HH Book 46: Ruinstorm

[HeritorA]

So... Ruinstorm.

 

I hope the extract will be up in early September when they unveil the December lineup. But then, they still haven't put up all the September extracts this time, only Blackshields (which kinda annoys me with how similar it is to the Blackshield short story...) and the Age of Sigmar novel. Nothing for Cadia Stands or The Emperor's Legion yet. Seems a bit atypical though, so hopefully we'll get the first chapter or such of Ruinstorm next month.

Maybe then we can actually talk about the book again instead of wishlisting about the Heresy's next years...

True. Guys from BL support told me excerpts for the later september titles would appear at the end of August

[hopkins]

extract is up

http://www.blacklibrary.com/coming-soon/october/ruinstorm-ebook.html

[Indefragable]

Extract:

"THE STORY

Imperium Secundus lies revealed as a heretical folly. Terra has not fallen, though it remains inaccessible. Sanguinius, Guilliman and the Lion El’Johnson, the primarchs of the Triumvirate, must reach Terra at all costs. They seek to defend the Emperor, and to atone for their sins. But the Ruinstorm, a galaxy-wide maelstrom of chaos, hides the Throneworld from the primarchs. Now the fleets of three Legions depart Macragge, and the primarchs will stop at nothing to overcome the Ruinstorm. Yet an insidious enemy watches their every move, and plots against the weaknesses of the errant sons of the Emperor. Each has his own inner storm, and each marches towards his own ruin. "

 

 

 

Hmmm....

 

My thoughts:

 

I like how the blurb implies that each of the three Primarhs has to battle their own inner demons (note the lack of an "a" in that spelling) as much as the other forces.

 

Guilliman: comes to realize his folly and hubris surrounding Imperium Secundus. Also that for all his ability to build empires, he is perhaps not the best choice for leading the war effort...that he is "better" in the background laying foundations. This would tie in very well to 41k Guilliman's feeling of carrying a burden he was never meant to as leader of the Imperium...one of the only ways I will ever have respect for 41k RG.

 

Lion El'Jonson: realizes just how much of a loner he is. That he will never have the respect or prestige he thinks he deserves. Even were he to reach Terra and single handedly defeat Horus, there will would be whispers and criticisms and suspicion. Especially if his own house (Caliban) is in such disorder (I can't recall if he knows what is going on there yet at this point in the stories). This creates the Lion 2.0 where he becomes even more self-sufficient, anti-political, and badass. He is at his best when he is on his own and ain't nobody gonna tell him otherwise...but that doesn't meant he can't coordinate with others better...

 

Sanguinius: he has a destiny that he feels he must fulfill. Yet Primarchs are still human at the core snd human emotions are magnified. The long perilous warp transit at breakneck speed back to Terra sees the chaos gods try to turn him one last time, sending everything they have at him, clawing at his doubts, hammering his sons to prey on guilt, and above all else reminding him that he is one of them: a mutant, the very thing his father seeks to abolish. Will Sanguinius go mad or purge all distractions and become THE premier BAMF of all time? So goes the Passage of the Angel of Death.

 

 

[HeritorA]

Extract:

"THE STORY

Imperium Secundus lies revealed as a heretical folly. Terra has not fallen, though it remains inaccessible. Sanguinius, Guilliman and the Lion El’Johnson, the primarchs of the Triumvirate, must reach Terra at all costs. They seek to defend the Emperor, and to atone for their sins. But the Ruinstorm, a galaxy-wide maelstrom of chaos, hides the Throneworld from the primarchs. Now the fleets of three Legions depart Macragge, and the primarchs will stop at nothing to overcome the Ruinstorm. Yet an insidious enemy watches their every move, and plots against the weaknesses of the errant sons of the Emperor. Each has his own inner storm, and each marches towards his own ruin. "

 

 

 

Hmmm....

 

My thoughts:

 

I like how the blurb implies that each of the three Primarhs has to battle their own inner demons (note the lack of an "a" in that spelling) as much as the other forces.

 

Guilliman: comes to realize his folly and hubris surrounding Imperium Secundus. Also that for all his ability to build empires, he is perhaps not the best choice for leading the war effort...that he is "better" in the background laying foundations. This would tie in very well to 41k Guilliman's feeling of carrying a burden he was never meant to as leader of the Imperium...one of the only ways I will ever have respect for 41k RG.

