Robert Rath had a tough job with The Wicked and the Warped.
The Infinite and the Divine became a modern Black Library darling for good reason. Therefore, any sequel had to recapture that spark without simply repeating the joke. Happily, this book mostly succeeds by pushing Trazyn and Orikan into stranger, nastier territory. However, it is also busier and less clean than its predecessor.
Wicked and The Warped Plot
The setup is strong Warhammer nonsense in the best way. The Great Rift drags the Chaos-corrupted world of Amenthis back into realspace. Consequently, Trazyn sees a chance to solve an old mystery from the Necron past. He also hopes, somewhat suspiciously, to mend fences with Orikan. Naturally, this becomes less reconciliation and more disaster tourism with ancient murder-machines. The pair investigate a lost Necron expedition, buried secrets, and a planet twisted by the warp. Meanwhile, Chaos gives them an enemy they cannot simply out-arrogance. That is refreshing, because the Necrons actually feel off balance here. However, the plot sometimes sprints from set piece to set piece. As a result, a few revelations feel more functional than devastating.
Characters
Trazyn and Orikan remain the reason to read the book. Trazyn is still vain, theatrical, and impossibly smug. However, Rath also lets his collecting obsession look sadder this time. Orikan, meanwhile, gets more room to be funny, bitter, and strangely vulnerable. Their rivalry has evolved beyond pure sabotage, though neither would admit it. Consequently, the best scenes are not the loudest ones. They are the moments when both characters almost understand each other. Inquisitor Valeria also adds a useful outside angle on Necron absurdity and horror. Still, the expanded cast can crowd the central double act at times.
Narrative Feel
The tone is bigger, louder, and more chaotic than The Infinite and the Divine. Rath still writes sharp comedy, especially through Necron pettiness and immortal ego. However, the warp material adds nastier texture and more body-horror weirdness. The book often feels like a cursed expedition story filtered through 40K machinery. Additionally, the action is clear and imaginative. Nevertheless, I sometimes wanted more quiet scheming and fewer climactic crashes. The humor still lands, but the rhythm is less elegant.
Wicked and The Warped Summary and Verdict
The Wicked and the Warped is a very good Necron novel, even if it is not quite as effortless. It deepens Trazyn and Orikan without ruining their odd-couple appeal. However, the plot occasionally becomes too crowded for its own emotional beats. Fans of Rath’s Necron work should absolutely read it. Newer readers should start with The Infinite and the Divine first. Overall, this is clever, funny, warped, and satisfying, just a little overstuffed.
