WHERE TO START WITH THE NOVELS?

[@willtiffany5409]

Horus Heresy Book One: "Horus Rising". Best hook in the entire series. *Spoilers* "I was there, the day Horus slew the Emperor". Chills, everytime.

[@MrNonameplz]

FACTS

[@jasonpatrignani4717]

"Go on Garviel, Get on with it!... You're always so straight up and down... Give the boys a proper telling will you?"

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

EPIC

[@willtiffany5409]

@@jasonpatrignani4717 Let me guess... Vengeful Spirit?

[@joshuablake4595]

Legit when I first read that line I was like: "oh goodness! Already getting into it huh?"

[@MattisLegend]

I started with the Eisenhorn Omnibus. So good.

[@rsiraistlin2473]

Ive been reading Horus Heresy since 06 with Horus Rising. 30k is the more interesting era for me and im a lil sad that it is coming to the end.

[@HEAVYISPY]

I have to agree. The "everything sucks and will never get better" feeling of 40k can be a bit exhausting after a while. The ability to see the "set up" for future events, see and even encounter near mythical characters, and just see what the Imperium could have been is great.

[@Michael.Virtus]

They started new Horus series called "The Horus Heresy: Siege of Terra", which comprises of new books for the old era. You can focus there. Myself on the other hand I am skipping all the 30k timeline, but I am amassing 40k physical books at home.

[@alastair4839]

I don't think its coming to an "end" any time soon. The siege of terra still has legs in it and then I am pretty sure BL will continue on from there into the great scouring, which lasted nearly a decade (longer then the heresy!) and on from that crusades across the galaxy to secure worlds that remained loyal to the war master or did not pick a side. We have the hundreds of years to account for until the last of the primarchs finally disappear each of these (hopefully) will be epic stores. So as long as people are interested and are buying the books - this story line can go on for a long time - and I hope it does! in parallel with the "modern" story line 10k years later - I find it really interesting to follow both and find out how they are related : )

[@jaketheberge1970]

Even when the Heresy ends they can still write 30k books. There is TONS of side stories GW hasn't even touched yet. The Ullionor Crusade would be cool, a novel starting with Guilliman trying to create the astartes chapters and ending with the iron cadge and Dorn agreeing to break up his legion would great to. The age of apostasy is such a big event and no books have really covered it yet. Novels covering the scouring after the Heresy could be interesting.

[@Gameguy-gk8lx]

Neophyte: Hey I wanna start reading 40k books. What do I need to do. Captain: *read without end*

[@Vihara2]

In the darkness of the far future, there is only more books

[@nrcaknights1]

Started with Dark Imperium, the opening scene of showdown between emperors children and Ultramarines hooked me.

[@nariman351]

a lot of unremembered ultramarine heroes died to save their primarch on that day, which makes me sad every time I remember it.

[@Alpharius708]

I Cato Sicarius say it’s fine history teacher you got me into 40k

[@ssjwes]

Good guy Cato

[@Italian_Spiderman]

I started with the first 3 Eisenhorn books and it was awesome. Abnett is a master and those books did a great job of introducing a lot of different aspects of the 40k universe. I liked that because the Space Marines were such a small part of the story, when they did appear it carried so much more weight.

[@dastardlyokami9682]

Gaunts Ghosts and Eisenhorn were my intro and both are great.

[@ssjjshawn]

I started with the Ciaphas Cain series, which is honestly a suprisingly good intro, introducing all of the relevant factions in the novels and showing the Imperiums thoughts at mass about them. And also, while the events of the novels are just as dark as the rest of the universe, Cain's levity nullifies the grimdark and is a gentler slope for normal people

[@Anticlimacticwhale]

im trusting you on this. god bless

[@12NuKe21]

I started with Horus Rising from Horus Heresy*. I still remember my favorite part when Luna Wolves Captain Torgaddon talks with Sigismund of Imperial Fists about which Legion is the best: "The answer, always, is the Wolves of Fenris, because they are CLINICALLY INSANE".

