The Chronicles of Malus Darkblade: v. 2 [Paperback]

In short these books show the action from the other side of the traditional fantasy fiction table. The traditionally depicted bad guy has the lime light. Cunning, treachery and manipulation are the exalted virtues, and self serving the rule of the day. All written in such a way as you can't help but be awed and inspired by such convoluted machinations, with lots of gloriously written action as well. Malus Darkblade is a Dark hero that you will eagerly want to read more about. The black humour of the situations is often under stated, but has a greater impact for that fact. The complete series is compelling and glorious and has to be one of my all time favourites. I just wish they would write more about Malus Darkblade.

Having been possessed by the ancient daemon Tz'arkan, dark elf Malus Darkblade is faced with a stark choice - recover five items of unimaginable power within one year or forfeit his soul for ever!

This is the last 2 books in the series of 5. It includes the books Warpsword and Lord of Ruin. In addition it contains two short stories never published before on Malus Darkblade.

Bk 4 Warpsword: Time is running out, Malus is becoming desperate and to make matters worse the daemon within is becoming stronger and gaining control over Malus's body, a worrying and fearsome complication to his fate. Darkblade's quest leads him to the dreaded city of Har Ganeth and the legendary Warpsword of Khaine. Darkblade becomes embroiled in religion and assassination, playing one side off against the other as he tries to manipulate all and sundery to his own selfish ends. With religion comes prophesy, and the warpsword is a major religious artifact of Khaine's, its weilder will become Khaine's chosen which will put him at odds with the Witch king, the Ultimate all powerful ruler of the Dark elves. And Malus isn't the only one seeking the sword. The pace is fast, the action flows, the treachery and trickery lovingly convoluted. This is one of the best books in the series and a pure pleasure to read.

Bk5 Lord of Ruin: The final book in the series. By now the Demon can control Malus's body and is showing his own treacherous tendencies which aren't in Malus's favour. Only contact with the warpsword and Khaine's influence staves off the demon''s control. But being Khaine's chosen will get him killed if the Witch King ever finds out. Which is pretty dire as he is captured by the Witch King in the opening chapter. His demon possessed nature becomes known, a possible death sentence on its own, and he is tasked with staving off a chaos army invasion of overwhelming odds whilst the Witch King marshalls his forces. Again Malus becomes a hero through necessity and selfishness, as he seeks to do the Witch King's bidding, find the last artifact, fight off the demon's control, and regain his soul. All a complex and treacherous balancing act, involving his sister a powerful chaos sorceror who hates him above all others, and his ex lover who he betrayed and killed in the first book whose after vengence, and has the last artifact which means she can't be harmed by mortal weapons. The final act has him returning to the demon's prison in the chaos lands, with the artifacts that will free the demon, but with the certain knowledge that when he does the Demon will betray and destroy him, but if he doesn't the demon will destroy his soul.

I loved this series, Malus's character development, and the glorious betrayal's, the double dealing and the distorted honour are freshing welcome to the warhammer universe. The writing is excellent, the plots and twists inventive and the action constant throughout. Certainly the best thing I've ever read from warhammer.

Brings together the last two books along with the orginal comics that inspired the series. The final part of malus`s tale in my opinion continues to be interesting and well written. A great read that i would recommend to any one who likes fantasy fiction.

As a fan of compendiums, I love getting these as it gives me the opportunity to enjoy the whole sequence of novels from start to finish (as I reread the first compendium prior to starting this one.) As usual the price per book is ideal and with it being an Abnett novel you know that its got action, action, action all the way. A character that reader's won't forget as he fights against the stereotypes of his race in his ultimate goal for self reliance alongside his ultimate personal greed. Theres no one he won't step on making him a character on the darker side of heroes that fans just love to enjoy. A great book.