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Well I actually got a reply... which is just great since they closed the GW store that was closest to me and easy to get to.

The Horus Heresy are ordinarily gold foil for first printing, silver for second and bronze for subsequent editions. Unfortunately there was an issue with the print run of Deliverance Lost first edition books sent to the book trade in northern america. Whilst Games Workshop stores and the Games Workshop website had stock of gold covers, those bought in bookstores or other online stores had bronze stock.

If you can take your copy in to a Games Workshop store they will be happy to exchange it for a gold edition for you,

Sincerely

Ragnar

Black Library
http://www.blacklibrary.com

Fallen668 wrote:Well I actually got a reply... which is just great since they closed the GW store that was closest to me and easy to get to.

The Horus Heresy are ordinarily gold foil for first printing, silver for second and bronze for subsequent editions. Unfortunately there was an issue with the print run of Deliverance Lost first edition books sent to the book trade in northern america. Whilst Games Workshop stores and the Games Workshop website had stock of gold covers, those bought in bookstores or other online stores had bronze stock.

If you can take your copy in to a Games Workshop store they will be happy to exchange it for a gold edition for you,

Sincerely

Ragnar

Black Library
http://www.blacklibrary.com

Weird. They seem to have th opposite problem with Know No Fear which got a silver misprint that only went to GW.

Got a shiny gold edition of KNOW. NO. FEAR. in the mail today. Not going to read it just yet, got something better.. Achtung Schweinehund!

Temujin wrote:

Here's what I wrote about Deliverance Lost in the old thread:
(Informative post)

Ok thanks a lot for that!

I actually quite enjoyed the HH series Dark Angels books. They were the only example of how a world changed during the Crusade, and gave a much firmer background and reasons for any dissent that occurred after. I also enjoyed 'Angels of Darkness' by Gav Thorpe (some wonderful twists in it), but that being said I don't think it was that popular with many DA fans (who presumably knew about the 'dark secret' but then seemed to be offended when an author tried to substantiate it). The only similar reaction I can remember is when the Horus Heresy CCG art books had Ferrus Mannus beheaded by Fulgrim, and the Iron Hands fans were crying blue-murder from the rooftops.

Years ago I was involved in a Pre-Heresy event that had had the background written for it by Graham McNeil. There was some speculation in there about how Corax achieved the cloning technology, so I'm kind of tempted to read it just to see if any of that got into Gav Thorpe's book! Although the other events of the weekend, which were supposedly meant to become part of the HH background, sadly never happened :(

Might see if if it drops to £4 or so on Amazon or Play.com and then pick it up

BrookM wrote:Got a shiny gold edition of KNOW. NO. FEAR. in the mail today. Not going to read it just yet, got something better.. Achtung Schweinehund!

I'm reading it as an eBook. I'm on a bit of a Horus Heresy jag as I just read The First Heretic, then picked up Know No Fear.

Know No Fear has a couple things about it that give it a weird feel to me. I'm about half way through, and this will be spoiler-free other than "people die.":

First, the Space marine characters are very 'casual' in speech and actions. The HH books do a bit of this (which I like) but this book seems to take it to an extreme. Maybe it's just the way the Dan Abnett sees the pre-Heresy Ultramarines, but they come off as much less 'warrior-monk' than the Space Marines of other Horus Heresy books... More like if he was writing about real-world soldiers or Imperial Guardsmen. I assume this may be intentional, as I believe other Horus Heresy books have not done this, but I guess the 'vibe' for the Ultramarines is that they're closely integrated with normal humans (as compared to other chapters) and are actively plannig ahead for the expected post-Great Crusade era of peace, happiness, and no need for superhuman warriors.

