My Fellow Dakkites, the day of days has arrived. Get Ready for possibly the longest poll in DakkaDakka History... Since the dawn of all that is Citadel the Black Library has Graced the world with some of the Greatest Sci-fi Novels in history, along with the help of some of the Greatest Sci-fi writers of all time. They've Given us Classics Such as Gaunt's Ghosts, Soul Drinkers, and lets not forget the Absolutley fantastic, mind boggling Horus Heresy series. Here, today, its you who will decide the greatest Warhammer 40,000 Novel of all time. And for all you lucky Enough to go to Golden Deamon this year ive put a few extra novels in there. Anyway enough with my Dreary monologue, its your Turn to decide. Enjoy





p.s. Know that anyone who trawls through this list can be considerd a true Warhammer 40,000 fan. Theres also some Necromunda in there for all you street brawling nutcases. And Please, Do tell me if ive missed any out.

You've a couple on twice.

Inquisition War is an amazing trilogy. I voted for the first book in that series.

Manchu wrote:You've a couple on twice.

Inquisition War is an amazing trilogy. I voted for the first book in that series.

aaaarrhhhggg! I knew there would be somewhere, Ive spotted one: Farseer
Ive never read the inquisiton wars.
I voted for Ravenor Returned, Partly because it was the first 40k novel I ever bought and because its gives you such a great picture of life on a hive world. The atmosphere throughout is intense. Dan Abnett seems to be able to describe thing in the utmost detail, without going on and on (coughs!)J.R.R Tolkien

Storm of Iron is in there twice as well.

I didn't care for the Ravenor novels, which was a let down as I thought the Eisenhorn books were fun.

Mehcanum. Way more epic than Titanicus.

Manchu wrote:Storm of Iron is in there twice as well.

I didn't care for the Ravenor novels, which was a let down as I thought the Eisenhorn books were fun.

Thats ashame, but yeah the Eisenhorn books of some of the Best BL books around, probably the easiest to make a film out of too. I think the best New author on the Block Has to be Henry Zou, that guy is a legend, the Bastion wars Series is epic. I dont know why Black Library have'nt asked him to write a HH novel yet.

chowderhead13 wrote:Mehcanum. Way more epic than Titanicus.

Theres no doubting that, wasn't Titanicus supposed to be terrible anyway?

Cadian Blood is where it's at.

Titanicus and Mechanicum are both pretty mediocre. Why play favorites?

Brother SRM wrote:Cadian Blood is where it's at.

Soul Hunter leaves it in the dust, though.

Huge list, but I found dark apostle anyway

Storm of Iron nuff said!

It depends who your rooting for I guess, Im a IG man myself, I always seem a bit depressed when chaos is having its way with the Imperium.
"For The Emperor!"

I don't know which to vote for, I love the Soul Drinkers seties, and the Eisenhorn and Ravenor serieses

I had to pick Eye Of Terror because Barrington J. Bayley was the only writer that could make Chaos more than Grim Dark + spikes/ooze. Yes, he wrote outside the GW box, but he made the 40k universe breath.

Samus_aran115 wrote:Huge list, but I found dark apostle anyway

I was amazed a how many novels BL have done, I thought Id'e read a good chunk of the Stuff published but after making this list it turns out to be a puny amount.

Has anyone got the uplifting primer and munitorium guide? They are amazing books, packed full of little quircky things to tell gullable guardsmen. Such as
"In the event of a hull breach and loss of pressure in space, hold your breath, pinch your nose and make swimming movements, find your way to the nearest airlock."

Necropolis.

</Gaunt's Ghost fanboyness>

Ghostmaker, for Larkin's chapter if nothing else.

Honestly I love every BL novel, with a few exceptions......

Lord of battles wrote:Honestly I love every BL novel, with a few exceptions......

I love them all too, but maby not equally.

Grey knights. Only one Ive read, and its not bad

I have a short list I really liked. The Grey Knights and Ultramarines were generally terrible IMO. Most Space Marines series were mediocre, apart from the Soul Drinkers.

Best of the best:

Gaunt's Ghosts series (voted Sabbat Martyr)
A Thousand Sons
Tales of Heresy
Enforcer (a different breed, slow moving but really in depth)
Storm of Iron (my least favorite of the list... if only for lack of a sequel?)

I love every gaunts ghost novel, but Blood pact or "The Khorne Identity" was especially awesome

The Ultramarines books and Ciaphas Cain deserve special mention as well

Anything by C.S. Goto is simply amazing.

I'm definatly a fan of Titanicus, I'm a big fan of stompy dooooooooom.

nickmund wrote:"In the event of a hull breach and loss of pressure in space, hold your breath, pinch your nose and make swimming movements, find your way to the nearest airlock."

What's wrong about that?


I will abstain from voting, having only read Mechanicus.

Crushy wrote:

nickmund wrote:"In the event of a hull breach and loss of pressure in space, hold your breath, pinch your nose and make swimming movements, find your way to the nearest airlock."

What's wrong about that?


I will abstain from voting, having only read Mechanicus.

The lack of Pressure would cause all the fluids in your body to boil, your eyes would probably explode and even if you could make swimming motions it would'nt get you anywhere, as space is a vacuum, not water. Its not a pretty image

DEFF SKWADRON!!!

Fulgrim FTW!!!!!!!!!!

Next time you make a hugh poll could you make it into alphabetical order, just for our own convenience.

I have only read the space wolf saga books and A Thousand Sons and A Thousand Sons blew my socks off, loved it!

NagothDaCleaver wrote:Fulgrim FTW!!!!!!!!!!

Great book, especially the bit where It just made me think, holysht Fulgrim Kicks ass!

Titanicus, IDK why there is such hate for it, abnett did a good job with it.

Bonegrinder wrote:Next time you make a hugh poll could you make it into alphabetical order, just for our own convenience.

I have only read the space wolf saga books and A Thousand Sons and A Thousand Sons blew my socks off, loved it!

That would've taken hours, it took me long enough as it is.

Ordo Dakka wrote:The Grey Knights and Ultramarines were generally terrible IMO.

