Stormcaller Book Review spoiler free...ish

 

Stormcaller by Chris Wraight.

Njal Stormcaller is the Head Rune‑Priest of the Space Wolves, and in the darkest moments of battle, he becomes something far greater. When the line buckles and the enemy surges forward, when even the Vlka Fenryka feel the weight of inevitability pressing down upon them, Njal steps into the fray, and the world itself seems to pause. The storms of Fenris answer him as if they have been waiting for this moment. Ice‑laden winds roar into existence, lightning coils around his staff, and the sky splits open in recognition of its master. What was a desperate struggle becomes a stage for his wrath. He has shattered daemons with a single blow, a Bloodthirster of Khorne reduced to ruin in an instant, and the sagas still struggle to capture the sheer finality of it. Among the Imperium’s psykers, few can stand beside him; even Mephiston, the Lord of Death, is spoken of as a rival rather than a superior. But it is not raw power alone that turns the tide. Njal wields the savage spirit of Fenris itself, binding its fury to his will. In the moment of greatest need, he becomes the storm incarnate, a force that sweeps aside the enemies of the Allfather and leaves only silence in its wake. When Njal enters the battle, the impossible becomes inevitable. The Jarnhammer pack has called for his aid on the Imperial shrine world of Ras Shakeh to fend off the assault by the plague minions of the Death Guard. But all is not so simple. This book shows why in a truly epic manner. 

Stormcaller is the second book of the trilogy, starting with Blood of Asaheim. A middle book in a trilogy can sometimes fall into the trap of just filling the space with a setup for the final showdown of the third book. This novel does not give in to that mistake in the slightest. After the setup of the beginning few chapters its speeds off into a headlong rush of action and twists in the plot. Although not perfect, in some pieces it does prove to be a bit predictable with the final delivery of the plot twist, but this is only very few and far between. It's a great example of how an author can use the predictable savage characteristics of the Space Wolves as an overall benefit to the story, as opposed to a dried-up trope of the Legion's nature. The pacing of the delivery of plot points is well timed to keep the reader glued to the book, making it very difficult to put down in places. The subtle use in displaying the dangers of an enemy that doesn't always come out swinging with a menace to match the ferocity of the Wolves, Wraight manages to lower the guard of the reader and upset any preconceptions they may have going into the final third of the book. This book is a must-read for any fan of the 40k universe and will prove to be a favorite of the Space Wolf fans who do read it.