The Blackhearts Omnibus [Paperback]

 

 

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Hetzau's Follies

In this short story, the foundation is set. Wounded in his first battle, Reiner Hetzau is sent to recuperate in Vulsk, a Kislev border town. While there, Reiner single-handedly flushes out an evil priestess of Nurgle and kills her before she can spread disease and confusion throughout the army. However, no one believes Reiner. He is charged with murdering a clergywoman and perpetrating the very crimes he had stopped the sorceress from committing. But soon enough Reiner and his fellow prisoners are given a choice, they can either be hanged for their crimes or carry out dangerous and suicidal secret missions. Dubbed the Blackhearts, Reiner and the other unfortunates set out on their adventures.

Valnir's Bane

In this full length novel, the men are to escort Lady Magda, a Sister of Shallya, back to her convent. The convent has been overrun with Chaos. The group is to recover a relic (a banner) called Valnir's Bane. This banner could turn the tide of the war, leading the army to victory over Chaos. However, the banner has been tainted and Lady Magda is but another evil woman bent on power. Problem is that she has fooled everyone into believing the Blackhearts are the bad guys.

Rotten Fruit

Despite the fact that they helped Count Manfred Valdenheim reclaim his family castle from the Kurgan who had occupied it since the Chaos invasion and despite the additional fact that Reiner Hetzau and his group of Blackhearts had saved the count (and the Empire) from ruin, the Blackhearts were to publicly hanged. At least, that is what all will believe. Truth is that Count Manfred and a select few others will know that be the only ones to know that instead of the Blackhearts, other prisoners were hanged. This does not mean the Blackhearts are free. On the contrary, the band has simply exchanged one blackmailer for another. Now they must do Manfred's dirty work or die of a poison that had been rubbed into their skins. In this short story, the Blackhearts are dealing with a sorceress, bent on the downfall of Lord Groff's rule.

The Broken Lance

In this full length novel, the brands on the hands of the Blackheart team are gone. However, the poison in their blood remains. The poison lies dormant within them unless they attempt to leave Count Manfred's service or betray him. Thus Reine Hetzau and his group (plus four new members) continue onward, into their next mission. Deep in the Black Mountains is an Empire fort which guards an isolated pass and protects a nearby gold mine. The Blackhearts must discover why the gold supply has all but stopped. They entire the fort as new recruits for General Broder Gutzmann. Though suspecting one of the new four members is a spy for Manfred, Reine has his hands too full of ratmen to worry about it.

Tainted Blood

This is the last story and it is a full length novel. There are four Blackhearts left. There is a chance that one of them is still a spy for Manfred. This causes major friction between them. Reiner is still considered to be the captain though. Count Manfred add another four new members to the Blackhearts. They, too, have tainted blood. Manfred accompanies the elf mage Teclis to Talabheim on a diplomatic mission. The Blackhearts go as well, disguised as Manfred's servants. Chaos abounds in Talabheim. Reiner wonders if it has anything to do with Lady Magda who is in residence. He still has unfinished business with the evil woman. Lord Teclis soon realizes the cause of chaos is due to the removal of a waystone that deals with any magical energies in the area. Unless the waystone is reseated, the danger will worsen and eventually spread around the entire world. Problem is that the waystone has disappeared.

**** The entire Blackhearts series is collected in this one volume. Perfect for any fantasy fan! You do not have to be a Warhammer fan to thoroughly enjoy this series. Reiner is not the best example of humanity and that it is that very fact that makes him believable. I found myself alternating between holding my breath during the larger than life battles and laughing myself silly during the more outrageous scenes. Radical! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I love this omnibus, great characterization, great tension, the Dirty Dozen meets Warhammer.

Great stuff, you really feel for the characters.

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