A few months ago I picked up my first 40K book to try to get myself in the mood and get a little inspiration for my new Alpha Legion force. I've only tried one book, but if this is any indication of the norm, I'm not getting a second.
The book I grabbed was The Hunt for Voldorius. It's primarily about a Raven Guard force hunting some Alphas. I suppose I should have picked one where they were the protagonists but whatever. It was going to give me insight.
Except the thing is, it's written like old CSM models look- kind of cheesy, overly dramatic, a little too hard core. I'm all for immersion. Heck, that's why I bought it. But surely a world with this much deep heritage and history can do better than this. This is like LARP level commitment when I just want to pull out some dice and drink some scotch. Get it? I don't need every word to be EPICHOLYSHITOMGTHISISCRAZYANDSODAMNSERIOUS!
So that brings me to this: Is there any decent 40K fiction out there or is it all cheese-ball? I toyed with buying The Primarchs at the store this week, hoping to get a little love for my twin Primarchs, but I thought I'd float this out there before I wasted the $8.
~Deet
Dan Abnett's stuff is generally considered to be the best. The Gaunt's Ghosts series is very long but I think it's worthwhile. Alternatively Ciaphas Cain series has a really good take on things (and takes the mickey out of exactly what seemed to bother you). I've not read any for ages so not sure about the newer stuff.
ReplyDeleteLike Nick, I tried the Gaunt's Ghosts first too and it got me hooked. Horus Heresy came later, but I was hesitant as every book is written by someone else and I thought it would screw up the story line. Luckily it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, some of the books I read are a bit too much as they go too deep and drag the story to a halt. However, most are more balanced IMO. Giving me enough action, detail and mystery.
My advice, give it one last try with the Horus Heresy Title "Legion". This one is all about the Alpha Legion, plus I believe Dan Abnett is the writter (could be wrong here). If it is nothing, you wasted your last 10 bucks, if it is awesome, it should give you enough inspiration.
Yep, you want Legion, its such a great book, its subtle and none of it is overblown and "epic" its a close story focusing mainly on an Imperial Army soldier and the agent John Grammaticus, its easily one of the best Horus Heresy books.
ReplyDeleteIt can be a bit of a minefield but many of the books are well worth a read - the Gaunts Ghosts series as mentioned already is one to check out. The Eisenhorn and Ravenor books explore a different area of the universe and are generally free from "bolter porn". The first 3 - 5 books in the Heresy series are all very good too so that's another possible starting point.
ReplyDeleteRead Know No Fear. It's one of the best from the Heresy series, regarding the invasion of Calth. It's farking epic.
ReplyDeleteThousand sons is a very good read and gives a good look into two awesome chapters. Lots of good characters and thoroughly enjoyable in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the suggestions, gents. I think I'll start with Legion.
ReplyDeleteAlso, do check out the Night Lords novels (and other works) of Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Really well developed and multi-dimensional characters and interesting plot twists.
ReplyDeleteThe First Heretic by Aaron Demski-Bowden.
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ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above, the Eisenhorn books (starting with Xenos) are great. The opening trilogy of the Horus Heresy also has a lot going for it, and from there the order of books isn't so important, so you can pick and choose what interests you. I've always liked sorcery, and so was interested in the Thousand Sons. I'm listening to the audio book now, and it is fan-friggin-tastic. I actually have over 40 of the audio books, dramas, and shorts. I'll bring them the next time we play.
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