Pope Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 My Girlfriend has heard me drone on and on about the HH and WH40k for quite sometime now, and after seeing my fervor for the fluff first hand, she has decided, she wants in on the series. However, she has little to no background on the WH40k universe/lore, save for the few things she's actually heard me say in passing... So, my question is, where should I start her? I've already ruled out Horus Rising, as you do need somewhat of a background in the fluff to fully understand even the first chapter of the book... But, seeing as the HH is where she wants to end up, I figured it best to ask here. I started into the fiction with the Space Wolf series, figuring that may be a good place to start, seeing as she'd learn the ins and outs of the Imperium as Ragnar does, I wanted other opinions though. Brothers, what do you think? Where should I start her? Thoughts? Thanks in advance, Pope Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon950 Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 If you have the rule book then start her on that, the information about the imperium should do it. Anything else about the other races wouldn't help her just understand the HH, maybe the section on Chaos would be usefull. Or you could just tell her whatever background information she asks you. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3095847 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrin Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 As you said, definetly Ragnar. I started with Nightbringer from the UM series i think. Also just point her to Lexicanum? It's not the most reliable source but when I was first getting into the background and novels I'd read pretty much anything interesting I could find on there. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I would start her with the basic rule book first, as the fluff there is broad enough to give an idea of 40k. then i would continue with the "Let the Galaxy Burn" anthology. the sheer amount of variety of stories in that book goes from heroic to grimdark and back pretty well. it also has stories focusing on numerous 40k political factions inside the Imperium. WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096072 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord_Caerolion Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 If you can find one, the RPGs done by Fantasy Flight Games are also awesome for a general idea of the background, albeit with a focus on the faction the game revolves around. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096086 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrox Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Start with the 2nd edition background book (Codex Imperialis) and then then the fluff from the current rulebook The ragnar series was the first 40k book my missus read and she enjoyed it Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096145 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A D-B Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Katie started on Horus Rising with absolutely no previous knowledge, and it was smooth sailing. After all, that book is designed as a gentle and interesting introduction to the license. Narratively, financially, everythingly. That's the point of it. Remember, it's not important to attack this from the angle of "First, she needs to understand what the Imperium is and..." or whatever. That's a very fannish approach, but not necessarily a smart one. If someone wants to get into basketball, you don't make them study 50 years of NBA stats and read websites that explain the positions. You just watch games with them - they'll get the idea. If they don't get something, they'll ask. If someone wants to get into a fantasy or sci-fi setting, you don't give them homework first. You don't make them read all the background information and the appedinces of Lord of the Rings or A Game of Thrones. You just let them read the books. It's the same thing here. That said, I think the Space Wolf books might not be the best place to start. To me, they've always read like they were written for a different (younger) audience, and while I'll probably start my son on Ragnar when he's about 10 or 11, I tend to recommend Eisenhorn or Horus Rising to my friends. Apart from a few things in those books where you can say "Hmm, this bit must be hard to understand if you're not a fan" they're essentially tailor-made to be Your First 40K Novels, introducing concepts slowly, or running with them and having it all explained over the course of the novel - like any decent sc-fi or fantasy setting. They're also excellently written, and are great sci-fi / space fantasy. You may remember Ragnar's series with great affection, but put it in context. It was practically the only Space Marine fiction there was at the time, and you were much younger than you are now, as well as it being about a beloved character in the license, etc. It had all the hallmarks to prime itself for greatness back then. I don't think it can be argued that it's still a standout piece given the novels published since. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
facmanpob Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Damn, you got there before me! I was going to say never ever ever start someone off with a sourcebook.....there's no surer way to turn someone off a subject than to give them dry geek-tastic prose. Give them a rip-snorter of a story, and they can pick up the background on the way. Eisenhorn was where I started, and I couldn't think of a better starting point for nayone else! :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyderPirate Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Its a difficult one for sure. The 40k rulebook and various codices have the fluff written as if for a newcomer - I think Codex Imperialis or the Angels of Death Codex were my first taste of the 40k background. It does LOOK more daunting, though. Oh, you want to join in? Here's a 400 page book to read and memorise. Very intimidating. The other problem is that the rulebook is 40k, the HH is 30k... switching between the two could be confusing to newcomers. I'd suggest the first trilogy of the HH series, but be on hand to explain the things that aren't explained clearly. If you've got the Visions book as well, the visual aid wouldn't hurt. Failing that, Lexicanum and 40k wiki are your friend. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096315 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Juan Juarez Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Anything by Abnett. The dude takes - in kind terms - artistic license in how he potrays certain things (like Marines) but he know's how to right an engaging story. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096321 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrox Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 That said, I think the Space Wolf books might not be the best place to start. To me, they've always read like they were written for a different (younger) audience, and while I'll probably start my son on Ragnar when he's about 10 or 11, I tend to recommend Eisenhorn or Horus Rising to my friends. Apart from a few things in those books where you can say "Hmm, this bit must be hard to understand if you're not a fan" they're essentially tailor-made to be Your First 40K Novels, introducing concepts slowly, or running with them and having it all explained over the course of the novel - like any decent sc-fi or fantasy setting. I would agree there - the reason i gave my wife the Space Wolf book to start was because it was a 'simpler book' when stood shoulder to shoulder with other BL novels Her second book that she ever read was Soul Hunter :P Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096331 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradill Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Start her on the ultramarines series so that every other BL book she reads will be exciting and engaging in comparison. I started my misses on Horus Rising cos I thought it was groovy as beans in groovy sauce and presumed she would to. My suspicions were confirmed when she finished it and picked up the next book of her own accord. The horus heresy series is the beginning of everything 40k, so why not start there? It's pretty awesome all being told. Paradill Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096491 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Sangha Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I started out with Horus rising, and I knew next to nothing about the universe of 40K, but after starting the series I began to read more and more and I picked up on different things. Heck it even made the fall a complete tragedy for me since I refused to look at the chaos marine section and I never knew about lucius turning... