Still need to read the Rogue Trader, Vampire and Eldar short stories, but the Lucius short story was most entertaining.
I mean..
Not just entertaining, but also..
fething hilarious.
Spoiler:
Getting punked by a fething landmine and the menial who makes them is now part of his armour, excellent twist!
Also really liked his annoyance at having to wait for his warband to locate him again and how many he would have to kill to make them forget this insult
I have trouble making heads or tails of the Black Library website. Are there more novels set in the current timeline/ following up on Dark Imperium in the near future?
Now that stuff is actually happening, the old practice of hoping where ever in the timeline just isn't as appealing to me as a reader anymore.
Thanks for that overview Reds8n. I enjoyed Guy Haley's writing, and will look for the Baal book. The Eldar one also looks interesting, and could tie in with the Eldar Codex release which happens around the same time, so that could be kind of cool too.
Also, it's heartening to hear that Black Library may be returning to its original role of expanding the fluff in new directions rather than rehashing the material handed to it by the studio to sell a specific product line.
Warhammer Community: Thanks for talking to us, Josh. Tell us, just what are the Eight Lamentations of the series name?
Josh Reynolds: The Eight Lamentations are eight mystic weapons – one for each of the Mortal Realms – created during the Age of Chaos by the Forgemasters of the Soulmaw, Khorne’s weaponsmiths. At some point, the weapons were lost and scattered across the realms. But now, they’re beginning to resurface. Marrowcutter, the Sword of Fire, was the first to reappear (as seen in my novel ‘Fury of Gork’) but the others aren’t far behind.
‘Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows’ is about the hunt for the second of the weapons to appear – the eponymous spear, known as the Huntsman – as various parties, both mortal and otherwise, scramble to secure it for their own ends. Among those searching for the weapon are the Forgemasters of the Soulmaw, the skaven, Neferata, Grungni, and even Archaon himself.
WarCom: Who are the interesting group of heroes on the cover? If they even are heroes…
JR: In the centre is Owain Volker, Gunmaster of Azyr. Volker is the main character, to all intents and purposes. Calm and steady, he’s a consummate gunman and a skilled engineer, with an affinity for duardin culture and language. He’s drawn into the search for the weapons when an old friend, who happens to be one of Grungni’s agents, goes missing.
The duardin is Lugash, a Fyreslayer from Aqshy, of no particular lodge. Lugash is belligerent, unpleasant and possibly a little mad, most likely due to whatever experiences caused him to become a Doomseeker in the first place. Lugash serves Grungni in return for an unnamed reward, of which neither will speak.
The vampire, Adhema of Szandor, is a Blood Knight from Shyish and a servant of Neferata. She seeks to acquire the weapon for her mistress, regardless of the cost. That said, she isn’t above joining forces with ostensible enemies in order to achieve her goals. Adhema first appeared in my novel ‘Nagash: The Undying King’.
But these are only three of the characters in the book! There’s also an opportunistic Kharadron merchant-turned-smuggler, a demigryph-riding knight, a Freeguilder-turned-sellsword, a disturbingly serene Sigmarite priestess, a cunning Khornate Deathbringer, a philosophical Tzeentchian sorcerer, raven-assassins, a lunatic skaven warlock-engineer and possibly the stupidest Verminlord ever spawned.
Also, there is a giant, flying shark.
WarCom: What part does Grungni play, and how was it writing this iconic god?
JR: Grungni believes that he can reforge the Eight Lamentations, and transform them into powerful tools for the forces of Order. But first, he must acquire them. To that end, he utilises a vast network of agents to seek out any trace of the artefacts across the Mortal Realms.
He was great fun to write – probably my favourite character in the book. Grungni is by turns comforting and terrifying, as a god of fire and metal should be. He’s a duardin’s duardin, in many ways – and something eldritch and incomprehensible in others.
WarCom: How does the recent short story ‘Auction of Blood‘ tie in to the novel?
JR: The protagonist of ‘Auction of Blood’, Palem Bok, is, like Adhema, one of Neferata’s agents in the Mortal Realms, as well as a bookseller of ill-repute. In the story, he finds himself at the auction in question, bidding on what may – or may not – be one of the legendary Eight Lamentations. Unfortunately, a Khornate cult gets wind of the proceedings and, well, hijinks ensue.
WarCom: What’s next in the series?
JR: Besides ‘Auction of Blood’, there are a few more short stories planned, to tide readers over until the second book comes out, including one for this year’s Advent Calendar. Until then, folks could also check out ‘Road of Blades‘, from last year’s crop of Advent stories. It serves as a quick prologue to the series and introduces one of the major antagonists, the Khornate warrior, Ahazian Kel.
Which sound great, been eager for this since I first heard about it.
I read Auction of Blood last night, it was certainly a fun glimpse into the setting and certainly the beginning of a new series.
I may keep an eye on this one, as the setting of Age of Sigmar has certainly been growing on me over time.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also had my paperback of the Path of Heaven show up yesterday, which made me check the Horus Heresy book list on Wikipedia. We're only nine novels behind the latest release right now, so the gap, while substantial, isn't as huge as it was before.
BrookM wrote: I read Auction of Blood last night, it was certainly a fun glimpse into the setting and certainly the beginning of a new series.
I may keep an eye on this one, as the setting of Age of Sigmar has certainly been growing on me over time.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also had my paperback of the Path of Heaven show up yesterday, which made me check the Horus Heresy book list on Wikipedia. We're only nine novels behind the latest release right now, so the gap, while substantial, isn't as huge as it was before.
It will take a lot for me to delve back into age of sigmar after the disaster that was realm gate wars. I've moved elsewhere for fantasy novels in the last year and I'm unlikely to try again unless it hits new heights of awesomeness. Otherwise 30/40k will be my Blsck Library buys.
BrookM wrote: I read Auction of Blood last night, it was certainly a fun glimpse into the setting and certainly the beginning of a new series.
I may keep an eye on this one, as the setting of Age of Sigmar has certainly been growing on me over time.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also had my paperback of the Path of Heaven show up yesterday, which made me check the Horus Heresy book list on Wikipedia. We're only nine novels behind the latest release right now, so the gap, while substantial, isn't as huge as it was before.
It will take a lot for me to delve back into age of sigmar after the disaster that was realm gate wars. I've moved elsewhere for fantasy novels in the last year and I'm unlikely to try again unless it hits new heights of awesomeness. Otherwise 30/40k will be my Blsck Library buys.
Eight lamentations mayhaps? it certainly is interesting.
THE STORY
After the success of their desperate mission to Salvation's Reach, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and the Tanith First race to the strategically vital forge world of Urdesh, besieged by the brutal armies of Anarch Sek. However, there may be more at stake than just a planet. The Imperial forces have made an attempt to divide and conquer their enemy, but with Warmaster Macaroth himself commanding the Urdesh campaign, it is possible that the Archenemy assault has a different purpose - to decapitate the Imperial command structure with a single blow. Has the Warmaster allowed himself to become an unwitting target? And can Gaunt's Ghosts possibly defend him against the assembled killers and war machines of Chaos?
Will Guant's Ghosts suffer betrayal form their own superiors?
Will Imperial arrogance and incompetence leave them isolated without supplies?
Will the battles be based on a new and different historical analogy?
Will no named character die until the last chapter?
"...mysterious rumours of the return of Ferrus Manus."
NO! BAD BL! BAD! You decided to definitively kill him off, at the very bloody least you should have to live with that choice. And if you're not planning some ridiculous "Ferrus Manus' head in a jar on a robot body like in Futurama" plotline, then don't bloody torture the Iron Hands and their fans by dangling this sort of thing in front of them when you know you're just going to yank it away at the last moment.
I swear someone on the HH team must really bloody hate the Iron Hands.
Yes, the clone bit was the moment I came to the realisation that the IH's treatment wasn't mere disinterest but the result of someone's active dislike.
I'm glad to see a follow up to what I thought was 2016s best overall Black Library book, Fabius Bile : Primogenitor by Josh Reynolds. That cover for the upcoming Clonelord novel was just.....breathtaking, though.
Primogenitor was fantastic. Hoping this narrative focus also gets us some Bile and creations plastic kits at some point. (Though the Primaris Chaplain+Apothecary conversions of him are lovely too)
I'd be surprised if they miss the official tally being 50 for the final siege book, very easy to do additional books that do not have a number, a raft of the novelettes do not have an official number and have been combined into a single numbered volume if at all. I'm also expecting them to keep HH as a setting once the siege has gone, plenty of stories at all stages in the overall arch still to tell.
Kid_Kyoto wrote: Y'know they could be planning a relaunch with book 50. IE book 51 will be SIEGE OF TERRA Book 1.
After 10, 15 years a new brand name might be a good way to kick things up rather than a 3 book wind down.
That wasn't the impression they gave at the time, the main plot arc will finish with the battle between the Emperor and Horus and that should be book 50.
I can totally see more books covering the siege in greater detail from the angles of the other main players in the future, that is a no brainer for me. I absolutely do not want a ton of Siege of Terra books dragging out the story before we get the big battle between the Emperor and Horus.
The Primarch series will take another couple of years to complete and all of those so far are all set in the HH or slightly before HH so the setting will be carrying on in some form at least.
I can also see them doing a mini series (I hope it is a mini series, not a drawn out affair) for the Great Scouring more or less straight after.
Kid_Kyoto wrote: Y'know they could be planning a relaunch with book 50. IE book 51 will be SIEGE OF TERRA Book 1.
After 10, 15 years a new brand name might be a good way to kick things up rather than a 3 book wind down.
That wasn't the impression they gave at the time, the main plot arc will finish with the battle between the Emperor and Horus and that should be book 50.
I can totally see more books covering the siege in greater detail from the angles of the other main players in the future, that is a no brainer for me. I absolutely do not want a ton of Siege of Terra books dragging out the story before we get the big battle between the Emperor and Horus.
The Primarch series will take another couple of years to complete and all of those so far are all set in the HH or slightly before HH so the setting will be carrying on in some form at least.
I can also see them doing a mini series (I hope it is a mini series, not a drawn out affair) for the Great Scouring more or less straight after.
The impression I get from the most recent news/interviews is that the series was never set for exactly 50, and that the final number will be closer to 60.
The series will finish with a trilogy, which will, imo, most likely be written by ADB, McNeill and Abnett (in that order).
As long as the writing is of good quality, i'm happy for them to extend the HH series as long as possible.
Kid_Kyoto wrote: Y'know they could be planning a relaunch with book 50. IE book 51 will be SIEGE OF TERRA Book 1.
After 10, 15 years a new brand name might be a good way to kick things up rather than a 3 book wind down.
That wasn't the impression they gave at the time, the main plot arc will finish with the battle between the Emperor and Horus and that should be book 50.
I can totally see more books covering the siege in greater detail from the angles of the other main players in the future, that is a no brainer for me. I absolutely do not want a ton of Siege of Terra books dragging out the story before we get the big battle between the Emperor and Horus.
The Primarch series will take another couple of years to complete and all of those so far are all set in the HH or slightly before HH so the setting will be carrying on in some form at least.
I can also see them doing a mini series (I hope it is a mini series, not a drawn out affair) for the Great Scouring more or less straight after.
The impression I get from the most recent news/interviews is that the series was never set for exactly 50, and that the final number will be closer to 60.
The series will finish with a trilogy, which will, imo, most likely be written by ADB, McNeill and Abnett (in that order).
As long as the writing is of good quality, i'm happy for them to extend the HH series as long as possible.
Eh... Mcneil's working for LoL now, I doubt he will do anything for blacklibrary (he hasn't for quite a few years now)
Kid_Kyoto wrote: Y'know they could be planning a relaunch with book 50. IE book 51 will be SIEGE OF TERRA Book 1.
After 10, 15 years a new brand name might be a good way to kick things up rather than a 3 book wind down.
That wasn't the impression they gave at the time, the main plot arc will finish with the battle between the Emperor and Horus and that should be book 50.
I can totally see more books covering the siege in greater detail from the angles of the other main players in the future, that is a no brainer for me. I absolutely do not want a ton of Siege of Terra books dragging out the story before we get the big battle between the Emperor and Horus.
The Primarch series will take another couple of years to complete and all of those so far are all set in the HH or slightly before HH so the setting will be carrying on in some form at least.
I can also see them doing a mini series (I hope it is a mini series, not a drawn out affair) for the Great Scouring more or less straight after.
The impression I get from the most recent news/interviews is that the series was never set for exactly 50, and that the final number will be closer to 60.
The series will finish with a trilogy, which will, imo, most likely be written by ADB, McNeill and Abnett (in that order).
As long as the writing is of good quality, i'm happy for them to extend the HH series as long as possible.
Eh... Mcneil's working for LoL now, I doubt he will do anything for blacklibrary (he hasn't for quite a few years now)
Two 30k books this year from McNeill isn't bad going for someone who hasn't done anything for quite a few years
He has said he will still write freelance for BL. The books will come slower, but there's still a window for him, and i doubt he'd turn down the chance to finish what he started.
byrd9999 wrote: The impression I get from the most recent news/interviews is that the series was never set for exactly 50, and that the final number will be closer to 60.
The series will finish with a trilogy, which will, imo, most likely be written by ADB, McNeill and Abnett (in that order).
As long as the writing is of good quality, i'm happy for them to extend the HH series as long as possible.
50 was the rough number defined when they started the series, it went up dramatically, as high as 100 with some of the estimates when they started padding out the series with the side stories, but by the time Laurie was leaving it was back to (about) 50 as the preferred target for the final boss battle. If it has gone up to 60 that is a recent change from even this year's HH weekender from the official line, as that would have been another 15/16 books from that point in time. I'm not counting any books that come after the boss battle in my 50 books, I'd expect the series to always exist in some form even decades from now.
Kid_Kyoto wrote: Y'know they could be planning a relaunch with book 50. IE book 51 will be SIEGE OF TERRA Book 1.
After 10, 15 years a new brand name might be a good way to kick things up rather than a 3 book wind down.
That wasn't the impression they gave at the time, the main plot arc will finish with the battle between the Emperor and Horus and that should be book 50.
I can totally see more books covering the siege in greater detail from the angles of the other main players in the future, that is a no brainer for me. I absolutely do not want a ton of Siege of Terra books dragging out the story before we get the big battle between the Emperor and Horus.
The Primarch series will take another couple of years to complete and all of those so far are all set in the HH or slightly before HH so the setting will be carrying on in some form at least.
I can also see them doing a mini series (I hope it is a mini series, not a drawn out affair) for the Great Scouring more or less straight after.
