil to Bring Peace!

Review: Thunder from Fenris - Nick Kyme

2011-06-25T11:06:00.001+01:00

Title - Thunder from Fenris

Author - Nick Kyme

Year - 2009

Stand Alone or Series - Audiobook

Pages - 80m

Reading Time - April 2011

As you all know I don't like audiobooks and even less e-books. I truly dispised them. Black Library launched a new short story about dark eldars and they made it only as e-book. I really want to read because they are my army and favoured race but I won't buy it until it's released as a paper book.

But audiobooks are another story. I don't like it but I read them because as I work (sometimes) I can hear music. This particular audiobook I heard twice. It was fantastic. I truly want to read in paper version but I can cope with these.

Review:

Space Wolves vs Zombies

How can this go wrong?

And I must say it didn't go wrong for me.

I like the voice of the narrator but unfortunally he doesn't change the voice very often between characters. I also felt that the special effects behind the audiobook were poor and was a little let down. But, fortunally Nick Kyme made a good story about Space Wolves that made all worth it.

The story begins in a strange cold enviroment akin to the Space Wolves homeworld. As they battle Nurgle's minions and help the Cadia Imperial Guard, they are searching for a missing brother who may have fallen victim of Wulfen Plague amidst a Zombie Plague that ravages the land. They are space wolves but they are part of an elite of the already elite space wolves called Thunder Wolves. This thunder wolves ride or fight beside big wolves from Fenris. These Wolves are the most dangerous animal on a planet full of monstrosous beasts.

The brothers then follow the carnifice wrought by the zombie plague and their missing brother. The Imperial Guard troops as they are infected they turn into a mindless zombie but the augmetic space marines are almost imnune to it. After some encounters with a friendly general and other chaos cultists (including Death Guard space marines) they encounter a daemon, probably the causer of all this plague. Here they do a titanic battle and are helped by their missing brother. After deating the daemon the brother yet again escape. They leave the place of the daemon and follow their brother but they encounter a fierce resistance and only one man stands and he wants to help his Wulfen brother. The audiobook ends with a clinfhanger never knowing what happens to either one.

The characterization is one of the good parts of the novel and we can see that as two battle brothers argue what's the best course of action after they encounter their fallen brother.

Conclusion

To whom I advice this book? To anyone. You don't need to know almost nothing to fully enjoy this book. The only advice I give you is to search for "Wulfen" state that befells some Space Wolves because the book doesn't fully explain what it is. And yes, there are zombies in the warhammer 40k and warhammer fantasy albeit a little different from the zombies from our "world".

8.5/10

Review: Fireworks - James A Moore

2011-06-23T16:02:00.000+01:00

Title - Fireworks
Author - James A Moore

Year - 2001

Stand Alone or Series -Stand Alone

Pages - 376

Reading Time - June 2011

Review

A spaceship crashes into a small city in the southern US of A and a branch of the army (or not) arrives and isolates the town. This is the premise and it was good.

The book is divided into three point of views. First a officer of Collier (the name of the city), then an intermission with a chapter with several characters points of view then it changes to a woman from that town for another couple of characters. Another intermission and the last POV is from the other side of the barrier, a guardsman who happens to had grown in that town.

I must say that despise everything it work alright. All stories are inter-connected and it gave a wider berth to the plot and view of what happened in that town. The book is well written and nothing is missing in my opinion in characterization or plot.

Unfortunally the only thing missing is the lack of knowledge that at the end of the book we have of the spacecraft that cuase all that.

James A Moore gives us is point of view of what covers the government can do and what we really know or think we know.

Of course, we know that there are somethings that the Government don't say to us and in this book we get it first handed. First a spacecraft crashes and the organization (later called ONYX) arrives and tells the world that it was a terrorism doing and it's closed for everyone sake. Then in the end we learn that this agency controls the media and everything else and they might not even being part of the government but apart. It's explicit that the president of USA doesn't know nothing about it and there are rumours of several crashes. Then we learn about some people that erases people mind and the rest are silenced and in the end everything is okay, the president gains votes because the army did good and the people of Collier (the ones who aren't dead) gain a new life without memories of the past. So what this means is that everything we know may not be truth. This book is to be included in the Goverment conspiracy theory range of books.

