Black Library News & Rumours Thread II, aka Rise of the Bibliophile

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**Pilau Rice**

Not sure if this has been shown on the thread yet, of so , I apologise

Spoiler:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/know-no-fear.html

Looking forward to some more detail on the Lorgar and Guilliman relationship.

edit: added spoilers to the image as it came out really big

**Melissia**

Temujin: When I go to the bank ATM and check my balance, I get an option to tell me what recent deposits and withdraws have been made... especially if I call the bank.

Maybe your banks are different?

**Pilau Rice**

Poop - I meant to edit not post.

**Melissia**

That image still makes me want to hit someone on the face and it's been a while since I've seen it...

**Pilau Rice**

Melissia wrote:That image still makes me want to hit someone on the face and it's been a while since I've seen it...

Yeah, i'm not so sure about it.

**Pacific**

I think the only way to accept it as any way plausible is that it's a Primarch, and not a normal marine, fighting in vacuum.

The Emperor dabbled with chaos in making them (they aren't entirely anchored to the laws of physics) which gives writers and artists a handy 'get out of jail free card' to explain anything that would otherwise be impossible

**McNs**

reds8n wrote:... moving on...

Today BL added 'Accursed Eternity', a novella by Sarah Cawkwell from 'Architect of Fate' and Joshua Reynolds' debut novel 'Knights of the Blazing Sun' - Over five months before its paperback release. This sits alongside "Endeavour of Will" by Ben Counter which is also available earlier in ebook format.

If anyone does take the plunge, please let us know what they're like !

I snagged Ms. Cakwell's novella; its quite good though not quite as good as her recent Silver Skulls work.

Spoiler:

After reading Josh Reynold's tale in H&B 13, I'm very interested in his new novel. Empire fiction isn't usually my bag, but his writing's strong enough my interest in piqued.

**BrookM**

Pacific wrote:I think the only way to accept it as any way plausible is that it's a Primarch, and not a normal marine, fighting in vacuum.

The Emperor dabbled with chaos in making them (they aren't entirely anchored to the laws of physics) which gives writers and artists a handy 'get out of jail free card' to explain anything that would otherwise be impossible

I prefer to just use the "rule of cool" logic. Or the one a lot of people hide behind: It's just toy soldiers.

**warboss**

Pilau Rice wrote:[spoiler]

Is it just me or does that Ultra's arm look like it got ripped off about mid-humerus? The angle just doesn't seem right. Is that supposed to be Guilleman?

**iproxtaco**

Pacific wrote:I think the only way to accept it as any way plausible is that it's a Primarch, and not a normal marine, fighting in vacuum.

The Emperor dabbled with chaos in making them (they aren't entirely anchored to the laws of physics) which gives writers and artists a handy 'get out of jail free card' to explain anything that would otherwise be impossible

I'm fairly certain that it was confirmed to be Guilliman as Calth, hence why the character is twice the size of a normal marine, and is fighting in vacuum without a helmet on. We know marines can survive providing they don't move.

**BrookM**

Imperial starships have their own atmosphere by the way.

**iproxtaco**

Even on the outside of the hull?

**KamikazeCanuck**

Pilau Rice wrote:Not sure if this has been shown on the thread yet, of so , I apologise

Spoiler:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/know-no-fear.html

I'm psyched.

**BrookM**

iproxtaco wrote:Even on the outside of the hull?

Yes, they are that big.

**Pilau Rice**

Pacific wrote:I think the only way to accept it as any way plausible is that it's a Primarch, and not a normal marine, fighting in vacuum.

That's what a thought, but it would mean Guilliman and I guess those are the Gauntlets of Ultramar. But straps?

**Pacific**

iproxtaco wrote:
Pacific wrote:I think the only way to accept it as any way plausible is that it's a Primarch, and not a normal marine, fighting in vacuum.

The Emperor dabbled with chaos in making them (they aren't entirely anchored to the laws of physics) which gives writers and artists a handy 'get out of jail free card' to explain anything that would otherwise be impossible

I'm fairly certain that it was confirmed to be Guilliman as Calth, hence why the character is twice the size of a normal marine, and is fighting in vacuum without a helmet on. We know marines can survive providing they don't move.

Yes I have read that it is definitely Gulliman.

Marines can survive in vacuum for a limited time, but there is a difference between being able to 'just survive' and to jaunting around like you own the goddamned place

And also obviously Gulliman has never seen Alien, as he is screaming.

**BrookM**

Yay, my copy of Aurelian arrived just now.

**Castiel**

He could just be fighting in a big glass dome for viewing the stars on the ship?

**reds8n**

There has been a wave of new artwork coming into Black Library this month, and some of it is truly spectacular. We wanted to share some of the best with you.

This cyclopean scene is from the cover of Priests of Mars, the upcoming Graham McNeill novel that follows an explorator fleetinto uncharted space. This is the first Black Library cover from Slawomir Maniak, and it really conveys the scale and apocalyptic darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe (expect to see more from Mr Maniak in future).

