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So, I am new to 40k, and I have heard that there are several book series for it, and also this apparent monster of non-canon books from the "Black Library?" What reading level or age level are most of these books? Where is a good starting point? Is there a good starting point? Thanks.

I've not read many books, but I really liked Helsreach.

Depends on your interests - or which part of the background is the most interesting for you.

If you like the imperium vs chaos branch - start with the horus heresy line.

Horus Rising
False Gods
Galaxy in Flames

all very good reads.


If you want to have some look at the civil side of the imperium of man the eisenhorn series is for you

best start with eisenhorn: xenos


If you have a favorite legion or xeno race it's more difficult to find a good place to start.

I don’t know what reading level Black Library is written to, but it is very graphic. Blood and guts mostly, few sexual references when Slaaanesh is involved, and mild language. I’d say the books are around a PG 13 - R rating.

As for which books to start from the Horus Heresy is not recommended for people unfamiliar with the lore. It’s very much written in a way that doesn’t introduce concepts to reader and expects you to know the setting.

Gaunt’s Ghosts is a good series to start with as they introduce these concepts like psykers, chaos, the Imperial Guard, and such. The second book in the series is a bunch of short stories highlighting each character’s moments of awesomeness. Thiese stories mostly focuses on Imperial Guard and Chaos though I haven’t gotten far in it.

My first book was the “13th Legion” which was about a Prisoner Legion of Guardsmen. Even though it’s an old book it introduces the Tyranids, Eldar, and Orks very well to a new reader.

The Beast Arises series is great for someone who wants to understand how the Imperium functions. These books go over the political intrigue of Terra and switch between the High Lords of Terra, Assassins, Inquisition, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Imperial Fists. Each book highlights a different aspect of the lore such as Imperial Guard, Imperial Navy(spaceship battles), Arbites, Eldar, Custodes, Chaos Space Marines, and more. It is also a huge focus on Orks after the first book. And has the best written Orks of any book I’ve read so far.

As stated above, it depends on your interests. I've read quite a few 40k books. The Cain or Gaunt books would be IMO the best place to start if you just want to take in the 40k universe.
Opinions below on the books I've read:

The Eisenhorn books (Inquisition) are a good read.

Gaunts Ghosts is another solid series which deals with the Imperial Guard. They fight all manner of enemies and introduce them gently.

The Ciaphas Cain series is a little more humorous and based on his antics as his time as a Commissar. Again fights all sorts of enemies.

Priests/Lords/Gods of Mars is a decent trilogy dealing with Ad Mech. I enjoyed it but found it a little heavy going at times. If Ad Mech aren't your thing then I'd swing past this trilogy.

Legion of the Damned - a book following the Excoriators Space Marine Chapter 5th (I think 5th anyway) Company. They take part in the defence of a planet invaded by followers of Khorne. Decent book, probably not an ideal starting point.

Siege of Castellax - An Ork Waaagh attacks an Iron Warriors (Chaos Space Marines) held planet. Again decent, maybe not an ideal starting point.

Carcharadons: Red Tithe - The Carcharadons Chapter go to a prison planet to tithe the prisoners into their service. The Night Lords Chaos Marines do the same and they have it out. Not my favourite book, and again not an ideal starting point for BL books.

Eisenhorn series should be everyone's first port of call, even if you don't enjoy the books they give a solid grounding in the 40k universe.

I feel like it should be pointed out that The Black Library is a totally canon source of books and stories. It is a publishing company that produces all of the official 40K fiction. They have lots of authors who all write and submit stories/books, but anything with the Black Library stamp on it can be considered an official source.

It is an in-setting joke. The eldar have a massive (secret, forbidden) collection of knowledge and research on the nature and powers of Chaos called the Black Library.

Is there any particular faction you’re intrested in? Otherwise I’d say Eisenhorn: Xenos. Great overall introduction to the Imperium.

Edit: of course, if you’re brand new, nothing beats a quick read through the rulebooks lore section and whatever codex you can find. I’d recommend borrowing friends codexes and skim through them.

Damn, are you into 30k or 40K? Here are some recommended books for new people:

Ultramarines by Graham McNeil. What were you expecting? The Ultrmarines are the most cookie-cutter Space Marines out there.

Gaunt's Ghosts by Dan Abnett. Good Imperial Guard actions.

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett. The first novel in the Horus Heresy series.

I am Slaughter by Dan Abnett. The first novel in the War of the Beast series.

Dark Angels by Gav Thorpe. Gav Thorpe did a good job describing the secretive Space Marine Chapter. Ignore his Eldar novels. They suck balls.

Any book released after 8th edition. These are more up-to-date with the current state of Warhammer 40k.

Iron Warriors
Eisenhorn
Gaunts Ghosts
Dark Imperium

 FeindusMaximus wrote:
Iron Warriors
Eisenhorn
Gaunts Ghosts
Dark Imperium

not sure I'd agree on Iron warriors if you mean the Omnibus, thats best read AFTER/alongside the Ultramarines stuff

BrianDavion wrote:

 FeindusMaximus wrote:
Iron Warriors
Eisenhorn
Gaunts Ghosts
Dark Imperium

not sure I'd agree on Iron warriors if you mean the Omnibus, thats best read AFTER/alongside the Ultramarines stuff

The books tell a completely distorted view of the setting. Like seriously.

You should only read the codexes and some verified online sources.

To give you a rough, but well written reading list to follow which will gradually introduce the various elements:-


1. The Eisenhorn trilogy.
https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/novels/eisenhorn-trilogy.html



2. Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium trilogy
https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/novels/Hero-of-the-Imperium.html


3. The Night Lords series (can be bought as an omnibus e-book or individual titles)
https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/novels/night-lords-the-omnibus-ebook.html



4. The Ravenor Trilogy
https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/novels/ravenor-collection.html


From there, you can branch out in any which way.

Anything by Dan Abnett is worth picking up, specifically the Eisenhorn trilogy. The Ciaphas Cain series is pretty iconic too, although I've never read it. I recall liking Faith & Fire by James Swallow, but it's been years since I read it and I don't remember anything about it.

Working my way through the primarchs series at the moment, it’s pretty good as they are set during the great crusade and the dynamics are very different, peturabo being sort of hopeful, Fulgrim foreshadowing his fall with monstrous hubris, it’s all been a good read so far.

Titanicus by Dan Abnett is well worth a read