Can't comment on the Ultramarine books but I agree with you on the Grey Knights, got the omnibus and had to put it down for good only after 5 chapters could cure insomnia .


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nickmund wrote:

Bonegrinder wrote:Next time you make a hugh poll could you make it into alphabetical order, just for our own convenience.

I have only read the space wolf saga books and A Thousand Sons and A Thousand Sons blew my socks off, loved it!

That would've taken hours, it took me long enough as it is.

Fair dues.

Execution Hour, or as i like to think of it The 40k Movie that will never be. It has everything hell i wouldn't mind if hollywood threw in a little side love story for Mister ulanti or Captain Semper... or hell made them into a love story lol

Bonegrinder wrote:

Ordo Dakka wrote:The Grey Knights and Ultramarines were generally terrible IMO.

Can't comment on the Ultramarine books but I agree with you on the Grey Knights, got the omnibus and had to put it down for good only after 5 chapters could cure insomnia .

The GK omnibus does start off pretty slow, you just have to persevere with it I guess. There are some cool bits in there, but i agree it can be boring at times, especially the beginning which is'nt realy good if you want to sell novels.

man, i really liked the GK omnibus.

course i read LotR when i was 8.

Grey Templar wrote:man, i really liked the GK omnibus.

course i read LotR when i was 8.

Damn thats good going, 3000 pages or somthing isnt it?

3137 IIRC

then there is the Appendices.

none of them rogue trader is da bestest

Grey Templar wrote:3137 IIRC

then there is the Appendices.

And then to get the right idea regarding the context, there is the Silmarillion.

They are good books I just dont like how Tolkien goes on and on trying to descirbe a single thing with about ten paragraphs.

I absolutly love the hobbit though. I read that when i was about 8 too, not such a demanding read though.

Funny thing is the Priest at my local church is J.R.R Tolkiens grandson.



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ooh, its a battle between Fulgrim and Magnus at the moment, who will prevail?

Wow that list must have taken a while....


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nickmund wrote:They are good books I just dont like how Tolkien goes on and on trying to descirbe a single thing with about ten paragraphs.

I absolutly love the hobbit though. I read that when i was about 8 too, not such a demanding read though.

Funny thing is the Priest at my local church is J.R.R Tolkiens grandson.



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ooh, its a battle between Fulgrim and Magnus at the moment, who will prevail?

I agree: Love Hobbit hate LOTR.

The Dawn of War series is in this poll...why?

because he needed a base line.

you are tracking any votes on that choice right?

Kurgash wrote:The Dawn of War series is in this poll...why?

Did you actually read it? I bet that was a waste of dosh.

Fulgrim is the best one, in my opinion.

I voted for Brothers of the Snake.

nickmund wrote:

Kurgash wrote:The Dawn of War series is in this poll...why?

Did you actually read it? I bet that was a waste of dosh.

i was at the book store and cracked open the cover and read the first chapter.

Scarred for life. all that jumping back and forth.

Monster Rain wrote:Fulgrim is the best one, in my opinion.

Its is my favorite HH novel, but I love the Eisenhorn Ravenor novels too much. Thinking about it i should have realy voted Emperors Mercy, I bloody love that book its none stop action.




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Grey Templar wrote:

i was at the book store and cracked open the cover and read the first chapter.

Scarred for life. all that jumping back and forth.

I get funny looks when I do that.

nickmund wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:Fulgrim is the best one, in my opinion.

Its is my favorite HH novel, but I love the Eisenhorn Ravenor novels too much. Thinking about it i should have realy voted Emperors Mercy, I bloody love that book its none stop action.

I like Eisenhorn, but it never really made me care that much about the Characters, you know?

Fulgrim really gave me a sense of the betrayal and loss felt by Ferrus Manus and even by Fulgrim and Horus at the end. I just think it was a better told story.

Monster Rain wrote:

nickmund wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:Fulgrim is the best one, in my opinion.

Its is my favorite HH novel, but I love the Eisenhorn Ravenor novels too much. Thinking about it i should have realy voted Emperors Mercy, I bloody love that book its none stop action.

I like Eisenhorn, but it never really made me care that much about the Characters, you know?

Fulgrim really gave me a sense of the betrayal and loss felt by Ferrus Manus and even by Fulgrim and Horus at the end. I just think it was a better told story.

The tradgedy is my favorite part of the HH series, that and the insane action.
Some of the characters from the Eisenhorn series are in the ravenor series too like Harlon Nayl (Dan Abnetts alter-ego) his character develops slowly over the course of the series, hes a pretty cool dude really.

Not sure why Fulgrim is so popular. I thought it was ok. Goes over the Dropsite Massacre too quickly. Would rather they spent less time on Fulgrim's emotional problems and more on what may be the most important event in Human History! Not as good as the first 3 HH novels; the Luna Wolves trilogy if you will IMO.


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btw OP you've got Omnibuses and their individual Novels too. That's redundant.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Not sure why Fulgrim is so popular. I thought it was ok. Goes over the Dropsite Massacre too quickly. Would rather they spent less time on Fulgrim's emotional problems and more on what may be the most important event in Human History!

Would what is being described at 1:06 have been a little more your speed?

nickmund wrote:

NagothDaCleaver wrote:Fulgrim FTW!!!!!!!!!!

Great book, especially the bit where

Spoiler:

Fulgrim punches the crap out of that wraith lord and then does the same to the avatar!

It just made me think, holysht Fulgrim Kicks ass!

You gotta remember, Fulgrim killed two other primarchs as well.

Monster Rain wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Not sure why Fulgrim is so popular. I thought it was ok. Goes over the Dropsite Massacre too quickly. Would rather they spent less time on Fulgrim's emotional problems and more on what may be the most important event in Human History!

Would what is being described at 1:06 have been a little more your speed?

I don't get it....Seems like you just wanted to use that South Park clip really bad.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

Monster Rain wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Not sure why Fulgrim is so popular. I thought it was ok. Goes over the Dropsite Massacre too quickly. Would rather they spent less time on Fulgrim's emotional problems and more on what may be the most important event in Human History!

Would what is being described at 1:06 have been a little more your speed?

I don't get it....Seems like you just wanted to use that South Park clip really bad.

