BLOODY BOOKS REVIEW: THE RETURN OF NAGASH – JOSH REYNOLDS
The End Times is something of a blank area for me, as at the time I was only partially paying attention to Warhammer Fantasy. It was the rise of the Age of Sigmar and my interest in that (and the Genestealer Cults codex) that brought me back after many a year away. With this in mind, I've decided to get into the End Times novels for both review purposes and for my own enjoyment. Let us find what lay at the end of the Old World
The Return of Nagash accompanies the first Campaign Book for the End Times, which was written by a Fluffenhammer Favourite in the shape of Josh Reynolds. Here, for the most part, we follow Manfred von Carstien and Arkhan the Black as they come to a fractured alliance with the sole intention of returning Nagash to full reincarnation. Each of these uneasy allies have their own reasons to do so, and along this quest, they come across a who's who of legendary names from all eras of WHFB's history. Of course, I'm always going to celebrate seeing Heinrich Kemmler appear in any form, but alongside everyone's favourite Zombie Master comes Krell, Ungrim Ironfist, Morgiana LeFay and many others in order to begin turning the wheels for the grinding end of The Old World.
With the focus being on Mannfred and Arkhan, it becomes something of a difficult juggling act in order to get across the scale and horror of the End Times. Anything that dosn't directly affect our villianous heroes as they traverse many a famous landmark is skipped over, which reduces the vast size of the danger that such an event should have. We are often told, not shown the effects of the End Times, which is no reflection on Reynolds himself. It's simply too big to both be able to have a character arc and a full world view. Much is alluded to, and plotlines rise and fall without ever really being part of the main thrust,
However, that is the only negative to this cracking tale, the pace picks up quickly, different chapters focus on each character in turn, and the main threads come together in a truly satisfying manner, giving both long-term and newer characters a great place to stand and speak as the inevitable occurs. Reynolds manages to bring a lot of life to Manfred and Kemmler in particular, using his trademark dry wit in a manner that elevates both to wonderful new heights.
Whilst it may have been cramped and better served as a series rather than a tome in itself, it is a solid start to the end. As an accompienmnt to the campaign book, it is close to outstanding, but there are too many bones and not enough flesh in this particular outing