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096503 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareddm Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Eisenhorn was my first 40k book, but Horus Rising was my first real Space Marine book. That said, I had been playing Dawn of War: Dark Crusade a good amount beforehand so that might put me at a bit of an advantage. That said, at the time I didn't know the significance of Abbadon or Erebus or Lucius but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book immensely. So I also echo Horus Rising as a decent starting point. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096519 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJB Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Space Marine was mine, I still remember it well - eating brains, bum branding, Titans giving the finger, talking Tyranids - you can't say better than that! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veteran Sergeant Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I agree with those who say just give her Horus Rising if the Horus Heresy series is where she is headed.. She's either going to "get it" or she won't. If she's curious about stuff she doesn't understand, she can look it up online, like everyone else does. Or ask you. But there's nothing tremendously complex about that book. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096667 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Juan Juarez Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 That said, I had been playing Dawn of War: Dark Crusade a good amount beforehand.. Nah, that just means you might think the Blood Ravens are a good idea... :pinch: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3096668 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Furyou Miko Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 First book my partner read was Ravenor and she loved it, but that might be because it has a wheelchair-bound main character. For the rest of the world, Eisenhorn might be a better place to start, if only because it gives you "Oh, I know what that is!" bonuses when you read Ravenor. Much as I love Soul Hunter, I don't really think a book focussing on a series antagonist is the best place to start a new reader. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097294 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareddm Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 That said, I had been playing Dawn of War: Dark Crusade a good amount beforehand.. Nah, that just means you might think the Blood Ravens are a good idea... :cuss A loyal chapter that gets by through stealing relics and equipment from other chapters? Sounds pretty good to me. Don't see how they're any worse than any other chapter. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Furyou Miko Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 How about; They're full of psykers and witches and are probably descended from a traitor legion? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097338 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaplain ChonkE Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 They're also excellently written, and are great sci-fi / space fantasy. You may remember Ragnar's series with great affection... More than great affection! Grey Hunter is the best long novel in the BL lineup. Pure unadulterated mind fodder! Best paced BL novel; it flows, things happen. Appropriate amounts of Bolter Porn, Awesome, and a smidge of character development :cuss Pope: I agree with the postings above to NOT use the BRB or some Codex compendium. I mean, I might find technical manuals exciting but not many other people do. Is your GF a reader? If not maybe a short story or audio book would be a place to start. The Space Wolf novels are great for the reasons outlined above: simple, well-crafted (some more than others. Bill King grows as a writer too :P), and the last two B.K. novels were GREAT (cut out some of the more sophomoric stuff in previous novels, really helped tone, maybe editor?). Anywho, all the novels mentioned in the above posts are pretty much the cream of the crop. Eisenhorn is stellar but kind of involved in 'jargon'. Paradill: Very unfair! There were books that were good and books that were not so good. They are far FAR FARRRRRRR from the worst in the BL libraries. My beloved Bill King's Blood Claw makes me groan. I am sure someone would scream GOTO at some point so get it out of the way now. 2/3's of the books by Ben Counter (The others are brilliant oddly enough). Find me a worse book than Eye of Terror. Aiee I cant believe I finished it and then re-read it to see if it was really that bad. Gives Rogue Traders everywhere a bad name :( Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097350 Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Furyou Miko Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 ... You had to bring... that forbidden C function... into the conversation, didn't you? I'd almost managed to forget he existed. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Juan Juarez Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 That said, I had been playing Dawn of War: Dark Crusade a good amount beforehand.. Nah, that just means you might think the Blood Ravens are a good idea... :lol: A loyal chapter that gets by through stealing relics and equipment from other chapters? Sounds pretty good to me. Don't see how they're any worse than any other chapter. All hope for you is lost, my son *bows head* Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097421 Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.G.J. Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 If she's interested in the HH, then starting her off with Horus Rising is probably the way to go.....since it is after all about some of the things I assume the OP has been telling her about and that has piqued her interests in the first place. At the same time, almost any BL book will do. Most of them work as stand-alone stories and virtually all of them have those paragraphs interspersed about what space marines are, who the emperor is, and how the warp functions. You don't need some in depth knowledge of 40k to read these stories. From our perspective, as fans of the universe, we are too concerned about a book capturing some "essence" of what 40k is all about to "see the forest from the trees". She'll get it, I'm sure. On another note, the first BL book I read was Angels of Darkness, and to this day that is one heck of a story. After that I read The Inquisition Wars trilogy by Ian Watson and although I liked it at the time, I'm not sure it holds up to current BL output. I was a pretty dedicated reader of the BL catalogue, but then started to lose interest around 2005. When the Horus Heresy novels came out it was a breath of fresh air. Although I still maintain that Fallen Angels sucks major dangling party balloons.....that book alone made me take almost a two year hiatus from reading more of the series. In any case, start her on Horus Rising.....step back.....let her find her own nuggets and either she'll become a fan or she won't. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3097708 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lorne Walkier Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I got my GF to Read aloud Know no Fear with me. We found it fun. KnF dose not require you to have read the rest of the series to enjoy. I did have to explain some things like what a Primarch was and the legions ect. A Real high light was having here read the Samus parts in the voice of middle school girls, brought me to tears. I would agree with ADB on this for the most part. I would think Storm of Iron might be a good jumping off point as it is considered by most as the best Bolter Porn out there. If she Reeeeely started getting in to it and had some in depth questions, then i might break out a rule book for her. If you do get her to read Horus Rising, make sure she reads the Samus parts aloud. Great fun! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/254711-so-wants-to-get-into-the-fluff-wrong-place-to-start/#findComment-3098017 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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