Nope. Your post made me think of that scene, is all.

Hammer of Daemons...ohhh...I don't even know how others can compare...

nickmund wrote:

Crushy wrote:

nickmund wrote:"In the event of a hull breach and loss of pressure in space, hold your breath, pinch your nose and make swimming movements, find your way to the nearest airlock."

What's wrong about that?


I will abstain from voting, having only read Mechanicus.

The lack of Pressure would cause all the fluids in your body to boil, your eyes would probably explode and even if you could make swimming motions it would'nt get you anywhere, as space is a vacuum, not water. Its not a pretty image

Well, but it wouldn't be instantly... Also from the description I imagined someone still inside a ship with "artificial gravity" off and rapidly losing air.

See here for a good read (I originally found this out somewhere else, but this seems accurate enough): http://www.slate.com/id/2171522/

Ordo Dakka wrote:I have a short list I really liked. The Grey Knights and Ultramarines were generally terrible IMO. Most Space Marines series were mediocre, apart from the Soul Drinkers.

Best of the best:

Gaunt's Ghosts series (voted Sabbat Martyr)
A Thousand Sons
Tales of Heresy
Enforcer (a different breed, slow moving but really in depth)
Storm of Iron (my least favorite of the list... if only for lack of a sequel?)

The ultramarine's were great! I've read four of them so far, and I'm patiently waiting for more *drools*

Also...I hate tolkein....He's so boring! I can't believe I actually bothered reading those pieces of junk. He writes like an artist paints..Slowly and with every possible detail crammed in...So dull!

Ciaphus Cain is just a funny fun take on an otherwise horrible universe. I think of it as a kind of Hitchhikers Guide to 40k.

Samus_aran115 wrote:

Ordo Dakka wrote:I have a short list I really liked. The Grey Knights and Ultramarines were generally terrible IMO. Most Space Marines series were mediocre, apart from the Soul Drinkers.

Best of the best:

Gaunt's Ghosts series (voted Sabbat Martyr)
A Thousand Sons
Tales of Heresy,
Enforcer (a different breed, slow moving but really in depth)
Storm of Iron (my least favorite of the list... if only for lack of a sequel?)

The ultramarine's were great! I've read four of them so far, and I'm patiently waiting for more *drools*

Also...I hate tolkein....He's so boring! I can't believe I actually bothered reading those pieces of junk. He writes like an artist paints..Slowly and with every possible detail crammed in...So dull!

Hammer of deamons is by far the best GK novelhow much better can you get?
Too right Tolkiens books drag on and on, I cant stand it, the hobbit is still ace though.




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Guitardian wrote:Ciaphus Cain is just a funny fun take on an otherwise horrible universe. I think of it as a kind of Hitchhikers Guide to 40k.

I've been recomended Caiphas Cain time and time agian, I regret not reading it. It sounds like an amazing series, Blackadder in space!

i have 8 books from BL and most are great to read. Most of them to do with the heresy and the SM.

Is it just me or do the books that have any sort of eldar in them seem not to give them any credit?

Avalon wrote:i have 8 books from BL and most are great to read. Most of them to do with the heresy and the SM.

Is it just me or do the books that have any sort of eldar in them seem not to give them any credit?

Path of the Warrior is supposed to be quite good.

I have that, and read it too
its good but moves very fast
little in the way of really getting to know the race on a whole, rather focusing on a few characters and one aspect shrine.
Guess since the eldar are so complex and there are many aspects to the race its difficult to summarize it all into one book
The SM and IM i guess can be since they are a uniformed army, in a manner so its easy

I've read a couple of the black library books. Typically I find them to be enormously disappointing and nearly always poorly written. The only way I can enjoy them is to remember that, much like romance novels, they are a small subgenre with lessened expectations for good plotting which live in that weird space between "real books" and "comic books" - without insulting comic books too much. C.S. Goto doesn't really deserve to be in the same category as Frank Miller.

We deserve better. Some of the short stories in "Let the Galaxy Burn" indicate better is possible, just doesn't seem to be happening.

That being said, I found the best of the lot to be Eisenhorn. Storm of Iron was also ok, although it was also very, very paint-by-the-numbers formulaic. Disclaimer: I have not read the Horus Heresy books yet, which many people say are tied with Eisenhorn.

I'd have to say Nightbringer was the worst so far, that I was able to finish. Hey, we can kill the Nightbringer! Lets not, for no real reason. Let's let him go, instead! You're welcome, universe-at-large!

There are several that I simply could not bring myself to finish. Dawn of War omnibus, Grey Knights, and several of the other dictionaries posing as novels.

Avalon wrote:I have that, and read it too
its good but moves very fast
little in the way of really getting to know the race on a whole, rather focusing on a few characters and one aspect shrine.
Guess since the eldar are so complex and there are many aspects to the race its difficult to summarize it all into one book
The SM and IM i guess can be since they are a uniformed army, in a manner so its easy

Ive not read the book myself. I think there is going to be a whole series that follows the main character from the from the first book as he travels a different aspect.

Ouze wrote:I've read a couple of the black library books. Typically I find them to be enormously disappointing and nearly always poorly written. The only way I can enjoy them is to remember that, much like romance novels, they are a small subgenre with lessened expectations for good plotting which live in that weird space between "real books" and "comic books" - without insulting comic books too much. C.S. Goto doesn't really deserve to be in the same category as Frank Miller.

We deserve better. Some of the short stories in "Let the Galaxy Burn" indicate better is possible, just doesn't seem to be happening.

That being said, I found the best of the lot to be Eisenhorn. Storm of Iron was also ok, although it was also very, very paint-by-the-numbers formulaic. Disclaimer: I have not read the Horus Heresy books yet, which many people say are tied with Eisenhorn.

I'd have to say Nightbringer was the worst so far, that I was able to finish. Hey, we can kill the Nightbringer! Lets not, for no real reason. Let's let him go, instead! You're welcome, universe-at-large!

There are several that I simply could not bring myself to finish. Dawn of War omnibus, Grey Knights, and several of the other dictionaries posing as novels.

I think you've grabbed some of the worse. Read Gaunt's Ghosts its by the author of Eisenhorn.

