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vincentknotley's review against another edition
5.0
As novels within the Warhammer 40,000 universe go, Baneblade is a different, but no less potent beast, its claws and innumerable fangs forged of incredible characters and their tales.
Most Black Library stories tend to centre around the IP's figureheads. You know the ones I'm talking about; those big, armour-laden sods who kill alien and heretic alike with impunity. Baneblade, however, focuses instead upon the people around the Space Marines, their vehicles, their cultures, and their own weapons of war.
I'm not going to dip too far into it here but I will say this; Baneblade is an incredible book which - minus a handful of missteps - tells a riveting tale where a reader can find themselves shedding a tear over a tank.
Load your biggest shell. Say your prayers to the Omnissiah. Prepare your body, your mind, and your soul. Gird them well for a journey into Baneblade is one you will not regret.
Most Black Library stories tend to centre around the IP's figureheads. You know the ones I'm talking about; those big, armour-laden sods who kill alien and heretic alike with impunity. Baneblade, however, focuses instead upon the people around the Space Marines, their vehicles, their cultures, and their own weapons of war.
I'm not going to dip too far into it here but I will say this; Baneblade is an incredible book which - minus a handful of missteps - tells a riveting tale where a reader can find themselves shedding a tear over a tank.
Load your biggest shell. Say your prayers to the Omnissiah. Prepare your body, your mind, and your soul. Gird them well for a journey into Baneblade is one you will not regret.
beingshort's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sat0rii's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although Guy Haley technically excels in his craft, more artistic elements like narrative structure and compelling characters are lacking; it is this that holds Baneblade down to mediocrity. Then again, one can't be sure whether the main character are the soldiers or the tank the book is named after.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Religious bigotry, Blood, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Genocide, Colonisation, Death, Xenophobia, Murder, Classism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
nraptor's review
dark
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
trackofwords's review
4.0
While tanks are obviously a hugely important (and entertaining) part of the Imperial Guard, a book solely about a tank is perhaps not the most exciting prospect. Thankfully then, Guy Haley's Baneblade – despite the title – is very much a human story. Yes, in true 40k style we get to see a bit of the tank's personality in terms of its machine spirit, but this is really a story about two men's different viewpoints on and relationships with the tank.
Read the rest of the review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/baneblade-guy-haley/
Read the rest of the review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/baneblade-guy-haley/
potato_d's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, mostly due to it being written from a regular human soldiers perspective, not a genetically engineered super soldiers. The play between the characters was great, a new crew member trying to fit in with a group that has already gelled. He is an outsider running from a past, straight into a grand army where he is little more than a number on a logistics report, where he is certain to die. Or at the very least be changed forever.
This is a universe where the only person that cares if you live or die, is you.
It may be based on a game but it is well written.
Recommend to any that enjoys an ‘against all odds’ story.
This is a universe where the only person that cares if you live or die, is you.
It may be based on a game but it is well written.
Recommend to any that enjoys an ‘against all odds’ story.
vincentknotley's review
5.0
As novels within the Warhammer 40,000 universe go, Baneblade is a different, but no less potent beast, its claws and innumerable fangs forged of incredible characters and their tales.
Most Black Library stories tend to centre around the IP's figureheads. You know the ones I'm talking about; those big, armour-laden sods who kill alien and heretic alike with impunity. Baneblade, however, focuses instead upon the people around the Space Marines, their vehicles, their cultures, and their own weapons of war.
I'm not going to dip too far into it here but I will say this; Baneblade is an incredible book which - minus a handful of missteps - tells a riveting tale where a reader can find themselves shedding a tear over a tank.
Load your biggest shell. Say your prayers to the Omnissiah. Prepare your body, your mind, and your soul. Gird them well for a journey into Baneblade is one you will not regret.
Most Black Library stories tend to centre around the IP's figureheads. You know the ones I'm talking about; those big, armour-laden sods who kill alien and heretic alike with impunity. Baneblade, however, focuses instead upon the people around the Space Marines, their vehicles, their cultures, and their own weapons of war.
I'm not going to dip too far into it here but I will say this; Baneblade is an incredible book which - minus a handful of missteps - tells a riveting tale where a reader can find themselves shedding a tear over a tank.
Load your biggest shell. Say your prayers to the Omnissiah. Prepare your body, your mind, and your soul. Gird them well for a journey into Baneblade is one you will not regret.
myxomycetes's review
4.0
For a novel about a three-story tank battling its way across a grimdark future this was much better than it needed to be.
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