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Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





Hey fellas, I am interested in picking up one of the many, many novels about the 40k universe. However, I am unsure where to start; I was going to pick up the Space Wolves specific books, such as Lukas the Trickster, or Sagas of the Wolf. But I am open to suggestions! Cheers guys.
   
Made in gb
Aspirant Tech-Adept




UK

What factions are you interested in?

The standard responses here will be Gaunt’s Ghost, Eisenhorn and Ciaphas Cain. If you want to read about Imperial Guard or Inquisitors these are mostly great books.

I’ve not read any Space Wolves, so can’t comment on them. I personally like a couple of the Iron Warriors books; Storm of Iron and Siege of Castellax are great. The Night Lords books by ADB are highly recommended, and what i’ve read so far has been great.

Imperial Soup
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Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





Hey thanks for those suggestions! Night lords have always been interesting to me.

But my favourites would have to be DE, SW and the Inquisition are interesting also.
   
Made in us
Terrifying Rhinox Rider




The Dark Eldar books (path of the outcast, path of the- x) are by Andy Chambers, who is very good and also used to be the studio “overfiend” who was in charge of all the 40k related stuff at GW.

For night lords I’m a person who likes Lord of the Night, I like my BL a little more pulpy and way less 40k fetishizing than ADB. It’s also got a lot of inquisition in it.

For space wolves Prospero Burns is a fun book but confusing for people who are either new, or have hang ups about the lore, or both. There is a long running space wolf series by Bill King that is very cartoony and if you like space wolves it has the most space wolves per page of anything from GW.
   
Made in gb
Thane of Dol Guldur





Bodt

LTT is a decent standalone read. I have one I want rid of if you want it. only been read once by me. also has dark eldar in it as enemies.

otherwise, the Nightlords trilogy is the best 40k novel in my opinion. Eisenhorn is also good, and because theyre quite big, you get a lot from them.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
the early horus heresy books are really good in my opinion, and give much more interesting characters than most modern SM literature. Betrayer I'd also highly recommend, although its worth knowing a little about the word bearers and world eaters before reading that.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2018/11/26 16:07:52


Heresy World Eaters/Emperors Children

Instagram: nagrakali_love_songs 
   
Made in se
Willing Inquisitorial Excruciator






Eisenhorn is the best book to introduce you to the Imperium. It's probably the best 40k book written to date.

Ciaphas cain novels are great for fun imperial guard action, with lots of social commentary on the Imperium.

I've heard that the space wolf omnibus is amazing but havn't read it myself.

His pattern of returning alive after being declared dead occurred often enough during Cain's career that the Munitorum made a special ruling that Ciaphas Cain is to never be considered dead, despite evidence to the contrary. 
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka






I'd second the three above, and also add Ian Watson's Draco and Space Marine even though they were written nearly 30 years ago and don't really match the setting as it is now. They're just well-written, by a skilled author.

Matthew Farrer's Enforcer trilogy is also good if you can find it - about an Adeptus Arbites officer on a world where the Arbites, Ecclesiarchy and Imperial Navy are all vying for power. No aliens, hardly any chaos, just different Imperial factions and their infighting.

I never understood the "which faction do you play" question; Do people really only want to read books about "their" army, even if the others are just as good or better?
   
Made in gb
Thane of Dol Guldur





Bodt

Draco was alright, but I got the feeling that the author was trying to cram every faction into it somehow.

Heresy World Eaters/Emperors Children

Instagram: nagrakali_love_songs 
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka






Perhaps in the sequels (I think he was getting directives from management), but the first book on its own is fairly straightforward.
   
Made in gb
Aspirant Tech-Adept




UK

 AndrewGPaul wrote:

I never understood the "which faction do you play" question; Do people really only want to read books about "their" army, even if the others are just as good or better?


It certainly matters to me on what I choose to read. I doubt I'd pick up Eldar or Tau books even if they were literary masterpieces. I have nothing against those factions, I just don't care enough to spend however many hours reading a novel about them.

Imperial Soup
2200pts/1750 painted
2800pts/1200 painted
2200pts/650 painted
217pts/151 painted 
   
Made in us
Hellish Haemonculus






Boskydell, IL

Pick up a copy of one or more short story compilations first.

They give you a wide slate of armies and authors to read and read about; this will give you a good idea of what you want to read more of. In addition, many of these stories are tie-ins to existing novel series or characters.

