Yep, the secret’s out: I’ve managed to hang onto Gotrek’s coat tails for a third novel. Soulslayer has just been announced over on the Warhammer Community site and it was the first time I’ve seen the glorious cover art. It’s by the ridiculously talented Anna Lakisova who also painted the Gitslayer art (see below).
This is by far my favourite of the three Gotrek novels I’ve written. They’ve all been great fun to work on but in this book I really feel like I’ve honed in on the key aspect of these stories: the fractious relationship between Gotrek and his companion, Maleneth. They’re the ultimate odd couple, opposed in so many ways but also bound together by the adventures they’ve shared. They’re both so clear in my head now that I can put them in almost any situation and they take the lead, sparking off each other and dragging me through the story, often in ways I never expected. In this book we see Gotrek fully embrace his purpose in the Mortal Realms, moving on from his past but also finding a way to live up to his ancestry. But the fire in his soul draws the attention of one of the strangest, most interesting races in the Warhammer universe. The Idoneth are, on the surface at least, nightmares summoned from the deep, like a hallucinogenic, half-remembered fable, but in this novel I’ve had a chance to shine a light on what drives them. There’s a damaged but defiant nobility to them that I admire. They’ve been shunned and rejected but, like Gotrek, they’ve never accepted defeat. Pitting them against the Slayer made for some great scenes and allowed me to explore the tragic story of this ancient race.
Soulslayer picks up where Gitslayer left off, with Gotrek and Maleneth travelling through Chamon. I’ve written all three novels to work as standalone books though, so it’s fine to start with the new novel. If you’re new to Gotrek, you actually have various places to jump on. You could go right back to his beginnings in the Old World, with the classic Bill King book, Trollslayer. Or you could listen to David Guymer’s excellent audio drama, Realmslayer, which introduces Gotrek to the Age of Sigmar setting and features the gloriously bombastic tones of Brian Blessed. Or you could just pick up any one of the three novels I’ve written.
Soulslayer is due to be released in 2022 so, if you’re keen to get your flippers on a hardback edition keep your eyes peeled – Gitslayer sold out fast when it was released earlier this year. If you’re interested in knowing more about Gotrek, the brilliant Track of Words site has more info here .
This is the sixteenth full length novel I’ve written over the last decade but no one seems able to stop me so I’m already halfway through number seventeen. For a full list of everything I’ve written, take a look at the ‘my books’ page. More news on the next book soon.
I hardly ever wrote comment for the books I’ve read, but for such a good book like Soulslayer, I’ll make an exception. I especially like how much effort you put into detailing what motivating Maleneth. It really differentiates her from Felix, who, in his last moments, was not animated by hope but by the loyalty to his friend.
I also think that the way you depict Gotrek in this book, particularly how he influences other duardins, will become integral to the character in the future considering the direction of AoS’s metaplot is heading.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I had a great time writing this one. 🙂
Your books on Gotrek were a lot of fun to read and as interesting as the first books written by William King. I so missed reading about the perspectives and motivations of Gotreks enemies. Thank you for that.
Thanks Joe. That’s great to hear. 🙂
So Blightslayer has just been announced which I can’t wait for by the way. they mention a character that Gotrek is going to be travelling with. Amara. Remind me in my advancing years, who was she again?
Looking forward to the novel. can’t wait for it to get the audio treatment
Hi Liam. I’m afraid I don’t know much about the next novel. It’s written by Richard Strachan. He’s a good author so I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with Gotrek. 🙂