Now back to the book itself. After the initial set of rules imposed of the organization, the people of Collier starts to get resentful and later some of them revolt against it. There are also white supremecists who fight for freedom but at the same time James A Moore gives us gentle oppressors who don't like what they are doing to that town because they are taking orders from someone who they never seen it. In the end the space ship just escapes and all is for nothing. Terrible!

Conclusion

It was a good book for anyone who like a good politic book about conspiracy theory and also for psychological warfare. I also advice this book because the setting is simple but very nice. 8.5/10

Note: If anyone knows a good book about conspiracy theory say something.

Review: Mark Of Heresy - James Wallis

2011-06-14T14:13:00.002+01:00

Title - Mark of Heresy
Author - James Wallis

Year - 2003

Stand Alone or Series - II of a Duology (?)

Pages - 416

Reading Time - April & May 2011

This is the second book of a duology. I saw somewhere that there was a third book planned but it was never published. Instead these year Black Library released a omnibus containing the two books plus two short stories linked. The two short stories are prequels (or at the same time) of the first book. I found out that there was a book called Mark of Mutation but was never published. Unfortunally for us we never find out what happens to Karl Hoche in them.

So who is Karl Hoche? He is the main protagonist of this duology and what a character he is.

This is undoubtly one of the most interesting reads on the warhammer world. And why? Because James Wallis captures beautifully the grim dark atmosphere of the gothic world. The second book it's twice as good because there is so many conspiracies and sinister cults.

James Wallis was a co-author of Hammers of Ulric and that's it. I wonder why he stop writing books for BL since these two are very good novels. I found out later he was in the games industry but nothing more.

Review

This two books can be review at the same time because the second follows the events of the first. Unfortunally the second also ends with a major clinfhanger but nevertheless we never learn what happen to him or other main characters. Well, that's not so true. Valten and Huss story is well known but Hoche? I reviewed the first book here but I am going to make here a small synopsis.

In the first book we are presented with Karl Hoche an army officer as he uncover chaos cultists among the Knights Panther. After this incident he enters the Untersuchung, a secret organization inside of the Reiskguard. The following chapters we follow him as he pass some trials and difficults. The end of the first book he battles the Khorne cultists inside the Panthers Knight but later his organization his coined by the witch hunters as an heretic organzation and many are trial and sentenced to death. In the end due to an infection he is slowly turning into a mutant and so he leaves civilization and goes to the wild.

The second book returns after the first with Hoche living as mutant but nevertheless a chaos-hunter. After meeting some people he then tries to find some Untersuchung members living at large since they were all hunted or incoroportated into other factions. This book follows the beginning of Archon attack on the empire and how Huss found Valten and was helped by Loche. I am interested knowing how Chris Wraight is going to talk about this. This second book is even better than the first. Here is spies and counter-spying and triple or quadruple spies working for various factions. Even in the end there are some we never learn who they were or worked for. It's excelent. I never read anything so confusing as these and I loved it. Why? Because it's the way of society noawadays and even in the past. Everyone could be a chaos cultist or a secret organzation to help the Empire and even chaos Cultists fighting for the Empire. Every page turns rapidly as we try to figure out who is who and what happens to our heroes (or anti-heroes). We have some characters from the first book and some new. Unfortunally the only downside of the book is the clinfhanger. Why? We know what Valten did afterwards and Huss but not Hoche. I would like to know if Hoche accompanied Huss and Valten to fight Archeon or if he tried to hunt other chaos cultists that he knew about or even if he return to the wild so he could die in peace. I guess we will never learn because it's now 6 years and James Wallis never wrote another book.

Conclusion

If there is one book where we learn the spying world hidden from other books is this one. Usually the books are about some character as he tries to find something or fight someone. There are books about witch hunters against chaos but I never read one that dwelve so much into the politics and spying world inside the Empire. It makes you think everything you know about it.

The maxim of this book is "Trust no one" because it's true. Everytime you think you know about someone bang! something happens to him or he turns to be someone else.

Would I advice this book to someone? Buy the duology because they are only one book in my opinion. Go check Black Library website.

