Black Library News & Rumours Thread III, that awkward third title.

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**Manchu**

Mat Ward mentions there being some trouble over Sicarius in the dex. Fortunately, Calgar will never die so it will never matter.

**BrookM**

From AD-B's Facebook: "I think I'm going back to Helsreach for a while, to catch up with Grimaldus, the Crone, and (of course) Andrej. An untold story or two still lurking in the ruins."

**kronk**

BrookM wrote:
From AD-B's Facebook: "I think I'm going back to Helsreach for a while, to catch up with Grimaldus, the Crone, and (of course) Andrej. An untold story or two still lurking in the ruins."

Oh hell yes!

**Manchu**

I had heard that was one of his weaker books. Then again, I've heard the same about Cadian Blood but I really liked it.

**Just Dave**

Manchu wrote:
I had heard that was one of his weaker books. Then again, I've heard the same about Cadian Blood but I really liked it.

I've heard a few critical things about Helsreach, particularly when it first came out, but I often see it touted as peoples favourite BL book etc. and have heard overwhelmingly positive things about it...

Personally, I couldn't care less for the Black Templars, so haven't read it.

**kronk**

It's the best of the Space Marine Battles books, which isn't saying a lot, I know.

But it was well written, gritty, and ADB's first full 40k book (I believe). Also, I'm a big fan of the Black Templars.

**Alfndrate**

kronk wrote:
It's the best of the Space Marine Battles books, which isn't saying a lot, I know.

But it was well written, gritty, and ADB's first full 40k book (I believe). Also, I'm a big fan of the Black Templars.

Really? I heard battle for the fang was good.

**kronk**

Kyle from 40k Radio says Helsreach so your source is 100% wrong.

**Just Dave**

Alfndrate wrote:
kronk wrote:
It's the best of the Space Marine Battles books, which isn't saying a lot, I know.

But it was well written, gritty, and ADB's first full 40k book (I believe). Also, I'm a big fan of the Black Templars.

Really? I heard battle for the fang was good.

Battle of The Fang is indeed good.

Supposedly the Iron Hands and Legion of the Damned books are pretty good, but not as much so as Helsreach (it seems) and Battle of the Fang are...

Pretty sure AD-B had one 40K novel before Helsreach... Edit: Yep, Cadian Blood.

**Alfndrate**

kronk wrote:
Kyle from 40k Radio says Helsreach so your source is 100% wrong.

My source was the Independent Characters.

**kronk**

Alfndrate wrote:
kronk wrote:
Kyle from 40k Radio says Helsreach so your source is 100% wrong.

My source was the Independent Characters.

Kyle could beat up Karl and Geoff by himself. Especially since he refuses to spell it in the 'Merican form of Jeff.

I read Rynn's World, but found it to be lacking. Thus ends my list of Space Marines Battles books that I've read.

And I stand corrected on ADB's timeline.

Soul Hunter: March 2010
Helsreach May 2010
Throne of Lies (Audiodrama) Nov 2010
First Heretic Nov 2010
Blood Reaver May 2011
The Core September 2011
Void Stalker May 2012

**Just Dave**

Cadian Blood '09 according to Lexicanum.

**kronk**

Just Dave wrote:
Cadian Blood '09 according to Lexicanum.

Weird. That doesn't show up on his Black Library page.

**BrookM**

Helsreach is one of two Space Marine battles novels I managed to finish, the other being the Dark Angels entry. I have all the others, but could not finish any of them. I find the overall quality of the SMB novels lacking.

And Cadian Blood is rad, so rad I had it signed by the scowling author himself!

**Temujin**

Helsreach is great because Andrej is in it. The ending wasn't so good, but it was pretty strong over all. The dock worker union guy had a fantastic crowning moment of awesome.

**Kanluwen**

Cadian Blood?

Weak?

HERESY!

**Pacific**

BrookM wrote:
Helsreach is one of two Space Marine battles novels I managed to finish, the other being the Dark Angels entry. I have all the others, but could not finish any of them. I find the overall quality of the SMB novels lacking.

That Dark Angels book was the most by the numbers, follow the template BL book I have ever read. It could have been written by some kind of BL 'Space Marine book' writing program: "Brother X sprinted towards the cover while the howls of Y sounded around him. He would avenge the death of brother Genericus and savour the look in the (insert adjective) eyes of Y as he eviscerated them with his chainsword, (insert weapon name). By the Emperor, he would make them pay in blood!" To be honest I only got the book because I had heard the Demiurg were in it (in the opening section), the problem being then that nothing in the slightest bit original happens for the next 400 God-damn pages

**BrookM**

Come think, most of the Imperial Guard novels are also in the same category as the SMB books. Only ones I really liked were Fifteen Hours and Cadian Blood, the rest were all about secret missions and other stupid things that made me toss them aside. Might be boring, but when I read about a regiment I want to read about it doing something it is good at, not performing the secret mission of the day.

**Pacific**

Actually yes, I think Fifteen Hours is one of the greatest unsung heroes of 40k novels - an absolutely cracking read.

It's funny that the copy I had was the one (don't know if it's still current) is the one with the almost comical cover of the guardsman charging the ork that's about 5 times bigger than him - yet the actual book itself is one of the most starkly written and darkly humourous (and dare I say realistic?) books ever published by BL.