[@user-xk9gw1gf8c]

One of the first 40k series I read was the Ciaphis Cain series. Good place for beginners as these stories are from the point of view of as normal you can get humans in the setting. Explains the workings of the Guard and it's interactions with Space Marines/Mechanicus/Inquisition/Navy and other Imperial beuracracy. Cain also encounters most of the enemies of the Imperium within and without. Has a bit if grim dark but also has plenty of humour as well which I like. Must say with the exception of the Horus Heresy series I don't rate much of the 40k stuff that has come out in the last few years.

[@catherinebooth8124]

Yeah i love the details in the caphais cain series

[@Anticlimacticwhale]

would you recommend it as the very first book to read or the uriel ventris chronicles (any ultramarines omnibus)

[@user-xk9gw1gf8c]

@@Anticlimacticwhale probably depends on how familiar you are with the Space Marines and what they are about as they can be written in a way where they are both more than human and less then human at the same time. If you were coming into this genre blind the Cain books are probably better as they give you more a wider view of how the Imperium operates. The Ultramarine trilogy are still decent books and fairly well written.

[@nacho.tatical]

i really like the audiobooks tbh, especially the horus herey ones. My fave. are the first books concerning the fall of horus and his betrayal and stallward Garviel Loken and the Siege of Terra novels

[@georgesoha4725]

Johnathan Keeble is excellent.

[@LARGO125]

Loken, Saul Tarvitz of the emps children, and Nathanial Garrow of the death guard are still the most likable characters in all of black library imo.

[@kevinbeefchips]

I started reading the books because of you, I started with Horus heresy because I knew much of the lore. But I have to say my favorite book so far has to be wolfsbane.

[@Irrespons]

AAAh, yes! Lets fly between rotating stars!

[@MDLi0n]

My first book was mechanicum, my wife found it in a hotel and that was the start of my collection but i think id recommend the First and only series to begin

[@MDLi0n]

The space wolf omnibus is amazing as is the grey knights omnibus which was a particularly good one

[@praetorian2222]

Dawn of War 1 was my crash course. Though some things were unclear, it definitely lit a fire. The Eisenhorn Omnibus was my reading start. It really helped me understand how the Imperium and its citizens look and function on a societal level in a way the space marines fluff never did. After Eisenhorn was the Ultramarines Omnibus, followed by Ciaphus Cain. I feel like it was a very good order, and I always recommend Eisenhorn as the jumping in point.

[@AttackGypsy]

I always enjoyed the Gaunt’s Ghosts series personally.

[@dastardlyokami9682]

Just started it a week ago and am on book three it’s amazing

[@DeadWayfes]

Men of Tanith! Do you want to live forever?! Gotta love some Ghosts stories ;)

[@Vihara2]

I hope he doesnt write anymore gaunts ghost books, anarch was a great finale, although he's left it open for more obviously. I want him to come and finish off the HH its been ages since he's released a book there.

[@stefanhenning40]

I'm starting with the Dante audiobook right now (almost through it, listening when painting for a couple of weeks) and I have to say that its amazing. 100% would recommend these books guys.

[@jeffrobinson8167]

I went from knowing nothing to owning half the heresy and a bunch of 40k novels in about a year mainly due to your great channel

[@pedropierre9594]

I began with the space wolfs omnibus, and currently just finished Dante by Guy Haley, excellent reads both of these

[@johnnydiaz925]

I literally started getting interested in the lore when I first played dawn of the war, the first and best game.

[@Vihara2]

Ah, i see you're a man of taste aswell.

[@Lolomlas]

My first books were the Ian Watson books, after those, the Gaunt's Ghosts series

[@benjaminkennedy715]

So you started 40k by reading the work of one of the champions of slaanesh

[@ramsuryaprasath1381]

@@benjaminkennedy715 😂😂

[@WorgenGrrl]

Thank you for this video, Wolf Lord! I've been wanting to get into the Black Library books for a while but didn't know where to start due to the sheer scale of the Lore. Thanks to you, and other KZbin channels in the 40K Community, I have a basic understanding of the Lore but I want to Lore as written. Especially learning more about the Primarchs. For the Emperor! For the Sororitas!

[@ElJorro]

Honestly...the best place to begin is the warhammer wiki. I personally started with the Space Marine Omnibus.

