SpAcEGhOsT095

The Siege is just becoming more confusing with each book. Is Pert really doing that? Giving up?

The Lamenters and Sly Marbo vs. Snikrot. Both rejected. While other garbage is green lit. I have to hand it to GW. Just when I think I've found the bottom, they dig deeper.

Would Curze having real-time foresight count in The Unremembered Empire? It's certainly a twist on a character trait. Before that, it was just horrible visions of the future. But it doesn't seem to work when Vulkan is involved. I guess really big hammers are Konrad's kryptonite.

I wouldn't mind Haley writing some more Ork stories. He's about the only one at BL that has.

How does this change the timeline for the Unification Wars? It was said to last centuries. Longer even, than the Great Crusade.

The Minotaurs are fleet-based. They are the attack dogs of the High Lords. And they are as likable as Marines Malevolent. Being the High Lords attack dogs gave them the first pick of gear. Not many Chapters have Contemptor Dreadnoughts. It's not surprising they would run back to Terra.

I have heard some interesting things about the equipment the First has.

A question about the IV Legion

Thanks for the fuller context of what went on. I was under the impression that it was Pert who was the driving force of that. I remember the loud angry noises when The Master of Mankind was freshly released. Most who were finally able to read the book liked it, I certainly did. Abnett could spend 18 hours a day on forums trying to explain the context, those who are angry about any change to how they see the Emperor, will stay mad no matter what.

Back to the Battle of Doom and its context.

It's the impact his stories have. The Alpha Legion, Space Wolves, Ultramarines, Imperium Secundus. They all started with "I have an idea for a story". In my mind, I can still see Guilliman standing on the bridge of Macragge's Honour taking notes by hand on everything he can see in Calth's orbit. That's the One Ring of power that Abnett has. And it works.

Tbf, we have all been baying for blood for a while. Its a bit unfair to complain that our calls for bloodletting have been answered and that it was characters we happened to like. Should he have just killed characters we didnt like? What would be the point there? Not to mention the layers of plot armor protecting most of the cast. Did I like the Bringer of Sorrows in the Master of Mankind? Yes It isn't that I want certain characters to live over others. It's that he was part of a list of characters that had flexible story arcs. I can handle the additions Abnett made about the Emperor's history and the woman involved with the creation of the Primarchs. My big complaint with this book is how that list, for loyalists and traitors, is now a lot shorter. I'm never bored reading Abnett's stories, so I don't want anyone to think I hate him or his work, no matter how much pain he inflicted on us with "Try Again" Bragg. But, with every book he has written for the Heresy, each has had a significant impact not only on canon but also on the direction other authors have had to take to keep the series, more or less, coherent. This book will not only impact the remaining books about the Siege, but also any potential Scouring series. The lost potential for stories with characters we already know. That's what bothers me. But, I'll get over it and keep reading Abnett's books.

I agree with Marshal Loss. And he said it far better than I did. My post can be read as a bit too cynical. Abnett stands apart from other BL authors. Being a popular veteran author means that if he asks to use a character, they will more often than not say yes. I don't think he does it out of ego or to show off, for him it's most likely story-driven. I just wish he could keep the kill rate a bit lower.

Or, Abnett gets what he wants because of how well his books sell. Wouldn't be good for BL to make him unhappy.

Also, for people who have finished the book: