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Warhammer 40,000
Atrophy
On a damned world, the Emperor's Children warband of Eusabius the Proud carve their way through the soldiers of the Imperial Guard who defend the doomed human population. The killing is too easy for Kerbalkalyth, fallen scion of the III Legion, who wants a greater challenge' an ambition that is realised when the Emperor's Finest arrive, Space Marines in armour of crimson and white, ready to give Kerbalkayth the fight of his life.
Read it because
Culling hordes of humans on a damned world, Kerbaklalyth of the Emperor's Children is bored of the easy slaughter. The arrival of loyalist Space Marines changes everything'
11 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2014
2 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Christian Z. Dunn
98 books63 followersChristian Dunn, sometimes credited as C.Z. Dunn, is a senior editor for Black Library.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 11, 2025
Very short, of decent quality
April 14, 2014
If I had to rate this based off the story alone, it would be a 3-3.5 star story. But as with any published work, other elements must be taken into consideration.
Overall, Dunn has written a really nice, extremely short story that sets up their novella Crimson Dawn nicely. It gives a introduction to the Crimson Sabres, that although brief, gives us an idea about them. That said, the story gives very little about the Emperor's Children which is a let down due to the cover/story blurb making it seem as if this story were about them. (it is, just not in the way you think)
It takes quite a bit of skill to write a story this short and wrap everything up in a tiny bow as Dunn has created here. The build up is nice, the twist came as a surprise but made sense, and overall the combat was done really well and had a nice flow to it.
My major thorn with this story is that it's $3.99 CAN (and US as well I believe). You can buy full on NOVELS for $4, and yet Black Library is selling what should be a $2 or less story (due to its length) for a price that is pretty much a blatant rip off.
Now I know this isn't Dunn's fault, and I am sad to have to lower the story's rating because of it, but as I mentioned, I have to rate this based off the entire finished product.
If you are looking for an Emperor's Children story, this is it, though don't expect a lot from it due to its size and the lack of true content about the chapter. However, if you are interested in the Crimson Slaughter/Sabres, this is a good place to start. That said, with the price set at what it is by Black Library, I think a lot of people will avoid purchasing it.
Overall, Dunn has written a really nice, extremely short story that sets up their novella Crimson Dawn nicely. It gives a introduction to the Crimson Sabres, that although brief, gives us an idea about them. That said, the story gives very little about the Emperor's Children which is a let down due to the cover/story blurb making it seem as if this story were about them. (it is, just not in the way you think)
It takes quite a bit of skill to write a story this short and wrap everything up in a tiny bow as Dunn has created here. The build up is nice, the twist came as a surprise but made sense, and overall the combat was done really well and had a nice flow to it.
My major thorn with this story is that it's $3.99 CAN (and US as well I believe). You can buy full on NOVELS for $4, and yet Black Library is selling what should be a $2 or less story (due to its length) for a price that is pretty much a blatant rip off.
Now I know this isn't Dunn's fault, and I am sad to have to lower the story's rating because of it, but as I mentioned, I have to rate this based off the entire finished product.
If you are looking for an Emperor's Children story, this is it, though don't expect a lot from it due to its size and the lack of true content about the chapter. However, if you are interested in the Crimson Slaughter/Sabres, this is a good place to start. That said, with the price set at what it is by Black Library, I think a lot of people will avoid purchasing it.
March 22, 2016
A fun short story seeing the Emperor's Children in some of their glory.
I feel they aren't done justice as being of superlative skill and experience, but it was fun none the less
I feel they aren't done justice as being of superlative skill and experience, but it was fun none the less
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews