Are you ready for the first-ever online Black Library preview?
Around this time every year, Black Library fans from around the world normally converge on Nottingham for the Black Library Weekender. Obviously, that’s not possible this year – so we’re bringing the fun to you with some reveals on our Twitch channel and right here on Warhammer Community.
Over the next hour or so, we'll be joined by the leading lights of Black Library to offer a peek at some of 2021’s hottest books – including long-awaited sequels to some beloved series.
The reveals start at 2pm (GMT), but the show’s already begun, so join our hosts below – and remember, it's free to watch, and if you’re a subscriber to our Twitch channel you can join the chat!
2:00pm: The Siege of Terra Continues
Earlier this year, the Siege of Terra reached a climactic turning point in Dan Abnett’s Saturnine. Next year, the story of the war for the Throneworld continues. Here to tell you all about it is John French.
Prepare yourself for Mortis.
The Siege of Terra rages on in Book 5 of the epic series, Mortis. Horus’ greatest weapons – the towering war engines of the Titan Legions – are about to join the battle, and it's going to be apocalyptic. Just look at the astonishing cover art. Here’s what the book’s blurb has to say about the story.
You can catch up on the Siege of Terra so far in The Solar War, The Lost and the Damned, The First Wall, and Saturnine, along with the novella Sons of the Selenar. You can find the eBooks and audiobooks of them all on the Black Library website.
2:15pm: Return to the Dark Imperium
The Dark Imperium series by Guy Haley has been a firm fan favourite since its inception. Focused on the Plague Wars in Ultramar, it’s the closest look yet at reborn Primarch Roboute Guilliman in the 41st Millennium – and it’s continuing soon. Here’s Guy with what you need to know.
Here comes Godblight. The trilogy so far – Dark Imperium and Plague War – has been heading towards an apocalyptic confrontation between Guilliman and Mortarion. Check out the blurb, taken straight from the back cover.
Alongside Godblight, you’ll be able to pick up new editions of Dark Imperium and Plague War. Guy has revisited these novels to align with the epic events of the Indomitus Crusade – so they now dovetail nicely with the ongoing Dawn of Fire series.
This is a great chance to read them again and discover how Guilliman’s defence of Ultramar fits with the other battles of the crusade. And if you’ve not read them yet, this will be the perfect chance to catch up!
2:30pm: A Hero of Ultramar Reborn
For nearly two decades, Captain Uriel Ventris has defended the Imperium in the pages of Graham McNeill’s Ultramarines novels. He’s survived countless battles against deadly foes and even exile into the Eye of Terror.
Now comes his greatest challenge. Here’s Graham with the details.
Get ready to cross the Rubicon Primaris with Ventris in The Swords of Calth.
A consistent theme in Graham’s novels is Ventris’ past coming back to haunt him. The Swords of Calth looks set to continue that tradition as the undying armies of the necrons rise on one of the worlds of Ultramar. See what the book’s blurb has to say.
The Swords of Calth is hitting shelves in February as part of the Black Library Celebration – and alongside the novel, you’ll be able to add Captain Uriel Ventris to your Ultramarines collection for the first time with a stunning new model!
The miniature depicts Ventris in all his Primaris glory, clad in Mark X armour and bearing all the accoutrements of his office, including the white rose of Pavonis that he earned all the way back in Nightbringer.
You can experience all of Ventris’ previous adventures in The Uriel Ventris Chronicles Volume 1 and Volume 2, each of which contains three novels from the series plus related short stories.
2:45pm: Eisenhorn, and Ravenor, and Bequin, oh my!
It's the moment that you've been waiting for – a story nine years in the making.
Dan Abnett’s Inquisition novels starring Eisenhorn and Ravenor are among the most beloved of all Black Library’s series. We know you've been waiting for news of these two – well, you should DEFINITELY watch this next video, starring Dan Abnett himself.
That's right, Penitent is coming. And just look at the lavish special edition that's accompanying it.
Eisenhorn. Ravenor. Bequin. They’re back. Honestly, nothing we say here could do this moment justice, so we’ll move straight on to the back cover blurb.
The beloved characters of Eisenhorn and Ravenor return, as implacable adversaries in a novel of esoteric mystery, macabre intrigue, and vivid action, where the revelation of true identity could mean death… or might shake the Imperium to its very foundations.
Pariah has been out of print for a while, so the lovely folks at Black Library are also bringing you a brand-new edition, complete with snazzy cover art to match Penitent.
You’ll be able to experience both stories early in 2021. In the meantime, you can get the lowdown on Eisenhorn and Ravenor’s earlier investigations in the Eisenhorn omnibus, The Magos, and Ravenor: The Omnibus.
3:00pm: It’s Not Over Yet
You’ve seen new Siege of Terra, Dark Imperium, Ultramarines, and Inquisition stories. Can you handle any more excitement? Let’s hope so because it’s time to pass the baton to Black Library’s editorial overlord Nick Kyme as he shows off even more books in the video equivalent of the Black Library Weekender’s much-anticipated reveals seminar. Sit back and enjoy.
That's a lot of new books, so let's take a closer look at each of these forthcoming titles.
Alpharius: Head of the Hydra
A while ago, we hinted at the next Primarchs novel, and a whole lot of you correctly guessed that it was going to star the progenitor of the Alpha Legion. You were absolutely right – Mike Brooks’ Alpharius: Head of the Hydra is on the way.