[@sonofruss2933]

First 40k book I ever read was flight of the eisenstein and its still one of my favorite horus hearsay books

[@Vihara2]

Its got a special X factor to it i can't explain, its one of my faves too, despite all the brilliant books after it.

[@DeadWayfes]

First books were the Smurfs omnibus. Then Gaunts Ghosts awesome books. Gonna say one thing: Man of Tanith, do you wanna live forever?!

[@captainpuffinpuffinson4769]

I would recommend to start with Eisenhorn or Gount's ghosts My first book was Horus raising, but that was after listening to Arch's HH series for a while

[@tenajnin]

I started with Horus Rising and followed all the series through from there. Pre Horus’s fall the Luna Wolves were my absolute favourite legion, Tarik Torgaddon in particular.

[@D3sToD3s]

I read Gaunt's Ghosts very early in my book excursions. Also Runepriest. Ragnar Blackmane. Later the Inquisition, Ravenor and Eisenhorn.

[@em4rtzz]

Horus Heresy series is what got me hooked.. I'm almost caught up to the most recent and I started in like 2016

[@danpsyker6122]

It was in fact this channel that made me want to look more into the novels and made me purchase 20+ novels so far. So thank you very much! I personally started with Eisenhorn novels followed by the Horus Heresy as I did know quite a bit about the lore thanks to Lore KZbin videos about 40k etc so it wasn't completely new to me. But I also take breaks from the HH novels and dip into some of the 40k novels like Dark imperium etc

[@danpsyker6122]

Note: most of the novels I have are from Audible. I love the freedom of being able to do other stuff while still experiencing the novels. Especially good when doing chores for the wife (like cutting the grass or giant hedge) and not really minding it at all because its just 40k time for me haha

[@madginger3634]

I started with Eisenhorn, then Space Wolves omnibus, then Gaunts Ghosts

[@Kristian.B.Kristiansen]

I started with Horus Heresy book 1, Horus Rising. I only knew about the 40k Memes, and the first book in what I knew to be THE War was an obvious choice for me. Now 2 years later I am 1 or 2 books away from having read every single entry in the Horus Heresy Series. It has been quit a ride!

[@hotrodheart26]

Ultramarines and Iron Warriors series would my recommendations.

[@MDLi0n]

Started out being totally indifferent towards the iron warriors but after reading a few books about them they quickly became one of my favourite chapters/legions

[@jasonpatrignani4717]

Definitely gonna roll with your choices of "Dante" and "Devastation of Baal" for the Intro to 40K timeline, Rho. It's an amazing story that covers all the aspects that go into the heroism and insanity of the Space Marines in general while also allowing story progression through a major defining event in the current timeline, so it gives a ton of exposure whilest also giving the same character following theme that you mentioned with the Omnibuses. I'll say however as a general Sci-Fi nut, the first three books written for the Heresy are fantastic, and surprisingly digestible. Horus Rising was my first book and I'd never let that one go. In fact I would give anything for some crazy warp fluxed meeting of Dante, Nathaniel Garrow, and Garviel Loken!... I know it will never happen but still it would be awesome!! Or Ahzek Ahriman meeting Mephiston?(maybe that has happened) But I haven't got a clue, if it has I want to now where it is. But I digress, great intro video Rho, it's awesome for anyone looking to grab one of the books and enjoy, I've been loring for a year straight now and I still have barely scratched the surface and regularly have trouble trying to pick my next few titles.

[@Bananaskin101]

As a returner I started with Dark Imperium, now I'm working back through the HH series. Started that series with Scars and Path of Heaven thanks to you Rho

[@Edithae]

Just finished my Primaris Uriel Ventris model and now I'm reading V1 of the Ventris Chronicles. Edit: although, I'm far from a newbie to 40k.

[@glitchlife4639]

I was commissioned to write a short story for GW, had absolutely no idea what 40k was before then. The very first book I ever read was Horus Rising to start my crash course, had a lot of fun with it since then.

[@Ian-uf4se]

How DARE you read my search history from this morning.

