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Carcharodons #1
Carcharodons: Red Tithe
Night has fallen on the prison world of Zartak. Renegades from the Imperium's dawn stalk the complex, bringing pain and death. But something just as dangerous awaits them: the loyal, but brutal and predatory, Carcharadons.
On the prison world of Zartak, darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, and with them the shadow of fear and pain. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark – the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines – what more could you want from a story?
On the prison world of Zartak, darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, and with them the shadow of fear and pain. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark – the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines – what more could you want from a story?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
194 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Robbie MacNiven
120 books109 followersRobbie MacNiven is a Scottish author and historian. His published fiction includes over a dozen novels, many fantasy or sci-fi works for IPs such as Warhammer 40,000 and Marvel's X-Men. He has also written two novellas, numerous short stories and audio dramas, has worked on narrative and character dialogue for multiple digital games (SMITE: Blitz and Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground), has written the colour text for multiple RPG rulebooks and has penned the scripts for two graphic novels and three comics, for Osprey Publishing and Commando Comics respectively. In 2022 his X-Men novel "First Team" won a Scribe Award.
On the non-fiction front, Robbie specialises in Early Modern military history, particularly focussing on the 18th century. He has a PhD in American Revolutionary War massacres from the University of Edinburgh - where he won the Compton Prize for American History - and an MLitt in War Studies from the University of Glasgow. Along with numerous articles for military history magazines he has written six books on different aspects of the American Revolutionary War, five for Osprey Publishing and one for Helion Books. He has also written the scripts for ten episodes of the hit YouTube educational channel Extra Credits.
Outside of work and writing, his passions include re-enacting, gaming, and football.
On the non-fiction front, Robbie specialises in Early Modern military history, particularly focussing on the 18th century. He has a PhD in American Revolutionary War massacres from the University of Edinburgh - where he won the Compton Prize for American History - and an MLitt in War Studies from the University of Glasgow. Along with numerous articles for military history magazines he has written six books on different aspects of the American Revolutionary War, five for Osprey Publishing and one for Helion Books. He has also written the scripts for ten episodes of the hit YouTube educational channel Extra Credits.
Outside of work and writing, his passions include re-enacting, gaming, and football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 7, 2017
What can be said about Red Tithe? A masterful full length debut from an author who imbues it with a violent and intense passion, running the gamut between genuine malice and amoral extremism. MacNiven brings the Carcharodons to a brutal life, in a way that only adds to their power and mystery, rather than detracting from it.
Full disclosure; I've always been amazed that the Carcharodons work as well as they do. At first glance the concept reeks of gimmick even in a universe of gimmick, and their low gothic name puts me in mind of the old Street Sharks cartoon. Luckily the Chapter is better developed than to fall into the age old trap of relentless Wolf or Blood titles- though this didn't stop the fact that the dreadnoughts are called the "Whites" from breaking my immersion. Some things in this setting really do make you shake your head.
Lucky for us, MacNiven injects the Chapter with a Polynesian flavour of tattoos and markings, rich coral and savage intensity- including a beautifully realised spear weapon at one point. They are shaped by the predators they ape and the deep black of the galactic void that they inhabit. They feel alien and otherworldly even by Astartes standards, their origins a mystery but their intent clear.
(I counted at least three hints as to their origins; one mechanical, one literary and one from relentless comparison.)
Ranged against them are some beautifully realised Night Lords. There's a lot of mirror imagery to play with here; the potentially unsuited leader, the psyker with an agenda, the older and experienced doubter...The warband manages to feel alive and vital, rife with internal schisms and politics. They feel very much in media res, with ages of history unseen. What we see of them paints them as somewhat relatable monsters, vastly different from us and yet not as different from our protagonists as they would like.
We get multiple viewpoints from each side and a view from one of the Arbitrators caught in the middle- rounding out the narrative and ensuring it always has the best vantage from which to survey the action. Sharr, our primary protagonist is relatable in his uncertainty and the newness of his position. We also have a useful framing device in the form of an ongoing inquisitorial investigation into the matter. Their interest, coupled with the fate of the warband, provides ample opportunities for sequels.
The writing is slick and engaging, especially when it comes to the application of violence. It is also self-aware enough to draw back and add a bit of context and background to events, an almost knowing, almost historical overview of situations. One criticism I would level is that the text seems to focus overly on the exact how's and whys of equipment, often breaking the immersion through the full and proper model of the weapon in question. This being tie-in fiction it can be somewhat understood, but it comes across as occasionally slavish.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who hungers to know more about the Carcharodons or who just want a good and vicious romp with Space Marine on Space Marine action. Like the void and the sea, however, this novel has depths that might surprise.
Full disclosure; I've always been amazed that the Carcharodons work as well as they do. At first glance the concept reeks of gimmick even in a universe of gimmick, and their low gothic name puts me in mind of the old Street Sharks cartoon. Luckily the Chapter is better developed than to fall into the age old trap of relentless Wolf or Blood titles- though this didn't stop the fact that the dreadnoughts are called the "Whites" from breaking my immersion. Some things in this setting really do make you shake your head.
Lucky for us, MacNiven injects the Chapter with a Polynesian flavour of tattoos and markings, rich coral and savage intensity- including a beautifully realised spear weapon at one point. They are shaped by the predators they ape and the deep black of the galactic void that they inhabit. They feel alien and otherworldly even by Astartes standards, their origins a mystery but their intent clear.
(I counted at least three hints as to their origins; one mechanical, one literary and one from relentless comparison.)
Ranged against them are some beautifully realised Night Lords. There's a lot of mirror imagery to play with here; the potentially unsuited leader, the psyker with an agenda, the older and experienced doubter...The warband manages to feel alive and vital, rife with internal schisms and politics. They feel very much in media res, with ages of history unseen. What we see of them paints them as somewhat relatable monsters, vastly different from us and yet not as different from our protagonists as they would like.
We get multiple viewpoints from each side and a view from one of the Arbitrators caught in the middle- rounding out the narrative and ensuring it always has the best vantage from which to survey the action. Sharr, our primary protagonist is relatable in his uncertainty and the newness of his position. We also have a useful framing device in the form of an ongoing inquisitorial investigation into the matter. Their interest, coupled with the fate of the warband, provides ample opportunities for sequels.
The writing is slick and engaging, especially when it comes to the application of violence. It is also self-aware enough to draw back and add a bit of context and background to events, an almost knowing, almost historical overview of situations. One criticism I would level is that the text seems to focus overly on the exact how's and whys of equipment, often breaking the immersion through the full and proper model of the weapon in question. This being tie-in fiction it can be somewhat understood, but it comes across as occasionally slavish.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who hungers to know more about the Carcharodons or who just want a good and vicious romp with Space Marine on Space Marine action. Like the void and the sea, however, this novel has depths that might surprise.
February 6, 2017
Carcharodons: Red Tithe, hot off the printers by the immensely talented Robbie MacNiven, and a novel I have been really looking forward to since it was announced.
Red Tithe is the Carcharodons Astra’s first novel, and only their 3rd piece of Black Library fiction, the first being ‘The Judges in their Hunger’ by David Annandale and then the advent this year brought us ‘The Reaping Time’ by Robbie as well.
The novel itself was a superb blend of brutal, visceral action, panic-ridden terror, and small flashes of hope. The prose was exceptionally well done, the pacing of the novel was an absolute joy and kept the suspense and ‘edge-of-your-seat reading high almost from page one!
The characters were all extremely well done, despite having some weird names, they were all very easy to remember. From The Prince of Thorns’s First Kill to the newly promoted Reaper Prime Sharr and The Pale Nomad, all of our larger than life characters were well done, though to a man they were monsters almost without peer, they all had that echo humanity that really drove the duality between the Carcharodons and Night Lords home.
Robbie handled the Night Lords extremely well, from the amazing to read terror tactics to their somewhat disorganized and backstabbing ways. The whole of First Kill, and all the Claw leaders were really damn cool, and definitely have earned a place in the Night Lords history. I hope we see more of them from MacNiven in the future, for sure!
Now the Space Sharks themselves, as they are the biggest draw of the novel. I don’t even know what to say. They were exceptionally well done. Robbie really gave them a hand-crafted culture, and you could tell he loved it every step of the way. While we get A LOT of questions answered on how exactly they operate, communicate, and live, the novel really only left me with more questions as to the exact origins of this mysterious chapter of Space Marines. There’s loads of unexplained chapter culture that we will likely never have fully fleshed out, because what’s the point of a mystery when you know every facet of the thing? Overall, I really like what Robbie did with the Space Sharks. They were an absolute blast to read about, and having a light shine on some of their culture (as well as Robbie building a lot of it!) was fantastic.
And, to answer the question on Black Library’s product page for Red Tithe:
"A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines - what more could you want from a story?"
My answer: A sequel.
Red Tithe is the Carcharodons Astra’s first novel, and only their 3rd piece of Black Library fiction, the first being ‘The Judges in their Hunger’ by David Annandale and then the advent this year brought us ‘The Reaping Time’ by Robbie as well.
The novel itself was a superb blend of brutal, visceral action, panic-ridden terror, and small flashes of hope. The prose was exceptionally well done, the pacing of the novel was an absolute joy and kept the suspense and ‘edge-of-your-seat reading high almost from page one!
The characters were all extremely well done, despite having some weird names, they were all very easy to remember. From The Prince of Thorns’s First Kill to the newly promoted Reaper Prime Sharr and The Pale Nomad, all of our larger than life characters were well done, though to a man they were monsters almost without peer, they all had that echo humanity that really drove the duality between the Carcharodons and Night Lords home.
Robbie handled the Night Lords extremely well, from the amazing to read terror tactics to their somewhat disorganized and backstabbing ways. The whole of First Kill, and all the Claw leaders were really damn cool, and definitely have earned a place in the Night Lords history. I hope we see more of them from MacNiven in the future, for sure!
Now the Space Sharks themselves, as they are the biggest draw of the novel. I don’t even know what to say. They were exceptionally well done. Robbie really gave them a hand-crafted culture, and you could tell he loved it every step of the way. While we get A LOT of questions answered on how exactly they operate, communicate, and live, the novel really only left me with more questions as to the exact origins of this mysterious chapter of Space Marines. There’s loads of unexplained chapter culture that we will likely never have fully fleshed out, because what’s the point of a mystery when you know every facet of the thing? Overall, I really like what Robbie did with the Space Sharks. They were an absolute blast to read about, and having a light shine on some of their culture (as well as Robbie building a lot of it!) was fantastic.
And, to answer the question on Black Library’s product page for Red Tithe:
"A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines - what more could you want from a story?"
My answer: A sequel.
August 27, 2017
I love reading new books about Space Marine chapters that haven't really been covered. As far as I know the Carcharodons Chapter, also known as the Astral Sharks or Void Sharks haven't been written on much until now. Various lore and Lexicanum pages and Wiki sites have a little bit of information on them, just maybe a bit more than this book covers, such as the Badab Wars information and such.
What we have here is a story about a penal world, an Imperial prison planet. A very powerful latent psyker is imprisoned here, and young man named Skell. He uses his power sparingly to keep him alive and to have others protect him or be his friend.
Enter the Night Lords. Led by a young Champion named Amon Cull, these maniacs are drawn to the prison world to take Skell, as his power is linked to probabilities of the harboring and transference of a powerful Daemon the Night Lords' Sorcerer has at his side. The Night Lords assault the prison from the surface, killing most all the Arbitrators working the place and then turn their sadistic, torturous practices on the thousands and thousands of inmates, seeking out Skell but also sating their primitive bloodlusts.
The Night Lords have no idea that the Void Brothers of the Carcharodons land soon after. Their attack force are doing what they are led to do, collect the Red Tithe, as they have once before on the prison planet. The Red Tithe is the Emperor decreed right the chapter has to refresh workers and potential Space Marine initiates into the chapter and preserve the Predation Fleet, the void based home of the Chapter.
The Carcharodons clash rather quickly after an initial trap by the Night Lords, throwing themselves against each other in bloody brutal battles. The Night Lords have never fought the chapter, so their knowledge of them is not there. They find out that this Raven Guard based later Founding are silent in combat, where the Night Lords bellow and roar like animals. The Blinding Fury of the Carcharodons gives them a strength and ferocity the Night Lords find out is hard to best. They slay the Night Lords and only fall to the tricks and traps the chapter uses against them.