There's no relation between Eisenhorn and the Horus Heresy.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

I think you've grabbed some of the worse. Read Gaunt's Ghosts its by the author of Eisenhorn.

There's no relation between Eisenhorn and the Horus Heresy.

Unless you say every 40k novel is related to the HH novels

nickmund wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

I think you've grabbed some of the worse. Read Gaunt's Ghosts its by the author of Eisenhorn.

There's no relation between Eisenhorn and the Horus Heresy.

Unless you say every 40k novel is related to the HH novels

All are related to the Horus Heresy but not necessarily the books.

Lord of the Night. Made me respect the Night Lords as a terrifying traitor legion.

Rebel Winter. I am loving it, probably because its NOT the HH. I needed a break. I have descent of Angels and Legion waiting for me. I have been told Legion is god like.

Nah, it sucks.

Flight of the Eisenstien was my fav read, after all this midfortune the survivors are basically shelfed, ship crew killed off to deter further infection, space marines given a pat on the back and told there legions are Tratior's And the mystory starts. All hell breaks out leaving Horus in charge and the Emperor fleeing to Earth to save mankind. Who needs saving I say, Chaos is way better as the Emperor killed off every priest and Religious leader on the planet. The Emperor was insaine.

Happygrunt wrote:Rebel Winter. I am loving it, probably because its NOT the HH. I needed a break. I have descent of Angels and Legion waiting for me. I have been told Legion is god like.

I think legion is ace, especially if you like the alpha legion. Its realy worth reading.

I loved the thousand sons Even though i hate them

I think thousand sons are some of the coolest looking chaos models around, plus they dont go down easily.

nickmund wrote:I think thousand sons are some of the coolest looking chaos models around, plus they dont go down easily.

Thats not true. When I paired them agianst my army. They got owned XD.
His greater demon feel in combat to my awesome Captain. And my Libarain cut off the Thousand Son's Squad and just ripped them apart.
But thousand sons has to be my most favorite BOOK EVER!

Crushy wrote:

nickmund wrote:

Crushy wrote:

nickmund wrote:"In the event of a hull breach and loss of pressure in space, hold your breath, pinch your nose and make swimming movements, find your way to the nearest airlock."

What's wrong about that?


I will abstain from voting, having only read Mechanicus.

The lack of Pressure would cause all the fluids in your body to boil, your eyes would probably explode and even if you could make swimming motions it would'nt get you anywhere, as space is a vacuum, not water. Its not a pretty image

Well, but it wouldn't be instantly... Also from the description I imagined someone still inside a ship with "artificial gravity" off and rapidly losing air.

See here for a good read (I originally found this out somewhere else, but this seems accurate enough): http://www.slate.com/id/2171522/

At most, an astronaut without a suit would last about 15 seconds before losing conciousness from lack of oxygen. (That's how long it would take the body to use up the oxygen left in the blood.) Of course, on Earth, you could hold your breath for several minutes without passing out. But that's not going to help in a vacuum. In fact, attempting to hold your breath is a sure way to a quick death. To make it for even a few seconds, Sunshine's Mace must have expelled the air from his lungs before he ventured into the starry void. If he hadn't, the vacuum would have caused that oxygen to expand and rupture his lung tissue, forcing fatal air bubbles into his blood vessels, and ultimately his heart and brain. Scuba divers are also at risk for air embolism; they're instructed not to hold their breath as they ascend from the deep sea. (copied from slate)


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Asherian Command wrote:

nickmund wrote:I think thousand sons are some of the coolest looking chaos models around, plus they dont go down easily.

Thats not true. When I paired them agianst my army. They got owned XD.
His greater demon feel in combat to my awesome Captain. And my Libarain cut off the Thousand Son's Squad and just ripped them apart.
But thousand sons has to be my most favorite BOOK EVER!

Wow, man your captain must be kitted out. Its not every day you see somthing like that happen.

Oh come on guys, Space Marine all the way,
who doesn't like the bit where Biff gives the finger to the Warlord Titans?

picked rynns world.

What? Heard that was bad. I guess the next question should be how many BL books have you read? Seems some people have only read 3 and just go with the best one of those.

Hmm, I'm torn between Necropolis, For The Emperor, and A Thousand Sons... They're the three that I really can't choose between in terms of my favourite! =)

I haven't really read many, sorry.

Forgotmytea wrote:Hmm, I'm torn between Necropolis, For The Emperor, and A Thousand Sons... They're the three that I really can't choose between in terms of my favourite! =)

Go for A Thousand Sons, it will make this poll ever so slightly more interesting.

Wow! Even though I have read quite a few, I'm kind of making it my goal now to start at the top of this list and work my way through it

As for my vote .. Tough one .. I really liked Angels of Darkness, A Thousand Sons and Legion and I'm currently reading Soul Hunter which is patently fantastic!

I have to say though that I found Soul Drinkers to be absolutely terrible..

Why? Haven't read them myself but more people seem to dislike it than like so far.

Ive not read angels of darkness. Has anyone ever read the deathwatch series? Im considering buying it, but im not to sure weather its worth it.

I had to go with Galaxy in Flames due to the change in mood. I really enjoyed the change from seeing the good side of Horus in the previous books to the absolute change that falls over him in this book.

Its Tragic Damn you Erebus!

Voted Eisenhorn, but yeah some people hated Titanicus? Really? I thought it was the best depiction of titan-on-titan combat in 40k and far superior to Mechanicum in every aspect.

Good going, its nice to see a few more Eisey fans on here.

rabidaskal wrote:Voted Eisenhorn, but yeah some people hated Titanicus? Really? I thought it was the best depiction of titan-on-titan combat in 40k and far superior to Mechanicum in every aspect.

I also think its one of BL's best books. The conflict of politics and religon was really interesting. The entire Imperium is almost destroyed in it and not because of "a bad guy having a super-weapon" but something much more relatable.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

rabidaskal wrote:Voted Eisenhorn, but yeah some people hated Titanicus? Really? I thought it was the best depiction of titan-on-titan combat in 40k and far superior to Mechanicum in every aspect.