The impression I get from the most recent news/interviews is that the series was never set for exactly 50, and that the final number will be closer to 60.
The series will finish with a trilogy, which will, imo, most likely be written by ADB, McNeill and Abnett (in that order).
As long as the writing is of good quality, i'm happy for them to extend the HH series as long as possible.
Eh... Mcneil's working for LoL now, I doubt he will do anything for blacklibrary (he hasn't for quite a few years now)
he just had/did the Crimson King, he's still involved.
We are delighted to announce that as part of next year’s celebration of all things Black Library (which includes reprints of two classic novels voted for by you), we’ll be releasing a brand new novel by Dan Abnett. And not just any novel… The Magos is a new entry in one of the best loved Warhammer 40,000 series of all time: Eisenhorn.
It’s been fifteen years since rogue Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn last appeared in a novel of his own, and five since his appearance in Pariah, the first book in a sequel trilogy that brings him together with his old acolyte Gideon Ravenor. So how did The Magos come about? Here’s Dan Abnett himself to shed some light:
“The Magos is a brand new Eisenhorn novel… and one I didn’t expect to write. This epic volume gathers together all the Eisenhorn short stories that have appeared over the years, several of which haven’t been in print before. But it’s not just an anthology for completists. There’s an entire, new, full-length novel here too, one which ties together many elements from those short stories to become the unexpected fourth book in what was previously the Eisenhorn trilogy. Hunting for heresy in the remote worlds of the Imperium, Gregor Eisenhorn must confront the truth about himself: who is the real heretic? And, in this life-or-death struggle, who is the hunter and who is the hunted? Essential reading for all fans of the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series.” – Dan
Thank you, Dan. We can’t wait to get our hands on this new novel, and thankfully, it’s not going to be too long a wait, as we can expect to have it in our hands in February 2018. Before then, we have more to look forward to from Dan, with The Warmaster, the fourteenth book in the Gaunt’s Ghosts series, coming in December. At the Black Library Weekender in November, you’ll be able to get your hands on The Warmaster early, and meet Dan Abnett to get it signed – plus, he’s also doing a seminar talking about the new Eisenhorn book. An excellent opportunity to be among the first to find out more about it!
It's annoying, but I am enough of a whore for the franchise that I will pick it up regardless. Though I will be awaiting this one with low expectations for sure.
Note the HH end game stuff, think we can safely say it won't be over in 50 books.
I'm not getting that from the vague statement on the BL flyer? It reads like they are more discussing previous books and how they will/could influence the Siege, if anything you could read it that all the important books are already out and that the Siege is next
The road to Terra - The Horus Hersey enters its final stages. With the end near, the authors of the Horus Hersey discuss key titles in the series so far and how they build up to and could influence the inconic Siege of Terra.
I would expect the rough number to be confirmed at the weekender. If it is 60 then we are looking at another 3 years or so of HH books at the current (slow) publishing rate, I'd be mighty off if that is the case as that is a lifetime away.
December has Old Earth coming out which is book 47 - there's no way HH finishes at book 50.
They still have to do the Death Guard release with them turning fully, I imagine they'll do at least one or two more anthologies which will be numbered as well. They'll do a few books setting up the siege and the initial stages of it and then as someone else mentioned, a trilogy to round it out.
I predict 65 numbered novels in the series by the end.
I bought the Garro collected one, Swallow isn't a great writer but I quite liked Flight of the Eisenstein and bolter porn is bolter porn, so...
BL just needs to get this whole thing to the finish line and then write about 'current' stuff more, maybe...
Or explore the Great Crusade, or the Unification Wars, or pre-Unification Earth or something...
Unification Wars would be amazing, I would jump on that in an instant! Thunder Warriors ho! Pre-unification Earth would also be pretty great, but it would be hard to do justice to the Dark Age of Technology for example...
foostick wrote: December has Old Earth coming out which is book 47 - there's no way HH finishes at book 50.
They still have to do the Death Guard release with them turning fully, I imagine they'll do at least one or two more anthologies which will be numbered as well. They'll do a few books setting up the siege and the initial stages of it and then as someone else mentioned, a trilogy to round it out.
I predict 65 numbered novels in the series by the end.
Book 46 is Ruinstorm, which should put Guilliman, Lion, and the Angel exactly where they are needed for the Siege, Black Library tag it: "It's an explosive end to the Imperium Secundus storyline and sees the march to Terra and that final battle begin in earnest.".
Book 47 is Old Earth as you say, that puts at least Vulkan where he is needed for the Siege, Black Library even tag it with "It's the final stage in Vulkan's journey.,, following his own barely understood path all the way to the Throneworld itself.".
Praetorian of Dorn dealt with Alpharius, obviously Dorn never left the Solar System. That is six out of 17 Primarchs still alive. Horus, Lorgar, Mortarion,Fulgrim, Angron, Perturabo, Curze, and Magnus will likely all turn up together in a single book, my guess is the start of the Siege but it could be it's own book. That leaves Khan needing a route back for the classic line up. Corax will likely be left where he is for now, but Russ needs a book to bring him back into play for the final stages of the Siege.
So after Vulkan's book, at most I'd expect to see one book on Morty, one on Russ, one on Khan (although I suspect his will be combined with Russ), may be one on the traitor Primarchs final trip, then the Siege. I really can't see another ten to fifteen books before the Siege, that would be so much padding.
I could totally see the Siege being more than one book, one from the loyalist perspective and one from the traitor perspective would be pretty cool, released as a nice double set.
Yeah Path of Heaven finishes the main arc and then there's been at least one short set after it for the White Scars.
Just my prediction but I think it'll go after Old Earth:
- three more numbered anthologies collecting all the thus far uncollected shorts, audios and some of the novellas
- a Death Guard book
- a book dealing with the Alpha Legion and the Space Wolves (wasn't there a big thing with the AL stopping the SW getting to Terra?)
- another Dark Angels one rounding out the Caliban arc (think Gav Thorpe's confirmed as writing this?)
That would take us to 53 books. I think they could easily pad it out to 60 minimum - they'll do books covering the attack on the Palace and in the skies above Terra. There'll be shorts and audios etc during this which will end up getting bundled together as a numbered novel.
A trilogy to round it off from ADB, McNeil and Abnett is plausible. Either way, I see it being a lot closer to 65 books than 50.
Death Guard is certainly happening, as the last time we saw them Mortarion was dead set on finding Typhus again and we all know what happens then, as they are at this stage the only cult-aligned big legion to not have embraced their god of choice yet.
Space Wolves.. from what I recall they are supposed to go out and hunt for Horus directly now, at least this is what Russ proclaimed.
Caliban also really needs to happen, there has been quite some buildup towards that so far. Will be interesting to see Gav properly tackle the Horus Heresy Dark Angels, he's already laid a lot of groundwork with his 40kDA novels.
But when the siege finally does happen.. we've got a lot of awesome stuff to look forward to! Sigismund as the Emperor's Champion, Sanguinius fighting greater daemons, the White Scars riding out to secure the space port and hopefully a good pay-off to the Olianus Persson arc.
This news has quite literally made my day. I have 5 credits burning a hole in my account. Now they just need to get all the Horus Heresy stuff on there.
They have been having meetings about the last few books since about this time last year with Laurie returning for that, and another one with Laurie at the start of the year when they became aware of Alan's illness, this sounds like the final one before the last set of books are finished.
I'm confused as to which Dark Angels books Gav is working on, I know he is working on the Lion's Primarch book and that this will be (mostly) set during the HH period, is he also working on a main line HH book about the Dark Angels as well? I could see them putting the final bit of the Lion's story to date in the Primarch book as they haven't been selling amazingly well so far as the stories have been fairly self contained and skipable, unless Gav is working on two books?
I bought the Garro collected one, Swallow isn't a great writer but I quite liked Flight of the Eisenstein and bolter porn is bolter porn, so...
BL just needs to get this whole thing to the finish line and then write about 'current' stuff more, maybe...
Or explore the Great Crusade, or the Unification Wars, or pre-Unification Earth or something...
It's taken me an inordinate amount of time to work out what that was about, and then your login name finally registered... I'm like: French is good, right? I mean... maybe not ADB good, but he's a decent writer... lol
Obviously more coffee needed today!
I'm about halfway through Master of Mankind, and with the exception of one of the main characters being about as ridiculously unlikeable as possible, it's a pretty good read.
Space Wolves.. from what I recall they are supposed to go out and hunt for Horus directly now, at least this is what Russ proclaimed.
In the old fluff (WD 233) the Wolves and the Angels meet up save some worlds on the way back to Terra, Lion and Russ have a couple more falling outs, and they arrive too late to the party and Russ gets stabbed by Lion. I hope they keep some of this in as some of it adds towards the enmity between the Legions. Also after the shake and make up the Lion goes back to Caliban to be shot at again
zerosignal wrote: I'm about halfway through Master of Mankind, and with the exception of one of the main characters being about as ridiculously unlikeable as possible, it's a pretty good read.
The character isn't a Word Bearer by any chance...? It seems to be their thing.
Started on Watchers of the Throne - The Emperor's Legion yesterday and so far, good.
Some really cool stuff in there as well, like a glimpse at the Golden Throne, the Companions (seriously, feth off with the Pillarmen, you unfunny language ! Reds8n ) and the politics of the Twelve.
Also..
Spoiler:
The Blood Games are still being played, but nowadays the Custodes don't hunt one another, but they capture and set loose actual traitor marines and the like within the Imperial Palace that their agents "acquired" for them.
Sisters of Silence never completely died out, as aside from manning the Black Ships they largely went to ground and performed their own black ops missions against unsanctioned psykers before returning to Terra.
The Companions are the 300 strong personal guard of the Emperor and never leave his side. Only big change from the Horus Heresy is that instead of crimson, they all wear black cloaks now, to represent their state of mourning.
As for the Pillarmen.. There is a fan-made series out there that portrays them as loin-cloth wearing muscle men who have a hard-on for the Emperor, with all the typical gay jokes and juvenile innuendo one can expect. Whenever they show up, the Pillarmen tune from an anime plays in the background.
It's an obnoxious joke at this point that people moronically shriek about as being something that has to become canon. Ugh.
Just before it all happens, they are talking about Cadia going dark and warp storms flaring up, so they may show up, or not at all, don't know, only 93 pages in so far.
Its set slightly before, during, and slightly after the events of Guilliman's return. It focuses on the perspective of a Custodian, a SoS, and somebody one level down from a High Lord, so pretty much Terra's view on what happened with Dark Imperium.
I finished reading it earlier in the week, it suffers a little bit with seemingly setting up more interesting books to come but it is full of nice little lore titbits and the battles are fun to read.
What is good is that it portrays (at least for me) how close the Imperium came to falling during the events of Dark Imperium.
Wrapped up Watcher's of the Throne in a day, it was a good read and I do hope that we get to see more of these characters.
One goof though..
Spoiler:
At one point Thieron meets with Guilleman again, who is walking around in robes, not his life support armour, wut.
Next up is Eight Lamentations, another I've been looking forward to after warming up to the Age of Sigmar setting.
Finally, listened to the Eye of Night, it was okay. A bit too hammy for my tastes, plus they could've edited out the bit where they announced what part it was.
BrookM: he was without his armour in Dark Millenium novel too so looks like none of BL authors cares much about that bit of fluff from pre-8th edition books.
As to Watchers of the Throne: another good book by Chris Wraith. He and Josh Reynolds joined Abnett and McNeill as my favourite BL authors.
I am keen on reading it too. I do not like AoS (I tried) but I liked his Brunner series and 1th book from Witchhunter series so I am optimistic on that one.
It took some getting used to for me, not to mention ignore all the salt and bile from the forums with their moronic shrieking.
I've come to like the idea behind the Stormcast Eternals. They are immortal, but not perfect. Every time they die, they "respawn" but at the risk of losing their personality or becoming infused with something otherworldly, which leads to quite a few characters being worried about dying the first (or second, or third) time, or having their best friend die, as you never know how one emerges from their reforging.
That and the setting is less grim dark than the Old World was. I read quite a few fantasy novels, but a lot of them were depressing reads. While these stories are still quite brutal, they aren't as depressing or outright trying to be mean to everything out there. Heroes can be heroes and whatnot, villains can be just that.
And they've got Hamilcar Bear-eater, a stormcast who is so full of himself you can't help but cheer for the idiot.
Actually Stormacts and not so grim dark nature of the setting were 2 things I always liked but the rest is not to my taste. I was very open to it when it started because I was never a fan of the Old World but simply could not bring myself to like it. Too many things that I found absurd and stupid names likes Orruks when there could be Orcs did not help either.
Swallow's 40k stuff is a bit hit and miss, but I believe he is improving. His recent Star Trek novels have been excellent.
I personally found the Andy Hoare Rogue Trader books to be disappointing. I can't really recommend them. If you like Rogue Traders, there were books like Eye of Terror, Farseer, and the second Shira Calpurnia novel that felt more like 40k.
A lot of the hate back then came from Tau players who disagreed with how the T'au Empire was portrayed in parts of the trilogy. All in all I like them, though the last one could've been less about the White Scars.
And yes, the second Arbites novel had a really nice plot about succession within a Rogue Trader dynasty.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also still working my way through Eight Lamentations, which does suffer a bit from having too many characters and getting the story really going into the right direction.
Though I will say this, there is cool world building in there (cities built on the backs of massive worms, how this new world with all those gods works and how much of a bro Grungni is), which does scream "PERFECT TABLETOP RPG SETTING" with its band of adventurers out on a quest.
Delighted to see new rogue trader works coming forward alongside the reprint.
Shows BL are still pushing on with their plans to delve deeper into the 40k universe. Look forward to them.
This is good news though, Chris is the White Scars dude and having him write about his Primarch and Legion of choice is really good. Can't wait to see how this turns out, if only to see more of the Khan and super bro Yesugei.
Not to mention, his work on the Heresy has been anything but pointless filler or an unnecessarily long arc with too many characters that's still ongoing.
This'll be the first Primarch novel I'll purchase then!
BrookM wrote: Wrapped up Watcher's of the Throne in a day, it was a good read and I do hope that we get to see more of these characters.
One goof though..
Spoiler:
At one point Thieron meets with Guilleman again, who is walking around in robes, not his life support armour, wut.
Next up is Eight Lamentations, another I've been looking forward to after warming up to the Age of Sigmar setting.s.
Just read Eight Lamentations (and Auction of Blood) - really enjoyed, fun and interesting characters - including some of my fav vampires (Neferata and Naaima) I do enjoy a Josh Reynolds novel.
