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Black Library Advent Calendar 2018 #19
Black Atonement
Advent Calendar 2018: Day Nineteen
The town of Shadowvel must fall. Unwilling to commit her own forces to bring it down, the Blood Queen Neferata instead sets out to manipulate mutual enemies into destroying Shadowvel.
The town of Shadowvel in the Realm of Shyish lies outwith the domains of Neferata, Mortarch of Blood – but that does not make its inhabitants safe from her displeasure… Shadowvel has stood for centuries against all the hordes of Chaos thrown against it. But Neferata would see it fall, and the Maggotkin hordes of the Children of the Bell are the perfect weapon to wield against the spirits of Shadowvel. And none are better at manipulating a foe than Neferata…
Running time 25 minutes. Performed by Andrew Fettes, Emma Gregory & Genevieve Swallow.
The town of Shadowvel must fall. Unwilling to commit her own forces to bring it down, the Blood Queen Neferata instead sets out to manipulate mutual enemies into destroying Shadowvel.
The town of Shadowvel in the Realm of Shyish lies outwith the domains of Neferata, Mortarch of Blood – but that does not make its inhabitants safe from her displeasure… Shadowvel has stood for centuries against all the hordes of Chaos thrown against it. But Neferata would see it fall, and the Maggotkin hordes of the Children of the Bell are the perfect weapon to wield against the spirits of Shadowvel. And none are better at manipulating a foe than Neferata…
Running time 25 minutes. Performed by Andrew Fettes, Emma Gregory & Genevieve Swallow.
- GenresFantasy
Audio Drama
Published December 19, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 1, 2021
3.5 stars overall: 3 stars for the story and 5 stars for the production values.
I have to say that the voice acting + music + sound effects are fantastic! This was an enjoyable listen even though I didn’t know much of the background since I’m not knowledgeable about the Age of Sigmar/Mortal Realms setting (I’m pretty well-versed in the related The Old World setting). This short audio drama was interesting enough to get me to Google some of the backstory of Neferata and Shadowvel afterwards.
I have to say that the voice acting + music + sound effects are fantastic! This was an enjoyable listen even though I didn’t know much of the background since I’m not knowledgeable about the Age of Sigmar/Mortal Realms setting (I’m pretty well-versed in the related The Old World setting). This short audio drama was interesting enough to get me to Google some of the backstory of Neferata and Shadowvel afterwards.
January 4, 2019
I enjoyed the audio drama for what it was, but had a few gripes with it, mostly focused on the early section during Neferata's trip to Shadowvel.
Primarily, the problems stem from the lack of a narrator. Black Library has been moving away from involving overhead narration for a while, but it's opened a few cans of worms here and there. In this case, the story now required Neferata to detail the situation to somebody - her handmaiden Mereneth. For this, Mereneth needed to be mostly clueless about what was going on, so as to allow Neferata to showcase her plans and knowledge. Some lines come across as quite unnatural as a result, though Genevieve Swallow's rendition of Mereneth certainly didn't help make it feel more appropriate.
Mereneth is, at this point, no new character either, and I liked her well enough in The Dance of the Skulls, but here, she really is no more than a narrative tool, and while Emma Gregory excells once more in her role, this time adapting the Vampire Queen Neferata (with quite a few moments of true madness in the drama!), Genevieve Swallow's performance feels stilted and made it hard to believe that Mereneth isn't just some toady of Neferata's, but actually a competent, involved and - most importantly - trusted.
To make matters worse, Mereneth passes out of the story on her own little job in Neferata's scheme just past this introductory section, which serves more to set the stage and central conceits for the audience, rather than the characters. As a result, the character - one of only three in the story - feels tacked on, out of place and unsatisfying. It makes me wonder just how much smoother it could have gone with a narrator involved, or at least if Mereneth had been granted a greater role, or her role to come back around in the end.
I still enjoyed the drama, do not mistake me on that account. Emma Gregory is a joy to listen to, and her machinations to unmake the protections of Shadowvel are great fun. The story itself was a solid piece, elevated by the performances of Emma and Andrew Fettes, with some excellent sound effects thrown in the mix.
My complaint is simply that, with the opening section handled differently, it could have been even more than this.
Primarily, the problems stem from the lack of a narrator. Black Library has been moving away from involving overhead narration for a while, but it's opened a few cans of worms here and there. In this case, the story now required Neferata to detail the situation to somebody - her handmaiden Mereneth. For this, Mereneth needed to be mostly clueless about what was going on, so as to allow Neferata to showcase her plans and knowledge. Some lines come across as quite unnatural as a result, though Genevieve Swallow's rendition of Mereneth certainly didn't help make it feel more appropriate.
