Space Wolf

Reviewed by Warren the Hall on 10/03/04

Before I read this book, I had never fully become immersed in the vast world that is Warhammer. I'd played a couple of games of Inquisitor but that was as far as it went. But this book changes everything. At times, language can become coarse, violence a pivotal feature and this is what makes this book so damn amazing!! The world of Fenris can be interpreted and imagined in many different ways as can the characters. The fact that there are no in-depth descriptions of the characters except for Ragnar lets your mind create the characters. In my mind, Strybjorn is seen as a resemblance of the lead Orc in the final battle scene of Return of The King (except Strybjorn doesn't have an eye missing!!)

All in all, I am glad I have read this book as it is compelling, at times detailed, at times sporadic and always thrilling. It immerses you in the world of Warhammer. And I love what I am hearing!!
 

 

Reviewed by Jak Collins on 15/01/04

This book is astoundingly excellent - keep making them and a I'll keep buying them. I hate games workshop and all that but this stuff is colossal. My bro loves warhammer spacewolves so i ask him about the more technical stuff. I cant put the book down so I'm losing a lot of sleep. That's the only criticism of this spectacular novel.

 

Reviewed by Ilan on 01/07/03

As a long-time player of the Warhammer 40,000 games, and an avid reader of the associated fiction, I discovered Bill King's work in the "Deathwing" serial from the first expansion for the "Space Hulk" board game.  As a novel, "Space Wolf" doesn't grip the same way the earlier, more focused storytelling of "Deathwing" did; around the fifth time Ragnar decided that some gaping structure resembled "...the maw of some great beast" I realized that Space Marine fiction might not be ideally suited to a novel-length treatment.

However, the details of Fenrisian life, and the vivid description of Ragnar's initiation into the Space Wolves, are extremely evocative, and showcase Bill's knack for breathing life into a setting.  Typographical distractions aside, Space Wolf builds momentum right up to the signature battles characteristic of the Warhammer 40,000 setting, and both "Ragnar's Claw" and "Grey Hunter" see the pacing of Ragnar's adventures mature enough to fill a novel.

If you're not put off by looking into the maw of this great beast of a series, the next two books pay off dramatically once you enter the belly of the beast.

 

 

Reviewed by Julz ThunderFist on 06/05/03

Spacewolf is an excellent and original novel. It provides a really interesting insight into the making of a Space Marine.

Heck, I don't even play 40k and I love this Space Marine stuff now!

Space Wolf not got so much out and out death and destruction as the next two, but when Ragnar finally becomes a Blood claw you almost feel you were part of his training.

The characters are interesting and you actually care about them.

The only thing I would say about William's style is he tends to go into "gothic waffles" for a paragraph or so sometimes...

 

Reviewed by Andrew Stewart on 23/04/03

These Space Wolf novels are by far the best reading I've ever seen! Easily read dozens of times. Someone should really put all 3 books into movie form. Certainly a box office blockbuster!

 

Reviewed by Brando on 14/08/02

I gotta say, I first started reading the slayer books and man they kicked my ass!!  I've always hated reading books, but when I went out to the book store with my ex, I saw the "Beastslayer" novel and the only reason I had her buy it for me was because I liked the cover art.  But after that when I started to actually read it I imediately fell for it.  The Slayer novels kick ass.  Then I just recently started to read "SPACEWOLF", WOW!!!  I gotta tell ya, I'm falling for this book a lot more than I did on the "SLAYER" novels. I can't put the f**king thing down!!!  I'm dying to find out what happens between Ragnar and Strybjorn!!!  Will they kill each other or will they become the brothers that they should???  I'm only half way into the book now and it is great!!! I cannot wait to start "RAGNARS CLAW" and "GREY HUNTER". And GOD DAMMIT, I REALLY AM PISSED OFF THAT I MISSED OUT ON MEETING "THE KING" WHEN HE JUST CAME THROUGH MY TOWN!!!  Anyways all of "THE KINGS" novels are truly great, and I can't emphasize enough on the word great!!! HAIL and KILL!!!

 

Reviewed by Wolfpriest Cjarl on 11/08/02

Ok its time for a quick review from a perspective you can trust. If your into the Space Wolves then this book is a must!! Within this book you will transported side by side with other Fenrisians. Learn what it takes to be a become a Space Wolf, and witness first hand the inner workings of that experiance.

Grow with Ragnar as he transforms from a simple tribemans to something more. This book also is a great read for those non wolf players out there. A rare glimpse into the world of one of the most famous marine chapters in the universe, through the eyes of Ragnar.

A great read and this Wolfpriest gives it four howls!!

 

Reviewed by Badbob on 23/05/02

A good but not great start to this series. Takes a little too much time to get into the 40K Universe for my liking. The tranformation scenes are good, and it does give some insight into the making of a Space Wolf.

 

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