The central character himself is not your usual Black Library protagonist, no super human warrior in gleaming armour, but a hunched and dishevelled priest who really captures the essence of the techno wizardry of the mechanicum.

There will be more new art on Thursday this week, and we’re letting you choose what you want to see. What would you rather see: a majestic god of the forest and an angel of blood? head to our Facebook page now to vote.

**BrookM**

He certainly has a name to go with that sweet art.

Digging into Aurelian now and liking it so far. I'd like to say that the cover of the book is rather scary, especially the back, with the constant "The Imperial truth is a lie" scratched there with certain psychotic quill strokes.

**KamikazeCanuck**

reds8n wrote:

There has been a wave of new artwork coming into Black Library this month, and some of it is truly spectacular. We wanted to share some of the best with you.

This cyclopean scene is from the cover of Priests of Mars, the upcoming Graham McNeill novel that follows an explorator fleetinto uncharted space. This is the first Black Library cover from Slawomir Maniak, and it really conveys the scale and apocalyptic darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe (expect to see more from Mr Maniak in future).

The central character himself is not your usual Black Library protagonist, no super human warrior in gleaming armour, but a hunched and dishevelled priest who really captures the essence of the techno wizardry of the mechanicum.

There will be more new art on Thursday this week, and we’re letting you choose what you want to see. What would you rather see: a majestic god of the forest and an angel of blood? head to our Facebook page now to vote.

That looks and sounds fething awesome! I've always wanted them to do something like this. We know Warhammer's got a lot of war in it but what about just some old fashioned sci-fi exploring.....then war? Rogue Traders are the obvious choice but I didn't get that sense of wonderment from the Rogue Star series. This one's got a techpriest! Even better!

**BrookM**

And done, all in all Aurelian is a good supplement to the First Heretic, with some obligatory action thrown in to off-set the wordy parts. The ending was most satisfying and one I did not expect, but still a welcome micro tie-in to Fulgrim. It also nicely sets up the upcoming Abnett novel about the battle of Calth.

**nels1031**

Just finished Outcast Dead, was a solid read in my opinion. Had some great action and an interesting story, with a few neat reveals from how I interpretted it.

**Temujin**

I enjoyed Outcast Dead a lot. It probably won't be the Horus Heresy book we remember most when we get to the end, but it was very well crafted, and miles away from dull bolter porn as any Black Library book I can think of.

I have two main concerns about it though. Avert your eyes if you haven't read it yet.

Spoiler:

**TBD**

Temujin wrote:
I have two main concerns about it though. Avert your eyes if you haven't read it yet.

Spoiler:

When Magnus arrived I was immediately confused about the timing, given that the dropsite massacre was happening at about the same time. I pushed it to the back of my mind since I was enjoying it anyway, and I assumed that I would be able to make sense of it by the end of the book. The more I think about it though, the more I'm convinced that it flat out contradicts every mention of Magnus' intervention so far in the series, specifically in Galaxy In Flames, Thousand Sons, and Prospero Burns. How could Horus have leant on Russ to go rough on Magnus when his treachery was already common knowledge? If Magnus discovered Horus' fall right as it was happening at Davin, why did it take him such an epic amount of time to show up on Terra to warn the Emperor? Why did he even bother since everyone on Terra was well aware of it anyway? Why didn't the Emperor believe him when he already knew it to be true? Why was Russ' legion wasted on Prospero immediately after three loyal legions had been wiped out at Istvaan? Why wasn't Russ aware of Horus' fall when everyone else in the galaxy was supposedly in the know? I'm really hoping someone can point out how I've completely misunderstood the whole affair, because I can't help but despair at how big of a howler this appears to be. Please restore my faith!

This issue immediately raised my eyebrow as well when I read the book. The one event definitely predates the other in previous books & background, including work of the same author, so I'm afraid it can't be explained other than being a rather sloppy (and for the reasons you mention also actually quite significant) error by Graham Mcneill and anyone who proofread his book.

Spoiler:

**BrookM**

McNeill has his goofs from time to time. Like with False Gods, where a pre-Heresy character is saying his throat is as parched as a Tallarn sandal, a verdant world that isn't turned into a desert until the Heresy is in full swing.

**BrookM**

To all the Cawkwell fans out there, WD 383 has a mini-interview with her about some new book that's coming out soon.

**boyd**

TBD wrote:
Temujin wrote:
I have two main concerns about it though. Avert your eyes if you haven't read it yet.

