Twice Dead King - Reign book review spoiler free...ish

 

Twice Dead King - Reign by Nate Crowley

After the war in heaven was over, the Old Ones had been defeated by the children of the Biotransference, the Necrons. The revenge war against the C'Tan had begun, and most of the Star Gods were broken into shards and used to power great machines of unimaginably advanced technology. One C'Tan was utterly destroyed Llandu'gor the flayer. Its last words before destruction were a curse upon the Necron slaves who had turned upon them. 

The curse was 'to those who have turned their faces away. To those who are faithless and wretched in their jealousies. To those who have denied us. To those who have denied me. I will wreak vengeance. I will wrench your souls and break your bones. I will cast hunger through your accursed existence. Down the eons, you will not forget. I will grant you this gift from love turned aside and make you like me, break you in my image as you have broken me. I shall cast the fear of myself into you and all of your kind. I am Llandu'gor. I am hunger' 

From that moment, the flayer curse was born. It is currently unknown where the flayed ones go when they slip out of reality, just to reappear when blood is spilt. It is rumoured that they answer to a powerful being known as the Flayer King. Multiple Dynasties are plagued more than others. King Oltyx of the Ithakas Dynasty is the Phaeron of one of these plagued Dynasties. TDK - Reign is an excellent sequel to conclude the journey of King Oltyx and his people.

I picked up this book almost immediately after finishing the first, and I’m glad I did. The sequel is every bit as enjoyable. Much of the story unfolds within a warp‑like dimension, yet it never feels stagnant. There’s always something happening, and the constant movement keeps the narrative from dragging or losing momentum. The pacing does stumble slightly at the start, taking a little time to build up the energy needed for the second half. But once it finds its stride, the payoff is absolutely worth it. One of the standout elements for me was the deep dive into Necron lore, especially the era of flesh and the process of Biotransference. It’s a territory that many Necron‑focused books only skim, so seeing it explored in more detail was genuinely refreshing. Another highlight is the shift in perspective. Instead of viewing humanity’s expansion as a triumphant march into the stars, we see it through the eyes of someone displaced,  someone whose ancestral home has been taken by the Imperium. It’s a compelling angle that adds weight and nuance to the conflict. Overall, I’d call this a fantastic addition to the Necron catalogue. Whether you’re already a fan or simply curious to learn more about their history and culture, this book is absolutely worth your time.