Warhammer book recommendations

[maxiart]

So, I have always been interested in the setting, even if I've never had the opportunity to play the game itself.

And I was wondering if any of you is more familiar with it overall and could recommend some good books to read about it, preferably some that do not take much for granted in the way of things I am supposed to know, but I can make do even if thats the case.

Anyway, thanks for your time!

[Belfaborac]

I've only really started on the WH40K universe myself (I've been going a while, but considering the size of the project...), but here are my thoughts in regards to the books I've put away so far:

The Horus Heresy storyline is pretty good up to volume 9, where I'm at right now. The quality is slightly variable, but no more so than in any other long series and it hasn't strayed below "good" so far. In my opinion of course. Horus Heresy also deals with the background to why the WH40K universe is "presently" such a dismal place, but with a current count of 20 or so books it's probably too optimistic to think "I'm just gonna read HH first, to get the history and background out of the way". Which is what I did.

The Space Wolf series is quite good and gives you a good insight into the selection and training of a Space Marine, albeit in a very non-standard Space Marine Chapter. The last, or last two books (I forget) are not quite up to the standard of the original three (or four), but they're all easy reads so if you begin you may as well finish.

Another book to pick up early is Space Marine, which also gives you an "insight" into how a Space Marine comes into existence. This time in a more "standard" setting.

The first book I started was Space Hulk, because I have fond memories of the computer game from back in the day. Bad choice - it's the only book so far which has been just plain bad.

Grey Knights is another good series, dealing with one of the chapters charged with hunting down daemons and chaotic forces.

Other series which are widely recommended are, amongst others, Gaunt's Ghosts, Ciaphas Cain, Eisenhorn and Ravenor.

For the actual books, The Black Library is where to get them. Which you obviously already know.

For more information on all things WH40K, Warhammer 40K Wiki and Lexicanum are the best places to go and if you have obscure questions, there are plenty nerds over at the Warhammer 40K Forums who will be able to enlighten you.

[DiapDealer]

WH40K = Dan Abnett to me... so Gaunt's Ghosts, Eisenhorn, and Ravenor top my list.

I keep meaning to get around to his Horus Heresy stuff.

[Belfaborac]

Dan Abnett certainly seems to be the safest bet, both in my experience and according to the general opinion. That said, Space Hulk is really the only bad book I've come across so far and the other books by Gav Thorpe I've read have been perfectly fine. The difference between Abnett and the rest is probably that he's more consistent and doesn't let slip the odd clanger.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

and the other books by Gav Thorpe I've read have been perfectly fine.

Thanks for the tip.

I just really, really enjoy Abnett's writing, so my comments certainly shouldn't be construed as "no one else is worthy." In fact, I basically have zero experience with any of the other WH40K authors. That's why WH40K = Dan Abnett.

[Belfaborac]

Sure, I got ya. I also think most fans would agree with you, at least to some extent.

[maxiart]

Thank you very much, Belfaborac and Diapdealer. I'll go start with the Horus Heresy and then slowly go for all the others you both mentioned~