Warhammer novels with Vampire appearances.

[Alixen]

I thought i'd make this not just for my own benefit (though, that too) but for others who are curious/interested in reading about the focal point of their army in the... somewhat long list of Black Library novels.

I'll list what I know of first. Then, it would be appreciated if others could add to the list.

-Vampire Wars-
Rather obvious due to its title. It covers the Vampire Wars, and the three main Carsteins involved, Vlad, Konrad, and Mannfred. It also introduces some other rather intesting characters.

-Red Duke-
A very interesting story of a powerful yet somewhat insane Blood Dragon of Bretonnia. He is still spoken of in whisper and in tales of terror, and that fact is used as a framing device for the story.

-The Vampire Genevieve-

I've not read it yet, though it is sat on my to-read pile. So here is the amazon descript: 'Meet Genevieve Dieudonne. She's beautiful, powerful, resourceful and courageous - and over four hundred years old. In the dark forests and cities of the Warhammer world, she and her unlikely companions battle the forces of evil and insanity. However, the vampire blood running through Genevieve's veins means she must constantly fight the urge to surrender to the evil within her. "The Vampire Genevieve" collects together all the tales of Genevieve and her unlikely companions into one volume. It contains the four fabulous novels "Drachenfels", "Genevieve Undead", "Beasts in Velvet" and "Silver Nails".'

-Gotrek and Felix: Vampireslayer-

The unlikely duo have to face a foe quite unlike they have faced before, and lives are changed forever.

-Ulrika the Vampire: Bloodborn, Bloodforged, and Bloodsworn-

A trilogy of books that serve as a sequel of sorts to Vampireslayer, though only following the adventures of Ulrika, and neither Gotrek or Felix are anything but mentioned. They delve deep into the Lahmian ways and lifestyles, and offer insight into their conflicts with the other bloodlines.

-Gotrek and Felix: Manslayer-

Ulrika makes a return, now with decades of experiance, to fight alongside the two titular heroes as a grudging (on their part) ally.

-Gotrex and Felix: The Anthology: The Funeral of Gotrek Gurnisson-

A murder mystery of sorts, and very short, by another author. This is one small story in a book of small stories, all penned by different authors. Ulrika lends Felix a hand in solving the mystery of the tale.

 

[Lynks]

There's the Nagash books, and neferata.

"Curse of the Necrarch" is one of the few books that actually have necrarchs in them

 

[Von Calyptra]

I hated The Vampire Wars - I thought it butchered the mythos and neutered its antagonists. Given that, do you think any of these other books would be worth my while to read?

 

[Shareya]

Hello! And yes I do own all of the following books.

1)Gotrek & Felix 06 - VampireSlayer
- This book was very lovely as it jumped to the vampires viewpoint very often and it is very entertaining to read how he views the world and everyone in it.

2) Ulrika The Vampire.
- Three books: Bloodborn, Bloodforged and Bloodsworn.
I would personally dare to recommend you give these a shot. They do show the good and bad sides of Lahmian vampires quite well! You should however do yourself a favor and read Vampireslayer first to get the story a bit better.

3) Gotrek & Felix 09 - Manslayer
- Lahmian vampires play a fairly major role in this book and you also find out what has happened to Ulrika. The story takes place around 19 years -AFTER- Bloodsowrn. So there is an annoying gap that you have to use your own fantasy for.

Now! I named those three due to Ulrika/Lahmians. Moving on to the very wonderful Neferata <3!

1) Nagash the Immortal ( third book ).
- This book is a wonderful read as it literally goes back to the very, VERY beginning of the vampires and goes into great detail on how they came to be. A lot of lore on all of the first Vampires. This book also casts most of them in a much, MUCH more positive light then what we usually get in the army books that makes them out to be ...well almost mad tyrants.

2) Neferata
- I loved this book. It was a very, very wonderful read ( for me ) and it completely sold me on Lahmians. It also explains quite well why most of the Lahmians are female and why Neferata has a strong dislike towards males. The reasons are of course a lot better then what they where before. Ksh, husband running off to Nagash, lame I say!

Now moving to something else! the stupid Von's ;_;

1) Vampire wars
- Three books + one short story. Inheritance, Dominion and Retribution. The short story is Death's cold kiss.
I can not really recommend them myself. I got through around half of the first book and while Vlad is quite the interesting character...well the book has not just sucked me in yet. I will of course eventually go through them all.

2) The Konrad Saga - PEEEP PEEEP warning below.
- Three books. Konrad, Shadowbreed and Warblade.
Have not read any of them, can not comment. Vampires are mentioned/brought up but no longer sure if it's enough O_O! Thanks Alixen for pointing it out!

Anddd movinggg onto something many seem to recommend!

1) The Vampire Genevieve
-Four books! Drachenfels, Genevieve Undead, Beasts in Velvet and Silver nails.
Ugh, this is a bit tricky to comment on. Many recommend these and I believe the second book I have somewhat read a long time ago. Heck I think it was the first Warhammer vampire book I got my hands on andddd.... It nearly put me off warhammer. The books are quite old and the lore has been changed/improved quite a bit over the years so if you do get these books, expect to find certain wierdness. Still, from what I hear Genvieve is a very strong female character and that is always a huge plus.


And moving to random story's I know about but have yet to read.

1) Ancient Blood ( by Robert earl)
2) Curse of the Necrach ( by Steven Savile)
3) Portrait of my undying lady ( short story, read this, pretty entertaining).
4) The Vampire hunters.
5) Three Knights.

Also Vampires (lahmians) make apperances in at least one Warhammer comic. The one I know top of my head is Forge Of War ( SECOND one, not first) BUT IT IS COMPLETE RUBBISH X)

 

[Alixen]

There's the Nagash books, and neferata.

"Curse of the Necrarch" is one of the few books that actually have necrarchs in them

Ohh, thanks for reccomending Curse. It also led me to Ancient Blood. I'll have to pick those up at some point soon.

1) Nagash the Immortal ( third book ).
- This book is a wonderful read as it literally goes back to the very, VERY beginning of the vampires and goes into great detail on how they came to be. A lot of lore on all of the first Vampires. This book also casts most of them in a much, MUCH more positive light then what we usually get in the army books that makes them out to be ...well almost mad tyrants.

2) Neferata
- I loved this book. It was a very, very wonderful read ( for me ) and it completely sold me on Lahmians. It also explains quite well why most of the Lahmians are female and why Neferata has a strong dislike towards males. The reasons are of course a lot better then what they where before. Ksh, husband running off to Nagash, lame I say!

Glad to hear how the Nagash paints them. Not so happy with the change in Neferata's motives, if only because from what i've picked up elsewhere ist a complete change. Extra reasons? I would have accepted. Vashanesh seeming to cease to exist? I haven't read them, but that seems to be what happened from threads here.

Seems to be a rather pointless omission, really. Damaging to previous lore and for no good reason. Either way i'll still read as I like vampires as a whole, beyond one or two characters.

Now moving to something else! the stupid Von's ;_;

Hey! I like Lahmians too, but the Von's are awesome.

1) Vampire wars
- Three books + one short story. Inheritance, Dominion and Retribution. The short story is Death's cold kiss.
I can not really recommend them myself. I got through around half of the first book and while Vlad is quite the interesting character...well the book has not just sucked me in yet. I will of course eventually go through them all.

I have to admit, same so far. I just started with Konrad's part and in that time i've managed to read the whole second GaF omni and the Ulrika trilogy.

2) The Konrad Saga
- Three books. Konrad, Shadowbreed and Warblade.
Have not read any of them, can not comment.

Is this about... THE Konrad? Before being a vampire? Or just an adventurer with a familiar name who fights one? I know you may not know as you note you haven't read them, but if anyone else knows i'd like to.

3) Portrait of my undying lady ( short story, read this, pretty entertaining).
4) The Vampire hunters.
5) Three Knights.

Hm, thank you. I'll check these out.

I hated The Vampire Wars - I thought it butchered the mythos and neutered its antagonists. Given that, do you think any of these other books would be worth my while to read?