Laurie Goulding has said previously that everything Heresy-related will eventually be available in every format. Whether that will be literally true remains to be seen (hardback or audio drama of Battle for the Abyss, anyone?), i'd guess at the very least that means that every novella and short story will be anthologised in a numbered book eventually, and probably before the final trilogy.
byrd9999 wrote: 2 stories named so far for The Burden of Loyalty as Book 48 of the HH series: Wolf King by Chris Wraight and Cybernetica by Rob Sanders.
Tweeted by TrackofWords, and re-tweeted by Laurie Goulding, so probably official.
Laurie Goulding has said previously that everything Heresy-related will eventually be available in every format. Whether that will be literally true remains to be seen (hardback or audio drama of Battle for the Abyss, anyone?), i'd guess at the very least that means that every novella and short story will be anthologised in a numbered book eventually, and probably before the final trilogy.
byrd9999 wrote: 2 stories named so far for The Burden of Loyalty as Book 48 of the HH series: Wolf King by Chris Wraight and Cybernetica by Rob Sanders.
Tweeted by TrackofWords, and re-tweeted by Laurie Goulding, so probably official.
Laurie Goulding has said previously that everything Heresy-related will eventually be available in every format. Whether that will be literally true remains to be seen (hardback or audio drama of Battle for the Abyss, anyone?), i'd guess at the very least that means that every novella and short story will be anthologised in a numbered book eventually, and probably before the final trilogy.
Fulgrim's Primarch book is 20th October, Ferrus is late January, so I would guess Khan is end of March?
byrd9999 wrote: 2 stories named so far for The Burden of Loyalty as Book 48 of the HH series: Wolf King by Chris Wraight and Cybernetica by Rob Sanders.
Tweeted by TrackofWords, and re-tweeted by Laurie Goulding, so probably official.
Laurie Goulding has said previously that everything Heresy-related will eventually be available in every format. Whether that will be literally true remains to be seen (hardback or audio drama of Battle for the Abyss, anyone?), i'd guess at the very least that means that every novella and short story will be anthologised in a numbered book eventually, and probably before the final trilogy.
Is it confirmed that it is book 48 yet? Trackofwords wasn't sure... There are a ton of HH books without a number so far, if they put all of those into numbered booked I think we'll see another half dozen at least anthologies. Not least of which there are the collections, which do not have a number: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Horus_Heresy_Series#Collections
Lord Kragan wrote: So I got run over by a bus and gave myself quite the amount ofnfree time. Any WHFB recommendatio.
?
Ancient Blood(Strigany culture with a bit of Strigoi vampire actions), Beasts In Velvet(one of the Genevieve novels, the best one IMO even though it has the least of the titular character in it), the Black Plague trilogy from Time of Legends, the Florin & Lorenzo omnibus if you want a bit of light Gotrek & Felix-style adventuring, Doom of Dragonback and Grudge Bearer if you like Dwarfs, and the two Marienburg novels if you can stomach the second book ending on an obvious cliffhanger setup for the third novel that never happened. Alas you'll have to find most if not all of them secondhand on Amazon or elsewhere as I don't know how many BL actually bother to sell any more even as digital.
And as someone who was once clocked about the heid by the big ol' wing mirror on a bus - commiserations
Fulgrim's Primarch book is 20th October, Ferrus is late January, so I would guess Khan is end of March?
byrd9999 wrote: 2 stories named so far for The Burden of Loyalty as Book 48 of the HH series: Wolf King by Chris Wraight and Cybernetica by Rob Sanders.
Tweeted by TrackofWords, and re-tweeted by Laurie Goulding, so probably official.
Laurie Goulding has said previously that everything Heresy-related will eventually be available in every format. Whether that will be literally true remains to be seen (hardback or audio drama of Battle for the Abyss, anyone?), i'd guess at the very least that means that every novella and short story will be anthologised in a numbered book eventually, and probably before the final trilogy.
Is it confirmed that it is book 48 yet? Trackofwords wasn't sure... There are a ton of HH books without a number so far, if they put all of those into numbered booked I think we'll see another half dozen at least anthologies. Not least of which there are the collections, which do not have a number: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Horus_Heresy_Series#Collections
My guess is that because Laurie Goulding re-tweeted it without correction that it is #48. And the HH Collections have already been chopped up for the numbered anthology sets (e.g. War Without End), so I'd guess that ultimately the Collections will be redundant (apart from any Collector value).
Lord Kragan wrote: So I got run over by a bus and gave myself quite the amount ofnfree time. Any WHFB recommendatio.
?
What characters or factions are you most interested in?
Either way, you can't go wrong with the William King Gotrek and Felix books or C.L. Werner's Brunner series. There were a lot of good, entertaining books set in the Warhammer world.
Fulgrim's Primarch book is 20th October, Ferrus is late January, so I would guess Khan is end of March?
byrd9999 wrote: 2 stories named so far for The Burden of Loyalty as Book 48 of the HH series: Wolf King by Chris Wraight and Cybernetica by Rob Sanders.
Tweeted by TrackofWords, and re-tweeted by Laurie Goulding, so probably official.
Laurie Goulding has said previously that everything Heresy-related will eventually be available in every format. Whether that will be literally true remains to be seen (hardback or audio drama of Battle for the Abyss, anyone?), i'd guess at the very least that means that every novella and short story will be anthologised in a numbered book eventually, and probably before the final trilogy.
Is it confirmed that it is book 48 yet? Trackofwords wasn't sure... There are a ton of HH books without a number so far, if they put all of those into numbered booked I think we'll see another half dozen at least anthologies. Not least of which there are the collections, which do not have a number: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Horus_Heresy_Series#Collections
My guess is that because Laurie Goulding re-tweeted it without correction that it is #48. And the HH Collections have already been chopped up for the numbered anthology sets (e.g. War Without End), so I'd guess that ultimately the Collections will be redundant (apart from any Collector value).
A 60-book HH series is not unlikely.
You have read books that Laurie has "edited" right? Accuracy isn't his strong point.
If they are going to give everything a number, even as consolidated anthologies it'll be way more than 60, they haven't even scratched the surface of the collections, novellas, short stories, and audio dramas. I can totally buy them putting everything into collections that aren't numbered so they are available outside of limited edition formats or similar hard to obtain formats as they promised, but I do not buy them needing to give everything a number, that isn't a stated aim I've seen. Besides, a lot of the stuff they haven't yet put into a numbered book happens earlier in the series than the current free numbers, so the entire series would need to be renumbered otherwise the numbers become pointless.
I'm still holding onto them reaching the siege around book 50, that doesn't mean I think the series will finish at that point, just the opposite, it'll never finish as it is too popular a setting. To push out all the required anthologies/collections before progressing the story/slowing progression would reek of stalling.
Looky Likey wrote: Is it confirmed that it is book 48 yet? Trackofwords wasn't sure... There are a ton of HH books without a number so far, if they put all of those into numbered booked I think we'll see another half dozen at least anthologies. Not least of which there are the collections, which do not have a number: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Horus_Heresy_Series#Collections
Well, there seem to be about 11 short stories, 8 audio dramas and 5 novellas (7 if we count The Honoured and The Unburdened) that have not been published in an anthology so far. Half a dozen anthologies would be possible I guess, but that kind of depends on how many more short stories and such get published in the mean time.
BrookM wrote: Finally got around to wrapping up the Eight Lamentations.
It was good but..
Spoiler:
The end felt a bit cheap, with nobody dead (though many badly mauled), the MacGuffin of ultimate power lost for the time being and seven more to go
Well yes
Spoiler:
It is a macguffin story but I feel the series is there to more or less help the world building of AOS which I am not exactly against since I feel we learned quite a lot about the cities in one book It's a fun story of adventure more or less. I have a strange feeling volker is going to end up undead by time all of this is done that's one way to outsmart the spear.
It does do a lot of great world building and the nods towards things that feel so wrong, like Dwarves who live in forests and using wood instead of stone and iron.
Volker and Vampire Knight Lady is my number one ship of this series!
Spoiler:
Mainly though because I seriously thought that both the priest and Zara would be dead by the end of the novel.
It does make me want an actual kit for these vampire Knights now.
BrookM wrote: It does do a lot of great world building and the nods towards things that feel so wrong, like Dwarves who live in forests and using wood instead of stone and iron.
Volker and Vampire Knight Lady is my number one ship of this series!
Spoiler:
Mainly though because I seriously thought that both the priest and Zara would be dead by the end of the novel.
It does make me want an actual kit for these vampire Knights now.
Oddly enough some part of me thought of the same thing on the shipping aspect. For some reason I can see it happening.
Spoiler:
I mean I could see her "saving" him from the spear by the end of the story. I don't see him living to see the end of it I think he is going to die by the end.
Cheers for the link, especially looking forward to this one, as I knew a sequel would be coming, but never thought BL would green-light it so fast!
'Tis also the season for reprints it seems, though some are in need of some new love, Witch Hunter and Mike Lee's Nagash novels in particular are good stuff.
And this Lukas novel, prequel to his future exploits I suppose, as Sliscus was the one who replaced his heart with a bomb IIRC.
Hah, it's a sad irony that it took GW killing WHFB and Creative Assembly showing them up by making a success of the IP to finally prod BL into producing and reprinting all these omnibuses of Properhammer fiction.
On the plus side, in a few months I'll be able to swap out some of my rattier old paperbacks once these end up on Amazon for pennies(seriously, I will never get why some people turn their noses up at "used" books when there's mint or near-mint copies being practically given away).
AOS novel coming June 2018. I need this book like right now. Still I dig the proto art it was used in the first campaign book. Now we got a bigger image? I really like it. It's also pretty clear this novel is likely linking to the malign portents event. Can't wait for nagash and his forces to punk everyone it's going to be great.
Soul Wars by Josh Reynolds
June 2018 – hardback. Cover not final.
Nagash revives an ancient grudge with the God-King Sigmar as a ferocious new war between the living and the dead shakes the Mortal Realms.
The Mortal Realms tremble with unending war. In Shyish, the Realm of Death, an ancient evil stirs, sensing opportunity. Nagash, the Undying King and God of Death, sets his gaze upon the citadels of the living and the servants of Sigmar, the God-King of Azyr. Allies once, joined together against the machinations of the Ruinous Powers, the two gods now find themselves enemies. Nagash, burning with the need to avenge an ancient slight, calls forth his soulless legions to sweep across the realm he claims as his own and reassert death’s dominion over all things, as the War of Heaven and Death begins anew.
Yodhrin wrote: Hah, it's a sad irony that it took GW killing WHFB and Creative Assembly showing them up by making a success of the IP to finally prod BL into producing and reprinting all these omnibuses of Properhammer fiction.
On the plus side, in a few months I'll be able to swap out some of my rattier old paperbacks once these end up on Amazon for pennies(seriously, I will never get why some people turn their noses up at "used" books when there's mint or near-mint copies being practically given away).
What omnibuses are they reprinting? I might need to grab a bunch of them. The omnibuses and trade paperbacks only seem to go up in price used.
Yodhrin wrote: Hah, it's a sad irony that it took GW killing WHFB and Creative Assembly showing them up by making a success of the IP to finally prod BL into producing and reprinting all these omnibuses of Properhammer fiction.
On the plus side, in a few months I'll be able to swap out some of my rattier old paperbacks once these end up on Amazon for pennies(seriously, I will never get why some people turn their noses up at "used" books when there's mint or near-mint copies being practically given away).
What omnibuses are they reprinting? I might need to grab a bunch of them. The omnibuses and trade paperbacks only seem to go up in price used.
On top of the Sigmar books, we're getting reprints of Rise of Nagash, War of Vengeance, and Matthias Thulmann, plus a new omnibus of the Ulrika trilogy, and one with a few of the "famous gits of Chaos" novels in it. Hopefully they'll keep going.
shinros wrote: AOS novel coming June 2018. I need this book like right now. Still I dig the proto art it was used in the first campaign book. Now we got a bigger image? I really like it. It's also pretty clear this novel is likely linking to the malign portents event. Can't wait for nagash and his forces to punk everyone it's going to be great.
Soul Wars by Josh Reynolds
June 2018 – hardback. Cover not final.
Nagash revives an ancient grudge with the God-King Sigmar as a ferocious new war between the living and the dead shakes the Mortal Realms.
The Mortal Realms tremble with unending war. In Shyish, the Realm of Death, an ancient evil stirs, sensing opportunity. Nagash, the Undying King and God of Death, sets his gaze upon the citadels of the living and the servants of Sigmar, the God-King of Azyr. Allies once, joined together against the machinations of the Ruinous Powers, the two gods now find themselves enemies. Nagash, burning with the need to avenge an ancient slight, calls forth his soulless legions to sweep across the realm he claims as his own and reassert death’s dominion over all things, as the War of Heaven and Death begins anew.
Finished HH: Ruinstorm aka a chance for a Damnation of Pythos to be something more than a complete waste of paper. It is a necessary step to finale and solves many questions but at the same time it could be better written. We actually only have a 4 characters there - Primarchs. The rest could be as well given numbers like Legionnary 45 or creman 32 for all personality they show. It gives us insight into the Primarchs thoughts about future, past, their choices etc. but also spends too much time for bolter porn. A must read which could be so much better in the hands of Abnett etc.
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished HH: Ruinstorm aka a chance for a Damnation of Pythos to be something more than a complete waste of paper. It is a necessary step to finale and solves many questions but at the same time it could be better written. We actually only have a 4 characters there - Primarchs. The rest could be as well given numbers like Legionnary 45 or creman 32 for all personality they show. It gives us insight into the Primarchs thoughts about future, past, their choices etc. but also spends too much time for bolter porn. A must read which could be so much better in the hands of Abnett etc.
If you could give us all the high points/relevant info here, in spoilers, we'd greatly appreciate it!
I liked it, the plot is predictable and done to death, but it's good fun to see how Imperial nobles behave inside and out of the cockpit. Plus it doesn't portray them as immortal death machines, but quite vulnerable and in need of infantry support.
Favourite part, slight spoilers..
Spoiler:
When the main character is at a loss as to what to do, he does a bit of soul searching by communing with the throne of his Knight, going through the many imprints left by previous pilots, including the very first pilot, a colonist from Terra.
Being tropey or predictable isn't a problem as long as it's enjoyable. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to grab it next time I'm hunting for a new book to read.
You're in luck, as a few months from now the sequel will be released. There is also a digital only quick-read that serves as a prequel to the novel itself.
Alpharius wrote: Are the books SHADOWSWORD and BANEBLADE any good?
I really enjoyed them. Gave a pretty cool view to the running and the crew of a Superheavy with plenty of gratuitious bolter porn.
