Rate what you Read, or the fight against Necromancy

[Carach]

Been told to buy a book Ork related super late notice for the father in law.

 

He already has Brutal Kunnin so I am a bit stumped for respectable novels involving them. Any ideas people? Was there one involving Ghazza recently?

[Roomsky]

Been told to buy a book Ork related super late notice for the father in law.

 

He already has Brutal Kunnin so I am a bit stumped for respectable novels involving them. Any ideas people? Was there one involving Ghazza recently?

 

I've heard great things about Thraka, but it's not out in standard edition yet. There's probably an overpriced LE floating around Ebay if you're desperate.

 

Orks are growing in focus but as far as I'm aware, don't have another full novel's perspective yet. Helsreach and Imperial Glory are both good books featuring orks as antagonists, and the latter does have a brief ork POV. Deff Skwadron and Blood and Thunder are both fun Ork-Centric comics.

[byrd9999]

If you want some of that ork-y flavour, I highly recommend Mike Brooks' Da Gobbo's Revenge.

 

It's a novella, so you might want to get your f-i-l a pair of socks too, maybe, depending on your budget, but the book is great fun :) 

[Kelborn]

Almost done with Brutal Kunnin by Mike Brooks.

 

Probably just me again but imho, it would've been even better if he'd skipped the AdMech parts entirely and released it as an Ork novella instead.

 

Those parts are so good and funny! And the AdMech ones feel so bland and boring.

Still goes, but I enjoy Ufftak way more. Even consider to get the paperback version and read the Orkish parts with my son. ;D

[sitnam]

I really liked the AdMech parts, buy the Ork parts of the book were just fantastic. Ufftak and his motley crew were a great set of characters

[Roomsky]

Richard Williams replied to an 11 month old post I made on Reddit today, thought I'd share some of his thoughts about Relentless and Imperial Glory:

 

 

In response to Relentless' ending feeling rushed:

 

"Yeah, I mean, totally agree. My original pitch for Relentless was that Becket would slowly work his way back through the ranks to regain command but then I realized I had waaaay too little space for that. Some of the most interesting feedback I got on Relentless was why I had the villain win. Err... I said, the villain doesn't win. Turns out they thought that Becket was the antagonist and they had been rooting for Ward all along!"

 

 

When asked about the similarly odd ending to Imperial Glory:

 

"Yes, completely. This is something I've constantly struggled with, but IG did not get as badly as my previous novels (the whole last third of Reiksguard got compressed into a single epilogue - but it's probably a better story for the sake of it!). There is one specific section in IG in the second half where I felt I just did not have time to write it and so it ended up as reported events, but nothing got as compressed as badly as in my previous work. I tend not to write sequentially and instead write the 'cool' bits (i.e. the bits which I really want to write) first - for example the first bits of Relentless I wrote were some of scenes with Becket on the lower decks as those were kind of the whole point of the novel.

 

Also there may be an element that my primary interest is in the character progression. There are many, many characters in IG but the principal character with the most significant arc for me was Stanhope. And once he finally makes his decision to finally properly care again then the rest is all action action action to play out the resulting consequences."

 

If you can see this Richard, thanks again!

Edited December 21, 2021 by Roomsky

[DukeLeto69]

I thought Relentless was a great book. Never picked up Imperial Glory but have heard many good things over the years that I intend to get the omnibus with it in.

 

Assume Richard Williams doesn’t write for BL anymore which is a shame!

[Pacific81]

I am a little late to the party here (I think about 7 years!) but I have finished reading Talon of Horus by ADB. 

 

I've found my enthusiasm waning for BL after reading a few cookie-cutter books recently, but boy did this book grab me by the throat and pull me in. One of those books where I couldn't wait to finish work, hit the sofa with a cup of tea and carry on reading. 

 

Firstly I loved the framing of the story; having the tale recounted by the Thousand Son Khayon, it almost reminded me the start of the 'Man who would be king', if anyone has seen that film, and the story of larger than life characters and events portrayed by a very weary and worn Michael Caine.

It really helped add a level of mythos and weight to the characters and the events that were unfolding around them.

Having him in captivity also gave the reader a good get-out clause. Not comfortable with the positive recollection of these evil arch traitors? Well of course, you can believe they are just lies told to underwhelm the Inquisitors that are holding him. 

I think ADB is very conscious of the people who read his books and their reactions to them, of the frenzied discussion that takes amongst the fan community, and that was a good example of that. 

