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Heyo! I'm looking to getting into reading the 40k novels, and I was wondering where a good place to start might be?

A good place to start in the Horus Heresy series?

A good place to start in novels based later in the timeline?

And any book with Orks would be welcome!

Thanks!

1st 3 Horus Heresy novels are a good base for it all.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Horus Rising, False Gods & Galaxy in Flames...

For Horus Heresy, I'd start with the first book. At least read the first four if you want to get a good idea of how it started. After that, some books are skippable. For the Horus heresy (after the first four), I'd recommend Legion, Thousand Sons, and Fulgrim. (though I haven't read them all). The first book is called Horus Rising.

Ciphas Cain novels, from what I've heard, are a tad brighter in tone than others.

Oh yeah, if you come across one about the Adeptus Arbitres and someone called Shira Calpurnia, I'd heavily not recommend picking that one up. Personally, I really found that one a bit of a snorefest.

I haven't come across any Ork novels sadly.

Not much, but I hope this helps somewhat.

Almost everything by Dan Abnett is good. In my opinion he's more or less the only real author they have. I like the Gaunt's ghosts series the best.

For the Horus heresy series I think the first four are the best, in particular Flight of the Eisenstein.

Ciaphas Cain has at least one Ork book and its brilliant.

Eisenhorn then Ravenor are two trilogies and they are also the best 40k books bar none, in fact they are some of the best books I've ever read.

And I'd concur that reading the first 4 HH books would be a very good way to get things going.

I've been a staunch defender of the HH series incidentally but even I'm willing to admit with this latest one they are basically taking the weewee. It will wear you down if you keep going with it.

 Overlord Thraka wrote:
Heyo! I'm looking to getting into reading the 40k novels, and I was wondering where a good place to start might be?

A good place to start in the Horus Heresy series?

A good place to start in novels based later in the timeline?

And any book with Orks would be welcome!

Thanks!

For orks I recommend Guy Haley's "Engine of Mork", and its follow up " Evil Sun Rising". They follow the exploits of an ork big mek and his stompa crew. The first is an apocalypse short story, and the second a novella set in the Sanctus Reach Campaign.

The Yarrick novel Chains of Golgotha also features a lot of orks, including mad thraka and Yarrick himself during Yarrick's stay on Golgotha.

Baneblade is also good, but it follows the imperial guard fighting an
Ork hoard on a desert world. Lots of action.

Rynn's world, Traitors Gorge and Helsreach also have orks, including a fight between titans and gargants in Helsreach. All of these are space marine battles books.

And just about any Armageddon war book (save those about the first) will have orks.

Path of the renegade: dark eldar.

Just to toss in an Ork Graphic Novel: Deff Skwadron.

Other than that, I'd start with anything related to armies you dig.

 Overlord Thraka wrote:



A good place to start in novels based later in the timeline?

Read at least one of the first three books as others have suggested, then you might want to try The First Heretic, Know No Fear, Legion, Thousand Sons etc. They all start different plot arcs where nothing is spoiled from previous books, even in the case of KNF, set after TFH, all it really tells about TFH is the names of the characters iirc.

Fifteen Hours. It's not the best book ever, Dan Abnett takes those cakes in every form, but it's a good grimdark Imperial Guard book. Simple and to the point without needing background and still not being 'Bolter Porn' like so many of the books out there. It's not a series, it's not a continuation of some elite company. It's just the book and that's it to get yourself familiar with Warhammer written.

If you want to read the Heresy chronologically, I'd suggest:

The First Heretic
Horus Rising
False Gods
Galaxy in Flames
Flight of the Eisenstein
Fulgrim
Know No Fear
The Mark of Calth
A Thousand Sons (you can read Prospero Burns, or you can watch the movie The Thirteenth Warrior and pretend they are Space Wolves. Same story)

Everything else aside from that is either poor quality, or fairly extraneous to the plot.

For 40K, the list of books I've read is fairly low.

Helsreach is pretty good, though the Space Marines seem a little too human in their characterization. Rynn's World was okay. Starts off fairly compelling but sorta meanders along in the middle and the end seems a little rushed. The Night Lords series is decent. Avoid the Ultramarines series because it's bad. Avoid the Space Wolves books because they're silly. I read the Eisenhorn trilogy years ago when it first came out. It's a good look at the Imperium when there are things other than war going on (despite claims, it's not the only thing happening) I don't remember much of it but it seems to maintain its popularity as does the Ravenor series. Same with the first of the Gaunt's Ghosts books. Ian Watson's Space Marine is hilarious, but so far removed from the modern 40K canon that it's hardly a 40K novel anymore. The Ciaphas Cain novels are among the most polarizing. I only made it partway through one. Not because it was bad, but because I just don't always finish license fiction. But people either really like those books because they're fun, or they hate them because the characters don't always conform to the rigid stereotypes the game uses in its fluff blurbs.