I also think its one of BL's best books. The conflict of politics and religon was really interesting. The entire Imperium is almost destroyed in it and not because of "a bad guy having a super-weapon" but something much more relatable.

Quizos was a cool dude, its a shame there wasn't more back story to him. (Dan Abnett Listen up, cool book idea here) Potentially it could be better than the eisenhorn trillogy. I think Dan Abnett has confirmed he is doin an Eisenhorn v Ravenor showdown, which would be awesome and tragic at the same time.

nickmund wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

rabidaskal wrote:Voted Eisenhorn, but yeah some people hated Titanicus? Really? I thought it was the best depiction of titan-on-titan combat in 40k and far superior to Mechanicum in every aspect.

I also think its one of BL's best books. The conflict of politics and religon was really interesting. The entire Imperium is almost destroyed in it and not because of "a bad guy having a super-weapon" but something much more relatable.

Quizos was a cool dude, its a shame there wasn't more back story to him. (Dan Abnett Listen up, cool book idea here) Potentially it could be better than the eisenhorn trillogy. I think Dan Abnett has confirmed he is doin an Eisenhorn v Ravenor showdown, which would be awesome and tragic at the same time.

Quizos was a "bad guy" with a superweapon except his was actually something that would save the galaxy. I really wonder if what he was going to do would have worked?

He can still be cool


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Damn! I wish Dan Abnett had a Dakka account, he'd have just got the best idea for a novel ever!

Has any one read Nemesis? Thougth that was an interesting read, getting into the ways of the imperial assassins. Probably the only character i like in the Imperial army.

Eldar fan but because of this book and the Grey knights ive had a new found repect for them. Their values and codes of honor are addictive and tempting. I see why people change alligences some times.

Over here there are only 3 eldar players, the rest play the Space marines.

What is a good eldar book? Other than the Path of the Warrior, what bout Farseer and Eldar Prophecy?

Im about two thirds the way through Nemesis, Its cool learning more about how the assassins operate, especially the Clade Vanus and Clade Venenum assassins. Im thinking about making a Clade Vanus model for my Inquisitorial retinue, will probably use him as a sage.

nickmund wrote:They are good books I just dont like how Tolkien goes on and on trying to descirbe a single thing with about ten paragraphs.

I absolutly love the hobbit though. I read that when i was about 8 too, not such a demanding read though.

Funny thing is the Priest at my local church is J.R.R Tolkiens granson.

Same here, I love the Rings trilogy but they were in dire need of an editor. But the Hobbit was brillant, read the book and listened to the bbc audio tapes about a hundred times.

I might give the GK omnibus another go after Fulgrim. Thanks to this forum for making me aware of it sounds good (Fulgrim that is).

Its definatly up there as one of the best. My bro collects emperors children simply because of how good Fulgrim was. All his aspiring champions have long white hair and so does his deamon prince.

Any thoughts on "Path of the Warrior" ?
Ive read it and wanna ask the opinion of any one else whose read it too. maybe someone who also plays eldar perhaps.

Im a little disappointing with the available novels that have the eldar in the story.

Avalon wrote:Any thoughts on "Path of the Warrior" ?
Ive read it and wanna ask the opinion of any one else whose read it too. maybe someone who also plays eldar perhaps.

Im a little disappointing with the available novels that have the eldar in the story.

Im thinking about getting it, dont have any money at all, at the moment though.

I guess its quite hard to convey the eldars emotions and motivations

I would imagine.
Have you read the Eldar Prophecy?
I think that CS Goto has something against the eldar but never the less i think has done a good job at getting across the way the eldar value their old ways in terms of nobility and such. Though the key point that i took from his book is the way he shows the eldars form of psychic communication.

But i wont spoil it any further. The path of the warrior on the other hand takes some time to get used to but its a very good book. Cant wait for the second part the series.

Ive not read any eldar books, I was only tempted to get one when I read the extract from path of the warrior.

Execution Hour got 3 votes: Who's read it? Is it good?

I want to read lasgun wedding, it sounds great!

has a good name!

Anyone read any of the necromunda books?

I had to vote of Ravenor. I have it in omnibus form now and I feel I have yet to read a series that naills my vision of the 40k universe quite as closely. Though just about anything Abnett writes is gold.

The only facepalm moments I can recall off the top of my head from his books are both from the Ghosts series. (trying to be vague to not drop any spoilers). First is Rawne and crews' literarily lazy Top gun slo-mo walk moment while rejoining the ghosts on Sparshad Mons, and maybe the most recent Mkvenner sightings. Was it really necessary to have every damn person on the planet have a personal experience?

Necropolis or any of the Eisenhorn Trilogy would get my vote.

Eisenhorn omnibus was excellent. I dont wanna spoil it for anyone who hasnt read it but the daemon host is described very well.
But the ravenor omnibus, is that a continuation of a character from the Eisenhorn series? Ive been meaning to look into it and maybe give it a read.

Oh and hows Mechanicum?

Avalon wrote:Eisenhorn omnibus was excellent. I dont wanna spoil it for anyone who hasnt read it but the daemon host is described very well.
But the ravenor omnibus, is that a continuation of a character from the Eisenhorn series? Ive been meaning to look into it and maybe give it a read.

Its not really a continuation per-say. Its in the same universe an it does use some of the same characters, but the only insight you really get from the Eisenhorn series is how Ravenor came to be in the condition he is now

Nice to see Execution Hour get some love. One of my favorites.

ZF-

There are quite of characters that follow on from the Eisenhorn trilogy,



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Mechanicum is pretty good, its realy worth reading if you want to get the full HH experience.

nickmund wrote:Has anyone ever read the deathwatch series? Im considering buying it, but im not to sure weather its worth it.

I'm not much of a novel reader, but once I picked up the first I had to read the other. They also convinced me to make a Deathwatch squad as I like fluffy projects here and there. I even made the captain an Imperial Fist as in the novels, I really enjoyed that character. So I would definately recommend reading them; Although I enjoyed warrior coven a little more than warrior brood I thought the plot was more interesting. If you do decide to read both you should read warrior brood first, for story's sake.

