Basic WH40K Reading List

[General Mung Beans]

What should people getting into Warhammer 40,000 read as their basic list?

[Tritio]

I'd highly recommend the Gaunt's Ghosts series by Dan Abnett. It's at 12 novels and it gives a great look at a variety of aspects in the 40K universe not seen from the perspective of a Space Marine.

[wautd]

This helped me to get into the 40K universe a while ago. I've read a good chunk of novels since then (Eisenhorn omnibus, Ravenor omnibus, the first Gaunts Ghost omnibus, Titanicus and now halfway the Horus Heresy series). All are different but they're all good depending on what you like.

[Shroom Man 777]

The Ciaphas Cain books.

[Black Admiral]

As a general starting point (since it covers virtually everything), I recommend the Eisenhorn trilogy; after that, it depends what part of the 'verse you're interested in.

Particular recommendations, though - for Space Marines, my recommendation would be Brothers of the Snake (one of the Black Library's best SM novels IMO, and certainly among Abnett's best recent work), the Space Wolf series - Space Wolf, Ragnar's Claw, Grey Hunter (first omnibus), Wolfblade, Sons of Fenris, Wolf's Honour (second omnibus) - Battle of the Fang and Helsreach from the Space Marine Battles series (possibly the others, if you're a fan of the starring Chapters), and Graham McNeill's Ultramarines novels (Nightbringer, Warriors of Ultramar, Dead Sky Black Sun (omnibus), The Killing Ground, Courage and Honour, and The Chapter's Due).

(and no, I'm not merely recommending the Ultrasmurfs novels because a squad from the Raven Guard turn up in TCD and are awesome )

As for the Imperial Guard - Cadian Blood (Aaron Dembski-Bowden), definitely. Easily the best recent Guard novel, and better than the more recent Ghosts ones. The Gaunt's Ghosts series - eh, the first two omnibuses (The Founding and The Saint) are worth getting, I think, but I didn't care much for The Lost; it felt like Abnett didn't really have any clear plans for the series with that sequence.

Others - I discommend the Soul Drinkers series, unless you A) want to laugh at how big a gullible retard Sarpedon is, or B) are interested in the side characters more than the SDs themselves. The Night Lords series - Soul Hunter & Blood Reaver (Dembski-Bowden again) and the Word Bearers trilogy by Anthony Reynolds (Dark Apostle, Dark Disciple, Dark Creed) are worth reading, if only for Chaos Space Marines who're actually interesting instead of just mindless one-note psychopaths. Titanicus I'm more iffy about; some bits of it are going to be awkward to get without a previous grounding in the 'verse.

The Cain novels are not a good place to start from, and my opinion is that frankly they tend to be overrated. Scourge The Heretic & Innocence Proves Nothing by the same author are better, for my money.

[Temjin]

While the Gaunt's Ghost series and the Ciaphas Cain series is both quite good, they also presume some familiarity with the setting. From what I remember of it, I would have to recomend at least the first book of the Space Wolf series. It takes the perspective of a primitive warrior as he joins the Space Marines and is gradually introduced to the setting. Due to it's perspective, it does a good job of introducing the reader to the setting, as several aspects of it are explained through his learning experience. I actually wish it was the first WH40k book I read.

It also helps that the book and series is quite good in it's own right. The series is about six books long, and the entire series is available in just two omnibuses.

The only downside is that after the first two books, a different author takes over and there is a noticable downgrade in quality.

[edit] Beaten to the punch. That'll teach me for getting up from my computer in the middle of writing a post.

[wautd]

This helped me to get into the 40K universe a while ago. I've read a good chunk of novels since then (Eisenhorn omnibus, Ravenor omnibus, the first Gaunts Ghost omnibus, Titanicus and now halfway the Horus Heresy series). All are different but they're all good depending on what you like.

