The Gotrek Gurnisson collection

Waaay back in June of 2018, an editor called Hannah Hughes got in touch to ask if I’d be interested in writing a novel about a character called Gotrek Gurnisson. I had mixed feelings, to be honest. I’ve long been a fan of Bill King’s original Gotrek and Felix novels (Trollslayer was the first Warhammer novel I ever read) and I felt really honoured to be offered the gig, but I was also worried about messing it up. Some great authors have picked up the Slayer’s axe over the years and he’s become one of the most iconic, enduring Warhammer characters. He’s got such a tenacious hold on people’s imagination that he survived the destruction of the old Warhammer setting and carved himself a place in current, Age of Sigmar lore, so I didn’t want me to be the thing that finally finished him off.

I’m so glad I said yes. I was originally pencilled in to write one novel but I had such fun with the character (and his reluctant sidekick, Maleneth) that I badgered the editors into letting me write two more and turned it into a trilogy. The three books, Ghoulslayer, Gitslayer and Soulslayer along with three linking short stories, fit into Gotrek’s wider, ongoing narrative, but they also work as a fairly self-contained tale. So I was delighted when I found out that Black Library were going to release them as a single, slipcased set.

Then, this week, Games Workshop revealed these images of the set and I think the design is just stunning. Black Library have made a name for themselves for their beautiful book design but I think this is one their best so far. Christmas has definitely come early for me. I don’t know what’s next for Gotrek or if I’ll be involved, but I’m so glad I had a chance to hang out with him for a while.

Gotrek lives!