Bain Sharr is new to lead the war group on the prison planet and in conjunction with the Librarian Te Kahurangi, an ancient and Omega Level Psyker are also after the latent psyker, Skell.
The battles depicted here and the strategies and ultimate endgame are written well by the author, Mr. Macgiven. I really enjoyed how this tale ends up. The chapters, both Loyalist and Traitor are covered well and the drives and tactics here are really interesting. The Carcharodons are really a very interesting chapter and i like the author's spin on them. Their homeworld, which they mention once in the book, they are not allowed to return to, they claim. That made me really curious and I want to know more about this chapter. They have a very spiritual side as pertains the Void Father, aka the Emperor. The Exile, as they put it sent the chapter into the void, seeking out the xenos, the traitor, and protecting the Imperium of Man in the far flung fringes of the void, far from the light of Holy Terra. They pray alone, though they have Chaplains who collect them as they can to worship the Void Father and his machinations.
I find these pale skinned, void black eyed Marines truly unique after reading so much about the other Chapters. They are covered here well and this is a grand tale. The author writes good battle scenes and makes you root for the Carcharodons as well as despise the Night Lords. Overall, I finished this book and find myself wanting to read more about them. I truly hope Mr. Macgiven will revisit this unique Space Marine Chapter.
Danny
What we have here is a story about a penal world, an Imperial prison planet. A very powerful latent psyker is imprisoned here, and young man named Skell. He uses his power sparingly to keep him alive and to have others protect him or be his friend.
Enter the Night Lords. Led by a young Champion named Amon Cull, these maniacs are drawn to the prison world to take Skell, as his power is linked to probabilities of the harboring and transference of a powerful Daemon the Night Lords' Sorcerer has at his side. The Night Lords assault the prison from the surface, killing most all the Arbitrators working the place and then turn their sadistic, torturous practices on the thousands and thousands of inmates, seeking out Skell but also sating their primitive bloodlusts.
The Night Lords have no idea that the Void Brothers of the Carcharodons land soon after. Their attack force are doing what they are led to do, collect the Red Tithe, as they have once before on the prison planet. The Red Tithe is the Emperor decreed right the chapter has to refresh workers and potential Space Marine initiates into the chapter and preserve the Predation Fleet, the void based home of the Chapter.
The Carcharodons clash rather quickly after an initial trap by the Night Lords, throwing themselves against each other in bloody brutal battles. The Night Lords have never fought the chapter, so their knowledge of them is not there. They find out that this Raven Guard based later Founding are silent in combat, where the Night Lords bellow and roar like animals. The Blinding Fury of the Carcharodons gives them a strength and ferocity the Night Lords find out is hard to best. They slay the Night Lords and only fall to the tricks and traps the chapter uses against them.
Bain Sharr is new to lead the war group on the prison planet and in conjunction with the Librarian Te Kahurangi, an ancient and Omega Level Psyker are also after the latent psyker, Skell.
The battles depicted here and the strategies and ultimate endgame are written well by the author, Mr. Macgiven. I really enjoyed how this tale ends up. The chapters, both Loyalist and Traitor are covered well and the drives and tactics here are really interesting. The Carcharodons are really a very interesting chapter and i like the author's spin on them. Their homeworld, which they mention once in the book, they are not allowed to return to, they claim. That made me really curious and I want to know more about this chapter. They have a very spiritual side as pertains the Void Father, aka the Emperor. The Exile, as they put it sent the chapter into the void, seeking out the xenos, the traitor, and protecting the Imperium of Man in the far flung fringes of the void, far from the light of Holy Terra. They pray alone, though they have Chaplains who collect them as they can to worship the Void Father and his machinations.
I find these pale skinned, void black eyed Marines truly unique after reading so much about the other Chapters. They are covered here well and this is a grand tale. The author writes good battle scenes and makes you root for the Carcharodons as well as despise the Night Lords. Overall, I finished this book and find myself wanting to read more about them. I truly hope Mr. Macgiven will revisit this unique Space Marine Chapter.
Danny
December 16, 2019
Definitely "bolter porn" but also the most genuinely Lovecraftian 40k novel I've read so far. Terrifying demigods battling each other for reasons inscrutable to mere mortals, who get caught in the crossfire and driven to despair and near-madness by the cosmic amorality of it all. One hapless Arbitrator correctly concludes that the loyalist Carcharodons are every bit as monstrous as the heretical Night Lords, which I liked much better than the humanized Space Marines of other chapters.
Also, Rannik is the only woman for 90% of this book, so you expect her to compensate by becoming a Strong Female Character™ who can totally kick ass and keep up with the guys. Instead MacNiven gave us a realistic portrayal of a rookie cop suddenly thrown in the middle of a bunch of angry armored giants with big guns. The result was far more relatable and well-rounded than another shallow Xena clone.
Also, Rannik is the only woman for 90% of this book, so you expect her to compensate by becoming a Strong Female Character™ who can totally kick ass and keep up with the guys. Instead MacNiven gave us a realistic portrayal of a rookie cop suddenly thrown in the middle of a bunch of angry armored giants with big guns. The result was far more relatable and well-rounded than another shallow Xena clone.
June 19, 2017
You can read the full review over at my blog:
https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...
The Warhammer 40,000 universe is incredibly vast in terms of its scope and the material it thus covers. From one edge of the galaxy to another, from current events to those ten thousand years ago, there is a lot of potential to explore. That is where Robbie MacNiven’s Carcharadons: Red Tithe is set. This first novel in what is hopefully going to be a series seeks to turn into fact some of the myths of the Carcharadons Astra Chapter of the Space Marines. Robbie’s tale is one of dour heroism matched against cruel barbarity and is a fantastic introduction to one of the most mysterious of the all the Space Marine Chapters.
The lead protagonist of the novel, if we talk about the Carcharadons themselves, is Company Master Bail Sharr, newly promoted to that rank who is given the task of carrying out a successful Red Tithe. For a Space Marine Chapter, recruiting new blood is a crucial task that must be regularly performed, lest the Chapter run the risk of dying out because there are no neophytes in training to replace battlefield losses. That is, invariably, what Red Tithe is all about. But it is no easy going for the Carcharadons, who are colloquially also known as the Star Starks, for the planet they have chosen for their tithing has also become a target for the senseless predations of a warband of the Night Lords, Chaos Space Marines who fell from grace and heroism some ten thousand years ago. It is a battle against the clock as both forces move towards their objectives.
The first I read of the Carcharadons was in one of the Imperial Armour campaign books from Forge World, a subsidiary of Game Workshop which owns the Warhammer 40,000 IP. Detailing the disastrous Badab War, the Carcharadons were mentioned as a rogue element that came to the aid of the Imperium against the rebels. With brutal shock-assault tactics, the Carcharadons were a key part of the Imperium’s retaliation and they disappeared soon after the end of the conflict. While the campaign book gave us a lot of details about the Chapter, there was much that was shrouded in mystery and myth, some of which Robbie attempts to crystallize with Red Tithe.
On a purely action level, Red Tithe is a masterful novel that balances the brutal savagery of the Carcharadons against the horror-inducing rampages of the Night Lords. I know Robbie of old through a Black Library fan-forum where we were both aspiring writers and it is really great to see how far he has come and how well he has done for himself. He captures the essence of both Space Marine forces and delves deeply into the culture of the Carcharadons in particular. I was certainly impressed. And it isn’t as if the Night Lords get the short end of the stick either for he does delve into their war tactics as well and gives them a good outing.
https://shadowhawksshade.wordpress.co...
The Warhammer 40,000 universe is incredibly vast in terms of its scope and the material it thus covers. From one edge of the galaxy to another, from current events to those ten thousand years ago, there is a lot of potential to explore. That is where Robbie MacNiven’s Carcharadons: Red Tithe is set. This first novel in what is hopefully going to be a series seeks to turn into fact some of the myths of the Carcharadons Astra Chapter of the Space Marines. Robbie’s tale is one of dour heroism matched against cruel barbarity and is a fantastic introduction to one of the most mysterious of the all the Space Marine Chapters.
The lead protagonist of the novel, if we talk about the Carcharadons themselves, is Company Master Bail Sharr, newly promoted to that rank who is given the task of carrying out a successful Red Tithe. For a Space Marine Chapter, recruiting new blood is a crucial task that must be regularly performed, lest the Chapter run the risk of dying out because there are no neophytes in training to replace battlefield losses. That is, invariably, what Red Tithe is all about. But it is no easy going for the Carcharadons, who are colloquially also known as the Star Starks, for the planet they have chosen for their tithing has also become a target for the senseless predations of a warband of the Night Lords, Chaos Space Marines who fell from grace and heroism some ten thousand years ago. It is a battle against the clock as both forces move towards their objectives.
The first I read of the Carcharadons was in one of the Imperial Armour campaign books from Forge World, a subsidiary of Game Workshop which owns the Warhammer 40,000 IP. Detailing the disastrous Badab War, the Carcharadons were mentioned as a rogue element that came to the aid of the Imperium against the rebels. With brutal shock-assault tactics, the Carcharadons were a key part of the Imperium’s retaliation and they disappeared soon after the end of the conflict. While the campaign book gave us a lot of details about the Chapter, there was much that was shrouded in mystery and myth, some of which Robbie attempts to crystallize with Red Tithe.
On a purely action level, Red Tithe is a masterful novel that balances the brutal savagery of the Carcharadons against the horror-inducing rampages of the Night Lords. I know Robbie of old through a Black Library fan-forum where we were both aspiring writers and it is really great to see how far he has come and how well he has done for himself. He captures the essence of both Space Marine forces and delves deeply into the culture of the Carcharadons in particular. I was certainly impressed. And it isn’t as if the Night Lords get the short end of the stick either for he does delve into their war tactics as well and gives them a good outing.
June 28, 2018
Night Lords, check. Cacharodons,check. Adeptus Arbites, check. Chaos cultists check. Possible Deamon summoning, check check! Have fun with this one people.
December 27, 2016
A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi
(A precipice in front, wolves behind)
Between a rock and a hard place - that's exactly where Robbie MacNiven put the heroes of his sole new novel Carcharodons: Red Tithe Even if his heroes are 2,5 meters tall, clad in ceramite armor, deadly at any range - space 'sharks'.
But let's proceed Ab initio (From the beginning).
Narrative and prose Robbie MacNiven has given us a story wisely versed in brutality, despair and a little bit of hope (but not of the usual kind - it's W40K after all). As a story blurb from BL tells us 'A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines - what more could you want from a story?' But in truth it is much, much more than that.
Author has created the unusual origin story, which actually has started in the amazing short from the BL Advent calendar 'The Reaping time'. A story that follows a boy, who would become a superhuman, a 'God' and a monster. Carcharodons: Red Tithe gives you the same boy at the apex of his power - as a Bail Sharr and other inscrutable characters. An innocent boy who has become not 'so innocent' and a true abomination Prince of Thorns Cull; old Pale Nomad - wise and old Chief Librarian Te Kahurangi. And a future for both antagonists and protagonists - one small, young but not so powerless boy Skell. It is a story of battles, past and future, narrative about lengths of sacrifice and the choices made in good intentions but which led to hell.
All the aforementioned happens on a 'lovely' prison world of Zartak, where darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, in an unbecoming hilarity manner and with them the shadow of fear and pain descends on all. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark - the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
As narrative suggest it is sometimes direct, sometimes covered slaughter, with madness and calculated wickedness running rampant. But it's W40K - you can't expect a lovely trip with a unicorn (if you are not a naive Librarian of course).
But even in a Space Marines Battles story, with clashing doctrines of speed attack, terror tactics and prey sight - it is not simply 'brutal', it has defined and honed layers to it's 'brutality'. But Acta est fabula (The drama has been acted out, It is all over now)
Also Robbie MacNiven has given me an ample example of good descriptive prose. That was totally unexpected and rose him up to the writers Olympus for me.
The Chapter maintains a relic bearing a combat honor dating to the original, pre-Crusade Unification of Terra, so they clearly have connections to a very lengthy history. And author shows that in abundance. We had that kind of heavy descriptions before, but Robbie has done an amazing job with the borders for which he was able to go before going into action.
The prison world Zartak itself is shown in all it's glory - the cumbersome and horrible rooms and cells of the prison blocks, secure perimeters, Arbiter precincts etc.
Characters.
