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Horus Heresy: Battle for the Abyss (Warhammer 40,000: The Horus Heresy) | 
 enlarge | Author: Ben Counter
Publisher: Black Library
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
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New (13) Used (5) from £3.19
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 242
Media: Paperback
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 1844166570
EAN: 9781844166572
ASIN: 1844166570
Publication Date: August 4, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
Rushed if anything August 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
We all want to read the latest Horus Heresy novels, god we do, however we really must make sure Black Library don't rush the authors otherwise books to this standard are released.
I'm a fan of Ben Counters work-really I am, I own the current Grey Knights series, Daemon World and the Soul Drinkers omnibus. I feel with that basis of knowledge of his writings I know when a story is rushed out, boy is this one of them.
Rushed being the emphasis, little plot preparation, little weight behind the characters and story and unfortunately another blip in the so far excellent Horus Heresy saga.
The story is a typical `Space Marines enduring hardships to save their brothers' clone, similar only in formula as was the much stronger Flight of the Eisenstein. It does well to describe some of the plot devices, the ship, the Word Bearers and the perils of the warp however these are never really pulled through or captivated in such a manner that we take notice of them.
The main character I can't even remember his name, being an Ultramarine, most mundane of Legions doesn't help either. Ben Counter had such a massive chance to really REALLY pull the Ultramarines through to being an individual chapter, to really give them a sense of independence such as the Luna Wolves were given. The oath papers, the `speartip' battle terminology and the raw grandeur of the Luna Wolves made them so damn likeable in the start of the series, however noone has ever attempted to give the Ultramarines a real character, forgive me for saying so but they are relentlessly boring of chapters and unfortunately remain so in this book.
The plot again revolves around events that we have no knowledge of, far flung battles in the depths of early Imperium history, focussing as stated before around the Word Bearers shiny deathship designed solely for the extermination of Macragge.
The real strongpoint of the entire Heresy series is that they can do whatever they want with the stories, we simply have no previous reference for these galaxy defining events. Sadly for this book Ben never really capitulates on this, there are no hidden secrets revealed in this book, no real `woah' moments that makes us fluff types squirm. Without these elements unfortunately the plot is lessened somewhat, we're never drawn to the central character and so by extension, his story.
His supporting elements however are far more intriguing. The Thousand Son Mhotep character is a real question mark through the whole story, the Space Wolf Bryggnar a murky character as well. The rather mundane religious *yawn* Word Bearers are given a bit more fleshing out and the Mechanicum also are given a bit more uncaring ruthlessness and even the ship captains are given more character that the protagonist.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Oh and theres no primarchs....not a single one in this book. Yep, one of the series hooks...not there at all.
***SPOILER CLOSE***
In summary I'll definitely re-read this book, I enjoyed it, despite its poorer quality story its still a Horus Heresy book and as such still deserving of a place in my shelf. It unfortunately will fall close to Descent Of Angels as both are ok books with no tie-ins to the continuity of the series and as such are almost stand-alone titles.
I would urge Black Library production to take note of these comments and really stop pushing the authors for stories that while adequate are not to the current Heresy series standard.
 was reasonable August 16, 2008
having read and enjoyed nearly all of the previous books in the Horus Heresy series, i had high hopes for this one as it is now becoming clear to the loyalist who is with Horus and who's with the Emperor. With the odd shade of grey thrown in with the world eaters and the thousand sons who are on board with the loyalists.
As far as action goes its a very good read with plenty of blood and gore to get your teeth into, but as highlighted, the main characters are all starting to sound very similar, or are being made to sound like all the stereotypical space marines. None of their characters are really being explored as fully as they should be and its starting to get annoying. That goes for all of the Word Bearer Legion as well, we are not given any real reason as to why they have decided to side with horus or the dark powers of chaos. They just have, for all we know they could have been like this from the very start and they have only just decided to act upon ther beliefs.
But on the plus side, it sets the stage for the coming battle and does give us an insight into what the Mechanicum have been up to, for it must of taken a long time to build the word bearer ship and so raises the question, how long have they been planning to rebel, and were they the only one's planning such a thing for any length of time? Has anyone else had any ideas of treachery before Horus?
 a worthy addition to the horus heresy August 16, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
the only reason im writing this review is so people dont listen to the ridiculous negative reviews already written.
a truely great addition to the horus heresy series. that includes the best battle engagement written to date.
anyone who's read previous ben counter novels and enjoyed them will not be dissapointed.
this is PULP fiction at its best.
enjoy it for what it is. not what it isnt. XD
 Abyss-mal August 15, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Oh dear. I agree with most of the reviews here. I was really looking forward to this one, as the Word Bearers are an integral part of the Heresy. But they are portrayed in a shambolic and incredibly incompetent manor , ruining their role in the overall story arc. The end is also terrible, obviously rushed and lacking excitemnt.
GW need to haul the series back on line quickly as fans wont take much more of this kind of comic book trash. Legion was excellent, as was the opening trilogy but I suspect Abnett cant write them all.
Ultramarines are bland and this book just drew a big underline under that.
Not as bad as some would say but a let down all the same... August 11, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I think some of the reviews are a bit harsh. Still it's not surprising when you consider the quality of previous titles. I love Warhammer 40000 books... but I have one issue... they need to stop writing with younger readers in mind on occassion. Just a small niggle. I would hazard a guess that the majority of readers are like me looking for dark, violent Sci-fi and have liked Warhammer and Games Workshop stuff for many years.
Yes, this is a bit like Flight of the Eisenstein but that book had the fantastically deep and honourable Nathaniel Garro in it. A character well developed and very easy to bond with. In Battle for the Abyss you don't quite develop any empathy for the characters. That said it's not as awful a book as some would suggest... I agree though... the series just so suddenly shifted emphasis and direction after the fabulous Fulgrim. It seemed to go off the boil a bit!
There are some good bits in the book though. It's amusing in a dark way to see World Eaters fighting alongside Ultramarines as they have no idea that Angron has sided with Horus. The tension between the Thousand Sons and the Wolves is satisfying... Thinking about it this is a "passing book" setting up both future tales of the battle of Calth and Magnus the Red's reluctant siding with the ruinous powers.
One complaint: How bloody useless and stupid are the Word Bearers in this? Perhaps more of how the Heresy actually started amongst their ranks would've been a more prudent storyline? It's such a big story! I guess it's hard to get it all across.
Ben counter's a good novelist. I think he's done well all things considered. I think some people may have missed the fact that this book is all about sacrifice and how unlike Garro none of them will have redemption . So, not the best but worth a read... it's the Heresy so you have to read it.
It's the Mechanicum edition that's coming up that I'm in two minds about... yet another jump. They're in danger of really losing the flow!
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