So, obviously I'm en route to pick up the last omnibus plus Blood Pact. Anyone have any thoughts on the spin-off novel Double Eagle?
40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
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40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
OK, so I finally got my lazy ass in gear and started. I devoured the first two omnibuses (omnibi?) and I have to say, even though these are earlier than Abnett's other 40k work, they cement my opinion of him as far and away the best Black Library author. I read a lot, and it is rare for me to put a book down and still have a lingering emotional reaction. I literally went to bed very upset when and cheered when While I thought some of the supernatural element would detract from the character of the story, I found that Abnett just used it as set dressing, and didn't let it interfere with his storytelling.
So, obviously I'm en route to pick up the last omnibus plus Blood Pact. Anyone have any thoughts on the spin-off novel Double Eagle?
So, obviously I'm en route to pick up the last omnibus plus Blood Pact. Anyone have any thoughts on the spin-off novel Double Eagle?
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I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
Double Eagle is the Battle of Britain in space/the future, so be prepared for that. I enjoyed it, minus the obviously frakked in the head newbie and was happy to get a look at there aircraft. I'm hoping for a similar novel from the perspective of Vulture and Valkyrie crews.
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
Weren't some of the Pardus tankers from Sabbat Martyr (I think) in it as well?
I can't stand nothing dull
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I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
The Gaunt's Ghosts series is great. Abnett's great at creating great characters and really grasps the full scale of 40K nicely.
Be warned, the death toll for the next few books just goes up. Which is another thing I love the series for. Character shields, for the most part, don't exist. It's a war, and characters that we both like and hate die, often in inglorious ways.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
And yeah, Kendall. The new guy (Marcus, or something like that, right?) seemed a little too eager to want to kill someone.
Be warned, the death toll for the next few books just goes up. Which is another thing I love the series for. Character shields, for the most part, don't exist. It's a war, and characters that we both like and hate die, often in inglorious ways.
Aye, he's good at bringing in the supernatural parts of the universe into play. It's particularly prominent in Only In Death. In whichMikey wrote:While I thought some of the supernatural element would detract from the character of the story, I found that Abnett just used it as set dressing, and didn't let it interfere with his storytelling.
Double Eagle was pretty good. It's basicaly WW2 air combat in a 40K setting. It actualy took me a couple of tries to really start properly reading the book, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. There's also a few minor characters from the GG series that make some small appearances. Including one character who you'll swear is Ayatani Zweil's long lost brother.Mikey wrote:So, obviously I'm en route to pick up the last omnibus plus Blood Pact. Anyone have any thoughts on the spin-off novel Double Eagle?
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
And yeah, Kendall. The new guy (Marcus, or something like that, right?) seemed a little too eager to want to kill someone.
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
True - even with the characters that you know have to be around, Abnett convinces you that they might die as easily as anyone else. I won't read the spoiler, because I haven't picked up The Lost omnibus yet, but I know at least of Larkin's injury and how Hark "helps" Soric when they meet again.<em>Rochey</em> wrote:Be warned, the death toll for the next few books just goes up. Which is another thing I love the series for. Character shields, for the most part, don't exist. It's a war, and characters that we both like and hate die, often in inglorious ways.
BTW, how great of a character is Hlaine Larkin?
On another note, am I correct in thinking that the original Tanith are based on Scottish regiments?
I can't stand nothing dull
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
I'm not sure, I never really got into the Ghost series. I find Gaunt to dour, should have read him before Cain.Mikey wrote:Weren't some of the Pardus tankers from Sabbat Martyr (I think) in it as well?
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
Yeah, not a good idea to jump from the Cain series to a more dark series.
As for Soric's re-appearance......well, let's just say that it's one seriously depressing scene.
Yeah, he's very good at making everyone seem all too mortal. I won't say which book it was (you'll know when you hit it), but I was honestly convinced Gaunt was truly dead at one point.Mikey wrote: True - even with the characters that you know have to be around, Abnett convinces you that they might die as easily as anyone else. I won't read the spoiler, because I haven't picked up The Lost omnibus yet, but I know at least of Larkin's injury and how Hark "helps" Soric when they meet again.
As for Soric's re-appearance......well, let's just say that it's one seriously depressing scene.
Larkin is indeed awesome.Mikey wrote:BTW, how great of a character is Hlaine Larkin?
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Dunno. There's certainly some similarities, but not enough to determine conclusively whether or not Abnett drew more than vague influence from them.Mikey wrote:On another note, am I correct in thinking that the original Tanith are based on Scottish regiments?
"You've all been selected for this mission because you each have a special skill. Professor Hawking, John Leslie, Phil Neville, the Wu-Tang Clan, Usher, the Sugar Puffs Monster and Daniel Day-Lewis! Welcome to Operation MindFuck!"
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
The blue tattoos, the "ruffian" image they have when viewed by regiments like the Bluebloods, and the surnames (Mkoll, MkVenner, etc.) - along with the use of bagpipes! - kind of gave me that impression.Rochey wrote:Dunno. There's certainly some similarities, but not enough to determine conclusively whether or not Abnett drew more than vague influence from them.
I can't stand nothing dull
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
I got the impression that his inspiration was the Rifle Regiments but they use pipes IIRC as well. He probably smashed a couple different inspirations together.
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
OK, I just got His Last Command, The Armour of Contempt, and Only in Death. (And read them all in four days.
) I haven't gotten Blood Pact yet - I'm hoping for a softcover soon. Here's my question: does anyone know how to get their hands on a copy of The Iron Star? I know it was only released as a chapbook for a GW promotional day, and I think only 1200 copies were pressed. I can't find it anywhere.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I can't stand nothing dull
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
Given GW's fanatical opposition to even fan made websites, I don't find it at all surprising that it can't be found.
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
I have a friend on another board that might have it/know where too, I'll ask.Mikey wrote:OK, I just got His Last Command, The Armour of Contempt, and [/i]Only in Death.[/i] (And read them all in four days.) I haven't gotten Blood Pact yet - I'm hoping for a softcover soon. Here's my question: does anyone know how to get their hands on a copy of The Iron Star? I know it was only released as a chapbook for a GW promotional day, and I think only 1200 copies were pressed. I can't find it anywhere.
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
Hmmm - update. Apparently, Traitor General, His Last Command, The Armour of Contempt, and The Iron Star have been released as an omnibus in March... and even better, word is that Abnett's working on a new novel: rumor has the working title as Salvation Reach. Anybody else hear anything?
I can't stand nothing dull
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
I got the high gloss luster
I'll massacre your ass as fast
as Bull offed Custer
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Re: 40k - Gaunt's Ghosts
If it's true, then I am very very very very very eagerly anticipating it.
My school's new librarian is interested in updating the stock of the black library....OH YEAH!
My school's new librarian is interested in updating the stock of the black library....OH YEAH!