**BrookM**

It is indeed. I guess this is the one the writer of the current IG codex read when mining for ideas.. There have been two short story that tie into Fifteen Hours, both excellent additions, the Red Reward (can't remember the exact title, it was something red and rewarding) being another one of those grim and depressing stories, the other taking place a day or so after the novel, with a rather cheesy ending, but still fun.

**reds8n**

Just Dave wrote:
Alfndrate wrote:
kronk wrote:
It's the best of the Space Marine Battles books, which isn't saying a lot, I know.

But it was well written, gritty, and ADB's first full 40k book (I believe). Also, I'm a big fan of the Black Templars.

Really? I heard battle for the fang was good.

Battle of The Fang is indeed good.

Supposedly the Iron Hands and Legion of the Damned books are pretty good, but not as much so as Helsreach (it seems) and Battle of the Fang are...
.

Fang book is the best of the lot IMO, although his Iron hands one is pretty kick arse/ass as well, reminded me of "Dead men Walking" tonally in some ways.

.. anyway...

GUNS + FIRE = COOL

It’s been a while since we’ve trawled through our future covers to bring you something new, but when this piece from Marek Okon arrived in our inbox, we knew we had to share it with you.

We love the fire and smoke that surrounds the warrior. There can be no mistaking the fact that he’s in the midst of a ferocious battle, even though there is no obvious enemy in the picture.

Believe it or not, this is Marek’s first attempt at a Space Marine, and we think he’s got it spot on. From the heavy chains to the brutal studs and armour chips, he’s every bit the image of an angel of death.

This piece will form the cover of The Space Marine Omnibus, a collection of short stories from Victories of the Space Marines, Legends of the Space Marines and Treacheries of the Space Marines, which will be released in summer 2013.

Is a very nice picture, poor old Howling Griffons always have a rough time eh ?

**Warmaster Primus**

Pacific wrote:
BrookM wrote:
Helsreach is one of two Space Marine battles novels I managed to finish, the other being the Dark Angels entry. I have all the others, but could not finish any of them. I find the overall quality of the SMB novels lacking.

That Dark Angels book was the most by the numbers, follow the template BL book I have ever read. It could have been written by some kind of BL 'Space Marine book' writing program: "Brother X sprinted towards the cover while the howls of Y sounded around him. He would avenge the death of brother Genericus and savour the look in the (insert adjective) eyes of Y as he eviscerated them with his chainsword, (insert weapon name). By the Emperor, he would make them pay in blood!" To be honest I only got the book because I had heard the Demiurg were in it (in the opening section), the problem being then that nothing in the slightest bit original happens for the next 400 God-damn pages

Brother Poopy sprinted towards the cover while the howls of puppies sounded around him. He would avenge the death of brother Genericus and savour the look in the (pretty) eyes of the Kardashians as he eviscerated them with his chainsword, (CreamPuff). By the Emperor, he would make them pay in blood!"

I would love a SMB novel/mad lib.

**lords2001**

Battle of the Fang is the best overall book, plotwise.

Legion of the Damned has the most graphic story and coolest character (Kersh) with a great cameo from a scout who didn't suck, far from it. And it had the coolest plot hook and original themes.

Helsreach is still a great book, but seems boilerplate for every ADB book afterward - the character is always the odd one out, the one who doesn't get it. In some ways it is as boilerplate as others - if you got Argal Tal (pre daemon), Sevataar and Talos all in a room you would think they were brothers. Same as Grimaldus, the guy from cadian blood, etc etc - all very similar. A very good plot hook, but still one I think may be entering full blown template mode.

**BrookM**

You're right though, his characters are all of the same archetype.

**Bulkoth**

kronk wrote:
Just Dave wrote:
Cadian Blood '09 according to Lexicanum.

Weird. That doesn't show up on his Black Library page.

Those pages are pretty poor to be honest, if you need any proof check out Dan Abnett's page, it has like 4 books on it when it should probably wear out your mouse wheel to see them all.

**Alpharius**

BrookM wrote:
You're right though, his characters are all of the same archetype.

Plus, he sure does hate him some Loyalists!

**Kanluwen**

Alpharius wrote:
BrookM wrote:
You're right though, his characters are all of the same archetype.

Plus, he sure does hate him some Loyalists!

You're joking right?

Anyways...

I really want to see a follow-up to "Cadian Blood". It needs a sequel.

**Alpharius**

Kanluwen wrote:
Alpharius wrote:
BrookM wrote:
You're right though, his characters are all of the same archetype.

Plus, he sure does hate him some Loyalists!

You're joking right?

Anyways...

I really want to see a follow-up to "Cadian Blood". It needs a sequel.

Not joking - though more specifically, he hate him some Loyalist Space Marines.

Anyways...

How 'bout that Black Library?

**BrookM**

Maybe I'm still too jaded, but their books as of late aren't all that grand. Still waiting for effing Pariah and effing the Emperor's Balls to arrive. FML.

**reds8n**

BrookM wrote:
effing the Emperor's Balls to arrive. FML.

.. I hope that's not one of their "choose your own adventure" books !