[@Brad-yq3zm]

Gaunt and his Ghosts was my starting point. Neocropalis has to be my favourite book ever. You don’t have to be a 40k fan to enjoy or appreciate that book. I had the pleasure of meeting Dan Abnett at a book signing a few years back to sign my copy of the Founding omnibus book. He remarked on how warm it looked from me reading it several times over.

[@benjohnson5938]

Any book with Yarrick is a win. I didn't know how awesome the Guard were, until I read the book where he was on his first mission as Commissar.

[@OmniGSage]

I started with the HH Horus Rising novel. Having learned a lot of lore from the likes of Rho, Remleiz, and Tactica Imperialis I wanted to check out the novels myself and like so many other of my neophyte brothers, I didn't know where to start. Luckily Humble came through with a bundle of digital books and audiobooks from the Heresy series.

[@fine.352]

I started with the first books of the Horus heresy series. After fulgrim I was pretty exhausted of space marine bolter porn. Pretty soon afterwards I devoured the eisenhorn and ravenor trilogies. I guess especially If you shy away from beginning your lore journey with "space Marines only" and big scale battles. I'd really recommend eisenhorn, ravenor and maybe the ciaphas Cain novels. Also they have the same advantage of following one main character (or main cast of characters) through a series of novels

[@tannerclark5191]

Im newer to the lore but thanks to awesome youtubers like you my base knowledge filled in pretty quick so I went for the Primarch series which was awesome cuz a bunch of them are audio books so I can listen at work. The Primarch series has been cool cuz ive gotten to learn more about the primarchs from the start and so I can understand just how important they are to the lore and well they are primarchs who wouldnt want to learn about them.

[@MrSteven1884]

One scene that truely stuck with me reading the Ultramarines omnibus was the tyranid invasion force. One of the Ultramarines observes a guardsmen teaching a local farmer how to aim and shoot a Lasgun. The marine takes the Lasgun and asks the guardsmen if he has ever laid eyes on the Tyranid hoard, if he had done so then he would know that they come in such vast numbers that teaching these farmers how to aim would be folly, if you pull the trigger you will hit them.

[@cinnamoroll668]

Space wolf was my first series, I can't recommend it enough. There a little simplified but still rich and full of character.

[@theemperorprotectsloyalist9307]

My first book was The First Heretic. I'm currently reading Dark Imperium and Apocalypse. Edit: Wait I'm wrong, my first read was Xenos. My favourite is the First Heretic.

[@dansto5240]

Grunts ghosts were my first books very good starting point , man even wrighting this post im getting emotional . First and only !

[@MrTappers7]

My start to 40k novels and the Black Library was the Blood Angels Omnibus and what an epic ride that was following Rafen.

[@ger5956]

I started with the first heresy novel. But switched to the Eisenhorn novels and found them an awesome jumping on point. Went back to the heresy then and am really enjoying them.

[@KieranJohnMusic]

Loved the books authored by Dan Abnett that I’ve read so far. Keen to read from other authors now. My introduction to the black library books was when I picked up “The Unremembered Empire” from a 2nd hand store and was hooked. A random place to start (book 27), but an enigmatic beginning for my journey. Just finished the Eisenhorn series now. Not sure on what’s next but I’m sure what ever it is will continue to capture my imagination.

[@umptischmutz]

First book I read was Devastation of Baal. You aren't kidding when you say it's a ride. Once the battle itself kicks off, every page is oozing with suspense, always wondering what's going to happen next.

[@patrickmundhenk-koch7407]

I did start with "Dead Sky, Black Sun" and progessed to "Necropolis". After that, I continued to all Gaunt Ghost Onmibus because I really liked the Bernard Cornwell Sharpe series. The Ciaphas Cain series followed next and I continue to get myself more Omnibus series.

[@konradcurze4541]

In 2008 I had never heard of 40k. I was offered the first gaunts ghosts omnibus. Then onto eisenhorn and ravenor. Barely knowing what a space marine was I bought the unltramarines omnibus. And from then on I was enamored with the galaxy wide lore

[@anxioussamurai9017]

I've been into 40k for about a year and I've only begun to scratch the surface lol. I wanted to start from the beginning so I started with Horus Rising. From there you can supplement your knowledge with Wolf Lord Rho, Leutin09, Oculus Imperia, Arch Warhammer, etc.