Second, the style of the narration is difficult to read. This has two aspects. First, there are a lot of characters, and don't get attached to any of them. Understandable, but it feels like a few characters are being built up just so they can get killed off. Related tot his is a choice of writing style where the narrator is truly omniscient and a bit snarky. Parts of the text read like, "Bob was scared. Bob didn't know there was a truck coming at him at 75 kilometers an hour. In 48 seconds Bob would be introduced to the truck with messy results." It's awkward and gives the book a weird feel. (No Bob is hurt in the actual book. This is merely an example.)

Still, an interesting book and I'm looking forward to finding time to finish it. Abnett is a great writer in general, although I think he may do better writing the 'common man' of the setting. As Is aid, I'm not finished with the book so some of the bits that seem like chaff at this point may come back into the limelight.

Balance wrote:
First, the Space marine characters are very 'casual' in speech and actions. The HH books do a bit of this (which I like) but this book seems to take it to an extreme. Maybe it's just the way the Dan Abnett sees the pre-Heresy Ultramarines, but they come off as much less 'warrior-monk' than the Space Marines of other Horus Heresy books... More like if he was writing about real-world soldiers or Imperial Guardsmen. I assume this may be intentional, as I believe other Horus Heresy books have not done this, but I guess the 'vibe' for the Ultramarines is that they're closely integrated with normal humans (as compared to other chapters) and are actively plannig ahead for the expected post-Great Crusade era of peace, happiness, and no need for superhuman warriors.
.

I think perhaps most of the marines in the HH book series have been like that? I found myself drawing parallels between the characters written in 'Know no fear' and some of those in both 'Horus Rising', and even the likes of 'Fulgrim' and 'Flight of the Eisenstein'. With the exception of the cackling and white-cat-stroking Word Bearers, 'right' and 'wrong' for a lot of the marines would have been just a matter of perspective. As Dan himself said in an interview when the series first began, the marines in the 31st millennium are very different to the ones we are used to in 40k. They have far more pragmatism, they are young as an entity and haven't had time to develop the traditions and dogmas of their 41st millennium brethren. As he said in that same interview, these marines didn't know they were going to survive the next 100 years, let alone the next ten thousand!

With that in mind, the only marines who really have any kind of reason to behave like warrior monks are the Dark Angels, who came from that kind of culture on their homeworld. The very bywords of the Great Crusade were rationality, the 'Imperial Truth', and an attempt to move away from the restrictive dogmas and traditions of an earlier age. Even the mechanicum were attempting to develop new things - the switch was marked in Graham McNeil's book of the same name, as the new technologies sank beneath the lava, the chance of humanity moving into a new era of development not seen since the dark age of science was lost forever. Right there, in that single sentence at the end of 'Mechanicum', McNeil emphasized the difference between the 30k and 40k universes. The inexorable and painful slide towards oblivion starts now.

I think it's also a reason why the marines in the HH series are eminently more readable than their counterparts in 40k BL books. With the exception of Graham McNeil's Honsou and ADB's Night Lords (who are bad guys, and therefore allowed to have good lines!) almost all of the characters, that very 'knights in space' that you mention, makes them incredibly two dimensional. Yes, it is cool to read about brother Genericus crouching grimly behind a boulder and muttering an oath to the Emperor, but it doesn't allow much terms for character development and by extension emotional investment in the characters. As you say Balance, the marines in the HH series do seem more 'human' - but that is something supported by the background material, there is a real reason for them to be that way (they are not the brain-washed automatons of 40k, bound by ritual and dogma) and that in essence is why I think the series has been so popular. I found myself getting to the end of Rynn's World, Fist of Dorn and even Brotherhood of the Snake, not worrying the slightest whether the central characters lived or died. The general response to someone like Loken (or his counterparts in any of the other books) has been somewhat different.

Excellently put Pacific, think you got the nail on the head.

The marines in the Heresy are tied by friendship and brotherhood, but that all went to hell. Now it's faith in the Emperor. Sure you do get Marines who do have friendly relations with each other in 40k, but it seems very forced and kind of fake and not the easy comradery of the likes of Loken and Tarik or Vipus, even Abaddon and Aximand, hell, even Dorn had a sense of humour for awhile.

