Audio Review 106 // Army of One by Rob Sanders

Within the pages of the Silent War novel sits this Micro/tiny short story simply titled Army of One. No real hint of what it could be about, and the cover gives us zero clues - the first guess I had was about a navigator, but that made no sense with the title. So I had zero ideas of what to expect.

Title: Army of One

Author: Rob Sanders

Blurb: As civil war blazes across the galaxy, the hive world of Proxima Apocryphis turns traitor, and Malcador the Sigillite despatches punishment in the form of a living weapon…

Format: Audio (no affiliate link for this one, it is just way too short, go find it in Silent War).

Review

Did I mention how short this is? Judging by how quick we got through it, it couldn't be more than 1000 words double-spaced! But the theme of the story is epic! An Imperial Assassin is despatched by Malcador to take revenge on the Planetary Governor of Proxima Apocryphis.

The story itself follows the Eversor assassin as he rampages toward his prey. We learn a little about this character to make it interesting, but not enough to care about anyone. It is a self-contained tale, that lacked meat. It doesn't have any spoilers or shock, it lacks depth, and when it ends, you just go meh?

I know Rob Sanders is a great author, they really should have given him more page space to explore the setting, the characters etc. Instead, it felt like a race to the end with no real details in between.

Do better Black Library and definitely don't charge $5 for this. Give it away for free!

Blood Bowl 2 League 2 - Union Elves vs Lizardmen Final Game

The seventh and final game in Blood Bowl 2 League 2 - Union Elves vs Lizardmen Gameplay, the Winter league.

Today is an auto-win league game, this lizardmen team is in second place, and even if they win, I still get the league. So this game is all about playing for fun. If you want to watch the rest of the season, click here: LINK to my YouTube channel Adventures with Peps

If you play this game, reach out; maybe we can have a match together?

I hope you enjoy it and will smash the like and follow buttons. Cheers

My key equipment: Blue Yeti Nano // Sony Alpha ZV-E10 

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Comic Review 219 // Judge Dredd: False Witness by IDW Brandon Easton

Seems like an age since I last read a Judge Dredd comic, I've been very much lost in Slaine and library finds of late. So when I discovered this IDW Dredd on a shelf at the local library I knew I had to grab it!

Title: Judge Dredd: False Witness

Author: Brandon Easton

Art: Kei Zama

Blurb:

Justice Academy drop-out Mathias Lincoln always survived by sub-legal means, but after uncovering a vast conspiracy, he finds himself pursued by legendary lawman Judge Dredd!

Get ready for a street-level look at justice in Mega-City One as one person fights to expose the darkest secrets of the rich and powerful in a thrilling mystery set against a backdrop of media manipulation and social unrest.

Format: 96 pages, Paperback

Buy Now off Amazon.ca

Review

IDW has truly turned real life into Judge Dredd piece. It saddens me that I can watch the news and see the same story being played out across the world. This is a classic piece of political/news satire. 

This has modern-day America written all over but of course, thrown into the world of Dredd. It's a classic story arc of a quest for a better life, and then the car crash of watching those dreams be crushed in a corrupt big city. 

The main character is interesting. Mathias Lincoln is a Justice Department drop-out, he only flunked due to being an illegal immigrant. Somehow he has managed to stay in the city and now acts as a fixer for rich clients. He will acquire anything you want for a price and not ask questions. Of course, he ultimately asks a question and soon finds out that Cursed Earth children are going missing throughout the immigrant sector. And it is somehow connected to his client.

As the questions get more confusing (as well as the story itself) we soon see the Justice Department is involved and Mathias is framed for the murder of a media personality who is anti-immigration. Trying to clear his name, Mathias must evade the city that hates him and the lawman hot on his heels...Judge Dredd.

Overall it has a pretty standard plot, but I fear the author lost track of where they were taking us. Midway through it felt pretty jumbled up and I found myself re-reading sections to clear up what was happening. Art was the saving grace and I was rather than back by a lot of it. The story has definitely reignited my need to read more Dredd. Just maybe not IDW versions.

Well as always let me know your thoughts and if you have read it.

Let's Play Warhammer 40K : Space Marine - Episode 4

 

In the shadow of Titans. It is time to dive into the fourth and fifth episodes. Watch the rest of the series here: Link to my YouTube channel Adventures with Peps

We continue our advance into the Titan factory and discover a mysterious Inquisitor is active in the area. What could he be to?

What is Space Marine? Well, here is the game fluff.

In Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine, you are Captain Titus, a Space Marine of the Ultramarines chapter and a seasoned veteran of countless battles.

A millions-strong Ork horde has invaded an Imperial Forge World, one of the planet-sized factories where the war machines for humanity’s never-ending battle for survival are created. Losing this planet is not an option and be aware of the far more evil threat lurking large in the shadows of this world.

DEVASTATING WEAPONRY

Experience 40,000 years of combat, evolved. Enhance your vast arsenal as you unlock new weapons, upgrades, armor & abilities through an accessible progression system. This devastating weaponry empowers players to deliver bone crushing violence and dismemberment to their enemies.

BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT

With an Imperial liberation fleet en-route, the Ultramarines are sent in to hold key locations until reinforcements arrive. Captain Titus and a squad of Ultramarine veterans use the bolter and chainsword to take the fight to the enemies of mankind.

BRUTAL 8VS8 ONLINE COMBAT

Form your own Space Marine squad or Chaos Space Marine warband and face off in 8 vs 8 online matches. Gain experience and unlock new weapons and armor to customize the Devastator, Assault, and Tactical Marine classes.

Buy the game via Amazon.

Support the channel

My Gear: Blue Yeti Nano // Sony Alpha ZV-E10

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book Review 213 // Eisenhorn: Malleus by Dan Abnett

My reading has slowed a little late, primarily due to my own fault, as I attempted a beast of a book for me! Lesson learnt. I've now finished that book, and a review will soon follow, but I found myself craving some Dan Abnett, so I knew I had to grab Malleus off the shelf and dive in.

Title: Eisenhorn: Malleus

Author: Dan Abnett

Blurb: Part two of the epic Eisenhorn trilogy returns

A century after his recovery of the alien Necroteuch, Gregor Eisenhorn is one of the Imperial Inquisition’s most celebrated agents. But when a face from his past returns to haunt him, and he is implicated in a great tragedy that devastates the world of Thracian Primaris, Eisenhorn’s universe crumbles around him. The daemon Cherubael is back, and seeks to bring the inquisitor to ruin – either by his death, or by turning him to the service of the Dark Gods.

Review

Damn, do I love a Dan Abnett spun tale. This was just as fun and epic as the first novel and did so well at keeping some of the loose threads active. The opening chapters are some of my favourites from any Black Library book, with the attention to detail and characters so well worked out.

Also, the introduction to Ravenor is just perfect, along with the over-arcing villain of this title. This book, for me, also takes us from the sandbox of a couple planets to actually travelling the galaxy, with a rarely done trip to Cadia (RIP). And though it was galaxy-spanning with its travelling, it did a great job of keeping you focused on the prize and key characters, whilst hinting enough about the secondary cast to make you super intrigued.

Ah, I hate sounding like an Abnett fanboy, but damn does he know how to hook me to a story, great job and I highly recommend reading it. As I type this I have the next title on my desk and I feel my slowdown has come to end.

Audio Review 105 // Distant Echoes of Old Night by Rob Sanders

 

Time for some Death Guard action in my short story 30k listening schedule. Seems like a while since we had some proper Deathguard, not those hiding away on Luna. So let's just jump in.

Title: Distant Echoes of Old Night

Author: Rob Sanders

Blurb: Death Guard Chaplain Murnau has shot down an Imperial Fists vessel on a dismal backwater world, and the forces under his command are closing in on the wreckage. With his mission clear in his mind to leave no survivors, Murnau unleashes one of his Legion’s most deadly units – the fearsome and infamous Destroyers.

This story was originally published in the Games Day Anthology 2012/2013.

Review

Now this story feels a bit like a miniature promo piece. Hear me out. Until this story, we have heard very little about the Destroyer squads in the legions. Primarily, there has been a random character here or there. But for the most part, we have very little; I would even say the Destroyer units are on the verge of decommissioning by the time these stories are set. Yet here we are with a total force of them ready to star front and centre.

The story follows one Chaplain Murnau of the DG, whose task is to dispatch off the final resistance warriors of the Imperial Fists aboard their vessel, which, following a horrific attack, has crashed on a feral world, which has also conveniently been bombarded by bio-weapons (seeing a theme here).