As befits their shadowy nature, the Alpha Legion have rarely taken a leading role in the Horus Heresy series, and we know surprisingly little about them. Will this novel reveal all or shroud the XX Legion further in secrecy? Let’s see what the blurb has to say.
Sounds like Head of the Hydra will be exactly the sort of twisty-turny tale that Alpharius deserves. It’ll be out first in limited edition, followed by hardback, eBook, and MP3 audiobook versions later in the year. While you’re waiting, the rest of the Primarchs series is the perfect way to find out more about these mighty warriors, the sons of the Emperor.
Dawn of Fire: The Gate of Bones
Avenging Son charted the launch of the Indomitus Crusade and showed the first great battles of Primarch Guilliman’s campaign to retake the Imperium. Andy Clark continues the saga in The Gate of Bones.
With the Immaterium in turmoil, the crusade needs stable warp routes if they’re to reach worlds in peril. The planet of Gathalamor is vital for this reason – and it’s also a symbol to the faithful. It must be held… but that might be easier said than done, as you’ll discover in the story’s blurb.
You can prepare yourself for The Gate of Bones by picking up Avenging Son now and discovering how the Indomitus Crusade began.
Liber Xenologis
Ever wanted to know more about the inhuman enemies who stalk mankind across the stars? Darius Hinks is here to help, with a new background book all about the aliens.
Liber Xenologis is an in-universe tome, written from the perspective of the intrepid Rogue Trader (and hero of Blackstone Fortress) Janus Draik. Here’s what the book’s all about, in Draik’s own words.
Liber Xenologis promises to be an indispensable guide to the alien horrors of the galaxy. For more from Janus Draik, check out Blackstone Fortress and Blackstone Fortress: Ascension, as well as the audio drama The Beast Inside, all written by Darius.
Gitslayer
Gotrek Gurnisson’s been a busy dwarf (don’t call him a duardin – he doesn’t like it) since his rebirth in the Mortal Realms. He’s starred in two massive audio dramas, a plethora of short stories, and a novel – and now another book is on the way!
Gitslayer by Darius Hinks takes Gotrek into the Realm of Metal, but when grots interrupt his mission, he’s not going to turn down the opportunity to slay some greenskins. Probably an awful lot of greenskins, actually… Here’s the lowdown.
Those poor Gloomspite Gitz won’t know what hit them… Catch up on Gotrek’s rampages through the Age of Sigmar in Realmslayer, Blood of the Old World, and Ghoulslayer – and keep an eye out for a new short story starring the Slayer as part of the 12 Tales of Christmas!
Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh!
There are many mighty and infamous ork warlords across the galaxy, but none inspire as much fear and awe as Ghazghkull Thraka. You probably know his story from Psychic Awakening – but you don’t know it all. Not yet, at least. It’s worth noting that this one’s a while away, so we don’t have a full cover for it yet, but we’re so excited that we just had to tell you about it anyway!
Nate Crowley – who proved he understands greenskins in the short story ‘The Enemy of My Enemy’ – is telling the tale of the scourge of Armageddon, as related by the creature who probably knows him best. What creature could that be, you ask? The blurb reveals all.
All we can say is “Waaaagh!”. If you can’t wait to get to grips with Ghazghkull, try the audio drama Saga of the Beast. Sure, it’s from a Space Wolves perspective, but still. Mike Brooks’ Brutal Kunnin’ is another great read for any aspiring warboss.
The End of Enlightenment
The arrival of the Lumineth Realm-lords in Warhammer Age of Sigmar has seen aelves springing up on tabletops around the world – and sparked something of a pointy-eared renaissance in fiction as well. Richard Strachan is the latest to see the light with a new novel starring the scions of Teclis.
The End of Enlightenment pits the Realm-lords against the servants of Nagash, who dare to assault Hysh itself. As the aelves attempt to prevent a prophecy from coming to fruition, they find that destiny has its own plans. Check out a precis of the story.
Get yourself into the spirit (of the mountain) with more Lumineth fiction, in the form of Dale Lucas’ novel Realm-lords and the lead story in the Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm anthology, which is newly available to pre-order today!
The Book of Martyrs
The Battle Sisters of the Adepta Sororitas are among the devout defenders of the Imperium. Holy warriors whose faith can manifest as miracles, they are all destined to martyr themselves in the Emperor’s service. You’ll discover the tales of three such Sisters in a new novel made up of three interlinking stories.
Danie Ware, Alec Worley, and Phil Kelly all contribute to The Book of Martyrs, each taking on the mantle of a different Order of the Sisterhood. Together, they weave a captivating story of holy war on multiple fronts in the Era Indomitus.
There’s no shortage of other Adepta Sororitas stories to tide you over until The Book of Martyrs arrives. From James Swallow’s Sisters of Battle: The Omnibus to Rachel Harrison’s Mark of Faith and Danie Ware’s novella trilogy, comprising The Bloodied Rose, Wreck and Ruin, and The Rose in Anger, there are loads of books you can read to show your devotion to the God-Emperor.
You’ll be seeing some of these new books really soon – including as part of the Black Library Celebration which is the next big event in the book lovers’ calendar. Watch out for it in February!
What a line-up! 2021 is set to be a truly amazing year for fans of Warhammer fiction, and we’re excited for the opportunity to get together in person again for the Black Library Weekender next year!
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