I voted for Conquest of Armageddon. The Armageddon series is by far my favorite Black Library series. I modeled my Black Templar army after the Solemnus Crusade in the Novel. I even made a Brother Jarold dreadnought, which evidently I do not have a picture of.

sounds cool, I think I might get it then.

Well I must say my vote is relatively biased because I have not read all of the books! Only the last chancers series, which i thought was great, some of the gaunts ghosts, which i loved, and fallen angels.

My vote is for fallen angels, reading descent of angels now, I know I know, backwards reading and whatnot.

The end with the siege weapon and the rituals and whatnot, so great.

Xyon wrote:Well I must say my vote is relatively biased because I have not read all of the books! Only the last chancers series, which i thought was great, some of the gaunts ghosts, which i loved, and fallen angels.

My vote is for fallen angels, reading descent of angels now, I know I know, backwards reading and whatnot.

The end with the siege weapon and the rituals and whatnot, so great.

I dont think anyone has read all the books. If they have, well, I take my hat off to them.

I think Decent of angels is one of my least favorite HH novels.
Its still a realy good book, I just think it could had better writing, and its a little bit slow. You should read Fulgrim, its probably the best HH novel and as you can see a lot of people agree.

Has any one read "A Thousand Sons" ?
How was it ?

Dan Abnett. love his writing. period

If he were to write an eldar novel, I would personally make it a bestseller.

Ok but what bout the book A Thousand Sons
Was it any good ? What was it about ?

A Thousand Sons is a great book! It is about the escalating tension between the Space Wolves and The Thousand Sons during the great crusade and how the eventual downfall of Magnus and the Thousand Sons comes about. I'm not going to go into any more detail as it will spoil one of the best horus heresy novels written. It is a definate must buy if you are interested in the Horus Heresy.

Whirling Blade Exarch wrote:Dan Abnett. love his writing. period

If he were to write an eldar novel, I would personally make it a bestseller.

It subscribes to the idea that the Alien mind is unknowable and should remain so. However, the eldar were pretty cool in "Ghostmaker".

I love a lot of these books but my absolute favorite is Necropolis mainly because i freaking love cityfights, Cadian Blood and Gun Heads are a close joint second.

It must be so difficult to write a decent Eldar novel, and as for Orks, well what could you write about? The only thing driving them is their love of fighting. Now that the new DE are out Ive got my fingers crossed for a novel about them, it would be realy cool learning about the port of lost souls. I loved the short story in Tales of Heresy about SW v DE. The Space Wolves absolutly annaiolate them!

Never read that one, Titanicus but it just seems a little drawn out from the story, least from the little skim through. Seems like alot of it takes place inside the titan. Though dont listen to me I've not read it completely. Got a spoiler ?

Read nemesis by any chance ?

I've just finished Nemesis. Its an awsome book, Spear is one scary dude! The Garantine rocks aswell.

Just putting it out there, I tried reading the first HH novel (dont even remember the name) and it made absolutely no sense, it put me off the entire horus heresy series.

Later, I came back, picked up the same book, thinking I might have just been stupid that day, and the book still made no sense.

I gave it one last chance, and skipped to a random chapter, which obviously I would have no idea what it was talking about, but still, the book made no sense, not even grammatical. Idk what everyone else thinks, but that part at the start about the ...space wolf laughing about how "he" killed the emperor or something?! what is that!

It portrays the space marines as some kind of bikey gang / barmen who drink bear, fart, shoot automatic rocket launchers and team kill each other!

Horus Rising is an amazing book! That is a Lunar wolf Tarik toragaddon I think, I can't quite remeber, talking about when he was there when Horus killed the emperor of a World that is under compliance. Its not about killing the actuall Emperor. I don't think you got into the story enough, it doesnt portray the space marines as you say some kind biker gang, they are noble, reserved, honrable and well spoken.


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And the Lunar Wolves ROCK!


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Trust me. It is a Realy good read.

nickmund wrote:Horus Rising is an amazing book! That is a Lunar wolf Tarik toragaddon I think, I can't quite remeber, talking about when he was there when Horus killed the emperor of a World that is under compliance. Its not about killing the actuall Emperor. I don't think you got into the story enough, it doesnt portray the space marines as you say some kind biker gang, they are noble, reserved, honrable and well spoken.


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And the Lunar Wolves ROCK!


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Trust me. It is a Realy good read.

i can secound that i just finished it and it was amazing

such a great read and such a thought producing ending

croggy wrote:

nickmund wrote:Horus Rising is an amazing book! That is a Lunar wolf Tarik toragaddon I think, I can't quite remeber, talking about when he was there when Horus killed the emperor of a World that is under compliance. Its not about killing the actuall Emperor. I don't think you got into the story enough, it doesnt portray the space marines as you say some kind biker gang, they are noble, reserved, honrable and well spoken.


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And the Lunar Wolves ROCK!


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Trust me. It is a Realy good read.

i can secound that i just finished it and it was amazing

such a great read and such a thought producing ending

It is the perfect start to the series, Ive read every book in order, and I recommend reading them that way. Its such an epic saga. Who says Star Wars is the best sci-fi saga going? Its a load of bull compared to the Heresy.

That's cuz you guys read 3 consecutive chapters unlike the guy up there that just read 5 pages gave up and read 5 more pages in the middle of the book. Apparently that makes the book not make sense - whodathunkit?

Yup. Though personally I cant stop reading them ones I've started. I Don't realy think I've ever picked up a bad 40k book, they are all pretty good. The fluff in the Codexis is ace too.

Wow, thats a lot of options! This is definetley a hard chose, but I am going to have to go with the first book in the Eisenhorn trilogy. It was the first black library book I read, and about 15 books later, I think it is still the best.

One of the first I read too, I read Ravenor Returned, first. Both my favorites. If you realy liked Eisenhorn you should read Emperors Mercy, by Henry Zou.

The Eisenhorn omnibus had me captivated from cover to cover. One of the best of books from BL i say. Though ime torn between that and Nemesis from the HH.

Gotta read Mechanicum and A Thousand Sons next.

Though any thoughts on the Grey Knights Omnibus ?

Its pretty good, it starts off quite slowly, but once you get into it, its a good read.