 

The characters were also excellent. Not only Khayon himself, who as a highly intelligent and balanced individual is able to make the story relatable, but also the cast of protagonists around him. I loved the introduction of the Big Name from the cover - the way the story lead to that point, and his introduction, again made me think of a film and Apocalypse Now and the way that Colonel Kurz is introduced in his sanctuary. I'll unfortunately be a bit uncultured now by saying I haven't read Heart of Darkness, I don't know how closely the film followed that story. 

I really liked the transition that had taken place with Abaddon's character - you actually felt he had progressed from the surly, short-tempered (almost ignoramus-like) character of the early HH books to this point.

Finally, I'll have to say the hawt Dark Eldar companion. I found those elements really entertaining and ADB did well it not making it appear forced. All I will say is, again he understands his audience and who is likely to read his books (haha). 

 

As a fan of the World Eaters, I liked the inclusion of the heavy weapons squad as well. Again going off piste here, rather than just the usual frothing berserker faire, and the chance to remind you that there was more depth to the traitor legions. There was just the right level of humour and levity, at the right time, between the different characters I thought. 

 

And finally - what a boss battle! I won't spoil it for anyone that hasn't read the book, but I think it did a great job of fleshing out what had been (I think?) a single line in the old Adeptus Astartes articles, about what happened to the Traitor Legions and in particular the Emperor's Children/Horus incident. I have to be honest, making another movie analogy here, but I had the Hans Zimmer score booming in my head as I read that section of the book! 

 

If I needed reminding after the Night Lord trilogy, I don't think anyone writes the 'bad guys' as well as ADB. And he does that, funnily enough, by not presenting them as such. There are some horrors committed by the characters, but they are all acting within their framework of what they think is the 'right' thing to do. I think it's a difficult balancing act to pull off, but he does it brilliantly. 

 

After finishing the book I went out immediately and bought a copy for a mate. Like me, he had entered something of a fugue with some of the BL books he had read recently, and I'm pretty sure it will have the same affect on him. 

[byrd9999]

Lords of the Storm novella, by Edoardo Alberto.

 

It's nice to see an author take their time with scene descriptions, and enjoy using the English language for its own sake, rather than using a story just as an excuse for some merchandise to fight each other.

 

However, it's a shame the plot and characterisation wasn't remotely engaging. Primaris new boys, The Fulminators, who specialise in lightning fast attacks, and, er, not being hit by lightning, need to rescue a saint's relics from a planet before the Chaos cultists get to them while a very literal deus ex machina saves the day.

 

I didn't learn much about the Fulminators as a chapter, other than they "walk the storm", because that's what they say 3 or 4 times. And the characterisation was minimal, except to say that any conversation or personality has been lost in the 10,000 years they spent in stasis. The loyalist humans on the planet are also bland. Their motivation, other than being the Good Guys, is nil.

 

The baddies are The Baddies because they are Evil, and the Word Bearer has been Evil for 10,000 years, and they say Evil things and do Evil things, like twirling their moustaches. Except for a bit right at the end where the lead cultist apparently wonders if he made a mistake with his loyalties, but then he turns bad again. So maybe that counts as a character arc? Their motivation, other than just being Evil, is nil.

 

All the good guys live at the end, even the two who got crushed by rubble, and all the bad guys die. There's a kind-of twist whereby the planet might be subject to Exterminatus if they can't rescue the saint's relics. But they do rescue them and Exterminatus is cancelled. Yay.

 

In 2021, with the wealth of reading material now available from BL, and with so many authors who can create great narrative arcs in a scant number of pages, who develop the lore, or shine a light on neglected corners, or develop their own take on 40k, or provide sympathetic anti-heroes, there isn't really much reason ever to read 125 pages of this.

 

3/10.

[Ubiquitous1984]

 

 

=][=

 

After reviewing the board rules, hear my words:

 

It is not against the rules of the Black Library subforum to discuss all fluff released by Games Workshop (and it's related companies) in here.

Thus, it is in line if you want to talk about them.

 

Nonetheless, I personaly recommend to transfer it to the Age of Darkness subforum in order to share your thoughts with those Fraters, who don't frequently visit our enlighted halls.

Thus, you might receive more input to the topic and further, a more interesting discussion.

 

=][=

 

Great!

 

I might crosspost later but the reason I want to do it here is to expand on their value to pure-lore fans (as in those that arent into the game), because I feel like the attitude of closing them off has left alot of good lore neglected and I feel like the point of this thread is in part to review old and somewhat neglected works in the setting.

 

There is alot of good stuff there and I think it is worth reviewing because a review is in part a way to recommend at length. Heck, you technically don't need to own more than your Legion's book and that is optional, the bulk of their worth is lore.

