Tymell Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Battle For the Abyss is definitely up there. Though I am finding it a little more tolerable in audio book format, but it's still a poor book. Descent of Angels was another I just couldn't get into first time round, I went back a second, forced myself to carry on...and it got -worse-. It's outclassed Abyss by a good stretch for me. Totally bland and/or idiotic characters, laughably bad dialogue, poor pacing, big leaps of logic, and buttock-clenchingly dull from start to finish. I'm not exaggerating when I say I had to -force myself- to get through it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975403 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Firewalker Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Chris Roberson's 'Dawn of War II'. I won it at a raffle at a game store, read a little (I liked 'Gauntlet Run', Roberson's short story in the 'Heroes of the Space Marines' anthology), and then gave up because the plot moved so slowly; its details as bland as turkey stuffing, with nothing to grab my attention. If I can't be motivated to finish a free book, I can't be motivated to spend my own money on related works. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975418 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rain Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Vengeful Spirit. I should have known better, but since it seemed part of the core story I decided to give it a shot. Just couldn't do it. Also Siege of Castellax, picked it up being a diehard IW fan, but it was just straight up awful and read like the author wasn't all that familiar with the 40k universe, much less the character of the IV Legion. Never even tried Battle of the Abyss or any of the other universally panned stuff, just seems like a waste of money. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
reckoning Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 The Death of Antagonis. One of the only books Ive never finished. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975534 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenebris Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 None but I have been on the breaking point with several books. Furious Abyss, Death of Antagonis, Vulkan Lives, etc... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975791 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxdeluxe Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Vulkan lives, master of sanctity, deliverance lost. Read a couple of chapters and they did nothing. I rarely put down a book I even managed to get through furious abyss and fallen angels but these were really, really bad Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975855 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareddm Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I'm really trying to get through Gods of Mars. I'm just finding it so hard to care about all of the characters, when three books down I can count on one hand the number of them that have either done something meaningful or changed in a meaningful way. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3975977 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I made it through Deliverance Lost...and the next day I took it to a second hand book store and traded it in. Will I read any more of Gav's Raven Guard Heresy stuff? "Nevermore." Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3976430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 I made it through Deliverance Lost...and the next day I took it to a second hand book store and traded it in. Will I read any more of Gav's Raven Guard Heresy stuff? "Nevermore." Tell me about it. The first book that focuses on my Legion and it get's Gav. then he continues to write their novellas. It sucks when you get to the point you want your Legion to go back to being ignored. WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3976442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adeptus Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Haven't been able to finish Blood Gorgons either. I have a bit of a list, but usually I finish what I start, eventually. Abnett's Inquisition series is a good example, a series that took me like three false starts before I got through it. Loved the books, I just kept getting burned out, putting it off, then wanting to restart it because I couldn't quite remember where I had left off. A book I am currently reading that I might end up setting aside is A Emperor's Gift. Really? Emperor's Gift is probably the best BL book I've read! Books I didn't like: Eisenhorn. I know, it's heresy to say that but it really didn't feel very 40K to me. It's a fairly common opinion that Abnett's stories take place in the Abnettverse, a place similar to the 40K universe but also quite different, and those differences really put me off. I still finished the book, but I won't be picking up Ravenor any time soon. I like that in the Shira Calpurnia novels we get a glimpse of civilian rather than military life, but the first book is genuinely tedious. I'm working at it because a detective novel set in the 40K universe is a rare gem, but it's not easy. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3976446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmagog Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Those Kal Jerico stories, terrible, terrible stuff. Then there was the excrescence that was ' hunt for volodorius', badly written and clunky. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3976547 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDF Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Faces (the Harlequin short story). I've tried to read it a few times and find I get about halfway through and suddenly realise I can't remember anything that has happened so far in the story except that every time the word 'face' is used there's a linebreak. I can't think of another book / short story that puts me off in the same way. It's so odd. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3978650 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volt Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 None but I have been on the breaking point with several books. Furious Abyss, Death of Antagonis, Vulkan Lives, etc... Death of Antagonis comes through with a good Sisters character and the Black Dragons being Black Dragons, but the author doesn't know how to count. Over the course of the book, ~120 Astartes die, yet this is treated as a minor loss for One Company. So by the author's fumbles, it looks like the Black Dragons are Legion building. (But it's all forgiven because of BONE SWORDS) Vengeful Spirit. I should have known better, but since it seemed part of the core story I decided to give it a shot. Just couldn't do it. Also Siege of Castellax, picked it up being a diehard IW fan, but it was just straight up awful and read like the author wasn't all that familiar with the 40k universe, much less the character of the IV Legion. Never even tried Battle of the Abyss or any of the other universally panned stuff, just seems like a waste of money. How does Siege of Castellax not capture the Iron Warriors? It's practically the perfect representation of them, and it didn't seem different or strange for a 40k book at - much rather par for the course. