"Ravenor Returned" WH40K (Spoilers)

[Big Orange]

I've just finished reading the second instalment of the Ravenor trilogy, Ravenor Returned - it was actually pretty good and well written by Dan Abnett, a well regarded Black Library writer. I always found the WH40K setting to be mostly mindless camp, but Ravenor Returned is a pretty well crafted sci-fi thriller that is much better than similar strories from more mainstream genres, with likable characters, compelling settings and sinister villains that are not too OTT. This is the first major WH40K novel I've read and I wonder what stories could be recomended by long term WH40K fans.

And related to the WH40K-movie thread, if this story was made into a movie or mini-series, I'd cast Timothy Dalton as Orefeo Culzean, Ted Levine as Diadochoi/Molotch (with Alan Dale as his public face), Jason Isaacs as Belknap, Richard Armitage as Jager Trice, and Harry Lloyd as Toros Revoke.

[fgalkin]

Well, Ravenor, and Ravenor Rogue obviously Ravenor is a beautiful, beautiful book, although it may seem a bit weird to read, given that you've spoiled not only the end of the book, but pretty much all its plot twists.

The Eisenhorn trilogy is the original trilogy, to which Ravenor is a spin-off. I've genrally found it to be superior to the Ravenor books in terms of plot, actually, but the Ravenor books are better written, IMHO.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Imperial Overlord]

I prefer the Eisenhorn books. Abnett's writing skills improved in between Eisenhorn and Ravenor trilogies, but the characters and relationships in Eisenhorn were more interesting and engaging.

[Aaron]

This is the first major WH40K novel I've read and I wonder what stories could be recomended by long term WH40K fans.

The Last Chancers
Ultramarines Omnibus
Blind
For The Emperor
Caves Of Ice
The Traitor's Hand
Death Or Glory
Grey Knights
Dark Adeptus
15 Hours
Tales From The Dark Millenium

The Horus Heresy Series and the Gaunts Ghosts Series.

[Kuja]

Ravenor remains one of the best books I've ever read, anywhere. Ravenor Rogue was well-written too, but not quite as entertaining.

Ravenor Rogue was a crap in a hurricane, though.

[Connor MacLeod]

We've had a number of "what 40K books are good to read" threads before. Here's some to look at for advice (I'm sure there are many many others)

http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic. ... =40k+books

http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic. ... =40k+books

http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic. ... =40k+books


As for the Ravenor books.. I liked the first, but I held off on the second because I did skim it and felt kinda "meh." Same for the last one. It's still kind of a good series and the characters are well written, but the plot is kinda flat compared to Eisenhorn (Eisenhorn had better stories IMHO.)

Abnett's writing has changed from his "Early" times compared to "later" ones, but I tned to be more fond of his earlier stuff (First and Only and Necropolis are some of myy favorite 40K books, bar none and my favorite Ghosts novels.)

[Big Orange]

Well, Ravenor, and Ravenor Rogue obviously Ravenor is a beautiful, beautiful book, although it may seem a bit weird to read, given that you've spoiled not only the end of the book, but pretty much all its plot twists.

Jesus-titty-fucking-Christ it's no worse than seeing The Empire Strikes Back before A New Hope or seeing Serenity before FireFly -what is wrong with reading a prequel?

The bad guy's plan for taking over the galaxy in Ravenor Returned is surprisingly similar to the Krillitine's plan in "School Reunion". And I've learned that the Imperium of Man is essentially a patchwork of thousands of small Imperiums working within an alliance uninted by being part of the same species, where not only is the Imperium is attacked from without by alien beings, but has always been engaged in a low intensity civil war between the different regional governors, armies and organizations under the Imperium's banner.

[Imperial Overlord]

The bad guy's plan for taking over the galaxy in Ravenor Returned is surprisingly similar to the Krillitine's plan in "School Reunion". And I've learned that the Imperium of Man is essentially a patchwork of thousands of small Imperiums working within an alliance uninted by being part of the same species, where not only is the Imperium is attacked from without by alien beings, but has always been engaged in a low intensity civil war between the different regional governors, armies and organizations under the Imperium's banner.

That's not quite correct. The Imperium's government structure is feudal, with the rivalry and internal factions that one would expect in a far flung empire with imperfect communications and transportation. Institutions such as the Officio Assassinorum and the Inquisition are tools of control for the High Lords of Terra as is the Adeptus Arbites (tellingly, no member of the Arbites is assigned to a planet within thirty light years of where he or she was born). Tithes must flow, at least lip service must be given to the Imperial Creed, and orders from on high must be obeyed. It might take the Adeptus Terra or the Segmentum Commanders a few decades to getting around to deal with a recalitrant planet, but it will happen eventually.

On the other hand, as long as tithes are payed and loyalty given, their is little incentive for the higher authorities to mess with a local feud given the much more important issues on their plate.