Ninja edit (internet connection is terrible at the moment)
This topic helped me to get into the 40K universe a while ago. I've read a good chunk of novels since then (Eisenhorn omnibus, Ravenor omnibus, the first Gaunts Ghosts omnibus, Titanicus and now halfway the Horus Heresy series). All are different but they're all good depending on what you like. Gaunts Ghosts are indeed an excellent stepping stone, but Eisenhorn even more so (the latter also covers a lot of aspects of Imperial societies, where Gaunts Ghosts mostly focusses on the pew pew and life in the Imperial Guard).

[2000AD]

The Rulebook [/sarcasm]

For one off books I'd reccomend:

Execution Hour by Gordon Rennie
Brothers of the Snake by Dan Abnett
Helsreach by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Overall I'd reccomend anything by Dan Abnett or Aaron Dembski-Bowden and Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain series. Avoid Gav Thorpe.

[Chris OFarrell]

I'd second the idea of staying away from the Caiphus Cain books at first. They are a great deal of fun (although the last 3 or so have gotten somewhat stale I have to say) and quite refreshing, BUT, they are very much reliant on the reader being decently 'in the know' about the 40K universe to have their effect.

I will also second the Eisenhorn trilogy. A lot of people recommend them as a starting point and its not hard to see why. They cover a great slice of the 40K universe setting with a great character who also speaks to the reader directly, as its very much in the form of a first person narrative from the perspective of an Inquisitor. A really good starting point.

[Darth Hoth]

Gordon Rennie's BFG books. That is, Execution Hour and its sequel, Shadow Point. Those are fleet-oriented, so for the most part you will not have to suffer Space Marines in them, and the best stuff in the universe I have come across.

They are long out of print nowadays, though.

Eye of Terror is fun, crazy stuff and a good introduction to the universe. However, it, too, is also out of print.

Generally, I like the older books better. I personally do not get the hype over Abnett or Mitchell; to me, they are nothing special. Then again, given the franchise they are writing for, they are much better than some others, if not outstanding authors by more neutral standards.

The First Eisenhorn book is pretty damn good, though.

For negative advice, avoid, at all costs, C. S. Goto, Andy Hoare, and James Swallow.

[Chris OFarrell]

Actually the BFG books have come back into print in a duology a while ago, I think you can find them on the Black Library

EDIT

Although it looks it is only available as Print on Demand for the crazy price of $45...

http://www.blacklibrary.com/Exclusive-P ... r-The.html

You can probably find the two books on Amazon Marketplace or something for a fraction the cost, and they ARE really good books, if a little steampunkish and 'grimy' at times, IMHO.

[Elheru Aran]

I personally started out with the Eisenhorn omnibus and it didn't do me any wrong. While a little familiarity with the background does help, it's a great introduction to the Imperium and its long struggle with Chaos. Granted, the last book was a letdown, but the first two are excellent IMO.

After that, going through short-story compendiums is one way to do it like the recent '____ of the Space Marines' books. Keep the Horus Heresy stories for later until one's more immersed and knows more about what all has been going on since... Titanicus is definitely high-level and I wouldn't read that even until you've gotten into the HH.

[Ahriman238]

I started with Horus Rising, because there's nothing I hate more than starting a series and hearing I need to read some prequel. Better to get the backstory out of the way first.

Cain is good, as long as you don't mind usin lexi to look up the various vehicles or Tyranid clades he goes up against.

May I also recommend the Salamanders Trilogy Nick Kyme is working on? There's only one more book to go and it's good character-driven storytelling.

[Stravo]

I cannot stress more how great it is to start with the Eisenhorne trilogy. Not only is the writing just superb but you get to see the Imperium from the ground level up. I will never forget the terror Eisenhorn felt when he realized he was going to face a single Chaos Space Marine. In another novel Space Marines end up being like a dime a dozen and you rapidly lose any awe or perspective on them. In the Eisenhorne books you get to understand the society underpinning everything in the Imperium and the 40kverse over all.