[@BrotalGaming]

As a Blood Angels Fan I started of with Devastation of Baal right away. Then I wanted to know about the newest stuff transpiring with the Siege of Terra, so I read Solar War and The Lost and the Damned. Very nice books. The fight scenes of Sigismund or Jubal Kahn just had my jaw dropped the entire time. Insanely written. After that I am just bouncing around randomly. Got into Wolfsbane, which I loved. Got me appreciating Space Wolves like 10x more than before. Now I started Horus Rising and so far I really like it as well. Damn I am really heads deep in all of this lore and there is no end in sight... and I fckin love it

[@joshuablake4595]

I approve the recommendation for Devastation of Baal. Really great book! Dante and Gabriel Seth are just fantastic in it. Also, definitely getting that indomitus book.

[@lemoolscript]

Going head first into the Horus Heresy was the best surprise for me on learning what Horus would be doing and what this would lead to.

[@chrismason8208]

Space Marine Battles series! Start with Helsreach. Possibly the best book i've ever read..

[@serene1172]

I started with Dark Imperium cuz they were the newest at the time. I’ve moved to picking up everything I can about the blood angels

[@BL_Lusha]

I like the start to this. Tales of the Young Wolf King Ragnar got me into 40k lore after my first novels. But... I actually started with the first three Horus Heresy novels and I fell their a good start in Warhammer 40k/30k depending on if you want more background. It does a good start to and easing in to the grim darkness of the 31st Millennia. Also, after listening to it, "Crusade + Other Stories" is very good as both an introduction novels and also good for returning loremasters.

[@johnnyhusker9563]

Started with the Eisenhorn omnibus and then Storm of Iron. After these I was hooked.

[@oldben5363]

The way he said "Cato Sicarious" without it being in a high pitched voice just burst my bubble.

[@Green_Phos]

I've been part of 40K and into it's lore since 1992. Was heavily into it for at least 4 years, took a long break and recently got back into it at the end of 7th/start of 8th ed. I was already pretty familiar with the basic tenants of 40K lore so my BL journey started with the Horus Hersey series. Specifically Flight of the Eisenstein which was the very first 40K book I ever read, followed immediately by Garro (which was nice since direct story continuity in HH rarely takes place one book after the other once you get past Fulgrim). After that I went back and I've been reading HH from the beginning. Currently at Mechanicus, though it's getting difficult to determine which books follow the "main" story and which ones are simply sub-stories. Most of the HH books are sub-stories and anthologies that can be skipped if you're just looking to follow the main Horus Heresy plot, like I am. Haven't read much of the current era 40K novels. Started the Abbadon series with Talon of Horus and will probably take a break from HH after Mechanicus to read the Eisenhorn series, which everyone says is one of the best.

[@tomg9476]

I’ve always recommended the Space Wolf saga as you learn about the WH40k as Ragnar is learning/experiencing it

[@ragingmoderate6791]

So I recently started reading/listening to the HH novels and I did the first 4, horus rising galaxy in Flames flight of the eisenstein and the other one I cant remember off hand. Then I just bounced around. I suggest if you're going to do that you at least listen to the ones that are about a specific primarch/legion in order. Like scars then path of heaven, Vulcan lives, death fire? And then old earth. That type of thing. That being said I had been watching 40k theories, WLR, TTS series so I knew a good chunk of the 30k lore so I dont know if I would have done it that way if not. Yes i include TTS because even though it's silly as fuck it still follows and tells the lore.

[@owenfarrington5679]

My first book that I picked up in 40k was the soul drinkers, and my god did I love that series and group of marines at the end

[@obadiahvonhammerstein4553]