But as they say about sharks, it's not the ones you see that you have to worry about, it's the ones you don't see
All the main cast of the story is truly a delightful conglomerate of personalities. From the Arbitres sirs and ladies to a ceramite clad space sharks and night bats. But in truth even they are secondary to what the novel does best - and that is a battle of ideologies. It is a conflict not of the light and the dark, there are no innocent souls here. And even through fragile ones do exist here - they are the meat and fuel for the greater sacrifice. It is a battle of lesser and bigger evil, of dusk and midnight; of wrong choices made even more wrong.
Through all the novel the comparison is running between the leaders of Carcharodons Bail Sharr and Night Lords warband Prince of Thorns. Sometimes you truly saw that sharks aren't the monsters we make them out to be. But just after that, you see them not as the glorious paragons of humanity but in all their monstrous glory. Same with the Night Lords - with all the deaths and skinning and suffering But later on you see the choices that gets them to that point. All the wrongs that was done to them - and as with the Bowden Night Lords characters you feel almost sorry for them, except the time then you wish for the Prince to die miserably for all he has done...
Robbie MacNiven has done a great job describing the "thin blood " of the 40K Night Lords. Which with a rare exception has almost no ties with the original VIIIth, but united only with the idea of a 'Long War'. Which is almost a joke - cause all the 'new' blood does not know what transpired and live from the gossip of the old ones. Or, to be truthful simply doesn't give a shit.
Add to that a truly vivid depiction of poor prisoners and cellmates life and you will get a truly interesting cast for which you could vouch for.
The story also provides us with a 'healthy' dose of horror. It is an intense mix of 'Alien, Dracula and Jaws'. It is not the horror or dread of unseen monsters (even if sometimes it is try to be one). It is a type of horror then you know that the threat is real, wants to slowly torture and kill you, definitely more powerful than you could overcome... and you are closed up with it together.
Horror elements and brutality are a foresworn labels of this story. But Robbie MacNiven has done a tremendous job to skewer the thin line between mindless bloodbaths scenes and the point were 'users discretion is advised'. He almost get to the point of 'R' rating, but due to his let's say modesty and youth he wasn't able to reach it with grace as did Steve Parker with 'Deathwatch'. But as wise people say Ab (ex) uno disce omnes (From one person, learn all people)
Add to that NL terror tactics in all it's glory and a lot of skinning and skewering and sawing... Well it has lot to show you W40K in all it's atrocious, loathsome, obscene, repulsive and malicious glory.
Questions/answers the story provides
Minor SPOILERS ahead.
As Robbie MacNiven often said himself it is a story that asks more questions, than giving us a long awaited answers.
All the guys and fans who previously thought that Carcharodons are the generation of a Terran Raven Guard legionaries - haha, think again.
During the story you will see a mix of 4 Legions in their geneseed and fighting style. World Eaters rage and deathdealing, Raven Guard shadow steps and friendship with the darkness, Night Lords terror tactics, and Death Guard unstoppable advance.
They also have some Dreadnoughts interred with Wandering Ancestors, which seems to me to be those originally exiled. But, there is plenty of room for doubt. They were exiled by the Forgotten One, which certainly implies a loss of history. One of the main characters - the Carcharodons Chief Librarian is only three generations removed from the Wandering Ancestors. And thus it bar the question - if they were the originally exiled, then the act of exile must have taken place maybe 2-3 thousand years ago at the furthest? Or mister 'Te' is the longest ever living marine in w40k history.
The 'strike cruiser' of the Carcharodons 'The White Maw' has (drumms here!!!) - Ursus Claws!
The moment I read this: 'Prime the Ursus Claws' it was like - 'I see what you are doing where' :)
Does this mean that some WE were included from the beginning in the Carcharodons? Or does the ship was captured by the 'sharks'?
Could the Carcharodons names mean something else except the numbers? 'Aleph-seven-seven' or 'Beta-one-three-Uthulu' - could these names be an indication of the geneseed origin?
Doesn't Terminators 'Red Bretheren' squad remind you of the infamous 'Red Butchers' of the WE Legion?
Add to that the ending and as author promised himself - we had more new questions, than we get answers for the old ones. WELL DONE Robbie MacNiven! Simply well done. Now we have no choice but to wait for the second novel and then more - cause now I totally want at least a trilogy. Imaging the conclusion - Carcharodons versus (drumms!) the XXth Legion. Yeah, I know I'm dreaming - but one could only wish for the greatness!
Verdict
Ad finem. To the end; at or near the end
Robbie MacNiven was able to create a truly amazing story. Exactly the kind of grimdark we can expect from the hatefulness of the 41st Millennium.
And the bittersweet ending, totally deserved for a W40K setting, should always remind you that If in shark infested waters, don't assume the fin coming toward you is a dolphin
To Robbie MacNiven Absolvi meam animam (I have set my mind free. I got that off my chest). You definitely did man, you definitely did. 5 out of 5 stars!
Now stop celebrating and start writing a second part.
For the Reaper Prime, for the Pale Nomad, for all the suffering you made for Skell!
For the glory of the Void Father!
(A precipice in front, wolves behind)
Between a rock and a hard place - that's exactly where Robbie MacNiven put the heroes of his sole new novel Carcharodons: Red Tithe Even if his heroes are 2,5 meters tall, clad in ceramite armor, deadly at any range - space 'sharks'.
But let's proceed Ab initio (From the beginning).
Narrative and prose Robbie MacNiven has given us a story wisely versed in brutality, despair and a little bit of hope (but not of the usual kind - it's W40K after all). As a story blurb from BL tells us 'A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines - what more could you want from a story?' But in truth it is much, much more than that.
Author has created the unusual origin story, which actually has started in the amazing short from the BL Advent calendar 'The Reaping time'. A story that follows a boy, who would become a superhuman, a 'God' and a monster. Carcharodons: Red Tithe gives you the same boy at the apex of his power - as a Bail Sharr and other inscrutable characters. An innocent boy who has become not 'so innocent' and a true abomination Prince of Thorns Cull; old Pale Nomad - wise and old Chief Librarian Te Kahurangi. And a future for both antagonists and protagonists - one small, young but not so powerless boy Skell. It is a story of battles, past and future, narrative about lengths of sacrifice and the choices made in good intentions but which led to hell.
All the aforementioned happens on a 'lovely' prison world of Zartak, where darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, in an unbecoming hilarity manner and with them the shadow of fear and pain descends on all. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark - the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
As narrative suggest it is sometimes direct, sometimes covered slaughter, with madness and calculated wickedness running rampant. But it's W40K - you can't expect a lovely trip with a unicorn (if you are not a naive Librarian of course).
But even in a Space Marines Battles story, with clashing doctrines of speed attack, terror tactics and prey sight - it is not simply 'brutal', it has defined and honed layers to it's 'brutality'. But Acta est fabula (The drama has been acted out, It is all over now)
Also Robbie MacNiven has given me an ample example of good descriptive prose. That was totally unexpected and rose him up to the writers Olympus for me.
The Chapter maintains a relic bearing a combat honor dating to the original, pre-Crusade Unification of Terra, so they clearly have connections to a very lengthy history. And author shows that in abundance. We had that kind of heavy descriptions before, but Robbie has done an amazing job with the borders for which he was able to go before going into action.
The prison world Zartak itself is shown in all it's glory - the cumbersome and horrible rooms and cells of the prison blocks, secure perimeters, Arbiter precincts etc.
Characters.
But as they say about sharks, it's not the ones you see that you have to worry about, it's the ones you don't see
All the main cast of the story is truly a delightful conglomerate of personalities. From the Arbitres sirs and ladies to a ceramite clad space sharks and night bats. But in truth even they are secondary to what the novel does best - and that is a battle of ideologies. It is a conflict not of the light and the dark, there are no innocent souls here. And even through fragile ones do exist here - they are the meat and fuel for the greater sacrifice. It is a battle of lesser and bigger evil, of dusk and midnight; of wrong choices made even more wrong.
Through all the novel the comparison is running between the leaders of Carcharodons Bail Sharr and Night Lords warband Prince of Thorns. Sometimes you truly saw that sharks aren't the monsters we make them out to be. But just after that, you see them not as the glorious paragons of humanity but in all their monstrous glory. Same with the Night Lords - with all the deaths and skinning and suffering But later on you see the choices that gets them to that point. All the wrongs that was done to them - and as with the Bowden Night Lords characters you feel almost sorry for them, except the time then you wish for the Prince to die miserably for all he has done...
Robbie MacNiven has done a great job describing the "thin blood " of the 40K Night Lords. Which with a rare exception has almost no ties with the original VIIIth, but united only with the idea of a 'Long War'. Which is almost a joke - cause all the 'new' blood does not know what transpired and live from the gossip of the old ones. Or, to be truthful simply doesn't give a shit.
Add to that a truly vivid depiction of poor prisoners and cellmates life and you will get a truly interesting cast for which you could vouch for.
The story also provides us with a 'healthy' dose of horror. It is an intense mix of 'Alien, Dracula and Jaws'. It is not the horror or dread of unseen monsters (even if sometimes it is try to be one). It is a type of horror then you know that the threat is real, wants to slowly torture and kill you, definitely more powerful than you could overcome... and you are closed up with it together.
Horror elements and brutality are a foresworn labels of this story. But Robbie MacNiven has done a tremendous job to skewer the thin line between mindless bloodbaths scenes and the point were 'users discretion is advised'. He almost get to the point of 'R' rating, but due to his let's say modesty and youth he wasn't able to reach it with grace as did Steve Parker with 'Deathwatch'. But as wise people say Ab (ex) uno disce omnes (From one person, learn all people)
Add to that NL terror tactics in all it's glory and a lot of skinning and skewering and sawing... Well it has lot to show you W40K in all it's atrocious, loathsome, obscene, repulsive and malicious glory.
Questions/answers the story provides
Minor SPOILERS ahead.
As Robbie MacNiven often said himself it is a story that asks more questions, than giving us a long awaited answers.
All the guys and fans who previously thought that Carcharodons are the generation of a Terran Raven Guard legionaries - haha, think again.
During the story you will see a mix of 4 Legions in their geneseed and fighting style. World Eaters rage and deathdealing, Raven Guard shadow steps and friendship with the darkness, Night Lords terror tactics, and Death Guard unstoppable advance.
They also have some Dreadnoughts interred with Wandering Ancestors, which seems to me to be those originally exiled. But, there is plenty of room for doubt. They were exiled by the Forgotten One, which certainly implies a loss of history. One of the main characters - the Carcharodons Chief Librarian is only three generations removed from the Wandering Ancestors. And thus it bar the question - if they were the originally exiled, then the act of exile must have taken place maybe 2-3 thousand years ago at the furthest? Or mister 'Te' is the longest ever living marine in w40k history.
The 'strike cruiser' of the Carcharodons 'The White Maw' has (drumms here!!!) - Ursus Claws!
The moment I read this: 'Prime the Ursus Claws' it was like - 'I see what you are doing where' :)
Does this mean that some WE were included from the beginning in the Carcharodons? Or does the ship was captured by the 'sharks'?
Could the Carcharodons names mean something else except the numbers? 'Aleph-seven-seven' or 'Beta-one-three-Uthulu' - could these names be an indication of the geneseed origin?
Doesn't Terminators 'Red Bretheren' squad remind you of the infamous 'Red Butchers' of the WE Legion?
Add to that the ending and as author promised himself - we had more new questions, than we get answers for the old ones. WELL DONE Robbie MacNiven! Simply well done. Now we have no choice but to wait for the second novel and then more - cause now I totally want at least a trilogy. Imaging the conclusion - Carcharodons versus (drumms!) the XXth Legion. Yeah, I know I'm dreaming - but one could only wish for the greatness!
Verdict
Ad finem. To the end; at or near the end
Robbie MacNiven was able to create a truly amazing story. Exactly the kind of grimdark we can expect from the hatefulness of the 41st Millennium.
And the bittersweet ending, totally deserved for a W40K setting, should always remind you that If in shark infested waters, don't assume the fin coming toward you is a dolphin
To Robbie MacNiven Absolvi meam animam (I have set my mind free. I got that off my chest). You definitely did man, you definitely did. 5 out of 5 stars!
Now stop celebrating and start writing a second part.
For the Reaper Prime, for the Pale Nomad, for all the suffering you made for Skell!
For the glory of the Void Father!
December 27, 2016
A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi (A precipice in front, wolves behind)
Between a rock and a hard place - that's exactly where Robbie MacNiven put the heroes of his sole new novel Carcharodons: Red Tithe Even if his heroes are 2,5 meters tall, clad in ceramite armor, deadly at any range - space 'sharks'.
