The Wraithbone Phoenix

Warhammer Crime

By: Alec Worley

Narrated by: Harry Myers

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

A Baggit and Clodde Novel

A ratling and an ogryn aren't the best-matched pair, but in the crime-ridden heart of Varangantua, anything goes—at least, when there's a big score to be had.

Listen to it because

This is first full-length novel featuring the characters Baggit and Clodde from the audio drama Dredge Runners. Follow the duo as they hunt for a treasure that could answer all of their problems.

The story

Baggit is the fast-talking ratling with an eye for the big score. Clodde is the ogryn with a heart of gold and a head full of dreams. These abhuman deserters-turned-criminals operating in the city of Varangantua have crossed the wrong man for the last time—and now they’re on the run…

At least, that is, until Baggit learns of a score that could pay their debts and save their skins—the Wraithbone Phoenix, a fabled treasure rumoured to be hidden aboard a voidship recently scheduled for decommission. But Baggit and Clodde aren’t the only ones with eyes on the prize. When word gets out, every thief in the Dredge is going to be gunning for the Phoenix. Does Baggit have the cunning to find the treasure and get out alive, or will someone finally cash in the bounty on his head?

©2022 Games Workshop Limited (P)2022 Games Workshop Limited

Excellent!

Wow! Now this was an absolute thrill ride! I LOVED it!

Only downside… I’m depressed it ended. I wanted, want! More! I hope these two scandalous anti-heroes get more novels, it’s just a blast.

Lots of fascinating characters weave in and out of the story, hardcore killers and scum, all spiraling towards one goal…

Quick plot summary without spoilers: Baggit, a mischievous, intelligent ratling along with his Bonehead (chip implant to increase intelligence) Ogryn, Clodde, find themselves hunting for an ancient aeldari artefact, buried in a retired and grounded starship, one that is to be recycled.

Lots of twists and turns, ups and downs, a plethora of scum, this is my favorite Warhammer Crime novel to date, and that’s very hard to top. Excellent job and I cannot! Cannot cannot, wait for more!

A Fun Time!

Ever since I listened to the audio drama of Baggit and Clode "Dredge Runners" I've wanted a full book of these guys. When I heard about this coming out, I had to get it. While I feel the ending with one of the characters is pretty unsatisfying and needlessly grim, I feel the rest of it was worth listening to.
Baggit and Clodde are a pair of AbHuman Imperial Guard deserters who have a price on their heads after a job went south. Now they are after a special Eldar Artifact called the Wraithbone Phoenix to get the price paid off. However, when one idiot in over his head spills the beans, every crook in the Dredge district of Varangantua wants it and Baggit and Clodde's bounty.
Along the way we get character development for Baggit and a nice string of action with an almost satisfying ending. I recommend this one.

I LOVED this book. grab it now!

most 40k and HH novels are loaded with standard sci-fi tropes and predictable plots and 2D characters and that's fine. they're fun adventures and easily digestible.

Wraithbone Phoenix is nothing like you've ever come across before. closest I can compare it to is Gotrek and Felix. WBP plays out like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. it's a hilarious, exciting and thrilling crime caper. Baggit and Clodde are lovable rogues unlike what you've met before in 40k. first of all, Baggit is a reference to Baggins which is hilarious to begin with because Baggit is not your typical Hobbit. Clodde is just awesome. Ross is not bad either though she doesn't get as many fun lines or scenes. it wraps up nicely. there's room for more stories or it could just end here.

either way, WBP is the best new addition to this universe. I hope everyone picks it up because this book is a banger cover to cover.

the narrator is also pitch perfect. you know who is speaking and his choice of accents fits the mood and characters perfectly. normally I prefer Keeble or Longworth but Harry Myles just shot to the top of my list of favorite narrators. he's up there with Andy Serkis and Steven Pacey in this performance.

even if you don't think WBP is your flavor, give it a try. you'll love it before the first chapter is over.

another Baggett and Claude adventure

a great little story of two friends in arms going after a treasure lost to the imperium for a thousand years. they're shooting, backstabbing and true friendship.

and Mr Myers is a top-notch narrator

One of the Best

Alec Worley blew this out of the water! Captivating story, characters that I got attached to, all woven together in an captivating story that's a must for any Warhammer fan. The story kept me guessing at every turn. Multiple pov jumps can be a bit distorting, but a 30 second rewind cleared things up. Hope Alec has more Warhammer books in the works.