The Heresy made them cold and they lost their innocence in a way. Also quite boring to read at times

Pacific wrote:I actually quite enjoyed the HH series Dark Angels books. They were the only example of how a world changed during the Crusade, and gave a much firmer background and reasons for any dissent that occurred after. I also enjoyed 'Angels of Darkness' by Gav Thorpe (some wonderful twists in it), but that being said I don't think it was that popular with many DA fans (who presumably knew about the 'dark secret' but then seemed to be offended when an author tried to substantiate it). The only similar reaction I can remember is when the Horus Heresy CCG art books had Ferrus Mannus beheaded by Fulgrim, and the Iron Hands fans were crying blue-murder from the rooftops.

yes, finally, someone else who gets the HH DA novels! Come here you!

I liked the way they're presented in the earlier books (Horus Rising, etc.) and I see Pacific's point and cannot disagree with it... The pre-Heresy era is suppsoed to be mankind's finest hour in a lot of ways. Despite the corruption and constant war, they're trying to fix their faults and move forward, but of course everything goes wrong.

I did like how some of the novels do show a more 'approachable' Space Marines. KNF just felt that it went a bit too far with this, in my mind.

On the plus side, I realized what book this reminds me of: Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising which is an early book that has a broadly similar 'arc' of a surprise Soviet non-nuclear attack on Europe that the various NATO nations have to repel. Some similar feelings with the large cast, quick scene cuts, and a very broadly similar 'arc' as the villian's plan unrolls flawlessly then starts to break up due to the action of several widely dispersed heroes with little or no communication between them.

(For the record RSR is one of Clancy's better novels. An interesting side note is that it was based around Clancy and others playing out a large-scale wargame. It's also an 'independent' novel, not one of his Jack Ryan series and spin-offs. It's a bit dated, but was a great read at the time.)

I checked this morning and I'm well under halfway through. This isn't a 'bad' review, just a 'different' review.

Hey KamikazeCanucks, went to Chapters last night and they had No Know Fear in gold. Due to the fact i never noticed the different colors i went home and check the other ones i had, i have 3 bronze, Deliverance Lost, Horus Rising, False Gods, and one silver, Nemesis, the rest are all gold. It doesn't bug me though.

Pre-ordered KNF from Barnes and Noble and got the gold edition, bronze from B&N off the shelf.

RB

Just checked and every other book I have from HH series bought from B&N shelves is gold.

Galaxy, Fulgrim, Tales, Fallen Angels, 1K Sons, Prospero (preorder), First Heretic, Age of Darkness,
All the rest were given away or picked up at public library.

@Brook. I like the HH DA books too....
@Grag. That's cool, I got mine. Consider yourself fortunate you are not afflicted by "The Golden OCD" (the Midas compulsion?)

Balance wrote:
First, the Space marine characters are very 'casual' in speech and actions. The HH books do a bit of this (which I like) but this book seems to take it to an extreme. Maybe it's just the way the Dan Abnett sees the pre-Heresy Ultramarines, but they come off as much less 'warrior-monk' than the Space Marines of other Horus Heresy books... More like if he was writing about real-world soldiers or Imperial Guardsmen. I assume this may be intentional, as I believe other Horus Heresy books have not done this, but I guess the 'vibe' for the Ultramarines is that they're closely integrated with normal humans (as compared to other chapters) and are actively plannig ahead for the expected post-Great Crusade era of peace, happiness, and no need for superhuman warriors.

Second, the style of the narration is difficult to read. This has two aspects. First, there are a lot of characters, and don't get attached to any of them. Understandable, but it feels like a few characters are being built up just so they can get killed off. Related tot his is a choice of writing style where the narrator is truly omniscient and a bit snarky. Parts of the text read like, "Bob was scared. Bob didn't know there was a truck coming at him at 75 kilometers an hour. In 48 seconds Bob would be introduced to the truck with messy results." It's awkward and gives the book a weird feel. (No Bob is hurt in the actual book. This is merely an example.)

