The House of Night and Chain

Despite the fantastic writing the author was able to showcase with this horror and supernatural read, there just something about this novel that was hard to indulge myself in thus my lack of connection to the story. There wasn't anything horrid about it and could easily see how some readers would flock to it but this just wasn't for me.

This was very hard to get into and it could just be that the style of writing wasn’t for me although it is very beautiful. It reminds me of a very grandiose Castlevania. It’s fascinating but also confusing but I can see it doing very well with a certain crowd.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher.

This book was by no means bad, I mostly enjoyed reading it. It just wasn't special or memorable in any real way. I was in no way ever scared when reading this, even though its marketed as a horror novel. I always felt disconnected and distant from the characters when I would have liked to feel like I'm a part of his insanity instead of a disconnected observer. The only thing I was really bothered by was the authors overuse of similes, I would have liked to know what something is instead of what its like.

I'm also not very familiar with the warhammer universe. You don't need to be in order to read this book but it might help.

I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just okay in my opinion. I felt like I had a hard time connecting to it even though I so desperately wanted to dive right in.

David Annandale has a wonderful and unique writing style but I just really couldn't get into this story. I felt like an outsider reading a story that was being read by someone else (if that makes any sense).

The plot was very confusing, but I powered through it anyway and everything seemed to explain itself later on. I was by no means a bad book I enjoyed my time with it, it just wasnt a story that really hit a home run for me. I can understand why other people really loved it thought.

This review will be posted on www.featheredfables.wordpress.com closer to the publication date.

Even if I found hard to connect to the book it's well written. Unfortunately it's not my cup of tea and it didn't keep my attention.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I received this from Netgalley for review, and WOW!!! I am a HUGE Warhammer 40k fan, and I am thrilled now for the Horror line. This book did not disappoint let me say from the get go. Extremely well written, with that amazing Warhammer feel and engulfing story line. The characters are excellently developed. The storyline is absolutely riveting and engrossing and very well paced.
This is a must have for all Warhammer 40k fans, and especially the Warhammer Horror fans! Am so glad I got to review the ARC of this, I can not wait to see more in this horror line.

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.

Wounded, traumatised, widowed and grieving, Colonel Maeson Strock returns to the agri-world of Solus to take up the governorship, and the city of Valgaast to take up residence in his family’s ancestral seat, Malveil. Duty-bound to stamp out the growing corruption in the ruling council and determined to rebuild his fragmented family upon Solus, Maeson soon finds himself drawn into a sinister mystery with Malveil at its heart.

It’s a story rooted in the Imperium and which couldn’t quite exist outside of 40k, but that quintessential 40k-ness works best when it’s providing the backdrop, not front and centre. For as long as Maeson questions what he’s seeing and Annandale focuses on what-ifs, this remains if not jump-scary then delightfully creepy and enjoyably ambiguous. The ghosts of Maeson’s past and the ensnaring presence of Malveil combine to great effect, and the personal, everyday nature of the characters gives proceedings an emotional weight that’s often lacking from Warhammer stories. It’s a breath of fresh air for 40k, an atmospheric story which plays to Annandale’s strengths and captures the essential darkness of the setting, leaving the reader suitably, satisfyingly unsettled.

The House of Night and Chain is the type of book you will either love or just find decent. There isn't anything horrid about the book, it is just the style of writing that you will like it not.

The first time I have read 40K horror in novella form. The book starts of with a feeling of foreboding and we get to see a character dealing with elements that can at times be so relatable as well as relevant even in one’s own life. Good writing in my opinion. Thank you Net Galley for accepting my request to read this. It was great.