Hm. I thus far have mixed feelings about Vampire Wars myself. It skims over Vlad's part of the war rather fast, and does change key events. I wasn't pleased with Isabella staking herself when she was supposed to throw herself from the top of the catherdral. Nor was I particularly happy with Vlad's presentation. Some parts I liked, but he seemed overly reliant on the ressurecting power of his ring, and without it felt as though he was rather weak.

That may be bleed-through from books like Red Duke and Vampireslayer though. The Red Duke and his vampires are strong enough that they are utterly dominent in close combat. In Vampireslayer a vampiress slays a group unarmed. And yet Vlad is beaten to a pulp no less than twice in his own book, by mortal men. I... wasn't impressed at that. I do feel that 'neutered' him as you put it. And it actually does make me second guess the idea that he is or ever was Vashanesh.

Beyond that i've not read much further. Konrad seems rather composed at the start of his story, but i'm sure that will change.

Edit: Did a little research.

Wait, so does this mean that Vashanesh IS, for now at least, Vlad?

Well, it was hinted at in one army book, I forget which one. Probably the one he was first introduced in - perhaps a Tuomas Pirinen book?

Anyway, I liked the idea of a master vampire who was still active in the game world rather than just some mysterious figure in the background, and Vlad's story already had a conclusion (he died), so there was an in built control on what would happen to the character and what he could achieve. I think at that time Neferata had rules herself, so it wasn't unprecedented to have a master vampire taking centre stage.


If that was your intention upon writing, and you've never been outright contradicted, it presumably still stands!

I remember at the time of writing Necris and several years previously (when Mordheim was coming out) that there was already some friendly disagreement amongst some of the people I was speaking to at GW about who Vashanesh was and what role he should play (or whether he should be just dropped).

The connection was allowed through into the printing of Necris, but almost as soon as it was out some of the writers working on other undead novels and books for GW (although not WHFRP oddly enough) said that they were told to ignore Necris. There will probably be a publication sooner or later that completely contradicts Necris - in fact the Nagash series might have already done that - so I wouldn't get too hung up on concepts like 'canon'.

Ultimately it's a hobby. Take what you like and ignore what you don't.

So, sadly, it looks like the Vashanesh=Vlad idea was never a popular one even at GW. And that the people who may have had problems with it lkely are those who are responsable for there being no Vashanesh in the Nagash books. After all, MvS notes there was talk of dropping him a long time ago. It even explains why Night's Dark Masters has the connection; that was the only 'series' that wasn't told to ignore the Necris entirely.

After the Vampire Wars portrayal of Vlad i'm not all that bothered to be honest, but it is still a little sad, as coming from fandoms like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and such i'm fond of established lore. I have a hard time taking what I like and ignoring what I don't.

 

[Shareya]

Oh damn, the Konrad saga might not be vampy? O_O Damn you same name! /deleted from HDD. Though I know vamps are mentioendi na few of said books at least.

Also I strongly disagree that Neferata's lore changes damages the previous lore at all. They gave her a much deeper story/reasons and from what I could tell Vashanesh almost had nothing besides the wild theorys vampy fans made up.

Still strongly recomend the Nagash + Neferata <3

 

[Alixen]

Oh damn, the Konrad saga might not be vampy? O_O Damn you same name! /deleted from HDD. Though I know vamps are mentioendi na few of said books at least.

Also I strongly disagree that Neferata's lore changes damages the previous lore at all. They gave her a much deeper story/reasons and from what I could tell Vashanesh almost had nothing besides the wild theorys vampy fans made up.

Still strongly recomend the Nagash + Neferata <3

Yeah, think its just a name thing, but I could be wrong.

By removing a character completely? Thats damaging. Like I say, I don;t mind Neferata having alternate reasons, thats just depth, but ripping a chunk out of the story is something else entirely. Vashanesh was actually (supposed to be) a huge player theories aside. The Necris goes deeper into it. Being motivation to the formation of the Lahmians was not all there was to his character. In some ways, he was the 'main' character amongst the vampires in their encounter and time with Nagash, as he was the only one with 'free will'.

I'll still read the books and likely enjoy them, but I am going to feel the lack of Vashanesh and note it as a mark against the book, whether I want to or not. On the upside, they will be new to me, if only because of how many things have to play out differently.