I interpreted the contrast between the narrative stance and the character interaction an extension to the theme of "theoretical" vs "practical". The idea of this contrast runs sharply throughout the entire book; whether it's the literal contrast within the XIII Legion doctrine of "theoretical" versus "practical"; or th contrast of the all-knowing narrator juxtaposed with the informal, "average joe on the street" style which he adopts for the character interaction; or even the contrast between Guilliman's actions before and after inter-Legion hostilities have been initiated, as he moves from restrained, calculating genius to reckless and emotion-led.

automatonsleuth wrote:
I interpreted the contrast between the narrative stance and the character interaction an extension to the theme of "theoretical" vs "practical". The idea of this contrast runs sharply throughout the entire book; whether it's the literal contrast within the XIII Legion doctrine of "theoretical" versus "practical"; or th contrast of the all-knowing narrator juxtaposed with the informal, "average joe on the street" style which he adopts for the character interaction; or even the contrast between Guilliman's actions before and after inter-Legion hostilities have been initiated, as he moves from restrained, calculating genius to reckless and emotion-led.

Hm. That's an interesting way to put it and I'll have to consider that.

Well, the narration is also "folksy." As I mentioned, the narrator tells us that giving Roboute Guilliman orders takes "platinum balls."

Black Library used to offer free wallpapers to promote their books, now they are selling them. I know GW is a business, but the past couple years they've gotten just a little too mercenary and a little too obvious about it and this is just one more symptom of it.

http://www.blacklibrary.com/exclusive-products/wallpapers

KamikazeCanuck wrote:@Brook. I like the HH DA books too....

Okay, okay, left cheek or right?

Manchu wrote:Well, the narration is also "folksy." As I mentioned, the narrator tells us that giving Roboute Guilliman orders takes "platinum balls."

I thought it said adamantium or perhaps ceramite, but that's one of several ball-references in the book. Maybe a subtle commentary on the common 'does the equipment work?' argument for Space Marine fluff?

I read a bit at lunch and the story does start to move around the half-way mark. The tone shifts away from the narrator lazily describing the incoming apocalypse to in-the-moment discussion of events, and it is pretty good.

Oh, admantium is correct.

I'm enjoying it pretty well otherwise. Hoping for the best, you know, as I do love the Ultramarines.

Manchu wrote:Oh, admantium is correct.

I'm enjoying it pretty well otherwise. Hoping for the best, you know, as I do love the Ultramarines.

Who doesn't?

(And by that I mean, of course, all right thinking Individuals!)

My Tyranids also love Ultramarines: Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside omnomnom
My favorites are bikers: Meals on Wheels

BTW balls of platinum, steel or adamantium all make you infertile

Yeah, the whole selling desktop wallpapers thing is just mad...

I haven't heard of anyone trying to pull that trick since oh... 1997?

I mean, come on, really GW, really?

I do not share this Ultramarine love. I love SW. I'm pretty sure they don't really give a crap what UM do. They do their own thing

I have to admit, I finished Know No Fear in pretty impressive time, which says something good about it considering my schedule these days.

My issues started above seem to clear out a bit past 1/3 in. It settles down to a much more 'normal' writing style, albeit still with a lot of characters to track... But they get a bit more individual as each is presented with various unique challenges to overcome.

Just finished Know No Fear.

My only real criticism of it; it's too short. The novel itself is notably thinner than (all?) most other HH novels, which is disappointing, particularly considering the extremity of the event, which again, I feel started to move a bit too quickly towards the end. Relatively little of it covered the Ultramarine counter-attack I feel, whilst I don't really like the idea of the underground war.
Whilst I don't want it being Bolter Porn of course, that so little of it covered the fightback and the apparently epic conflict I found disappointing. I suspect this feeling was made worse by the large personae section.

