drbro1228 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'm not sure if this has come up before or not, but it seems like an interesting topic. Tell us who your favorite author is for the HH books and why. Mine would have to be Graham McNeill so far(havent gotten to ADB's HH stuff yet). His descriptive writing style his very good. When I'm reading visual scenes, I feel as if I'm immersed in the environment. When characters are talking, I can almost feel the tension between two rivals, or the friendship of brothers. He just creates fantastic scenes that keep me reading for hours. enough about me though, whats yours? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirik_Xenobane Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'm not sure I have a favourite author, I rather enjoy how each writer brings their own vision to the genre. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972715 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodanshi Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Dan Abnett for the amount of stuff — Aaron Dembski–Bowden for his deep characterisation, brilliant imagery and making the Word Bearers… bearable. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972765 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 ADB first. His HH works are amazing. Abnett comes in next, followed by McNeil, Thorpe and finally a tie between Swallow and Counter. WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972870 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 ADB first. His HH works are amazing. Abnett comes in next, followed by McNeil, Thorpe and finally a tie between Swallow and Counter. WLK This. Although I'd like to emphasize that, in my mind, A D-B and Abnett practically occupy the top spot together but choosing between them is tough. On another day it might be the other way around. <_< Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972878 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 ADB first. His HH works are amazing. Abnett comes in next, followed by McNeil, Thorpe and finally a tie between Swallow and Counter. WLK This. Although I'd like to emphasize that, in my mind, A D-B and Abnett practically occupy the top spot together but choosing between them is tough. On another day it might be the other way around. <_< This. Abnett and ADB are pretty much tied, but "The First Heretic" helped me move away from the Word Bearers bearing a red-headed bastard primarch and Abnett's "Prospero Burns" left me feeling kinda let down. (it was a amazing, fantastic, and much needed look in the Wolves of 30k, but i dont believe it was a good counter to McNeil's "A Thousand Sons"...which it was marketed as, and really wasnt. IMO) WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethrion Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 A D-B without a doubt. I loathed the Word Bearers prior to reading 'The First Heretic'. Not anymore. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972919 Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbro1228 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 I cant wait to read The First Heretic. The only ADB book I have read so far is Helsreach, and I loved it. I'm sure I will like his HH stuff even more since I like the content much more than 40k. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khestra the Unbeheld Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 After The First Heretic and Aurelian, AD-B has firmly entrenched himself at the summit of my esteem of the HH novelists. Others have written good books but faltered in others; AD-B hasn't failed to match or exceed my expectations in any of his work thus far. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972936 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I cant wait to read The First Heretic. The only ADB book I have read so far is Helsreach, and I loved it. I'm sure I will like his HH stuff even more since I like the content much more than 40k. I've recently finished Helsreach and I have to say it really is a great book. It's been a while since I found a book I truly could not put down. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2972955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kol Saresk Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I'm tied between A-D-B and Abnett as well. The First Heretic and Legion are my two favorite HH books. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973041 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaigo Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 For me it would be Graham McNeill, followed by Dan Abnett Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
aurelian Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 A D-B without a doubt. I loathed the Word Bearers prior to reading 'The First Heretic'. Not anymore. The First Heretic was my favourite HH novel so far, but i still hate Word Bearers. The brilliant depiction of Lorgar, Argel Tal's and Aquillon's character, and all the epic scenes written by A D-B still doesn't change - and doesn't want to change - the fluff of the legion as screaming religious fanatics. Pre-heresy Lorgar was really given a deep and interesting personality though. So A D-B for me, i suppose. A Thousand Sons being my second fav, Graham McNeill should get second place, but Abnett with Horus Rising and Legion is easily his equal. regards, a. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973056 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sponsra Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 ADB has some cool ideas and a very fitting writing style. Maybe he and mcNeill treats the 30k world specificly good I dont know, but Abnett is by far the best at simply writing books, telling compelling stories... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973093 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brannick Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 The Horus Heresy authors are like a box of chocolates, for the next book we just don't know who we're gonna get! I enjoy the ubermascheclecticus nature that the current soup of HH authors bring to our table. The series has catered for the enjoyment of nigh on all of us thus far and we have all had our little gripes along the way too - huzzah. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973141 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJORNin83 Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 1 .Abnett for Horus Rising and Legion, My favorite HH novels. Plus his non-Heresy book "Titanicus" was amazing. 2. McNeill for False Gods, Fulgrim, A Thousand Sons and The Outcast Dead (aside from the timeline issue). My 2nd favorite novels. A-D-B is ok, didn't really get into "TFH" too much, although I did read it all the way through. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973172 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghouse Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 For me it's AD-B for First Heretic then Dan Abnett for Prospero Burns and Horus Rising followed by Graham McNeil for Fulgrim and False Gods. The books that capture my interest in the Heresy the most are the first three though, after that it's more of a case of whatever peaks my interest rather than anything I feel I need to go out and buy. