Gitslayer - Age Of Sigmar Black Library Review

Gitslayer is the next Black Library entry in the new Gotrek Gurnisson series by Darius Hinks. This time around, the doomed slayer and his companion Maleneth find themselves in the realm of Chamon battling a brutal tribe of Gloomspite Gitz. 

I was a big fan of Ghoulslayer and the previous stories which introduced Gotrek to The Mortal Realms of Age Of Sigmar and so was very much looking forward to this latest offering. I was not disappointed. 

An Exploration Of The Mortal Realms

Continuing his quest to rid himself of the rune embedded in his chest, Gotrek seeks the aid of the Kharadron Overlords in the realm of Chamon. The road to Barak-Urbaz and beyond is fraught with dangers and things get even more brutal once the true villains of the piece have been revealed.

In very broad strokes, Gitslayer explores quite a few interesting storylines. Not only do we get to learn more about the fallout from their previous adventures, especially concerning the fractious relationship between Maleneth and Gotrek, but we get to see the terrible burden that the slayer carries. 

This then expands into an in-depth exploration of the Kharadron Overlords and how they fit into the grand narrative that runs throughout The Mortal Realms. Are they selfish privateers or have they simply outgrown the trappings of the other races who still bow down to their gods? 

Gitslayer also gives you a fantastic look at the Gloomspite Gitz. I think Hinks must have had a real ball coming up with each of the villains and it was great seeing the effect of the Bad Moon on Chamon as a whole. There are some neat asides thrown in alongside the main story chapters which give you an insight into just how dangerous and pervasive the threat of the Gloomspite Gitz is!

Doom And Honour

As well as being a great exploration of The Mortal Realms, one of the best things about Gitslayer is the way it explores Gotrek's relationship with his doom.

Gotrek has always been a really neat lens for the reader to view the world through but in Gitslayer we see him come to terms with his fate. Gotrek is still on a quest to deal with the rune in his chest but through his relationships with a few key characters, he begins to understand that there might be more to his reincarnation beyond simple chance and bad luck.

It is fascinating reading the change in personality from Gotrek as he heads off on his voyage with the Kharadron Overlords. There are two sections of the story in particular towards the second half of the book which really build on the slayer as a character. Hinks really seems to understand Gotrek and the way authors before him have handled his doom and builds on that really well.

Gitslayer also gives us more time with Maleneth, Trachos, and a new companion too! Maleneth works as an interesting "test" for Gotrek and it was neat seeing how the ups and downs of their relationship play out throughout the book. You also get another great look at the mentality of the Stormcast Eternals through Trachos, especially when it comes to understanding the cost of reforging. 

I am very eager to see where things go next considering a few of the key moments that happen in the last couple of chapters. There are plenty of foes to face and many realms to explore...

I also really appreciated how on edge things felt during Gitslayer. The Gloomspite Gitz are not messing around and whenever the heroes come into contact with them it was fascinating trying to work out how they were getting out of another predicament. It reminded me of Zombieslayer at times where there was almost a ticking clock in the background, haunting the heroes.

It was refreshing to think that perhaps Gotrek's companions weren't actually going to get out of this one intact. When you've got someone as "superduardin" as Gotrek, there can be a sense that the stakes aren't particularly high but Hinks was able to keep me hooked.

We Need More!

Gitslayer was a great second book from Hinks in this new series. As I've mentioned above, he seems to "get" Gotrek and I like how the slayer's relationship with the other characters is growing. There is plenty of the new Gotrek here in all his fiery glory but you also get a glimpse at the tired old dawi who has fought his way through history.

The "doom" of Gotrek is going to be interesting to follow from here on out. There is a real sense that things are getting more and more epic as the stories continue and I get the feeling that Gotrek is going to be one hell of a big player in the overall narrative of Age Of Sigmar.

I should also note that this was another fun audiobook narrated by Jonathan Keeble. I've not entirely come around to the way he voices Maleneth but I think he's great as the other characters and the narrator. I'd recommend giving it a shot in its audio format if you've just read it so far.

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