 

And also that section of B&C doesnt seem to be very lore-driven so it feels like the wrong place to discuss them (especially since my point in reviewing them is that you dont need to play the game to have value from them as setting materials).

 

Did you ever write these reviews of the black books, and if so why can I find them please?

[Sothalor]

Ubiquitous, the thread is a number of pages back; it's been a while since we've had active discussion in that one.

 

Link for convenience: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/366065-lets-review-the-black-books/

[Ubiquitous1984]

Ubiquitous, the thread is a number of pages back; it's been a while since we've had active discussion in that one.

 

Link for convenience: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/366065-lets-review-the-black-books/

Brilliant, thanks for helping me

[Ubiquitous1984]

Quick question for the experts on here - I have just finished Soul Hunter, but i understand there are short stories in the trilogy also.  What are they called and what order should i be reading all of this in please?  

[Roomsky]

Quick question for the experts on here - I have just finished Soul Hunter, but i understand there are short stories in the trilogy also.  What are they called and what order should i be reading all of this in please?  

 

Shadow Knight is a prequel and can be read at any time AFAIK.

Throne of Lies takes place after Soul Hunter.

The Core takes place after Blood Reaver.

[Ubiquitous1984]

 

Quick question for the experts on here - I have just finished Soul Hunter, but i understand there are short stories in the trilogy also.  What are they called and what order should i be reading all of this in please?  

 

Shadow Knight is a prequel and can be read at any time AFAIK.

Throne of Lies takes place after Soul Hunter.

The Core takes place after Blood Reaver.

 

Thank you - I’m halfway through throne of lies now, and its a good one!

[Cherubael]

After finishing Alpharius Head of the Hydra I was itching for more Alpha Legion reading and luckily I was able to get a copy of Andy Clark's Shroud of Night.  Alpharius was great and I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said but Shroud of Night seems to be an "Unsung" work in the Alpha Legion's canon.  I really enjoyed it but it did take slogging through a few chapters early on to get invested.  As soon as Kassar and the "Unsung" make it to the surface of Tsadrekha it's nonstop action and action done well imo.  I've heard it called bolter porn but I didn't feel that at all.

 

Is it just me or does anyone else see the story of Shroud of Night being a 40K version of the harrowing of hell?

 

Has there been any word on a potential sequel?  I know the book has been out for quite a while and I don't see a lot of talk about it but with the success of Alpharius maybe others will stumble across Shroud of Night and drum up some hype for another "Unsung" outing.  

 

The beacon at the heart of the story seems like it should be a pretty big deal in current 40K happenings and I would think that that would necessitate a sequel or at least a mention in another novel.

 

If you are looking for a quick, action packed, space marine battle type story that is for the most part a stand alone you could do a lot worse imo.  

 

7/10 

[Taliesin]

 

Has there been any word on a potential sequel?   

 

 

 

No there has not.

[byrd9999]

Vaults of Terra: The Carrion Throne by Chris Wraight.

 

 

Now that I've caught up with the Heresy/Siege, I can catch up with 40k. I'm using Michael Track Of Words' chronology:

 

https://www.trackofwords.com/2021/01/10/black-library-new-40k-reading-list/

 

 

This was a great adventure with a nice, if slightly predictable, twist. The characterisation is very strong, there are some good moments of humour provided by the servo-skull, and the writing is Chris Wraight's usual excellent prose.

 

This book is probably the best look I've had at what Terra is like in 40k. The grimness and the darkness and the oppressive hypocritical/ironic nature of 40k is very much evident. The grimy, soot-stained, polluted environment of Terra, and the power behind the throne holding it all together, makes this book worth reading for this alone.

 

Salvor Lermentov is very much the person to sympathise with, and it's great how close Lord Crowl's own point-of-view actually aligns with the heretic.

 

The fight scenes towards the end were a little tough to follow, but overall this was a quick enjoyable read.

 

8.5/10

[Noserenda]

Having been persuaded to just read the whole War of the Beast series again for context i figured id cover them in groups because they are so quick, sooo the first four books :D 

I am Slaughter: I recall really liking this book on release but in full context and knowing the shock twist robs some of its power, its still an interesting book and obviously puts all the balls in the air for the series. I do wish this vision of the Imperial Fists got more screen time to contrast against really but i guess this was all they could get Dan for? 

Predator, Prey: This entire book could have been an opening text crawl, sure some events do continue on Terra but it feels super filler-y which is not ideal for book 2 in a series! Its what killed my first read through (or at least shuffled the series down my priorities so much i never bought another one anyhow) and it was a slog this time too. The plotline on the aquatic hiveworld was interesting on the Imperial side but the "Orks as literal tyranids" were weak.