Fulgrim anyone? any good?



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Oh and just for my own curiosity what is the first HH novel ?

There are a few here but i think its more like a random selection .

The first HH novel is Horus Rising, then False Gods, they are in order on the poll.
Fulgrim is my favorite HH novel, its epic and engrossing all the way through.

Gaunt's Ghost in its entirety... is amazing....

voted for the first 40K book i read more than once (The Saint- Gaunt's Ghosts)

Suprisingly, I have never read a Gaunts ghosts novel. I was going to borrow my friends omnibus but he lost it somehow.

Well at least Titanicus got 10 votes. I thought it was excellent.

I've heard mixed reviews about it. Its probably on my list of ones to read, after so many people voted for it.

Seriously, how long did it take you to write all those titles.

I copied and pasted them.



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It still took a long time though.

Could not vote for a single book.I love the Eisenhorn trilogy / Souldrinkers series / Ravenor trilogy,to name but a few.

Hey man you forgot ... actually, no you didn't

I voted Daemon World. Excellent story, excellent characters and a true insight into the feelings of a Slaanesh worshiper.

I see a lot of love for Fulgrim, as an Emperors Children fan I was left really disappointed by this. Didn't seem to do enough justice to their fall. I really preferred the IA, WD and StD take on this over the book.

I don't read any 40k novels. The writing appears a bit dire.

The writing isnt dire compared to somthing like the da vinci code, and everyone seems to love that dribble.


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There are some realy good BL authors, Dan Abnett is realy good, so is Graham McNeil, Henry Zou, Ben Counter.

Phototoxin wrote:I don't read any 40k novels. The writing appears a bit dire.

Thats a shame, nearly all those books are really good and written well enough to create some good imaginations. Such good visuals of the 40K universe.

You should try one, one of the HH series for a start.

You got that right.

Titanicus. A lot of action and gives depth to the mechanicum and titan legions.

Horus Rising. Dan Abnett at his finest.

And then the third of the Einsenhorn series. Whole trilogy was great but the end was just amazing.

I just refuse to read stuff from another authors.

all of the gaunts ghosts novels. IG al the way.

Ive just Started reading Ciaphas Cain. Its Brilliant and funny rigt from the start. Im totally glad I bought it over Ravens flight.

I've not read too many Warhammer 40K novels but of those I have read, grey Knights was easily my favourite - I just couldn't put it down.

@ColdSadHungry Hammer of Deamons was epic, I loved those bits done in the perspective of the Inquisitor, when they enter each new city.

The Ciaphas Cain books are my personal favorites of the ones I've read.

I like the other books (Well, most of the other books), and I especially enjoyed Abnett's work, but the Ciaphas Cain series really abuses the sheer stupidity of the setting to the greatest extent possible.

I've only just started on Defender of the Imperium, so far so good I love all the little footnotes explaining different things.

nickmund wrote:I've only just started on Defender of the Imperium, so far so good I love all the little footnotes explaining different things.

The only problem with the Cain novels is that they tend to have similar word phrases and plotting at times (The first three books in particular; Death or Glory shakes things up quite a bit).

Always going on about how much Jurgen smells.

I loved Rebel winter!

I don't think Ive put every Ciaphas Cain novel on this Poll. I knew I'de miss one or two out.

No... Wait... They're all there

Any of the novels with Loken the Luna Wolf. Galaxy in Flames is probably my favourite 40k novel though.

I was amazed at how well written it was, Ben Counter is usually a rather bland writer, but galaxy in flames changed ny opinion on him.

Grey Templar wrote:Titanicus, IDK why there is such hate for it, abnett did a good job with it.

I love Titanicus. But Mechanicum wins out over it for me.

nickmund wrote:I was amazed at how well written it was, Ben Counter is usually a rather bland writer, but galaxy in flames changed ny opinion on him.

I think a big part of it was the pathos of the last 3rd of the book. The betrayal, the defiance, the heroic defense, another betrayal, final stand.
it would have been hard to mess that up

It would have been easy to mess it up if they got Dan Brown to write it.

Dan Brown would have spent all his time focusing on Adepts chasing an STC template that revealed the primarchs were actually Jesus's children.

ChaosGalvatron wrote:Dan Brown would have spent all his time focusing on Adepts chasing an STC template that revealed the primarchs were actually Jesus's children.

No the STC just turned out to be the Da Vinci Code.

the lost primarchs were the Merovingians.

Haha, they must have access to some kind of time machine.

the Inquisitor novels where the first GW literature I was able to purchase and read, followed by the original printing of the Spacemarine novel (the one about the small group of Crimson fists that start off as rival gangers and end up brothers in arms).

But Draco has always held a stern place on my shelf well him and his gene-stealer shape-shifting assassin sidekick.

Santobell wrote:the Inquisitor novels where the first GW literature I was able to purchase and read, followed by the original printing of the Spacemarine novel (the one about the small group of Crimson fists that start off as rival gangers and end up brothers in arms).

Pretty sure they were Imperial Fists, but yeah, still my favorite Space Marine novel.

Mostly because it has them doing things other than shoot aliens with their bolters. It actually depicts life in the fortress monastery while they aren't in their power armour.

Been making my way through the Draco trilogy. 40K has lost some of the insanity of those novels. A good read though.

All i remember of the Imperial Fist book is the marine removing all the flesh on his hand and scribing names on the bones of his hand (shudder).

Space Marine also had a Zoat, and commented on the Lamentors being eaten by Hive Fleet Behemoth (or was it Kraken?). And a chained up Slann being paraded around the Imperial Fists fortress monastery.

Just purchased the Ciaphas Cain omnibus as my intro to any Black Library book and enjoying it so far. Gonna finish out the series when this is done reading (breezed through 150+ pgs. in about 3hrs. already). The use of footnotes is a nice touch.

Any books that cover Imperial Guard campaigns or battles in a sort of military historical format?? Kinda like giving an overview? Also interested in any books that delve into the inner-workings of an Imperial Guard regiment, army, force, whatever, etc.?

Also what's the Eisenhorn series about?