But let's proceed Ab initio (From the beginning).
Narrative and prose Robbie MacNiven has given us a story wisely versed in brutality, despair and a little bit of hope (but not of the usual kind - it's W40K after all). As a story blurb from BL tells us 'A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines - what more could you want from a story?' But in truth it is much, much more than that.
Author has created the unusual origin story, which actually has started in the amazing short from the BL Advent calendar 'The Reaping time'. A story that follows a boy, who would become a superhuman, a 'God' and a monster. Carcharodons: Red Tithe gives you the same boy at the apex of his power - as a Bail Sharr and other inscrutable characters. An innocent boy who has become not 'so innocent' and a true abomination Prince of Thorns Cull; old Pale Nomad - wise and old Chief Librarian Te Kahurangi. And a future for both antagonists and protagonists - one small, young but not so powerless boy Skell. It is a story of battles, past and future, narrative about lengths of sacrifice and the choices made in good intentions but which led to hell.
All the aforementioned happens on a 'lovely' prison world of Zartak, where darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, in an unbecoming hilarity manner and with them the shadow of fear and pain descends on all. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark - the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
As narrative suggest it is sometimes direct, sometimes covered slaughter, with madness and calculated wickedness running rampant. But it's W40K - you can't expect a lovely trip with a unicorn (if you are not a naive Librarian of course).
But even in a Space Marines Battles story, with clashing doctrines of speed attack, terror tactics and prey sight - it is not simply 'brutal', it has defined and honed layers to it's 'brutality'. But Acta est fabula (The drama has been acted out, It is all over now)
Also Robbie MacNiven has given me an ample example of good descriptive prose. That was totally unexpected and rose him up to the writers Olympus for me.
The Chapter maintains a relic bearing a combat honor dating to the original, pre-Crusade Unification of Terra, so they clearly have connections to a very lengthy history. And author shows that in abundance. We had that kind of heavy descriptions before, but Robbie has done an amazing job with the borders for which he was able to go before going into action.
The prison world Zartak itself is shown in all it's glory - the cumbersome and horrible rooms and cells of the prison blocks, secure perimeters, Arbiter precincts etc.
Characters.
But as they say about sharks, it's not the ones you see that you have to worry about, it's the ones you don't see
All the main cast of the story is truly a delightful conglomerate of personalities. From the Arbitres sirs and ladies to a ceramite clad space sharks and night bats. But in truth even they are secondary to what the novel does best - and that is a battle of ideologies. It is a conflict not of the light and the dark, there are no innocent souls here. And even through fragile ones do exist here - they are the meat and fuel for the greater sacrifice. It is a battle of lesser and bigger evil, of dusk and midnight; of wrong choices made even more wrong.
Through all the novel the comparison is running between the leaders of Carcharodons Bail Sharr and Night Lords warband Prince of Thorns. Sometimes you truly saw that sharks aren't the monsters we make them out to be. But just after that, you see them not as the glorious paragons of humanity but in all their monstrous glory. Same with the Night Lords - with all the deaths and skinning and suffering But later on you see the choices that gets them to that point. All the wrongs that was done to them - and as with the Bowden Night Lords characters you feel almost sorry for them, except the time then you wish for the Prince to die miserably for all he has done...
Robbie MacNiven has done a great job describing the "thin blood " of the 40K Night Lords. Which with a rare exception has almost no ties with the original VIIIth, but united only with the idea of a 'Long War'. Which is almost a joke - cause all the 'new' blood does not know what transpired and live from the gossip of the old ones. Or, to be truthful simply doesn't give a shit.
Add to that a truly vivid depiction of poor prisoners and cellmates life and you will get a truly interesting cast for which you could vouch for.
The story also provides us with a 'healthy' dose of horror. It is an intense mix of 'Alien, Dracula and Jaws'. It is not the horror or dread of unseen monsters (even if sometimes it is try to be one). It is a type of horror then you know that the threat is real, wants to slowly torture and kill you, definitely more powerful than you could overcome... and you are closed up with it together.
Horror elements and brutality are a foresworn labels of this story. But Robbie MacNiven has done a tremendous job to skewer the thin line between mindless bloodbaths scenes and the point were 'users discretion is advised'. He almost get to the point of 'R' rating, but due to his let's say modesty and youth he wasn't able to reach it with grace as did Steve Parker with 'Deathwatch'. But as wise people say Ab (ex) uno disce omnes (From one person, learn all people)
Add to that NL terror tactics in all it's glory and a lot of skinning and skewering and sawing... Well it has lot to show you W40K in all it's atrocious, loathsome, obscene, repulsive and malicious glory.
Questions/answers the story provides
Minor SPOILERS ahead.
As Robbie MacNiven often said himself it is a story that asks more questions, than giving us a long awaited answers.
All the guys and fans who previously thought that Carcharodons are the generation of a Terran Raven Guard legionaries - haha, think again.
During the story you will see a mix of 4 Legions in their geneseed and fighting style. World Eaters rage and deathdealing, Raven Guard shadow steps and friendship with the darkness, Night Lords terror tactics, and Death Guard unstoppable advance.
They also have some Dreadnoughts interred with Wandering Ancestors, which seems to me to be those originally exiled. But, there is plenty of room for doubt. They were exiled by the Forgotten One, which certainly implies a loss of history. One of the main characters - the Carcharodons Chief Librarian is only three generations removed from the Wandering Ancestors. And thus it bar the question - if they were the originally exiled, then the act of exile must have taken place maybe 2-3 thousand years ago at the furthest? Or mister 'Te' is the longest ever living marine in w40k history.
The 'strike cruiser' of the Carcharodons 'The White Maw' has (drumms here!!!) - Ursus Claws!
The moment I read this: 'Prime the Ursus Claws' it was like - 'I see what you are doing where' :)
Does this mean that some WE were included from the beginning in the Carcharodons? Or does the ship was captured by the 'sharks'?
Could the Carcharodons names mean something else except the numbers? 'Aleph-seven-seven' or 'Beta-one-three-Uthulu' - could these names be an indication of the geneseed origin?
Doesn't Terminators 'Red Bretheren' squad remind you of the infamous 'Red Butchers' of the WE Legion?
Add to that the ending and as author promised himself - we had more new questions, than we get answers for the old ones. WELL DONE Robbie MacNiven! Simply well done. Now we have no choice but to wait for the second novel and then more - cause now I totally want at least a trilogy. Imaging the conclusion - Carcharodons versus (drumms!) the XXth Legion. Yeah, I know I'm dreaming - but one could only wish for the greatness!
Verdict
Ad finem. To the end; at or near the end
Robbie MacNiven was able to create a truly amazing story. Exactly the kind of grimdark we can expect from the hatefulness of the 41st Millennium.
And the bittersweet ending, totally deserved for a W40K setting, should always remind you that If in shark infested waters, don't assume the fin coming toward you is a dolphin
To Robbie MacNiven Absolvi meam animam (I have set my mind free. I got that off my chest). You definitely did man, you definitely did. 5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
Now stop celebrating and start writing a second part.
For the Reaper Prime, for the Pale Nomad, for all the suffering you made for Skell!
For the glory of the Void Father!
Between a rock and a hard place - that's exactly where Robbie MacNiven put the heroes of his sole new novel Carcharodons: Red Tithe Even if his heroes are 2,5 meters tall, clad in ceramite armor, deadly at any range - space 'sharks'.
But let's proceed Ab initio (From the beginning).
Narrative and prose Robbie MacNiven has given us a story wisely versed in brutality, despair and a little bit of hope (but not of the usual kind - it's W40K after all). As a story blurb from BL tells us 'A darkened prison, a pack of Night Lords and the Imperium's most predatory Space Marines - what more could you want from a story?' But in truth it is much, much more than that.
Author has created the unusual origin story, which actually has started in the amazing short from the BL Advent calendar 'The Reaping time'. A story that follows a boy, who would become a superhuman, a 'God' and a monster. Carcharodons: Red Tithe gives you the same boy at the apex of his power - as a Bail Sharr and other inscrutable characters. An innocent boy who has become not 'so innocent' and a true abomination Prince of Thorns Cull; old Pale Nomad - wise and old Chief Librarian Te Kahurangi. And a future for both antagonists and protagonists - one small, young but not so powerless boy Skell. It is a story of battles, past and future, narrative about lengths of sacrifice and the choices made in good intentions but which led to hell.
All the aforementioned happens on a 'lovely' prison world of Zartak, where darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, in an unbecoming hilarity manner and with them the shadow of fear and pain descends on all. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark - the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
As narrative suggest it is sometimes direct, sometimes covered slaughter, with madness and calculated wickedness running rampant. But it's W40K - you can't expect a lovely trip with a unicorn (if you are not a naive Librarian of course).
But even in a Space Marines Battles story, with clashing doctrines of speed attack, terror tactics and prey sight - it is not simply 'brutal', it has defined and honed layers to it's 'brutality'. But Acta est fabula (The drama has been acted out, It is all over now)
Also Robbie MacNiven has given me an ample example of good descriptive prose. That was totally unexpected and rose him up to the writers Olympus for me.
The Chapter maintains a relic bearing a combat honor dating to the original, pre-Crusade Unification of Terra, so they clearly have connections to a very lengthy history. And author shows that in abundance. We had that kind of heavy descriptions before, but Robbie has done an amazing job with the borders for which he was able to go before going into action.
The prison world Zartak itself is shown in all it's glory - the cumbersome and horrible rooms and cells of the prison blocks, secure perimeters, Arbiter precincts etc.
Characters.
But as they say about sharks, it's not the ones you see that you have to worry about, it's the ones you don't see
All the main cast of the story is truly a delightful conglomerate of personalities. From the Arbitres sirs and ladies to a ceramite clad space sharks and night bats. But in truth even they are secondary to what the novel does best - and that is a battle of ideologies. It is a conflict not of the light and the dark, there are no innocent souls here. And even through fragile ones do exist here - they are the meat and fuel for the greater sacrifice. It is a battle of lesser and bigger evil, of dusk and midnight; of wrong choices made even more wrong.
Through all the novel the comparison is running between the leaders of Carcharodons Bail Sharr and Night Lords warband Prince of Thorns. Sometimes you truly saw that sharks aren't the monsters we make them out to be. But just after that, you see them not as the glorious paragons of humanity but in all their monstrous glory. Same with the Night Lords - with all the deaths and skinning and suffering But later on you see the choices that gets them to that point. All the wrongs that was done to them - and as with the Bowden Night Lords characters you feel almost sorry for them, except the time then you wish for the Prince to die miserably for all he has done...
Robbie MacNiven has done a great job describing the "thin blood " of the 40K Night Lords. Which with a rare exception has almost no ties with the original VIIIth, but united only with the idea of a 'Long War'. Which is almost a joke - cause all the 'new' blood does not know what transpired and live from the gossip of the old ones. Or, to be truthful simply doesn't give a shit.
Add to that a truly vivid depiction of poor prisoners and cellmates life and you will get a truly interesting cast for which you could vouch for.
The story also provides us with a 'healthy' dose of horror. It is an intense mix of 'Alien, Dracula and Jaws'. It is not the horror or dread of unseen monsters (even if sometimes it is try to be one). It is a type of horror then you know that the threat is real, wants to slowly torture and kill you, definitely more powerful than you could overcome... and you are closed up with it together.
Horror elements and brutality are a foresworn labels of this story. But Robbie MacNiven has done a tremendous job to skewer the thin line between mindless bloodbaths scenes and the point were 'users discretion is advised'. He almost get to the point of 'R' rating, but due to his let's say modesty and youth he wasn't able to reach it with grace as did Steve Parker with 'Deathwatch'. But as wise people say Ab (ex) uno disce omnes (From one person, learn all people)
Add to that NL terror tactics in all it's glory and a lot of skinning and skewering and sawing... Well it has lot to show you W40K in all it's atrocious, loathsome, obscene, repulsive and malicious glory.
Questions/answers the story provides
Minor SPOILERS ahead.
As Robbie MacNiven often said himself it is a story that asks more questions, than giving us a long awaited answers.
All the guys and fans who previously thought that Carcharodons are the generation of a Terran Raven Guard legionaries - haha, think again.
During the story you will see a mix of 4 Legions in their geneseed and fighting style. World Eaters rage and deathdealing, Raven Guard shadow steps and friendship with the darkness, Night Lords terror tactics, and Death Guard unstoppable advance.