 

Lion El'Jonson: realizes just how much of a loner he is. That he will never have the respect or prestige he thinks he deserves. Even were he to reach Terra and single handedly defeat Horus, there will would be whispers and criticisms and suspicion. Especially if his own house (Caliban) is in such disorder (I can't recall if he knows what is going on there yet at this point in the stories). This creates the Lion 2.0 where he becomes even more self-sufficient, anti-political, and badass. He is at his best when he is on his own and ain't nobody gonna tell him otherwise...but that doesn't meant he can't coordinate with others better...

 

Sanguinius: he has a destiny that he feels he must fulfill. Yet Primarchs are still human at the core snd human emotions are magnified. The long perilous warp transit at breakneck speed back to Terra sees the chaos gods try to turn him one last time, sending everything they have at him, clawing at his doubts, hammering his sons to prey on guilt, and above all else reminding him that he is one of them: a mutant, the very thing his father seeks to abolish. Will Sanguinius go mad or purge all distractions and become THE premier BAMF of all time? So goes the Passage of the Angel of Death.

 

 

 

Well, finished the excerpt. As expected too much of self-doubt instead of direct wish to arrive to Terra. As expected - daemonic forces would be the main enemy so all the suffering the 3 Legions will endure are for nothing. Cause daemonic losses are absolutely unimpactful for Horus logistic.

 

From the good point of view - it's Annandale. And what Annandale do best - is writing  daemonic stuff. His best writing in all of his previous novels is then he get to write daemons and describing warp and deities malevolence.

 

I could predict it would be an amazing novel for the fans who like horror and drama stories and truly horrible for the ones who like good 'storyline' with surprises and massive space battles.

[Roomsky]

Extract looks promising, very introspective but of course that's Annandale's whole schtick.

 

He wrote some real tripe in The Beast Arises, but I re-read Damnation of Pythos recently and was quite impressed. Hoping he brings his A-game.

 

also: "...the Lion had appeared confident. He fully expected to reach Terra."

 

This gon` be good.

[DogWelder]

I really don't like David Annandale's style but I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the Imperium Secundus arc so I guess I'll have to buy...

 

Idk I just really hate the idea of this being a 'horror story'. This is supposed to be a massive fleet action with three entire Legion fleets. This should be the biggest fleet battle in the Horus Heresy saving that of Terra but instead the story is going to focus more on some lame demons trying to be scary. 

 

Its probably going to read like one of those creepypastas. "The fountains of blood swept through the room and then the blood blood blood etc."

Edited September 7, 2017 by DogWelder

[Tymell]

I really don't like David Annandale's style but I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the Imperium Secundus arc so I guess I'll have to buy...

 

Idk I just really hate the idea of this being a 'horror story'. This is supposed to be a massive fleet action with three entire Legion fleets. This should be the biggest fleet battle in the Horus Heresy saving that of Terra but instead the story is going to focus more on some lame demons trying to be scary. 

 

Its probably going to read like one of those creepypastas. "The fountains of blood swept through the room and then the blood blood blood etc."

 

The horror of Chaos is something Annandale has done consistently well in the series. There are some things I'm looking forward to in this book and other aspects I'm more dubious about, but from what we've seen before, I'm confident Annandale can do much more than just writing 'blood' every other word.

 

I've been wanting a proper horror story in this series for ages, though admittedly I'd like one done primarily from regular human perspective. The true horror of the universe revealed and how it affects this population which has had anti-superstition drilled into them for so long. If Ruinstorm is the closest we're going to get, I'll take it.

 

Incidentally, what makes you feel this should be the biggest fleet battle in the Heresy? Who would they be battling against? Or do you mean that's what you prefer it to be?

Edited September 7, 2017 by Tymell

[Indefragable]

I'm all for fleet battles (Go Navy, Beat Army whatnot), but I am also confused why so many people seem set on the idea that this is supposed to be all about fleet actions. Was there an author statement or something?

 

Hidden Content

I mean, the ruinstorm itself is a thing in space, so naturally it makes sense to have space ships in space as opposed to dudes on foot, so I get that but it seems like there are so monolithic expectations about naval battles built up for this title and I don't get where they are coming from.

[bluntblade]

The idea of battleships literally fighting the storm sounds like that ship in Heart of Darkness shelling the jungle.

[DogWelder]

Well it is 3 legion fleets braving the ruinstorm to rush towards Terra. That sounds very much like the setting for huge fleet actions tbh

[DukeLeto69]

Annandale is a bit hit n miss for me but fingers crossed for this book. It will need to explain why the Blood Angels make it to Terra and the Ultras and DA do not.