Let the Galaxy Burn (the short story compilation, not the Horus Heresy novel of the same name) is a PHENOMENAL starting point, since it's so big, and covers such a diverse array of topics, armies, and authors.

Welcome to the Freakshow!

(Leadership-shenanigans for Eldar of all types.) 
   
Made in us
Stealthy Warhound Titan Princeps






I read Eisenhorn back in High School, without knowing what warhammer was, and not even realizing it was a warhammer novel. I just assumed it was a one-off sci-fi pulp fiction trilogy. It was amazing, things were explained just enough that I was able to understand everything that was happening in it.

Great intro to the universe.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Florida

I’d go with a book of shorter stories. If your interested in xenos Fear the Alien was good from what I remember.

I personally love the Cain and Last Chancers books, great if your interested in guard.

   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





Thankyou for the all help fellas. Losts to make my way through!

The eisenhorn series looks a good one, gonna check out the Night lords too eventually.

I was curious, which books detailed the war with the grey knights and the space wolves.
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka




The Emperor's Gift.

tremere47-fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate, leads to triple riptide spam  
   
Made in us
Hellish Haemonculus






Boskydell, IL

I feel like the Emperor's Gift really needs to be preceded by the Ravenor series, which really needs to be preceded by the Eisenhorn series.

Welcome to the Freakshow!

(Leadership-shenanigans for Eldar of all types.) 
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





Hey guys I finished the Eisenhorn series among a couple of other spin off novels. Absoloutely loved it, I used Audible as I like to listen to them whilst hobbying.

Was wondering if there were any Imperial Guard novels on Audible that are worth reading. I noticed there were a couple Gaunts ghosts pieces, but were all deep into the series so did not want to start so late.
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





For Space Wolves I'd reccomend picking up the space wolves Omnibus and starting there.

https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/novels/space-wolf-trilogy.html a good series that follows the early years of ragnar blackmane

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in gb
Frenzied Berserker Terminator






 Alphabet wrote:
Hey fellas, I am interested in picking up one of the many, many novels about the 40k universe. However, I am unsure where to start; I was going to pick up the Space Wolves specific books, such as Lukas the Trickster, or Sagas of the Wolf. But I am open to suggestions! Cheers guys.


Start with the ragnar omnibus, not only is it an incredible series of novels but its a perfect place to start for a space wolves fan. Trust me they are amazing reads. The new ragnar novel also includes DA stuff and shows great adversary turned to brotherhood. Blood of Asaheim and storm caller are also great reads. Also though if you are not that immersed in the lore the first three HH novels are a must read.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2019/05/08 03:45:49


 
   
Made in gb
[MOD]
Villanous Scum







 Alphabet wrote:
Hey guys I finished the Eisenhorn series among a couple of other spin off novels. Absoloutely loved it, I used Audible as I like to listen to them whilst hobbying.

Was wondering if there were any Imperial Guard novels on Audible that are worth reading. I noticed there were a couple Gaunts ghosts pieces, but were all deep into the series so did not want to start so late.


Ciaphas Cain: For the Emperor is pretty good (as are the other Cain books if they are on there).

On parle toujours mal quand on n'a rien à dire. 
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





 Delvarus Centurion wrote:
 Alphabet wrote:
Hey fellas, I am interested in picking up one of the many, many novels about the 40k universe. However, I am unsure where to start; I was going to pick up the Space Wolves specific books, such as Lukas the Trickster, or Sagas of the Wolf. But I am open to suggestions! Cheers guys.


Start with the ragnar omnibus, not only is it an incredible series of novels but its a perfect place to start for a space wolves fan. Trust me they are amazing reads. The new ragnar novel also includes DA stuff and shows great adversary turned to brotherhood. Blood of Asaheim and storm caller are also great reads. Also though if you are not that immersed in the lore the first three HH novels are a must read.


yeah will second what Del says, IMHO if you're a space Wolf inclined fan looking to make your first tenative steps into the setting the Space Wolf stuff is amazing.

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





I do not think the Ragnar novels are on audible atm unfortunately. I can grab the paper copies though!

Went with Ciaphus Cane for the emperor this time round, hoping its a good one! Cheers fellas
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





 Alphabet wrote:
I do not think the Ragnar novels are on audible atm unfortunately. I can grab the paper copies though!

