The Infinite and The Divine

[DukeLeto69]

Right so I never buy xenos pov books just cos never interested me.

 

Also really don’t like the cover of this at all!

 

But you guys are convincing me I should give this a whirl!

[theSpirea]

yeah, the cover is really bad. However, I've been praising Rath since his first BL short story and it is his first novel, I do have to support him by buying his book. He's a new author and the sales will very likely decide whether they keep him on board or not.

[Kelborn]

And pre-ordered.
You guys got me hyped for this one.

Cover is ok ish. Could've been better but they'll certainly improve on this. Here's hope that they avoid solely focusing on comic ish covers...

 

*edit*

 

By the way, do I need to dig out an old Necron codex or such to avoid missing something? I know the basics of their lore but wanted to be sure. ;)

Edited October 21, 2020 by Kelborn

[Taliesin]

Morning folks! So I've just started Act II and I'm struggling to find words to describe just how damn good this book is! It's early days as thankfully I'm only 1/3 of the way through, but right now it's up there with many of my favourites like Dante, Talon & Bile etc...

 

I'm shocked that Games Workshop / Black Library haven't pushed this harder with a physical release or even a special edition... was so disappointed after Chapter 3 to find I couldn't give them more of my money until July next year for the physical release!

 

My only genuine criticism thus far would be the choice of cover art, it's more Ben 10 than 40K for my liking 

 

I was reading this and thought to myself " no physical release, pretty sure they released hardback two weeks ago when it came out" .

 

But now I see at Games Workshop its already sold out. How tiny was that print run BL??

[JH79]

And pre-ordered.

You guys got me hyped for this one.

 

Cover is ok ish. Could've been better but they'll certainly improve on this. Here's hope that they avoid solely focusing on comic ish covers...

 

*edit*

 

By the way, do I need to dig out an old Necron codex or such to avoid missing something? I know the basics of their lore but wanted to be sure.

I would venture that i know less than anyone on this board about the Necrons and it hasn't spoilt my enjoyment one bit... I don't know how but it just keeps getting better! I'm a few chapter on from this morning and really don't want it to end!

 

 

Morning folks! So I've just started Act II and I'm struggling to find words to describe just how damn good this book is! It's early days as thankfully I'm only 1/3 of the way through, but right now it's up there with many of my favourites like Dante, Talon & Bile etc...

 

I'm shocked that Games Workshop / Black Library haven't pushed this harder with a physical release or even a special edition... was so disappointed after Chapter 3 to find I couldn't give them more of my money until July next year for the physical release!

 

My only genuine criticism thus far would be the choice of cover art, it's more Ben 10 than 40K for my liking 

 

I was reading this and thought to myself " no physical release, pretty sure they released hardback two weeks ago when it came out" .

 

But now I see at Games Workshop its already sold out. How tiny was that print run BL??

 

My god... I completely missed that, thanks for the heads up! You're right though, must have sold fast! Fortunately Goblin Gaming has got a ruck of em, yoink!! 

[Hasoroth]

I just finished The Infinite and the Divine this afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

I'm still never going to fully accept the Newcrons, but the idea of a race of beings who are nigh omnipotent getting involved in petty and juvenile rivalries is hilarious and sorta reminds me of Q from Star Trek. 

 

It's a solid adventure story, and the characterization of Trazyn and Orrikan is fantastic and their numerous conflicts and arguments are the highlight of the show. Personally I felt the battle scenes were largely unnecessary and a let down but if you're into gaussporn there's something for you there.

[Frater Antodeniel]

 

And pre-ordered.

You guys got me hyped for this one.

 

Cover is ok ish. Could've been better but they'll certainly improve on this. Here's hope that they avoid solely focusing on comic ish covers...

 

*edit*

 

By the way, do I need to dig out an old Necron codex or such to avoid missing something? I know the basics of their lore but wanted to be sure.

I would venture that i know less than anyone on this board about the Necrons and it hasn't spoilt my enjoyment one bit... I don't know how but it just keeps getting better! I'm a few chapter on from this morning and really don't want it to end!