Small Reviews: Olde Library (12)

2011-06-03T16:33:00.000+01:00

Harry Potter

I've being watching the Harry Potter movies until the fourth and I always enjoy them. The books were a problem to me because I thought it was for children and it was damaging the image of fantasy. But I can't say something bad and not read it so I tried reading them and I was suprised. The first four books are good and most of them enrich the universe I knew from the movies. I am now reading for two months the fifth book and unfortunally I am not into it.

It's a phase. This last four months of the year are being awful for my reading and I am breaking records on the negative side on pages read by day.

Maybe I will try again on this weekend to end the fifth book.

Small Reviews: Olde Library (11)

2011-06-03T16:28:00.001+01:00

E-Book or not e-book.
Definetly not e-book. I tried. I really tried to read some e-books but it was awful. Trying to read it on my Samsung Galaxy was a awful experience. I will not read anything more there for years and years to come.

I tried some fan fiction called Chill, Kills & Snowflake, Spore, The Phantom Ship, It wails and Rise of the Zombies. Most of them were awful short stories. Only the last one had some good thing going on but I as I said. E-Books are not for me. When in the future I say I want to read an e-book freely even if I have a paperback someone shoot me dead because I will be insane or a parasit would be control me.

Small Reviews: Olde Library (10)

2011-06-03T16:19:00.001+01:00

Darkblade: Reign of Blood If Titan was the best from the comics from 40k this one did the same for the fantasy counterpart.What a character Abnett create. Malus Darkblade the infamous dark elf. This comic book was what started it all. The novels are great even if they were done by Mike Lee and not Abnett but I think Mike Lee makes him even better. There are some differences from the novels and the comics but that doesn't upset me. In some way it gives something more to look forward. The 5 novels published so far only cover a third of the comic so there is much to been writen now. From what I read in some blogs Mike Lee is coming back for Malus. Delightful. 10/10

Tales from the Ten Tailed Cat and The Call of Chaos are two comic books with short tales about the olde worlde. The first focus on every single type of beings and professions and the latter independent tales. They are both great I still remember some of them vividly. Unfortunally both suffer from the difference between writers an most important artists. There are some tales that could have been great but the paintings sucks it up. 7.5/10

Small Reviews: Olde Library (9)

2011-06-03T16:14:00.001+01:00

Looking back it's now five years since I've entered the Warhammer World. With 97 books read I am a third of the way. Of course I've read every single comic novels they made.

First Titan - God Machine This was my first perpesctive about what a battle with a Titan looks like and I enjoy it a lot. They battle chaos, orks and such other monstrosities and everytime they win. They have also battles against gigantic daemons and other small fiends. But the book is not all about war and carnage. There also the insight about the crew of a Titan and also the mechanics behind it. I really enjoy this book specially the mythos behind the Titans. The people on 40k really believe that they are alike-gods and indeed they are. Probably with a Titan I could conquer a country noawadays. Another thing that I still remember after years of reading is the link between the Princeps and the sentient Titan - Very revealing. I must read Titanicus by Abnett. 9.5/10

Kal Jericho is the only Comic book depicting Necromunda and one of the mythic characters from that world. There we see him, his sidekick and some allies. Interesting this character had some faults in my opinion. He was to light-hearted for all the situations he was in. But besides that it was the most comic comic (sorry the pun) of all books. I have some novels to read. Unfortuanlly only one is from Gordon Rennie and the reviews from the other books are not that good.

Review: Waiting Death (audio) - Steve Lyons

2011-05-30T14:02:00.003+01:00

Title - Waiting Death

Author - Steve Lyons

Year - 2010

Stand Alone or Series - Stand Alone

Pages - 80m

Reading Time - April 2011

Review

This story is the second I read by Steve Lyons. The first was Death World and it was a great story, follow by Ice Guard another good story.

This one we follow a group of Catachans (not the same from the Death World) lead by Colonel Iron Hand Straken as they find a village amidst the battlefield world. These village is untouched by all the war outside and it's people live peacefully. After some problems they relax with the exception of the commander. At night they battle a horde of mutants as they are ambushed but these mutants are somewhat strange because it seems they don't want to kill the Catachans. After some initial skirmishes the Colonel leads the mutants to the villagers where they kill the peasents. After the battle the commander and the catachans start to realize that nothing was what it seem. The villagers were the mutants and the mutants were Catachans. After a final battle between the Colonel and the main leader of the mutants he lays wounded on the battlefield telllings his memoirs and believing that his men are going to save him and we hear some men approaching him...