Mereneth is, at this point, no new character either, and I liked her well enough in The Dance of the Skulls, but here, she really is no more than a narrative tool, and while Emma Gregory excells once more in her role, this time adapting the Vampire Queen Neferata (with quite a few moments of true madness in the drama!), Genevieve Swallow's performance feels stilted and made it hard to believe that Mereneth isn't just some toady of Neferata's, but actually a competent, involved and - most importantly - trusted.
To make matters worse, Mereneth passes out of the story on her own little job in Neferata's scheme just past this introductory section, which serves more to set the stage and central conceits for the audience, rather than the characters. As a result, the character - one of only three in the story - feels tacked on, out of place and unsatisfying. It makes me wonder just how much smoother it could have gone with a narrator involved, or at least if Mereneth had been granted a greater role, or her role to come back around in the end.
I still enjoyed the drama, do not mistake me on that account. Emma Gregory is a joy to listen to, and her machinations to unmake the protections of Shadowvel are great fun. The story itself was a solid piece, elevated by the performances of Emma and Andrew Fettes, with some excellent sound effects thrown in the mix.
My complaint is simply that, with the opening section handled differently, it could have been even more than this.
January 6, 2019
I’m not typically a fan of audio books, but I had a long train journey and felt like trying something new. The Black Library audio dramas sounded more like my cup of tea than typically audio books, and it definitely delivered.
The background sound and multiple voices really helped keep my attention and let me track what was happening very easily. As expected of BL the sound quality was amazing and atmospheric. It’s definitely gotten me interested in what other audio dramas BL have on offer.
The difference between Nagadron’s voice and the actual roaring was a little jarring, I must admit. I presume the choice of a more childish voice was to create a contrast between the character and their actions - as a cool skeleton dragon filled with skulls, they are every inch the bloodthirsty monster they should be. It’s an interesting voice that I’m not sure the actress pulled off entirely, and as she speaks for quite a lot of the short story it got a little annoying. That’s my only criticism of the drama, honestly.
It was an excellent and exciting peek into the lore of Shyish, that makes me want to pick up a few more short stories that involve Nagash’s cohort. The setting fit what I’ve come to expect from AoS: it’s a mix of typically fantasy and tragedy that reminds me in *some* respect of old Sagas and Tolkien. There is, though, a dash of the melodramatic about it that pushes it a little bit into over the top - which isn’t always a bad thing!
The background sound and multiple voices really helped keep my attention and let me track what was happening very easily. As expected of BL the sound quality was amazing and atmospheric. It’s definitely gotten me interested in what other audio dramas BL have on offer.
The difference between Nagadron’s voice and the actual roaring was a little jarring, I must admit. I presume the choice of a more childish voice was to create a contrast between the character and their actions - as a cool skeleton dragon filled with skulls, they are every inch the bloodthirsty monster they should be. It’s an interesting voice that I’m not sure the actress pulled off entirely, and as she speaks for quite a lot of the short story it got a little annoying. That’s my only criticism of the drama, honestly.
It was an excellent and exciting peek into the lore of Shyish, that makes me want to pick up a few more short stories that involve Nagash’s cohort. The setting fit what I’ve come to expect from AoS: it’s a mix of typically fantasy and tragedy that reminds me in *some* respect of old Sagas and Tolkien. There is, though, a dash of the melodramatic about it that pushes it a little bit into over the top - which isn’t always a bad thing!
December 21, 2018
The city of Shadowvel lies outside the borders of Neferatia, yet to Neferata’s eyes it benefits greatly from its proximity to her realm. Displeased with the city and its prideful citizens, she intends to see it destroyed, and employs her prodigious talent for manipulation to make it so.
It’s quite a close focus story, with just three characters, no narration, no real action but plenty of enjoyable dialogue. With Emma Gregory’s gleeful performance really bringing out the inhuman savagery behind Neferata’s smoothly civilised facade, this delivers one of the best depictions of the character yet.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/12/...
It’s quite a close focus story, with just three characters, no narration, no real action but plenty of enjoyable dialogue. With Emma Gregory’s gleeful performance really bringing out the inhuman savagery behind Neferata’s smoothly civilised facade, this delivers one of the best depictions of the character yet.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/12/...
January 14, 2021
Another example of why I like the Mortarch of Blood. She is petty, and has a huge ego, but she is very clever and is a potent magic user. She is too cynical to think that there is credit to those who value virtue for it's own sake, and that is plainly demonstrated in this short drama. Well done to Annandale, the voice cast, and the sound editing team!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews