The Horus heresy series I found a good place to start off, as it gives you a taste for multiple authors, as the series is a collaborative effort. That way you get to see what Black Library authors you like best. It is also a good scene setter for the entire universe we play in.
I second the Gaunt's Ghost series. I read 5 of the books in the series and I like them a lot. I started the Horus Heresy and I find that I have a harder time getting into the story. Yet the first Horus Heresy novel is by the same author as the Ghost series (Dan Abnett).
Read the The Inquisition War, an omnibus of three novels written by Ian Watson and the best written of any games workshop books I have read, it is based on old lore of the 40k universe, with a squat, an assassin, and all sort of strange original imaginative stuff. Then the Eisenhorn trilogy is well written also, and very intriguing. Finally the Horus Heresy is a fun read if not the best written always.
Gaunts Ghosts is a fantastic set for 40k, for fantasy see if you can lay your hands on the old old old set of Konrad, Ignorant Armies and Warblade, it was pre Black Library by nearly 20 years but those along with the Genevieve Undead series are, for me at least, still the best WFB novels ever published. have fun exploring where ever you chose to start
The only 40K novels I have read are Space Wolves novels by William King...there are six altogether. I have read the last two of the last 3 and looking for 2 at half priced books. I found them entertaining, quick to read, and interesting characters...I think they have been combined into two "omnibus" combined books, if you can find them....happy new year, buddy...Jim.
Gaunt's Ghosts all the way! Great characters developed in an ongoing series that reached its 14th book! As a fast reader You should get a lot of enjoyment out of it ; )
Then Horus Heresy, it's mostly very good. Eisenhorn Trilogy is great, and I also like the Inquisitor Books by Watson a lot, though they are a bit outdated.
Ultramarines omnibus...not necessarily because they are the most popular chapter or army, but because they're a good intro to the 40k universe, and include a lot of the other races as well. I'm almost finished, myself. I'd also recommend a couple of other novels for Imperial Guard in particular, but it sounds like you aren't looking to be that specialized yet.
I was in the same situation with you about a year ago, start with the Horus Heresy, It's the ten thousand years before 40k it lays the foundations for the 40k universe.
The first 3 books are a trilogy pretty much: Horus Rising False Gods Galaxy in Flames
Good luck, the first book takes some getting used to as you may not get it straight away but keep reading it's awesome, so awesome in fact when I was at Gamesday I met Dan Abnett and thanked him for it and he sign my copy :)
This was a FANTASTIC page turner for me. It perfectly immerses you in the side of 40k that doesn't involve giant hulking superhumans in power armor. Its a detective story, shades of Cthulu, really great writing, and I really enjoyed the characters. My number one recommendation
-The 1st Caiaphas Cain Omnibus
A great premise premise: Cowardly Commissar always tries to run from battle, yet somehow ends up a hero each time. Very entertaining
Of course this is just my opinion. You can do what u want. I read about 20 40k novels. Which isn't a lot. But the sane idea goes to times of legends when u read Fantasy.
Don't read Horus heresy first!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are meant as a prequel that explains the questions after you read regular 40k. Read any of the Chapter Omnibus like Space Wolves or Blood Angels. Not Grey Knights cuz they're too complicated at first. Although it's a fantastic series. Any space marine omnibus will start you off. Space wolves definitely cuz it's an epic series. Good luck with your reading!
Codex, and Big Red Book for starts. I have only glanced over the fluf that is in them. Could be good starting points for searching for expanded stories of battles and such.
40k novels are great. most of them are pretty good. but where to start, for me there is only one answer Horus Heresy series, they will change how you see the 40k univers. i think there are 19 - 20 books and some only in audio books, almost all books are amazing and there always something new to learn about the 40k universe.
Another great set of books its the Eisenhorn trilogy and the series of Space Marines Battle Novels (white Books). Good luck.
The Space Wolf Novels are great. I started with them and enjoy Ragnar's adventures.
