William King
Paperback | Pages: 768 pages Rating: 4.19 | 1995 Users | 44 Reviews
Point Containing Books Space Wolf: The First Omnibus (Space Wolf #1-3)
| Title | : | Space Wolf: The First Omnibus (Space Wolf #1-3) |
| Author | : | William King |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 768 pages |
| Published | : | November 12th 2008 by Games Workshop (first published February 27th 2007) |
| Categories | : | Science Fiction. 40k. Fiction. Fantasy. Science Fiction Fantasy. War. Military Fiction. Military Science Fiction |
Chronicle Conducive To Books Space Wolf: The First Omnibus (Space Wolf #1-3)
As I’ve come to get to know and love the diverse, dystopian, science fantasy world of Games Workshop and Black Library’s “Warhammer 40,000” I’ve discovered one of the reasons why the genetically engineered fan favorite warriors of the various Space Marine legions are so popular is the original 18 legions and the thousand of others that formed in subsequent foundings is the eclectic cultures they hail from and the cool premises behind them. For instance, the members of the Space Wolf legion essentially are futuristic vikings with werewolf style powers. I repeat futuristic vikings with werewolf powers! That’s a fantastic premise with a lot of promise.So I was excited to read “The Space Wolf Omnibus” by William King which collects his first three novels featuring the titular Space Marine Legion, “Space Wolf,” “Ragnar’s Claw,” and “Grey Hunter.” Now having finished the book I can whole heartedly say that King took the awesome and very Metal premise of the Space Wolves and fleshed it out into something fun and fascinating. He also expertly and slowly immerses readers into the big, exciting world of 40k. If you or a friend are looking for an introduction into the 40K universe and it’s larger lore “The Space Wolf Omnibus” is a good place for them to start.
The culture of the Space Wolves revolves around the one found on the “Death World” (a planet inhospitable to human life) of Fenris. It’s a snowy world of islands so its human population very much lives as the ancient Vikings did; as seafaring warriors and hunters who battle rival clans for territory. It’s from these clans that the Space Wolves, who are viewed as god like beings and sorcerers recruit new aspirants.
So in “Space Wolf” King kicks things off with a chapter that throws you headlong into an exciting battle, with the protagonist of the three novels, Ragnar Blackmane, and then in chapter two he winds the clock back and reintroduces us to a very young Ragnar who is still a pretty fierce warrior even at his young age. You get to spend some time with him and the members of his clan as they use one of their boats to ferry a Space Wolf back to one of their facilities. Then King plunges you headfirst into the tragic events that lead Ragnar to become a potential recruit for the Sixth Space Marine Legion. What makes the story even more interesting is that a mortal enemy of Ragnar’s clan named Strybjorn is recruited at the same time as Ragnar and the two are forced to cooperate.
From there we follow Ragnar and his fellow aspirants through the various trials of William Kingbecoming a Space Wolf. We get to learn a lot more about the fascinating and frozen environment of Fenris and the customs of the Space Wolves. You also learn a lot more about Ragnar and his unique perspective among the Space Wolves.
So “Space Wolf” is definitely more of a character driven novel and probably my favorite of the three in this omnibus. Ragnar’s journey from human to genetically enhanced warrior is a pretty epic one and watching him learn about the larger universe is fun if you’re new to the world of 40K or someone who’s pretty knowledgeable like myself. In the final part of the book King tests the mettle of Ragnar and his new Space Marine comrades by forcing them to confront one of their Legion’s ancient and most hated foes.
In “Ragnar’s Claw” King introduces readers and Ragnar to another important 40K institution as the surviving Blood Claws are recruited by the Inquisition for a mission. It’s an exciting one that takes them to a variety of classic 40K locales like a world under siege by an Ork Waagh and a Space Hulk. The novel is very much a classic and fun adventure story as King’s heroes travel to various locales looking for pieces of an ancient artifact that will help them combat the powers of Chaos. The climax where Ragnar and his comrades invade an ancient Eldar temple to confront the forces of a specific Chaos God is especially satisfying.
Then in “Grey Hunter” King immerses readers deeper into the universe of 40K by upping the scope and scale of the novel to epic proportions. In the story Ragnar and most the of the Legion are called to defend a world sacred to the Space Wolves that is under siege by a massive army of Chaos aligned heretics. The story is pretty much a war novel with some thrilling set pieces. I particularly loved the boarding action Ragnar and his brethren engage in as they storm a hostile Chaos warship and the final apocalyptic confrontation with the leaders of the heretic army.