 

We have already seen in Deathfire what they will face by trying to cross the Ruinstorm. I am not expecting fleet actions (unless they are against daemon ships?

 

So a space horror story sounds good to me but Annandale...hmmm we will see.

[Taliesin]

Promising excerpt. Really looking forward to this.

[HeritorA]

Extract looks promising, very introspective but of course that's Annandale's whole schtick.

 

He wrote some real tripe in The Beast Arises, but I re-read Damnation of Pythos recently and was quite impressed. Hoping he brings his A-game.

 

also: "...the Lion had appeared confident. He fully expected to reach Terra."

 

This gon` be good.

 

I think I know how it will end - Lion will simply give Thuchulka to Sanguinius. Cause Sangy is 'more deserving' to reach Terra.

 

 

I really don't like David Annandale's style but I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the Imperium Secundus arc so I guess I'll have to buy...

 

Idk I just really hate the idea of this being a 'horror story'. This is supposed to be a massive fleet action with three entire Legion fleets. This should be the biggest fleet battle in the Horus Heresy saving that of Terra but instead the story is going to focus more on some lame demons trying to be scary. 

 

Its probably going to read like one of those creepypastas. "The fountains of blood swept through the room and then the blood blood blood etc."

Same. I too wish for the IS arc to end - but to the different reasons. Main of which - IS is a filler arc and I hate fillers. :)

 

Well it is 3 legion fleets braving the ruinstorm to rush towards Terra. That sounds very much like the setting for huge fleet actions tbh

 

Which is not the case and was answered by author on twitter a long time ago. You could find it on the previous pages.

So - sadly - No big void battle against fleets for us.

 

ASDukeLeto69 said  -  It will need to explain why the Blood Angels make it to Terra and the Ultras and DA do not. And that's the main reason for this book existence.

[helterskelter]

Lion has a demon on his ship. BA make it coz they have too, demon stops lion and RG. Nothing fancy but that's probably it, isn't it?

[rendingon1+]

 

Extract looks promising, very introspective but of course that's Annandale's whole schtick.

 

He wrote some real tripe in The Beast Arises, but I re-read Damnation of Pythos recently and was quite impressed. Hoping he brings his A-game.

 

also: "...the Lion had appeared confident. He fully expected to reach Terra."

 

This gon` be good.

 

I think I know how it will end - Lion will simply give Thuchulka to Sanguinius. Cause Sangy is 'more deserving' to reach Terra.

 

I don't think so - the extract starts with the moment of BA fleet entering the warp. Lion's "confidence" is based on warp device capabilities - so I think it implies Lion is going to use it, not Snguinius. I expect Tuchulka to mess up for the first time:

1) Being temperamental and sending DA fleet to somewhere else (possibly not far away from the Russ) and then shutting down.

2) Task of transporting DA fleet to Terra is too much and it shuts down in a midway.

3) Sabotge?

 

Tuchulka is not a demon.

Edited September 8, 2017 by rendingon1+

[bluntblade]

Well it is 3 legion fleets braving the ruinstorm to rush towards Terra. That sounds very much like the setting for huge fleet actions tbh

But the enemy fleets have moved on towards Terra. That was the entire point of the Ruinstorm, to cage Guilliman (and as a bonus, Sanguinius and the Lion).

[Tymell]

 

 

Extract looks promising, very introspective but of course that's Annandale's whole schtick.

 

He wrote some real tripe in The Beast Arises, but I re-read Damnation of Pythos recently and was quite impressed. Hoping he brings his A-game.

 

also: "...the Lion had appeared confident. He fully expected to reach Terra."

 

This gon` be good.

 

I think I know how it will end - Lion will simply give Thuchulka to Sanguinius. Cause Sangy is 'more deserving' to reach Terra.

 

I don't think so - the extract starts with the moment of BA fleet entering the warp. Lion's "confidence" is based on warp device capabilities - so I think it implies Lion is going to use it, not Snguinius. I expect Tuchulka to mess up for the first time:

1) Being temperamental and sending DA fleet to somewhere else (possibly not far away from the Russ) and then shutting down.

2) Task of transporting DA fleet to Terra is too much and it shuts down in a midway.

3) Sabotge?

 

Tuchulka is not a demon.