Otherwise however, I thought it was a really good novel; another excellent contribution by Abnett. I don't think it stands out within the series like some do for me, such as First Heretic, Legion, Mechanicum etc. But again, it's still a really good novel IMHO. The action was well done and unpredictable, the characters believable and the plot well done. The Word Bearers were suitably capricious and evil, but done so in a believable manner within the context of the Heresy, previous novels and their downfall within the novel. The Ultramarines were believable and likeable with good depth. I also liked how - apart from the obvious 2, one being a primarch - which characters would live and which would die was unpredictable.
I also enjoyed how Abnett seemed to acknowledge the image of the Ultramarines and played off this, adding to the notion that it is just an image, albeit a justified one.
I think one of my favourite parts however was how the pace of the novel was suitably quick, reflecting the fast-moving events which it portrayed; really adding to the sense of surprise and events being beyond control.

Overall, a good novel, well worth a read.

Note: I went into this novel feeling no hate for the Ultramarines and I liked the narrative.

Thanks for your thoughts JD. If I wasn't already reading the book, I'd probably get it on that recommendation.

Just Dave wrote:
My only real criticism of it; it's too short. The novel itself is notably thinner than (all?) most other HH novels, which is disappointing, particularly considering the extremity of the event, which again, I feel started to move a bit too quickly towards the end.

That a somewhat common criticism of Dan's works - he appears to get slightly bored towards the end and rushes towards and across the finish line...

Still, he's one of the best, if not the best, of BL's authors, so I buy everything he writes ASAP.

Same for A D-B too! (The buy on sight thing, not the rush to the end thing!)

Manchu wrote:Thanks for your thoughts JD. If I wasn't already reading the book, I'd probably get it on that recommendation.

Thanks man! Please tell me if you agree with the thoughts when you finish it.

Alpharius wrote:

Just Dave wrote:
My only real criticism of it; it's too short. The novel itself is notably thinner than (all?) most other HH novels, which is disappointing, particularly considering the extremity of the event, which again, I feel started to move a bit too quickly towards the end.

That a somewhat common criticism of Dan's works - he appears to get slightly bored towards the end and rushes towards and across the finish line...

Still, he's one of the best, if not the best, of BL's authors, so I buy everything he writes ASAP.

Same for A D-B too! (The buy on sight thing, not the rush to the end thing!)

Hmmm... Personally, I've not noticed that trend with Abnett before. I experienced a similar thing with Deliverance though.
Definitely agree with Abnett and ADB being BL's best though IMHO.
Sanders, Wraight and French look like they have real potential though, it must be said.

THE BLOOD ANGELS ARE BACK

The Blood Angels are back. The stars of Bloodquest return in a brand new audio drama.

It’s been over a decade since the first Bloodquest graphic novel, and our hero Leonatus was in need of an upgrade. So In time honoured tradition, here’s a before and after.

The original Bloodquest cover takes us back to simpler times, when orks were just small green vikings (just look at the helmet at Leonatus’s feet), and carrying an impractically huge banner was a perfectly acceptable battlefield pastime. A classic cover, but not quite grim or dark enough.


For the audio drama, Captain Leonatus has been reinvented by the talented hand of Cheoljoo Lee. We think Cheol has perfectly captured the battle scarred, but proud Space Marine captain, and made him into a hero fit for 2012 (or M40,992).

So Brother Captain Leonatus has returned after a decade long sabbatical into the eye of terror, and judging by his battered armour and torn robes, he’s been getting to know the locals. By the look of that proud stance and heroic expression, it’s a fair bet that the locals have also got to know the sharp end of his blade.

You can get this new audio drama in November. In the meantime, the the full collection of Bloodquest graphic novels can be found in the Book of Blood (along with another 400 pages of Blood Angel stories). You won’t find this anywhere else, so pick it up today.

A nice "upgrade" there IMO

The second picture only has 3 skulls whereas the first one has 21, sounds like a downgrade to me.