Showing results by narrator "John Banks" in All Categories

Drawn to a haunted graveyard in the Realm of Beasts by rumours of a fearsome creature, the aelven Prince Maesa seeks to cleanse the area of its taint. Along with his allies Stonbrak the duardin and Shattercap, the malevolent spite who serves him, Maesa sets out to defeat the beast - a terrifying and monstrous spirit known as a Mourngul. But there is more to this horror than meets the eye, and unless they can solve the mystery surrounding it, the Mourngul may spell the heroes' fate.

In the cursed city of Shadespire, two Stormcast Eternals Liberators, Darras Sunblade and Erak Grimwatch, seek a way to rejoin their comrades in Severin Steelheart's company. However, the twisting and ever-changing maze of the dead city thwarts them at every turn - and Grimwatch has his own troubles as flashes of another life take him. Mortal danger stalks them, as a warrior of the Khorne Bloodbound, also suffering visions of an impossible past, seeks to take their skulls for his bloodthirsty god....

Moribus, Stormcast Eternals Decimator of the Sons of Mallus, wanders the glass labyrinths of Shadespire alone. Somewhere out of sight, his brothers can be heard, and together they search for a dangerous creature, a malignant spirit that haunts this wasteland. This foe carries a cache of shardglass, which Sigmar hopes can cure the Stormcast Eternals of the degradations that come with their reforging. As Moribus remembers his many deaths to focus his mind, he begins to doubt his senses and reality.

Heed now three tales of the Champions of the Eternal War.... 'The Calculus of Battle' by David Guymer. As the defenders of Varasine battle a tyranid invasion, Warleader Kardan Stronos and the Iron Hands come to their aid, measuring the Chapter's cold logic and strategy against the cost in human lives. 'The Embrace of Pain' by Ian St Martin. When blademaster Lucius the Eternal is challenged by a champion of the Death Guard, he accepts without hesitation...but could a daemonhost of Nurgle, or the voices inside his own head, be the undoing of his Slaaneshi curse?

A collection of fabulous tales of genies, heroes, flying carpets and fantastic voyages, The Arabian Nights has enchanted generations of children and adults. Forged in the Islamic Golden Age, it was brought to Europe in the 18th Century, where it became an instant sensation. Included here are seven full-cast dramatisations, starring Carolyn Backhouse as Shahrazad and Derek Jacobi as the King, as well as a bonus edition of In Our Time exploring the story behind the tales.

Imprisoned in a Tsarran mine, Cam dreams of escape. When he unexpectedly becomes a gang boss, his unorthodox leadership and healing skills earn him the loyalty of his miners. His big mouth and penchant for sass, however, earn the ire of others who want him punished or dead. As the miners suffer from privation and barbaric cruelty, Cam and his gang suspect a darker plot is at work, a plot that might get them all killed. Will anyone listen? Is there any way out? And who is the mysterious prisoner locked away in the apothecary’s clinic?

The quest to find the Nine Gates that lead to the underworlds of Shyish and an audience with Nagash continues.... Tarsus of the Hallowed Knights leads his Stormcast Eternals into the unearthly city of Helstone. Their enigmatic guide, Mannfred von Carstein, assures them that what they need to find his necromantic master lies within its halls, but there is more than darkness lurking in the ruins. Chaos has already taken root, and a reckoning against the servants of the Plague God awaits.

The Nausch invasion is imminent. Cam must face Molne, Horrors, and the King of Horrors itself to save the world from certain destruction. As Cam’s body, heart, and mind are broken, he must anchor to the healer within himself to push through violence and sorrow. In him is the power to cross the threshold of death, learn the secrets of his enemies, and push the darkness back. When the King of Horrors comes to take the skins and spirits of the world to fashion an alien kingdom, Cam and his allies fight and fall together in a last stand to save what’s left of the world.

The tumult of great powers colliding has passed, and the city of Darujhistan and its citizens can at last get on with what matters: trading, bickering, politicking and enjoying all the good things in life. However, not all are ready to leave the past behind. A treasure hunter digging amongst the burial grounds that surround the city is about to uncover a hidden crypt.

