Audiobook Roadtest

I’m on the Black Library email distribution list. This means every couple of weeks they send me an update on forthcoming releases.

A couple of weeks ago I received the update trumpeting the release of the latest “Horus Heresy” book by Dan Abnett “Know No Fear”. The interesting thing with this release was that the book was available in a number of different formats – paperback, electronic, full audiobook, downloadable MP3 – at the time of release.

In the past I have bought a couple of the Black library audiobooks but been less than impressed as they have typically been between 45-60 minutes. I felt that there was little story development and they quickly became “pew, pew, pew, zplat”. However in this case the book was heralded as full and unabridged and lasts for 11.5 hours.

I downloaded it – two weeks before my local GW Hobby Centre gets any format – and over the past week have been listening to it. I’m currently about 2/3rds through it. It took me about half an hour to get into it but now I’m loving it.

It is a great story…..the betrayal of the Ultramarines by the Word Bearers in the Calth System. There is one fantastic chapter where the betrayal occurs but before it is recognised for what it is. The description of the “incident” is fantastic having echoes of Pearl Harbour. Even after it occurs the Ultramarines are none the wiser and you have Roboute Giliumane making excuses for the Word Bearers’ behaviour.

The main place I’ve been using the book is at the painting table. Over the weekend I listened to it while I finished the Stonehorn and Thundertusk. As Tom says ”They’ll look nice on your display board”.

I'll certainly be picking up more books in future.