-Loki- wrote:

Santobell wrote:the Inquisitor novels where the first GW literature I was able to purchase and read, followed by the original printing of the Spacemarine novel (the one about the small group of Crimson fists that start off as rival gangers and end up brothers in arms).

Pretty sure they were Imperial Fists, but yeah, still my favorite Space Marine novel.

Mostly because it has them doing things other than shoot aliens with their bolters. It actually depicts life in the fortress monastery while they aren't in their power armour.

Yes your right it is imperial fists I just dug the book out of cobwebs I've had this since it was released in 1993, basically anything Ian Watson wrote about 40k is the best of the best IMO unrestricted unlike the current novels which are written at the target audience these older ones truly depict life as it is in the 41st Millennium.

I always remember the point in the book where they are scaling a vent shaft and can taste the memories form the corpse below in the ash and the Flesh Tearer who has had his legs and arms removed, who coated himself in the bio wax to heal while he waited for assistance.

Oh and the melting of his fist in acid before carving words into it to remember his fallen mates

Lexx wrote:

Grey Templar wrote:Titanicus, IDK why there is such hate for it, abnett did a good job with it.

I love Titanicus. But Mechanicum wins out over it for me.

Just finished Mechanicum. Was an excellent read, couldn't out it down till the night went over to the morning. Great book. Great for anyone interested in the mechanicum or the titan legions.

Though i do wonder, with the Knights, are there any models that represent them ? They would be nice to see.

Aniketos wrote:Just purchased the Ciaphas Cain omnibus as my intro to any Black Library book and enjoying it so far. Gonna finish out the series when this is done reading (breezed through 150+ pgs. in about 3hrs. already). The use of footnotes is a nice touch.

Any books that cover Imperial Guard campaigns or battles in a sort of military historical format?? Kinda like giving an overview? Also interested in any books that delve into the inner-workings of an Imperial Guard regiment, army, force, whatever, etc.?

Also what's the Eisenhorn series about?

Which omnibus are you on?

There are quite a few IG novels. If you want somthing that kind of gives an over view of IG campaigns I suggest getting the IG uplifting Primer and munitorium guide, they are full of IG propaganda, rule and regualations concerning how Guardsman should behave.

The Eisenhorn books are some of my favorite. As you can tell it tells the story of Inquisitor Eisenhorn. It is about him on a mission to persecute the heretic Pontius Glaw and his his subsequent interaction with a deamon host. Its also about his battle with morality and the fear of crossing the line to heretical himself.


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Avalon wrote:


Though i do wonder, with the Knights, are there any models that represent them ? They would be nice to see.

Ive tryed on several occasions to draw a picture of what i think they look like. It was harder than I thought.
If i manage to produce a good one Ill post it.

nickmund wrote:Which omnibus are you on?

There are quite a few IG novels. If you want somthing that kind of gives an over view of IG campaigns I suggest getting the IG uplifting Primer and munitorium guide, they are full of IG propaganda, rule and regualations concerning how Guardsman should behave.

The Eisenhorn books are some of my favorite. As you can tell it tells the story of Inquisitor Eisenhorn. It is about him on a mission to persecute the heretic Pontius Glaw and his his subsequent interaction with a deamon host. Its also about his battle with morality and the fear of crossing the line to heretical himself.

Just the Ciaphas Cain one is the only BL book of any sort I own. And thanks!

Ah thanks! On the Eisenhorn books

There are two Ciaphas Cain omnibus'. Youv'e probably got the new one if you've only just brought it. Is there a short story at the beginning about a genestealer cult?
Im reading the new one at the moment, Im about 200 pages in. Its great!

.... Mine starts with a short story about his first action... "Fight or Flight" and the first 3 books of the series.

You must have the first Omnibus then.

Storm of Iron was good but





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I also liked Angels of Darkness for the arguments i got to have with a DA friend of mine as a result of that book.

ChaosGalvatron wrote:Storm of Iron was good but

Spoiler:

i kept expecting Chaos to lose. so i found it hard to enjoy

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I also liked Angels of Darkness for the arguments i got to have with a DA friend of mine as a result of that book.

I liked it for exactly that reason, nice for the bad guys to win for a change!

I would like to put a call out for the original Space Marine novel, surely the most influential of all time, and now no longer at the whims of ebay sharks thanks to the digital printing service

Flesh and Iron has a similar twist, Its a realy awsome book though.

Thousand sons has some twists to it that was a little odd.
Any one else read it and found it the same ?

The connection with the dawn of war omnibus and the thousand sons novel, there are characters from both.

Wonder is there any sort of connection between the two books. Between the shared character.

I dont wanna spoil it for any one so

any of the gaunt's ghosts!!!

Storm of iron was awesome

Avalon wrote:Thousand sons has some twists to it that was a little odd.
Any one else read it and found it the same ?

The connection with the dawn of war omnibus and the thousand sons novel, there are characters from both.

Wonder is there any sort of connection between the two books. Between the shared character.

I dont wanna spoil it for any one so

Spoiler:

Ahriman is in both but seems to be in different states from one to the other. In Thousand Sons he is a marine, but in the dawn of war omnibus he is a chaos marine i think

I was realy confused with the bit at the beginging and the end. Is it Magnus or Ahriman speaking, or someone completely different

I just finished Soul Hunter and was blown away by it. So very different from almost anything I've read before in the 40K universe (and - up until I saw this whole list - I thought I had a fair chunk of it, when in fact I've probably only read a quarter to a third of those). Anyway, Demski-Bowden has rocketed to the top of my 40K author charts and I can't wait to read his sequel in the spring!

Up until about a week ago Storm of Iron was my Favourite. I finished Soul Hunter a few days ago and was completly blown away by it, simply awesome.

i love the idea of imperials on a chaos held world

Dark Adeptus Was my favorite of the GK Omni.

Hey StarShade, doesn't it make you want to go paint up a Night Lords army? hehe I'm crossing my fingers that they're in the nex Chaos Codex.

colonel wrote:i love the idea of imperials on a chaos held world

If you like that idea you should read Blood Quest 2, or Hammer of Daemons. both are set on Chaos daemon worlds inside the eye of terror.

Soul hunter..

I seriously have not one complaint about that book.