Overall a very good story about close-quarter fighting with many claustrophobics settings involved. It was enjoyable to learn and discover more about the Destroyers and that alone is worth the price of admission. Rob Sanders did a great job of keeping me interested and wondering what will happen next. But sadly I feel that will never get answered.

What were your thoughts on this story? Cheers for reading.

Blood Bowl 3 - Beta Testing the Tutorial Playthrough

I am privileged to have got my hands on a BETA key for Blood Bowl 3 by Cyanide Studio. As regular watchers would have seen, I have been enjoying BB2 for a while now, so twelve days of the new game was an offer I couldn't miss.

In this episode, I am testing the tutorial playthrough and messing around with making the team. I hope you enjoy the peek behind the curtain and will like, comment and follow.

Cheers

Support the channel

Warlord Games / 2000 AD: Judge Dredd Citi-Def paint guide

 

Citizen Defence Groups (or Citi-Def) are formal militias in Mega-City One and Texas City, with a different group for each city block. It's unclear exactly when they started, but they are a significant part of the city's defence policy (as well as a recurring problem).

The members are part-time, and while there are dedicated professionals in the ranks, many 'weekend warriors' also signed up because they watched too many vid-slugs.

Their uniforms vary wildly from block to block (and artist to artist) and are presumably modified.

The idea of the Citi-Defs is that they will defend their blocks from disaster or attack and assist the Judges. In practice, the Citi-Defs are often inadequately trained, full of bored and belligerent citizens, and often cause problems: Citi-Defs has been involved in block wars, disastrous training exercises, secessions, and the like.

The Chief Judge only places them on active alert during emergencies for fear of what they might do otherwise. During Chaos Day, enraged Citi-Def units were a critical threat that drove the Judges out of sectors. Their most prominent positive role was in the Apocalypse War. Citi-Def soldiers fought bravely against the East Meg One invaders, working directly with the remnants of the Justice Department. They subsequently fought for the city during Judgement Day and in Nero Narcos' Second Robot War, and some loyalist groups helped the Judges secure blocks during Chaos Day.

My Def squads are from the Dan Abnett Block in Sector 102 and are known as the Bluebloods (named after a Gaunt's Ghosts regiment written by Abnett). They are incredibly proud and arrogant, believing themselves to be better than those around them, leading them on more than one occasion to take the law into their own hands. Created by the now self-titled Captain Sturm after discovering a copy of Blueblood, the squad has grown in power and resources and has influence over the Block Board, allowing them to control more of the Dan Abnett block.

Looks like this group will soon be getting a visit from the Justice Department.

Citi -Def Warlord Games and Citi-Def Booster

Let's Play Warhammer 40K : Space Marine - Episode 3

 

Into the belly of the beast. It is time to dive into the third episode. Watch the rest of the series here: YouTube Playlist

We enter the main defence bastion and get lost in the halls. As swarms of Orks rampage towards us! Will I survive? How many times will I get killed off?

What is Space Marine? Well, here is the game fluff.

In Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine, you are Captain Titus, a Space Marine of the Ultramarines chapter and a seasoned veteran of countless battles.

A millions-strong Ork horde has invaded an Imperial Forge World, one of the planet-sized factories where the war machines for humanity’s never-ending battle for survival are created. Losing this planet is not an option and be aware of the far more evil threat lurking large in the shadows of this world.

DEVASTATING WEAPONRY

Experience 40,000 years of combat, evolved. Enhance your vast arsenal as you unlock new weapons, upgrades, armour & abilities through an accessible progression system. This devastating weaponry empowers players to deliver bone-crushing violence and dismemberment to their enemies.

BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT

With an Imperial liberation fleet en route, the Ultramarines are sent in to hold key locations until reinforcements arrive. Captain Titus and a squad of Ultramarine veterans use the bolter and chainsword to take the fight to the enemies of mankind.

BRUTAL 8VS8 ONLINE COMBAT

Form your own Space Marine squad or Chaos Space Marine Warband and face off in 8 vs 8 online matches. Gain experience and unlock new weapons and armour to customize the Devastator, Assault, and Tactical Marine classes.

