| Time of Legends: Heldenhammer (Time of Legends; Sigmar Trilogy) (Book 1) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 8 reviews)
Sales Rank: 204650
Category: Book
Author: Graham Mcneill
Publisher: Games Workshop
Studio: Games Workshop
Manufacturer: Games Workshop
Label: Games Workshop
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 1844165388
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.92
EAN: 9781844165384
ASIN: 1844165388
Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Launch title of a major new fantasy series that brings the history of the Warhammer world to life. This novel kicks the series off with a bang with the story of Sigmar Heldenhammer, the legendary hero who founded the Empire.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
"I have a dream" : the tale of a legendary character, bearer of a great ideal. September 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The will and the vision Sigmar has for the construction of a unified empire of all men to cope against their aggressor and to become something greater than their mere tribal's belonging is what force the admiration in this tale. This is what makes the greatness of this character. The book succeed very well to tell the story of this dream.
Sigmar is depicted mostly as an exemplar of goodness. He is a model of virtue that contrasts pretty much with the usual moral ambivalency that marks Warhammer's characters. Ironically, I could illustrate this by asserting that Sigmar doesn't turn out to be a Chaos devote at the end of the novel like the warhammer cliche would be.
Because Sigmar is an unfaltering becon of light in a world that takes pride to be portrayed as dark and grim, this novel could disappoint some fans. Personnally, I haven't been turn off by this representation of Sigmar. However, it makes the character less original, since it place him among the other heros of this sort that it is very often met in fantasy literature and in other kind of stories.
The book wants to be epic and succeed to reach this level in the display of Sigmar's hope and vision concerning the Empire he wants to build for the humankind. Indirectly, we can find back the tragedy and the ambivalency cherish in Warhammer universe if we compared this dream with what it became and how it is carry now in the current Warhammer period.
The book is also epic in the battles and combats it display. However, telling the tale of this sorte into one book leave little place between each climax. The epical aspect the novel wants to build up is, then, a bit affected, because the action from one scene to another feel sometimes to be a bit precipitated, since few space is availible to develop other aspects than Sigmar's ideals and battles.
The book remain discreet about the ascension of Sigmar to godhood station. The novel leave place to interpretation concerning this part of Sigmar's Legend. It is either possible to presume Sigmar succeed to became one god among the other divinities; while it is also possible to imagine that it is not Sigmar himself who became a god, but his hope and vision of a unify Empire of men who became transcendent.
Overall, I did enjoy this story and the portrait it makes of Sigmar. However, I haven't find it very unique, since many stories and myths have already made tales of such kind of hero.
 These are the Times of Legend! August 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first entry in the new Times of Legend book series and the first of the Sigmar trilogy, Heldenhammer is an epic tale telling the beginnings of Sigmar and how he had come to unite 12 tribes of Men into the Empire.
Not only as a competent author, but a game developer for Games Workshop, McNeill uses his creative writing and deep knowledge of the Warhammer universe to weave this great tale of one of the game's most celebrated heroes.
There appears to be a lot of gripes about this book. Mainly that Sigmar isn't this nigh invincible warrior wreaking havoc and destruction against the enemies of Men. Instead, the book portrays the destined founder and god of the Empire as a man. I think this is what makes the book good actually because it makes Sigmar more believable. Besides, there's two more books left to make Sigmar into the more godlike warrior that most people expect him to be.
Sigmar is a great warrior. There's no doubting that. But again, there are some readers who just want more. My personal opinion regarding this is that this was also done so that McNeill could expand on Sigmar's battles and add tension while reading, instead of a short description on how Sigmar won because of his demi-God strength. And even without his fabled godlike strength, he still perform great deeds of heroism and courage that match with the universe's past heroes and other literary heroes.
While not quite as manly as Conan per say, the story of Sigmar Heldenhammer is a great read for any fan of the Warhammer universe or avid fantasy genre fan. The old Teutonic and epic saga feel of the entire setting of the book is a nice thing to see after seeing so much of the later medieval Germany inspired feel of the modern Empire. I can't wait for the sequel to Sigmar's story.
Great character intro, some flaws July 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Sigmar, Patron Deity and Founder of the Empire of Man, born under the twin-tailed comet, is described in fantastic detail in the first part of a trilogy detailing the rise of the Empire.
Sigmar is portraied just like any other person, with faults, weaknesses, and trails. While this surely angered many people who wanted him to be one of the lost Primarchs, describing him as a man does not detract from his stories, but evalates them by the fact that he triumphes over so much.
The action is fast paced and well planned, and expounds on Sigmars tactical and strategic sense, which is evident from page one, and doesn't give itself over to the glorious, unstoppable sally of some fantasy fiction. War is a brutal and disgusting business, and no illusions are cast otherwise.
The characters, while a bit trite, are belivable and enjoyable, from Sigmars father to his Mordred-esque betrayer, who has more than a touch of the doomed Judas sense to his character. The wars do not overwhelm or blot out the political or logistical side of the book, and were refreshingly real and thought out. While war may clear out enemies, it does not an empire make.
The only downsides are sadly obvious: a handful of scenes are far too rushed, a couple decisions are made without much sense to them, and the climax of the book, the Battle of Black Fire Pass, arguably one of the pivital points of the Fantasy universe, is clunky and dull. The author could handle troops on the skirmish level amazingly, but could not write an army to army battle. This however, is not a dark enough black mark to overshadow what is otherwise a fantastic opening to a Fantasy trilogy.
 Very disappointing.....Further Ruining of what was once a great Character July 13, 2008
2 out of 13 found this review helpful
Disapppointment abounds in this story of Sigmar, Patron Deity of the Empire.
First off, where is the fire and power? Sigmar has always been purported by the fluff to be at least part or even fully divine,but in this book he is deliberately portrayed as only a very tough guy. They practically throw out the theory that he may have been a primarch and we're left with an un-impressive German\Viking tribe wannabe.
To give him credit, he did some great feats, but never with the Power and Strength of his legend. At various times he is laid low by average guys and it seems a mere sorceress is pulling his strings in founding the Empire the entire time.
This Sigmar, he should be destroying his foes like they're nothing and have people standing in awe of him so that he is worthy to be the Patron Deity of the Empire.
One thing that has been done here and in the Horus Heresy, to horrible effect, is to portray demi-Gods as human. And while we don't our warriors to be perfect, they shouldn't possess the same flaws as common men in spades. They should be portrayed as Gods among men, facing down the greatest evils of the Warp and winning, becoming bloodied and triumphant in the process.
We don't get that in this book. What we do is get a book full of paper thin villains, meaningless romances that ruin the legend of the character, and are left with the impression that Sigmar of the 'modern' warhammer age is really just a product of hype and propaganda.
I'm noticed a fall off in Mcneill's work in the past couple of books, with this one, the defenders of ulthuan, and the latest Ultramarines book, his work has really gone down in quality since Ultramarines book with the Tyranids.
Very disappointing
 Thing I wanted to know but never ask July 10, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book was a good read. It was especially good if you ar a Warhammer player, or if you just like to read the novels and books based in this fantasy world. I am both of those. I liked the novel just for the story but what kept me reading most was the fact that I was learning fact about the Warhammer world that I enjoy so much. If you are not into this fantasy setting I am not sure this book would have been as good. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to anyone who like adventrue storeies especally if you like Norse novels.
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