Book Review: Soul Hunter

Its been a while since I have posted a book review on here, but I wanted to get the word out to any who had not already read this book. Let me say, wow! I really liked this book written by Black Library new comer Aaron Dembski-Bowden.

I think one of the best compliments I can pay this book follows. I was laying in bed reading through one of the early chapters and was caught up in the story to the point I chuckled at one of the scenes. My wife, who is not a Sci-fi person in any way, asked me what was funny. In return I read aloud the scene I had just read. Her response was:
" Wow, that's really good! Very cinematic and all the words he uses really make you see whats going on. Its really too bad I don't like those kind of books, it sounds like its a good book."

Well, call me a fan boy, but I highly recommend this book. It explored areas of 40K that I did not expect, including the effects of the warp on the traitor legions. Its interesting to see the flash-backs of the main character to earlier parts of his life. In addition, the authors sarcasm drifts out of some of the characters in ways which bring realism and life to them.

With this caliber of writing, it is no surprise that Aaron has been chosen to join the Horus Heresy cast of authors. Now to track him down at Adepticon, grab an interview, get him out on the town, and get him drunk!

For those interested, check out his blog here: Aaron Dembski-Bowden

And a great picture from the Black Library!

Reaper Exarchs are just Bad Ass!

The Dark Reapers are the most heavily armed of the common Aspects. Their black armor is made from heavy interlocked plates and they have heavy lower leg armor to stabilize their bodies so that they can aim and fire more accurately. Dark Reapers are armed with a deadly long ranged missile launcher and their role is to provide long range supporting fire. The weapon relays an enhanced targeting image into the warrior's helmet via the receptor vanes, making it almost impossible for a Dark Reaper to miss.

That's taken directly form the description in the 40K second edition Eldar codex. How bad-ass are these guys? Well, I have completed the 3 Exarchs that have been sitting on my painting tray and they have joined their 10 brethren in my figure case. First lets take a look at the three bad boys together:



So next we take a close-up look at each. First we have the Tempest Launcher Exarch. I will probably use him most, when I actually bring the Dark Reapers out of the case. Not only is his weapon, in my opinion, the most useful but....... Look at the skill shoulder pad he has!!!! How bad ass do you need to be to wear a skull shaped shoulder guard that bigger than your head????



Next we have one of my favorite 4th edition sculpts, the Dark Reaper Exarch with Shurican Cannon. I always like this guy and wanted to get one painted up for the Dead Tau project. He may not see much use, but I like the pose and sculpt.



Lastly we have the Missile Launcher. I would not feel bad using him as a Tempest launcher exarch as well, although that is not the original idea. I got this guy in a trade on Barter town, and like the conversion that was done.

Tournament Oponent Review - ICHSJ

As previously mentioned, lets look at who I faced in my 3 games at the recent Inner Circle tournament. It was certainly clear from the tournament that Mechanized lists are very popular and these were fully in effect at the tournament. I found it interesting to note that 2 of the armies outnumbered my Eldar (Sisters and IG) while the marine army was not far under my 51 models. I expect IG to outnumber me, but the Sisters army caught me by surprise. In addition, the 3 exorcists in that army are appalling to deal with, especially when there are good rolls for their shots. I very much expect they will change when the codex is re-written. As for the Marine army, while he did not outnumber me, he did not play what I would have expected from a marine army. It was closer to what I expect from guard, when he set-up 9 tanks across the table in addition to 4 fast skimmers.

Lets move on to looking at the lists:

Matt's Valhallan 42nd Mountaineers Imperial Guard
Model Count: 84

HQ

Captain Sorin
  w/ Officer of the Fleet
  w/ Astropath
  w/ Las Cannon
  w/ Chimera

Elite

Daemonhunter Inquisitor (psyhood)
  w/ heirophant
  w/ 2x sage

Troops

Platoon (5)
  w/ Squad Cmd - Lt with Las Pistol/CCW, 4x flamers,  Chimera

  w/ Squad 2 - Autocannon and plasma rifle, Commisar
  w/ Squad 3 - Autocannon and plasma rifle
  w/ Squad 4 - Autocannon and plasma rifle
10x Veterans (3x Melta Gun, Shotguns)
10x Penal Legion
10x Veterans (3x Plasma Gun), Chimera

Fast

Valkyrie (rocket pods)
 2x Hellhound (multi-melta, smoke)

Heavy

2x Hydra Battery
2x Medusa Battery
Manticore

Leigh's Space Marines
Model Count: 44

HQ

Pedro Kantor

Elite

5x Sternguard (1x combi-melta)
  w/ Razorback, twin-linked heavy bolter
5x Sternguard (2x combi-melta)
  w/ Razorback, twin-linked heavy bolter

Troops

5x Tac-Marines
  w/ Razorback, twin-linked heavy bolter
5x Tac-Marines
  w/ Razorback, twin-linked Las Cannon
5x Tac-Marines
  w/ Razorback, twin-linked Las Cannon
5x Tac-Marines
  w/ Razorback, twin-linked Las Cannon

Fast

Landspeeder (Typhoon, Multi-melta)
Landspeeder (Typhoon, Multi-melta)
2x Landspeeder (Typhoon, Multi-melta)

Heavy

Predator (TL Lascannon turret, Lascannon sponsons)
Predator (TL Lascannon turret, Lascannon sponsons)
Predator (Autocannon turret, Lascannon sponsons)

Matt #2's Sisters of Battle
Model Count: 68

HQ

Cannoness
   w/ 7x Celstians retinue
   w/ Priest

Elite

Daemonhunters Inquisitor
  w/ 2x mystic
  w/ Land Raider Crusader
 

Troops

10x Battle Sisters (2x Melta)
  w/ Rhino
10x Battle Sisters (2x Melta)
  w/ Rhino
5x Inquisitorial Storm Troopers
5x Inquisitorial Storm Troopers

Fast

8x Dominion Squad (4x Flamers)
  w/ Rhino
8x Dominion Squad (4x Flamers)
  w/ Rhino

Heavy

3x Exorcists