This was a nice tale but nothing grandeous. It was quick and interesting. I give 7.5/10.

Review: Dead in The Water(Audio) - Sandy Mitchell

2011-05-30T13:50:00.002+01:00

Title - Dead in the Water

Author - Sandy Mitchell

Year - 2011

Stand Alone or Series - Ciaphas Cain VIII

Pages - 80m

Reading Time - May 2011

Review

This was my 6th story by Ciaphas Cain. First was For the Emperor, Caves of Ice, Traitor's Hand and Death and Glory. I read Duty Calls but I have yet to make a review. It's one of the most interesting characters out there.

This is yet another tale by Ciaphas Cain and my opinion of the books mantain. It's neither the best nor the worst book released by BL. I heard it twice and still it doesn't gave anything new or interesting. I have heard four audiobooks from BL and this is the worst yet.

It starts like other books with a prologue or introduction by Amberly Vein and then the tale itself. Commissar Ciaphas Cain is a renowend hero of the imperium and at the same time one of the most cowards commissars in service. The tale begins with the introduction of the setting. A feral river world who needs to be pacified. Of course Ciaphas is on the back of the army and thinking he saw a way out he chooses yet he choose wrong. (Typicall on most books). What a bad decisor guy. The mission is that something is stirring on one of the many islands and he thinks it's easy way out of trouble... By his own words

The part when he travels in a boat is quite good (the sound of Jurgen vomiting and the sound of the boat give someting good) but the battle itself was not that good. There are some parts that make you think/smile (laught is a too strong feeling) like:

"If I had know what I was getting into I would grab my chainsaw and shout "FOR THE EMPEROR" to the nearest enemy fortification".

"Trusting on him on earth but He has more pressing work and he counts only on himself and that's why more pious man are dead and I am writing my memories"

The plot itself is one of the straightforwardest I have ever read on any warhammer or 40k world so nothing suspense there. The reading is quite good and for an non-english native I could understand easily enough. Usually this kind of audio dramas I read them twice (just in case). The voices are good and there is a difference from the older Ciaphas (who is telling the story) and the new ciaphas (who is in the tale) and for that a couple of points.

If you are a long time reader from Black Library and enjoy the warhammer 40k then it is good choice to hear but if you are new I must advice other audio dramas. Thunder from Fenris is a good start.

Unfortunally for me, I prefer books. These audiodramas are acceptable but usually I detest all this modern things. Computer books and such are completly forbidden in my computer. I won't reading it.

Rating: 4/10

Review: Realm of Chaos - Warhammer Anthology

2011-05-21T22:35:00.000+01:00

Title - Realm of Chaos

Author - Anthology (8 Writers)

Year - 2000

Stand Alone or Series - Anthology Fantasy (12 Stories)

Pages - 280 (Mass Paperback)

Reading Time - May 2011

Introduction

This was the first warhammer fantasy anthology that Black Library edited. Apart from Gav Thorpe, Jonathan Green, no other wrote any full lenght book. Jonathan Green is also gone from Black Library even if it has a short story in one of the latest 40k anthology featuring Black Templars.

Contents

Birth of Legend - Gav Thorpe

The Hounds of Winter - Jonathan Green (Review in The Dead and the Damned)

Hatred - Ben Chessell

Grunsonn's Marauders - Andy Jones

The Doorway Between - Rjurik Davidson

Mormacar's Lament - Chris Pramas

The Blessed Ones - Rani Kellock

Dark Heart - Jonathan Green (Review in The Dead and the Damned)

The Chaos Beneath - Mark Brendan

Paradise Lost - Andy Jones

Wolf in the Fold - Ben Chessell

The Faithful Servant - Gav Thorpe

Review

"Birth of a Legend" by Gav Thorpe is an good "first contact" kind of tale between Dwarves and Humans.