 

 

Since we last saw Curze in Dark Angel custody (plus others including Sevatar), I'm wondering if he's going to steal it and use it to escape, also stranding the Dark Angels somewhere.

[HeritorA]

Lion has a demon on his ship. BA make it coz they have too, demon stops lion and RG. Nothing fancy but that's probably it, isn't it?

 

Tuchulka is not a demon.

 

rendingon1+

Let's imagine I'm a seer - I could promise you they would use that plot hole and give Tuchulka to Sangunius for him to get to Terra.

 

 

 

Well it is 3 legion fleets braving the ruinstorm to rush towards Terra. That sounds very much like the setting for huge fleet actions tbh

But the enemy fleets have moved on towards Terra. That was the entire point of the Ruinstorm, to cage Guilliman (and as a bonus, Sanguinius and the Lion).

 

Exactly. We already discussed and Annandale said previously that the novel is not about huge fleet warfare

[b1soul]

Annandale is tolerable...a bit verbose but still competent

 

My major issue with him is his pacing

[HeritorA]

Annandale is tolerable...a bit verbose but still competent

 

My major issue with him is his pacing

Pacing and bolter porn vs CSM if daemons are not envolved. It's strange - then SM fighting daemons his bolter porn is good, but then it's CSM vs SM- it is horrible.

[Mellow]

I really don't like David Annandale's style but I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the Imperium Secundus arc so I guess I'll have to buy...

 

Idk I just really hate the idea of this being a 'horror story'. This is supposed to be a massive fleet action with three entire Legion fleets. This should be the biggest fleet battle in the Horus Heresy saving that of Terra but instead the story is going to focus more on some lame demons trying to be scary.

 

Its probably going to read like one of those creepypastas. "The fountains of blood swept through the room and then the blood blood blood etc."

No it's not. The extract says it was two thirds of each legion leaving a contingency force behind to hold the 500 worlds just in case everything goes wrong.

[Roomsky]

 

Pacing and bolter porn vs CSM if daemons are not envolved. It's strange - then SM fighting daemons his bolter porn is good, but then it's CSM vs SM- it is horrible.

 

 

Well, I suppose its out of enforced creativity. Daemons soak up bolter shells like BL soaks up my paycheques. We get neat scenes of astropaths shooting forehead-lasers, marines jumping on behemoths with tiny daggers, and psykers folding reality into floridly-described violence. Working in tandem, for me at least, is that I usually find close-combat stuff a lot more interesting than ranged bouts. Authors rarely tap into the intensity of scenarios where a bullet may suddenly brain you, but sword fighting is almost always intense for how drawn out and personal it is. 

 

While marine v marine usually devolves into:

 

"Our bolters rattled to life in near unison, each squad unleashing chuntering death onto their opposites. Rote hatred drove both parties in steady lockstep towards each other, as neither group possessed, or had interest in finding, any cover. Inevitably the waves met, both parties pulled forth their snarling chainblades, and some removed their helmets for no reason. The foes locked eyes, and suddenly remembered the old brotherly love and started making out much nebulously described violence ensued."

[Ascanius]

Not enough "swayed aside".

[HeritorA]

 

 

Pacing and bolter porn vs CSM if daemons are not envolved. It's strange - then SM fighting daemons his bolter porn is good, but then it's CSM vs SM- it is horrible.

 

 

Well, I suppose its out of enforced creativity. Daemons soak up bolter shells like BL soaks up my paycheques. We get neat scenes of astropaths shooting forehead-lasers, marines jumping on behemoths with tiny daggers, and psykers folding reality into floridly-described violence. Working in tandem, for me at least, is that I usually find close-combat stuff a lot more interesting than ranged bouts. Authors rarely tap into the intensity of scenarios where a bullet may suddenly brain you, but sword fighting is almost always intense for how drawn out and personal it is. 

 

While marine v marine usually devolves into:

 

"Our bolters rattled to life in near unison, each squad unleashing chuntering death onto their opposites. Rote hatred drove both parties in steady lockstep towards each other, as neither group possessed, or had interest in finding, any cover. Inevitably the waves met, both parties pulled forth their snarling chainblades, and some removed their helmets for no reason. The foes locked eyes, and suddenly remembered the old brotherly love and started making out much nebulously described violence ensued."

 

What Roomsky said is actually brilliant. That's truly how it all went nowdays with CSM vs SM. + Not enough "swayed aside". (of course)

[R_F_D]

Release date set for 14 October.