The Emperor Expects: Possibly my fave of the series so far, things picked right up nearly off the bat both on Terra and wider Imperium. The Battle of Sanctus was considerably more compelling than the other battles so far, it actually felt like a fight between peers rather than another ridiculous gotcha moment from the Orks. The ending was a great cliffhanger too, even knowing the broad strokes of the series it was a solid twist and as i was away from home i had to brew on it for a couple of days :D 

The Last Wall: Another good book id say, though the proletariat Crusade is somehow even more ridiculous than it should be, the thought that hundreds/thousands of Imperial ships assembled and not a single one had a weapon of any kind is fully immersion breaking and what could have been an interesting, desperate rush was extremely hollow because the Orks were obviously up to something from the start, which robbed the whole sequence of a lot of tension, similarly the Ork ambassador sequence was a lot weaker than i had hoped, its such an intriguing concept but the character just felt like any other advanced Ork, not playing with the oddboys concepts at all so it really missed a lot of opportunity to show Ork Kultur, something that is beginning to feel like a theme of the series unfortunately. 



So as a whole its keeping my attention even if the reasons for me reading have not shown up yet, there are some good things amongst the whole but overall its kinda reinforcing my opinion that the series was as serious waste of potential for both a relatively young Imperium and a resurgent Ork empire. The unexpected and continuous world building on Terra is good though, i wonder how much of this series lay foundations for the later Siege and Modern storylines set  there?

 

[Lord Nord in Gravis Armour]

Vaults of Terra: The Carrion Throne by Chris Wraight.

 

 

Now that I've caught up with the Heresy/Siege, I can catch up with 40k. I'm using Michael Track Of Words' chronology:

 

https://www.trackofwords.com/2021/01/10/black-library-new-40k-reading-list/

 

 

This was a great adventure with a nice, if slightly predictable, twist. The characterisation is very strong, there are some good moments of humour provided by the servo-skull, and the writing is Chris Wraight's usual excellent prose.

 

This book is probably the best look I've had at what Terra is like in 40k. The grimness and the darkness and the oppressive hypocritical/ironic nature of 40k is very much evident. The grimy, soot-stained, polluted environment of Terra, and the power behind the throne holding it all together, makes this book worth reading for this alone.

 

Salvor Lermentov is very much the person to sympathise with, and it's great how close Lord Crowl's own point-of-view actually aligns with the heretic.

 

The fight scenes towards the end were a little tough to follow, but overall this was a quick enjoyable read.

 

8.5/10

 

If you're planning to go forward with book 2 of the Vaults of Terra, I'd really recommend getting hold of the Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov audio and listening to that first. I'd also check out the "Blood Guilt" short story as it will answer a few questions about where a certain someone is during the events of Book 2.

[byrd9999]

Thanks, Lord Nord. I have the Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov, which is up next, and I have Argent too, though I realise now this is set before The Carrion Throne.

 

I don't have Blood Guilt, so I'll have to check that out.

 

I was thinking Justin Hill's Cadia Stands next, and then The Hollow Mountain.

Edited February 15, 2022 by byrd9999

[Lord Nord in Gravis Armour]

Thanks, Lord Nord. I have the Interrogation of Salvor Lermentov, which is up next, and I have Argent too, though I realise now this is set before The Carrion Throne.

 

I don't have Blood Guilt, so I'll have to check that out.

 

I was thinking Justin Hill's Cadia Stands next, and then The Hollow Mountain.

 

"Blood Guilt" is the less important of the two stories I recommended. In fact that character's whereabouts are addressed in another story, it's just a case of the latter story revealing where they've been, while "Blood Guilt" sets up where they're going ahead of time.

 

And yeah, Argent is a prequel story set ahead of the Vaults trilogy, as is the Crowl short story whose name I'm blanking on at the moment.

[theSpirea]

And yeah, Argent is a prequel story set ahead of the Vaults trilogy, as is the Crowl short story whose name I'm blanking on at the moment.

 

 

You might be thinking about Sanguine? I was a bonus short story included in The Carrion Throne - Limited Edition, iirc

[Noserenda]

The story does work fine without obscure shorts though :D 

[Lord Nord in Gravis Armour]

 

And yeah, Argent is a prequel story set ahead of the Vaults trilogy, as is the Crowl short story whose name I'm blanking on at the moment.

 

 

You might be thinking about Sanguine? I was a bonus short story included in The Carrion Throne - Limited Edition, iirc

 

 

That's the one! I can't believe I forgot now, since it's also named after the protagonist's weapon.