Back in January, we brought you a sneak peek at some of the most lavish tomes that were coming your way from the booksmiths at Black Library. Almost all of the limited edition and special edition* books we showed off are now adorning your bookshelves – so it’s time to take a look at some more, starting with more detail on a volume that you can pre-order this very weekend.
Ravenor Returned
Dan Abnett
We mentioned this in January’s article, but at the time, we didn’t even have a cover to show you. Now, all is revealed…
This second volume in the acclaimed Ravenor series features sinister cover art that matches the limited edition of the first book, finished with gold foil which really shines against the matte-laminated cover.
Inside is a ribbon bookmark to keep your place when you have to reluctantly step away from Dan Abnett’s classic tale of Inquisitor Ravenor using his prodigious psychic abilities and dedicated followers to investigate a plot that threatens an entire sector. There’s also a new introduction by Dan, who has hand-signed all 1,250 copies of the book.
Ravenor Returned is sure to sell out quickly, so set yourself an alarm for Saturday – you don’t want to miss it.
Sisters of Battle Collection
James Swallow
More classic novels are returning in a new limited edition format in April, in the form of a boxed set putting James Swallow’s Sisters of Battle stories into hardback for the first time.
The two volumes – Faith & Fire, and Hammer & Anvil – are collected in a slipcase featuring stunning artwork of the Sisterhood.
The first novel sees Sister Miriya on the hunt for an escaped psyker, with both her honour and entire worlds at stake. The second sees Miriya join an expedition to the famed Sanctuary 101, where necrons slaughtered a force of Battle Sisters. When the xenos rise again, it falls to the Sisters to avenge their dead.
Each book includes an introduction by the author, as well as additional short stories – three in total across the two books, including one that is available first in this collection. Each set is signed and numbered from an edition of 1,000 copies. Watch out for a closer look at this and other Adepta Sororitas fiction next week.
Cursed City
C L Werner
You can explore the story behind the new dungeon-exploring, vampire-killing cooperative board game Warhammer Quest: Cursed City – which you can see in February’s online preview roundup – in a new novel. The gorgeous special edition is the ideal way to explore the lore of the city of Ulfenkarn.
A group of unlikely heroes hunt vampires in the nightmare streets of the city in this tie-in that shows you what life is like under the blood-soaked rule of the tyrannical vampire Radukar the Wolf. As well as the full tale, this edition includes an additional short story, an introduction, and an exclusive character card allowing you to use one of the heroes of the novel in your games of Warhammer Quest: Cursed City.
The book has a laser-cut design on the cover, which echoes the special edition of the Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress novel, and the inside cover is lined with a velvet-effect material for a sumptuous, deluxe feel. Each of the 1,250 copies is signed by author C L Werner, and it’ll be coming your way at the same time as the boxed game.
Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh!
Nate Crowley
You probably know the story of Ghazghkull Thraka – the warboss who devastated Armageddon twice. In Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh!, by Nate Crowley, you’ll get the full story of his rise to greatness, through the eyes of his closest companion, the grot Makari.
This edition includes a full-colour art page, alongside an afterword by the author. The cover is finished with a delightfully strokable soft-touch lamination, and each of the 2,000 available copies is individually numbered and signed.
While you’re waiting for the novel to hit pre-orders in May, check out Makari’s guide to other orks fiction – there’s plenty there to enjoy.
Let us know on the Black Library Facebook page which of these stunning artefacts you’ll be adding to your bookshelves – and remember to sign up for the newsletter to be informed when they’re available to pre-order.
* What’s the difference between a limited edition and a special edition? The former is released by itself, while the latter comes out alongside a “standard” edition of the book in question.