It's a novel written with great precision, to the point I think it's genuinely an accomplishment on Abnett's part. It very precisely sequences events and wields perspectives to play off of the out-of-universe knowledge of the reader, heightening those moments when story beats and events click into place. I don't often get a 40k novel that makes me think oh fuck, but this one managed it more than once.

I've seen some outlets and people suggest Hive is a good starting novel for 40k fans. I disagree with this. I think for some, perhaps, it could be, but the initial pacing and setup will be off-putting for more than a few people. It also, in my opinion, functions far more effectively when you have informed preconceptions about 40k as a setting and a bit of familiarity with Abnett's writing style. There are more suited books for general first-timers.

Nonetheless, it is a very good book. I fully endorse the reading of this book. Indulge the book in indulging itself, and you will be rewarded. To be metaphorical, Hive is watching Abnett lovingly and carefully paint an extremely detailed painting and then, when you politely clap, he pulls out a can of gasoline, matches and a scalpel and asks you if you want to see something interesting.

Jurgen helping Trazyn with his romantic videos collection.

The Guardian-Scribes guard the Black Library, as well as collect and copy its books >3 The other Eldar fear them, it's a pity there aren't more detailed info about :[

Space Marine books are rarely ever anything else besides "big man shoot space gun", the literary equivalent of a sloppy action movie you can enjoy with friends while drunk if its well made enough, because that's what they think the audience wants. It is rare for one of these books to ever gain any sort of recognition or fandom relevance.

Ork books meanwhile are the same, but they can give it a new spin through the perspective of the Orks, which makes it hillarious. In a way you could consider Ork-books some sort of meta-analysis of the setting from the view of someone who barely gives a shit about most things commonly seen as important, but is instead heavily invested in their own little perspective. It is weirdly grounding.

If anyone wants a link to the Warhammer 40k current timeline, I have a google drive with most of the books EXCLUDING a few newer ones and old ones that I haven't been able to track down yet.

These pdfs include the gathering storms books with the photos in them. I've even have sub folders with the corresponding books and the series they belong too.

There is also a google doc which is available for editing by anyone who might have a book request of any I might have missed.

The google drive is available for sharing around to any who would want it. Feel free to share to discord or even...reddit.

I have started a side blog with the link pinned on it. If the google drive gets sniped out, I'll remake it and post the new link there and here. I might even post updates there of new books I've added and open inbox for books requests.

They're like "oh, the female body couldn't handle it," but the afab body is quite literally built to endure substantially more than the amab body. Like, in every way other than raw physical strength, which can also be alleviated especially in the Grim Dark Future, women would be the ones surviving the process.

Idk. I'm not even saying specifically female space marines, but definitely an equivalent would have made sense. Genetically modified women who can spit acid and are ripped and eat brains to get memories etc.

Bc you're telling me they just don't utilize the entirety of humanity? They just let 50% meander with no extra shit? And that's why the books grind my gears sometimes (off-topic).

Why is every side character male? Especially in Mechanicus books??? Female tech priests sound so cool. Make them disgusting to look at. No more attractive female characters in Warhammer.