They also have some Dreadnoughts interred with Wandering Ancestors, which seems to me to be those originally exiled. But, there is plenty of room for doubt. They were exiled by the Forgotten One, which certainly implies a loss of history. One of the main characters - the Carcharodons Chief Librarian is only three generations removed from the Wandering Ancestors. And thus it bar the question - if they were the originally exiled, then the act of exile must have taken place maybe 2-3 thousand years ago at the furthest? Or mister 'Te' is the longest ever living marine in w40k history.
The 'strike cruiser' of the Carcharodons 'The White Maw' has (drumms here!!!) - Ursus Claws!
The moment I read this: 'Prime the Ursus Claws' it was like - 'I see what you are doing where' :)
Does this mean that some WE were included from the beginning in the Carcharodons? Or does the ship was captured by the 'sharks'?
Could the Carcharodons names mean something else except the numbers? 'Aleph-seven-seven' or 'Beta-one-three-Uthulu' - could these names be an indication of the geneseed origin?
Doesn't Terminators 'Red Bretheren' squad remind you of the infamous 'Red Butchers' of the WE Legion?
Add to that the ending and as author promised himself - we had more new questions, than we get answers for the old ones. WELL DONE Robbie MacNiven! Simply well done. Now we have no choice but to wait for the second novel and then more - cause now I totally want at least a trilogy. Imaging the conclusion - Carcharodons versus (drumms!) the XXth Legion. Yeah, I know I'm dreaming - but one could only wish for the greatness!
Verdict
Ad finem. To the end; at or near the end
Robbie MacNiven was able to create a truly amazing story. Exactly the kind of grimdark we can expect from the hatefulness of the 41st Millennium.
And the bittersweet ending, totally deserved for a W40K setting, should always remind you that If in shark infested waters, don't assume the fin coming toward you is a dolphin
To Robbie MacNiven Absolvi meam animam (I have set my mind free. I got that off my chest). You definitely did man, you definitely did. 5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
Now stop celebrating and start writing a second part.
For the Reaper Prime, for the Pale Nomad, for all the suffering you made for Skell!
For the glory of the Void Father!
July 24, 2024
Truth In Every Joke
I adore the Carcharodon Astra despite their low Gothic name. An exiled Space Marine chapter, purely Void-born, forever roaming the space between Galaxies fighting monsters in the dark. Every battle brother is afflicted with a gene-seed defect that makes them look like their namesake predators. They’re such caricatures that the extreme parody crosses over into deathly seriousness. Red Tithe introduces their eternal decline and meagre attempts to mitigate it. Even the scenario is grimdark: a penal colony staffed by the Adeptus Arbites during the midst of a Night Lords warband raid. These two factions are favourites of mine, and I appreciate authors who delve into the less popular lore.
Unfortunately, the human cast dilutes the showdown between two vicious, shadow-stalking predators. Both sides are hunting a powerful psyker, but far too much time is spent on this walking plot device with little to show for it. First-hand perspectives of the convicts being manipulated by Night Lords are tedious, repetitive, and cliched. Equally wasted are the Arbites, who are ineffective garrison troopers akin to stereotypical planetary defence forces. Instead of the apex of Imperial Law and Order, Judge Dredd in all but name, we have hapless soldiers fed to the meat grinder.
Red Tithe also hails from an older era of WH40k literature, where the author lists all ten squads and their named characters. The author paints a picture of the bloody war, deploying each squad to scout, flank, and secure objectives. Yet it also highlights how impossible it is for there to be long-lived Terminator squads and multi-century-old Space Marines. Captains regularly squander precious assets in trivial brush wars. It’s not a problem unique to this author, but as the underlying mission objective is to restore their depleted manpower, the problem is hard to forgive. The Night Lords are in a similar position, and the similarities are intriguing. Both factions are tithing the penal colony, and one can’t help but wonder which is the greater evil. Irritatingly, the human sacrifices needed to power Daemons tarnish that moral dilemma. Still, Red Tithe has the courage to star three lesser-known factions in the oft-ignored void beyond the galaxy. And while its execution falls short, its novel ideas elevate it above its brethren.
Recommended.
I adore the Carcharodon Astra despite their low Gothic name. An exiled Space Marine chapter, purely Void-born, forever roaming the space between Galaxies fighting monsters in the dark. Every battle brother is afflicted with a gene-seed defect that makes them look like their namesake predators. They’re such caricatures that the extreme parody crosses over into deathly seriousness. Red Tithe introduces their eternal decline and meagre attempts to mitigate it. Even the scenario is grimdark: a penal colony staffed by the Adeptus Arbites during the midst of a Night Lords warband raid. These two factions are favourites of mine, and I appreciate authors who delve into the less popular lore.
Unfortunately, the human cast dilutes the showdown between two vicious, shadow-stalking predators. Both sides are hunting a powerful psyker, but far too much time is spent on this walking plot device with little to show for it. First-hand perspectives of the convicts being manipulated by Night Lords are tedious, repetitive, and cliched. Equally wasted are the Arbites, who are ineffective garrison troopers akin to stereotypical planetary defence forces. Instead of the apex of Imperial Law and Order, Judge Dredd in all but name, we have hapless soldiers fed to the meat grinder.
Red Tithe also hails from an older era of WH40k literature, where the author lists all ten squads and their named characters. The author paints a picture of the bloody war, deploying each squad to scout, flank, and secure objectives. Yet it also highlights how impossible it is for there to be long-lived Terminator squads and multi-century-old Space Marines. Captains regularly squander precious assets in trivial brush wars. It’s not a problem unique to this author, but as the underlying mission objective is to restore their depleted manpower, the problem is hard to forgive. The Night Lords are in a similar position, and the similarities are intriguing. Both factions are tithing the penal colony, and one can’t help but wonder which is the greater evil. Irritatingly, the human sacrifices needed to power Daemons tarnish that moral dilemma. Still, Red Tithe has the courage to star three lesser-known factions in the oft-ignored void beyond the galaxy. And while its execution falls short, its novel ideas elevate it above its brethren.
Recommended.
April 16, 2017
Many people say that there are too many books about space marines. These people are entirely right. When you actually sit down, break up the books following the astartes and those following everyone else, the you'll notice more than two thirds lie with the former. However, perhaps the best defense of this is the fact that there are so many varied factions of astartes on each side, and a longer personal history to work with when it comes to Chaos. Carcharodons: The Red Tithe is the latest example of this, and it goes to show what an author can do when given the chance to experiment with a big, fun new project.
Synopsis:
Tasked with defending humanity from the horrors which lurk beyond the galactic rim, the Carcharodons have stood sentinel over the Imperium for ten thousand years. Trapped in a state of self-exile, they rarely return to place they once called home, save for the need to slaughter traitors and to carry out the sacred tithe. Drained and depleted, the chapter needs fresh bodies to serve as its serfs and officers, ready to carry out their orders at a moment's notice. Such souls are damnable, miserable scum taken from a few select prisons across the Imperium, such as the one the Third Company now descends upon: Zartak.
Yet, as the ancient astartes arrive, they soon discover that others have fallen upon this world to claim it as their own. A sizable warband of Night Lords, seeking to slake their need to harvest terror and the souls within the prison cells, have turned the planet into a charnel house. A warzone awaits them below, and amid the deep dark pits of the forsaken prison world, these two armies of silent predators will clash until only one is left standing.
The Good:
The massive highlight of this book, and what will draw many people to it, is the Carcharodons themselves. As one of the relatively more recent chapters to be revamped and remade, they had an air of mystery about them, with slight hints and general suggestions of some ancient past, but few answers. We knew little of their culture beyond vague tribal designs, and even their age - if they were a Second Founding chapter - was always in question. As is their very origin, for many people. Rather than answering this, MacNiven opted to give depth to the mystery in question, developing and reworking it until many of these elements are unknown within the chapter itself. While we do know that they were exiled from their home millennia ago, their legends only offer slight hints that it might have been a primarch, and even then it is never confirmed if this was their primarch who gave the order.
Many early segments of the book serve to help build up and establish the ideas behind the chapter itself, running through many basic themes and then pushing beyond this. For example, rather than hanging exclusively on the questions surrounding their origins, it questions how they would have evolved in this state. Isolated, self-focused and no outside influences from other human cultures save for the odd recruit, it presents them as a world apart from almost any other chapter. Calling upon Polynesian and Maori inspirations for their ideals, beliefs and nature along with a few shark related themes, the book builds the idea of an almost archaic chapter which has been preserved in time. This idea of one being so alien, so remote from any other chapter, is something which has rarely been seen of late, and it's used to great effect. This moment of diversity helps to immediately make them stand out, and even against a well established force like the Night Lords there's no point where they risk falling into the background or being overshadowed.
The book also goes the extra mile to express a few ideas about points surrounding the chapter without fully delving into them. Much like the Ultramarines there's a sense that constant politics pit the companies against one another, and it's not uncommon for a single force to have several varying ideals or plans from each of its leaders. While hardly chaotic or conflicting, there's more strife and clashes born from this than you might expect, despite each of them often being right in their own way. Furthermore, there's a careful effort to ensure it's only showing us certain details about them only up to a point, or even leaving certain conflicting comments.
For example, the chapter's frequent use of cryo-pods suggests that several key members of their kind are ancient,with a few lines even suggesting that at least one may have witnessed the Heresy. While the book never fully expands upon this, it leaves the subject hanging, only passing on a few comments before leaving it behind. By never fully addressing it, but confronting it in the right way, it garners a sense of interest and engagement from the reader. We even see the same treatment given to the long standing question of their gene-seed. The book all but outright confirms that they were born from Corax's legion at one point, only to later suggest origins from the Night Lords or World Eaters thanks to their tactics and the presence of Ursa's Claws on their strike cruiser. This could have easily led to a number of infuriating non-answers, but it's enough to make the tale oddly satisfying and leaves you wanting to see more from them.
Many of these ideas and details are not even hindering the tale at any point. Rather than dragging the book to a screeching halt to explore them, they're added here and there throughout the story, breaking up the action as needed. The result is a relentless story of constant conflict, but one which never overstays its welcome or burns you out as a result. Plus, and this has to be said, it helps that the characters here don't serve as simple examples of the chapter. While a few do reflect parts of their history or nature, most are given just enough individual traits to help them stand out, despite their general mental uniformity.
Of course, the book remains fairly strong even once it gets beyond the Carcharodons themselves. While the Night Lords have often been written, re-written and reworked a multitude of times over the past few years, MacNiven still finds a few interesting angles to explore. Personal glory, back-stabbings and conflicts are all on display, but we also see some of the issues when it comes to their leaders. In particular, in this case, many of their kindred hold little innate loyalty to the current Prince of Thorns because he's a comparatively recent recruit rather than someone who saw the rise and fall of the Legions for himself. Plus, there's the idea that this is a cult of conflicting ideals here, but one which has been well established and built up. They do not risk open infighting like others, they're bereft of insanity, and much of the corruption usually found within such warbands is contained and controlled. It's a more optimistic outlook than we usually get with most Chaos warbands (well, to a point anyway) as they're unrepentant monsters, but ones who have developed strict systems and codes to avoid self-destruction and still hold certain values dear.
What many fans will certainly celebrate here is the fact that the astartes, while insanely tough, don't fall into the old trap of being utterly wanked out invincible. We don't get any of the more exaggerated or insanely overblown moments which tends to put people off of these chapters, and they do die to mistakes, attacks or sheer overwhelming odds. So, while there are scenes like a marine dragging him self out from under a few hundred tons of fallen rock, or even shrugging off multiple point blank bolter rounds, others are killed instantly by precision attacks or planned assaults. In fact, one of the most crippling losses taken by the loyalists isn't inflicted by the Night Lords themselves but their cultists, attacking from a venue they simply couldn't afford to counter. So, what we end up with is marines who can still die two one or two blows from a chainsword, but they still have to be blows which behead or effectively bisect them.
The Bad:
This is going to be very debatable on many points as, personally speaking, I think many of my complaints come down to personal taste. Simply put, while MacNiven is clearly giving his all here and has some fantastic moments, he lacks the descriptive strengths of other writers. There are few heavy atmospheric moments in this book which helps to define Warhammer 40,000 as the grim dark nightmare future, or many of the more theoretical and introspective bits. Every descriptive element and point has been incredibly streamlined, almost to the point where it's difficult to truly pin down some of the more heavy going moments of the tale. It's certainly not bad to be sure, but there's always a sense that it lacks some of the substance or ideas found in some of the bigger books.