I enjoyed them too. I can’t stand bolster porn but I really enjoyed this look into the world of tank fighting! I’ve always thought of a tank as an utterly terrifying place to go to war in.
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished HH: Ruinstorm aka a chance for a Damnation of Pythos to be something more than a complete waste of paper. It is a necessary step to finale and solves many questions but at the same time it could be better written. We actually only have a 4 characters there - Primarchs. The rest could be as well given numbers like Legionnary 45 or creman 32 for all personality they show. It gives us insight into the Primarchs thoughts about future, past, their choices etc. but also spends too much time for bolter porn. A must read which could be so much better in the hands of Abnett etc.
If you could give us all the high points/relevant info here, in spoilers, we'd greatly appreciate it!
Enjoy (my amatourish writings in Polglish ) - all I remember from it:
Spoiler:
Our glorious trinity of Primarchs (+ Konrad in Invincible Reasons' jail) want to go back see their daddy. The Ruinstorm is preventing even Lion's pet device to make it simple. Sanguinius is attacked when in warp by both daemons and visions of him fighting Horus and dying. Also some enormous shadow ship is seen following and sometimes attacking the fleet. Roboute is lured into trap by Word Bearers (one who is Unburden from novella). Smurf is victorious by left with doubts if he should use their athames and captured Navigators. Lion must leave warp close to Pandorax where he meets Istvaan survivors who searched for Veritas Ferrum. His pet device says to him that they must go to Davin but first must go step by step through some barriers that even it cannot bypass. 3 Primarchs decide to follow the plan. They met on Istvaan heroes' fortress' with refugees from various planets that talk about 'Pilgrim' they flee from. Primarch think it can be the gigantic ship from Warp they met there. They translate to system that is one big (probably Khorne) fortress spaning the whole system. They try to destroy it but barely make a scratch. Looks like it is made possible by magicaly converted matter produced by converted forge world. They attack it and after a battle Sanguinius menages to slay a deamon who rules it and the way is free. Some more doubts/visions for him etc. Second stop is on a system full of impossible and gigantic shapes. The only world is still fighting demonic invasion. Lion is asked to kill the planet by the defenders who apparently worship the Emperor and want to join him in death, destroying the evil with the planet. After the planet died the way is again free. Again temptation/attack on Sanguinius by enormous ship. Angel is overtaken by the Black Rage and almost kills the Librarian but is saved by intervention of Sanguinor. This time Konrad briefly looses his sight and is filled with doubt to his destiny (being killed by Emperor's assassin). Next stop is Davin hidden by a globe made of bones. That is symbolism for death of everything - human, xenos, ideas, hopes etc. Again they think that something big is following them. Sanguinius is sure that the destiny can be unwritten here and takes Konrad with him on Davin. Primarchs are tempted again and Lions almost destroyed a Davin with Angel. Roboute almost decides to use athames. They make a desant on the abandoned planet and enter the Delphos (Davin temple where Horus fell). Secret chamber is found and a portal who is used by Angel to enter the mysterious ship. In void fleet is attacked by gigantic ship which is recognized by Istvaan crew as Veritas Ferrum but transformed to monstrous form and followed by every ship the fleet lost in warp and other killed in similar way from different legions. Iron Hands/Ravens ship is taking valiant but doom stand and the rest of the fleet is not dooing much better. Ultramarines lost their temporary flagship (Samothrace). Angel meets demon Madail (one from (Damnation of Pythos) who shows him a different futures tempting him. The other Primarchs outside of portal fight the demons. Angel almost falls overhelmed by the future where his sons must live with his legacy of rage but is able to see through other lies and directs his rage to free himself and attacks the demon. He manages to immobilise him between portal and Delphos where Sanguinor sacrafices himself holding demon so the Primarchs and their forces can evacuate from the planet and subsequently kill it. Madail is destroyed and entire demonic fleet with him. Primarchs see the hole in the Ruinstorm and use it. Raports from the front make them split their forces. Angel is going to fulfill his destiny on Terra (and punishes Kondrad to destroy his chances for another destiny - father could forgive him - by taking him into stasis pod and voiding somewhere in space). Smurf is going to attack the traitor's blockade to help BA go through it. Lion will divert traitors via destroying their worlds, bases and homes.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
BrookM wrote: Dunno, people keep saying "Dan could've saved this" but I'd rather give it to ADB instead.
Tastes vary. For me ADB is not the top tier. I only realy liked The first Heretic, Prince of Crows and Blood Reaver. Master of Menkind and Aurelian were ok. The rest is IMO either mediocre (like Talon of Horus) or bad (like Emperor's Gift).
Robin5t wrote: Ghost Warrior is out today. I just finished reading it and it's very good indeed.
I’ve been waiting on this, glad you enjoyed it. Gav is great at Eldar, Lorgar wasn’t too shabby either. Looking forward to see where he goes with this.
Not sure if mentioned before, but GW is doing a pair of omnibus books, one for 40k, one for AoS, to serve as primers for the setting:
CONTENTS
The Keys to Ruin by David Annandale
Beneath the Black Thumb and Great Red by David Guymer
Heartwood by Robbie MacNiven
Assault on the Mandrake Bastion, Hammerhal and The Prisoner of the Black Sun by Josh Reynolds
Vengeance Eternal by Matt Westbrook
Plus excerpts from:
Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows and Skaven Pestilens by Josh Reynolds
Overlords of the Iron Dragon by C L Werner
The novel is a 512 page paperback.
CONTENTS
The Lightning Tower by Dan Abnett
Sarcophagus by David Annandale
Crusade by Andy Clark
Extinction by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
A Sanctuary of Wyrms by Peter Fehervari
The Purity of Ignorance by John French
The Word of the Silent King by L J Goulding
The Lost King by Robbie MacNiven
Culling the Horde by Steve Parker
The Zheng Cipher by Josh Reynolds
Red & Black by James Swallow
Honour of the Third and Howl of the Banshee by Gav Thorpe
The novel is a 464 page paperback.
At €7,- / £4,99 per book not a bad deal and make for excellent stocking stuffers for folks just starting out or showing interest in the setting. Some of the titles I do recognise, like the Lightning Tower being one of the first Horus Heresy short stories published back then.
Well, we're not the real target audience, though at €7,- per book isn't bad if you're interested in the excerpts of upcoming novels. I may keep these bookmarked for when I need to fill out a GW order to get free shipping.
I only know the Lightning Tower for sure from the 40k bundle, though chances are most of the others are from previous anthology books and I've long since forgotten them.
Crusade & Other Stories has ADB's short story, Extinction, which, according to Black Library's website has only previously been available as a Games Day Anthology story or an e-book.
It's a prequel to the Talon of Horus, which I am soon to read, so I'll pick up Crusade. I am fairly new to BL, so I guess i'm the kind of person this is aimed at
Gav is great at Eldar, Lorgar wasn’t too shabby either.
Would you mind expanding a little on your thoughts on Lorgar?
I'm teetering on the fence of buying it, reviews are hard to come by, and I wouldn't mind a push either way
I absolutely loved the book. And haven’t heard one bad thing said about it. It’s an origins story, it could nearly be in any sci fi universe it’s so outside of the Imperium but yet you can see the makings of the Imperium I it. Gav handles the faith aspect of the culture so well he does it without any attempt to copy religions of today, which is often done in 40k, its lazy and usually poorly done. Quotes from the bible etc make me cringe, cheap shot. Many authors let their own personal anti faith feelings boil through and it’s a little cringeworthy. The book centres around the relationship of Lorgar and Kor and is skilfully and frighteningly done. They are a right pair of monsters, you can see the seeds of heresy straight away. Only question I had at the end was why the Emperor let Kor live and continue to have such an influence on legion affairs.
Gav is great at Eldar, Lorgar wasn’t too shabby either.
Would you mind expanding a little on your thoughts on Lorgar?
I'm teetering on the fence of buying it, reviews are hard to come by, and I wouldn't mind a push either way
I absolutely loved the book. And haven’t heard one bad thing said about it. It’s an origins story, it could nearly be in any sci fi universe it’s so outside of the Imperium but yet you can see the makings of the Imperium I it. Gav handles the faith aspect of the culture so well he does it without any attempt to copy religions of today, which is often done in 40k, its lazy and usually poorly done. Quotes from the bible etc make me cringe, cheap shot. Many authors let their own personal anti faith feelings boil through and it’s a little cringeworthy. The book centres around the relationship of Lorgar and Kor and is skilfully and frighteningly done. They are a right pair of monsters, you can see the seeds of heresy straight away. Only question I had at the end was why the Emperor let Kor live and continue to have such an influence on legion affairs.
Gav is great at Eldar, Lorgar wasn’t too shabby either.
Would you mind expanding a little on your thoughts on Lorgar?
I'm teetering on the fence of buying it, reviews are hard to come by, and I wouldn't mind a push either way
I absolutely loved the book. And haven’t heard one bad thing said about it. It’s an origins story, it could nearly be in any sci fi universe it’s so outside of the Imperium but yet you can see the makings of the Imperium I it. Gav handles the faith aspect of the culture so well he does it without any attempt to copy religions of today, which is often done in 40k, its lazy and usually poorly done. Quotes from the bible etc make me cringe, cheap shot. Many authors let their own personal anti faith feelings boil through and it’s a little cringeworthy. The book centres around the relationship of Lorgar and Kor and is skilfully and frighteningly done. They are a right pair of monsters, you can see the seeds of heresy straight away. Only question I had at the end was why the Emperor let Kor live and continue to have such an influence on legion affairs.
Thanks! I'm placing my order now.
Good move, even I think its a great book and I normally don't like Gav's Black Library output.
amazon.co.uk now has the following Horus Heresy books listed in mass market paperback format:
38: Angels of Caliban - Dec 2017
39: Praetorian of Dorn - Feb 2018
40: Corax - April 2018
41: Master of Mankind - June 2017 (though i reckon that's a typo...)
42: Garro - Aug 2018
I'm a big fan of the changes at Black Library. I started Book 1 a year ago, reading them in order, in mmpb, and now I'm on 17 - The Outcast Dead. I should be pretty much caught up by the time Book 50 drops.
I absolutely loved the book. And haven’t heard one bad thing said about it. It’s an origins story, it could nearly be in any sci fi universe it’s so outside of the Imperium but yet you can see the makings of the Imperium I it. Gav handles the faith aspect of the culture so well he does it without any attempt to copy religions of today, which is often done in 40k, its lazy and usually poorly done. Quotes from the bible etc make me cringe, cheap shot. Many authors let their own personal anti faith feelings boil through and it’s a little cringeworthy. The book centres around the relationship of Lorgar and Kor and is skilfully and frighteningly done. They are a right pair of monsters, you can see the seeds of heresy straight away. Only question I had at the end was why the Emperor let Kor live and continue to have such an influence on legion affairs.
Wow nice description, I've never even touched a Horus Heresy book and yet this blurb has me interested!
Thanks for sharing, he's certainly on my to look out for lists now.
Ooh, this more or less nails it for me why I've come to like Age of Sigmar as a setting:
ToW: How has it been to write in AoS compared to the Old World? What have been the differences so far?
JR: There have been noticeable differences in tone, but not necessarily so much in how it’s done. Stories are about people, regardless of whether they live in a giant sprawling medieval megapolis or a relatively smaller megapolis like Altdorf. The tone of Age of Sigmar is a lot different from the tone of Warhammer Fantasy, which was very much like 40k where you always had that one minute to midnight feeling. Everything’s kind of heavy, portentous and dark, and there’s kind of a cloud hanging over your hero’s survival. Even if they win, eventually they’re going to lose.
Whereas with Age of Sigmar that tone is not so set. It’s not ‘you’re gonna lose’ it’s ‘you might lose…you’re probably gonna lose, but there’s a chance you might not’. It’s allowed for some stuff to be explored – a lot of the themes I’ve explored in the Stormcast stuff I’ve written would not have been possible in Warhammer Fantasy. The idea of these characters who can essentially walk into Nurgle’s Garden and kick the door in, set things on fire and give middle fingers to the god of plague and death and still walk out…that just wouldn’t have happened.
Now we can actually have characters who can…not necessarily make a difference, but who can attempt to make a difference in a way that characters like Gotrek and Felix really couldn’t. They were never going to stop the End Times, but they would try…and that’s where a lot of the heroism came from. With Age of Sigmar you have the same thing, but on a grander scale and with the potential of winning, which I think lightens the tone slightly.
Because there's a minimal chance everyone may not die horrific deaths and might just be able to pull out the win for a change? That's precisely why I enjoy it, because everything is not set in stone, that there is a chance things can be overcome.
Inquisitor Gideon wrote: Because there's a minimal chance everyone may not die horrific deaths and might just be able to pull out the win for a change? That's precisely why I enjoy it, because everything is not set in stone, that there is a chance things can be overcome.
I don't get why that's surprising to people. If someone enjoys a grim, very-slightly-pre-apocalyptic setting, and that setting is replaced or changed to be about Big Hero Men punching Big Baddie Men in the face For Great Justice, why would they be happy? If I want optimism I watch(old, proper) Star Trek; if I want heroism I watch superhero movies - I want my fantasy filled with grimy, hopeless, doomed scumbags who might, on occasion, elevate themselves a little in the face of insurmountable odds even though their efforts are probably futile in the end.
Anyway, whether I like it or not is pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme, GW like it and evidently plenty of punters like it(or don't care either way), so it's here to stay. I just thought it was interesting that the statement could so accurately sum up two polar-opposite opinions of the same thing.
Inquisitor Gideon wrote: Because there's a minimal chance everyone may not die horrific deaths and might just be able to pull out the win for a change? That's precisely why I enjoy it, because everything is not set in stone, that there is a chance things can be overcome.
I don't get why that's surprising to people. If someone enjoys a grim, very-slightly-pre-apocalyptic setting, and that setting is replaced or changed to be about Big Hero Men punching Big Baddie Men in the face For Great Justice, why would they be happy? If I want optimism I watch(old, proper) Star Trek; if I want heroism I watch superhero movies - I want my fantasy filled with grimy, hopeless, doomed scumbags who might, on occasion, elevate themselves a little in the face of insurmountable odds even though their efforts are probably futile in the end.
Anyway, whether I like it or not is pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme, GW like it and evidently plenty of punters like it(or don't care either way), so it's here to stay. I just thought it was interesting that the statement could so accurately sum up two polar-opposite opinions of the same thing.