A tale of how dwarves met the mighty Siggmar, only fifteen years old, and how he came to have his holy hammer Ghal Maraz or Skull Splitter given by King Kurgan. It's probably one of the best stories in this anthology. Several years later Graham McNeil wrote a trilogy depicting Sigmar that I have yet to read. 8/10

The Hounds of Winter - Jonathan Green (Review in The Dead and the Damned) brings together spirits of legend on a spooky night at a remote inn. (Check the link above) 7/10

"Hatred" by Ben Chessel is about a sinister witch-hunter.It was nothing spectacular to it and I didn't enjoy. Okay so he turned. Now what? I really couldn't find this story midly interesting. 4/10

In "Grunsonn's Marauders" by Andy Jones, introduces us to his band of mercenary adventurers consisting of a Dwarf, an Elf, a Barbarian (Norcsa) and a normal human. Really?? And Elf and a Dwarf together? Right. They even care about each other... oh please... I thought this was going to be a Forgotten Realms story. Really. But it was not. It was not good. Somewhat funny but besides that nothing good. The plot is simple. They are task with retrieving a finger (yes a finger) from a place guarded by some powerful guardians. A twist in the end but nothing interesting. 4/10

The Doorway Between - Rjurik Davidson is tale was a good story. A witch hunter is tasked with something and another witch hunter appears to help him. It's a nice story but witch hunter are not mercenary... The battle with the champion of chaos was anti-climax. The end was good. Nothing spectacular. 5/10

Mormacar's Lament - Chris Pramas it was a nice tale. A high elf is capture by his dark brether Druchii and is improssioned in Hag Graef. There he plots to escape with a strange ally. A Norcsa raider. In the beginning they don't get along but after some trials the elf mourns for the norcsa as he sacrifice so the high elf can report to their kin that the dark elves are massing for attack. It's a nice tale but something was odd. How could the Norcsa see in the caves for several days? Very Strange. The end of the tale is very good. After dozen trials and battles he is killed by his own kin because he was dressed as a dark elf. Very nice! 7.5/10

The Blessed Ones - Rani Kellock brings us a tale about a robber who robs a painting for a unknown lord with strange malefic proprieties. Interesting tale. It gives "life" to it. 6/10

Dark Heart - Jonathan Green (Review in The Dead and the Damned)

The Chaos Beneath - Mark Brendan this tale deals with a witch hunter in the sewers of Marienburg and the rituals of the chaos cultists. It's a good tale. 6/10

Paradise Lost - Andy Jones another tale that follows Grunsonn's Marauders. In these tale they are stranded on a island which have some lizardman folk that look at them as gods. They are not the clever lizardman from lustria but stranded as the Marauders. It's better tale that the previous but nothing that would be considered today. 6.5/10

Wolf in the Fold - Ben Chessell brings us some cool story about a deadly assassin feared in the Olde Worlde. As he lay dying he begs for rependence. He tells a tale of werewolves and strange love. Very good tale. 7.5/10

The Faithful Servant - Gav Thorpe probably the best story on this book. A Sigmar warrior priest is the last standing man on a battlefield. His majestic horse died on him and he is laying there waiting for rescue. But the rescue is a dark champion of Tzeentch that makes him a question about his faith. There we find more about both particpants as the champion tries to convert the priest saying that either he converts or he will kill every habitant from Kislev to Aldorft. The priest thinks that maybe he fool the champion saying that he say he is to be convert but in his heart still praise Sigmar. A bunch of hounds of Khorne are descending and the champion says to him that if he grabs something from a dark god maybe they would spare you and he lets his unholy black sword on the ground. It ends with us thinking that he grabed it but never confirmed it. I think what is more important to die praising a god or to live praising the opposite? 10/10

Conclusion
A solid anthology with good books. Nice addition to the warhammer world. But maybe buy the anthology Tales of the Old World that has much of this stories in it.

Poema - Apenas Mais Um

2011-05-21T15:56:00.005+01:00

Apenas mais um

Caminhamos juntos á chuva

Sem ti apenas sinto dor

Em breve teremos a nossa casa

Aonde iremos viver o nosso amor;

Nossa casa, nossa vida

Muito brevemente minha querida

Seremos felizes como até aqui

minha querida, sorri.

Hoje fazes anos, é apenas mais um

Sempre bonita enquanto envelheces

Não tenhas medo, pois é como o vinho

Quanto mais velho, melhor.

Diverte-te e se feliz,

Vai querida que eu espero aqui...