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3978923 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Death of Antagonis featured an atheist Sister of Battle carrying a Khornate daemonsword who turned a Company of Black Dragons into Warp Talons. Also, apparently "LOL, why not?" Is a perfectly valid reason for Space Marines and Inquisitors to fall to Tzeencht. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volt Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Death of Antagonis featured an atheist Sister of Battle carrying a Khornate daemonsword who turned a Company of Black Dragons into Warp Talons. Also, apparently "LOL, why not?" Is a perfectly valid reason for Space Marines and Inquisitors to fall to Tzeencht. You can of course quote the part where they turned into Warp Talons and zipped away into the Warp via teleportation, correct? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979018 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 "Heavily mutated Raptors well on their way to becoming Warp Talons", then, if it makes you happy. Of course, Volos was shoving his arms into Warp energy vortexes summoned by a Chaos Sorcerer to gain superpowers. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979305 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDF Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Death of Antagonis featured an atheist Sister of Battle carrying a Khornate daemonsword who turned a Company of Black Dragons into Warp Talons. Also, apparently "LOL, why not?" Is a perfectly valid reason for Space Marines and Inquisitors to fall to Tzeencht.I feel I ought to read this book just to appreciate the awfulness. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I'd forgotten about the awful Dawn of War book I'd started and failed to read. It was about an amnesiac Librarian walking in the desert, and that's about as far as I got. I finished the Fallen Angels and Descent of Angels, out of some sort of sick need to read everything. It's rare that you read a book and think "Man, I wish ALL of these characters would die! Every last one!" Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979704 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrack Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 The Word Bearers Omnibus First I love Chaos Marines. I've loved every book I have read about them, and wanted to love this one too. I ordered it online when I was living in a country with rather strict customs only to get a note from the postmaster saying it had been seized. The book didn't violate any laws, but the cover art probably scared the custom agent. No worries I tried again and the second time it went through. So after about 2 months of anticipation I got the book and only read 2-3 chapters before I put it down disinterested. Even after patiently waiting I just couldn't get into it. I haven't had this problem with other books by the author either. Is it worth a second chance? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979739 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petitioner's City Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Haven't been able to finish Blood Gorgons either. I have a bit of a list, but usually I finish what I start, eventually. Abnett's Inquisition series is a good example, a series that took me like three false starts before I got through it. Loved the books, I just kept getting burned out, putting it off, then wanting to restart it because I couldn't quite remember where I had left off. A book I am currently reading that I might end up setting aside is A Emperor's Gift. Really? Emperor's Gift is probably the best BL book I've read! Books I didn't like: Eisenhorn. I know, it's heresy to say that but it really didn't feel very 40K to me. It's a fairly common opinion that Abnett's stories take place in the Abnettverse, a place similar to the 40K universe but also quite different, and those differences really put me off. I still finished the book, but I won't be picking up Ravenor any time soon. I like that in the Shira Calpurnia novels we get a glimpse of civilian rather than military life, but the first book is genuinely tedious. I'm working at it because a detective novel set in the 40K universe is a rare gem, but it's not easy. This is ironic as Emperor's Gift is a semi-sequel to Ravenor! On Shira, I do long for the 40k novel that has no fighting, no boltguns or lasguns or anything like that. Just people interacting in this fantastic setting. The author does this at point, as does ADB or Abnett at points (especially in Pariah), but I'd just love a long, extended look into how people live in this world, sans violence. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979887 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schultzhoffen Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Battle for the Abyss gets my vote. Vulcan Lives was not great. Sadly, many BL books are average at best....sigh... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979959 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Anything by Abnett :) Yes I know it makes me a Pariah :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979963 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adeptus Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 On Shira, I do long for the 40k novel that has no fighting, no boltguns or lasguns or anything like that. Just people interacting in this fantastic setting. The author does this at point, as does ADB or Abnett at points (especially in Pariah), but I'd just love a long, extended look into how people live in this world, sans violence. Or even just normal violence. Like Arbites hunting a serial killer, or rival criminal syndicates fighting ala the Godfather. The setting is so rich and varied, it's a shame that all we get is warporn battle scenes repeated over and over. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Anything by Abnett Yes I know it makes me a Pariah I dont want to challenge what was an asked for opinion, but this one begs the question: why? WLK Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979970 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Anything by Abnett Yes I know it makes me a Pariah I dont want to challenge what was an asked for opinion, but this one begs the question: why? WLK My dislike for his writing goes back to 2000AD... I dislike his portrayal of Guilliman in Unremembered Empire. This is my most resent encounter and don't get me started on Know No Fear... I just don't like his style and when I say this to 40K Fans their usual defence is you have not read Gaunts Ghosts (I have and did not like them.) It makes me laugh when people criticise McNeil when Abnett is just as bad. (NO I am not defending McNeil either) And the icing on the cake?... Ultramarines the Movie... What a turd that was. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304449-bad-reads-that-you-just-gave-up-on/page/2/#findComment-3979976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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