To be honest my favourite part of Age of Sigmar is the Chaos Age. Like Mad Max and Fallout but without technology and with hordes of Chaos canibals, Cultists, daemons and beast, fighting agaisn't extra-savage greenskins hordes and the last normal humans ,dwarfs and elves survivors in the mortal realms.
Thats even more Grimdark than the Old World. But it isn't as explored as the Age of Sigmar, but if I remember correctly, the future Age of Sigmar RPG is gonna be based in the Age of Chaos, or just at the first moments of the Age of Sigmar.
At the end of the day Age of Sigmar his big enough (And his mentioned in the narrative still), for places with the same theme as the Old World to exist. Just look at Shadespire, soulds trapped forever because Nagash just feel like it. Or other places, much more humbles, without giant Chaos Lords, Stormcast Eternals, etc... just groups of humans trying to survive in a savage land full of magic behemots and creatures, when they are just that, normal humans, elves, etc...
Inquisitor Gideon wrote: Because there's a minimal chance everyone may not die horrific deaths and might just be able to pull out the win for a change? That's precisely why I enjoy it, because everything is not set in stone, that there is a chance things can be overcome.
I don't get why that's surprising to people. If someone enjoys a grim, very-slightly-pre-apocalyptic setting, and that setting is replaced or changed to be about Big Hero Men punching Big Baddie Men in the face For Great Justice, why would they be happy? If I want optimism I watch(old, proper) Star Trek; if I want heroism I watch superhero movies - I want my fantasy filled with grimy, hopeless, doomed scumbags who might, on occasion, elevate themselves a little in the face of insurmountable odds even though their efforts are probably futile in the end.
Anyway, whether I like it or not is pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme, GW like it and evidently plenty of punters like it(or don't care either way), so it's here to stay. I just thought it was interesting that the statement could so accurately sum up two polar-opposite opinions of the same thing.
To be honest my favourite part of Age of Sigmar is the Chaos Age. Like Mad Max and Fallout but without technology and with hordes of Chaos canibals, Cultists, daemons and beast, fighting agaisn't extra-savage greenskins hordes and the last normal humans ,dwarfs and elves survivors in the mortal realms.
Thats even more Grimdark than the Old World. But it isn't as explored as the Age of Sigmar, but if I remember correctly, the future Age of Sigmar RPG is gonna be based in the Age of Chaos, or just at the first moments of the Age of Sigmar.
At the end of the day Age of Sigmar his big enough (And his mentioned in the narrative still), for places with the same theme as the Old World to exist. Just look at Shadespire, soulds trapped forever because Nagash just feel like it. Or other places, much more humbles, without giant Chaos Lords, Stormcast Eternals, etc... just groups of humans trying to survive in a savage land full of magic behemots and creatures, when they are just that, normal humans, elves, etc...
See that's the thing though - if I need a place big enough for WHF themes & tone to exist that isn't WHF, I already have 40K(or could just make up my own setting from scratch without risking being subjected to GW's sales-driven narrative shifts). AoS exists for people who actually like the AoS aesthetic & tone, and for people who want the style of "creative freedom" that is available in 40K but who didn't want to bother doing the worldbuilding to establish a fantasy-ish setting-within-a-setting first. More power to them, but that's not me - I get my "anything goes" kick in 40K, the entire reason that I also liked WHF was it required a different kind of creativity to interact with.
Oh yeah, you are totally right that the three settings have different twists to them. Personally, I like the three of them with WHF being my favourite.
Finished Fulgrim last night as took ages to finish Ruinstorm as Ruinstorm dragged.
Thoughts on Fulgrim:
Spoiler:
Felt like a EC themed rehash of Perturabo's story of conquering a planet with a tiny force, complete with the need for Fulgrim to prove himself. Obviously pre HH the Primarchs were focused on compliance so it is kind of justifiable, but with all the veiled hints Fulgrim makes of a much more intriguing and more importantly different from what we have seen before, past on Earth I would much rather have read about that. Fabius is in the book but blink and you'll miss him, waste of a great character. I'm not sure EC fans will be particularly pleased with how much of an impatient brat the story makes Fulgrim into as well. Still it was a quick, enjoyable read if totally predictable and offered nothing new.
Thoughts on Ruinstorm:
Spoiler:
While this covers four Primarchs you would struggle to prove that the Lion, Guilliman, and Curze are anything other than supporting characters to Sanguinius as he is the clear focus of the novel. It is an interesting look at the impossibilities of the Warp if left unchecked but it felt frankly boring in places. It can't have been an easy book to write as you know all four Primarchs aren't in any real danger as they have firm appointments elsewhere. I would have preferred this had been a novellete that focused on Sanguinius's story, would have felt more focused and sharper.
Quite a coincidence, as I started re-reading Survival Instinct yesterday. Quite happy to see the Redeemer making a return as well, it's the only one (aside from the not funny Kal Jerico books) that I'm missing right now.
Well Redeemer is getting bought for sure, scourge & purge!
As for the others - I've heard they're somewhat hit & miss, which are worth picking up? I was on a WHF kick the first time Necromunda rolled around so I never got into the novels.
From personal experiences the ones to avoid are Salvation and Fleshworks, which are colossal pieces of gak in my opinion. The latter being nothing more than a generic cyberpunk novel with some familiar faction names put in.
Status: Deadzone has good short stories in there, Junktion I recall as being a fun read that didn't revolve around one of the six named houses, Outlander was fun but so predictable and Back from the Dead has zombies in it, can't really remember that one all that much. Survival Instinct is also fun, it delves into the origins of Mad Donna, or at least a version of it.
Great interview. I would love love LOVE LOVE to see a Arik Taranis book. How the Emperor started the Thunder Legions, how he used them, abused them and then tossed them aside when their job was done. That could be a fantastic read.
Now, if the promise of high octane, bloody conquests on an epic scale hasn’t piqued your interests, what if I said the series would let fans delve into the iconic Space Marines like never before? Not only will you get to explore the psyche, mentality and battle tactics of your favourite, established Chapters, but you’ll get to see the Primaris Space Marines in all their Mk X power armoured glory, and how they adjust to life in their new Chapters. In War of Secrets (book 3, coming in 2018), Phil Kelly explores a violent clash of culture and war philosophy between the Dark Angels and their new Primaris brethren, which sees the Primaris question whether the shadowy Chapter that resents their addition is a greater threat to their existence than the T’au they’re fighting.
Are Space marine Conquests replacing the Space Marine Battle novels. is it a re-branding of that line, or hopefully something better and more in depth than bolter porn?
I'm about halfway through Overlords of the Iron Dragon and I'm enjoying it.
Spoiler:
Not sure how much was in the free extract so I'll spoiler tag it anyway, but I loved the picture that CL Werner painted of the Kharadrons losing battle at the onset of the novel. Endrinriggers hanging dead from the tethers that held them to their ships, some of those dead were unmoored during combat and just floating off into the distance, while others have their floaty backpacks destroyed and just plummeting to their deaths. The Kharadrons give as much as they get, until the odds are tipped against them by a giant beastie in thrall to the Arcanites. Pretty brutal stuff, and what awaits them when they crash land may well be worse.
The villians (so far) are kind of run of the mill, not on the level of Josh Reynolds villians, who has a knack for evoking sympathy for even the worst villians. They are colorful because they are Arcanites, but their is nothing that makes me think "I understand this dude". Still only halfway through.
On the good guy front, I do enjoy the banter amongst the the Kharadron crew and how the characters jobs have such an impact on their viewpoints. The Code is primary for all of them and its all about profit, but some of the characters are a bit more rules lawyery and come across as TFG, where others are pretty conservative and by the book. And they still feel like duardin through it all. I was worried that they'd be a too different, but CL does a great job of throwing in some tidbits to remind us that they do have a greater culture outside of their rather cutthroat Kharadron Code. I think I'm getting up to a mutiny, so it will be fun to see how they handle that in more detail than what was in their battletome.
Its heavy Kharadron perspective, with some human tribesmen tagging along for a tiny bit, and some exposition from the villians to get a greater sense of their motivations. Not much worldbuilding though, its almost all on the KO ships.
I've decided to give the overlords book a go - CL Werner wrote some of the best books about WHF, so maybe he can manage what GW haven't and actually get me to like AoS.
Also, a full list of what will be available for preorders at the Open Day is up:
Corsair: The Fate of the Void, Audio book – James Swallow
Rogue Trader: The Omnibus – Andy Hoare
Vampire Wars Omnibus – Steven Saville
Old Earth – Nick Kyme
Kal Jericho Omnibus – Gordon Rennie
The Geld, Audio book – George Mann
Khârn: The Red Path – Chris Dows Titan’s Bane, Audio book – Chris Dows Heirs of the Laughing God: A Deadly Wit, Audio book -Gav Thorpe
The Sundering Omnibus – Gav Thorpe
Angels of Caliban – Gav Thorpe
Dante – Guy Haley
Cadia Stands – Justin D Hill
Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows – Josh Reynolds
Fabius Bile: Primogenitor – Josh Reynolds
Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden – Josh Reynolds
The thing that's most exciting for me is the reprint of Vampire Wars, finding secondhand copies of that omnibus was like panning for gold, and forget finding the separate paperbacks in decent condition.
Now, if the promise of high octane, bloody conquests on an epic scale hasn’t piqued your interests, what if I said the series would let fans delve into the iconic Space Marines like never before? Not only will you get to explore the psyche, mentality and battle tactics of your favourite, established Chapters, but you’ll get to see the Primaris Space Marines in all their Mk X power armoured glory, and how they adjust to life in their new Chapters. In War of Secrets (book 3, coming in 2018), Phil Kelly explores a violent clash of culture and war philosophy between the Dark Angels and their new Primaris brethren, which sees the Primaris question whether the shadowy Chapter that resents their addition is a greater threat to their existence than the T’au they’re fighting.
I love the idea of a book where the DA and their secrecy is addressed as a problem. I want to read this story.
And it is DA vs Tau? Cool!
Now, if the promise of high octane, bloody conquests on an epic scale hasn’t piqued your interests, what if I said the series would let fans delve into the iconic Space Marines like never before? Not only will you get to explore the psyche, mentality and battle tactics of your favourite, established Chapters, but you’ll get to see the Primaris Space Marines in all their Mk X power armoured glory, and how they adjust to life in their new Chapters. In War of Secrets (book 3, coming in 2018), Phil Kelly explores a violent clash of culture and war philosophy between the Dark Angels and their new Primaris brethren, which sees the Primaris question whether the shadowy Chapter that resents their addition is a greater threat to their existence than the T’au they’re fighting.
Damn it that’s just made me buy the dark angles trilogy box for a reread. Hopefully the dark angels will become what they should be now....more mysterious! There’s no way they could have allowed Primaris into their ranks, nor could the blood angles I imagine.
The Siege of Terra will 'probably be a bit more than' three books, and will be covered in novels and novellas
They have written a kill list for characters.
Belisarius Cawl will be seen in the Heresy...
Russ confronts Horus on the Vengeful Spirit - Wolfsbane: The Wyrd Spear Cast
Pre Yarant, lots of references to Beta-Garmin. Linking into various other stories
Book starts on Terra some time after The Khan arrives. Sanguinius has returned. Meanwhile Russ is campaigning against Dorn’s wishes. Russ returns to Fenris to work out how to kill Horus.
Russ’ character has a pivotal point in this book which helps show the difference between Crusade Russ and post Scouring Russ.
Haley is reading an extract, about the discovering of Leman Russ and Fenris by the Emperor and Horus. Sounds so cool. Horus has to accept the idea that he's not the only one...
Slaves To Darkness - John French's upcoming #HorusHeresy novel! Sounds awesome! Set post-Beta Garmon...
It's a who's who of traitor primarchs - Horus, Lorgar, Perturabo, Fulgrim, Magnus, Alpharius (?!), Angron, Mortarion...basically just missing Curze. Looks like it'll show the implications of Chaos on the traitor primarchs...
Blackshields sequel is being recorded
Dan Abnett is actually working on Anarch, the next Gaunt and last of Victory's arc, and after he should work on the next Bequin and Horus Heresy. That's the 2018/19 program
The full panel about future book is later this afternoon s we should get some more news then.. who knows might even hear some non HH news !
reds8n wrote: ... so various bits and bobs thus far from the weekender :
The Siege of Terra will 'probably be a bit more than' three books, and will be covered in novels and novellas
You've missed the important bit: Siege of Terra will be at least 3 books, possibly more. Releases will start towards the later part of 2018
With a numbered HH hard back book every two months at present, and book 48 confirmed as February, than means:
47 - November - Old Earth
48 - Feburary - The Burden of Loyalty
49 - April - Wolfsbane
50 - June - ??
51 - August - Slaves to Darkness
52 - October - first Siege of Terra book
Unless they have a pile of books ready to go and will increase the rate of releases? Entirely possible that Slaves to Darkness is book 50 as they didn't announce another HH title (unless it is Blackshields? Seems wrong), which would be fitting... Seems I was right the Siege was upon us and not tens of books away, I can cope with end of next year.
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
Instead of picking over WHF's carcass, I thought that was evident
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
Instead of picking over WHF's carcass, I thought that was evident
Writing about gotrek isn't "picking" WHFB's carcass once you remember that by the end of Slayer he becomes Grimnir... who's also in Age of Sigmar's lore. My money is on this being set in the age of myth like pantheon.
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
Instead of picking over WHF's carcass, I thought that was evident
If this is the case writing about nagash, sigmar, the everqueen etc is also picking at it carcass. Gotrek is involved he is grimnir if you look at the end of his story in whfb. Plus the shattering of grimnir is a significant event in the lore of AOS and it's likely Gotrek's story is going to deal with that.
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
Instead of picking over WHF's carcass, I thought that was evident
If this is the case writing about nagash, sigmar, the everqueen etc is also picking at it carcass. Gotrek is involved he is grimnir if you look at the end of his story in whfb. Plus the shattering of grimnir is a significant event in the lore of AOS and it's likely Gotrek's story is going to deal with that.
Yes, it is. AoS is not a continuation of WHF in any real meaningful sense, and the continued attempts to tie in little references and rework characters don't change that and only, for me at least, continually serve as a reminder that AoS only exists at the expense of WHF. If they want a clean break as they kept claiming to around AoS launch, then have one. As for Gotrek in particular - I didn't read the final book in the series, after the complete rubbish that was Kinslayer and the fact that by the time Slayer was released the end result of End Times was clear(ie, they were going to kill the setting I enjoyed and replace it with something else) I had no desire to further ruin one of my favourite series, but my understanding based on what folk were saying at the time was that Gotrek *became* Grimnir or somesuch nonsense, in which case why drag him up again now - he's Grimnir, Grimnir gets shattered, everyone in AoS seems to refer to him and know him as Grimnir, so leave Gotrek where he belongs in the Warhammer World with Felix and just write a story about, you know, Grimnir.
