HH- Fear to Tread

[Týr]

That sounds good.

I'm really looking forward to this novel, I fear it's not going to be as good as Know no Fear (simply because Swallow is not as good a writer as Abnett in my opinion). But I still feel the whole thing is completely open.

Another thing I fear is how the action in the novel will be. Flight of the Eissenstein had okay action but far from what I would want. Nemesis was a bit better.

 

I must disagree here.. Abnett is not such a good writer. he is to "uneven" if you can call it that.. he is either really good, or really bad. Like Horus rising is Epic, and Legion is total "bull:cuss".. I´m not going to speak about Prospero burn.. omg.. sutch a disaster.......

 

Look att swollows Garro series, Nemesis, the flight of Eisenstein and so on, realy good quality books.

 

As for my opinion, Abnett is the worst writer in HH series if you look at all his works.. An example of this is the movie "Ultramarines", Typical Abnett writing and a total disappointment.

 

Just my opinion.

 

I want to point out, that you can't just classify Abnett as a "bad writer" and then state it's your personal opinion. Either you state your opinion that says he is a bad writer (based on personal taste), or you deliver scientific proof that he is a bad writer, and then you can state objectively he is a bad writer.

We can't just mix personal opinions based on taste, with objective statements that must be verified by legiet examples.

 

I can see my original post actually was quite a bit vauge in this regard, and therefore I have corrected it and apologises.

 

But I can agree with you that Abnett is more uneven than Swallow, who seems to keep a certain standard. But this standard I feel is not a good as the one by Abnett has, though it is a bit "wobbly". I strongly belive Abnett has the strongest prose of the two. Unfortunately I don't have the books with me, so im afraid I can't search for examples right now, to prove my point. Perhaps another time I can come back with some examples.

[Qarassen]

That sounds good.

I'm really looking forward to this novel, I fear it's not going to be as good as Know no Fear (simply because Swallow is not as good a writer as Abnett in my opinion). But I still feel the whole thing is completely open.

Another thing I fear is how the action in the novel will be. Flight of the Eissenstein had okay action but far from what I would want. Nemesis was a bit better.

 

I must disagree here.. Abnett is not such a good writer. he is to "uneven" if you can call it that.. he is either really good, or really bad. Like Horus rising is Epic, and Legion is total "bull:cuss".. I´m not going to speak about Prospero burn.. omg.. sutch a disaster.......

 

Look att swollows Garro series, Nemesis, the flight of Eisenstein and so on, realy good quality books.

 

As for my opinion, Abnett is the worst writer in HH series if you look at all his works.. An example of this is the movie "Ultramarines", Typical Abnett writing and a total disappointment.

 

Just my opinion.

 

I want to point out, that you can't just classify Abnett as a "bad writer" and then state it's your personal opinion. Either you state your opinion that says he is a bad writer (based on personal taste), or you deliver scientific proof that he is a bad writer, and then you can state objectively he is a bad writer.

We can't just mix personal opinions based on taste, with objective statements that must be verified by legiet examples.

 

I can see my original post actually was quite a bit vauge in this regard, and therefore I have corrected it and apologises.

 

But I can agree with you that Abnett is more uneven than Swallow, who seems to keep a certain standard. But this standard I feel is not a good as the one by Abnett has, though it is a bit "wobbly". I strongly belive Abnett has the strongest prose of the two. Unfortunately I don't have the books with me, so im afraid I can't search for examples right now, to prove my point. Perhaps another time I can come back with some examples.

 

I see your point, and i can agree that my previous post is wrong in that fact that it´s only my personal opinion and not fact so sorry for that!

 

But for an more in-depth review why i dosent like abnett:

 

Know no fear, i have about 33 % left, and this is a very good book, almost Horus rising quality! But I´ve had "nightmares" about this book just on the fact that he might as well could have done anything "bad" with the word bearers, particularly after ADBs The first heretic and Aurelian.. But for now my real nightmare is when the HH series reaches the siege of terra, and Abnett delivers a "prospero burns/Legion" quality book about something importent..