The Victorian era is remembered for many things, but one of the fondest is the wide and varied array of short, ghostly, suspenseful tales...often enjoyed around the fireside at Christmastime. In this new anthology, John Banks performs 12 of the very best, all written by incredibly talented but oft-times overlooked or forgotten authors. Once you tire of Dickens and James, these are the true masters of short-form suspense.

In the ancient city of Guerdon, three thieves - an orphan, a ghoul and a cursed man - are accused of a crime they didn't commit. Their quest for revenge exposes a perilous conspiracy, the seeds of which were sown long before they were born. A centuries-old magical war is on the verge of reigniting, and in the tunnels deep below the city, a malevolent power stirs. Only by standing together can the three friends prevent a conflict that would bring total devastation to their city - and the world beyond.

Three underhive fugitives shelter around a fire in the midst of a storm. They must be safe here, for the only one who could track them is Gor Half-Horn. And he's a myth, isn't he? Kaya, Gull and Vaughn are on the run. After a job gone wrong, the trio of hive-scum have a price on their head and aren't welcome in any reputable settlement. As they shelter from a hive-storm in an abandoned hab-unit in the deep sump, they're sure they're safe from any who might be seeking them. They are wrong. Gor Half-Horn is coming for them, and none escape the abhuman bounty hunter once he has their scent....

Contains books one and two of Descendants of the Fall: Warbringer and Wrath of the Forgotten.

Disputes between Kharadron Overlords sky-captains are common - and some lead to outright conflict. Such is the case as the Black Eagle is bombarded by its sister ship of Barak-Zilfin, the feared Skarskorr's Glory. But this is more than just a battle of arms. The wits of the skyvessels' captains - and their knowledge of the obscure tenets of the Kharadron code - will be tested, and only the most knowledgable, determined and, perhaps, willing to cheat will see victory....

Vindicare Assassin Deliva stalks her prey - noblewoman and dangerous heretic Seleuca Markovan - on the target's palatial estate. When her shot is spoiled, Deliva must move into the facility to finish Markovan before she escapes justice. Inside, a trail of bodies and taunting messages from Markovan prove that Deliva's coming has been anticipated...but nothing is at it seems, and as the truth of the mission emerges, Deliva's world will be turned upside down.

You’ve got to keep your head to survive in Nekropolis. It’s a shame Victor Baron couldn’t manage that. Now everyone wants a piece of him. Zombie detective Matt Richter and his glamourous she-vampire companion Devona are back on the case, with another wild and wonderful investigation. Tim Waggoner is a novelist and college professor.

Contains books three and four of Descendants of the Fall. Age of Gods: Pursued by the inhuman Tangata, Lukys flees on foot through the wilderness. He and his companions make for the ocean, a stolen ship their only hope - but even that may prove fleeting. For should they reach the island of Perfugia, a war is brewing between the kingdoms of humanity. Dreams of Fury: On the distant shores of Perfugia, Lukys and Sophia have finally found sanctuary - and an unexpected power left by their ancestors. But their refuge cannot last.

In this radio reboot, Pete Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy, John Sparkes and Gus Beattie revisit some of their much-loved comic creations, and introduce some hilarious newcomers. We listen in on the meetings of the highly confused Stoneybridge Town Council; hear pearls of nonsense from Calum Gilhooley, Edinburgh's most boring man; and the Little Girl gives us her take on topics including Tonsils, Teenagers, The Truth and Time's Up.

In the western sky, the bright emerald banner of the Visitor descends like a portent of annihilation. On the continent of Jacuruku, the Thaumaturgs have mounted another expedition in a bid to tame the neighbouring wild jungle. Yet this is no normal wilderness. It is called Himatan, and it is said to be half of the spirit realm and half of the earth. And it is said to be ruled by a powerful entity whom some name the Queen of Witches and some a goddess: the ancient Ardata.

After a bloody triumph at the siege of Cartha, Lord-Relictor Ramus' Hallowed Knights and the Astral Templars of Knight-Azyros Vandalus press on with their search for Mannfred von Carstein, but they soon learn that orruks, not ogors, hold sway in the Carthic Oldwoods. The Stormcast Eternals must overcome not only these brutish warriors but also the will of their gods. Ramus and Vandalus must prevail against the fist of Gork and the fist of Mork if they are to forge a path to the Sea of Bones, where their hated quarry awaits.