I already read the Uriel Ventris Chronicles and I can assure you it is well worth the read! If you need to understand the Ultramarines this is a good read. You follow Uriel Ventris on his journey through the Galaxy and his choice that will define not just himself, but also the choices an Ultramarines must face that can lead to victory or damnation. Concerning the Blood Angels story concerning Rafen of the Blood Angels, I must confess my folly and say that I have only read one novel so far. It was Red Fury by James Swallow, and while I know I am missing out of some key lore, it was still an enjoyable read as I got to see a conclave of the Line of Sanguinius' Sons. Memorable characters like Chapter Master Dante, Chief Librarian Mephiston, Chapter Master Gabriel Seth, and other powerful Members of the Line of Sanguinius how they interact as a "fractious family". While I cannot accurately speak about how this series of books deals with the Red Thirst or the Black Rage, I can say that Red Fury does a fair job of showing how the Red Thirst builds and flows into the Black Rage. May Leman Russ and his Space Wolves forgive me for not yet reading any of the the books from the Space Wolf Omnibus. Please do not hunt me to my dying days! As a peace offering I have read Ashes of Prospero by Gav Thorpe and Lukas the Trickster by Josh Reynolds and I can say with little doubt in my mind that they are magnificent!! If you have not read these novels yet I urge you to do so! Admittedly, reading the Omnibus first will help you enjoy the other 2 books more, I but I think you could enjoy Lukas the Trickster before the omnibus. I must recommend though that you read the Omnibus and Lukas before Ashes of Prospero though as it takes place after the formation of the Great Rift and Guilliman's return. I have not read any of the Salamanders books except for Burden of Angels by Nick Kyme, and that only whetted my appetite for Salamander's lore! I do love their origin story, their care and compassion for humans, and that the are dark skinned or coal black just increases my respect for them since I tend to see African Americans as having stronger ties with their communities than other groups. I apologize if I got this part wrong. Thanks again. And I urge you to Get Lgacy of Dorn: Herald of Oblivion on steam before it is removed.

[@williamcheung8189]

I started reading through Warhammer 40K wiki first. The Emperor, the Custodes, then all the Primarchs. At some point one of the Primarchs will resonance with you and then you can start moving on to the corresponding chapters and began to understand the lores and events in 40K. The Forge of Mars is one of the best book series in 40K. The Warden of the blade is pretty good and the grey knight omnibus is epic. Just finished reading the path of heaven (because of Jaghatai week). I love the 40K lore, its frecking endless!.

[@korvydus]

My first 40k novel that I read, was Gaunt's Ghosts Necropolis, first edition copy. My first Space Marine novel was Warriors of Ultramar.

[@leow1535]

Well, 40k is not just about Space Marines. I don't remember what my first book was, but if I could start all over I would go for Eisenhorn first. Although it's doesn't really fall into the 'there is only war' category since it's more an adventure series, it gives great insights to the imperial society and all the wondrous places and races and characters there are and can be in the whole 40k universe. And if you like that, go for Ravenor next, maybe the Inquisitor Omnibus. Then start with the Space Marines and Gaunts Ghosts novels. After getting to know the imperial side of things, have a look to the other shores and dive into Black Legion and the Night Lords series, amazing stories all of them. To round it up, have a look to the Eldar and Dark Eldar Novels (even though some are not that good, it gives a nice insight again)

[@mcelroyguy76]

I think it was about 3 years ago and i was at B&N and i randomly picked up the damnation of pythos and it was pretty good and my intro into warhammer. I didnt read any more until recently im currently reading Valdor. Its really great.

[@barrydonovan1697]

Started with the Soul Drinkers omnibus and legitimately think they're some of the best books in 40k - Chapter War is amazing

[@Fred_L.]

Began with the HH as well. Tried to read them in the chronological order of events, though that is kind of impossible. Once I had finished them I read The Beast Arises and then started reading all eras mixed up. I really enjoy the various Chaos Space Marine books (especially the ones for the Black Legion and Fabius Bile).

[@BildoShaggens]

I started with Dark Apostle and then went straight into the Gray Knights omnibus

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

I started with Space Wolves series from Bill King. Then I read some Gaunts Ghosts, Last Chancers, Ultramarines Omnibus etc. And of course those awesome Ciaphas Cain books. Now Im reading Horus Heresy - Im at number 24 - Betrayer.