Perhaps some of the biggest examples of such streamlined storytelling can be found in how it quickly wraps up certain points. Towards the end a minor group of secondary characters is killed off - out of sight no less - with little more than a brief mention, and the final few pages become something of a rushed affair as it tries to bring about an abrupt and bloody conclusion to tie up all the loose ends at once. It's not nearly as abrupt as something by Dan Abnett, but you can also see points where something was just suddenly resolved or brought to a close in order to finish up events.
Another definite issue is how many fights, while well described, often come down to a one-sided battle. Blows are always exchanged and the actual fights themselves are pretty damn satisfying, but it doesn't take much to pick out the rock-paper-scissors effect on display. We have one group overcoming the other, a squad sent in as a response, and then something to counter them. After a while, it sadly becomes predictable how certain key engagements will play out. Even the duels aren't a big exception to this, as you often know who will survive thanks purely to old tropes and storytelling ideas.
The book also suffers when it breaks away from the post-human characters into more mortal figures. While The Red Tithe does work well when it comes to the subject of night and haunting figures, anyone more mundane than this becomes quickly forgettable. As the opening few chapters are populated by almost nothing but Arbitrators and prisoners, this makes actually getting to the action quite a chore. You can find yourself rather bored by characters you know aren't important to the tale, as you know from their language and presentation that they're little more than irrelevant story fodder to be bumped off before the real heroes show up. This might not have even been that bad were it not for the running framing device of an Inquisitorial investigation which heads each chapter, It follows an Interrogator picking out and analyzing scenes of the battle, theorising on what took place. This could have been used to build up mystery and reflect upon the Carcharodons, but it instead often just ends up repeating what the reader already knows.
While there are far fewer problems to pick out here than strengths, each of them is at the very heart of this tale at every turn. You cannot simply enjoy its strengths without having to constantly stomach its weaknesses; because the prose and structure are among these key flaws, it can even reach points where it's hard to see one through the other.
The Verdict:
Carcharodons: The Red Tithe is a solid release and an entertaining tale to be sure, but it's by no means a perfect one. The ideas and concepts are great, but it never manages to rise above greatly entertaining at any point, meaning it can seem weak after so many excellent releases of late. Yet, for all the problems I personally had, it's one I would still definitely recommend in a heartbeat. The core concepts are solid, and it proves that the author can create something great when he's given more freedom to express and explore a chapter. Especially one which embraces the more rustic and ritualistic fantasy elements of this science fiction setting.
Whereas the likes of Master of Mankind and Malleus are much more heavy going titles, this is more of a travelling book by nature. It's the sort of one you'd do better to read on the train heading to work each morning rather than plunging into it for hours at a time. So, take that for what it's worth and give it a look if you're at all interested.
Synopsis:
Tasked with defending humanity from the horrors which lurk beyond the galactic rim, the Carcharodons have stood sentinel over the Imperium for ten thousand years. Trapped in a state of self-exile, they rarely return to place they once called home, save for the need to slaughter traitors and to carry out the sacred tithe. Drained and depleted, the chapter needs fresh bodies to serve as its serfs and officers, ready to carry out their orders at a moment's notice. Such souls are damnable, miserable scum taken from a few select prisons across the Imperium, such as the one the Third Company now descends upon: Zartak.
Yet, as the ancient astartes arrive, they soon discover that others have fallen upon this world to claim it as their own. A sizable warband of Night Lords, seeking to slake their need to harvest terror and the souls within the prison cells, have turned the planet into a charnel house. A warzone awaits them below, and amid the deep dark pits of the forsaken prison world, these two armies of silent predators will clash until only one is left standing.
The Good:
The massive highlight of this book, and what will draw many people to it, is the Carcharodons themselves. As one of the relatively more recent chapters to be revamped and remade, they had an air of mystery about them, with slight hints and general suggestions of some ancient past, but few answers. We knew little of their culture beyond vague tribal designs, and even their age - if they were a Second Founding chapter - was always in question. As is their very origin, for many people. Rather than answering this, MacNiven opted to give depth to the mystery in question, developing and reworking it until many of these elements are unknown within the chapter itself. While we do know that they were exiled from their home millennia ago, their legends only offer slight hints that it might have been a primarch, and even then it is never confirmed if this was their primarch who gave the order.
Many early segments of the book serve to help build up and establish the ideas behind the chapter itself, running through many basic themes and then pushing beyond this. For example, rather than hanging exclusively on the questions surrounding their origins, it questions how they would have evolved in this state. Isolated, self-focused and no outside influences from other human cultures save for the odd recruit, it presents them as a world apart from almost any other chapter. Calling upon Polynesian and Maori inspirations for their ideals, beliefs and nature along with a few shark related themes, the book builds the idea of an almost archaic chapter which has been preserved in time. This idea of one being so alien, so remote from any other chapter, is something which has rarely been seen of late, and it's used to great effect. This moment of diversity helps to immediately make them stand out, and even against a well established force like the Night Lords there's no point where they risk falling into the background or being overshadowed.
The book also goes the extra mile to express a few ideas about points surrounding the chapter without fully delving into them. Much like the Ultramarines there's a sense that constant politics pit the companies against one another, and it's not uncommon for a single force to have several varying ideals or plans from each of its leaders. While hardly chaotic or conflicting, there's more strife and clashes born from this than you might expect, despite each of them often being right in their own way. Furthermore, there's a careful effort to ensure it's only showing us certain details about them only up to a point, or even leaving certain conflicting comments.
For example, the chapter's frequent use of cryo-pods suggests that several key members of their kind are ancient,with a few lines even suggesting that at least one may have witnessed the Heresy. While the book never fully expands upon this, it leaves the subject hanging, only passing on a few comments before leaving it behind. By never fully addressing it, but confronting it in the right way, it garners a sense of interest and engagement from the reader. We even see the same treatment given to the long standing question of their gene-seed. The book all but outright confirms that they were born from Corax's legion at one point, only to later suggest origins from the Night Lords or World Eaters thanks to their tactics and the presence of Ursa's Claws on their strike cruiser. This could have easily led to a number of infuriating non-answers, but it's enough to make the tale oddly satisfying and leaves you wanting to see more from them.
Many of these ideas and details are not even hindering the tale at any point. Rather than dragging the book to a screeching halt to explore them, they're added here and there throughout the story, breaking up the action as needed. The result is a relentless story of constant conflict, but one which never overstays its welcome or burns you out as a result. Plus, and this has to be said, it helps that the characters here don't serve as simple examples of the chapter. While a few do reflect parts of their history or nature, most are given just enough individual traits to help them stand out, despite their general mental uniformity.
Of course, the book remains fairly strong even once it gets beyond the Carcharodons themselves. While the Night Lords have often been written, re-written and reworked a multitude of times over the past few years, MacNiven still finds a few interesting angles to explore. Personal glory, back-stabbings and conflicts are all on display, but we also see some of the issues when it comes to their leaders. In particular, in this case, many of their kindred hold little innate loyalty to the current Prince of Thorns because he's a comparatively recent recruit rather than someone who saw the rise and fall of the Legions for himself. Plus, there's the idea that this is a cult of conflicting ideals here, but one which has been well established and built up. They do not risk open infighting like others, they're bereft of insanity, and much of the corruption usually found within such warbands is contained and controlled. It's a more optimistic outlook than we usually get with most Chaos warbands (well, to a point anyway) as they're unrepentant monsters, but ones who have developed strict systems and codes to avoid self-destruction and still hold certain values dear.
What many fans will certainly celebrate here is the fact that the astartes, while insanely tough, don't fall into the old trap of being utterly wanked out invincible. We don't get any of the more exaggerated or insanely overblown moments which tends to put people off of these chapters, and they do die to mistakes, attacks or sheer overwhelming odds. So, while there are scenes like a marine dragging him self out from under a few hundred tons of fallen rock, or even shrugging off multiple point blank bolter rounds, others are killed instantly by precision attacks or planned assaults. In fact, one of the most crippling losses taken by the loyalists isn't inflicted by the Night Lords themselves but their cultists, attacking from a venue they simply couldn't afford to counter. So, what we end up with is marines who can still die two one or two blows from a chainsword, but they still have to be blows which behead or effectively bisect them.
The Bad:
This is going to be very debatable on many points as, personally speaking, I think many of my complaints come down to personal taste. Simply put, while MacNiven is clearly giving his all here and has some fantastic moments, he lacks the descriptive strengths of other writers. There are few heavy atmospheric moments in this book which helps to define Warhammer 40,000 as the grim dark nightmare future, or many of the more theoretical and introspective bits. Every descriptive element and point has been incredibly streamlined, almost to the point where it's difficult to truly pin down some of the more heavy going moments of the tale. It's certainly not bad to be sure, but there's always a sense that it lacks some of the substance or ideas found in some of the bigger books.
Perhaps some of the biggest examples of such streamlined storytelling can be found in how it quickly wraps up certain points. Towards the end a minor group of secondary characters is killed off - out of sight no less - with little more than a brief mention, and the final few pages become something of a rushed affair as it tries to bring about an abrupt and bloody conclusion to tie up all the loose ends at once. It's not nearly as abrupt as something by Dan Abnett, but you can also see points where something was just suddenly resolved or brought to a close in order to finish up events.
Another definite issue is how many fights, while well described, often come down to a one-sided battle. Blows are always exchanged and the actual fights themselves are pretty damn satisfying, but it doesn't take much to pick out the rock-paper-scissors effect on display. We have one group overcoming the other, a squad sent in as a response, and then something to counter them. After a while, it sadly becomes predictable how certain key engagements will play out. Even the duels aren't a big exception to this, as you often know who will survive thanks purely to old tropes and storytelling ideas.
The book also suffers when it breaks away from the post-human characters into more mortal figures. While The Red Tithe does work well when it comes to the subject of night and haunting figures, anyone more mundane than this becomes quickly forgettable. As the opening few chapters are populated by almost nothing but Arbitrators and prisoners, this makes actually getting to the action quite a chore. You can find yourself rather bored by characters you know aren't important to the tale, as you know from their language and presentation that they're little more than irrelevant story fodder to be bumped off before the real heroes show up. This might not have even been that bad were it not for the running framing device of an Inquisitorial investigation which heads each chapter, It follows an Interrogator picking out and analyzing scenes of the battle, theorising on what took place. This could have been used to build up mystery and reflect upon the Carcharodons, but it instead often just ends up repeating what the reader already knows.
While there are far fewer problems to pick out here than strengths, each of them is at the very heart of this tale at every turn. You cannot simply enjoy its strengths without having to constantly stomach its weaknesses; because the prose and structure are among these key flaws, it can even reach points where it's hard to see one through the other.
The Verdict:
Carcharodons: The Red Tithe is a solid release and an entertaining tale to be sure, but it's by no means a perfect one. The ideas and concepts are great, but it never manages to rise above greatly entertaining at any point, meaning it can seem weak after so many excellent releases of late. Yet, for all the problems I personally had, it's one I would still definitely recommend in a heartbeat. The core concepts are solid, and it proves that the author can create something great when he's given more freedom to express and explore a chapter. Especially one which embraces the more rustic and ritualistic fantasy elements of this science fiction setting.
Whereas the likes of Master of Mankind and Malleus are much more heavy going titles, this is more of a travelling book by nature. It's the sort of one you'd do better to read on the train heading to work each morning rather than plunging into it for hours at a time. So, take that for what it's worth and give it a look if you're at all interested.
October 28, 2024
Ik kon het boek niet neer leggen. Het enigste minpuntje is dat het per hoofdstuk wisselt van het oogpunt per karakter. Dit is soms verwarrend.
February 15, 2019
This book and I have a funny relationship.
Before reading it I sent a tweet to Robbie MacNiven joking with him saying I was going to give his first full length novel a chance and let him know what I thought of it when I finished it.
I bought the book in January of 2018 and didn't finish it till February 2019 this includes a full reread of the book as the last year I had only got 40 pages in before benching it. That wasn't Robbie's fault I just kept putting it off again and again.
So now having given the book a second chance I began reading it from the beginning of the year, I was very impressed yet there were times when I felt that Robbie made it very frustrating, primarily with the loyalist characters because there were times when they were getting really badly beaten and I was expecting them to either lose or suffer very significant casualties.
