question on next WH40k book to buy

[dragon]

Was wondering which one I should pick up as I have to order from Amazon and don't want to waste money picking up grabage.

Exterminatus by Dan Abbot
Salamander (The Tome of Fire Trilogy)
Courage and Honour fifth novel in the Ultramarines series, by Graham McNeill.
Innocence Proves Nothing sequel to Scourge the Heretic, by 'Ciaphas Cain' author Sandy Mitchell
Defenders of Ultramar by Graham McNeil.
Fire and Honor by Graham McNeil.

[Bob the Gunslinger]

Was wondering which one I should pick up as I have to order from Amazon and don't want to waste money picking up grabage.

I'll try to help you out.


Exterminatus by Dan Abbot

This is a graphic novel, and while I own it I have not read it yet. When I skimmed it, it looked like it had a decent amount of Inquisitorial action and some space battles, but it also had bullet-imitating lasguns. The artwork looked pretty clean and professional for a 40k graphic novel.

Salamander (The Tome of Fire Trilogy)

I was honestly not very impressed with what I've read so far in this book, but I haven't really made a serious attempt to get into it, either. I doubt that it would be worthwhile.

Courage and Honour fifth novel in the Ultramarines series, by Graham McNeill.

You would only want to read this if you've already read all of the others in the series, and even then I'd wait for paperback.

Innocence Proves Nothing sequel to Scourge the Heretic, by 'Ciaphas Cain' author Sandy Mitchell

If you liked the first one, Scourge of the Heretic, you'll probably like this one.

Defenders of Ultramar by Graham McNeil.
Fire and Honor by Graham McNeil.

These two are also graphic novels. They are more expensive than mass market paperbacks and have less story in them, but if you like graphic novels, you might like them. I'm just not that familiar with them.

I'd like to hear some reviews of the graphic novels myself. I may just pick them up.

Two 40k books that I've read recently that I liked were Gunheads and Cadian Blood.

[Elessar]

Any thoughts on the latest Gaunt's Ghosts (Blood Pact)? I'm a pretty big fan of the series in general, but it's been a while since the last book came out, and the whole 'Lost' series didn't have the climax I was hoping for.

Hardcover-only for now too.

[Lord Pounder]

I found the Horus Heresy books a good start. I'd had been years since I was in to Warhammer 40k and found them a good refresher on the state of things.

[Karza]

Salamander (The Tome of Fire Trilogy)

I was honestly not very impressed with what I've read so far in this book, but I haven't really made a serious attempt to get into it, either. I doubt that it would be worthwhile.

I just finished Salamander. While the start is slow, particularly if you haven't read the Salamanders short story in Heroes of the Space Marines, I liked the perspective it gives to the functioning of this particular chapter. Some of the technical stuff seemed a bit iffy, but especially in the latter half there's certainly enough blood, guts and general Space Marine awesomeness to make Salamander a pretty solid book. Bonus points for having a good antagonist, even if he is less prominent in this book than in the short story.

I look forward to the next part.

[Night_stalker]

I have completed the Ciaphas Cain series, and am considering finishing up the Gaunts Ghosts series by getting Blood Pact, is it any good?

[Elessar]

I have completed the Ciaphas Cain series, and am considering finishing up the Gaunts Ghosts series by getting Blood Pact, is it any good?

I ended up picking up the book this week and finished it pretty quickly.

From what I've seen, there are two major types of Gaunt's Ghosts novels. One recounts a massive, epic war that involves the regiment in many ways (Necropolis, Honour Guard, Sabbat Martyr, Only In Death come to mind), the other is where Gaunt leads some small force on an adventure (Ghostmaker and Traitor General come to mind).

Blood Pact is the latter.

So while I'm not a particular fan of the adventure mold, but it was still an enjoyable read. It did keep me guessing for a while and ties a few interesting loose ends that I had entirely forgotten about. Personally, I wouldn't hurry to buy and read it unless you like the adventure storytelling though.

[fgalkin]

How does it compare to, say, Traitor General in terms of quality?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Aaron]

Exterminatus by Dan Abbot

This is a graphic novel, and while I own it I have not read it yet. When I skimmed it, it looked like it had a decent amount of Inquisitorial action and some space battles, but it also had bullet-imitating lasguns. The artwork looked pretty clean and professional for a 40k graphic novel.

I have this one and it's great, worth it for just the art alone. Unfortunately it's part of a larger arc, four books IIRC and the series appears to have been discontinued.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Exterminatus carries on from Damnation Crusade, that is, after the battle where the main protagonist suffers too much injuries and is subsequently interned in a Dreadnaught. It elaborates the circumstances that led to that battle. It's generally inquisitorial action, and ends with an inquistor killing one of the Chaos Space Marine leaders behind the battle. I'm not sure where else it continues from, and Black Library has a habit of not reprinting some of its older comics.

It has great art and a decent story, and some decent action. Good read I would say.

[Elessar]

How does it compare to, say, Traitor General in terms of quality?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

I much preferred Traitor General. It had a much tighter plot, better characterization (the team really grew, like Ana, Tona, Ven) and much more interesting a world setting. Also, I wasn't really sure where Blood Pact was going for most of the novel, and so it ended somewhat abruptly.

If I'd had to compare, I say it's more like The Armour of Contempt in quality.

Just to shine some light on my personal biases though, I feel that Necropolis and Only in Death are the two best novels in the entire series.

[Elheru Aran]

If one's into Abnett, Titanicus just came out in paperback not long ago. At about $9 US compared to $25something for the hardcover, I'd say it's quite the bargain. I enjoyed it personally and it helped open the HH book Mechanicus up a little for me. Buy it, definitely, I would say.

Speaking of Abnett, is the Ravenor omni a better deal than just buying Ravenor Rogue to finish up my collection? It's pretty, I have to say that for it, but unless it's got short stories I don't see much point...

[Thirdfain]

The Ravenor omni *does* have short stories! Two of them, filling the interstices between the three books.