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A Dynasty of Monsters by David Annandale  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
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Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




I read Dynasty of Monsters" today and overall I think it was a good, fun read. In a way it is "The Beauty and the Beast" of the Mortal Realms...

Spoiler:


...except where the Beast is a Vengorian Lord and Belle rips the head off of Gaston’s head in the end.

If you want to root for the Vampires then this is a novel for you. I especially like how it divulges into the philosophy of the Avengorii Dynasty and makes them appealing in more than one way. For they see the illusion of grandeur and 'civilization' that the antagonist Free City offers, they see through and shatter it through their embrace of their own monstrosity. And it is easy to sympathize with them in the face of the backstabbing politics, the undercurrent of hatred, and the disdain the "Above" class have for the poor, destitute "Beneath" class in the city. Giving us a very good view of why some would shun the Free Cities and join as a Soulblight Vampire.

While not exactly a major POV, Lauka Vai, the Mother of Nightmares is VERY prominent in the book (she is on the cover after all) and she is portrayed very well through a lens of both monstrous and noble power and authority. Her scenes are always great for the dark majesty she projects and how the other characters see her, be it devotion or utter fear of her presence.

While certainly the ending is not a surprise, for it is practically written on the wall by the machinations of the story's antagonists, it has a certain sense of satisfaction that I found favorably well done. Especially with how they come with the grim acceptance that how things turn out were all their own fault. \

I liked Kavak and Atella as protagonists, one seeking to save his former city but mired in his memories and ties to it. The other stuck in it and journeying to realize just how wrong her city is. For a while I was wondering if Jaras was influenced, perhaps by a Tzeentchian demon or magus, but no - his own human greed is what drove him. His beginnings at the start of the novel being well echoed at his fate at the end of the novel.

I'd say my only complaint is there was not a lot of Zombie Dragon or Terrorgheist action. Yes, they are seen in a few scenes and described as part of the Avengorii army of nightmares but we don't get any cool scenes of them tearing people apart. Most of that heavy lifting is done by Lauka, the Vengorian Lords, and Vargheists.

Overall, I liked it as a fun read and will definitely re-read it in the future.
   
Made in lt
Longtime Dakkanaut






Good for you. The book is now 80 quid on ebay (or wait a month or two, if not more, for softcover) for those who dislike digital format.

   
Made in us
[DCM]
Savage Minotaur




Baltimore, Maryland

Looking forward to this one after I finish Gitslayer.

"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Still working my way through it, but greatly enjoying. After that it’s the Anniversary Exclusive book, then Gitslayer. All picked up at my local store.


   
Made in us
Humming Great Unclean One of Nurgle






I still need to track down the Cursed City hardback for my collection...

But I will be looking forward to reading this one in the meantime.

Road to Renown! It's like classic Path to Glory, but repaired, remastered, expanded! https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/778170.page

I chose an avatar I feel best represents the quality of my post history.

I try to view Warhammer as more of a toolbox with examples than fully complete games. 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Polished it off this afternoon. Was a pretty decent read.

   
Made in us
Humming Great Unclean One of Nurgle






Just finished this, wow what a fantastic book. Great on multiple levels and I was particularly struck by how good it was as an AoS novel. Ths author really took advantage of the setting to have a unique high fantasy landscape and better yet had the people actually adapted to it instead of simply being victims. Things actually do what they do in the game, and battles have casualties on both sides. Then the human aspect of characters motivations and perspectives, and... I could go on for ages.

Really great book.

Road to Renown! It's like classic Path to Glory, but repaired, remastered, expanded! https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/778170.page

I chose an avatar I feel best represents the quality of my post history.

I try to view Warhammer as more of a toolbox with examples than fully complete games. 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Savage Minotaur




Baltimore, Maryland

Thanks for the reminder, Ninth!

I had intended to get this one after the latest Gotrek book, as I initially said above, but forgot it amongst all the 3.0/Broken Realms hype.

Starting today.

Edit:No audiobook option? Noooooo!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/01 20:20:48


"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
 
   
Made in ca
Enigmatic Chaos Sorcerer





British Columbia

If there isn't an audiobook at launch does that usually mean one isn't forthcoming?

 BlaxicanX wrote:
A young business man named Tom Kirby, who was a pupil of mine until he turned greedy, helped the capitalists hunt down and destroy the wargamers. He betrayed and murdered Games Workshop.


 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Savage Minotaur




Baltimore, Maryland

 Eldarain wrote:
If there isn't an audiobook at launch does that usually mean one isn't forthcoming?


Yep, usually means one isn’t coming.

I’m about halfway through and its been fun. One minor quibble :

Spoiler:
Seems to rush right into it. When Atella immediately broaches the subject of an alliance with the Avengorii, the council is like “Thats crazy, but go on right ahead!” As I was reading it, I thought that they would immediately shoot the idea down and stubbornly wait for the true scale of the calamity approaching before they even got serious about the alliance.


Probably finish it tonight or tomorrow.

"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
 
   
Made in ca
Enigmatic Chaos Sorcerer





British Columbia

That's a shame. I've been enjoying them on Audible. Seeing the reviews for this one I think I'd enjoy it.

Will make it my next dead tree read.

 BlaxicanX wrote:
A young business man named Tom Kirby, who was a pupil of mine until he turned greedy, helped the capitalists hunt down and destroy the wargamers. He betrayed and murdered Games Workshop.


 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Oh. Yeah that’s annoying. I could push it up the queue if it was an audio.
Sounds good based on your responses.
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Savage Minotaur




Baltimore, Maryland

Its actually out on audio. They released it a month or so ago, much to my suprise.

"Sometimes the only victory possible is to keep your opponent from winning." - The Emperor, from The Outcast Dead.
"Tell your gods we are coming for them, and that their realms will burn as ours did." -Thostos Bladestorm
 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Ooh perfect. Coming late to the conversation helped me then! I’ll definitely give it a go.
   
 
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