 Veteran Sergeant wrote:
If you want to read the Heresy chronologically, I'd suggest:

The First Heretic
Horus Rising
False Gods
Galaxy in Flames
Flight of the Eisenstein
Fulgrim
Know No Fear
The Mark of Calth
A Thousand Sons (you can read Prospero Burns, or you can watch the movie The Thirteenth Warrior and pretend they are Space Wolves. Same story)

I agree with this list, although I REALLY think the first heretic should be included. ADB Knocked it out of the park with that one. Speaking of which, another GREAT place to start is the Night Lords Omnibus.

I particularly enjoyed the Soul Drinkers series of books, what is now conveniently re-released in two (3 book) Omnibus's.

In HH are you wanting to read on the loyalists side or heretics?

Wow, such a relative question. It all depends on your interests. I see you like Orks. While, I don't believe there are any novels written from the Orks perspective there are quite a few novels portraying them. I just read the Stormclaw campaign supplement (part of the larger Sanctus Reach campaign) and I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My recommendation for you would be to start with the Sanctus Reach novels.

 Veteran Sergeant wrote:
Avoid the Ultramarines series because it's bad. Avoid the Space Wolves books because they're silly.

I actually found both these series really good, so I'd recommend those as well as any of Dan Abnett's stuff.

Where I'd start though is the first 4 HH books, then you are free to continue that series or jump to 40k


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ben Counter's books on the Soul Drinkers are also pretty good - not your standard space marine adventure

For starting off in post-Heresy 40K I'd suggest Priest of Mars and Lords of Mars.

Really interesting plot and characters. It also deals with everything from the Mechanicus, to Space Marines, IG, Rogue Traders, Titan crews all the way down to the press-ganged workers who serve the fleet. Basically a snapshot of the Imperium the revolves around a mystery. Oh and also some Eldar are there.

I also recommend that anyone interested in 40K fiction read First and Only. It's got great story structure and pacing. It's also the first Black Library novel that was published to my knowledge (1999?).

@Veteran Sergeant, I don't know about the other SW books but Blood of Asaheim was a great SW read, I didn't find it silly at all.

The Emperors Gift is an Opus of 40K. Its got the grey Knights actually being tough not just generically "Awesome" goes into their inner workings a bit and covers a very interesting piece of 40K lore( 1st war for Armageddon and the months of shame ). The characterizations of Hyperion and Logan Grimanr are well done to a degree that its hard to pick a "better" character. Also there's a Particular scene that takes place on Fenris which is awesome and touching at the same time. The battle scenes leave nothing to be desired but its not "Bolter Porn"

"Deathwatch" is another good one that goes extensively into the process of SM's becoming deathwatch operatives. It very cool to see them progress through training and learn "unconventional" (for Space Marines anyway) tactics such as clearing rooms like modern military units. The Mission part of the book is good as well. On a side not my buddy replicated the deathwatch team from the book as sternguard vets def a cool way to field them.

 SharkoutofWata wrote:
Fifteen Hours. It's not the best book ever, Dan Abnett takes those cakes in every form, but it's a good grimdark Imperial Guard book. Simple and to the point without needing background and still not being 'Bolter Porn' like so many of the books out there. It's not a series, it's not a continuation of some elite company. It's just the book and that's it to get yourself familiar with Warhammer written.

This would be a fantastic starting point, and also portrays orks the way they should be (as dark, bloodthirsty monsters) and not something reminiscent of your lovable yet completley deranged uncle with a drinking problem.

So short list.

I'm going to read what I can of Gaunt's Ghost's as that series seems to be the only one my local library seems to have. How many books are in the series and what are they called?

As for HH I'd prefer to see it from the loyalists POV

And regarding Orks, I know that the likelyhood of a book based on the Ork POV is unlikely. BUT any and all books in which Orks play a key part in the story would be welcome

 Overlord Thraka wrote:
So short list.

I'm going to read what I can of Gaunt's Ghost's as that series seems to be the only one my local library seems to have. How many books are in the series and what are they called?

As for HH I'd prefer to see it from the loyalists POV

And regarding Orks, I know that the likelyhood of a book based on the Ork POV is unlikely. BUT any and all books in which Orks play a key part in the story would be welcome

Engine of Mork and Evil Sun rising are from an ork point of view. They both follow the crew of a stompa. The first is a short apocalypse story and the second is a sanctus reach story.

The Imperial Answer wrote:

 Overlord Thraka wrote:
So short list.

I'm going to read what I can of Gaunt's Ghost's as that series seems to be the only one my local library seems to have. How many books are in the series and what are they called?

As for HH I'd prefer to see it from the loyalists POV

And regarding Orks, I know that the likelyhood of a book based on the Ork POV is unlikely. BUT any and all books in which Orks play a key part in the story would be welcome

Engine of Mork and Evil Sun rising are from an ork point of view. They both follow the crew of a stompa. The first is a short apocalypse story and the second is a sanctus reach story.

There's, like, 20 GG novels...

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Gaunt's_Ghosts_(Novel_Series)#.VBIxFZRdVKY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaunt's_Ghosts

OK, maybe not 20 exactly, but pretty damn close.

Edit: ... Lexi link doesn't work directly, gotta cut-and-paste it manually.

 Overlord Thraka wrote:
So short list.