 

[Shareya]

Oh damn, the Konrad saga might not be vampy? O_O Damn you same name! /deleted from HDD. Though I know vamps are mentioendi na few of said books at least.

Also I strongly disagree that Neferata's lore changes damages the previous lore at all. They gave her a much deeper story/reasons and from what I could tell Vashanesh almost had nothing besides the wild theorys vampy fans made up.

Still strongly recomend the Nagash + Neferata <3

Yeah, think its just a name thing, but I could be wrong.

By removing a character completely? Thats damaging. Like I say, I don;t mind Neferata having alternate reasons, thats just depth, but ripping a chunk out of the story is something else entirely. Vashanesh was actually (supposed to be) a huge player theories aside. The Necris goes deeper into it. Being motivation to the formation of the Lahmians was not all there was to his character. In some ways, he was the 'main' character amongst the vampires in their encounter and time with Nagash, as he was the only one with 'free will'.

I'll still read the books and likely enjoy them, but I am going to feel the lack of Vashanesh and note it as a mark against the book, whether I want to or not. On the upside, they will be new to me, if only because of how many things have to play out differently.

Different opinions then! Though at the end of Neferata you will find out who was his first ( 'new' ) vampire servant to Nagash x)

Edit: You clearly should also be on the chat O_O

 

[Alixen]

Yeah, like I say, i'm sure i'll enjoy it either way. And I can always concede to Mannfred and the Liber Necris in my head, and 'pretend' that the Nagash and Neferata books are written by her/Lahmians and purposfully omit Vashanesh for his sins. Woohoo, just came us with a suitable self-canon.

 

[Shareya]

Yeah, like I say, i'm sure i'll enjoy it either way. And I can always concede to Mannfred and the Liber Necris in my head, and 'pretend' that the Nagash and Neferata books are written by her/Lahmians and purposfully omit Vashanesh for his sins. Woohoo, just came us with a suitable self-canon.

Accept the lore! /smack

 

[Alixen]

Hehe. Both are canon, unless Black Library works out-lores other BL works. I'm not a believer until the Army Book sttes it.

 

[Shareya]

Neferata book is time of legends, writer hired by GW so think it's as canon as it gets! But read it, you will then forget about random male vampire nr 12315! (yes, yes I really did not like the whole wife crying/angry over husband leaving thing >.> )

 

[Von Calyptra]

1) Vampire wars
- Three books + one short story. Inheritance, Dominion and Retribution. The short story is Death's cold kiss.

You know, I actually quite liked Death's Cold Kiss. It's just such a waste that the rest of The Vampire Wars is so terrible.

After the Vampire Wars portrayal of Vlad i'm not all that bothered to be honest, but it is still a little sad, as coming from fandoms like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and such i'm fond of established lore. I have a hard time taking what I like and ignoring what I don't.

I feel the same way. After the huge inconsistencies between Vampire Wars, the army books, and Liber Necris, I'm hesitant to buy any Black Library offerings now.

 

[Shareya]

Is liber necris not -seriously- out of date now? Even in one of the posts here it was said that shorty after it was published Authors where told to ignore it in their writing.

 

[Shareya]

RED THIRST by Jack Yeovil

Also has vamps (Genevieve)! Not yet read it, just found it in the pile.

 

[Count michael]

There is the short story Charnal Congress a Gotrek and Felix shorty story where they kinda unwittingly help to revive Mannfred and must try stop him (with an even greater enemy hiding in the shadows who wants revenge against Mannfred), I believe it is only an ebook as even though it says it is part of the gotrek and Felix anthology it's not in the actual book trust me, found it on the Internet and is a great read.

Also the Ninth book about Vlad and some kislevites fighting off a chaos warband

 

[chladas]

There is necrarch as main bad guy in books about Mathias Thulmann (Witch Hunter,Witch Finder, Witch Slayer)

 

[Count michael]

o_o, this thread lost focus ages ago, though that does sound like an interesting read. Since chladas rebooted this thread I might as well continue it, anyone know any other good vampire / undeaad novels that have been released recently I know there is that Neferata book but is it any good?

 

[El Syf]

Personally I enjoyed Neferata very much. It's really cool seeing how the master vamps interact with each other.