 

What i´m trying to say in my bad english is that it´s sad to allways be afraid that mr abnett different writing-qualitys are to effect an importent book.. Like Legion for an example.. That book should been written by Gav Thorpe instead to give Alpha Legion a better start.

 

And yeah.. That´s my opinion, not a pure fact review.

 

Btw, look up "The lord inquisitor" on Youtube, looks interesting for a Fan-animation film! Here is the link:

[Kol Saresk]

Mostly what it is coming down to is their respective styles of writing. James Swallow seems to write more of a narrative style. It doesn't flow that well in the Deus Duology because he kept trying to make a POV-style. But it really shone through in his later stories. Everyone's biggest beef with him was the BA civil war that "just can't be fluff". But then there is Dan Abnett, he is able to flow from narrative to POV and back again in a very smooth style. Sometimes it is so smooth you're left scratching your head when it changes POVs. Now, narrative styles don't get right into the action. This allows for more background to be put into the actual story. The trade off is that there is usually less of a "I'm in the story" feel.

 

Then there is Graham McNeil and Gav Thorpe. Both are good at pure POV-styles of writing. They really do a good job of getting you to feel like you are a part of the story rather than watching the story unfold. Although recently in terms of their most recent HH novels, they tried to do narrative. It shows that they are not used to that style of writing. Now, I am not saying that they were bad at it or the novels weren't good. What I am saying is that they tried to do a narrative style and there are several points were it switched back to POV and then there seemed to be a point in the story where the author(s) went "Oh crud! Gotta switch back!"

 

Now, why did I bother bringing this out? Well in most people there is this excuse that "I don't want James Swallow writin because I think he dropped the ball! I want Dan Abnett writing!" and the funny thing is that while there will be some differences(like what happens in the story) both authors will virtually write it the same way. Now, Qarassan has pointed out that he is neither an Abnett nor a Swallow fan. That is his personal preference, I am not attacking it. In fact I am applauding it because he is being consistent. Everyone shows that they are "die-hard" Blood Angel fans who feel that Swallow shouldn't write anymore Blood Angel novels but Dan Abnett is one of the first names that pops up as a fan-favorite replacement author. I just felt the need to point that out to everyone.

 

Again Qarassan, this is not an attack on you in any way, shape or form. This more towards some of the other people.

[Qarassen]

Interesting point of view! And as we all know everyone have there own favorite author, what a world it would be if we all had the same taste ;P

 

But as you said Kol_Saresk, it´s importent to let everyone know your opinion. But this "thing" often like to get out of hand.. Just look att the classical "PS3 vs XBOX" or "Battlefield vs Call of Duty" fanwars ;P

 

But back to topic: Fear to Tread is probably to be a great book. 95 % certain it´s not going to be a "Fulgrim, A thousand sons, The first heretic, deliverence lost" quality book but a really good read.

 

But who knows, he might have a suprice in hes sleeves so i´m going to hold my thumbs for an epic story :)

[Tezzy]

This is one of the most promising novels of the entire series. When it comes to key Heresy stories, Signus is up there with Istvaan, Davin, Cadia, Calth, Prospero and Terra. The 30K era Blood Angels up front and centre, taking on a sector wide host of demons and of course, the battle between the Angel and the Blood Thirster.

 

What I want to see is:

The pre Red Thirst and pre Black Rage Blood Angels in all their glory. o see why they had such a majestic reputation even amongst the rest of the legions.

Some real insight into Sanguinius. I'm talking Corax/Magnus/Fulgrim/Lorgar levels of screen time. Nothing like the Russ/Angron 'from a distance' perspective.

Some Khorne time. We've seen Tzeench and Slaanesh so far, now before we get the World Eaters novel we need to see how Khorne wanted the Blood Angels for his legion too and how they resisted.

 

Like most I've had a spikey relationship with Swallow's books. The Blood Angels series was poor but Flight Of The Eisenstein was a much improved effort from that. I'm taking the optimistic perspective of that perhaps Jim will see this as his potential career peak and he pulls out his best work.