 

 

Morning folks! So I've just started Act II and I'm struggling to find words to describe just how damn good this book is! It's early days as thankfully I'm only 1/3 of the way through, but right now it's up there with many of my favourites like Dante, Talon & Bile etc...

 

I'm shocked that Games Workshop / Black Library haven't pushed this harder with a physical release or even a special edition... was so disappointed after Chapter 3 to find I couldn't give them more of my money until July next year for the physical release!

 

My only genuine criticism thus far would be the choice of cover art, it's more Ben 10 than 40K for my liking 

 

I was reading this and thought to myself " no physical release, pretty sure they released hardback two weeks ago when it came out" .

 

But now I see at Games Workshop its already sold out. How tiny was that print run BL??

 

My god... I completely missed that, thanks for the heads up! You're right though, must have sold fast! Fortunately Goblin Gaming has got a ruck of em, yoink!! 

 

Since i did not knew the author and awaited some reviews before deciding myself, i'm now stuck in the situation where i have to wait for the paperback release because the hardback is sold out...^^

 

Another book to buy, another book to read...when it will be release in paperback.

[aa.logan]

The cover? I like it. The pair of them staring each other out across the cosmos really sells the story to me. I think the comic-book style kind of typifies the old-school high-camp sci-fi very-hyphenated vibe that the Necrons have.

 

However, I’ve been thinking about better options they could have gone for-

 

•a collage of portraits in the style of Dawn of Fire: Avenging Son, but just Necrons and Trazyn’s statue as well as maybe a carnodon

•something super-stylised and almost abstract; like the Indomidus LE cover, but even better. Or the Castle of Blood from the Horror imprint

•a museum exhibit, somehow?

[Scribe]

Really want to grab this, but I'm feeling it's really not what I'm going to want out of Necrons.

 

I want omnicidal.

I want insane.

I want commentary on transhumanism and the risks of being successful in ones reach for immortality.

 

I don't really want Newcrons at all, but I want to give this a shot at least.

[aa.logan]

To be honest, I think this book, to varying degrees, gives all three. Absolutely the last one.

[JH79]

Really want to grab this, but I'm feeling it's really not what I'm going to want out of Necrons.

 

I want omnicidal.

I want insane.

I want commentary on transhumanism and the risks of being successful in ones reach for immortality.

 

I don't really want Newcrons at all, but I want to give this a shot at least.

Although... sometimes what you want isn't necessarily what you need 

 

Except when it comes to the Siege of course, that's nothing like what I wanted and really doesn't feel like something I need! 

[Sandlemad]

The third is a strong theme throughout and very well handled. It's looked at on the societal and cultural levels for necrons as a whole as well as what it means for Trazyn and Orikan specifically.

 

The other two are there and also well done but less central. Not on the all-encompassing level of the oldcrons but they're there. Of particular relevance might be the pretty close examinations of the flayers and destroyers: what does it mean to have a cold urge to exterminate even microbial life, and how do you actually put that into practice in a theatre of war, on a continent, on a world? And that then ties back into consideration of the implications of immortality for Trazyn and Orikan observing them, with a good look at why destroyers and flayers cause such bone deep disgust in regular necrons.

[Roomsky]

I admit I wasn't terribly taken with this.

 

I may very well have been because of the audio; I found the narration fairly unengaging and the 14 hour length didn't do it any favours. I'll probably give it another try when the softback hits.

 

There are a lot of things in the book I enjoyed. Rath's characterization of Trazyn is excellent, generally serious but with the perfect balance of comedic situations that keeps him amusing and sympathetic without his turning into the memelord galaxy-level troll the internet thinks Trazyn is. The spaces between action scenes can be fun and the twist at the end was well done. Orikan is a character I knew nothing about going in but it seems to paint a good picture of the guy. It's also nice to see orks, eldar, and genestealers get the attention they do here.

 

It just has my usual issue with xenos books: they're too human. Even with some admirable attempts to tackle the Necron's immortality (the gag about the timelines of court appearances was superb) it really didn;t cut it for me. I don't know what BL might mandate its authors (which, depending on their expectations, may leave Rath blameless for all of my criticisms), but it never struck me as much more than a surface level dive into the implications of the Necron mode of being.

