Daemon World

This is a recent reprint of a very entertaining Warhammer 40k story. Ben Counter creates a vivid scene of a planet under Chaos influence. He brings the mystical effects of the Warp, daemons, Chaos pantheon rivalry, and the human inhabitants vying for control of the planet Torvendis. Golgoth is the main tribal leader of the mountain humans fighting for control against Lady Charybdia, who controls the main city on the planet. Helping Golgoth is Kron, an unknown sorcerer. Then there is Captain Amakyre from the Word Bearers Chaos Space Marines chapter hunting down Kron. As the story develops, the mysteries and legends of the planet are provided. The reader then wonders if legends are just tales or have some part of truth to them. The history of the planet is revealed at the climatic end and the plot twists and turns make the book very entertaining science fiction, rich in the lore of Warhammer 40k.

The author has masterfully created life on a Chaos world. The emersion of the reader into this reality is total. I just hate that my favorite character gets killed.

Torvendis is a world of massive symbolic stature, existing at the very heart of the Maelstrom. It is a planet with a long and tortuous history. It is currently ruled by Lady Charybdia. Charybdia Keep is the seat of power. The huge keep had not been built by normal materials. Instead, it had been entirely built by what was once millions-upon-millions of living things. During her long reign, Lady Charybdia and her Violators (Chapter of Space Marines) have been ever vigilant and ever devoted to the pleasure god called Slaanesh. When Lady Charybdia notices a recently wrecked foreign spacecraft near the Canis Mountains, she immediately investigates. Captain Amakyre of the Word Bearers arrives at Torvendis searching for one of his Chapter called Karnulon. Karnulon is a Chaos Marine from pre-Heresy, which was over ten thousand years prior. Karnulon is a renegade. No one knows why Karnulon came to Torvendis and Amakyre does not actually care. Amakyre's entire focus is on locating and capturing the renegade. The daemon prince Ss'll Sh'Karr once ruled Torvendis. All believed it to be long dead. In truth it resides in a temple-prison. Karnulon intends to release Ss'll Sh'Karr. It would be the first in a cycle of events that would end in ultimate victory. **** Author Ben Counter is a great writer with his own legion of fans. I can be considered one of that number. However, this time the author is more long-winded than normal. The plot develops very slowly and for much of the story there are parts that seem meaningless. (The key word there is "seem".) Yet when the battle scenes happen, they are fantastic. Some readers will have a problem with the writing style, but it is all very well written. In a word: intriguing. **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Man, Ben Counter is one visual masterpiece monster writer. This has got to be one of the all-time eye opening, jaw-dropping novels of the year.Not only was I immensely drawn into the book by it's deliciously and devilishly looking cover and interesting synopsis, but catapulted into a universe and world of monstrous proportions.This is some story. If you think this is a bad read - then you are a plain idiot, hands down! Ben Counter pulls no punches, takes no prisoners in this massive world building, legendary novel. It reads so beautifully, but after seeing the movie - RETURN OF THE KING - the battles there almost seemed tame in comparison to this one.Now, I would love to see the battle for the citidal in this book! Rivers and lakes of blood with daemons and mutants out the ass to kill - now that would truly be a sight from hell.Ben Counter writes and drives a storyline on like a Mack truck through your living room. Not only is he visual, but the story itself unfolds and ends so unexpectantly, it will surely keep you up at night, reading, shaking, and sweating. A must read for sci-fi/fantasy fans. Ben Counter, you have a new fan.

Why do I constantly find myself at odds with reviewers of Warhammer 40K novels? The only review of this book as of this date is extemely negative. I really enjoyed this book, especially the Princess Charybdia and her twistedly evil city of pleasures. I've never really expected WH novels to be great Hugo-prize winning novels of Sci-Fi---they're just a lot of fun to read and they put you into a fantastic gloomy surreal mood. Give this novel a chance. I really liked it.