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973187 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castiel Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 A D-B has it for me. He nailed the Word Bearers, and Lorgar in Aurelian. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apothecary Vaddon Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Y'all watch out for Abnett. I have a gut feeling that Know No Fear is going to blow the majority of us away. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973352 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANCIENT FALOR Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I say graham mcniel with A Thousand Sons. Though I've enjoyed all his HH material. ADB with TFH. Looking forward to seeing more of his work. Gav Thorpe now. With Deliverance Lost. I can't say about Dan abett. I was disappointed by prospero burns big time. Just me. So its graham. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconis Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 ADB first of all- really eager to read more HH by him. While not a fan of Swallow's general BL stuff, his HH books/Audio have ben fantastic. While Battle for the Abyss was pure pulp, the characters were great so Counter can have some credit. Dan Abnet has never been very inspiring to me and this hasn't changed with HH. I don't think I've ever really enjoyed any of Mcneil's work bar "the Las Church". Everything else has annoyed or bored me. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 While Battle for the Abyss was pure pulp, the characters were great so Counter can have some credit.Dan Abnet has never been very inspiring to me and this hasn't changed with HH. I think this right proves the problem with this thread...everybody has an opinion and most of it is full of crap. (and yes, i do realize i already gave my 2 cents above, but i was so flabbergasted by this i had to chime in again) WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973621 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconis Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 While Battle for the Abyss was pure pulp, the characters were great so Counter can have some credit.Dan Abnet has never been very inspiring to me and this hasn't changed with HH. I think this right proves the problem with this thread...everybody has an opinion and most of it is full of crap. Ha! The world would be a dull place if everyone shared the same opinions & tastes! I know Battle for the Abyss was crap and written badly. But I did enjoy both the Thousand Son and World Eater characters. The same story/characters written by someone else would have had promise I think. And I'm sorry but I just don't particularly like Abnett! He's not a bad writer, he just doesn't do it for me. I don't quite understand the level of worship he gets... The books in the HH series that have stood out for me were Flight of the Eisenstien, First Heretic, Nemesis & Descent of Angels. No Abnett there sorry! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akylas Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Hard to say for me. I enjoyed Horus Rising a lot, and also liked Legion and Prospero Burns. In fact, Horus Rising and Prospero Burns would likely be the two books I'd consider lending to someone unfamiliar with the setting. The former as being a great introduction, or the latter just for being in my opinion a great science ficton book in general (I do agree that it was not as successful in being a companion to Thousand Sons). I've also enjoyed McNeil's stuff so far, barring The Last Church, which felt too much like religion being argued by two very young first year philosophy students. Then again, having to write a debate from the side of the Emperor is not a challenge I could imagine attempting. Next in line is Aaron Dembski Bowden. The First Heretic was very good, and I especially liked Argel Tal's character as he came to grips with what happened to him in the last half of the book. Aurelian was even better. My favorite HH book so far...The Flight of the Eisenstein. Very perplexing given that I haven't enjoyed even the one or two Blood Angels books taht came out after it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2973802 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khestra the Unbeheld Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Dan Abnet has never been very inspiring to me and this hasn't changed with HH. I find myself in a similar situation, to be honest. I adore the Gaunt's Ghosts series (especially Blood Pact), and I think he writes for mortals extremely well. Throw a Space Marine project at him and flaws start to appear. Horus Rising's brilliance was a fluke because his Space Marines acted, thought, and spoke like they were still human, and everything else was hidden with large dollops of bolter porn; Legion was basically told from a mortal (inasmuch as Grammaticus was mortal) POV, so it didn't suffer from any of the shakiness of his Marine works if only because he kept the Alpha Legion as 2-dimensionally vague as possible when they were around people and kept their cleverness in subterfuges and actions off-screen. Prospero Burns was a terrible disappointment for me, a book filled with characters I never gave half a thought for or a care about throughout the entire work in addition to it being told from a human POV that amounted to a cop-out, especially when compared to A Thousand Sons or even Legion where I had to struggle to empathize with the Alpha Legionnaires he presented. Even the screenplay of Ultramarines was rife with problems, and I think it's simply a reluctance on the author's part to really put his all into Space Marine characters and stories the same way he does with the Imperial Guard. That's my perception thus far, at least. I've enjoyed the bulk of his writing, including the aforementioned Heresy-era works, but they've all lacked the thrill of his Imperial Guard and even his Malus Darkblade works in Fantasy, and I think the only common denominator between the two is that one group deals with Space Marines, and the other does not. Disparaging commentary aside, I think it's not necessarily a bad thing to be strong in some places and weaker in others when it comes to writing. It tends to keep people humble if they can acknowledge that there are some things they simply aren't good at putting to paper. Abnett's weakness seems to be anything with gene-seed and psycho-conditioning. Compared to some of the scandalous weaknesses of some of the others, it's a minor flaw in what's otherwise a towering success. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/245762-who-is-your-favorite-horus-heresy-author/#findComment-2974134 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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