Fire Warrior novel

[Srelex]

Having only read some of it quite some time before at a library, which I do not have access to any longer, I was wondering if there's anyone here who's read the book and has extrapolated anything interesting from it. Like the game, I've heard it's quite the Tauwankery.

[NecronLord]

Not especially, no. Sure, the protagonist does some awesome stuff, but that hardly matters. He's exceptional.

It also makes Tau society out to be very sinister.

[SylasGaunt]

It's got Kaiswankery. Most of the other Tau get mowed down easily enough. Meanwhile the new guy is killing Space marines and wandering around with an unexploded Bolt lodged in his helmet.

[Bob the Gunslinger]

Having only read some of it quite some time before at a library, which I do not have access to any longer, I was wondering if there's anyone here who's read the book and has extrapolated anything interesting from it. Like the game, I've heard it's quite the Tauwankery.

I don't know about Tau wankery. It was really only one Tau character who was wanked, Kais O'something or other (O'Shovah? No, that was Teal'c), and the other Tau were all afraid of him, too. The novel is certainly much better than the horrible Rogue Trader duology by And Hoare, which nerfed the Imperium and wanked the Tau to unbelievable levels.

If you want a good perspective on the Tau, Firewarrior is a pretty good book, but you should also read the Last Chancers Omnibus, specifically the middle story (Annihilation Squad?).

[Rochey]

Fire Warrior is an interesting book for the view it gives us of Tau society. It doesn't outright state much, but through implications a lot of the workings of Tau society and their ideology is made rather clear through it.

Regarding wankery, the only thing that really bothered me was the Tau/Imperial space battle. It made the Tau ships out to be a little too superior to Imperial vessels for my liking, giving the impression that they found battling the Imperium in space more of an annoyance than a danger. The rest of the book isn't too bad. Kais, the main character, is rather wanked but (without going into spoilers) there's a bit near the end that suggests that his survival wasn't just due to his abilities.

[Srelex]

Thanks for the replies. Is it worth buying?

[NecronLord]

If you're interested in Tau, otherwise it's not that great. I don't regret buying it, but wouldn't recommend it compared to things like Relentless or the Dark Apostle books.

[Soontir C'boath]

Thanks for the replies. Is it worth buying?

No especially for the used prices it's going for.

Main thing I remember was how much I was annoyed that he can keep going at the end even with a limp leg, alien physiology nonetheless. Wankery indeed.

[Imperial Overlord]

If you're interested in Tau, otherwise it's not that great. I don't regret buying it, but wouldn't recommend it compared to things like Relentless or the Dark Apostle books.

Are the Dark Apostle books good?

[Eviscerator]

IMO the Dark Apostle series are a refreshing change from the usual "IoM for Teh Win" trend in 40k novels.

To illustrate in the latest one (Dark Creed) an fully staffed Astartes Battle Barge's expected takeover time by a CSM boarding party is less than 30 minutes

[Bob the Gunslinger]

Uh... How is that a change of pace? Every 40k novel portrays the Imperium as doomed. Even when the Imperium wins, the GRIMDARK says it loses. And don't get me started on the portrayal of Chaos Marines in the novels; they're either invincible supervillains or gibbering loonies, and they never die as easily as a loyal Marine even in a book where the loyalists are the heroes.

If Dark Apostle is a change of pace from that, then it would be a good read. Is it a good read?

[Kuja]

If Dark Apostle is a change of pace from that, then it would be a good read. Is it a good read?

They're okay, but honestly I found the first two extremely predictable and rather flat. Haven't started the third one yet.

[Eviscerator]

The first two are unquestionably Chaos Victories. and Dark Creed gives some numbers as to what an CSM warband might accomplish if it really wanted to, i recall Imperial troop strengths being in the BILLIONs and the CSMs were still going to prevail if the Necrons hadnt showed up.

[white_rabbit]

I liked all three, but I'm a spiky death fanboy, so whatever,

I like marduk as a bad guy though, and his interactions with his various subordinates, rivals etc. The last book confirms Erebus as giant dickhead though, as if we needed any extra information.

The background/technical details are usually interesting in them as well, if you like that sort of thing. The Imperiums fortress system gives us the closest look at one we've had since Cadia, and its pretty badass, billions of ground troops, and the bonus of a neat, fast warp transit nexus that anchors the Astartes Praeses chapters and their rapid responses near the EOT. The Consuls also appear to be one of the less dickish chapters.

I did like the confirmation of large battleships/mobile fortresses in the 10-20km range, the Darkstar class even took a direct nova cannon hit without damage, although it was another different interpretation of the nova cannon, more like an energy weapon than anything else.

[Connor MacLeod]

I've got the Fire Warrior novel. From the parts I've read its not that bad. As a rule Simon Spurrier is (wsa) a rather decent author by my measure. The tau weren't overdone in any respect - they covered the advantages and the flaws of the technology and society of the tau, and they don't totally gimp the Imperium to make the tau look better either. Yes, the main Tau character is wanktastic, but that's true of most 40K novels (even Imperial chracters, need I remind anyone of Priad from Brothers of the Snake or the Iron Snakes in general?) so its forgivable.

Fire Warrior is on the list for covering in analysis, whenever I get around to it. I still have quite a few books I havne't done.

I rather like the Word bearers novels as well. Yes they're not exactly cheerful, and the Imperium loses alot (but then again warfare is nasty in 40K so that can be expected) but the characters weren't overdone. Its in the same vein as Storm of Iron minus the Graham McNeill effect. If you like CSM or fighting in general I'd recommend them