[.uk] Necromancer (Warhammer) (ISBN 1844161587)

A decent read:
There really isn't much to say about this novel. It was a good read but there wasn't much exceptionally bad or good about it. Necromancer chronicles the fall from grace of an apprentice physician who seems to want nothing more than to help people. It is written from the main characters perspective as he confesses to a priest of the evil in his past. This novel is a short easy read. Easily concluded in one reading session. The main characters are drawn out very well and it is easy for the reader to understand the emotions, motives, and actions of the antagonists and protagonists. The story would be considered slow by most readers of warhammer fantasy. The action is scarce and doesn't even come close to what most readers of such novels as "Felix and Gotrek" would expect. I prefer a bit more action myself. At least when it comes to warhammer fantasy. Thus the 3 star rating.

Weak at best:
This is my first Warhammer book, so I am not famaliar with the world or the agenda followed. However with a title of Necromancer and what was said on the rear cover I expected a little more. This is the sort of book you put out after you have introduced a successful character and people want to know more about the past of said character. I do not like the novels that good always wins and heroes constantly overcome massive odds. I was hoping for something dark and 'realistic' in a fantasy work. Maybe the character should of died before the end of the book, or maybe we could of had a legion of undead at his command. I hope the next book I read by Mr Green is much better.

The Title proved more interesting than the Book:
I must say, being an avid WARHAMMER fan, of the games and the novels, this book disappointed me. It displayed perfectly how one might find oneself treading the dark path towards Necromancy, but then - that's it. It was a rather dull read, and I only made it all the way through because I was wondering when the pace would pick up, and that army of shambling undead would arrive. They never did. The story made for a quick read (2 sittings), but lacked the adventure, and oft times doom & gloom endings that I have come to enjoy from WARHAMMER novels. If a sequel is in the pipe, I hope it delivers a bit more punch.

Painfully Dull:
The book is it is not well written and is slow to develop - so despite it's small size it seemed to take forever to read. I've read several Warhammer novels and this one was, by far, my least favorite.

Slow corruption to darkness:
This novel is very different from the typical Warhammer novel. Instead of the more typical action driven story, this novel is a character study and provide a fascinating look at how an ordinary young man raised in the empire becomes corrupted by darkness. The entire novel is told from the point of view of the main character, Dieter Heydrich and covers only a brief period of his life (how he became a Necromancer, but really nothing about him after that point). Every step on his path of damnation is made with logical and seemingly good (or at least understandable) reasons. The reasons and rationalizations he makes along the way make him a tragic and flawed, but entirely human character. If you are looking for an action packed Warhammer novel, this book is not for you. If you want a chance to get some insight into the bad guys of the Warhammer world, this book is an excellent choice.