I honestly have no words to describe my shock after finishing this book. Just what the hell is going on at Games-Workshop HQ? As I try to come up with words to use for this article, I switch between this page and those from Warhammer Elves forums to get the Elf fan opinions, most of them not good. Seems most aren't happy with it. Many argue about the lack of character views, altered lore and various things that just don't make sence. Players are also getting the impression that they were screwed over, and I must agree.
The book is basically seen from Malekith's point of view. It is also constantly filled with flashbacks, which many have pointed out as cut and paste from the Witch King trilogy (Malekith, Shadow King and Caledor), which is true, but it does work in some parts (but not all). I like that Malekith is still unlikable and there is no attempt to make him (unless Gav did try to do that, which it didn't work if that's the case), but I agree just his point of view limits the story. Teclis could have been an excellent point of view and it would have been nice to have at least point of view from the Tyrion camp, given he's the bad guy in all this.
Oh yes, now we get into the serious spoiler territory. I was happy with they way most of the book went, but the last few chapters changed that opinion. Naggaroth is gone, conquered by Chaos. To save his people, Malekith took all who would follow and launched one final attempt to take Ulthuan. The thing is, Teclis is the mastermind behind all this. See, since Malekith damaged the Vortex in that infamous defeat, Teclis had been given visions from the Elf Goddess Lileath about the End Times. To somehow save everyone, these visions showed how to save them against the Chaos (or maybe not given the final paragraph). This results is Teclis being instrumental to the resurrection of Nagash (though his plan had a few elements to ensure Nagash returned weak and his great spell wouldn't be so effective) and the ascension of Malekith as Phoenix King. Yep, Malekith is the new Phoenix King. Turns out he was never rejected by the flames, it was just that Malekith was too weak to withstand the resurrection. The whole six thousand year civil war was his fault because he was too weak is a nice little plot twist I must admit, didn't see it coming. He goes through it again, though he's still a corpse in armour. Imrik of Caledor joins Malekith's invasion early on too, having been convinced by Teclis about Malekith being the true king. Malus Darkblade is in it, but gets an undignified death off screen with the daemon that was inside him breaking free and tearing him apart in the process.
As for Tyrion, well it turns out that the Elf Princess that was sacrificed for Nagash was his daughter, he blamed Teclis for her loss and in his grief, Morathi convinced him to take up the blade of Khaine, Widowmaker. Morathi is mad, believing Tyrion is the reincarnation of her long dead husband and Tyrion takes up the blade and becomes a murdering Tyrant (well, we're more told that, since we see him take up the blade after defeating Malekith, but most we never see their point of view). Korhil is killed when he breaks free of their control to steal Widowmaker later on, but is hunted down and beheaded by his own axe. Teclis wants to unchain the magic from the waystones around the slowly fading Vortex and that's where the final battle happens. The result, the remaining seven lore's are released to find a primary host (Nagash already stole the Lore of Death) and we know Malekith gets the Lore of Shadow and the Everqueen has the Lore of Life. From what I read on the forums, Teclis bound the Lore of Light to his Staff and the Lore of Heavens was bound to Karl Franz, explaning the end of the last book (though I feel those two Lores should be vice versa given that ending). As for the rest we don't know. Tyrion is killed in the final battle and The Shadow King is still alive, threatening Malekith that if he fails to be a good leader to the Elves he will kill him (It's complicated and confusing).
I get what was being said in this, the Gods are taking mortal form, end of days battle for survival, etc. The problem was is that I just didn't feel that. The whole 'Mortal Gods battle between Asuryan (Malekith) and Khaine (Tyrion)' didn't feel epic, it felt rush and with little emotion. Heck, they kept talking about their Gods, like how only the Blade of Asuryan could defeat Widowmaker, yet Widowmaker makes short work of it. If I was really picky about it, I'd say Khaine won that battle and was only defeated thanks to the Shadow King. A non-godly mortal beat both god-infused mortals. Either we were lied to and that both Elven Gods were really weak, or the Shadow King is more bad ass then I thought (I prefer the latter one).
The final indignity for the Elves, Ulthuan is now gone. Sunk beneath the ocean. Apparently, the Vortex had eaten away at the island and by shutting it down, the island sunk, most likely killing all the wildlife. They all now live in the lands of the Wood Elves, though what the forest spirits think of this we do not know. The end does tell us that Morathi was sucked into the Realm of Chaos while trying the stop Teclis. As for Teclis, I don't know. I've read the last part a few times, but I can't seem to figure out what happened to him. Perhaps I keep missing that one part, but as it stands I just don't know. I do know that after reserching more about the End Times Elves on Elf forums that apparently Teclis picked up his brothers body before disappearing with the island, leaving much speculation as to the twins fate. Morathi herself had tried to summon Slaanesh into the mortal world when Teclis was working his spell, but was defeated, explaining how she was sucked into the Realm of Chaos, though I expect she'll return as a favoured champion of Slaanesh. The main army animals also escaped with the fleeing Elves, though how a large number of Elves, beasts and Dragons can remain in Athel Loren and not loose it is beyond me. I get the feeling that they are going to forgo their allies in the human lands and launch an invasion into what was the Empire to take land and rebuild their kingdom. Malekith is leading them after all.
Honestly, I don't know how to recommend this book. I mean, the revelations surrounding Malekith, the Flames of Asuryan and a six thousand year civil war was brilliant as a plot twist, but the ending parts felt unsatisfying and offensive to all Warhammer Elves players. I also feel that the latter half of the book was rushed and not written as well. Simply put, about half way in I was very excited, but by the end I was very disappointed. There's more I've missed, but I'll leave it at that.
Elf-things Gods are worthless, weak and make no sence. Foolish they are to think themselves mighty-strong compared to the might of the Great Horned Rat, the one true God. Now they cower in their forests, but they can not hide forever. The might of Skavendom will be ascending very soon.
~Grey Seer Skratchnsniff
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