Most Favourite/Hated Blacklibrary Author And Why

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**Yak9UT**

What Blacklibrary author you like/hate the most and why?

**Alpharius**

Staying away from the negative side of things...

The best for me is Dan Abnett - knows how to craft a good story, and always is a compelling read.

Second best and rising fast is Aaron Dembski-Bowden - for many of the same reasons listed above, and I must say, he's rising fast!

I'm VERY glad he's finally writing a Horus Heresy book too...

**Grey Templar**

i like Abnett. Titanicus was great.

King is pretty good too, space wolf omnibusses were awsome.

Goto is at the bottom.

**Eyclonus**

Top: Abnett

Bottom: Someone

Worse then bottom: Goto

**Manchu**

Alpharius wrote:The best for me is Dan Abnett - knows how to craft a good story, and always is a compelling read.

Second best and rising fast is Aaron Dembski-Bowden - for many of the same reasons listed above, and I must say, he's rising fast!

I'm VERY glad he's finally writing a Horus Heresy book too...

I pretty much agree with Alpharius. Abnett can tell an amazingly good story. Reading his Malus stories (co-written with Mike Lee) is a ton of fun. The first chapters of the first Malus book are some of the finest pulp scifi I've ever read. But then there're the Ravenor books . . . More recently, Titanicus was middling, if still a page turner. Dembski-Bowden's books are also page turners. I'm definitely not as on-board as his growing coterie of worshipers.

**WarWizard91**

Don't read a lot of Black Library, but from what I've read I would say Abnett is tops.

**nerdfest09**

Abnett number one for me, and Goto probably at the bottom, although there are some short story writers that couldn't keep me interested through one of their tales as well especially in heroes of the space marines and tales of heresy, I haven't read Dembski-Bowden yet but I will soon.

**Lexx**

Dan Abnett has to be my most favourite of all BL authors. He's consistent and never fails to please me when reading his books.

Worst is C S Goto. For the multi-laser marine and grav tank surfing to name a few of his... accomplishments?

**KamikazeCanuck**

Yes, Abnett is #1. Heard only bad things about Mr. Goto.

**Alpharius**

Also, keep in mind Goto is gone from BL, at least according to recent rumors, right?

**Fafnir**

Now, I don't read anything from BL, but from what I've heard, Goto looks to be a clear favourite.

**Mr Morden**

Sandy Mitchel is my favourite - I have enjoyed all his novels immensely for the Warhammer novels to the awesome Cain series.

Dan Abnet is a clsoe second and I really liked both of Simon Spurrier's books.

**Necroagogo**

I prefer McNeill to Abnett, personally. I have to qualify this by adding that my BL experience is limited to the HH series.

Ben Counter was OK with Galaxy in Flames, but he did go on to perpetrate Battle for the Abyss(mal). Blech.

**Coolyo294**

Aaron Dembski-Bowden.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Oh, and Graham McNeill

**oni**

Abnett and ADB are pretty much on par for my favorite. I haven't read enough Black Library books to form an opinion for worst author.

I am curious to know why it's nearly unanimous that C S Goto sucks. Could someone please explain?

**Gorskar.da.Lost**

I love ADB and McNeill. I won't really go into negatives, as I'll just nerdrage and nobody needs that.

**Manchu**

Alpharius wrote:Also, keep in mind Goto is gone from BL, at least according to recent rumors, right?

Kanluwen says that this is the case.

oni wrote:I am curious to know why it's nearly unanimous that C S Goto sucks. Could someone please explain?

You can read this exchange on his website:

RH: It started when I asked some local students about their WH40K (Warhammer 40,000) games. They told me that they’d set up a tournament for the following week in which two teams would play against each other, one side representing the ‘Goto-verse’ and the other side representing ‘Reality.’ Apparently their group was divided over your novels, and they wanted to battle it out in the form of a game!

CG: Wow, that’s amazing! (laughs) But I wonder who won?

RH: Reality won!

CG: Of course. Was this because the eldar armies on my side kept fighting amongst themselves? Or perhaps it was because my Space Marines suddenly became full of existential angst and walked off to sulk in the corner? Or may be my army was an uncomfortable mix of eldar and Marines who didn't trust each other and just watched as the whole planet exploded?

RH: They did say something about introducing a special ‘succumbing to decadence’ saving-role for the eldar armies!

CG: Anything about multi-lasers?

RH: What?

CG: Never mind.

. . . i.e., most fans feel that Goto's books are poorly written and do not even fit the 40k universe.

**Gorskar.da.Lost**

At least he has a sense of humour, by the looks of that. As well as an acknowledgement that his books were wrong.

**purplefood**

Nathan Long, Dan Abnett, Sandy Mitchell and possibly Graham Mcneil though i'm not sure about him.

**Gaz Taylor**

Favourite is Aaron Dembski-Bowden followed by Dan Abnett and Graham McNeil.

Basicly the Triforce of the Black Library

Aaron is my favorite author though as he's fairly interactive with his fans (appearing on multiple forums like Warseer or The Bolter and Chainsword) plus keeps a humous blog about random rants and things. Plus he seems to get the 40K universe and what readers want. Dan and Graham are great, but Arron seems know what readers want

**Tekksama**

Favorite: Abnett. Seriously no real competition for me. Though William King (Gotrek and Felix) is right up there as well.

I dont really HATE any of the authors Ive read, but if I had to put any of the books on the "I wish I had spent the money on new paints instead" list it would have to be Sandy Mitchell (Ciaphas Cain)

**kronk**

I felt that Aaron Dembski-Bowden did a great job with Helsreach.

**Ordo Dakka**

I'm a James Swallow/Dan Abnett man.

**nosferatu1001**

ADB is fast becoming a favourite (loving Helsreach) but abnett all the way.

**porkuslime**

ADB has posted here on Dakka in the BL news thread.. and I gotta say he is a darn good writer.

Abnett crafts great stories and Sandy Mitchell's Cain stories constantly entertain.

I am less impressed with the older writers, like Ian Watson and Mr Goto.. (although CS Goto does have a story in the recent Legends of the Space Marines.. )