Bluedruid13 1 day ago
Soul Hunter by Aasron Dembski-Bowden is great. I started with the anthology "Let the Galaxy Burn." There are some good stories in there.
boltorange 1 month ago
The Horus heresy series I found a good place to start off, as it gives you a taste for multiple authors, as the series is a collaborative effort. That way you get to see what Black Library authors you like best. It is also a good scene setter for the entire universe we play in.
squidgybidge 1 month ago
I second the Gaunt's Ghost series. I read 5 of the books in the series and I like them a lot. I started the Horus Heresy and I find that I have a harder time getting into the story. Yet the first Horus Heresy novel is by the same author as the Ghost series (Dan Abnett).
meleck1 1 month ago
Read the The Inquisition War, an omnibus of three novels written by Ian Watson and the best written of any games workshop books I have read, it is based on old lore of the 40k universe, with a squat, an assassin, and all sort of strange original imaginative stuff. Then the Eisenhorn trilogy is well written also, and very intriguing. Finally the Horus Heresy is a fun read if not the best written always.
krushido 1 month ago
Gaunts Ghosts is a fantastic set for 40k, for fantasy see if you can lay your hands on the old old old set of Konrad, Ignorant Armies and Warblade, it was pre Black Library by nearly 20 years but those along with the Genevieve Undead series are, for me at least, still the best WFB novels ever published. have fun exploring where ever you chose to start
Gerrcinn 1 month ago
The only 40K novels I have read are Space Wolves novels by William King...there are six altogether. I have read the last two of the last 3 and looking for 2 at half priced books. I found them entertaining, quick to read, and interesting characters...I think they have been combined into two "omnibus" combined books, if you can find them....happy new year, buddy...Jim.
Jedijim252 1 month ago
i have only read one 40K novel, i enjoyed it, but i cant for the life of me remember what it was called! :/
...id definitely recommend reinhardts blackhearts for when you get to warhammer fantasy books though :)
archaeolas 1 month ago
Gaunt's Ghosts all the way! Great characters developed in an ongoing series that reached its 14th book! As a fast reader You should get a lot of enjoyment out of it ; )
Then Horus Heresy, it's mostly very good. Eisenhorn Trilogy is great, and I also like the Inquisitor Books by Watson a lot, though they are a bit outdated.
Cheers!
Tsuthoggua 1 month ago
Comment removed
Tsuthoggua 1 month ago
Ultramarines omnibus...not necessarily because they are the most popular chapter or army, but because they're a good intro to the 40k universe, and include a lot of the other races as well. I'm almost finished, myself. I'd also recommend a couple of other novels for Imperial Guard in particular, but it sounds like you aren't looking to be that specialized yet.
BlueLabelDrinker 1 month ago
I was in the same situation with you about a year ago, start with the Horus Heresy, It's the ten thousand years before 40k it lays the foundations for the 40k universe.
The first 3 books are a trilogy pretty much: Horus Rising False Gods Galaxy in Flames
Good luck, the first book takes some getting used to as you may not get it straight away but keep reading it's awesome, so awesome in fact when I was at Gamesday I met Dan Abnett and thanked him for it and he sign my copy :)
RangerMJ 1 month ago
I have two recommendations:
-The Eisenhorn Omnibus
This was a FANTASTIC page turner for me. It perfectly immerses you in the side of 40k that doesn't involve giant hulking superhumans in power armor. Its a detective story, shades of Cthulu, really great writing, and I really enjoyed the characters. My number one recommendation
-The 1st Caiaphas Cain Omnibus
A great premise premise: Cowardly Commissar always tries to run from battle, yet somehow ends up a hero each time. Very entertaining
WarbossTae 1 month ago
The first Dawn of War book was very good, lots of action.
Generalsplatton 1 month ago
Of course this is just my opinion. You can do what u want. I read about 20 40k novels. Which isn't a lot. But the sane idea goes to times of legends when u read Fantasy.
Ydouneed2nomyname 1 month ago
Don't read Horus heresy first!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are meant as a prequel that explains the questions after you read regular 40k. Read any of the Chapter Omnibus like Space Wolves or Blood Angels. Not Grey Knights cuz they're too complicated at first. Although it's a fantastic series. Any space marine omnibus will start you off. Space wolves definitely cuz it's an epic series. Good luck with your reading!
Ydouneed2nomyname 1 month ago
Codex, and Big Red Book for starts. I have only glanced over the fluf that is in them. Could be good starting points for searching for expanded stories of battles and such.
ooftaZone 1 month ago
40k novels are great. most of them are pretty good. but where to start, for me there is only one answer Horus Heresy series, they will change how you see the 40k univers. i think there are 19 - 20 books and some only in audio books, almost all books are amazing and there always something new to learn about the 40k universe.
Another great set of books its the Eisenhorn trilogy and the series of Space Marines Battle Novels (white Books). Good luck.
TheCelsork 1 month ago