Black Library Novel Recommendation

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**Zod**

Hi,

not sure if I am posting in the right place here, but I am looking to buy some Black Library Novels. I haven't read them before so want to know a good place to start. I like the story of space marines, but am still open to anything. Please let me know what you think

Thanks

**motyak**

Eisenhorn trilogy. Its not space marines, but it is just so, so good. It follows an inquisitor through a large portion of his career. I have had to buy a second copy to keep re-reading it, the tape stopped holding my first one together.

More along space marine lines I can't help you too much, some of the horus heresy novels which focus on the marines are quite good, if you fancy space wolves or thousand sons (or just a good read) then a thousand sons and prospero burns are good options.

Edit: Edited to say one more time, the Eisenhorn trilogy.

**Pacific**

Hmm ok if you are new to 40k in general and want to read about Space Marines? Perhaps the Ultramarines Omnibus by Graham McNeil. If you want something with an exciting and well written story, and that will describe the 40k universe to you, I would recommend the Dan Abnett Eisenhorn books.

**Mr Morden**

There is a good variety of BL novels depending on your taste:

Humour, heroics, romance and some swashbuckling
The Ciaphas Cain Novels

Evil twisted Marines, plots within plots and big scale conflicts
Word Bearers trilogy

Equally evil Marines, intrigue, smaller scale and a dash of (doomed?) romance
Night Lords Trilogy

The Inquisition at work, plots and twists
Eisenhorn,

Sharpe in Space (in a good way)
Gaunts Ghosts

Mass of great and varied characters, developing and (in some cases dying) against the background of an epic conflict
Helsreach
Titanicus

Grim stories of the guard standing and dying against impossible odds
Imperial Glory
Desert Warriors

Thats enough to be going on with but also recommend:

Salamanders trilogy
Lord of the Night

**Medium of Death**

I'd say Helsreach as a start.

The Nightlords novels by Aaron Dembski Bowden are very good too.

**Yori**

There are omnibuses on the Blood Angels, Ultramarines, Space Wolfs, Soul Drinkers, Salamandrers, Grey Knights and there are individual novels on the Iron Hands, Black Temeplars and Imperial Fists. The Blood Ravens' novels received A LOT of hate same with the Deathwatch,both series being written by C.S. Goto and not without reason so read those at your own risk.
These are the SM books I know of, also if you can find "Legends of the Space Marines" its a short story compilation about a number of different chapters.
My personal favorite and one I recommend are the Ciaphas Cain novels.

Can't believe i forgot to mention the HH novels LOTS of SM action in there.

**Castiel**

Storm of Iron is an amazing book. It focuses on Iron Warriors, but there are Imperial Fists later in the book as well. Its a must.

**Brother Thomas**

I wanna reccomend the horus heresy series. It will give you some insight on why modern 40k is the way it is

**Soladrin**

No love for Ravenor? It's a must if you enjoyed Eisenhorn.

**Jimsolo**

Let the Galaxy Burn, edited by Marc Gascoigne and Christian Dunn, is a great pick for people new to the Black Library! It has over thirty-five short stories by a wide selection of authors in the Black Library, covering a wide variety of topics. It was the first book I picked up, and it is a great resource, since it lets you get a feel for what kinds of stories you like reading about, and what kind of authors you might enjoy. (The book led me to a couple of authors I might not have otherwise tried reading!) There are other short story compilations, too, although most of them focus on a single topic (such as Space Marines, or aliens, or Chaos).

That being said, I personally enjoy the work of Sandy Mitchell (start with Innocence Proves Nothing or For the Emperor) the Inquisitor series by Dan Abnett (beginning with Xenos) and the Night Lords books by Aaron Dembski-Bowden (beginning with Soul Hunter). Hope this helps.

**jareddm**

Another recommendation for Eisenhorn and Helsreach, though there have been a lot of good suggestions.

I specifically don't recommend Horus Heresy as your first books. Not because they're bad, far from it, but if you're not already somewhat familiar with the major characters in 40k, you'll end up like me and wonder why everyone is so excited for this Abaddon fellow. Though if you already know the general story of the Horus Heresy, you'll be fine.

