Path of the Archon (Path of the Dark Eldar Book 3)

As the third and final book of a trilogy, knowledge of the first two books and the Warhammer 40K background is really necessary to enjoy this book as the characters and events are a direct continuation of the other two books. Some knowledge from the Andy Chambers short story the Masque of Vyle is nice but not necessary.Like its predecessors, there are multiple POV threads in the book and only near the end do they unite. Though there are some minor POV threads, there are essentially 3 major ones.The first story thread follows the Dark Eldar Archon Yllithian as he attempts to retain power and ultimately rise up in rebellion against Asdrubael Vect, the overlord of the city.The second story thread follows the Haemonculus Bellathonis, who has transmigrated his soul into another body, and who has traveled to the shadow realm of Aelindrach, which is dominated by the shadow creatures known as mandrakes.The third story thread follows the Harlequin Solitaire Motley as he plays his part in dealing with the aftermath of the Dysjunction.In the course of their travels and adventures, some more tidbits about Dark Eldar society are revealed, and there is greater continuity with minor Dark Eldar background about the minor kabals published in Games Workshop's magazine White Dwarf.Andy Chambers' writing style is much eloquent and the vocabulary more descriptive than than the more clipped dry style in the other Eldar trilogy, Path of the Warrior by Gavin Thorpe.The only reason I have given 4 stars as opposed to 5, is that like many GW books, the ending is rushed and in a fashion using the proverbial unstoppable force that sort of makes what happened before somewhat meaningless. The character of Vect is also portrayed as cartoonish megalomaniac villain, and it is somewhat difficult to see just why he has held on to power given the indiscriminate carnage he metes out to everyone under his rule, even those ostensibly loyal to him. While tyrants and dictators throughout history have ruled and been cruel, usually they at least had the willing support of at least some class of elites that benefited from their rule. Under Vect, it is hard to see how anyone benefits.

Path of the Archon is an excellent adventure into the world of the Eldar. The series of eldar books have explored the light and now the dark side of the Elder race in the Warhammer Galaxy and their fall.Great read, interesting characters, and gripping sequences to keep the reader interested.

Very nice to read a take on the dark eldar world, my army is now a lot more fun to roleplay now that I know some lore.Well written. The dark eldar can be pretty mean..

Used book in really good conditiond

Quick and simple

Dark Eldar sind böse. Gegen alles und jeden, auch gegen sich selbst. Genau das und das intrigrante Gesellschaftssystem der DE wurden hier wunderbar in Worte gefasst.