Books like Bloodstorm

This isn’t an updated review as much as an addendum to my previous review. I don’t want to change anything too much, since I had some particular views about it at the time, but now that I have finished Reaper of Souls I believe I have a much clearer understanding about the protagonist and, possibly more importantly, the cultural quirks of the Dark Elves in the Warhammer universe. The Dark Elves, or Druchii, are morbidly fascinating. They worship the God of Murder and live in an environment where wanton destruction and cruelty is the norm. Or at least, what we would generally perceive as “evil” within our own particular societal framework. If it feels like the authors are laying it on a bit thick, it’s because they are operating within the parameters (or constraints?) of this cultural framework. Consider: all the politics and confrontations take place within the arena of Druchii society, hence the particularly unbalanced moral underpinning of the story. My “gripe”, if you will, was that the story did not have what you might a complete spectrum of morality (not on an individual or societal level). I.e. there aren’t grey areas here. This doesn’t make for a lot of character development or internal tension with regards to choices and outcomes, but the reality is that this simply isn’t that kind of story.Below is my original (rather ranty in retrospect) review:I enjoyed this book but I do have a slight complaint. At times I felt as if the author thought I was slow on the uptake. OK, so Malus Darkblade is not a good guy. OK, so Malus Darkblade is rather evil. The Druchii in general: they're all evil. I got it the first time ‘round. The references to human hide and glistening human skin do get tedious after the umpteenth time. Also, there aren't any gray areas here. The protagonists, being inherently evil (remember), will ALWAYS do the predictably evil thing when confronted with a choice. Slay the human slave? Or do something else? Description of glistening human skin will soon follow. Another thing: the reader never actually feels anything for the characters. They are so unemotional it's to cry for.This book is saved by its awesome action sequences. Dan Abnett is a very visual author, and in the Warhammer universe that is certainly a boon. There is also the added gimmick of reading from the viewpoint of traditionally evil characters. Just remember, they're EVIL.I'm probably making it sound a bit worse than it is. As I mentioned in starting, I actually enjoyed the book, and will read the next in the sequence. This is certainly some of the better writing the Warhammer universe has on offer.Previously I had rounded my rating down from 3.5 to 3, but I am now rounding it up to 4.