I would not start with the Horus Heresy series because frankly there are so many sweet little Easter Eggs in strewn throughout that unless you are well versed in the backstory will just go over your head. Start small and work your way up to the larger stories. Abnett is a never miss author for me, you can't go wrong with his stuff.

Also don't underestimate the value of picking up a codex as well. You may not play the game but sometimes their fluff sections can really fire up the imagination and give you some idea of the scope of the universe you're playing in. The Dark Eldar codex is particularly good in their fluff section if you happen to be interested in that faction.

[Cykeisme]

I have to second the idea of not starting with the Horus Heresy novels.. right from the very first book, not realizing who that swell fellow Abaddon will turn out to be will go over your head. Then there's little things like the "new Thunderhawks", etc.

[Hawkwings]

Definitely start with Eisenhorn first. Follow that up with the "Let the Galaxy Burn" collection of short stories. Some of them are real lemons, but a lot of them are good, and you get to see plenty of perspectives and settings.

[Temjin]

There's also the problem that the Horus Heresy is a collaborative project between various authors, leading to it being really hit or miss with quality and continuity. Due to it's problems with continuity, it would probably be pretty damn confusing to a new reader unfamiliar with the setting.

[2000AD]

Actually, now that I think about it, maybe saying The Rulebook wasn't that much of a joke. I stopped playing 40K in the edition before the current one so I don't have personal experience with the latest book but in the past they've allways had plenty of fluff and provided a solid base of infomation for each race so are good as a primer of the main things you might need to know before diving into the fiction.
The only big hitch to this is that the rulebook tends to be quite expensive, but I bet you could get an old rulebook from a previous edition on eBay or somewhere online for quite cheap.

[White Haven]

I'm going to have to nix one of the suggestions, specifically Dead Sky, Black Sun. The Ultramarines stuff was uninspired to begin with, but DSBS was absolute trash, almost as bad as the Blood Ravens novels. Eisenhorn's a good bet, and it tails into Ravenor nicely.

[Whiskey144]

I'm going to have to nix one of the suggestions, specifically Dead Sky, Black Sun. The Ultramarines stuff was uninspired to begin with, but DSBS was absolute trash, almost as bad as the Blood Ravens novels. Eisenhorn's a good bet, and it tails into Ravenor nicely.

And I'm going to have to disagree with your opinion that the Ultramarines novels are uninspired and suck. I mean, come on, it's better than some of the stuff Matt Ward puts out about that chapter! At least in the Ultramarines series the Marines aren't perfect Mary Sues; they struggle, have doubts, and emotions.

I will however, agree, that the series may not be the best choice for some people just getting into 40K literature, however, YMMV. I myself got into 40K because of the Ultramarines Omnibus, and I actually really like the series. Dead Sky, Black Sun wasn't my favorite, but I did enjoy it a bit more than The Killing Ground.

I'll also second Cadian Blood, Scourge the Heretic, and Innocence Proves Nothing. However, I will also note that I rather like James Swallow's HH books, Nemesis and Flight of the Eisenstein, though that's all I've read of his, and that the Gav Thorpe novel that I've read, Path of the Warrior, is actually a pretty good read, particularly if you're very interested in the Eldar.

[Connor MacLeod]

My two cents:

Cain is a good series if you go into it expecting "40K light" and you don't mind a repetitive formula. It's not stellar writing nor is it meant to be. It's a fun romp back to the days when 40K was far less grimdark (and when it was, it was in an absurd manner.) The Dark HEresy novels are quite good, as Orsai says.

I find McNeill to be hit or miss. Some of his writing and characters are quite good, whilst others can grow intolerable. I despise Honsou post Storm of Iron. Dead Sky Black Sun and the Killing Ground were sub-par, whilst the first two and latest two novels are quite enjoyable IMHO. Although Nightbringer and Warriors of Ultramar are still the best. Abnett is a good writer, although I've found the Ghost novels dragging since Sabbat Martyr. The first three are the best, followed by Honour Guard and Sabbat Martyr. Double EAgle is okay, although it doesn't really go anywhere. Eisenhorn still remains Abnett's best work. RAvenor is pretty meh, IMHO. I know lots of people like it but I just couldn't get into the second or third novels. Abnett writes good characters, but sometimes he can utterly fall through on a plot (look at Legion.)

