‘One writer who stands out with this professional level tale-weaving is Arizona’s C.L. Werner.’ – Amazon.com
Summary:
In the grim medieval fantasy of Warhammer, the Templars of Sigmar are feared above all others. These near tyrannical agents are tasked with hunting out evil throughout the Empire, using whatever means they find necessary in order to destroy those foolish or ignorant enough to ally with the Dark Powers.
Long-time Black Library author C.L. Werner exploits the subject to the fullest and provides us with a solid read of a Witch Hunter’s career through the eyes of Mathias Thulmann, counted amongst the most zealous and persevering Sigmarite Templars.
The Witch Hunter’s omnibus comes in a whopping 761 pages and opens up with an Author’s Note and continues providing the reader with 3 short stories and 3 full blown novels which are all inter-linked and arranged in chronological order.
Mathias Thulmann and his shady mercenary companion Streng are sent to investigate murders in a remote community, where they uncover the bizarre killings of a brutal serial killer whose identity will eventually lead to a difficult journey to uncover the dark grimoire ‘Das Buch Die Unholden’.
Quite a few plot strings are tied together from one story to the next as all the protagonists and antagonists seem to be on the prowl for this evil spellbook in one way or another, thereby establishing the story’s main theme. Due to this, all the stories link to one another flawlessly, which creates a completely seamless omnibus.
Character Development:
Thulmann starts out as your typical fantasy action hero, cold two-dimensional individual, smiting evil wherever he goes and always ready with a smart catchphrase. Throughout the book our protagonist starts sharing his thoughts with the reader which breathes life to the character as we learn about his thoughts and moral values and his doubts regarding the methods used by other Templars of Sigmar. He also sheds light upon dark events in his past and his family, shows that even the unlikeliest of protagonists could grow into a well written and more vivid character as the reader sympathizes more with Thulmann as the story progresses.
Streng, the mercenary sidekick doesn’t develop further than being a dirty drinker, hits on women, enjoys torture and has his own special view of “honour”. He’s mostly in it for the gold crowns and little else. But you can bet your money that this is the point of the character as he fits brilliantly into the Warhammer Fantasy’s dark world view. That being said, I found it ironic that one of the minor antagonists, whose name I won’t divulge to avoid spoilers, is more fleshed-out than Streng throughout the series of stories.
The Bottom Line:
Part Dark Fantasy Action and part Detective Story, the Mathias Thulmann series provides enjoyable fantasy action with moderate intelligence. Special mention must go to the character Ehrhardt, a Black Guard of Morr, who assists Mathias Thulmann in retributing the enemies of the Empire with a large Zweihander sword. Fans of Final Fantasy’s Sephiroth or Devil May Cry’s Vergil should feel right at home with his two-handed sword strokes and bad ass moments.
Score: 7/10
For Fans Of: Eisenhorn/Ravenor, Anne Rice, Monster Slayers and Buffy if she had male genitals.
No comments:
Post a Comment