Reviewed by Midaski
Perfect Depth has already posted a detailed examination of this book, but as he seems to be well versed in Warhammer Fantasy history, I thought I might add some comments as more of a layman.
If you enjoy the fluff associated with the hobby and you are an Empire player, then I think this is an interesting addition.
I have the 5th Edition and latest Empire Army books, which are pretty much the extent of my Empire specific fluff library.
Sigmar’s Heirs arrived at Christmas, and I have been slowly working my way through it. I am not a WRPG person and this is one of the targets for the book, so there are ‘stats’ for players, which are of little use, but some of the descriptions are both interesting and useful for ideas.
The maps are ok, but there are a couple of annoying things. The river Sol is spelt Sol on the map and Soll in the text.
There is mention of the Vaults, the Brenheim Pass, and the River of Echoes, and the map ‘finishes’ with them off the southern edge.
Talabecland is shown on the map totally wooded, and yet in the text it refers to only the western half being heavily forested.
There is recycled stuff alongside new bits, which has varying value, but at least it is in one volume, and not a number of White Dwarfs.
The provinces analysis is lengthy, and I do not know how it compares to our own Imperial Scrivener’s “A is for Altdorf”, and I do not intend to sit down and make a detailed analysis. From memory the latter has more information about popular troop types and likely knightly orders, whereas this book is more about the hierarchy, the land, the settlements and the average people, with produce guides as well.
I am sure a compilation of the two would be the ultimate tome.
Having reread the first review I have now looked at the ‘art’ and would agree it is fairly average, but I would point out that I had not considered that until my reread. Basically I think the art is secondary, and I had not ‘noticed’ its quality because I had been concentrating on the information which to my mind is the main interest for me of the book.
If you are an old salt with many ‘source’ books in your library, then maybe this is ‘just another’.
If you are fairly new to the Empire and like the fluff side of the hobby, then I do feel it could be a nice addition for you.
It is a pretty decent book with a fair amount of stuff in it, and lastly although it retails at £18.00, I managed to buy it from Amazon at £12.60.