I like some of James Swallow's stuff. I liked the first couple Blood Angels novels actually, although it dragged in parts. The second two were kinda meh, but weren't bad. I like Faith and Fire.

Ben Counter is another author you'll love or hate. I hate most of the soul drinkers novels and consider it unintentional comedy. I like most of the Grey Knights novels, however. Daemon world you probably want to avoid unless you're an avid chaos or WHF fan.

Goto's reputation is, IMHO overblown. He's not a stellar writer and he does make mistakes iwth the fluff (although he's hardly the only author to do so. Graham McNeill will fuck up fluff deliberately when it suits his purposes. Need I remind people of his hatred of micro-beads or large Titans?) The first two DoW novels weren't bad and I've liked the Deathwatch novels, but the third was pretty blah. His worst novel is Eldar Prophecy, and I've long developed a hatred for Craftworld Kaelor because of it. It felt like a shitty Dune remake with pointed ears. Keep him away from Eldar and things are decent.

Andy Hoare started out pretty "meh" as a writer with the first two Rogue Trader novels, but "Hunt for Volodirus" was decent and Savage Scars actualyl wasn't half bad. You don't want to read them if you loathe the Tau, but they're readable if you don't put too much stock into the numbers and skip over much of the Arcadius Grandstanding (that, the literal "age of sail" nonsense and the Tau wank make up the worst aspects of the novels.)

ADB is a good, recent writer, who has done largely well with the bulk of the novels he wrote.

I'm also quite partial to Simon Spurrier as a writer, although "Lord of the Night" was pretty blah.

Gav Thorpe's Angels of Darkness is about the best book on Dark Angels you'll find. Another good read, although one you wantt o get into only after you're familiar with the background fluff.

I'm also rather partial to most of the IG novels, although the first two are pretty bland. Rebel Winter and onwards tend to be pretty good. Cadian Blood, Gunheads and Ice Guard are some of the better ones so far IMHO.

[Meest]

I used this page to get started, http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/series/warhammer/ it has the years published and can see each series separated. I'd follow the Cain, Gaunt and Eisenhorn recommendations, and stick to the earlier stuff in general with those authors, I'm finding the newer stuff getting worse. Been reading more of the short story compilations to get an idea of the newer crop of authors. The one that seems universal to avoid though is the Henry Zou treatment of Inquisitors. McNeill is turning into a George Lucas now or something, becoming victim of acts of plot, reading Chapter's Due now and it's just ridiculous how things go bad in a real lazy way.

[Simon_Jester]

Cain should be read after you've at least introduced yourself to the basic premises of Imperium life, I think, but you can probably get enough of that just from random Internet reading. I know I did.

[Darth Hoth]

I'm also rather partial to most of the IG novels, although the first two are pretty bland. Rebel Winter and onwards tend to be pretty good. Cadian Blood, Gunheads and Ice Guard are some of the better ones so far IMHO.

I read Ice Guard and hated it with a passion. It more or less scared me off the IG books. Are the rest of them like it, with the same "Silver Age" comic book style flat characters and cookie-cutter plots?

I keep hearing from various people that Cadian Blood is supposedly really good; is it like that, or different, more Ghosts or Last Chancers style with characters with actual personality?

[wautd]

I keep hearing from various people that Cadian Blood is supposedly really good; is it like that, or different, more Ghosts or Last Chancers style with characters with actual personality?

Sadly, it's also quite expensive compared to the other books (on Amazon anyway, it's the reason why I havn't bought it yet). The price makes it a bit risky to buy as your first 40K novel.