I'm going to read what I can of Gaunt's Ghost's as that series seems to be the only one my local library seems to have. How many books are in the series and what are they called?

As for HH I'd prefer to see it from the loyalists POV

And regarding Orks, I know that the likelyhood of a book based on the Ork POV is unlikely. BUT any and all books in which Orks play a key part in the story would be welcome

In regards to Gaunts Ghost's, I never read any of them until the start of this summer that just went. By the end of that same summer, I'd finished book 7. They are extremely good and the first book is an excellent introduction to the expanded 40k universe, though it is set in a weird time frame, being a fair bit after the founding/Tanith disaster.

Ghostmaker, the second book, is the origin story of the Ghosts. Its mostly a disjointed series of short stories and a larger one at the end of the book after the Tanith disaster recollection finishes though.

Necropolis is urban combat, where Dan constructs an extremely detailed city and then destroys it over the course of the book. This is where some of the best writing begins.

I really enjoyed Death of Integrity by Guy Hale. Its about the Novamarines and Blood Angels are tasked with clearing a large Space Hulk against Genestealers.

Siege of Castellax is great.

Iron Warriprs vs. Orks (lots of Orks). Rynn's World is good for reading about Orks, too.

 Psienesis wrote:

The Imperial Answer wrote:

 Overlord Thraka wrote:
So short list.

I'm going to read what I can of Gaunt's Ghost's as that series seems to be the only one my local library seems to have. How many books are in the series and what are they called?

As for HH I'd prefer to see it from the loyalists POV

And regarding Orks, I know that the likelyhood of a book based on the Ork POV is unlikely. BUT any and all books in which Orks play a key part in the story would be welcome

Engine of Mork and Evil Sun rising are from an ork point of view. They both follow the crew of a stompa. The first is a short apocalypse story and the second is a sanctus reach story.

There's, like, 20 GG novels...

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Gaunt's_Ghosts_(Novel_Series)#.VBIxFZRdVKY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaunt's_Ghosts

OK, maybe not 20 exactly, but pretty **** close.

Edit: ... Lexi link doesn't work directly, gotta cut-and-paste it manually.

20 novels? Oh dear.... My entire library system has 3 of them

My favourites were always the Ciaphas Cain and Gaunt's Ghosts books.

Avoid anything to do with the souldrinkers books though....

Personally, I would recommend against starting with any single novel, as it's a blind jump where you'll either like or dislike the product and you will only know after having expended the full amount of cash. There are many, many different authors working on licensed 40k fiction, and they all have different writing styles, and they all have different ideas about how something in the setting works (remember, there is no canon).

So instead, what I'd suggest is to get a short story anthology. They're like demos of the different authors, and you will be able to sample a dozen or so different writing styles and setting interpretations. Chances are you'll dislike some, and like others, but at least it won't be a total hit-or-miss as with a normal novel! Then, after you've determined who you enjoy to read, get their full books.

As a bonus, some of the anthologies also portray themes and factions of lesser importance and/or popularity but which are still fun to read about, such as a story about a bunch of press-ganged crewmen of an Imperial battlecruiser, or how a young feudal world psyker gets tricked and corrupted by daemons in his sleep. In this aspect, the anthologies are like a "slice of life" from the entirety of 40k, not exclusively focusing on the most popular armies but also discussing other stuff. Plus, with short stories being, well, short, there's more of a chance for some twist at the end, and less mary-sue'ism/plot-armour for the protagonists as they don't have to survive as long.

So basically, you get to sample both different writers and different themes from the setting. And that's why I think the anthologies are the perfect place to start.

Oh, an anthology is a good idea. There's a lot of them out there but along the lines of mentioned above, I'd go with Sabbat Worlds. Same setting as Gaunt's Ghosts but not written by Dan Abnett and not about the Ghosts. Just the same war.

I would actively avoid 'themed' anthologies though. No Space Marine or Chaos Space Marine ones since a short story is a guarenteed Bolter Porn book about a battle and nothing else. Sabbat Worlds actually has a great story in there about Imperial fighter jets as well and that's a story very rarely touched on.

SharkoutofWata wrote:I would actively avoid 'themed' anthologies though. No Space Marine or Chaos Space Marine ones since a short story is a guarenteed Bolter Porn book about a battle and nothing else.

Unless one really likes that theme, that is. Even with Space Marines and CSM, there are some that aren't just bolter porn! At least I can say I enjoyed the Marine stories in the Dark Imperium anthology - that one is a general short story collection, but I'd assume that "specialised" Marine anthologies have a good chance to include similar ones. In fact, I have a feeling that the issue of "bolter porn" is not just a result of the army, but that it gets worse the longer a story is. Shorter stories leave more room for twists and casualties, or at least that's what I've taken away from reading them.

The Sabbat Worlds anthology sounds interesting, though! And even though I wouldn't discourage against themed anthologies entirely, I too would recommend the more general ones, if only to get a glimpse of the many other facets of the setting.

Oh! And I almost forgot, some of the 40k comics / graphic novels are rather interesting as well, and for some reason they offer more variety than the normal novels (for example, there are two different series just about Necromunda!).