So, Khârn: Eater of Worlds got released on Christmas day, and I'm really pleased to see that the folks who have already picked it up (well, metaphorically picked it up - it's only been released as an ebook so far) seem to be enjoying it.
The story takes place during the lead-up to the infamous Battle of Skalathrax. The Horus Heresy is over, and the World Eaters, along with the other 'traitor' Legions have fled into the Eye of Terror. Without any clear leader - Angron is no longer with them - the XII Legion tearing itself apart as it lurches from one confrontation to the next, like rabid dogs let off the leash.
Captain Dreagher (a character first appearing in Matt Farrer's awesome, foundation-laying short story After Desh'ea') sees the imminent death of his Legion, and believes that only one man can unite the Wolrd Eaters and forestall its self-destruction - Khârn. Unfortunately, Khârn remains in a brain-dead coma, and has become little more than a living shrine...
Cue lots of internal conflict and bloody, chain-axe action as the World Eaters struggle to remain a cohesive Legion and come face-to-face with former allies the Emperor's Children...
It was a tricky, but very satisfying book to write, and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.
I first got to write 40K-era Khârn a few years back with Chosen of Khorne, and thoroughly enjoyed getting inside his head. With The Eightfold Path from last year's BL Advent Calender I got the chance to write about 30K-era Khârn. Eater of Worlds is set in between the two - coming just after the end of the Horus Heresy.
Originally, this was going to be just a single book - the Battle of Skalathrax - but it was going to be waaaay too long. Hence, the decision was made to turn this book into more of prelude to the battle itself.
For those of you who prefer paper versions to e-books, I believe it is going to be released in the first quarter of 2015 as a hard back.
And on that note... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Ant