**SPARKEYG**

If you want to dip your toe in the water and are okay with reading eBooks, I'd suggest BL's 'Hammer and Bolter.' It is a monthly eMag that they put out that contains short stories, novellas, and a serialized full length novel. I'm currently reading the Year One collected issues and have found many stories that I liked. The added bonus, imho, is that it includes some stories from the Square Base side of the house that are very well written and have piqued my interest the fluff of Fantasy.

**Mr Nobody**

My two favorite books have been Helsreach and Titanicus.

**black templar**

Helsreach is a great novel on the Black Templars.

**Hunterindarkness**

I am gonna throw my recommendations for Eisenhorn and the Gaunts Ghosts series. Absolutely excellent reading.

**Zod**

This is great!! thanks everyone, I have got so much to think about. I will let you know how i get on

**Trondheim**

Gaunts Ghosts, Helsreach, Titanicus & mechanicum are all great books.

**AnomanderRake**

Eisenhorn, Ravenor, and the Ciaphas Cain books are all wonderful pieces of work; I haven't read many more but I'm just starting Ben Counter's Grey Knights omnibus, I'll get back to you on that one.

**Tiger9gamer**

This hasn't been mentioned yet but I rather liked Rynn's world.

It will tell you quite a lot about the battle and why the Crimson Fist's fortress fell, and how Pedro picked up the pieces.

I liked this story a little bit better than helsreach. the orks were more personalized along with the Space marines

**The Crusader**

Gaunts Ghost's, Helsreach and Cadian Blood (shows some humour)

**Shayden**

Eisenhorn
The Ciaphas Cain Omnibuses (for Sillyhammer 40k)
Titanicus

**Omegus**

You usually can't go wrong with anything by Dan Abnett that's not Space Marines (so Inquisitors, Guard, etc. are all fantastic).

If you're looking for some Chaos to wet your palate, I'd recommend Anthony Reynold's Word Bearers trilogy. The Night Lords series of books (so far 2, Soul Hunter and Blood Reaver) are also quite good; the author, Aaron Dembski Bowden is also one it's hard to go wrong with.

**Revenent Reiko**

Hmmm lets see...

Eisenhorn Trilogy
Ravenor Trilogy
Gaunt's Ghosts Series
The Tome of Fire Trilogy

Space Wolves Series (but more the first 4 than the last 2...)
Ultramarines 1 & 2 (i stopped reading after 3 because it was terrible)
Grey Knights 1 & 2 (sane reason as above, Hammer of Daemons if awful)
Sons of Dorn
Brothers of the Snake (tone down all fights by 1/10th at least)

Otherwise, i am looking at the Ciaphas Cain novels as i have been recommended these many times, and some of the CSM novels as well (as Omegus has said)

**Omegus**

I can't believe people are recommending the Space Wolves novels. That's some of the most juvenile tripe ever written under the 40K banner. If BL had a "Young Jedi Knights"/adolescent readers sub-section, William King's foitin' an' fartin' roun' da galaxy advenchurs would fall squarely under it.

**Alphacerberus**

HH novels i recommend thousand sons or Legion

Atlas infernal is a great single story its plot is clever and well planned.

lastly the book ive only heard great things from the regulars is Cadian blood al older nurgle zombie mash up!

**Revenent Reiko**

Omegus wrote:I can't believe people are recommending the Space Wolves novels. That's some of the most juvenile tripe ever written under the 40K banner. If BL had a "Young Jedi Knights"/adolescent readers sub-section, William King's foitin' an' fartin' roun' da galaxy advenchurs would fall squarely under it.

(Your flag appears to be playing up Omegus....unless of course you really are in Greece, in which case, ignore this....)

Spoiler:

**Omegus**

I'm currently in Israel, actually. The Greek flag is completely different.

**Vampirate of Sartosa**

Another vote for anything by Abnett or ADB, as well as the Word Bearers omnibus. SM Battles are a bit hit-and-miss, so check reviews before you start.

**Revenent Reiko**

Omegus wrote:I'm currently in Israel, actually. The Greek flag is completely different.

O good God please kill me now for my sheer flag-fail...my apologies Omegus...

**The Mad Tanker**

It has been said, but the Ciaphas Cain series is great if you like action mixed with a little dark humor in your 40k. Sandy Mitchell has created some realty fun characters and great story lines.