Through and through I am loyalist, even when I enjoy reading books that are about Traitor Marines like the Word Bearers and Iron Warriors. When the Traitor legions fight Eldar, Tyranids or Orks I don't bat an eye but when they fight Imperial Guard or Loyalist legions I always get a bit upset the amount of damage that they do to them.
But back to Red Tithe... at times I might have found the pace a bit slow but other than that I really enjoyed the fight scenes, the story developed nicely and kept me gripped throughout despite my opinion of the pacing.
Overall a really great debut novel from Robbie and I look forward to reading Outer Dark and I'll be doing a review of that when I finish with it...which going by my record will be sometime next year lol
Before reading it I sent a tweet to Robbie MacNiven joking with him saying I was going to give his first full length novel a chance and let him know what I thought of it when I finished it.
I bought the book in January of 2018 and didn't finish it till February 2019 this includes a full reread of the book as the last year I had only got 40 pages in before benching it. That wasn't Robbie's fault I just kept putting it off again and again.
So now having given the book a second chance I began reading it from the beginning of the year, I was very impressed yet there were times when I felt that Robbie made it very frustrating, primarily with the loyalist characters because there were times when they were getting really badly beaten and I was expecting them to either lose or suffer very significant casualties.
Through and through I am loyalist, even when I enjoy reading books that are about Traitor Marines like the Word Bearers and Iron Warriors. When the Traitor legions fight Eldar, Tyranids or Orks I don't bat an eye but when they fight Imperial Guard or Loyalist legions I always get a bit upset the amount of damage that they do to them.
But back to Red Tithe... at times I might have found the pace a bit slow but other than that I really enjoyed the fight scenes, the story developed nicely and kept me gripped throughout despite my opinion of the pacing.
Overall a really great debut novel from Robbie and I look forward to reading Outer Dark and I'll be doing a review of that when I finish with it...which going by my record will be sometime next year lol
September 7, 2017
On the penal world of Zartak, deep within the dwindling adamantium mines, thousands of convicts toil under their arbitrator overseers’ supervision. Only young Skell, gifted with the mixed blessing of foresight, understands that darkness is approaching Zartak. Two fleets of predators, each intent on the same objectives – slaves, materiel and Skell himself.
This feels like an old-school dark 40k novel updated for the more modern tastes of Black Library readers. Expect plenty of action but also plenty of intrigue and mystery – it’s not an in-depth analysis of the Carcharadons (although that may come as follow-ups are written) but it is a highly enjoyable, very satisfying story.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/08/...
This feels like an old-school dark 40k novel updated for the more modern tastes of Black Library readers. Expect plenty of action but also plenty of intrigue and mystery – it’s not an in-depth analysis of the Carcharadons (although that may come as follow-ups are written) but it is a highly enjoyable, very satisfying story.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/08/...
November 26, 2024
The plot of this book sounds awesome, carcharodons vs the night lords. I was keen. Some cool details about the carcharodons and I loved the way the night lords were described in such a creepy way but the story and charecters were so flat, also had a hard time following who was who and what was going on. Given the plot the story should have been a lot better.
December 26, 2016
A great book with a lot of interesting characters, I like the subtle hints at the background of the carcharodons and how they act within the imperium and with each other
June 27, 2025
A genuinely delightful romp into the darker corners of Warhammer 40,000's universe.
March 17, 2017
Bookworm Speaks!
Cacharodons: Red Tithe
By Robbie MacNiven
****
Acquired: Blacklibrary.com
Series: Carcharodons (Book 1)
Publisher: Black Library and Games Workshop (July 25, 2017)
Hardcover: 400 pages
Language: English
****
The Story: The most brutal of Space Marines, the Carcharodons Astra, battle the Night Lords for control of the prison world of Zartak.
On the prison world of Zartak, darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, and with them the shadow of fear and pain. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark – the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red with blood, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
The Review: The Warhammer 40,000 universe is filled with mysteries. Not just in canon but in the fandom as well. In a series that has come to span nearly three decades, it is to be expected that there would be ideas and concepts that would fall between the cracks. One of the most tantalizing mysteries that has teased fans of the franchise has been the story of the Carcharodons Astra or the Space Sharks or simply Carcharodons. A mysterious and silent Chapter that rises from the deep to battle and disappear as mysteriously as they came.
The Carcharodons are unlike any other Space Marine Chapter we have ever seen before. It has always been a point of fact that the Adeptus Astartes are separated from the common man in many fundamental ways but the Carcharodons take it a step further. For centuries, they have wandered the black and
One of Bookworm favorites lines about the Carcharodons comes from the Warhammer wiki:
“Now, the very name of this Chapter is synonymous with the cold, dark depths of the void and the hungry predators that lurk within.”
Another praise that deserves mention is the culture of the chapter itself, how little of it we may see. It is based on Polynesian and Maori influences which is evinced by the decorations that adorn their bodies and armor. This is good step in the right direction for as much as he loves the Warhammer Universe, from an objective standpoint, he would be forced to give it a low score on the diversity scale. While certainly varied, the majority of characters and factions are based off of Caucasian culture and history. A little diversity is greatly appreciated and we desperately need more.
On that note, the author deserves credit for not giving too much away. In fact, the reader is left with even more questions about the followers of the Void Father. It was little piece of the puzzle but there is a lot more puzzle left. The book is very much like the Space Marine Battles Series. All that we were really given was a day-in-the-life scenario. We know a little bit more about how the Space Sharks live, operate, and fight but that is pretty much it. It is interesting, make no mistake, but we are left with even more questions on where the Sharks came from, what their goals are and why are they roaming the stars in the manner that they are?
They really did leave as mysteriously as they came.
Bookworm guesses that the Carcharodons are much like the sharks themselves, of whom they adorn themselves. There are not after anything particularly complicated. They exist solely to swim the stars, hunt, and feed. Their motivations for coming to Zartak are not complicated at all. Another way they are really are like the creatures who gave them their name is that they never really stop. A shark must keep swimming in order to pass water through their gills and breathe, the space sharks must really do the same thing: Move through the void, never stopping. Their water is supplies and raw materials and flesh that keeps the chapter alive.
Its important to remember that these are the ones we are supposed to be rooting for! The villains in this story are the Night Lords, One of the traitor legions of Adeptus Astartes that have sworn fealty to the Gods of Chaos. That is also refreshing. In most Warhammer fiction, the Night Lords have proven elusive adversaries. It has mostly been Iron Warriors or Word Bearers that have traded blows with Emperor’s servants. The Night Lords are a very unique faction and are an ideal adversary for the Carcharodons. On the surface, they are both very similar. Savage predators who strike hard and fast leaving only fear in their wake. For all their viciousness in battle, the Carcharodons are actually quite serene when not fighting, much like their namesake. The Night Lords on the other hand are wild and well…chaotic! The author does a good job of making them interesting though. Not merely the monster of the week. There is a lot of history between and among these Astartes that leaves far more questions than answers.
Final Verdict: Red Tithe is a stunning debut for the author and Bookworm eagerly awaits more adventures in the 41st millennium from his writing desk! Hopefully…a sequel too!
Four Chapter Icons out of Five.
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
Cacharodons: Red Tithe
By Robbie MacNiven
****
Acquired: Blacklibrary.com
Series: Carcharodons (Book 1)
Publisher: Black Library and Games Workshop (July 25, 2017)
Hardcover: 400 pages
Language: English
****
The Story: The most brutal of Space Marines, the Carcharodons Astra, battle the Night Lords for control of the prison world of Zartak.
On the prison world of Zartak, darkness has fallen on arbitrators and inmates alike. The Night Lords have come, and with them the shadow of fear and pain. But they are not the only ones with an interest in Zartak. From the void, running on silent, another fleet emerges. Its warriors are grey-clad and white-faced, and their eyes are as black as the Outer Dark – the savage Carcharodon Astra. As these two packs of ancient, merciless predators stalk the shadows of the prison colony, both seeking a single young inmate with unnatural talents, the corridors run red with blood, and both factions will have to fight tooth and claw to leave Zartak alive.
The Review: The Warhammer 40,000 universe is filled with mysteries. Not just in canon but in the fandom as well. In a series that has come to span nearly three decades, it is to be expected that there would be ideas and concepts that would fall between the cracks. One of the most tantalizing mysteries that has teased fans of the franchise has been the story of the Carcharodons Astra or the Space Sharks or simply Carcharodons. A mysterious and silent Chapter that rises from the deep to battle and disappear as mysteriously as they came.
The Carcharodons are unlike any other Space Marine Chapter we have ever seen before. It has always been a point of fact that the Adeptus Astartes are separated from the common man in many fundamental ways but the Carcharodons take it a step further. For centuries, they have wandered the black and
One of Bookworm favorites lines about the Carcharodons comes from the Warhammer wiki:
“Now, the very name of this Chapter is synonymous with the cold, dark depths of the void and the hungry predators that lurk within.”
Another praise that deserves mention is the culture of the chapter itself, how little of it we may see. It is based on Polynesian and Maori influences which is evinced by the decorations that adorn their bodies and armor. This is good step in the right direction for as much as he loves the Warhammer Universe, from an objective standpoint, he would be forced to give it a low score on the diversity scale. While certainly varied, the majority of characters and factions are based off of Caucasian culture and history. A little diversity is greatly appreciated and we desperately need more.
On that note, the author deserves credit for not giving too much away. In fact, the reader is left with even more questions about the followers of the Void Father. It was little piece of the puzzle but there is a lot more puzzle left. The book is very much like the Space Marine Battles Series. All that we were really given was a day-in-the-life scenario. We know a little bit more about how the Space Sharks live, operate, and fight but that is pretty much it. It is interesting, make no mistake, but we are left with even more questions on where the Sharks came from, what their goals are and why are they roaming the stars in the manner that they are?
They really did leave as mysteriously as they came.
Bookworm guesses that the Carcharodons are much like the sharks themselves, of whom they adorn themselves. There are not after anything particularly complicated. They exist solely to swim the stars, hunt, and feed. Their motivations for coming to Zartak are not complicated at all. Another way they are really are like the creatures who gave them their name is that they never really stop. A shark must keep swimming in order to pass water through their gills and breathe, the space sharks must really do the same thing: Move through the void, never stopping. Their water is supplies and raw materials and flesh that keeps the chapter alive.
Its important to remember that these are the ones we are supposed to be rooting for! The villains in this story are the Night Lords, One of the traitor legions of Adeptus Astartes that have sworn fealty to the Gods of Chaos. That is also refreshing. In most Warhammer fiction, the Night Lords have proven elusive adversaries. It has mostly been Iron Warriors or Word Bearers that have traded blows with Emperor’s servants. The Night Lords are a very unique faction and are an ideal adversary for the Carcharodons. On the surface, they are both very similar. Savage predators who strike hard and fast leaving only fear in their wake. For all their viciousness in battle, the Carcharodons are actually quite serene when not fighting, much like their namesake. The Night Lords on the other hand are wild and well…chaotic! The author does a good job of making them interesting though. Not merely the monster of the week. There is a lot of history between and among these Astartes that leaves far more questions than answers.
Final Verdict: Red Tithe is a stunning debut for the author and Bookworm eagerly awaits more adventures in the 41st millennium from his writing desk! Hopefully…a sequel too!
Four Chapter Icons out of Five.
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
November 6, 2018
This book felt very off for a 40k novel.
MacNiven does some interesting things with one of the most mysterious chapters to come out of the space marines. He cloaks them in mystery in regards to their history, yet keeps them firmly relatable to real world cultures for their traditions, weapons and tactics. This has always been one of the strong points of good 40k writers when they do space marines, and MacNiven kept that up. There's just enough detail about this chapter to keep anyone who has ever had any kind of passing interest going.
Yet, overall the story is just not there. It's your standard MacGuffin story arc, with the chapter chasing after one singular person. Throughout it, they battle the Night Lords, who don't feel like the Night Lords at all beyond a couple surface coverings. This could have been a really good chance for MacNiven to do something interesting with the whole 'leader is not a true Night Lord' idea, but instead it plays out to mean next to nothing in the scheme of things and just fills up space. There is also a lot of fiction out there already about the Night Lords, and none of those elements seem to be a part of this group of chaos marines. Instead of having a legion that uses fear and brutality facing off against a very brutal chapter, we get your standard space marine book with nothing new.
It was rather disappointing all things said.