[@whateyatalkinabout4972]

Horus heresy is in all honesty the best place to start, the amount of books is crazy yes, but it also really fleshes out the lore, it allows you to understand a lot of why the galaxy and namely the imperium is the way it is in 40k. And a lot of the events from the books in the Horus heresy are referenced time and again in the 40k novels. Best way to start. Read the Horus heresy. Even if it’s the main books I guarantee that by the time you’ve read a good 5-10 books you’ll have a very good understanding of the universe and the imperium. And then it would be ok to read into the current timeline. That’s just my opinion. I feel that for example where you to go and pick up one of the dark imperium books you’d have trouble understanding why guilliman is acting the way he is. The character connection is better if you’ve read 30k first

[@meckert210]

I started with the Eisenhorn books, followed by the Grey Knights omnibus. Have read and listened to (I think) hundreds more since then. Personal favorites are A Thousand Sons and Prospero Burns from the 30k series.

[@norbertdrage]

Started with the Inquisitor novels, but I already had an idea of the universe and the IoM’s structure before beginning.

[@Matihood1]

Thanks for this video. I follow multiple lore channels and have read through countless fandom and lexicanum pages and even some fan-made stories but never an actual w40k novel. Now I know where to start. And yes, I agree. As great as the stories of the Horus Heresy are, it's better to start at the core of the w40k universe - the 41st millennium.

[@therealmcgoy4968]

Iv found some older Horus novels in used book stores and bought them immediately lol. Iv been into age of sigmar more though. My first warhammer novel was 17 hours or w/e about the imperial guardsman and that book got me hooked especially after playing winter assault lol. I got into table top due to that game and book. Now for some reason I like age of sigmar and have been reading much more lately.

[@geoffhall5456]

I still think that the Eisenhorn series (followed by the Ravenor series) is probably the best intro to the world of 40K. Fantastic books, very well written, and they give you a much better flavour for the wider Imperium than the space marine books tend to do.

[@jameslewis2635]

I tried to read the Horus Herasy series but found that the books jumped significantly in terms of charecter. It was like at the end of one book Horus was loyal but having doubts and where as the beginning of the next he was plotting the death of the Emperor and his brothers. I stopped reading once I had got to the point where the Emperor was in the Golden Throne but as I understand it there were some more books written. I think that the problem of charecter changing was largely due to there not being a single author in charge of the series.

[@Ower8x]

a lot of them and many are really good. the HH has like 54 official novels, with Siege of Terra novels being separate as a separate sequel series which is currently at 5 novels with a 6th that is slated to come out in august. there are the Primarch novels with 13 primarch covered so far, the latest about the Lion cam out this may there are audio dramas, novellas , a ton official short stories its really a best of a series But that flaw does remain with a lot of the traitors going to pure villains really just to fast. Many have great build up to the fall but then it foes to 11 it often seems in moments. at least the ones I read, or heard about. Another flaw that keeps cropping up is that the antagonist are often made incompetent or do mind boggling things for the sake of the plot of the book. From what I read the one that infuriates me still to this day with this is the First Heretic ... and the atrocity that is its portrait of the Razing of Olympia and the incompetence the book forces on the Custodes for it to even work. But many of the books are still god. most of the primarchs novels that I read are quite good and do a lot for the respective primarch ... Even if the great potential of some is wasted in a single short story ... looking at you The Reflection Crack'd - may you burn in righteous fire for how you wasted the potential from Fulgrims novel....

[@micke1888]

I started with Horus rising. After a binge of lorr videos. Loved it, then I read the first 6 hours heresy books. Which was awesome until the 6th (what a slog). Then I read the night Lords trilogy. I am excited for the Trazyn novel.

[@thegamingsaurusremastered8310]

I started with a blood Angels omnibus (one that doesn't follow a character but all the sons of sanguinius {titla drop}) I'm planning to move to other blood Angels centric books because that's my faction. If you play the game I recommend starting with a book that has to do with the faction you are passionate about (generally the faction you collect) and moving from there

[@eichler721]

Agreed on all these books. Uriel is my favorite Ultramarine. The Dante series is amazing including the new 3rd book. Ragnar is fun and well written when it jumps through time in the story. Edit: my first book was also Uriel series. Then Ragnar and then Rafen. Followed by Eisenhorn, Ravenor, and the Gaunts Ghosts series.

