SteelPaladin Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Some pretty jaw dropping art on this one: http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/blades-of-the-traitor.html Featuring stories by: John French, Guy Haley, Nick Kyme, Graham McNeill, and Chris Wraight. I must say, this looks pretty awesome. Looks like an early release at the Heresy Weekender, with full release soon after. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Hands Fanatic Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I must admit, I'm a huge fan of this version of Mortarion - presumably representing either different armour (I'm assuming all Primarchs had multiple sets) or modifications to his main suit (considering the similarities to the model) at different points in time: http://www.blacklibrary.com/Images/Product/DefaultBL/xlarge/Blades-of-the-Traitor-dustjacket.jpg Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3927744 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Blades of the Traitor: 3 stories about the shattered legions and 3 stories about the Knights Errant. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3927798 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Blades of the Traitor: 3 stories about the shattered legions and 3 stories about the Knights Errant. I think you forgot the story where a Traitor primarch reminisces about his troubled upbringing and then spends 3 chapters crying over the monster he's become. WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3927893 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Very excited for this one. I'd absolutely love a print of that cover art too! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3927922 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyaenidae Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Three things that have become very overplayed in the Heresy novels, in my opinion: #1. The 'shattered legions', who continue to get way too much air time for a loose bunch of broken formations. I enjoy the concept, but it's becoming overdone, with way too much importance placed on them. #2. The Knights Errant. It's a bloody galactic civil war, and for some reason, entire novels get made about a handful of rogues and outcasts who have no true role until after the Heresy. Again, the basic concept is alright, but way too much importance is placed on them. Plus, Loken coming back utterly broke my heart, and cheapened the first three novels. #3. Over-humanization of the Primarchs. I get it, they are human-ish, and have emotions that resemble ours, but as WLK pointed out above, the "oh noes, woe is me and my life" line is becoming tired. Frankly, at this point, the only Primarchs I have any true respect for is the Khan and Angron. One is free as he has always been, the other has embraced his path in the red sands. Everyone else? I'll be polite, and say simply that I have seen too far down the rabbit hole. EDIT: With this in mind, I will be patient and wait for some reviews before I spend money on Heresy books any more. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3927933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 #3. Over-humanization of the Primarchs. I get it, they are human-ish, and have emotions that resemble ours, but as WLK pointed out above, the "oh noes, woe is me and my life" line is becoming tired. I personally have no issue with adding depth to a lot of these characters, because after all, the role of the author is to characterise appropriately. I agree that sometimes it comes of in this manner, but the exploration of both their own and their father's fallibility and the struggles they face (yes, even as a demi-god) has never felt wholly out of place, especially within this part of the series where there's ambiguity over loyalties, decisions both made and to be made, and the consequences. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928049 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyaenidae Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Let me clarify, good sir. I don't mind adding depth, matter of fact, I enjoy it. Where I have issue is when it goes too deep. The Guilliman of Know No Fear was outstanding. I never thought I would read a story about the Primarch of the XIII that would move me, but he did. The moment when he confronts his brother, and actually loses his temper, made the hair on my arms stand on end. In comparison, the Guilliman in Unremembered Empire showed far too much humanity, to the point that he feels more like a over sized human, then a Demi-God General and Regent born of alchemy and hell-magic. Seriously, his step-mom? Seriously? Fulgrim... jeez, I'm not even sure where to start. I used to have a lot of interest in the III Legion, but that whiny dude utterly ruined it for me. Compare Corax in The First Heretic to the Corax in every other novel dedicated to him. And on and on. Don't get me wrong, the Primarchs are fun to read about, when it's done well, but when it doesn't work, it utterly ruins the image of the entire legion that Primarch is responsible for. A slight distance from these legends would help immensely. Stories I love, that do exactly that? The Crimson Fist (the only story that I feel captured Perturabo perfectly), Savage Weapons, Brotherhood of the Storm. Scars is a great example of giving life to a Primarch and his Legion, without turning him into a woeful, self-questioning sap. Sorry, I don't mean to offend, or spread venom, but it really bothers me. I love the Heresy setting, and it bums me out when all we see are the same 18 guys over and over again, when there's a whole galaxy at war that could be explored. I prefer sci-fi warfare novels, not the 30k version of Lord of the Rings. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928081 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I totally understand - no offence taken. I think we can all agree that the craft of some authors does this in a way that is more conducive to fleshing out a character and providing that depth with love, without countermanding other portrayals. The use of multiple authors is both a blessing and a curse: you get myriad perspectives and a multitude of styles, all of which are complementary, but inevitably will differ in the way they portray aspects of their personalities, which, can cause conflicts. That said, I'd rather the attempt was made (and not work), than purely distancing them. Only a few years ago were people clamouring for more from the Primarchs' perspectives, so it is interesting if this pendulum has swung back the other way. For instance, I'd entirely agree that Wraight's efforts, particularly amongst the White Scars story arc, are amongst the best the Black Library has to offer. I have no objection to a 30k LOTR-esque series - warface is as complex as the characters involved, all of whom have those emotions, struggles and issues. Hence why I'd rather see an attempt to at the very least humanise some aspects of their personalities and characters, than awkward skirt around. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928352 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyaenidae Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 It doesn't need to be awkward, or as distant as I believe you're thinking. For example, seeing the Lion through Corswain's eyes was very enlightening on the nature of his soul. We didn't have to go into the Lion's head to see what he was thinking, we were allowed as the reader to make the assumptions ourselves, without cheapening the lodestones of the Legions. The absolute terror and paranoia of Perturabo's sons in The Crimson Fist is another great example. You can see, through his sons eyes, the mathematical brutality that the Lord of Iron applies to all, even his sons, and the fear that emanates from them as they face the father. Even better was the scene on the the void open flight deck, and you can almost feel the slow, cold, and bitter madness that has begun to take Perturabo's black heart. Stunning work, yet left an air of mystery around him. A simple, third-person perspective would be perfect. It would allow for a humanizing of these mighty Demi-Gods, but without straying into levels of drama that are usually reserved for soap operas. Balance is all I ask, along with not turning the legends we once knew as Primarchs into a tween after-school tv show. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928383 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrin Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Really nice cover to be fair, but another anthology? Does anyone know when the next actual novel is supposed to be released? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928409 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 A simple, third-person perspective would be perfect. It would allow for a humanizing of these mighty Demi-Gods, but without straying into levels of drama that are usually reserved for soap operas. Balance is all I ask, along with not turning the legends we once knew as Primarchs into a tween after-school tv show. I think you're being somewhat melodramatic, but I take your point :lol: I have no issues with either approach - either way, I'm excited massively about this, and can't stop loving that art. Next actual novel? I think we're all unsure - Pythos was rushed forward by a year or so supposedly - so I'm guessing these 'stop-gaps' are meant to try and fill that void. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928433 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareddm Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Really nice cover to be fair, but another anthology? Does anyone know when the next actual novel is supposed to be released? No complaints from me. I prefer having all the stories that have been coming out packed together and available for everyone to read, rather than people bringing up bits and pieces of lore from a dozen different eshorts. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928471 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tymell Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I'm still wanting full novels more, but nevertheless pretty excited about this. Nick Kyme I'm not fussed about, and Graham McNeill's hit and miss, but stories from Guy Haley, John French and Chris Wraight definitely catch my interest Cool cover too. #2. The Knights Errant. It's a bloody galactic civil war, and for some reason, entire novels get made about a handful of rogues and outcasts who have no true role until after the Heresy. Eh, they're not being given -that- much coverage, far from dominating the story or anything, and it's a stretch to say they've had "entire novels" made about them (Flight of the Eisenstein was mostly about Garro himself, while Vengeful Spirit was a split between the Knights-Errant and the Sons of Horus). They've had half a dozen audio dramas, a couple of short stories and a few appearances in novels, which isn't that much for a series spanning going-on-for 150 stories #3. Over-humanization of the Primarchs. I get it, they are human-ish, and have emotions that resemble ours, but as WLK pointed out above, the "oh noes, woe is me and my life" line is becoming tired. Frankly, at this point, the only Primarchs I have any true respect for is the Khan and Angron. One is free as he has always been, the other has embraced his path in the red sands. Everyone else? I'll be polite, and say simply that I have seen too far down the rabbit hole. I'm with Chaeron on this one: I like that they're giving the primarchs some depth and character. Certainly some portrayals are better than others ("The Lightning Tower" for instance I feel is god-awful, one of the worst in the series because it does nothing but make Rogal Dorn appear weak and fearful), but that depends on the author and primarch. Some do it better than others. Really nice cover to be fair, but another anthology? Does anyone know when the next actual novel is supposed to be released? To my knowledge Deathfire is up next, and expected sometime early this year. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928794 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyaenidae Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I think you're being somewhat melodramatic, but I take your point Most likely. :P Don't get me wrong, it's not like a deal breaker or something, it's just one of those things that irritates my nerd-glands. It just has made me a little more.... selective about my books. A touch more cautious, instead of my old "gotta buy 'em all" attitude I had when the first three novels came out. #2. The Knights Errant. It's a bloody galactic civil war, and for some reason, entire novels get made about a handful of rogues and outcasts who have no true role until after the Heresy. Eh, they're not being given -that- much coverage, far from dominating the story or anything, and it's a stretch to say they've had "entire novels" made about them (Flight of the Eisenstein was mostly about Garro himself, while Vengeful Spirit was a split between the Knights-Errant and the Sons of Horus). They've had half a dozen audio dramas, a couple of short stories and a few appearances in novels, which isn't that much for a series spanning going-on-for 150 stories #3. Over-humanization of the Primarchs. I get it, they are human-ish, and have emotions that resemble ours, but as WLK pointed out above, the "oh noes, woe is me and my life" line is becoming tired. Frankly, at this point, the only Primarchs I have any true respect for is the Khan and Angron. One is free as he has always been, the other has embraced his path in the red sands. Everyone else? I'll be polite, and say simply that I have seen too far down the rabbit hole. I'm with Chaeron on this one: I like that they're giving the primarchs some depth and character. Certainly some portrayals are better than others ("The Lightning Tower" for instance I feel is god-awful, one of the worst in the series because it does nothing but make Rogal Dorn appear weak and fearful), but that depends on the author and primarch. Some do it better than others. #2. Just compare how many stories (short, audio, sections of larger novels, whatever) to how many stories the other Legions have received. Knights Errant: Garro: Oath of Moment, The Flight of the Eisenstein (technically the beginning), Garro: Sword of Truth, Garro: Legion of One, Burden of Duty, Grey Angel, Lost Sons, Vengeful Spirit, The Gates of Terra, Child of Night. That's quite a few stories, you must admit, about a very small group that literally has no reason to be covered this much, and who has no role until after the war. Ok, so, let's compare that with how many stories the White Scars have received, a Legion whose actions during the Siege of Terra become a thing of legend. White Scars: Scars, Brotherhood of the Storm, Brotherhood of the Moon, Allegiance, and a short part in Little Horus. Like I said, I ain't trying to offend or argue, and all this is my personal opinion and feelings, but I feel like that is viciously lopsided. Which sucks, because I would like to see more depth and character developed for the Legions, who are the ones that really deserve the treatment. #3. As I have said, there is development, and then there is OVER-development. I would have appreciated if at least some of the old majesty of the Primarchs had been retained, but instead they are swiftly turning into copy-and-paste superheros / supervillans. Look at Unremebered Empire, and the Curze/Roboute/Lion fight. Worse, look at the ambush in the beginning of Vengeful Spirit. If you put Bruce Lee in place of Horus, you wouldn't have even noticed a difference. Matter of fact, how in the nine hells are these Primarchs just shifting across the Imperium at will? If Lord Dorn cold find this Primarch Galactic Teleporter that apparently exists, the war could have ended a while ago. :P Again, all my opinion, and I'm glad y'all are happy with how the novels are turning out. I just