Bloody Books Review - The Rise Of The Horned Rat by Guy Hayley

The End Times rattles onward towards apocalypse with the 4th instalment of the series. Released alongside the Thanqoul background book, The Rise Of The Horned Rat explores the dark delving areas, focusing on the Dwarves, the Night Goblins and obviosuly enough, The Skaven. Much like The Fall of Altdorf, Rise... avoids the issues of other entries of the series by focusing on three fronts: namely Queek Headtaker, Skarsnik and King Belegar as they hurtle through the darkness and doom that steps in time with the Skaven's all out attack on Karak Eight Peak. Within those gloom ridden shadows lies the Verminlords, preparing the way for the end of the world of man, dwarf and goblin alike.

Guy Hayley returns to Karak Eight Peaks, a place he explored fully in Skarsnik, and gets into the character of all those at the forefront of this tale. Queek's ongoing battle with his mind, Skarsnik and his fear of ageing, Belegar's acceptance of his death. All these parts make for a strong whole, engaging the reader fully with some oddly sympathetic moments for characters not expected. Skarsnik gains the most emotional moment, and Hayley never once fails to utilise this fact to both make any part of book involving greenskins funny, horrific and sad.

For the first time in this series, the balance between pacing and the wider world is pitch perfect, slowing down only to delve into character moments. This stands with it;s head held high as the finest of the series, not only adding to it's companion but raising it up. The scope of the End Times is gigantic, and being able to balance the events and having the pathos of individual tragedy is no mean feat, but Hayley does it, filling this tale with vivid, strong characterisation.

But considering the subject matter, I would say that.