Blood Bowl Novels, any good?

[Dr Rudolf von Richten]

As the title says, really.

As a frame of reference, I've read some other BL novels.

For Warhammer, I've read the Gothrek & Felix Omnibus 1, which was OK, and the Genvieve omnibus, which was decent.

For 40k, I've read Eisenhorn & Ravenor, which were pretty good for what they're supposed to be.

None of them have any literary quality, of course, but that's not the point; the point is, whether or not they are entertaining.

So, how do the BB novels compare?

[Coach]

They weren't particularly well received in the Blood Bowl community though I've not actually read them myself. Nor have I read any of those ones you mentioned.

Guess I'm not much help here!

[Netsmurf]

If you can live with the settings of BB taking part in an old fantasy world, then they are funny, but not in any way a masterpiece. I do love the part were the team enters the dungen bowl, some good traps!

[Panda with issues]

The only black library books worth reading IMHO are those written by Dan Abnett (with the first 3 Bill King Gotrek and Felix books also pretty decent), who is actually a very good author. His gaunt's ghosts series is the only black library publication I've ever seen non-gw fans read, for fairly obvious reasons.

In my general opinion, aside from Abnett, the only thing the Black Library books are any good for is to hopefully lead kids onto better, proper books.

[Thanatos]

Have to agree with the Brent Sienna mauler, Dan Abnett is the only really decent BL writer though Graham McNeill is okay enough.

I loved Ravenor and Eisenhorn.

I've been reading the Horus Heresy Series and it ranges from unreadable to nice enough read.

Of course nothing of TRUE quality.
And I have a new appreciation of quality after being introduced to GRRM, A Song of Ice and Fire series. I just hope he finishes it before he dies.

[Panda with issues]

Originally Posted by Thanatos

Have to agree with the Brent Sienna mauler, Dan Abnett is the only really decent BL writer though Graham McNeill is okay enough.

I loved Ravenor and Eisenhorn.

I've been reading the Horus Heresy Series and it ranges from unreadable to nice enough read.

Of course nothing of TRUE quality.
And I have a new appreciation of quality after being introduced to GRRM, A Song of Ice and Fire series. I just hope he finishes it before he dies.

While we may agree on some things, we diverge on others! I hate Graham McNeil's writing with a passion. I find his action scenes dull and derivative, his use of language poor and his characterisation to be non-existant. \end rant

George R.R. Martin is excellent, and I'm REALLY looking forward to the new one published later this year, sadly, I'm pretty sure he'll buy the farm before he finishes the series, which means we'll get some crap written by other authors based off his notes.

If you like Martin, I'm pretty sure you'll like David Gemmell, Raymond E. Feist, Scott Lynch and Robin Hobb. If your tastes lean more in the science fiction direction, I can give you some pointers that way too!

[Thanatos]

Sometimes I wonder how anyone gets to read anything new with so many classics available.

I will certainly check out some of those authors.

[Panda with issues]

If I was to give you one fantasy book from each to read: (often the first of the series)

David Gemmell: 'Legend' - The first, still one of his best, and possibly closest to my heart. A tale about struggle against insurmountable odds, a retired warrior returning for the last critical battle, knowing he won't make it out alive.

Raymond E. Feist: 'Magician'. Since virtually all his books are set in one timeline, might as well start from the beginning.

Robin Hobb: 'Ship of Magic' Not her first book, but the start of easily her best series. Loosely affiliated with some of her other series.

Scott Lynch: 'The lies of Locke Lamora'. Easily the best debut fantasy novel I've ever read (and I've read a lot....) It's sequal was fantastic too. Currently he appears to have writers block with the third in the sequence, as it was due out LAST year. I can wait though, as long as it is as good as the previous two.

[Meta]

I've only read a few of the Horus series (4 or 5) and they were a bit meh, but I thought I'd read the thread and the further I got down it the more I expected someone to pop in with a Gemmel reference!

David Gemmel (RIP) is a great author! Legend is fantastic but I also like the Rigante series (Sword in the Storm, Midnight Falcon, Ravenheart, Stormrider) and any of the Waylander books too. Highly Reccommended.

In a similar vein I loved the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind (Wizard's First Rule is the first book), although the TV adaptation (Legend of the Seeker) changed too many things to remain watchable (although the ladies in it are very easy on the eye!). Perhaps a bit too much romance in this series depending on your personal tastes.

I've also heard great things about Robin Hobb but haven't got round to any yet.

Pop in to your nearest charity shop and you'll no doubt find at least a few books by the above.

[Panda with issues]

The rigante series is also one of my favourites, though I have a real soft spot for the similar 'the hawk eternal'