So over the course of “The Space Wolf Omnibus readers are given some breathtaking action sequences and taken to many strange alien vistas, but what really makes those scenes work is the connection the readers feel to Ragnar and his fellow Space Wolves. King really makes these characters larger than life. They’re daring in battle, loyal to their friends and love to celebrate victories with ale capable of intoxicating them even with their enhanced physiques.
Ragnar is especially interesting because of his introspective nature and the time we spend with him as he processes all theses new things and learns and deals with his inner demons like his hatred of Strybjorn or what appears to be claustrophobia (At first I wasn’t sure what to make of that because my understanding was Space Marines are genetically programmed to not feel fear, but I just let it go. It helped humanize Ragnar a bit)
My other favorite characters included Ragnar’s Seargeant, Hakon, and Berek Thunderfist, the Wolf Lord of Ragnar’s division of the Space Wolves. Hakon is a classic gruff but fair instructor type, and Berek Thunderfist is as cool and as Heavy Metal as his name suggests.
So if you’re looking for a great entry point into the “Warhammer 40,000” universe, or if you’re looking for three novels that celebrate some of it’s awesome fundamental and unique traits definitely check out “The Spacewolf Anthology.” It’s packed with fun action, cool characters, and makes great use of one of “Warhammer 40,000’s” most Metal premises.
Particularize Books During Space Wolf: The First Omnibus (Space Wolf #1-3)
| Original Title: | The Space Wolf Omnibus |
| ISBN: | 1844164578 (ISBN13: 9781844164578) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Space Wolf #1-3, Warhammer 40,000 |
Rating Containing Books Space Wolf: The First Omnibus (Space Wolf #1-3)
Ratings: 4.19 From 1995 Users | 44 ReviewsEvaluate Containing Books Space Wolf: The First Omnibus (Space Wolf #1-3)
William King's Space Wolf novels have helped shape the world of WH40K. This omnibus collection contains the first three (of five) and would serve as an excellent place for WH40K first-timers to get an introduction to the world and setting. Through reading of the ascension of Ragnar Blackmane and by witnessing his trials and battles throughout the Imperium, much can be learned about space marines and the WH40K universe.The first book of this omnibus edition, Space Wolf (Warhammer 40,000: SpaceIt was fun. Though if I didn't like space wolves to begin with - I don't think I'd have bothered finishing it.The ending was incredibly unresolved. Annoying.For a bit if bolter porn fluff - it's cool. I liked reading Ragnar backstory. If less of the book was fawning over how great space marines are and more rad Ragnar backstory - I'd have been happier. As it stands... I was entertained.
Would have probably been a 4 star read for me because I really enjoyed the book, however there are so many mistakes in the editing of the book that it is borderline maddening.
The only way to describe this book is Viking werewolves(ish) in space. I bought it in a Cancer Research charity shop for £1.80 and it's the kind of book I tend to buy just to have a look at it. I wasn't sure I was going to like it. The fact is I enjoyed it so much I searched out Space Wolf: The Second Omnibus and bought that too (it's in the post as we speak).The book is a set of three novels about Ragnar, a young Viking from the world of Fenris. When the first book opens as far as he knows his
Story follows Ragnar Blackmane from the time before he became Space Wolf Marine up roughly midpoint in his career. The book gives us great insight into the Space Wolves initiations and trainings and also gives us some background about their eternal conflict with Chaos Space Marines Thousand Sons Chapter.
Not knowing what to expect I found myself pulled into the saga of Ragnar. I found the process of becoming a space wolf intriguing and exciting. I also enjoyed his travels and adventures after becoming a space wolf. I am now on a quest to find out how Brother Rangar's adventures continue.
The date of this books shows (more than 10 years old). The writing it at times repetitive and juvenile, and the Blood Claws come off as a Viking/Teenager mix that just doesn't do the Space Wolves justice. That being said, it's still about the Wolves (my favorite Chapter), and it was enjoyable learning some of the back stories of Ragnar. I hope they do non-Ragnar stories soon, though, as the Horus Heresy dual-story about Prospero burning was pretty fantastic.
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