[@paulausten5786]

I started with the Soul Drinkers omnibus & glad they’ve been bought back. Eisenhorn, Gaunts Ghosts series are great. Ryan’s World & Hunt for Voldorious.

[@MrSteven1884]

Cold and Fast Brother!

[@milesthanx6803]

First I read all the novels starring my fav Legion (Alpha) afterwards I moved onward to the Origin stories of primarchs I was interested in. The most interesting thing for me was that "old earth" was one of my favorites. But most of all I recommend "legion".

[@Michael.Virtus]

For the last year and a half I am in a process of vehemently buying physical 40k books. I skipped all the 30k timeline (mainly Horus Heresy series), because they are hardly available as new books anyway and because I don't want to go so far back (I know the basics of the Horus Heresy). They started new Horus series called "The Horus Heresy: Siege of Terra", which comprises of new books for the old era. I am skipping them too. The only 30k new series that I am purchasing now is the "Horus Heresy: The Primarchs" (hardcovers), which I decided to have just for the coolness of it. They are new and short and it's a nice Primarch series to have (since I have nothing 30k). So I focused on the newest 40k stuff published the last 5 years (there are re-prints of older stuff as well). I started mainly with almost all the Omnibuses (comprising the older books). But my inner collector raised feverish and I started buying everything else. So at this point I have more than 60,000 (sixty thousand) pages and it cost me a little more than 1000 euro (totally worth it). I would say that I have almost every 40k book that I am interested in and there will be not much to add to this collection as a bulk purchase (I wait for 23 more books - they are on the way - I added them in the mentioned page calculation) besides continuing buying some (not all) new stuff as they come in the future. So obviously I cannot help with "where to start" because I just bought most of it for a relatively short period of time. The Emperor Protects.

[@Vihara2]

Read anything dan abnett writes its all gold

[@Vihara2]

And the ciaphas cain novels are pure distilled FUN they're awesome reads.

[@Michael.Virtus]

@@Vihara2 Got them all Ciaphas Cain (3 big volumes).

[@Anton-cc7yc]

I started with the Space Wolf... God, it was almost ten years ago now, but it hooked me to 40k. I guess it is better to start with 40k and move to 30k next. Still remember cognitive dissonance I had when it reviled how differer the Imperium was 10 thousand years ago.

[@darkscholar625]

My first novel was Helsreach. The second was Devastation of Baal, third was Wolfsbane, and my latest is Saturnine.

[@Vihara2]

Not remotely how I'd recommend anyone start this but if you're having fun go for it, the gaunts ghost and eisenhorn books will be waiting for you, they're mandatory reading and brilliant takes on what the stagnant imperium was.

[@DestructZero]

I started with the anthologies Heroes of the Space Marines and Fear the Alien. Then I read the Ultramarines Omnibus. Another good starting point for the Warhammer 40k Universe are the Space Marines Battles novels. They are all stand alone novels.

[@markrtoffeeman]

Start by burning all the Heretics. For the Emperor

[@09calz]

I had some background knowledge of the lore my first book was lords of silence that book is pretty epic! Moving onto nightlords series next

[@rkk7895]

Horus heresy is a great place to start. I only had experience from a few of the games and I had no problem following the stories. I highly recommend the audiobooks, the narrators are great. And if you have a shit memory like me you just start the series over when you're done the first time over :D

[@nickwilliams794]

I bought the humble bundle E-book set based on your video on it. So far I've read nightbringer, which was great, and the devastation of baal. I don't know what to pick next lol.

[@prometheusminiatures]

I would like to see a video on the Horus Heresy novels if it's possible and something you would be up for? Where to go after Horus Rising, what books to skip, and what is a must read.

[@silversurfer8818]

If you dont think Blacklibrary deserves your money, head over to Thepiratebay and download the e-books, one uploader made a compilation of the first 54 books of the Horus heresy!

[@brandonj804]

I started out in a weird place with Warhammer 40 and 30k lore. I actually didnt care much for Warhammer but one day six years ago I was in the bookstore and seen Damnation of Pythos and said..."Why not?". Then down the rabbit hole I went

[@mpbiggame1010]

holy shit Cato Sicarius himself gave our man here a virtual gift voucher. what an honor!