Given the precedent set by Chaos being shared across GW IP's, actual Gods are easier to ignore than proper characters that folk spent a lot of time enjoying reading about and so are just about tolerable.
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
Instead of picking over WHF's carcass, I thought that was evident
If this is the case writing about nagash, sigmar, the everqueen etc is also picking at it carcass. Gotrek is involved he is grimnir if you look at the end of his story in whfb. Plus the shattering of grimnir is a significant event in the lore of AOS and it's likely Gotrek's story is going to deal with that.
Yes, it is. AoS is not a continuation of WHF in any real meaningful sense, and the continued attempts to tie in little references and rework characters don't change that and only, for me at least, continually serve as a reminder that AoS only exists at the expense of WHF. If they want a clean break as they kept claiming to around AoS launch, then have one. As for Gotrek in particular - I didn't read the final book in the series, after the complete rubbish that was Kinslayer and the fact that by the time Slayer was released the end result of End Times was clear(ie, they were going to kill the setting I enjoyed and replace it with something else) I had no desire to further ruin one of my favourite series, but my understanding based on what folk were saying at the time was that Gotrek *became* Grimnir or somesuch nonsense, in which case why drag him up again now - he's Grimnir, Grimnir gets shattered, everyone in AoS seems to refer to him and know him as Grimnir, so leave Gotrek where he belongs in the Warhammer World with Felix and just write a story about, you know, Grimnir.
Given the precedent set by Chaos being shared across GW IP's, actual Gods are easier to ignore than proper characters that folk spent a lot of time enjoying reading about and so are just about tolerable.
See the thing is AOS IS a continuation the very first AOS campaign book starts pretty much right after the end times. It IS the same warhammer universe. Grimnir as a god going by eight lamentations is largely dead due to the shattering. Why I am interested is to see how the shattering effected Gotrek and if becoming a god or being part of one has effected him in anyway. Is Gotrek's memories even in intact? Etc.
Hell grungi is the same Grungi from whfb and almost reminiscences about his family(In eight lamentations) but his memory is so messed up being a old god.
Fair enough you don't like it but that's where the story is going.
I love the idea of Gotrek stories set in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar! Glad to know that is coming, since I have occasionally wondered what Gotrek got up to after the End Times.
In addition, I can not wait for more Vampire and other undead stuff to read!
8) Audio drama / 4 CD set about Gotrek in the Mortal Realms !!! (but without poor Felix)
You killed WHF, ffs stop picking over the carcass and come up with some new ideas.
They are unless you ignored the whole list of other stories coming out for the setting.
Thinking about it I am quite interested since gotrek is grimnir or part of him and we don't know exactly what happened when he shattered when facing the godbeast so I hope this leads into some fyreslayer lore. Looking at the ending for Gotrek and the shattering of Grimnir I think it's likely GW planned this they left the door open for Gotrek.
Instead of picking over WHF's carcass, I thought that was evident
If this is the case writing about nagash, sigmar, the everqueen etc is also picking at it carcass. Gotrek is involved he is grimnir if you look at the end of his story in whfb. Plus the shattering of grimnir is a significant event in the lore of AOS and it's likely Gotrek's story is going to deal with that.
Yes, it is. AoS is not a continuation of WHF in any real meaningful sense, and the continued attempts to tie in little references and rework characters don't change that and only, for me at least, continually serve as a reminder that AoS only exists at the expense of WHF. If they want a clean break as they kept claiming to around AoS launch, then have one. As for Gotrek in particular - I didn't read the final book in the series, after the complete rubbish that was Kinslayer and the fact that by the time Slayer was released the end result of End Times was clear(ie, they were going to kill the setting I enjoyed and replace it with something else) I had no desire to further ruin one of my favourite series, but my understanding based on what folk were saying at the time was that Gotrek *became* Grimnir or somesuch nonsense, in which case why drag him up again now - he's Grimnir, Grimnir gets shattered, everyone in AoS seems to refer to him and know him as Grimnir, so leave Gotrek where he belongs in the Warhammer World with Felix and just write a story about, you know, Grimnir.
Given the precedent set by Chaos being shared across GW IP's, actual Gods are easier to ignore than proper characters that folk spent a lot of time enjoying reading about and so are just about tolerable.
It's a continuation whether you want it or not. But anyway, the Neave novel sounds fun and I hope they keep that cover for the Neferata novel. That's a pretty cover indeed.
Some more info on Blood of Iax.
It follows two Ultramarine Primaris blood-brothers, Kastor and Polixis, who were born to the same parents on the agri-world of Iax. Both were the first Primaris recruited from Ultramar, but now they tread different paths, Kastor the black of the chaplain and Polixis the white of the apothecary. They are fighting greenskins on the industrial world of Ikara, led by a monster named Urgork - an “ork” truly unlike any other…
and a masssive thanks to Mr Walker for the following
Dan Abnett
-The Magos is set 5-10 years prior to Pariah and will explore why Eisenhorn has ended up the way he has. It is NOT an optional novel, there will be an event in it that is pivotal to the Bequin trilogy. A big part of The Magos will be turning Cherubael into an actual character rather than the malevolent deus ex machina that he was in the original trilogy.
-The Magos actually was an accidental creation. Dan originally was asked to write a new short story about Eisenhorn and a new short about Ravenor for an anthology collection. He started work on the Eisenhorn one and found that he'd written a novella, so the Ravenor story was cut, and he kept writing without looking at the word count. By the end he'd written 97,000 words! So it is actually possible to accidentally write a book.
-One story confirmed to be in the anthology is the Strange Demise of Titus Endor, Dan also said he'd love to write more stories about the retinues of both Inquisitors like Harlon Nayl, etc. His favourite however is Kara Swole.
-Thinks Mark Strong would be a good Eisenhorn, definitely has the presence.
-Dan is working on Penitent as his first priority. The third Bequin novel also has a title, Pandemonium.
-Penitent will explore the new members of both Inquisitors retinues like Deathrow, but also ones we haven't seen yet. Both are working with people they'd rather not.
-By the end Dan wants us, maybe, to feel sorry for Cherubael who he described as "irrevocably bound to Eisenhorn in more ways than one".
-Dan did not rule out a Sabbat Crusade type anthology for Eisenhorn, Ravenor and Bequin in the future, i.e an anthology where the other authors contribute all the stories.
Andy Clark
-Is currently working on a Neave Blacktalon novel that will be the first female led Age of Sigmar novel. He told me that Neave, and the Vanguards as a whole, while not being completely anomalous are not the best representation of their Stormhosts, in the same way that a Space Marine Scout isn't necessarily a typical example of his Chapter.
-Confirmed that Alicia Kar Manticos would return in Knightsblade and says he wants to introduce more female characters into 40k, plans to include them in as many novels as he can.
-Said he would like to do more with Kassar and the Unsung from Shroud of Night.
Chris Dows -Is currently working on an audio sequel to The Red Path about the Angels Eradicant to show what happened to them as the Salandraxis Slaughter went on, and how it ended for them.
-Specifically wrote Lozepath to be as nasty as possible, wanted readers to hate him and make him out as worse than Kharn, who while on the side of evil has a martial code of honour that Lozepath does not.
-Said he would love to do more Kharn in the future.
-Apparently has a few more audios in the pipeline.
CL Werner
-Would like to get back to the Skaven in AoS and see them fleshed out more in the new setting beyond Clan Pestilens.
-Says that the Kharadron Overlords are primarily financially driven, and enough so that they would work with Chaos if the profit potential was good enough. But also they are much more forward thinking than traditional Dwarves, for example if it had been Kharadron at the end of his novel Thanquol's Doom they would not have locked away the newly invented machine-gun turrets, but instead mass produced them. An inventor screwing up doesn't mean his inventions are worthless.
-Agreed that the original Dwarves were doomed from the start because they refused to innovate. Their Ancestors were great because they themselves had no Ancestors to venerate, so they had to innovate. The succeeding generations forgot that.
-Is currently working on an Order of Azyr novel, the new Witch Hunters. Said they are very different from Thulmann.
Phil Kelly
-Working on the sequel to Farsight that will cover Arthas Moloch and the Tau meeting Chaos for the first time.
-Says he sees the Ethereals as ultimately having good intentions, but aren't necessarily nice guys about it. Agreed that despite that, Aun'va is a dick, albeit one whose on the side of good, just authoritarian. Aun'shi is a nice guy though. The Ethereals ultimately don't think the Tau could handle the truth of the universe, but agreed that Farsight and Shadowsun at least would have been able to had the Ethereals trusted them with that knowledge, it might even have meant Farsight wouldn't have left.
-Confirmed Farsight doesn't know exactly what the Dawn Blade does to him, he has suspicions as does Shadowsun, but if he learned exactly how it keeps him alive he would kill himself. But he would do it ritually with the blade which would then keep him alive, so supreme irony. Also since he's killed Daemons with the blade, he's functionally immortal. Age can never kill him.
-Talked a bit about Kais, the third part of the triad of Tau heroes. He will be the antagonist of his upcoming Space Marine Conquests novel War of Secrets, and told me that when he and Shadowsun were cryogenically frozen his pod malfunctioned and he was awake in stasis for three-hundred years, and did nothing but run battle simulations and calculations in his head. As a result is he "scary" and very capable. Monat means Army of One and Kelly described him as an extremely dangerous warrior. I compared Farsight and Shadowsun to commanders and Kais to a commando and he agreed that the analogy worked. Also wanted to infer that Kais is indeed O'Kais from Dawn of War; Dark Crusade, but not outright state it.
Gav Thorpe
-Currently working on the sequel to Ghost Warrior, titled Wild Rider. The novel will feature Saim-Hann and the Ynnari teaming up to fight Necrons.
-Talked a bit about Saim-Hann, it was one of the last Craftworlds that Asurmen and the PLs visited, so it had already built a culture for itself, i.e the clans and riders, etc. They also don't trust seers as a rule and their own often have to go behind everyones backs to get stuff done.
-Aradryan will be returning as a member of the Ynnari and will serve as the "noob" POV.
-Also working on Imperator, the sequel to Warlord: Fury of the God-Machine.
-Says that a Necron series is definitely possible given both the increased freedom the authors have now and the fact that the Necrons actually have a personality now as opposed to their previous lore.
-Lesser Xenos like Hrud and Rak'gol would need fan support, but he sees no reason why they couldn't appear as supporting villains in novels with more recognisable big bads (like the Lotaxl working for Chaos in Gaunt's Ghosts), and that could be the gateway to getting them top billing in future novels.
-Also says that he doesn't know if he will be writing the next Phoenix Lords novel, or that it is definitely about Maugan Ra. The series may jump around a bit.
Robbie MacNiven
-Working on Outer Dark, sequel to Red Tithe. Where the sequel featured a Red Tithe, a Carcharodons recruiting drive, the sequel will feature a Great Tithe, a good example of one being when the Carcharodons stripped the Mantis Warrior worlds of every resource they could. Tyberos will also appear and fight a bit, Hunger and Slake confirmed to be appearing!
-We will also learn a bit about the Carcharodons connections with the Mechanicus.
-Says there IS an actual answer on who the Carcharodons came from, unlike the Missing Primarchs, and that some have guessed it correctly, but wouldn't confirm. Also wasn't sure if it would ever be confirmed. (Also Aaron DB said he and Alan Bligh actually wrote that part so he knows the answer.)
-Would like to pitch an AoS series based around Archaon and the Varanguard, explore the Varanspire and what goes on there. He and I agreed that Archaon is one of the few, if not the only one, who would remember Warhammer, it's not a myth to him but rather his childhood and early years.
-The fourth Space Marine Conquests book is one of Robbie's and is titled Blood of Iax, it will be about two Ultramarines who are blood brothers and feature lots of Primaris (as will the entire series).
David Annandale
-Has just finished the first draft of Vulkan: Lord of Drakes, and says part of it is about the Nocturnean and Terran Salamanders meeting for the first time.
-Has also finished a short novel about Neferata in AoS. Says that while it is shorter than the average novel, think around City of Secrets sized, if it sells well there is a plan for a full trilogy that would be closer to the average BL page count.
-I asked him if he thinks Josh's theory that the Mortarchs are just pieces of Nagash given form and will based on the Death God's memories is true, said that it wouldn't inform the book since he never wrote Warhammer fantasy in the first place and just wants to focus on AoS.
-Will be starting the third Crowe novel soon. Castellan will be out early 2018 and will be about Crowe and the GKs adapting to the new galactic situation. With Daemon invasions happening everywhere the secret about Chaos is out and the GK's modus operandi is going to have to change. He also said that he was writing this book as the Dark Millennium was being written and only learned about it halfway through, fortunately the novel needed a big background event to drive it and thus Annandale didn't have to rewrite any of the book.
-Canoness Setheno will return in Castellan.
Chris Wraight
-Currently working on a 40k Death Guard series, the first novel is called The Lords of Silence. He couldn't tell me anything about it though except it might, emphasis on might, be out in 2018.
-Talked a lot about Terra and said that despite it's decrepit state, if many of the characters in the books learned what it was really like they wouldn't care in the long run because Terra's symbolism is more important than its actual reality.
Aaron Dembski-Bowden
-Hard at work on The Emperor's Spears, which he went into very nice detail on. They are an Ultramarines successor that he compared to the British Celts after the romanisation of them failed. They don't give a damn about the Ultramarines or Guilliman (they don't believe he's back and apparently their reaction to learning that it's true is to ask if he's coming to help them, otherwise they don't care). They've been in Imperium Nihilus for one-hundred years without reinforcements, their Primaris Marines all died trying to cross the Great Rift and the Custodes escort was only able to give them the formula to create more, which didn't go smoothly at first.
-They aren't great fans of the Imperium at the minute, and they don't like the Mentor Legion having the colours of their dead brother-chapter the Star Scorpions. They frequently worked with the fallen Scorpions and the rebuilding Celestial Lions, and have a custom that if a brother serves a long period of time with one of those Chapters he adds their iconography onto part of his armour.
-The Lions are still rebuilding but the Rift has made it much harder. They however aren't pissed at the Imperium like the Spears are because of the reinforcement issues.
-Has no plans for Age of Sigmar and though he loves the Stormcast figures, admitted he doesn't know much about their background.
