Axineton Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 And wow I think it’s my new favourite story set in the 40k universe! Ben Counter needs more love on this site. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu warlord Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 it’s my new favourite story. Really? Those books are really that good? I've never read them myself, but I did not hear too many good things about them. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumah Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 At the time that I first read them, I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. After the many years, my recollections fade somewhat but I still look fondly on that story arc. Perhaps not of the same caliber as other, more prominent current authors but assuredly quite good. Axineton 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042422 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roomsky Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I'll admit to not wanting to dip my toe into Counter's work. Admittedly I haven't read his 40k stuff, but BftA is kind of a hard thing to get over. Maybe some day. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042437 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Lunkhead Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Soul Drinkers was an excellent series. Ben Counter did a superb job with this one. It began strong and ended strong. When it comes to Ben's work, I either love it or I don't. Soul Drinkers was definitely a 'love it' moment for me. Axineton 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042528 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axineton Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 Yeah I thought it was excellent! I’d never really cared for characters in the 40k universe but really felt for Sarpedon and co. They were really put through the grinder in these books. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042552 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Only read the first four. The rest was never translated in German until now and back then, I didn't read in English. What to say of it? I simply loved them! Great story arc, memorable characters and diversity! Maybe someday I'll purchase both omnibus(es?) and reread them. I remember hating Ben for killing off one of the coolest characters of Book 1 right at the beginning of Book 2, the gunslinger-ish Sergeant. The Soul Drinkers lured me into the possibility of creating renegades, who are continuing the Emperor's work but hate the imperial authorities. In regards of Ben's writing skills, etc. Back then, I've only read Graham's Ultramarines novels and Dan's Ghosts series. So it was a fresh and good variety. Nowadays, after getting familiar with A D-B, Wraight, McNiven and French, I'd say that Ben has the potential of nailing it. But sometimes, the audience don't caught fire. I'd started the World Engine and found myself somewhat bored. Nothing to compare with the Soul Drinkers or his very first Grey Knights novel, which was great as well. So I skipped it for... I think it was Rob's The Last Hunt. Long speech, short: I love the Soul Drinkers and I'm definitely for a reconstruction with Primaris Marines and a possible sequel, including Primaris meeting Sarpedon. That would be a clash of generations. ^^ Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042586 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xisor Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I never read the originals, but I did read Phalanx which I thought was absolutely cracking. As said re: Battle for the Abyss the book is a bit of a let-down in comparison to some Horus Heresy things. However, if you can focus in on Skraal & Mhotep (and even overlook the absurdly quaint space wolf depiction and look at Brynngar as a character), then I think Battle for the Abyss has a hugely compelling streak to it. (Let down, in the main, by the fact the Ultramarines and Word Bearers are nowhere near as engaging as S, M & B.) It's true to an extent of Ben's other works - I really enjoyed his more recent Malodrax and World Engine (a bit on the 'lighter/fluffier' side of 40k, whilst also into a slightly more absurd Grimdark level), whilst his WHFB book Van Horstmann was utterly brilliant. Same goes for his Grey Knights books, they're a bit askew compared to modern interpretations, but their characterfulness is such a striking thing that it massively pulled me in. Not to mention: I am the hammer... Kelborn 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042591 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeLeto69 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I have the both Soul Drinkers omnibuses and the Grey Knights omnibus sitting on my shelf unread. I bought them at a time when I got everything BL released because I wanted a complete collection (gave up on that and became more discriminating with my choices after having been burnt a few times). Like others I was not impressed by BftA and so the other Ben Counter books I have remain unread. However, you guys have piqued my interest so I may have to dive in soon! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042602 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamedake88 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 (edited) It's funny how attitudes change over time. I read them when they came out and liked the first two books. Well liked them is a bit too nice but they weren't bad. Much discussion has been had on Counter's work on this and other forums in the past, possibly before many now interested in 40k got into the hobby. Back in the day these books were derided. My own opinion is they are good concepts written poorly, with some head scratching plot points stirred in. These books were written during a time where 40k was much more brutal, dark and directionless than it is today. Where everyone was a merciless killing machine and the setting was stuck at two minutes to midnight. Tastes change and if you want to pick them up go right ahead but I can't give my recomendation. As a side note some entires in the series were the books the confirmed to me Black Library either has no editors or those doing the job simply don't fullfill their obligations, least of all proof reading. Edited March 28, 2018 by kamedake88 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axineton Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 I’m usually a Peter F Hamilton reader and love big sci fi epics and space opera and I’ve read a few 40k and heresy books, the last being eisenhorn omnibus and at the beginning I loved it until the last part of the book when eisenhorn did what he did and that just got me mad. So I was a bit apprehensive of reading this after being burned with that. I know it’s different authors but it’s still set in the same universe. But I honestly enjoyed it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5042884 Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle captain corpus Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 The Soul Drinkers series is fantastic work. Very few times have we seen in a novel the demise of a chapter and its fall to being used as puppets by the Pantheon. Very good reads, I would recommend them to anyone. Ben Counter is a solid BL author and I've enjoyed all his books immensely. BCC Xisor and Axineton 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5043313 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axineton Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 The Soul Drinkers series is fantastic work. Very few times have we seen in a novel the demise of a chapter and its fall to being used as puppets by the Pantheon. Very good reads, I would recommend them to anyone. Ben Counter is a solid BL author and I've enjoyed all his books immensely. BCC Plus he gets a special nod for being from our county and my city Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/345662-just-finished-the-soul-drinkers-omnibuses/#findComment-5043544 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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