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I'm ready to start reading AoS books. I thought it might be fun to start a thread with the purpose of discussing (With spoiler tags of course) AoS books, and also recommending books. Where should I start?

In my opinion, City of Secrets is when AoS fiction came into its own, rather then just being Stormcast-centric stories focused on Realmgate Wars stuff that is repeated in every battletome. Everything after that has been enjoyable for what it is (pulpy fantasy stories), with varying degrees of quality.

Even at the latter half of a decade, this is still a fresh setting and it doesn't get nearly as much attention as the 40K/Heresy universe(rightfully so, as that's there the big $ is). I tend to mainly read true crime or history in my spare time, but I find the time to also read(or listen, audiobooks are great in this hobby) everything AoS related.

Looking forward to your opinion on some of these novels.

 nels1031 wrote:
In my opinion, City of Secrets is when AoS fiction came into its own, rather then just being Stormcast-centric stories focused on Realmgate Wars stuff that is repeated in every battletome. Everything after that has been enjoyable for what it is (pulpy fantasy stories), with varying degrees of quality.

Even at the latter half of a decade, this is still a fresh setting and it doesn't get nearly as much attention as the 40K/Heresy universe(rightfully so, as that's there the big $ is). I tend to mainly read true crime or history in my spare time, but I find the time to also read(or listen, audiobooks are great in this hobby) everything AoS related.

Looking forward to your opinion on some of these novels.

At the moment I'm reading the first Gotrek Ombnibus, which is mostly old world stories I am told. However, it does appear that there are AoS Gotrek books, so I am also looking forward to those. In addition, I have Soul Wars lined up along with Cursed City!

I liked Soul Wars myself. Nice contrast and comparison between Sigmar and Nagash, {Wasn't sure if the last part of my opinion counted as a spoiler, so I'll err on the side of caution.}
Anyway, what would be a similar AoS novel?

Recently read Dark Harvest, also by Josh Reynolds, but Horror isn't a favored genre, and that novel did nothing to change my opinion. (It was in a bundle e-book purchase and I'd read everything else ...). Also read Andy Clark's Stormvault, which as okay, but not a "OhMiGawd, you've got to read this" book. As it starred the Celestial Vindicators which is the stormhost I'm painting my Warcry SC bands as, I'd hope for more depth on what makes them different from other hosts.

By the way, "Rosebud" is his sled.

Blacktalon; First Mark is very overlooked in my opinion. Has a wonderful portrayal of Stormcast relationships and how they work and probably one of the most disturbing images of a Nurgle fortress every described.

Oh and it has a bestest boy in it that isn't a gryphound.

I will second City of Secrets as a good first read. It is AoS from the perspective of regular humans, and has tie-ins to the events going on in the fluff right now (the ramifications of the book's events lead directly into those of Broken Realms: Kragnos and in turn to the upcoming Thondia campaign book).

Soul Wars is just really good, and I hope GW preserves the nuance of character Josh Reynolds brought to Nagash (though I don't expect much, unfortunately).

Stormvault is among the few AoS novels I have not liked. It is very good initially, but kind of loses track in the process of one-upping itself and ends up feeling more like Dragonball Z by the end. It would have made a great anime, but as a Warhammer novel not so much.

To actually add to the list of books mentioned I highly reccomend Mother of Monsters, though less as a first read since it doesn't tie into the bigger picture. Very good writing, great depth and shades of grey morality, surprisingly relevant to modern times.

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
To actually add to the list of books mentioned I highly reccomend Mother of Monsters, though less as a first read since it doesn't tie into the bigger picture. Very good writing, great depth and shades of grey morality, surprisingly relevant to modern times.

Dynasty of Monsters?

That one was pretty good.

 nels1031 wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
To actually add to the list of books mentioned I highly reccomend Mother of Monsters, though less as a first read since it doesn't tie into the bigger picture. Very good writing, great depth and shades of grey morality, surprisingly relevant to modern times.

Dynasty of Monsters?

That one was pretty good.

YES, for my word misplacement was merely a cunning test to see if anyone would correct me! Good work on discovering my definitely-intentional mistake!

(but seriously TY, I derped out on that one)

I am surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but I think the book Gloomspite was very enjoyable, and for the most part I don't like AoS. Its got strong lovecraftian horror vibes and likable protagonists.

Grail Seeker wrote:
I am surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but I think the book Gloomspite was very enjoyable, and for the most part I don't like AoS. Its got strong lovecraftian horror vibes and likable protagonists.

Agreed, very well written.

Grail Seeker wrote:
I am surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but I think the book Gloomspite was very enjoyable, and for the most part I don't like AoS. Its got strong lovecraftian horror vibes and likable protagonists.

Yeah, solid pick.

I think the author said that he had wished the Warhammer Horror series had existed when Gloomspite published. I think the Horror series was released a few months after this dropped.

Grail Seeker wrote:
I am surprised nobody has mentioned it yet, but I think the book Gloomspite was very enjoyable, and for the most part I don't like AoS. Its got strong lovecraftian horror vibes and likable protagonists.

I'll add it to my list.

I just finished Dance of The Skulls. Really enjoyed it.