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Space Marine Battles
Kraken
The Lone Wolf Kvara heads out onto the storm-tossed oceans in search of a monstrous creature – and a mighty end. And that might come even quicker than he thought as the alien tyranids attack.
Read it because
It’s a tale of a Lone Wolf, one of the tragic Space Wolves who are last survivors of their pack and seek a mighty death that they might join their comrades in the feasting halls of the afterlife.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2012
About the author
Chris Wraight
221 books394 followersChris Wraight is a British author of fantasy and science fiction.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
His first novel was published in 2008; since then, he has published books set in the Warhammer Fantasy and Stargate:Atlantis universes, and has upcoming titles in the Warhammer 40K setting.
He is based in the south-west of England.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 6, 2016
Original Post:
http://reading-lamp.blogspot.com/2012...
The Space Wolves are a proud Space Marine Chapter. They almost appear savage to outsiders, with their long manes, sheer strength and prowess on display. It is no surprise that these proud Astartes treasure not only their own honour, but that of their whole pack, as their squads are called. Sometimes the bonds in between packmates are strong enough for the last survivor of the group to swear an oath of vengeance to restore the honour of his brethren by hunting alone, becoming a Lone Wolf.
Lone Wolves set out on many quests in search for a foe mighty enough to be worth slaying or in the attempt. Etching the names of his fallen brothers onto his armor, or even skin, the Wolf longs for the day he might return to Fenris, the head of his quarry in hands, proving that the honour of his pack has been restored.
Kraken tells the story of such a Space Wolf on his quest to hunt down a Tyranid leviathan in the hope of redeeming his brothers' honour. Following Aj Kvara on his quest has been quite a ride - a short one, I admit, but the story makes up for that with action and satisfaction. Not only does it present the wolf's battle against his Tyranid quarry, but also shows the reader key-moments in Kvara's life, from his first hunt on the seas of Fenris to the loss of his pack and the taking of his oath, granting us a complex picture of the Lone Wolf called Aj Kvara. What must Kvara sacrifice in order to restore his honour and rest in peace again?
I can't pretend to know much about the Wolves of Fenris, especially not as much as I'd like to, but the subject of these Lone Wolves has always interested me. They are an integral part of the Wolves' traditions and sagas, but are too often overlooked, so I gladly picked this one up.
The story has a really strong buildup to it; I quite honestly did not expect such depth from a short story of around 17,000 words. I should have known better, I admit, since the opening chapters of Chris Wraight's Battle of the Fang were giving a strong impression of Fenris and the Space Wolves already, but reading Kraken really felt like a story fitting of a Lone Wolf and the losses he'd be looking back on. As much as Kraken depicts the might of a Space Marine, showing off just how much even a single one of the defenders of the Imperium is capable of, I thought the core of the story was playing a much more tragic tune of regret, sacrifice and brotherhood. People say wolves are incredibly loyal and their howls feel like mourning, and I felt like this story mirrored that very nicely.
Interestingly, the people of Lyses, the world he delivers from the Tyranid menace, present a nice way of balancing the action-driven story. As little 'screen-time' as they had, the way they perceived the Space Wolf and compared him to the only other Marines they've seen before, the Ultramarines, made me chuckle. It made clear just how unique the sons of Russ truly are in their ways.
The presence of underwater action is another unique feature in the story which I haven't mentioned yet. I don't know of even a single story in the Black Library range that dealt with Space Marines combating their foes below the surface, especially not in the depths of an ocean. I'm impressed by how smoothly the story dealt with this type of action; it gave the story a cinematic atmosphere.
All things considered, I am pleased with this story. If you're a fan of the Wolves of Fenris, I clearly recommend reading Kraken. It has been an unexpectedly touching story that sucked me in and made me feel like I, as the reader, actually had a connection to the lost members of Kvara's pack. This one really was something else, a welcome distraction from the glorious defenders of humanity. Even if you're not a die-hard Space Wolves fan, you'll most likely appreciate this one.
The only thing I regret about this story would be its length, or lack thereof. I wouldn't mind it to be longer, since the final part in particular felt a bit rushed. Just a few more paragraphs and I'd have been even happier with Kraken.
Nonetheless, this was the fourth time Chris Wraight has managed to capture my interest with a story, and if it wasn't for Dead Winter lying next to me, I'd pick up Battle of the Fang right away. For the time being, however, I will just relish the thought that another Space Wolves story is waiting on my shelf. It won't rest there for long now...
http://reading-lamp.blogspot.com/2012...
