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Has anybody read them? What is the prevailing opinion on them?

Wait, what are you asking? If we've ever read any of the novels?

If so, then they're usually pretty good. Some authors are better than others. Dan Abnett's Gaunt's Ghosts or the Eisenhorn/Ravenor series are a definite read, as well as the Horus Heresy series.

I think he's referring to stuff like this, actually: http://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/hive-of-the-dead.html

Also, I found that the perception of the quality of various 40k novels hinges greatly on one's own personal preferences and interpretation of the setting - I wouldn't recommend anything or anyone until I'd know someone's likes/dislikes. Or rather, I'd recommend the short story anthalogies, as those are like trial versions of the various authors and characters/factions.

Oh, I see.

I guess this is like a compact version of Only War? Or is it like a one-person-choose-your-own-adventure type deal?

From what I have heard(!), those books work sort of like those really old multiple choice computer games, where you choose an action and the book then tells you to "go to page X to see what happens next".

You know:

You encounter a hulked figure hiding in the shadows! What do you do?
- Approach the figure to confirm its identity.
- Open fire with your trusty lasgun.
- Run away!

Obviously with more fancy writing and detail.