Brothers of the Snake

[JoeGuardsman]

I was first drawn to this book by the amazing cover art. You may look at it and say "It's just a Space Marine walking towards you with a smoking bolter." but I say "It's a Space Marine walking towards you with a smoking bolter!" The picture captures the essence of a Codex Chapter, no non-sense straight bolter and going to dominate. Even though the primary color isn't striking it works very well with the accent colors. OK on to the book.
The book isn't a novel per se, it is a collection of short stories involving the same characters. This is a great story telling device for Space Marines because in a novel we can usually only see one mission or battle front. With the short story format you can see many missions and feel the team dynamic.
This is a great book for those of you who miss the happy times during the Horus Heresy where brothers patted brothers on the back and you saw the insides of what it is like to be a Marine. The primary focus of this book is the inside and rituals of the Iron Snake chapter and the characters in the squad, not the enemies they fight. There is enough action to keep you interested but they don't have to fight unspeakable evils from the birth of the galaxy.
A great book about Space Marines who actually serve mankind and don't look down on them.

[last of the bloodthirsty]

i personaly loved this book. the team dynamic was awesome in the ebb and flow of the book.

[IronWarhorse]

Awesome this is what I like to hear! I skipped buying this one right away because I was not sure about it just being a bunch of short stories but gonna go pick this one up for sure now!

[Heroka Vendile]

now just another 6 months to wait for it to be paperback.
This is Sabbat Worlds isn't it? I would presume so since Abnett "adopted" the iron Snakes quite a while ago when they made a first mention back in Ghostmaker I believe (IIRC its them who cleared the planet where Mkoll kills a blind chaos dreadnought)

[AUTOLOCHUS]

The book is superb. Dan Abnett is simply supreme when it comes to 40k.

[Macharian_Crusade]

Hmm, I don't know what to think of this book, since I read on several sites like Amazon and Barnes and Noble that it got horrible reviews, but then again, what do people who aren't 40k know about judging the quality of such material?

[Brother Warchild]

I agree MC,Might have to read this one and judge myself.

[JoeGuardsman]

Here is a model I painted after being inspired by the book and the cover art.

[Githros]

I absolutely loved this book. It has inspired me to make my SM army after the Iron Snakes chapter. I like the greek/roman background they have with their homeworld and the way they stand against that Waaaaaagh! with their tactic and shooting and then when they got close they used their shields and spears. I really enjoyed this book and it only made me want to read more about my favorite SM chapter.

[BrotherValliant]

Ok just to put all the "i read a review at blah blah blah" talk at rest. READ THIS BOOK! NOW!

This was Dan Abnetts FIRST true blue space marine novel, and if you read his Gaunts ghosts novels closely enough youll know why he chose the snakes of ithaca (hint: they were in the first series but mentioned only in one sentence).

This book moves much like a fast paced action movie would, it starts at a mellow pace, sets you down, shows you a situation, and then literally throws you into the fight. And it never stops delivering, Abnett brings the Brothers of the Snake TO LIFE like none other by putting you right at their hip through every fight, its not an eagle eye view like most other authors right about, not to insult them, but its all about the protagonist (Brother Priad) and basically his life when a certain little something happens. Ive already said to much but ill put it like this...........

i got the book at around 6 pm on a thursday in hardback because i cant wait for dan abnett books they are like drugs to me.

i finished it friday morning around 4 am, i COULDNT PUT IT DOWN FOR THE LIFE OF ME. I skipped eating dinner, sleeping, and an entire saturday night back at my college to read that book and i have ZERO regrets because its one of those books that brings it full circle. There isnt a wasted word or situation in that book that doesnt have some purpose.

Read it for meeeeeeeeeeee!

[Githros]

My first tactial squad I paint is gonna be Notable squad Damocles = )

[UnsunGunner]

Just finished this 2 weeks ago. It started off slow but by the end of the book I was having trouble putting it down. Was an awesome read. Wraps up nicely.