The Space Wolves are a proud Space Marine Chapter. They almost appear savage to outsiders, with their long manes, sheer strength and prowess on display. It is no surprise that these proud Astartes treasure not only their own honour, but that of their whole pack, as their squads are called. Sometimes the bonds in between packmates are strong enough for the last survivor of the group to swear an oath of vengeance to restore the honour of his brethren by hunting alone, becoming a Lone Wolf.
Lone Wolves set out on many quests in search for a foe mighty enough to be worth slaying or in the attempt. Etching the names of his fallen brothers onto his armor, or even skin, the Wolf longs for the day he might return to Fenris, the head of his quarry in hands, proving that the honour of his pack has been restored.
Kraken tells the story of such a Space Wolf on his quest to hunt down a Tyranid leviathan in the hope of redeeming his brothers' honour. Following Aj Kvara on his quest has been quite a ride - a short one, I admit, but the story makes up for that with action and satisfaction. Not only does it present the wolf's battle against his Tyranid quarry, but also shows the reader key-moments in Kvara's life, from his first hunt on the seas of Fenris to the loss of his pack and the taking of his oath, granting us a complex picture of the Lone Wolf called Aj Kvara. What must Kvara sacrifice in order to restore his honour and rest in peace again?
I can't pretend to know much about the Wolves of Fenris, especially not as much as I'd like to, but the subject of these Lone Wolves has always interested me. They are an integral part of the Wolves' traditions and sagas, but are too often overlooked, so I gladly picked this one up.
The story has a really strong buildup to it; I quite honestly did not expect such depth from a short story of around 17,000 words. I should have known better, I admit, since the opening chapters of Chris Wraight's Battle of the Fang were giving a strong impression of Fenris and the Space Wolves already, but reading Kraken really felt like a story fitting of a Lone Wolf and the losses he'd be looking back on. As much as Kraken depicts the might of a Space Marine, showing off just how much even a single one of the defenders of the Imperium is capable of, I thought the core of the story was playing a much more tragic tune of regret, sacrifice and brotherhood. People say wolves are incredibly loyal and their howls feel like mourning, and I felt like this story mirrored that very nicely.
Interestingly, the people of Lyses, the world he delivers from the Tyranid menace, present a nice way of balancing the action-driven story. As little 'screen-time' as they had, the way they perceived the Space Wolf and compared him to the only other Marines they've seen before, the Ultramarines, made me chuckle. It made clear just how unique the sons of Russ truly are in their ways.
The presence of underwater action is another unique feature in the story which I haven't mentioned yet. I don't know of even a single story in the Black Library range that dealt with Space Marines combating their foes below the surface, especially not in the depths of an ocean. I'm impressed by how smoothly the story dealt with this type of action; it gave the story a cinematic atmosphere.
All things considered, I am pleased with this story. If you're a fan of the Wolves of Fenris, I clearly recommend reading Kraken. It has been an unexpectedly touching story that sucked me in and made me feel like I, as the reader, actually had a connection to the lost members of Kvara's pack. This one really was something else, a welcome distraction from the glorious defenders of humanity. Even if you're not a die-hard Space Wolves fan, you'll most likely appreciate this one.
The only thing I regret about this story would be its length, or lack thereof. I wouldn't mind it to be longer, since the final part in particular felt a bit rushed. Just a few more paragraphs and I'd have been even happier with Kraken.
Nonetheless, this was the fourth time Chris Wraight has managed to capture my interest with a story, and if it wasn't for Dead Winter lying next to me, I'd pick up Battle of the Fang right away. For the time being, however, I will just relish the thought that another Space Wolves story is waiting on my shelf. It won't rest there for long now...
January 21, 2026
This a short story about a Lone Wolf that as thrown in at the end of the Legends of the Wolf Omnibus that has nothing to do with Jarnhammar or the story. The best I can tell is they added it because it is by the same author and about Space Wolves.
It was written in 2012 but it doesn't really adopt the writing style or lexicon of Prospero Burns like the other 3 stories did. It doesn't have the feel or soul of a modern Space Wolf story.
That said, this story is a fun a read and delves into the psyche of a lone survivor and what it means to lose everyone you know and have served with for decades or maybe even centuries.
It uses flashbacks to show him as a mortal fishing/hunting a sea monster with his old tribe/family. There is also flashbacks to his pack and when he lost them. When he took the Lone Wolf oath and when he was chosen by the Wolf Priest to become a Space Wolf.
All of that is interspersed with him hunting a sea monster on an ocean planet.
The ending was hardcore and satisfying.
Overall I am glad it was included even thought it felt out of place with the rest of the omnibus.