Review: Red Thirst - Anthology

2011-05-21T14:50:00.002+01:00

Title - Red Thirst

Author - Anthology (6 Writers)

Year - 1990

Stand Alone or Series - Anthology Fantasy (6 Stories)

Pages - 226 (Mass Paperback)

Reading Time - April 2007

This was the third book released by Boxtree before being Black Library. Again the art is crude but good. Look at Gotrek. It doesn't look like an evil fearful looking dwarf but okay. It was the best they could do at the time.

Contents

Red Thirst - Jack Yeovil (Silver Nails)

The Dark Beneath the World - William King (Trollslayer)

The Spells Below - Neil Jones

The Light of Transfiguration - Brian Craig

The Song - Steve Baxter (Not Re-Released)

The Voyage South - Nicola Griffiths (Not Re-Released)

Review

The first tale I didn't read it. The second is on Trollslayer and it's the centerpiece on this anthology. Like the previous books. In these tale they travel to the mountains and battle goblins and a troll. These tale we learn more about Gotrek and Felix and how Felix got his sword. Nice tale.

The Spells Below by Neil Jones is a tale of a wizard, a young woman and a familiar. He being a wizard is considered a follower of chaos and she tries to make them see that he isn't. Another tale that could belong to Forgotten Realms.

The Light of Transfiguration - Brian Craig is a story about a nun and the temptation by some chaos relics. Quite dark and fully fit on the gothic world of warhammer. Again Craig gives the story something that reminds us of Poe. Nice tale about Shallya and how they work. Quite good.

The Song - Steve Baxter (Not Re-Released)

Another Halfling detective of some kind and his work by a sinister elf. Nothing that will make you think twice. Despensable on these tale.

The Voyage South - Nicola Griffiths (Not Re-Released)

Nothing spectacular that after some years I don't remember a bit.

Review: Wolf Riders - Anthology

2011-05-21T14:36:00.001+01:00

Title - Wolf Riders

Author - Anthology (7 Writers)

Year - 1989

Stand Alone or Series - Anthology Fantasy (8 Stories)

Pages - 236(Mass Paperback)

Reading Time - April 2007

This book was the second book edited by Boxtree a long time ago. Later was compiled with Red Thirst and Ignorant Armies) into The Laughter of the Dark Gods. Some stories were incorporated here , others belong to other books like Trollslayer and Silver nails and others were considered a breach in the current cannon and were dismissed.

Contents

Wolf Riders - William King (Trollslayer)

The Tilean Rat - Sandy Mitchell

The Phantom of Yremy - Brian Craig

Cry of the Beast - Ralph T. Castle

No Gold in the Grey Mounains - Jack Yeovil (Silver Nails)

The Hammer of the Stars - Pete Garratt (Not Re-Released)

Pulg's Grand Carnival - Simon Ounsley (Not Re-Released)

The Way of the Witchfinder - Brian Craig (Not Re-Released)

Review

This book had several good stories but besides them it was not an excelent book. Of course Wolf Riders is the best story on this book. This is the second story where felix gets in love and this time they battle not the chaos cultists of the first story but a goblin army with a band of humans. 9.5/10

There are other interesting stories but nothing that my mind will forget in a couple of months/years. Tilean Rat a parody of the The Maltese Falcon and has an halfling detective. This story didn't bring anything new to the warhammer world. An halfling detective hired by an elven lady to capture a rat statue. Interesting. The Phanton of Yremy by Brian Craig is another of those tales which I will soon forget. At least it passes in Bretonnia (the same happened on the previous anthology with The Gardener of Pavarron). It kind of remind me of Poe's mysteries and remind me that I must read Poe. Cry of the Beast is a werewolf tale that didn't catch the gothic warhammer feeling. Then a Jack Yeovil tale that I will read later on. Then Hammer of Stars and Pulg''s Grand Carnival didn't impress me as well. The last one was The Way of Witchfinder by Craig and it's a tale of Law vs Chaos. It' set on.... Bretonnia (suprised you there didn't I?) and it's a tale about old Bretonnia when it was full of corruption and things like that. Since then Bretonnia changed to a place full of shinning knights and so on. It's a good tale and pretty small.

Conclusion

If you love warhammer and want to read all stories then go for it. If you like warhammer but doesn't need to read all stories then skip these one. The Laughter of the Dark Gods has the best stories. (Along with Trollslayer and Silver Nails). The drawings are a nice touch and I am sorry that these new tales don't have them.