Still, MacNiven does some things well. Beyond the culture permeating the Carcharodons, he handles the actual combat and tactics fairly well, at least for the space marines. Things are fairly brutal and bloody, which fits the chapter well, and the way they fight fits them perfectly. Unfortunately the way the Night Lords behave takes away a lot of that atmosphere, which diminishes it a fair bit.
The handling of the Adeptus Arbites woman was really well done, and suitably dark for the 40k universe. It was handled really well and fit the universe and space marines as a whole, something that you don't see a lot of in other space marine novels, so I applaud MacNiven on his use of that character and everything that happens to her throughout the story. For a side character to the entire plot, it almost feels like she should have been the main protagonist, depicting the entire battle and event through her eyes, which would have hyped up the terror and brutality of both the Night Lords as well as the Carcharodons.
In the end, this is a slightly below average 40k novel. It does some things really well, but unfortunately its failings take away from those elements and drag it down. If you are interested in the Carcharodons, I recommend you read it, because you will probably enjoy it. If you are a Night Lord fan, be prepared to be disappointed in your favorite legion. Either way, I think MacNiven could have done better and I am not sure I will read further in this series.
MacNiven does some interesting things with one of the most mysterious chapters to come out of the space marines. He cloaks them in mystery in regards to their history, yet keeps them firmly relatable to real world cultures for their traditions, weapons and tactics. This has always been one of the strong points of good 40k writers when they do space marines, and MacNiven kept that up. There's just enough detail about this chapter to keep anyone who has ever had any kind of passing interest going.
Yet, overall the story is just not there. It's your standard MacGuffin story arc, with the chapter chasing after one singular person. Throughout it, they battle the Night Lords, who don't feel like the Night Lords at all beyond a couple surface coverings. This could have been a really good chance for MacNiven to do something interesting with the whole 'leader is not a true Night Lord' idea, but instead it plays out to mean next to nothing in the scheme of things and just fills up space. There is also a lot of fiction out there already about the Night Lords, and none of those elements seem to be a part of this group of chaos marines. Instead of having a legion that uses fear and brutality facing off against a very brutal chapter, we get your standard space marine book with nothing new.
It was rather disappointing all things said.
Still, MacNiven does some things well. Beyond the culture permeating the Carcharodons, he handles the actual combat and tactics fairly well, at least for the space marines. Things are fairly brutal and bloody, which fits the chapter well, and the way they fight fits them perfectly. Unfortunately the way the Night Lords behave takes away a lot of that atmosphere, which diminishes it a fair bit.
The handling of the Adeptus Arbites woman was really well done, and suitably dark for the 40k universe. It was handled really well and fit the universe and space marines as a whole, something that you don't see a lot of in other space marine novels, so I applaud MacNiven on his use of that character and everything that happens to her throughout the story. For a side character to the entire plot, it almost feels like she should have been the main protagonist, depicting the entire battle and event through her eyes, which would have hyped up the terror and brutality of both the Night Lords as well as the Carcharodons.
In the end, this is a slightly below average 40k novel. It does some things really well, but unfortunately its failings take away from those elements and drag it down. If you are interested in the Carcharodons, I recommend you read it, because you will probably enjoy it. If you are a Night Lord fan, be prepared to be disappointed in your favorite legion. Either way, I think MacNiven could have done better and I am not sure I will read further in this series.
April 22, 2024
Кархародоны - самый загадочный и таинственный орден, который официально не существует. Но он тем не менее есть. Пишут, что это супер-лоялисты, которые помнят еще живого императора, всем сердцем любят и ценят Терру, а в сражениях не щадят даже обычный мирный народ, который случайно попадается под руку. Пилят зубы, наносят татуировки на все части тела... У кого-то в интернете есть подозрение, что корни идеи растут из племени маори, что в Новой Зеландии. В общем, мне было довольно любопытно почитать книгу, которая рассказывает об этом совершенно странном и тайном ордене.
Все действие происходит на тюремном мире Зартак, где томится весьма юный псайкер, которого никто не любит за его "ведьмачьи" способности. Рота Кархародонов отправляется на Зартак, чтобы набрать новых рекрутов в Орден. Но буквально на чуть-чуть их опередили Повелители ночи, которые решили посетить Зартак с теми же целями набрать опасных головорезов. По сути весь роман - это одна стычка, растянутая на почти 350 страниц. Причем вопреки названию, большая часть книги посвящена Повелителям ночи, а не зубастым "акулодонам". Мне весьма симпатичны "ушастые" Повелители, но в "Красной подати" они описываются не шибко интересно. Другое дело Дембски-Боуден, который прекрасно раскрыл Повелителей ночи во всей красе. У МакНивен это довольно вяленько получилось.
Если честно, ожидал от книги большего, оценки ведь у нее высокие. В целом у МакНивена получился среднестатистический вахобоевичок, просто с неожиданным орденом, о котором мало кто пишет. Встретились, пострелялись, поубивали друг друга, разбежались зализывать раны. Просто в финале кое-кто еще и псайкера утянул, что дает задел на будущие романы. Буднично. 7/10
Все действие происходит на тюремном мире Зартак, где томится весьма юный псайкер, которого никто не любит за его "ведьмачьи" способности. Рота Кархародонов отправляется на Зартак, чтобы набрать новых рекрутов в Орден. Но буквально на чуть-чуть их опередили Повелители ночи, которые решили посетить Зартак с теми же целями набрать опасных головорезов. По сути весь роман - это одна стычка, растянутая на почти 350 страниц. Причем вопреки названию, большая часть книги посвящена Повелителям ночи, а не зубастым "акулодонам". Мне весьма симпатичны "ушастые" Повелители, но в "Красной подати" они описываются не шибко интересно. Другое дело Дембски-Боуден, который прекрасно раскрыл Повелителей ночи во всей красе. У МакНивен это довольно вяленько получилось.
Если честно, ожидал от книги большего, оценки ведь у нее высокие. В целом у МакНивена получился среднестатистический вахобоевичок, просто с неожиданным орденом, о котором мало кто пишет. Встретились, пострелялись, поубивали друг друга, разбежались зализывать раны. Просто в финале кое-кто еще и псайкера утянул, что дает задел на будущие романы. Буднично. 7/10
August 20, 2017
I am in no position to critic anybody's work, but..... I loved the book. I read all of the Black Library books that i can. I have always been a fan of the Nightlords. I have read all of ADB's Nightlord's books over and over. I can now say that i await any further Carcharodons titles by this author with the same giddiness and will begin reading this again soon.
Did not have much info on the Sharks going in. Did not have a whole lot more info going out...but thats ok. What i did have was complete carnage in a battle between my favorite chaos legion and this strange new legion from the void. No punches were pulled. Both sides were just as brutal and unpredictable as the other. I thought it was great that actual planning had to be done to outwit one another. I got to see a little of how this legion works in silence and pounces suddenly from the dark. Much like their foes.
I got to get familiar with some new heroes from the Charcarodons and even loved how my Nightlords were portrayed. All of the characters were great, though the lost of a couple kind of hurt. That just makes it more of a good read.
I look forward to the Charcharodons next book by this author. I wish i could better say how much i enjoyed this. Well done, Mr MacNiven! I like your writing style and detail. Well done, sir.
Did not have much info on the Sharks going in. Did not have a whole lot more info going out...but thats ok. What i did have was complete carnage in a battle between my favorite chaos legion and this strange new legion from the void. No punches were pulled. Both sides were just as brutal and unpredictable as the other. I thought it was great that actual planning had to be done to outwit one another. I got to see a little of how this legion works in silence and pounces suddenly from the dark. Much like their foes.
I got to get familiar with some new heroes from the Charcarodons and even loved how my Nightlords were portrayed. All of the characters were great, though the lost of a couple kind of hurt. That just makes it more of a good read.
I look forward to the Charcharodons next book by this author. I wish i could better say how much i enjoyed this. Well done, Mr MacNiven! I like your writing style and detail. Well done, sir.
October 11, 2019
They live in the Void, in the dark beyond the Galaxy's light, hunting the enemies of the Imperium before they even reach it. There be monsters there, in the dark. But as monstrous as those monsters are the silent hunters, the Space Sharks, the Carcharadon chapter of the Space Marines. For ten thousand years they have cruised the Void, going deep into great silence, on an eternal crusade.
So, yes, they're pretty weird. Ten thousand years fighting the sort of monsters that inhabit the 40th millennium would make anyone a little bit strange: the Carcharadons are off the scale strange. Perhaps that could have come across a little more strongly in these novels, but Robbie MacNiven does a great job of setting up this chapter of solitary hunters of the abyss in these two novels, the first, Red Tithe, pitting the Sharks against the Night Lords, the second, Outer Dark, taking on the Tyrannids.
So, yes, they're pretty weird. Ten thousand years fighting the sort of monsters that inhabit the 40th millennium would make anyone a little bit strange: the Carcharadons are off the scale strange. Perhaps that could have come across a little more strongly in these novels, but Robbie MacNiven does a great job of setting up this chapter of solitary hunters of the abyss in these two novels, the first, Red Tithe, pitting the Sharks against the Night Lords, the second, Outer Dark, taking on the Tyrannids.
March 27, 2018
Yeah, I am still on my Warhammer kick..
THIS is awesome, I love the fact that the Carchardons are a "different" chapter, they really have taken on the characteristics of their namesakes (sharks). These soldiers are really as alien as you would expect and their conflict with the Night Lords is a brutal affair.
I like the author's method of showing them at war, they aren't supermen blowing through enemies, they are a blood wave force of death, silent destruction.
Even if I stop my WH40K trip, I will continue diving into the tales of this chapter, Highly recommended.
THIS is awesome, I love the fact that the Carchardons are a "different" chapter, they really have taken on the characteristics of their namesakes (sharks). These soldiers are really as alien as you would expect and their conflict with the Night Lords is a brutal affair.
I like the author's method of showing them at war, they aren't supermen blowing through enemies, they are a blood wave force of death, silent destruction.
Even if I stop my WH40K trip, I will continue diving into the tales of this chapter, Highly recommended.
September 26, 2020
Lots of great lore potential here! Really enjoyed this story about an unknown Chapter of Space Marines which are quite unlike the others. Brutal and bloody warfare. Intriguingly mysterious glimpses of history.
June 14, 2023
A pleasant suprise! MacNivens Space Sharks are merciless and just in equal measure. His choice of night lords as their dark counterpart is an inspired choice and sets up a fantastic tale of predator vs predator.
The desperate narrative plots did meander in the middle, yet we're successfully pulled together by the end.
The desperate narrative plots did meander in the middle, yet we're successfully pulled together by the end.
May 20, 2017
If you have a solid background knowledge on Warhammer 40k this is a great book. With the loyal Charcharodon Astra Chapter and the traitor Space Marines from the Night Lords Legion, it gets brutal and the slaughter is almost endless.
The ending struggels a little bit, but it does not hurt the book it selfs. I hope they will write another novel with the Space Sharks and their Crusade.
The ending struggels a little bit, but it does not hurt the book it selfs. I hope they will write another novel with the Space Sharks and their Crusade.
April 16, 2018
Interesting read
Liked the story and the subject matter. I'm interested in knowing more about the carbonation astra now. Looking forward to next book.
Liked the story and the subject matter. I'm interested in knowing more about the carbonation astra now. Looking forward to next book.
September 25, 2024
Shark space marines. This one was actually a little disappointing
March 24, 2018
4/5
And the 5th star is only docked, because I don’t think I’ll look back on the story and remember it as one of the greatest stories in 40k.
It was a good story, with excellent writing. Build up and characters these where interesting and enjoyable. If you enjoy a very bloody story this is defiantly for you.
I’ll write a real review eventually. :3
And the 5th star is only docked, because I don’t think I’ll look back on the story and remember it as one of the greatest stories in 40k.
It was a good story, with excellent writing. Build up and characters these where interesting and enjoyable. If you enjoy a very bloody story this is defiantly for you.
I’ll write a real review eventually. :3
February 7, 2017
This was a fun introduction to the Space Sharks as they battle the Night Lords for control of a penal colony and a noteworthy young latent psyker. The action and planning is good. The stand out characters are the Pale Nomad, a powerful Librarian and the 3rd Company Commander, Sharr. It was a fun read.
March 1, 2017
The only thing that holds this back from 5 stars it the lack of resolution on the questions it raises about the Carcharadons and their origins. A lot is suggested, but nothing defined.
One of the best Space Marine titles, and I dearly want to see more titles about this Chapter.
One of the best Space Marine titles, and I dearly want to see more titles about this Chapter.
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