Spoiler:

When Magnus arrived I was immediately confused about the timing, given that the dropsite massacre was happening at about the same time. I pushed it to the back of my mind since I was enjoying it anyway, and I assumed that I would be able to make sense of it by the end of the book. The more I think about it though, the more I'm convinced that it flat out contradicts every mention of Magnus' intervention so far in the series, specifically in Galaxy In Flames, Thousand Sons, and Prospero Burns. How could Horus have leant on Russ to go rough on Magnus when his treachery was already common knowledge? If Magnus discovered Horus' fall right as it was happening at Davin, why did it take him such an epic amount of time to show up on Terra to warn the Emperor? Why did he even bother since everyone on Terra was well aware of it anyway? Why didn't the Emperor believe him when he already knew it to be true? Why was Russ' legion wasted on Prospero immediately after three loyal legions had been wiped out at Istvaan? Why wasn't Russ aware of Horus' fall when everyone else in the galaxy was supposedly in the know? I'm really hoping someone can point out how I've completely misunderstood the whole affair, because I can't help but despair at how big of a howler this appears to be. Please restore my faith!

This issue immediately raised my eyebrow as well when I read the book. The one event definitely predates the other in previous books & background, including work of the same author, so I'm afraid it can't be explained other than being a rather sloppy (and for the reasons you mention also actually quite significant) error by Graham Mcneill and anyone who proofread his book.

Spoiler:

As far as the Wolves go, it could be that the Emperor would send them regardless, because of what he saw Magnus to truly be (have become) when he appeared in the throne room + disobeying the Nikea decrees + the psychic events the appearance apparently triggered on Terra (I didn't know it had such a devastating effect beyond the throne room). He could have concluded that Magnus was lost and would become a greater threat in the long(er) run if not immediately addressed.

But yes, it certainly is debatable where priorities should/could otherwise have been, and a whole lot of things seem quite unlogical now.

I hid it behind a spoiler...

Spoiler:

I thought there was a gap of several months between Horus being turned prior to the battle of Istavaan III and the drop site massacre that happened on Istavaan V. I thought there were several worlds conquered where Horus who would usually try to convince these worlds to join the Imperium instead just razed them. On top of that, Horus started to alter the Companies to have the units leading the assaults to be non-lodge members followed up by the lodge member companies who were uncontrollable when in battle ignoring Loken's direct commands. If I'm not mistaken there were two such large battles (one against a Technocracy/technomage or something similar) that conceivably took several weeks/months of travel while Horus was setting up the pieces for Istavaan III and V. It was at this time the Mournval was split with Abbadon and Little Horus having their Primarch's ear and Loken and Torgiddon (honestly don't recall his name at the moment) lost the Primarch's favor. Both were sent on 'suicide' missions thinning their Company's ranks. It would be conceivable that Magnus warned the Emperor right after the events on Davin. Horus, who was setting the Istavaan events in motion and still hadn't uncovered his new loyalties, had the ability to manipulate the situation because at that point it was just a he said she said. Horus was determined to let the galaxy burn after those events but it wasn't like the next day there was open rebellion. It took some time gathering the Primarchs from the other Legions, gathering intel, manipulating other Legions to move to different corners of the galaxy. Thats why the Ultramarines and Dark Angels didn't participate as much as the Blood Angels, Imperial Fists, & White Scars. The Dark Angels were sent to one corner and the Ultramarines were sent to another. Each Legion was then harrassed by another Legion to keep them away from the primary objective - Terra. The Ultamarines were attacked by the Word Bearers and the Dark Angels were constantly harrassed by the Night Lords. With the death of Konrad Kurze, the Dark Angels were able to join the Space Wolves move in towards Terra but it was too late to participate in the siege and instead they were amongst the forces to chase them to the Eye of Terror (SW 13th Company following them into the Eye).

These were my thoughts. Then again, I just started reading the new one - Outcast...

**reds8n**

Something for the WFB fans today..

A Time For Heroes

Warhammer Heroes. These words evoke many images: mighty warriors leading great armies, shining armour and swinging blades, epic deeds and fabulous triumphs. And also, over the past couple of years, fantastic fiction about some of the best-loved Warhammer characters.

These have ranged from Chris Wraight’s tales of the heroic men of the Empire – Ludwig Schwarzhelm and Kurt Helborg in Sword of Justice and Sword of Vengeance – to Darius Hinks and C.L. Werner’s exploration of sinister antiheroes – Wulfrik, Sigvald and The Red Duke. The series continues next year with Chris Wraight’s tale of warrior priest Luthor Huss and Sarah Cawkwell’s Valkia the Bloody, about the monstrous villainess, chosen champion of Khorne.

Our Facebook fans have voted over the last few days that they’d like to see the Valkia the Bloody cover today, and we hate to disappoint, so...

Another amazing piece of work from Cheoljoo Lee there, perfectly capturing the brutality and sheer terror of Valkia.

What other characters do you think would make good additions to the Warhammer Heroes series? Let us know on our Facebook page or tweet us @blacklibrary and let us know. If you missed any of the volumes mentioned above, they are available at blacklibrary.com in paperback and eBook formats.

**Kanluwen**

They made her look kind of like a Warcraft villain...

It's good artwork, but I just keep thinking that.