The House of Night and Chain (Warhammer Horror)

by David Annandale

At the edge of the city of Valgaast, Malveil awaits. It is a house of darkness. Its halls are filled with history and pain. It knows all secrets, and no weakness can be hidden from it.

At the edge of the city of Valgaast, Malveil awaits. It is a house of darkness. Its halls are filled with history and pain. It knows all secrets, and no weakness can be hidden from it. Now it stirs eagerly because its prey approaches. Colonel Maeson Strock of the Adeptus Ministorum is returning to his ancestral mansion. He is a shell of a man, broken by the horrors of war and personal loss. Colonel Strock has come home to take up the mantel of planetary governor. He hopes he can purge his home world of political corruption. He hopes he can reforge connections with his estranged children. He hopes he can rebuild his life. Malveil will feast on his hopes. Strock believes he has seen the worst of the galaxy’s horrors. Malveil will show him how wrong he is.

• ISBN10: 1781939462
• ISBN13: 9781781939468
• Publish Date: 31 October 2019
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 16 September 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Games Workshop
• Imprint: The Black Library
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of The House of Night and Chain through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The House of Night and Chain by David Annandale is the latest in the Warhammer Horror series, and it seriously nails that core concept. This is a tale that will give you chills and thrills. Perfect for this time of the year, no?
The House of Malveil must always have a master. And there is always a Strock to fill the position. Colonel Maeson Strock was of the Astra Militarum, until he was given orders to come back home and put his home planet, Valgaast back into order. Little did he know the chain of events his homecoming would begin.
The House of Night and Chain reads like a Lovecraftian horror set within the realm of Warhammer. It made for a uniquely enthralling tale, set in a universe full of lore and curiosity.

“There was no mercy to be had here, no concessions.”

The House of Night and Chain was a dark and delicious read. Set on a bleak planet, this tale unravels steadily, revealing the true horror of the House of Malveil, and all within it. Like any Warhammer tale, there is more than meets the eye.
The mystery of the House of Malveil was immediately hinted at within these pages, but it took much longer to get a full understanding of what was truly happening. And that sort of writing makes for the best of horror tales, I think we can all agree.
Colonel Maeson Strock was an interesting main perspective. He had a tortured history, even if he would never put it in those words. He survived something that many others didn't, and was clearly suffering from survivors guilt thanks to it. That coupled with his family history, the loss of his wife, and so much more...and it's no wonder he's got a complex relationship with his home and everything that stands as a reminder to his past life.
A good psychological horror leaves breadcrumbs for the readers – chances for us to see behind the curtain, so to speak. And The House of Night and Chain wasn't afraid to leave a glimpse or two, as needed. It was never too much...just enough to let us know that our protagonist was a less than reliable avenue of information.
On the whole, I really enjoyed reading the House of Night and Chain. I'm starting to think that the horror side of Warhammer is my favorite, but that might just be my bias thanks to what time of year it is (who doesn't love a horror novel around Halloween?).
I'm looking forward to seeing what the next novel in this collection will be. I think no matter what planet they choose to visit next, I'm going to end up enjoying it.

For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks