Hunt for Voldoriusand other Space Marine Battle books

[PainRack]

Ok, so, I noticed a new series of Wh40k books where Space marines go whoop ass on Xenos, Chaos and etc.

Anyone read this yet? Recommendations?

I loved the extract I saw for Rynn world, although I didn't purchase it in favour of completing my Gortex and Discworld collection.

[Bob the Gunslinger]

Helsreach is probably the best one out, but Rynn's world is also a lot of fun. I haven't read Voldorius and I don't plan to because the author sucks. I've heard good things about The Purging of Kadillas.

[Black Admiral]

Hunt For Voldorius is basically Hoare's best book, and it's a huge improvement on Rogue Star/Star of Damocles. Personally I like it quite a bit, although I'm willing to admit that's, to a fair degree, because I'm a Raven Guard fan and HfV is pretty much their only major appearance so far (aside from IA8, which is best not mentioned). Hell, the White Scars grow on you a fair bit, even given my dislike for the whole "Mongols in SPAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!" thing they've got going.

That said, yeah, Helsreach is pretty much the best one so far.

[white_rabbit]

whichever book you are reading, don't expect much from the "quality maps and illustrations". Not one of them has been anything but a complete gyp.

[Sidewinder]

I liked The Hunt for Voldorius, which detailed a good yarn in 5th ed. Codex: Space Marines. Helsreach had good characterization- one of Aaron Dembski-Bowden's strengths. I've yet to read Rynn's World.

Hunt For Voldorius is basically Hoare's best book, and it's a huge improvement on Rogue Star/Star of Damocles. Personally I like it quite a bit, although I'm willing to admit that's, to a fair degree, because I'm a Raven Guard fan and HfV is pretty much their only major appearance so far (aside from IA8, which is best not mentioned).

Is The Hunt for Voldorius really the only novel in which the Raven Guard has a major role (excluding Graham McNeill's Ultramarines novels, of course)?

[Connor MacLeod]

Yeah. Unless you're a big 40K fan or a completionist (like me) you probably don't ant to bother. They're just the regular novels fancied up in some way to make more money, and the extra stuff isn't really worth it. The stories are so so for the most part (Helsreach is good though) - not bad, just kinda what you'd expect. The only reasons I bought them aside from being a completionist is for eventual analysis and curiosity. I suppose if any of that appeals to you they might be worth a look.

But if you have a friend who has them, or if you know a couple people who like 40K, you might borrow them or share the purchasing to trade em around.

Hunt for Voldorious was surprisingly decent. I was expecting the same stuff we got from his prior two books, but they were completely different. and, I suspect, they influenced his writing on Savage Scars (making it a much better book than the last two as well, although stilll not as good as hunt.)

[Elheru Aran]

Rynn's World is okay. The Crimson Fists always have a huge stick up their asses, but at least Pedro Kantor isn't a huge dick. Some pretty epic fights, though, specially with Captain Cortez.

Something about the way it ended doesn't really vibe too well for me, though. They got off a little too easily...

[Black Admiral]

Hunt For Voldorius is basically Hoare's best book, and it's a huge improvement on Rogue Star/Star of Damocles. Personally I like it quite a bit, although I'm willing to admit that's, to a fair degree, because I'm a Raven Guard fan and HfV is pretty much their only major appearance so far (aside from IA8, which is best not mentioned).

Is The Hunt for Voldorius really the only novel in which the Raven Guard has a major role (excluding Graham McNeill's Ultramarines novels, of course)?

Essentially, yes. Outside of Hunt For Voldorius (and the audio-novels Raven's Flight and Helion Rain), the Raven Guard are mostly restricted to cameos or minor roles. Off the top of my head there's;
- A one-line reference in Ghostmaker
- As tertiary cast members in Cadian Blood
- Part of the backdrop at Istvaan V in False Gods
- Pretty much there for the Word Bearers to shoot up in The First Heretic (albeit the Raven Lord himself does a fine line in prodding buttock)
- Three Raven Guard Brethren seconded to the Deathwatch in separate sources (Brothers Damias (Warriors of Ultramar) and Zeed (Heroes of the Space Marines: Headhunted), and Techmarine Korpheus (Warrior Brood)
- And Captain Shaan's squad from The Chapter's Due

Rather annoys me, since they're one of the more interesting Chapters.

As far as Rynn's World, well, I imagine I'm in a minority for actually liking the Crimson Fists, but they don't come off as being particularly stuck up to me. For the most part, anyway - their 2nd Company Captain's a jackass, sure, but he's acknowledged to be particularly cynical and hard-edged (and contrasted with his senior Sarge), and when it counts chooses to do the right thing.

[Manus Celer Dei]

The Raven Guard at least have had decent covering in BL's fledgling range of audio dramas; Raven's Flight covers Corax's escape from Istvaan and Helion Rain is about a squad of RG scouts being awesome at the Tyranids. They're both pretty great, well worth a listen if you're fond of the Raven Guard.

Pretty much there for the Word Bearers to shoot up in The First Heretic (albeit the Raven Lord himself does a fine line in prodding buttock)

Probably my favourite bit of the whole book. We will die in the shadow of great wings.

[Connor MacLeod]

The Raven Guard tend to work well when you keep them shadowy and secret. I mean they're Space Marine ninjas for crying out loud. I'm not sure any one author could fully do justice to them as a Chapter in any case. The mythos around some Space Marine chapters makes it hard to capture them fully (unless you had a hand in writing it, like Bill King. Which explains why the Space Wolf perspective of other authros may not be wholly liked.) and will ivnariably disappoint, I think.

[PainRack]

I haven't even seen the book Helsreach before but that's the best?

The online extract from the black library was confusing to read through....... is the novel structure any better than the online extract?


Alternatively, would just buying a "liked" chapter be an better option?