Buy the game via Amazon

Support the channel

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book Review 212 // The BFG by Roald Dahl

As mentioned in another post, I have been struggling with my reading of late. I seem to be going through a slow reading period. It normally passes, but until then I am focusing on reading to my kids. They recently discovered Roald Dahl's books and have been enjoying the tales. Though I personally was a fan of these I also have come to understand that they have problem areas that have to be discussed when reached.

Title: The BFG

Author: Roald Dahl

Illustrator: Quentin Blake

Blurb: Captured by a giant! The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It's lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, the Fleshlumpeater, the Bonecruncher, or any of the other giants-rather than the BFG-she would have soon become breakfast.

When Sophie hears that they are flush-bunking off in England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!

Buy on Amazon.ca

 

Format: 199 pages, Hardback

Review

As mentioned, I like many, enjoyed the BFG and wanted to share this with the kids. It is also such a well-known title that I can't add much new information to the review. It has such a fun, lightheartedness to it. It fills the imagination with giants and humour. 

What is truly well done by Dahl is the combining of the real world with the fantasy world. You end up with a mashed landscape that has you questioning what is around the corner and if that shadow that moved outside was actually a giant. After reading we had collective fun hunting giants around the house and yard and for this alone reading, the story was worthwhile.

But for me, it definitely felt different. Firstly the humour is on point and very obvious, but made it seem more fun. The kids enjoyed it as a funny word, but as an adult, you understand the meaning which makes it more magical. But as I mentioned the book is not without its problems, suffering from some 1970s stereotyping and just low-level humour. In some lines, I skipped with the kids and in others, we chatted about why they are wrong and poorly chosen. I feel it is important to point this out to kids so they start noticing these issues while allowing them to still enjoy a fun story.

Overall a fun and entertaining story, revisiting a book I read twenty-five plus years ago.

Audio Review 104 // Heart of Rage by James Swallow

 

Moving away from the 30k verse for a bit to travel ahead in time, the 40k. The next few adventures will focus on the true Angels of Death, the Blood Angels and the Dark Angels. Both have been around since the dawn of 40k in the 80's so I have high hopes for the upcoming titles. So let us jump in with the first.

Title: Heart of Rage

Author: James Swallow

Narrator: Toby Longworth

Blurb: Aboard the Imperial Navy frigate Emathia, Brother-Librarian Nord and Brother-sergeant Kale of the Blood Angels make a startling discovery - an alien Tyranid hive ship, half-destroyed and drifting through space! Under orders from the Magos Xeren, the Blood Angels board the ship to locate a lost scout team. But their fate is far from straightforward. Little do Nord and Kale realize the horrors awaiting them. For they not only risk their bodies but their very sanity as well.

This Blood Angels audio drama pits the noble sons of Sanguinius against the Tyranids - a classic Warhammer 40,000 matchup. Not only is the story full of visceral action, but also gives an insight into the psychological horror of the Tyranid menace.

Running Time:75 Minutes.

Buy Now from Amazon.ca

Review

As you may have all noticed, I am enjoying a lot of audiobooks of late. The reason for this is a general feeling of burnout to read out. It always happens this time of year as I am distracted by the fall, but this is a win for me as I double down on the audio stories. So Heart of Rage was actually one of the first official audio dramas to be created for Black Library. And what a way to start, the sound effects and music really help to suck you in. It truly created a scary story for the narrator to work in.

We join a team on a mission for a Magos of the Biologis Mechanics. Their mission is to search and locate a missing scout force. The Team is led by Sergeant Kale and Librarian Nord of the highly loved Blood Angels chapters. As they close to the target floating through space, the team soon learns they are heading into a Tyranid Hive Ship (quite possibly one of the most dangerous locations to be found within the 40k galaxy) and that their goal may not willingly want to come back.

We are treated to a story of intrigue and betrayal, with the story itself borrowing a lot of classic sci-fi arcs. Toby Longsworth once again brings to life a cast of characters that hook you in for the entire story, whilst James Swallow creates another absorbing story that held me from start to finish.

At 71 minutes this made for the perfect length to enjoy in a sitting. As I sat listening with my headphones on I couldn't help but jump now and again. This for me was a great tale, especially as I got an Alien-vibe from the overall story and this is a style of story telling I love the most.

Great work Black Library!