 

Atop that it has tabletop characters as the POVs which I rarely if ever enjoy, and the book is far too long due to a series of filler battles. I'd have come away far more positively if Trazyn and Orikan's museum spat and the final set piece were the only substantial action scenes throughout. As is, I really only found this above average.

 

I'm feeling a strong 6 to a light 7, tran-

 

-sition, have you given this book a read? Did you love it, did you hate it; what would you rate it? You're pretty based, you're the ace, I give it a To Taste.

[StrangerOrders]

I am early in and quite liking it, although the length is giving me mild concern. BL is pretty mixed when it comes to length.

 

I will admit that the museum scene had me red faced in transit from trying to choke back the laughter. I especially appreciate the note that these two would basically be two old out of shape college professors trying to beat the living hell out of each other in a hilariously inadequate display were it not for their necron bodies.

 

Extra points for them fighting with all of the skill and aptitude of two old out of shape college professors to boot.

 

Cant say much else other than I am satisfied with my purchase just from the above.

 

I would gladly pay to have Rath write a cage match between Eldrad and Fabius Bile, no psychic powers or drugs allowed. Just the two most rail-thin old men I can easily think of in the setting trying to kill each other with sporks.

 

Anyway, I am going to go ahead and spend my afternoon with a goofy smile on my face.

[Kelborn]

Holy ....

 

What a ride. Just finished it and it's so good.

Currently not able to give a full review but what I loved

 

Serenade as a whole. All its different stages and developments given birth by the actions of Trazyn.

Before the Ork assault, I'd even call it a paradise world. I'd want to live there. :D

 

Trazyn and Orikan - oh me oh my

 

What a duo! I don't want them without the other. A perfect match, intriguing, entertaining, relatable. A good old "two rival professors, who hate but need each other"

Walter Matthau & Jack Lemmon

 

Because of that, it was at some points a tad predictable but nonetheless, it was great. The dialogues and small comedic bits here and there are pure gold.

The end was insane. Just when I thought that they're at peace now - NOPE

 

Using Necrons, Imperial Army, Genestealers, Orks and Aeldari in one single novel without overtheming them and keeping it straight forward?

Damn, Robert!

 

I can only recommend this one. It's highly entertaining and resembles an awesome and unique view into Necron society and ways of thinking.

 

Gimme more of the Infinite and the Divine! :D

[grailkeeper]

This might be the best 40k book I read this year. Very different to most 40k books. Petty squabbling is a refreshing change of pace from the usual grim dark tone. Very enjoyable read.

[Moonreaper666]

This might be the best 40k book I read this year. Very different to most 40k books. Petty squabbling is a refreshing change of pace from the usual grim dark tone. Very enjoyable read.

The Grimdark does return in the last Act with the Last Plot Twist which I did not see

 

Outside of the Chaos Gods, the C'tan are the biggest threat in Warhammer for all life and it shows just how dangerous and what it takes to stop just a few shards from decimating the Necrons as well as the Galaxy

 

The grimdark was foreshadowed early on by the Exodite Farseer. Both Trazyn and I, the reader, ignored it and it bite back in the ass

 

The philosophical questions/thoughts/answers, especially those concerning Orikan, are actually grimdark if you think about it AND connect to Real Life

 

To be relevant in the Wheel of Life/History, one needs power and one can NEVER HAVE ENOUGH power. Once again, Warhammer reflects Real Life in a sad way

 

This book actually connects to the Great Rift at the end

 

The petty squabbling actually shows a lot about both characters and it actually evolves into something sadder. It's like we actually exist just to inevitably hurt each other whether we like it or not

 

It wouldn't be the first nor last time a petty squable grows out of control. From Comedy to Tradegy is but a few steps well just ONE big step, this is Warhammer after all

 

I really enjoyed this book. The tone of this book actually combined a few parts of the old-comical 1st Edition and twist and turns them to fit into the Modern Tone of Warhammer