Harry Myers also performed outstandingly. He took an excellent book at took it to even better hights. He gave each character an unique voice that helped keep everyone separate. I hope Harry narrates more Warhammer books.

Funny

Great characters, very funny an interesting look into human variants. Plot was a lackluster Macguffin chase, setting for the Macguffin chase was cool. Would make a great ttrpg adventure.

bland compared to the first

started out good enough but as the book went on it started to drag and never really picked up. the book does add to whatever world this series takes place on.

by far my new favorite 40k book

just the most delightful characters. It is incredibly refreshing for an author to understand what satire actually is and how to write it. I like these crime novels more than the space marine fair which often glorifies something so fundamentally flawed. The imperium is, in fact, bad and compassion is not weakness.
the very end is just so comically grim derp that it feels like the author was told to put it in.

Awesome novel

This is a great black library book, it’s viewed from the “ordinary” people which is just such a great view into the 40k universe.

Fun story, but swore too much for me.

Fun 40 story. Way to many f words. What ever happened to the fun 40k swears like fug and fethn?

Fantastic performance of a great story

Probably the best Black Library novel to date, this books paints a fantastic picture of the awful reality of living under a corrupt fascist theocracy like the Imperium.
An amazing performance by the narrator brings the large cast of characters to life, and the sound design is excellent.
Without spoiling the story it's well worth a listen, but pacing is a little off - it almost feels like an action movie at the end with gunfights, twists and death aplenty. While not bad, the end felt at odds with the considered world and character building of the start - again, not bad, just quite a notable tonal shift.
Overall though, absolutely great, will look out for more from both the author and the narrator

A fun let down

So when I heard that there would be a full novel about my favorite ratling and ogryn I was super happy. There is a lot to say about this book but fist of I want to say it's worth a listen if not only for the funny voxcast messages that is through the book. It starts off good and the narrator is doing a very good job. Where the story starts going down hill is where the rest of the character is intredused. It's way to many side storyline that in the end is just pointless. And it takes me out if the fun mainstory that is the main reason I'm listening to the book. I think it was like 8 extra people that end up having little to no real effect in the story. I think making one or two would be fine. They would have a bigger impact and it would be a lot easier to follow the story. That too is hard at time when they have to go to so many people. What takes this book from bad to okey us the 3 main characters and the box messages. All in all I would say that it's a 6/10

Fantastic Fun

A much more grounded adventure by a couple of very fun and relatable characters; whilst still being very 40k!

Baggit's eleven

Evil treasure seekers, accomplished bounty hunters, idiotic yard boys, paper tiger crime lords, a filthy xenos and two abhuman solar aux rejects learn about a priceless treasure.

Hijinks to follow.

The best 40k book in 2022. Baggit and Clodde bring the goods in another classic Varangatua crime novel.

Definitely worth a listen, very enjoyable!

Great story, excellent narration and I love these characters. I Would love to hear more

My new favourite

Great characters with a brilliant plot and a couple of nice twists. Definitely one of the most well rounded stories I've heard from the gw universe.

10/10 good!

This is the best book from Black Library in a long time. I really hope we get to read more of these amazing characters. I want to listen to it again.. I cant remember when last I had that feeling after finishing a book. Amazing author, great story, lovely characters. Narration is spot on.

Excellent

Really enjoyed this. Great relatable characters and enjoyable action scenes. Definitely would like to see more from these characters. Excellent narration and voice acting.

Best Small Scale 40K story!

I loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone I know. It was like if Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels had been written in the 40K universe. The narrator really brings it to life, all the characters are distinct and have a lot of personality. All around, just a very enjoyable listen.

This is good very good

It's the first warhammer book that used fucking rather than fracking that I've seen so far