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Hi there,
I'm curious about the serie, as it seems planned since the beggining (so, supposedly, coherent), and is about the beggining of the Imperium, but not The Heresy.
Does anyone here read it ? Does it worth the money ?
Thanks !

I've read the first one. Lots of Imperial intrigue on Terra which is a nice change of pace from the run of mill bolter porn (though there is plenty of that still here).

The novels seem a bit short, but I'm liking it, personally.

I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

And your point is...?
Not only is that a distinct possibility should an ork beat enough strong opponents, the emperor of man was nearly choked to death by one.
Orks can be cool too man.

Neronoxx wrote:

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

And your point is...?
Not only is that a distinct possibility should an ork beat enough strong opponents, the emperor of man was nearly choked to death by one.
Orks can be cool too man.

My point is it's stupid as hell. I've no problem with orks being cool as you put it so I'm not sure what that point is. I'm assuming your not saying the one that was choking the emperor was a comparable size cause there is no way an inordinately big ork could choke anything even primarch sized, their hands would be bigger than their entire bodies.

I'm not trying to argue or start a pointless exchange of petty comments, opinions were asked and i gave mine.

Apart the khight-sized ork, is there anything else "infantile" ? The whole book / series is infantile ?

So sad they didn't translate it, but, fortunately, I read english better than I speak (and write) it^^

I haven't read any of it, but the only real complaint is that there's an Ork the size of an Imperial Knight I think we are safe.

 godardc wrote:
Apart the khight-sized ork, is there anything else "infantile" ? The whole book / series is infantile ?

So sad they didn't translate it, but, fortunately, I read english better than I speak (and write) it^^

No that is my sole complaint for me on the series, I know a lot of people that didn't have an issue with it, but it was for me. If you can get over it then give it a shot, the high lords of terra part is very interesting.

 godardc wrote:
Hi there,
I'm curious about the serie, as it seems planned since the beggining (so, supposedly, coherent), and is about the beggining of the Imperium, but not The Heresy.
Does anyone here read it ? Does it worth the money ?
Thanks !

I read all 4 books published so far and must say that it is one of BL's better series [and in my opinion most of BL output is a garbage]. I was suprised that even author I consider to be unreadable - Rob Sanders - made a great entry [book 2]. I definitely recommend that you read at least 2 first books [reading only first is not enough in my opinion] and then decide if you want to continue.

 Shadow Walker wrote:

 godardc wrote:
Hi there,
I'm curious about the serie, as it seems planned since the beggining (so, supposedly, coherent), and is about the beggining of the Imperium, but not The Heresy.
Does anyone here read it ? Does it worth the money ?
Thanks !

I read all 4 books published so far and must say that it is one of BL's better series [and in my opinion most of BL output is a garbage]. I was suprised that even author I consider to be unreadable - Rob Sanders - made a great entry [book 2]. I definitely recommend that you read at least 2 first books [reading only first is not enough in my opinion] and then decide if you want to continue.

I've yet to read book 4, but book 2 was weird for me.. the first 100 or so pages were just so goddamn boring. Thankfully I got through it and the Novel ended up being pretty awesome

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

Then you probably won't like my counts as ork imperial knight

I've read them, and can recommend the series(based on the first 4).

Wrapping up the second one right now. It's been a solid, albeit short, read so far. I like how the Orks feel like a legitimate threat. I often get the idea that a lot of the BL books are 'Space Marines attack X world, lose three companies somehow but win a super sweet victory.' As of right now, there is not much of that going on!

geargutz wrote:

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

Then you probably won't like my counts as ork imperial knight

No you're misunderstanding me, I've no problem with any race having something on the knight's scales! It's more that I don't feel an ork/human/eldar should be that size ,I quite like the conversion.

 Spyro_Killer wrote:

No you're misunderstanding me, I've no problem with any race having something on the knight's scales! It's more that I don't feel an ork/human/eldar should be that size ,I quite like the conversion.

Thankyou. Though you might think it silly, orks are the only ones who can actualy grow to that size, it's just very uncommon. The fluff gives no limits to ork growth. And if it's silly to be that size then how is it different then the tyranid hq tyrant? Some might say "that because they were genetically made to be that big". But so we're the orks. The old ones created the orks to be very survivable killing machines. If the survive long enough and ascend in the ork leadership they then grow in response. It was designed along with the orks disposition to naturally follow bigger orks.
It may look silly, but it's fluffy.

geargutz wrote:

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

Then you probably won't like my counts as ork imperial knight

That. Is. Genius.

So this is a pre-Heresy setting then, are we talking Unification Wars or Great Crusade?

Neither. It takes place in M32, based on two events in the 40k timeline, the Waaagh of the Beast, a tremendously powerful Ork Waaagh that catches the forces of Segmentum Solar completely offguard, and the Beheading, in which the Master of the Assassinorum has the entire High Lords of Terra assassinated and has to be forcibly removed from power by astartes intervention.

The important thing about understanding the series is M32 is not M31, nor is it M41. The Imperium has recovered and grown complacent. They believe the worst is over and they're well on their way to retaking the galaxy. And they're partially right. What the series shows is that the Imperium's descent was neither fast, nor was it constant, and that there were long periods of growth interspersed with disastrous, and in plenty of cases apocalyptic, setbacks.

I recently finished the first book which I found to be to short for the price tag, but that is actually my only complaint.

As for the story and enjoyment out of it that I got, I was so happy with it! Right when I finished it I was craving more, the setting is great as we see the loyalists start to actually get threatened again and some of the big eye opening moments really had me on the edge of the bed! The fight scenes were not too overly done which was an odd pace for BL but I also attribute that to how the first book needs to set up for the entire series and by no means a mark on the author who is Dan Abnet; a legend of BL writing.

If I had to put a score on it I would give it 8 out of ten, one mark being to short and another mark because nothing is perfect.

I would suggest it to anyone who:
-Loves dem Orks
-Likes to see the imperium lose ever now and then
-Assassins who are bad ass (beast )
-A time other than 40K when the imperium still had wounds to lick
-Dan Abnet

Word of cautions:
-It is short at roughly 250 pages
-It is written to set up the rest of the books so may feel slightly like a calm before a storm and thus people might be craving more.

Biggest hope:
-GW gives us some LE models or scenarios to go with this cause it is an awesome setting and has killer potential!

I'd love to see a supplement for the Ork Codex intended to represent the Beast's WAAAGH!!! Maybe actually give Orks a fighting chance in tournies.

I have read books 1-3, the assassins are brilliant. Starting book 4 once I have finished the deathwatch books.

Great series 'The Beast Arises'

Thanks guys, I'll check it out :-)

I can vouch for it too. Definatly my favorite series put out by the Black library. The 2nd book is probably one of my favorite books of recent memory too. So much destruction.

Pick them up and give them a read, I don't think you would be disappointed!

jareddm wrote:
Neither. It takes place in M32, based on two events in the 40k timeline, the Waaagh of the Beast, a tremendously powerful Ork Waaagh that catches the forces of Segmentum Solar completely offguard, and the Beheading, in which the Master of the Assassinorum has the entire High Lords of Terra assassinated and has to be forcibly removed from power by astartes intervention.

The important thing about understanding the series is M32 is not M31, nor is it M41. The Imperium has recovered and grown complacent. They believe the worst is over and they're well on their way to retaking the galaxy. And they're partially right. What the series shows is that the Imperium's descent was neither fast, nor was it constant, and that there were long periods of growth interspersed with disastrous, and in plenty of cases apocalyptic, setbacks.

Yeah, basically like the Age of Apostasy and the creation of the Sisters of Battle. One of those fun periods that are not related to the "big two" of M31/M41.

 Skinflint Games wrote:

geargutz wrote:

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

Then you probably won't like my counts as ork imperial knight

That. Is. Genius.

I iz smartah den dose umies and pointy eard gitz, cause no one expects ORK DA SIZE UV TITANS!!!!

 Spyro_Killer wrote:

geargutz wrote:

 Spyro_Killer wrote:
I haven't enjoyed them and I'm usually very positive on black library books, the thought process that has gone into it is just infantile! They have an orc the size of a knight for feth sake

Then you probably won't like my counts as ork imperial knight

No you're misunderstanding me, I've no problem with any race having something on the knight's scales! It's more that I don't feel an ork/human/eldar should be that size ,I quite like the conversion.

Just putting this out there. Size is a pre-dominant element in the 40k Ork race. Literally their entire culture is based on how big you are. In the previous Ork codex I vaguely recall something about Orks the size of asteroids in the far depths of space. Though I don't know if I'm recalling that right, or just finally losing it. Also, based on what warzone Orks are in, their entire structure can change. Again, in the previous Ork dex I recall how after one particularly bloody campaign, the Ork boys of some Waaagh were all standing roughly 7' on average.

I get what you mean, but imo there is room for giant sized Orks, even though they are supremely rare. I can only think of the guy from the Beast Arises and the Warboss from Ullanor whom was the largest Ork warboss the crusading armies ever fought, also controlled the mightiest Ork empire at the time.

But in regards to the main topic. I'm enjoying it. I've only read book 1 but it's fine. Not the best stuff I've read but interesting and well written. I like the marines in this era, they feel more like "marines" and less like knights in space. The Terran intrigue is nifty as well. I think it's neat that they're writing new series for the other universal timelines post-Horus Heresy.

 RadiationCurse wrote:
Just putting this out there. Size is a pre-dominant element in the 40k Ork race. Literally their entire culture is based on how big you are. In the previous Ork codex I vaguely recall something about Orks the size of asteroids in the far depths of space. Though I don't know if I'm recalling that right, or just finally losing it. Also, based on what warzone Orks are in, their entire structure can change. Again, in the previous Ork dex I recall how after one particularly bloody campaign, the Ork boys of some Waaagh were all standing roughly 7' on average.

I get what you mean, but imo there is room for giant sized Orks, even though they are supremely rare. I can only think of the guy from the Beast Arises and the Warboss from Ullanor whom was the largest Ork warboss the crusading armies ever fought, also controlled the mightiest Ork empire at the time.

But in regards to the main topic. I'm enjoying it. I've only read book 1 but it's fine. Not the best stuff I've read but interesting and well written. I like the marines in this era, they feel more like "marines" and less like knights in space. The Terran intrigue is nifty as well. I think it's neat that they're writing new series for the other universal timelines post-Horus Heresy.

Is it recorded anywhere how big Ghazghkull is? Just wondering as surely he is the most successful modern boss

Bah, he didn't do anything, really. I mean, he took a bolt on the head, became the boss of his orks,
came on Armaggedon, get beaten.
won on Golgotha.
Came on Armaggedon again, didn't win again.
Fled like a space elve, get into Octarius, and then I don't know.

Anyway, I'm glad this series seems to be a good one !

 godardc wrote:
Bah, he didn't do anything, really. I mean, he took a bolt on the head, became the boss of his orks,
came on Armaggedon, get beaten.
won on Golgotha.
Came on Armaggedon again, didn't win again.
Fled like a space elve, get into Octarius, and then I don't know.

Anyway, I'm glad this series seems to be a good one !

Except for, you know, turning Armageddon into a perpetual warzone that the Imperium needs to keep feeding more and more troops and resources into, and that's drawing orks from all over the Imperium because there's lots of fightin' to be had. I'm pretty sure Gazkhull accomplished what he wanted to.

 Mr. Grey wrote:

 godardc wrote:
Bah, he didn't do anything, really. I mean, he took a bolt on the head, became the boss of his orks,
came on Armaggedon, get beaten.
won on Golgotha.
Came on Armaggedon again, didn't win again.
Fled like a space elve, get into Octarius, and then I don't know.

Anyway, I'm glad this series seems to be a good one !

Except for, you know, turning Armageddon into a perpetual warzone that the Imperium needs to keep feeding more and more troops and resources into, and that's drawing orks from all over the Imperium because there's lots of fightin' to be had. I'm pretty sure Gazkhull accomplished what he wanted to.

Plus, he did the same for The Octavian war, turning it into a massive meat grinder with the tyranids and creating another eternal warzone.