It was written in 2012 but it doesn't really adopt the writing style or lexicon of Prospero Burns like the other 3 stories did. It doesn't have the feel or soul of a modern Space Wolf story.
That said, this story is a fun a read and delves into the psyche of a lone survivor and what it means to lose everyone you know and have served with for decades or maybe even centuries.
It uses flashbacks to show him as a mortal fishing/hunting a sea monster with his old tribe/family. There is also flashbacks to his pack and when he lost them. When he took the Lone Wolf oath and when he was chosen by the Wolf Priest to become a Space Wolf.
All of that is interspersed with him hunting a sea monster on an ocean planet.
The ending was hardcore and satisfying.
Overall I am glad it was included even thought it felt out of place with the rest of the omnibus.
August 9, 2024
I know very little about Warhammer 40,000 – actually I know nothing at all.
So, while “Kraken” is set in that universe all the references passed over my head.
As stories go it is not bad at all – a mix of mythology, horror and violence.
On a watery world giant harvester factories endless process marine plants – but five of them have been destroyed in as many months and no-one knows the who or the why of the destruction.
Space Wolf Kvara, native of a planet which seems based on the Vikings, has been sent to sort it out on his lonesome.
The novella alternates between various points in Kvara's life, mostly centring around hunting and fighting.
Arriving on Lyses he comes to realise that this is the hunt he has pursued his entire adult life.
The story barely pauses for breath as it races to a crescendo.
3 Stars.
So, while “Kraken” is set in that universe all the references passed over my head.
As stories go it is not bad at all – a mix of mythology, horror and violence.
On a watery world giant harvester factories endless process marine plants – but five of them have been destroyed in as many months and no-one knows the who or the why of the destruction.
Space Wolf Kvara, native of a planet which seems based on the Vikings, has been sent to sort it out on his lonesome.
The novella alternates between various points in Kvara's life, mostly centring around hunting and fighting.
Arriving on Lyses he comes to realise that this is the hunt he has pursued his entire adult life.
The story barely pauses for breath as it races to a crescendo.
3 Stars.
October 17, 2024
This was a really interesting take on the classic Lone Wolf going Kraken-hunting, blending memories and allusions in a way that might have been a little confusing for my fibro fogged, ADHD addled mind, which, with the length, particularly of action sequences, which are notoriously not my mug of mjod made this an enjoyable, if not spell-binding listen.
Having already smashed through the Space Wolves Audio Collection today, I'm probably losing the any kind of power of attention I have and there have been many fantastic audio dramas and stories, which this fits in amongst at least the middle of.
Definitely worth a look if you have any interest in the Sky Warriors of Fenris.
Having already smashed through the Space Wolves Audio Collection today, I'm probably losing the any kind of power of attention I have and there have been many fantastic audio dramas and stories, which this fits in amongst at least the middle of.
Definitely worth a look if you have any interest in the Sky Warriors of Fenris.
December 15, 2024
The structure is a little messy.
Much like the other Warhammer 40,000 short stories I've read, it really wants to tell several stories at once. The Kvara (3 different moments in time), Oen, and Eim POVs felt a bit much.
Did I almost cry at the end anyway?
...
It's a fun Space Wolf story.
Much like the other Warhammer 40,000 short stories I've read, it really wants to tell several stories at once. The Kvara (3 different moments in time), Oen, and Eim POVs felt a bit much.
Did I almost cry at the end anyway?
...
It's a fun Space Wolf story.
January 3, 2020
Like all good 40k shorts this has a nice angle outside of the main plot. In this case, what it means to prove yourself as a warrior at different stages of the Astartes journey.
April 3, 2021
A great story.
January 23, 2022
Quite fun.
February 16, 2026
A long Space Wolf stalks his white whale while having flashbacks to his time before becoming Astartes.
A solid story all around but I'd expect nothing less from Wraight.
A solid story all around but I'd expect nothing less from Wraight.
September 14, 2023
This short story instalment of the Space Marine Battles series was an entertaining story that follows a Space Wolves Lone Wolf as he hunts down an aquatic monster. The story jumps backwards and forwards between the hunt for the beast, and the Lone Wolf’s backstory and while the flashback parts are definitely the most interesting part (especially the one to the Lone Wolf’s life before he became a Space Wolf), the main story was still quite entertaining to read with some nice descriptions of underwater combat for the climactic fight. The only real problem with it was that I felt that more of the main characters pack could have been shown in the story rather than being narrated about.
December 2, 2012
Bane of Kings reviews Kraken, the e-short by Chris Wraight, published by Black Library.