John French
-The next HH novel is one of John's and is titled Slaves to Darkness (he was very happy with getting such an iconic title) and will be a primarily Traitors novel. It will be set just after Horus has taken Beta-Garmon and will revolve around him marshalling his forces and bringing the wayward Primarchs back into the fold and readying his forces for Terra. The other Traitor Primarchs are all off doing their own thing and Horus needs to put a stop to it as things are beginning to unravel.
-Also working on the second Covenant novel, Horusian Wars: Incarnation, and says part of the novel will be about other Radicals opposing the Horusians. Also said that the trilogy, despite having his name, is not really about Covenant but rather the people who follow him.
-Also says that Horusianism has been eradicated in the past but as an idea it is impossible to actually destroy. A 40k Horusian could be unrecognisable to a 30k Horusian though as the idea will have changed down the millennia. Agreed that Abaddon could be a good example of the Horusian ideal achieved, but in-universe not all would agree. Also some of them may have known about Bile and his Clone Horus.
-Posited the idea that Covenant's Thorianism is not actually different from Horusianism, both revolve around a powerful being with command of the Warp. Said that if the Emperor were resurrected as Covenant wants, what is brought back may be vastly different to what they expect given that the Emperor wasn't a nice guy when he was alive, and after 10,000 years of pain and misery, what remains of him may not be to anyone's liking.
James Swallow
-Working on more Rogue Trader audios and agreed with me that they deserve more stories written about them, they are such a big part of the wider 40k universe (the first to get an RPG) and yet they've only ever had three novels written about them.
-Would like to return to Rafen as he feels the Blood Angel's story isn't done yet. Also said he would have done more with the Flesh Tearers but then Andy Smillie started doing stories with them and he wanted to give Andy freer reign to write what he wanted without also writing about them. So Sergeant Noxx returning is unlikely.
Guy Haley
-Next project is Wolfsbane, a HH novel that will be about Leman Russ returning to Fenris (against the advice of Dorn and the other loyalists at Terra) to plot an attack against Horus. Will explain why the Wolves were not at Terra.
-Guy read the prologue in a seminar though I was not there for that and it was about the Emperor and Horus finding Russ together. He was the second Primarch found and the prologue sets up Horus having to deal with the fact that he isn't an only child. Wolfsbane is not far off and will be released in 2018.
-Said that Dante would be pissed at what the Blood Drinkers are doing to stave off the Flaw, but that it would be tough to determine whether the Drinkers (Who only kill one guy per campaign or so) or the Angels Vermillion (who harvest Imperial citizens and kill thousands every half century) he would think is worse. But if Dante knew the whole truth behind the Blood Drinkers he would definitely wipe them out.
David Guymer
-Is currently working on a Stormcast series about Hamilcar Bear-Eater, the Lord-Castellant from his Hunt for Mannfred audios who has now become a Knight-Questor. He is apparently an incredible figure worthy of song and legend, or as Guymer described him "The Ciaphas Cain of AoS". He is popular among the editors as well, and there will be t-shirts available in the future.
-Is also working on a four-part audio drama that will feature the return of Gotrek Gurnisson but in Age of Sigmar. Felix was confirmed to not be returning (given that he was mortal by this point he's probably long dead regardless of his actual fate). Gotrek will apparently have a special voice actor that the editors are very excited about getting, they hinted it was someone involved with The Archers, but they were mum about who.
Josh Reynolds
--Josh's Blackshields audio drama is the first part of a series and the sequel is titled Blackshields: Red Fief, and will be about Endryd Haar meeting an old friend from the World Eaters.
-His previously LE novel Nagash: The Undying King that was only available at Warhammer World or events will be coming to paperback next year.
-Also working on a new AoS series called Silver Shards (I think), but no information on what it's about.
Others
-All of the authors and editors agree that the Battle of Terra will be a colossal event and will require multiple books, a trilogy at the absolute least but it's much more likely to be more than that, to tell. Anthologies are also a possibility.
-Sandy Mitchell is returning to Black Library and is already working on the 10th Ciaphas Cain novel, Choose Your Enemies. No further information on it. I also asked Kyme if Sandy's return meant that the third Dark Heresy novel may one day be written, he didn't rule it out but said that only time would tell.
-Mike Lee is also returning with a new series about the Crimson Fists, the first book is titled Legacy of Dorn, set after Rynn's World. It is set before the Dark Millennium so it will not feature Primaris, but will feature the characters from his Traitor's Gorge novella.
-The sequel to Darius Hinks' Mephiston: Blood of Sanguinius is coming and is titled Mephiston: Revenant Crusade.
-Sons of the Hydra by Rob Sanders is a standalone novel about the Alphas, not the start of a series. This comes from Nick Kyme.
-There is a new AoS trilogy being worked on featuring the lead characters from City of Secrets. I think that it is being penned by Nick Horth but I didn't get confirmation on that.
-Andy Smillie is working on more Flesh Tearers stuff and there is an audio titled Hunger already confirmed. It will feature Gabriel Seth and other characters from his previous works.
-George Mann is working on more Raven Guard stuff as well, an audio called Soulbound was confirmed.
-Ian St. Martin is also working on an audio-drama titled Taker of Heads that will be about the Mortifactors Chapter from Warriors of Ultramar. Kyme was quite excited about this one.
Not terribly impressed with the focus being on Primaris marines -- inevitable really however -- but we'll see how they develop.
-Talked a bit about Kais, the third part of the triad of Tau heroes. He will be the antagonist of his upcoming Space Marine Conquests novel War of Secrets, and told me that when he and Shadowsun were cryogenically frozen his pod malfunctioned and he was awake in stasis for three-hundred years, and did nothing but run battle simulations and calculations in his head. As a result is he "scary" and very capable. Monat means Army of One and Kelly described him as an extremely dangerous warrior. I compared Farsight and Shadowsun to commanders and Kais to a commando and he agreed that the analogy worked. Also wanted to infer that Kais is indeed O'Kais from Dawn of War; Dark Crusade, but not outright state it.
-Says he sees the Ethereals as ultimately having good intentions, but aren't necessarily nice guys about it. Agreed that despite that, Aun'va is a dick, albeit one whose on the side of good, just authoritarian. Aun'shi is a nice guy though. The Ethereals ultimately don't think the Tau could handle the truth of the universe, but agreed that Farsight and Shadowsun at least would have been able to had the Ethereals trusted them with that knowledge, it might even have meant Farsight wouldn't have left.
Yes plis. Less moustache twirling villains and more "We have good intentions but this is a savage galaxy and sacrifices must be made" for the Tau Ethereals.
Cain makes a return? Let me guess.. he makes a remark about wanting to be anywhere but at that perilous moment, Jurgen is as smelly as ever and while they are fighting one opponent in the open, another will be unveiled around halfway through to shake things up again.
Anything missing from the format writing checklist?
Llamahead wrote: Amberley turning up at some point to cause more havoc?
That or another disposable love interest pops up to spice things up, something the footnotes will no doubt tear into with much gusto.
Knockagh wrote: No word on any more from the vaults of terra?
Good call! I really enjoyed the first one and while the arcs of the characters involved have been nicely resolved, Terra is a big place, plenty of others to explore it with.
Eugh, Gotrek in AOS? No author has done him justice since King, and with no Felix there's no point. Godlike Gotrek thousand of years into the future might be a very different character...but that just means they should have started writing about a very different character. If they want to mine my WHFB nostalgia, they should write some more books set in the Old World and classify AOS as an alternate timeline or something.
BrookM wrote: Cain makes a return? Let me guess.. he makes a remark about wanting to be anywhere but at that perilous moment, Jurgen is as smelly as ever and while they are fighting one opponent in the open, another will be unveiled around halfway through to shake things up again.
Anything missing from the format writing checklist?
Jurgen's not exactly a sparkling conversationalist. He groundhrough the buffet like a wood chipper with a sack of dog meat.
Finished The Devastation of Baal. Recommended for BA fans (lots of background info about BA and their successors, Baal and its moons etc.). If you are not into BA then it is better to skip it as constant telling about Thirst/Rage can be rather boring/frustrating. Also if you (like me) are Tyranids fans and want to read it just for their fluff then you would be better served reading info from nids latest codex (you would also save yourselves author's mistakes about nids units etc.). For those that asked if it is a beginning of Space Marines Battles 2.0 - if I should judge it after just 1 book then the answer is yes. I will also add that my favourite (and the only one that I liked) character was killed in the middle of the book.
Some good stuff to look forward to thanks for all the info from Mr Walker and co
Happy to see Sandy Mitchel back at BL and looking forward to some more Cain / Amberley novels. Also would love to read a 3rd DH novel
Would have preferred Josh Reynolds to write Neferata but will see what DA makes of her (I did not like CLW's version at all), I did enjoy his Yarrick novels so crossed fingers.
Not managed to pick up the Undying King at FW so will def get as a paperback.
and says he wants to introduce more female characters into 40k, plans to include them in as many novels as he can
BL has always been well ahead of the main rules in this - good to see it continue.
No mention of a sequel to Spear of Shadows? - my fav AOS book with a great cast.
Obvious answer is 'no', and I don't think BL/GW would or should be particularly worried about it.
While it is a joke, the woman's face is clearly lifted from a frame of Mad Max Fury Road. It's maybe not as obvious as that Star Wars painting traced over Lord of the Rings, but it's pretty clear.
Automatically Appended Next Post: By lifted, I mean the artist used her as a reference and did not change her facial features. It's on par with the famous Scarfsce WH40k painting.
Glad to see Sandy Mitchell back. Maybe now they can come out with Cain Omnibus 3.
Sad that Phil Kelly is still writing Tau.
Cant wait for Imperator by Thorpe, and Titan's Bane. Still think that Tank crew would be a great place to start adding females to the Guard range, as a torso and head or three would be an easy add to sprues.
Finished HH: Old Earth. Third, final and the best book in Vulkan's trilogy. This time we are spared ''Vulkan lives!'' (and other Salamander nonsense) every few sentences. Many plots/subplots from both trilogy and other novels are concluded here. Certain Warleader, Farseer and Vigilator play very important roles. We are very close to Siege and the homeworld is not as safe as many think.
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished HH: Old Earth. Third, final and the best book in Vulkan's trilogy. This time we are spared ''Vulkan lives!'' (and other Salamander nonsense) every few sentences. Many plots/subplots from both trilogy and other novels are concluded here. Certain Warleader, Farseer and Vigilator play very important roles. We are very close to Siege and the homeworld is not as safe as many think.
Yeah, there is lots of good and some terrible lore nuggets in Old Earth. I wish they had given this book to somebody decent to write as it is wasted on Nick. I could go into all of the bad choices made in this book but it is pretty depressing.
Book 50 or 51 for the Siege to start, long over due now.
It was my birthday today and the good lady and kids made me an extra cake to look like a Skyrim book, they tried a Horus Heresy book but it didn’t work out. Strangely I haven’t found out what happened the failured cakes..,, but anyway I have a Skyrim book/cake! Lovely
That’s it! Or maybe they are being released in limited edition buns which will later be pooled together for a big old cake. Who knows, my guess is they were ate by ravenous hordes.
Knockagh wrote: That’s it! Or maybe they are being released in limited edition buns which will later be pooled together for a big old cake. Who knows, my guess is they were ate by ravenous hordes.
More likely they couldn't get the consistency right, some were really really tasty and some tasted like the sawdust from Bugmans after the Orks vs. Dwarf game.
I questioned the Mrs today on the whereabouts of the Heresy cakes..... she claims they were left far too long in the oven got swollen and bloated losing most of their flavour......apparently the mix was perfect and it went into the oven looking great. Just was left too long in the oven and it got filled with hot air.
Knockagh wrote: I questioned the Mrs today on the whereabouts of the Heresy cakes..... she claims they were left far too long in the oven got swollen and bloated losing most of their flavour......apparently the mix was perfect and it went into the oven looking great. Just was left too long in the oven and it got filled with hot air.
Sounds like about half of the actual HH novels then... Accidentally baked Battle of the Abyss?
For several of the last few years, the Advent Calendar has included both eBook and MP3 audio dramas, and this year is no different – except that there are more audio dramas than ever before! This time around, no fewer than 10 of the 24 stories are full-cast audio adventures, complete with music and sound effects. We can reveal that three of these are Primarchs stories (of which only two are, strictly speaking, about primarchs…), and three are set in the haunted depths of the Mirrored City of Shadespire.
Of the remaining four audio dramas, let’s just say that two feature big names from the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and the other two both star the same character from a lesser-known Space Marines Chapter, in two very different stories.
What of the 14 eBook Quick Reads? Well, there are five from the Mortal Realms, including tie-ins to several existing and forthcoming novels, such as a new tale of Hamilcar Bear-Eater and a sneak peek at what David Annandale has planned for Neferata…
The Dark Imperium plays host to four of the Quick Reads, covering such treats as a last stand of Adeptus Astartes, a look at the Cadians in the wake their planet’s destruction, and a tale of the Ynnari by Gav Thorpe.
Lastly, there are five Horus Heresy stories, each set in and around the Imperial Palace in the last days, weeks and months before the arrival of Horus. Each covers a very different set of characters – including the Imperial Fists, Custodians, Malcador and, dare we say it, the Emperor Himself – but they all share common themes and set the mood on Terra as the clock counts down…
As you can see, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy in this year’s Black Library Advent Calendar, with more action, drama and excitement than you can shake a tainted axe at, as well as explorations of some settings and ideas that Black LIbrary have never ventured into before – it’s sure to be an exciting month.
As with previous years, you’ll be able to buy each story separately, but if you want them all – and want to save a Land Raider-load of money in the process – you’ll also be able to subscribe to the entire Advent Calendar, getting you instant access to each new story every morning, and at a single great price. Come back on Friday to find out more about that, and to see what the first story is. Here’s a hint: it involves a well-known warrior with a penchant for a particular metal and a bit of a rivalry with some guys who like the colour yellow…
BrookM wrote: Always on the fence whether or not to get them..
I personally wouldn't bother with the subscription. But this is mainly because the heresy doesn't interest me and I only pick a few nuggets of 40k. You don't save up much when half of what you get is something you don't want to begin with.
The recent HH short story compilations are decent if you haven't read too many of the short stories but the last good novel was back with book 41, Master of Mankind. Everything else since that isn't a compilation you could read a plot synopsis online and skip without missing anything of value. I would suggest doing that when the Siege books arrive next year if you are behind, no point somebody else wasting their time reading the last few novels.
