Warcry: The Anthology

Warcry: The Anthology
The Harrower by David Annandale
The Method of Madness by Peter McLean
The Devourer’s Demand by Ben Counter
Proving Ground by Sarah Cawkwell
Eight-Tailed Naga by David Guymer
The Iron Promise by Josh Reynolds

As an avid fan of the Total War Warhammer series I found myself falling in love with the lore and legendary heroes presented within the game world itself. While the game explores the tales surrounding the legendary lords it does not go into depth as to the most mundane and abysmal lives of the lower class and peasants, which make up the backbone of the in-game armies. I mainly play as one of Chaos Factions and got to wondering what it would be like to live in their conquered and decrepit lands. Warcry: The Anthology, through several short stories, provides that exact information.

With Warhammer III being a few months away from its second anniversary I felt it was about time to write a review for one of the many books that gives great insight into the inner workings of the Chao Factions and life in the Chaos Wastes. Warcry is a bloody and dark mix of short stories set within the ever-expanding world of Warhammer. Each short story follows an aspiring champion of one of the many tribes that are scattered around the Chaos Wastes. To prove themselves worthy of Acheron the Everchosen and the Chaos Gods, each champion will use different forms of deception and brutality to achieve the dark desires of their faction. From deadly poison, savagery, and guerilla warfare each story explores a different method to the madness that is Chaos.

Proving Ground was the story that I enjoyed reading the most. It followed a young member of the Corvas Cabal, a city-dwelling nomadic group whose lives are dependent on the rooftops and spires of which they make their nests. As the manifestation of death from above the Corvas Cabal manages to survive in the bloody city of Carngrad. Lock, a young member of the tribe, must accomplish a great hunt in order to move up the ranks in the Cabal. This is anything but a normal coming of age story and Locks adventure is filled with anguish, pain, and death. This story gives a lot of unique insight into the different social hierarchies of the Chaos Factions along with their inner workings and daily life. If you are looking for a book that expands your view and knowledge of daily life in the Chaos Factions give Warcry a try!