Went with Ciaphus Cane for the emperor this time round, hoping its a good one! Cheers fellas


the Cain books are good fun. they're not as serious as the others but thats a good thing sometimes yoiu just wanna be entertained

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in gb
Stubborn Dark Angels Veteran Sergeant






Steve Parker’s Deathwatch novels are good fun. Maybe not the best for being purely faithful to the fluff, and a little bit too much bolster porn at times, but the characters are great and fun.

Eisenhorn trilogy and Ravenertrilogy are absolutely outstanding as well.

My hobby instagram account: @the_shroud_of_vigilance
My Shroud of Vigilance Hobby update blog for me detailed updates and lore on the faction:
Blog 
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





BrianDavion wrote:
 Alphabet wrote:
I do not think the Ragnar novels are on audible atm unfortunately. I can grab the paper copies though!

Went with Ciaphus Cane for the emperor this time round, hoping its a good one! Cheers fellas


the Cain books are good fun. they're not as serious as the others but thats a good thing sometimes yoiu just wanna be entertained


After the Eisenhorn series I could do with something less serious!

endlesswaltz123 wrote:Steve Parker’s Deathwatch novels are good fun. Maybe not the best for being purely faithful to the fluff, and a little bit too much bolster porn at times, but the characters are great and fun.

Eisenhorn trilogy and Ravenertrilogy are absolutely outstanding as well.


The Ravener trilogy is on my radar. I stayed away for now given I had finished the four books from Eisenhorn. I do look forward to going back to Raverner, it was nice listening to his side of the tale.
   
Made in us
Pestilent Plague Marine with Blight Grenade





The best Chaos book out there so far for me is the Ahriman Omnibus. I have one more collected novel to read, and so far, it has been amazing and a great look into the minds of Chaos sorcerers and the true depths of the warp. Also, if you like Space Wolves, there's a strong Space Wolves subplot that is seeming to build up towards something big (no spoilers from anyone please).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/06/09 18:27:16


 
   
Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





 Alphabet wrote:
BrianDavion wrote:
 Alphabet wrote:
I do not think the Ragnar novels are on audible atm unfortunately. I can grab the paper copies though!

Went with Ciaphus Cane for the emperor this time round, hoping its a good one! Cheers fellas


the Cain books are good fun. they're not as serious as the others but thats a good thing sometimes yoiu just wanna be entertained


After the Eisenhorn series I could do with something less serious!



funny you mention that, as I didn't say it, but yeah the Cain novels are a GREAT change from the amazing but, let's be fair, a touch depressing sometimes, Eisenhorn books


Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in gb
Aspirant Tech-Adept




UK

If you’re interested in Space Wolves you can’t go far wrong with Battle of the Fang. It’s the best book I’ve read so far in the Space Marine Battles series.

Imperial Soup
2200pts/1750 painted
2800pts/1200 painted
2200pts/650 painted
217pts/151 painted 
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





BrianDavion wrote:
 Alphabet wrote:
BrianDavion wrote:
 Alphabet wrote:
I do not think the Ragnar novels are on audible atm unfortunately. I can grab the paper copies though!

Went with Ciaphus Cane for the emperor this time round, hoping its a good one! Cheers fellas


the Cain books are good fun. they're not as serious as the others but thats a good thing sometimes yoiu just wanna be entertained


After the Eisenhorn series I could do with something less serious!



funny you mention that, as I didn't say it, but yeah the Cain novels are a GREAT change from the amazing but, let's be fair, a touch depressing sometimes, Eisenhorn books


You aren't kidding. Loving Cane so far, brilliant character. Interested in reading his others now.
   
Made in pl
Longtime Dakkanaut





BrianDavion wrote:
 Alphabet wrote:
I do not think the Ragnar novels are on audible atm unfortunately. I can grab the paper copies though!

Went with Ciaphus Cane for the emperor this time round, hoping its a good one! Cheers fellas

the Cain books are good fun. they're not as serious as the others but thats a good thing sometimes yoiu just wanna be entertained

I wouldn't say less serious, just less grimdumb. While there is some humour in it you can pretty much say it's a tale of a serial liar attempting to sounds less heroic, more relatable trying to cope with all he had seen with jokes. Cain series has some of the most touching moments in 40K (IMO) precisely because he avoids numbing the reader with the pointless shock nonsense other 40K books use instead of good writing...
   
 
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