Day 1: Perturabo: Stone and Iron by Robbie MacNiven
Day 2: A Warhammer 40,000 Quick Read by Chris Wraight
Day 3: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama by David Annandale
Day 4: A Horus Heresy Quick Read by Guy Haley
Day 5: A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama by John French
Day 6: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar Quick Read by David Guymer
Day 7: A Horus Heresy Quick Read by Chris Wraight
Day 8: A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama by Andy Smillie
Day 9: A Horus Heresy Quick Read by John French
Day 10: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar Quick Read by C L Werner
Day 11: A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama by Ben Counter
Day 12: A Horus Heresy Quick Read by Nick Kyme
Day 13: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar Quick Read by Nick Horth
Day 14: A Primarchs audio drama by L J Goulding
Day 15: A Warhammer 40,000 Quick Read by Justin D Hill
Day 16: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama by David Guymer
Day 17: A Warhammer 40,000 Quick Read by Robbie MacNiven
Day 18: A Warhammer 40,000 audio drama by C Z Dunn
Day 19: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar Quick Read by Josh Reynolds
Day 20: A Warhammer 40,000 Quick Read by Gav Thorpe
Day 21: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar Quick Read by David Annandale
Day 22: A Primarchs audio drama by Ian St Martin
Day 23: A Horus Heresy Quick Read by Gav Thorpe
Day 24: A Warhammer Age of Sigmar audio drama by Guy Haley
Day 5 will probably be the one I'm most interested in.
Chris Wraight returns to the Death Guard (the antagonists of his Space Wolves novels) in a tale of Space Marines pushed to their very limits and beyond.
.. maybe we will get an end to that series/story then eh ?
As Terra awaits the inevitable assault by Horus' armies, Imperial Fists patrols find their greatest day to day challenges come from dealing with the heightened defences and with civilians unhappy with the new focus on war.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a story that only Guy Haley could write, getting in the heads of Space Marines on Terra's walls, and showing the devastating effects of waiting for an uncertain assault.
THE STORY
On Terra, the Imperial Palace awaits war. Since the Alpha Legion infiltrated the mighty structure, the Imperial Fists have upped their patrols, defences have been tightened and the planet prepares for the coming of Horus. Four primarchs stand ready to defend the Throneworld. But the enemy do not come. As the situation worsens and morale drops, Captain Maximus Thane and his company are forced to deal with a civilian riot – with tragic consequences.
Thousand Sons sorcerer Ahzek Ahriman studies an ancient construct of the necrontyr race – but the necron is studying him right back, and has plans of its own…
LISTEN TOIT BECAUSE
It's a classic time loop story starring Ahriman and the necrons – and suggests terrifying things about Ahriman's potential mastery over space and time.
THE STORY
On the warship Messenger of Hermes, Ahzek Ahriman and his servant Ignis study a most unusual prisoner – a metal construct containing the consciousness of a member of a long extinct race – the necrontyr. As they interrogate the necron Setekh, he is also learning about them – over and over again as he uses ancient techonology to relive the moment and plot his escape. Will he succeed, or will Ahriman prevail?
Written by John French. Running time: 18 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Steve Conlin Jonathan Keeble and Saul Reichlin.
First up is a new Primarchs novel in its initial limited edition form. Jaghatai Khan: Warhawk of Chogoris is by Chris Wraight (author of Scars and The Path of Heaven, which also star the Khan) and shows the pull between duty and personal beliefs that characterises the Khan. It’s focused on the implementation of the Librarius in the Legions, and the conflict this causes – sounds fascinating to us.
Sadly limited edition first, so I'll wait for the regular edition to drop, but I really, really want to read this one as it features super-bro Yesugei.
Finished Rise of the Ynnari: Ghost Warrior. Recommended for Eldar fans (others can skip it). There is many interesting info about Eldar past, how the many sub-factions of Ynnari are interacting with eachother, what Yvraine or Visarch are thinking about their mission etc. You also get to visit the most important location from Eldar lore.
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished Rise of the Ynnari: Ghost Warrior. Recommended for Eldar fans (others can skip it). There is many interesting info about Eldar past, how the many sub-factions of Ynnari are interacting with eachother, what Yvraine or Visarch are thinking about their mission etc. You also get to visit the most important location from Eldar lore.
I read and enjoyed it as well despite not being a particularly big Eldar fan but I can see why you say that.
Spoiler:
I did think that it was a bit of a waste doing all that cool world building for the new craftworld Zaithustra only to immediately destroy it!
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished Rise of the Ynnari: Ghost Warrior. Recommended for Eldar fans (others can skip it). There is many interesting info about Eldar past, how the many sub-factions of Ynnari are interacting with eachother, what Yvraine or Visarch are thinking about their mission etc. You also get to visit the most important location from Eldar lore.
It’s a corker of a read. Gav is great at Eldar. I’m slightly disappointed he has hinted he won’t be doing the next Phoenix Lords book. But I suppose he only has so much time.
The new and progressing Eldar lore has for me been the highlight of the nu 40k.
Key of Infinity
THE STORY
On the warship Messenger of Hermes, Ahzek Ahriman and his servant Ignis study a most unusual prisoner – a metal construct containing the consciousness of a member of a long extinct race – the necrontyr. As they interrogate the necron Setekh, he is also learning about them – over and over again as he uses ancient techonology to relive the moment and plot his escape. Will he succeed, or will Ahriman prevail?
'Hey, we need to come up with a name for this new Necron character.'
'Nah. Just re-use one from a couple of years ago. Nobody will notice. No need to put extra effort into it.'
'Great plan!'.
Or perhaps we've just totally run out of possible names, so we have to start recycling them?
Duty Waits and Magisterium are both great little shorts. Duty Waits shows how Terra is changing while waiting for Horus’s attack, and Magisterium is about the Custodes after the Webway war and has a couple of Valdor/Primarch interactions.
Tracking the stolen contents of a Chaos warrior's tomb, a pair of Sigmarite witch hunters are drawn into a deadly conflict that leads to bloodshed and damnation.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a look at the witch hunters of Azyr in the Mortal Realms, and at the ways in which the Dark Gods spread their influence over the innocent and peaceful.
THE STORY
Amidst the metal sands of the blazing deserts of Droost, a pair of witch hunters from the Order of Azyr discover the looted tomb of a champion of the Dark Gods – a tomb that is missing an ancient and dangerous artefact. As the pair set out to find who took the relic and see it destroyed, they find a trail of devastation and carnage – and daemonic trickery. Led to a peaceful oasis in the heart of the desert, the witch takers are drawn into a deadly conflict that will lead to untold bloodshed and damnation…
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished Rise of the Ynnari: Ghost Warrior. Recommended for Eldar fans (others can skip it). There is many interesting info about Eldar past, how the many sub-factions of Ynnari are interacting with eachother, what Yvraine or Visarch are thinking about their mission etc. You also get to visit the most important location from Eldar lore.
I read and enjoyed it as well despite not being a particularly big Eldar fan but I can see why you say that.
Spoiler:
I did think that it was a bit of a waste doing all that cool world building for the new craftworld Zaithustra only to immediately destroy it!
I spotted a major continuity error in Ghost Walker. Althenian, the Wraithlord companion to Iyanna, and who is a major character in the story, actually returned to his newly reconstructed Aspect Shrine and new suit of Exarch armor in Guy Haley's novel Valedor, which was set before the rise of Yvraine (i.e. over 100 years or more before Ghost Walker). Althenian had just been waiting for his shrine to be rebuilt before returning.
Unless it's handwaved away as the shrine and armor are destroyed again
This is the second major continuity error I have spotted in Gav Thorpe's Eldar books. The first being in Jain Zar.
Maybe I should offer my services as continuity checker?
Callis and Toll: The Old Ways
A Warhammer Age of Sigmar story
Agents Callis and Toll of the Order of Azyr investigate a murder in the marshlands – one that could have dire consequences for an entire community.
READ IT BECAUSE
A pair of characters from 'City of Secrets' get top billing in their own story – and it's just the first of many.
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THE STORY
Agents Callis and Toll of the Order of Azyr venture into the vast marshlands east of the grand city of Excelis to investigate the death of the noble son of one of two warring clans. Was his death a tragic accident or vicious murder? A full-scale uprising could result if they're not careful – and this would cause untold death as the Stormcast Eternals get involved. So it falls to Callis and Toll to uncover the truths and save thousands of lives.
Written by Nick Horth
Automatically Appended Next Post: The Advent Calendar so far, and a Christmas teaser
We’re now more than halfway through the Black Library Advent Calendar, and it’s been quite a ride so far. We’ve had tales from the Great Crusade, the Horus Heresy, the 41st Millennium and the Mortal Realms – including the Mirrored City of Shadespire. In case you’ve not been keeping up, here’s a quick rundown.
Day 1 saw us head back to the Great Crusade for a Primarchs audio drama, ‘Perturbo: Stone and Iron’, which pitted Perturabo against some nasty enemies – and saw him use his Imperial Fists rivals to teach new recruits a lesson about the nature of their respective Legions. On Day 2, ‘Endurance’ had the Death Guard bring horror to the tired defenders of an Imperial world, while Day 3 took us to Shadespire as both a Stormcast Eternal and a Khorne Bloodreaver experienced memories of another life in ‘Doombound’.
On Day 4,‘Duty Waits’ gave some fantastic insight into the minds of the Imperial Fists patrolling the walls of Terra as they await Horus’ arrival. Day 5’s ‘Key of Infinity’ was an Ahriman story that pitted his wits against an ancient Necron Cryptek, with time-twisting results. And Day 6 heralded the triumphant return of Hamilcar Bear-Eater (self-proclaimed greatest of all the Stormcast Eternals) in ‘Gods’ Gift’.
‘Magisterium’ returned us to Terra on Day 7, as Constantin Valdor struggled to find a place for the Custodian Guard in the impending Siege of Terra. On Day 8, the Flesh Tearers faced ruin as a cabal organised ‘The Assassination of Gabriel Seth’, while Day 9 was back to Terra once more, for a look at Rogal Dorn as the last hours before Horus’ arrival tick down in ‘Now Peals Midnight’. What is he really afraid of…?
Day 10’s ‘The Witch Takers’ was a rollicking adventure ride across a desert in the Mortal Realms, in search of an artefact of Chaos. ‘Heart of Decay’ on Day 11 was a creepy audio drama featuring the Chaos-obsessed Relictors interrogating a captured Death Guard, and yesterday’s ‘Dreams of Unity’ took a different look at Terra, through the eyes of one of the last Thunder Warriors, fighting in the gladiatorial pits.
Today’s tale, ‘Callis and Toll: The Old Ways’, is a semi-sequel to the novel City of Secrets, and written by that book’s author, Nick Horth. It sees the eponymous pair of Order of Azyr operatives hunting down a killer, and unravelling a plot that could destabilise the lands around Excelis.
So that’s the Advent Calendar so far, and with eleven days still to run, who knows what wonders await? (Well, we do, but we’re not telling.) You can experience every story so far, and secure the remaining ones for yourself, with the Advent Subscription, which is not only a cracking collection but also gets you nine of the Quick Reads free – bargain.
Although we’re not going to reveal what’s coming in the Advent Calendar, we can look a little further forward, to Christmas Day, and our annual tradition of premiering a new novel as an eBook. We are delighted to announce that this will continue this year, with not one but two novels coming, one on Christmas Day and another on the 26th of December. We’re not going to tell you what they are, but we will give you a couple of clues.
On Christmas Day, something stirs in a place of horror. Souls cry out in terror and are silenced, as a sleeper awakens and darkness falls…
Boxing Day brings twists and turns in a quest for salvation that takes an unlikely hero into the heart of darkness, pursued by mighty foes and in search of something he doesn’t understand.
Let us know what you think we’ll be premiering on the Black Library Facebook page!
Malcador: First Lord of the Imperium
A Primarchs audio drama
Malcador the Sigillite sits vigil by the bed of a dying friend and the two discuss the past, present and future – and revelations are made.
LISTEN TOIT BECAUSE
L J Goulding tells an elegiac tale of death, loss and destiny, while raising questions and delivering revelations about Malcador, the Emperor, the primarchs and the Heresy itself – if Malcador can be trusted, that is…
THE STORY
As the Horus Heresy rages and the death toll rises, one more will be added to the numberless dead: Sibel Niasta, personal astropath to the First Lord of the Imperium, Malcador the Sigillite. As her end approaches, Malcador sits vigil by her bedside, and pair discuss their friendship and what it means – how the past and present have shaped Malcador and the Imperium, and what the future holds.
Written by L J Goulding
Running time: 25 minutes. Performed by John Banks, Beth Chalmers, Jenny Funnell, Jonathan Keeble and Toby Longworth.
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished Fabius Bile: the Clonelord. Another excellent book about our favourite Apothecary in IMO the best CSM series. Cannot wait for a third one.
The Black Legion series is the best CSM series, but the Fabius Bile books are indeed excellent.
Shadow Walker wrote: Finished Fabius Bile: the Clonelord. Another excellent book about our favourite Apothecary in IMO the best CSM series. Cannot wait for a third one.
The Black Legion series is the best CSM series, but the Fabius Bile books are indeed excellent.
Tastes vary. I was barely able to slog through the first Black Legion book and the second I did abandon after maybe a 30 pages. Never ever anything ADB outside of HH (where I read everything no matter the author) for me.
For me the best chaos books are the night lords trilogy. Fabius was hit and miss, I think mostly miss although I haven’t read the second one yet. Black Legion, both books, have proved a slog in places. I found the second a better read. Apart from the cringeworthy “you speak irrelevancies” which after the 50th time made me want to give up.
The concept is a great one, a mighty captured enemy reflecting on his life and trials. Tells by the story as he saw it. I know ADB is very hard on himself, slow constantly going back over text rewriting. I wonder what the book would be like if he just wrote and let the story flow?
Overall a thumbs up from me, although I suspect that , say, that people who have occasional issues with things like the endings of Mr Abnett's books might well have their usual complaints.
There's certainly some wonderful moments -- and the usual heartbreaking ones if you've been following the series.
There's also a somewhat odd continuity issue -- perhaps -- that might be an error or might be a change or.. well.... could be something else entirely.
Well worth picking up as/when if you're a fan though IMO.
I'll give a shout out to the previously mentioned Malcador audio drama by Mr Goulding -- that is very good indeed.
.... possibly confirms some of the darker theories about the HH/the big E.
And going back to Mr Abnett for a moment ... this is, alas/AFAIK only of use to the UK members..
So, a couple of weeks ago, in a moment of what can only be described as a ‘definite case of what the hell’, I agreed to public humiliation on national television over Christmas…. I mean, I agreed to participate in a beloved National Institution.
off if that is the case as that is a lifetime away.
It looks kinda depressed, too.