[Darkchild130]

Amit, yes! The original Flesh Tearer.

 

Darkchild

[Galileo]

From the BL website, Coming Soon section:

 

Since the earliest days of the Great Crusade, Sanguinius – angelic primarch of the IXth Legion – was ever among the closest and most loyal of Horus’s brothers. But the Blood Angels have long kept their true nature hidden from the rest of the Imperium, and when the Warmaster hints that the key to their salvation may lie in the ruins of a conquered world, the sons of Sanguinius race to claim it. Now, as the revelation of their betrayal dawns and the traitors’ hand is revealed, the Blood Angels must face all the warp-spawned armies of Chaos, as well their own personal daemons, upon the blasted plains of Signus Prime...

 

Looks like BA were somewhat already flawed before Signus, unless it's not Red Thirst yet but something like, I don't know, premature baldness and whatnot (after reading all four JS BA books, I wouldnt be too surprised if this was indeed the case ). Keeping fingers crossed; the premise is potentially interesting, but my expectations about this book are very, very low

[Greyall]

"Revelations of their betrayal"? Am I misunderstanding something or does it refer to the Blood Angels? What betrayal...?

[igotsmeakabob!!]

"Revelations of their betrayal"? Am I misunderstanding something or does it refer to the Blood Angels? What betrayal...?

Poorly worded, it's referring to their being betrayed.

[Visitor13]

Their betrayal, as in that they have been betrayed. At least as far as I understand it.

 

EDIT: Beaten to the punch.

[Greyall]

Of course...Can't brain today...Thanks.

[ANCIENT FALOR]

im being optomistic also. I think this novel will be the best so far. Theres so much to this particular war. since the engagement covers a cluster of worlds amd moons. you have

material to even do a few short stories. to explore different sides of the conflict. im curious as to how big the legion will be. im hoping close to the 100,000 mark. to go through signus prime, age of darkness, the battle for terra. and still spawn 6, possibly more chapters means they were a pretty big legion. i was hoping for some dreadnought characters. but i was informed theyre playing a minimal role., if at all. i wish they would focus more on the dreadnoughts. but thats me.

[Son of Rawl]

From the BL website, Coming Soon section:

 

Since the earliest days of the Great Crusade, Sanguinius – angelic primarch of the IXth Legion – was ever among the closest and most loyal of Horus’s brothers. But the Blood Angels have long kept their true nature hidden from the rest of the Imperium, and when the Warmaster hints that the key to their salvation may lie in the ruins of a conquered world, the sons of Sanguinius race to claim it. Now, as the revelation of their betrayal dawns and the traitors’ hand is revealed, the Blood Angels must face all the warp-spawned armies of Chaos, as well their own personal daemons, upon the blasted plains of Signus Prime...

 

Looks like BA were somewhat already flawed before Signus, unless it's not Red Thirst yet but something like, I don't know, premature baldness and whatnot (after reading all four JS BA books, I wouldnt be too surprised if this was indeed the case ). Keeping fingers crossed; the premise is potentially interesting, but my expectations about this book are very, very low

 

It does seem that way given that obvious hint, be interesting to see how it is portrayed, but Swallow with BA always makes me aprehensive to consider it.

[Billuriye]

From the BL website, Coming Soon section:

 

Since the earliest days of the Great Crusade, Sanguinius – angelic primarch of the IXth Legion – was ever among the closest and most loyal of Horus’s brothers. But the Blood Angels have long kept their true nature hidden from the rest of the Imperium, and when the Warmaster hints that the key to their salvation may lie in the ruins of a conquered world, the sons of Sanguinius race to claim it. Now, as the revelation of their betrayal dawns and the traitors’ hand is revealed, the Blood Angels must face all the warp-spawned armies of Chaos, as well their own personal daemons, upon the blasted plains of Signus Prime...

 

I think BA always had the red thirst but Sanguinius tempered it with his presence. Kinda like Russ having calming effect on SW geneseed. Black rage came later.