have some issues with some of the things that have happened thus far. Perturabo being butchered by McNeil in AE kinda set me off, and I haven't been the same since. :sweat: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928904 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I think you're being somewhat melodramatic, but I take your point Most likely. Don't get me wrong, it's not like a deal breaker or something, it's just one of those things that irritates my nerd-glands. It just has made me a little more.... selective about my books. A touch more cautious, instead of my old "gotta buy 'em all" attitude I had when the first three novels came out. Haha, once an addict... You can never get enough Heresy :P Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tymell Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 #2. Just compare how many stories (short, audio, sections of larger novels, whatever) to how many stories the other Legions have received. Knights Errant: Garro: Oath of Moment, The Flight of the Eisenstein (technically the beginning), Garro: Sword of Truth, Garro: Legion of One, Burden of Duty, Grey Angel, Lost Sons, Vengeful Spirit, The Gates of Terra, Child of Night. That's quite a few stories, you must admit, about a very small group that literally has no reason to be covered this much, and who has no role until after the war. Ok, so, let's compare that with how many stories the White Scars have received, a Legion whose actions during the Siege of Terra become a thing of legend. White Scars: Scars, Brotherhood of the Storm, Brotherhood of the Moon, Allegiance, and a short part in Little Horus. Like I said, I ain't trying to offend or argue, and all this is my personal opinion and feelings, but I feel like that is viciously lopsided. Which sucks, because I would like to see more depth and character developed for the Legions, who are the ones that really deserve the treatment. Weeeell, White Scars are one of the legions with the lowest amount of overall coverage (though don't forget they also had a significant role in Sword of Truth, while I wouldn't say Gates of Terra or Lost Sons are Knights-Errant stories. But then Shield of Lies was, so swap that one in ). I'd say overall they haven't had any more coverage than most, but I can also see how just having that much could be seen as too much. Not that I'm saying I don't want more White Scars coverage. Especially if it's at the hands of Mr. Wraight. Anyway, James Swallow isn't listed as one of the authors in this particular anthology, so that significantly lowers the chances of there being a Knights-Errant story in there Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilofix Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 So this is going to be another compilation of shorts that have already come out? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928937 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 So this is going to be another compilation of shorts that have already come out? "This anthology contains five brand new short stories" - we're good :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3928939 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopkins Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 This will be the 6th anthology in just over 12 months What's happened to all the big stories? We had an incredible run from Know No Fear all the way through to Vengeful Spirit, but now it feels like they're treading water Will obviously be buying it though Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3929232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 This will be the 6th anthology in just over 12 months What's happened to all the big stories? We had an incredible run from Know No Fear all the way through to Vengeful Spirit, but now it feels like they're treading water Will obviously be buying it though As stated, author availability mainly - I think they'll be back on track quite soon though. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3929258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopkins Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I blame the End Times in square base land Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3929297 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Author burn out is the most likely culprit. No one wants to write a novel they don't have their heart in. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3929300 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 It's currently available in eBook format for anyone interested! I'm going to hang on for the physical copy - but it does represent a good saving if you wanted it :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3956214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tezdal Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Just got my signed copy, so far Daemonology is pretty great story finally adding some depth to Mortarion aside from "grim reaper hur hur", honestly a lot shorter book then I expected but lovely cover and so far great stories. Really growing fonder and fonder of Chris Wraight in general as well. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/302365-blades-of-the-traitor/#findComment-3959069 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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