“A short, intriguing look into the Space Wolves that will keep fans entertained.” ~The Founding Fields
I’m slowly starting to pick up Black Library’s e-shorts that they have available for download online, and so far – if Kraken is anything to go by, I’ve really go the feeling that I’m going to enjoy them. Whilst this review will be short as this is only a short story, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the heck out of what Wraight had to offer us anyway, even if it was too short for my liking.
"The Space Wolves forge new sagas as they hunt a monstrous beast of the oceans and battle the alien menace of the tyranids in a brand new tale by the author of Battle of the Fang.
A brand new Space Wolves story from Chris Wraight."
The short, whilst being billed as a Space Wolf Space Marine Battles adventure, actually only features one Space Wolf, a Lone Wolf under the name of Kvara. Wraight has done a brilliant job of giving us a look into the Lone Wolves and what makes them tick, and has even managed to tie this short into the current Space Wolves Codex.
Whilst this could have been a straight forward bolter-porn short with nothing much else in it other than action, Wraight manages to add several layers of features to this book that add to the overall enjoyment. We get a great look into not just Kvara and the Wolves, but also how the Space Marines are viewed by other humans. As other humans don’t always encounter Space Marines, they’re limited to select knowledge of several Chapters, and the reaction of one particular character to a Space Wolf when he’s only encountered Ultramarines before proved that Wraight is quite capable of delivering humour to an otherwise grim story.
There’s a lot of depth in this short and is a great way to get hooked on buying more of Black Library’s e shorts Space Wolf fans used to Wraight’s portrayal of the Astartes in Battle of the Fang and Abnett’s in Prospero Burns will find more of the same here, and I really love how Wraight has managed to echo Abnett’s portrayal of them and move them away from the simple portrayal of William King’s Wolves, something that I – whilst enjoying the stories, didn’t like their portrayal.
But regardless, Kraken is great short story that’s well worth the £1.49 price that comes attached.
Verdict: 4/5
Read the short review on the Founding Fields: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/12/...
“A short, intriguing look into the Space Wolves that will keep fans entertained.” ~The Founding Fields
I’m slowly starting to pick up Black Library’s e-shorts that they have available for download online, and so far – if Kraken is anything to go by, I’ve really go the feeling that I’m going to enjoy them. Whilst this review will be short as this is only a short story, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the heck out of what Wraight had to offer us anyway, even if it was too short for my liking.
"The Space Wolves forge new sagas as they hunt a monstrous beast of the oceans and battle the alien menace of the tyranids in a brand new tale by the author of Battle of the Fang.
A brand new Space Wolves story from Chris Wraight."
The short, whilst being billed as a Space Wolf Space Marine Battles adventure, actually only features one Space Wolf, a Lone Wolf under the name of Kvara. Wraight has done a brilliant job of giving us a look into the Lone Wolves and what makes them tick, and has even managed to tie this short into the current Space Wolves Codex.
Whilst this could have been a straight forward bolter-porn short with nothing much else in it other than action, Wraight manages to add several layers of features to this book that add to the overall enjoyment. We get a great look into not just Kvara and the Wolves, but also how the Space Marines are viewed by other humans. As other humans don’t always encounter Space Marines, they’re limited to select knowledge of several Chapters, and the reaction of one particular character to a Space Wolf when he’s only encountered Ultramarines before proved that Wraight is quite capable of delivering humour to an otherwise grim story.
There’s a lot of depth in this short and is a great way to get hooked on buying more of Black Library’s e shorts Space Wolf fans used to Wraight’s portrayal of the Astartes in Battle of the Fang and Abnett’s in Prospero Burns will find more of the same here, and I really love how Wraight has managed to echo Abnett’s portrayal of them and move them away from the simple portrayal of William King’s Wolves, something that I – whilst enjoying the stories, didn’t like their portrayal.
But regardless, Kraken is great short story that’s well worth the £1.49 price that comes attached.
Verdict: 4/5
Read the short review on the Founding Fields: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/12/...
April 9, 2012
I loved the idea of a Space Wolf marine going toe to toe with a tyranid leviathan and it was really well-handled here. My main problem with this book was that it felt incredibly short, I finished the whole thing in a single night. It seemed like maybe there was a second half of this tale that was edited out at some point. It's too bad, because the whole thing flowed really well and I was able to envision everything very clearly.
March 25, 2012
Not really sure that I liked this book. I'm not sure what I would have expected of a story between Space Wolves and Tyranids, but in the ending, the book felt like missing the second half of the story.
January 10, 2014
I love Space Wolves; their bravado and warrior culture. This novella consists of snapshots of the life of a Lone Wolf and is very low key. The action is passable but the story is really about memory and redemption. 'Kraken' is a quick, introspective read.
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