Headtaker Short Review

Warning: Contains some spoilers

I really enjoyed this book. I admit a slight bias towards Skaven, but I went into this one with some concerns. I am a big fan of C.L.Werner's depiction of the Skaven, but I had not heard of David Guymer, so I was weary of how it would turn out. I am glad to say that it was everything I could hope for.

The story seems simple. The Dwarfs trying to take back the Eight Peaks have recently been discovered to have much better weapons and so the Skaven must assault another Dwarf keep, Karak Azul, in order to stop production. The problem is that Queek has no interest and no amount of threats can convince him and it's only with the temptation of fighting a Dwarf king that he agrees to go. This is what makes this slightly different to other Skaven stories, Queek Headtaker is a little mad. He leads from the front in his constant attempts to find more powerful foes to attack, he listens to his skull trophies who are constantly talking to him (their voices even match the race their from), fears not Grey Seers or his God and expects his own troops to be 100% loyal to him. Truly mad for a Skaven, and yet for him all things that happen, happen in his favour.

Of course, there are other characters and there point of views. The old Skaven Sharpwit also has a view that seems a little un-Skaven like, even pointing out the flaws of the Skaven race and is another main schemer. There are also the Dwarfs, with two being the focus. The main one, Thordun Locksplitter, leads a band of humans in order to reap the reward offered by the king of Karak Azul for the rescue of his kin. The second is Handrik Hallgakrin, a retired Ironbreaker who takes a liking to young Thordun. Like all Dwarf stories, there are tragedies involved. Both are told well and are enjoyable (as far as Dwarf stories go anyway).

Since the book is about the Headtaker, it's no surprise that he is the most entertaining to read. He seems to have the violent tendency of an Orc, yet has a cunning to his actions that you don't see until the end. While he did appear in C.L.Werner's 'Thanquol's Doom', this version of the Headtaker is by far my most favourite. If you like Skaven, or just want to learn more about the Headtaker's madness, then give this book a go.

Side note, this review is also my 300th post. So to celebrate, the Headtaker personally showed up to promote his book. We're still cleaning up the bloody mess he left behind (oh well, time for another slave run I guess).