

That’s because it’s an omnibus edition of the Shira Calpurnia series. This first Warhammer 40k book recommendation is a bit of a forward one. Enforcer: The Shira Calpurnia Omnibus by Matthew Farrer But do let us and other readers know your favorite read down in the comments.ġ8. So, don’t fret if your favorite Warhammer 40k book is missing from this list. As well, any list of the best books is bound to be incredibly subjective, which is why we tried to gather a consensus on the best Warhammer 40k books through Goodreads data. This made it incredibly difficult to whittle our list down. There are literally hundreds of books that fall within this universe.
#Best black library books series#
Therefore, there will be spoilers for The Horus Heresy series in the below summaries. That’s because these books depict the lead-up to the 41st Millennium, but the books are seen as integral to this universe. Technically these are prequel books to the Warhammer 40k lore. The second exception is for books that fall within The Horus Heresy series. This is something that is incredibly common from the Black Library. The first is when books have since been collected and re-published in an omnibus. However, there are two exceptions to this guideline. So, some beloved books from later in popular series such as Eisenhorn, Ciaphas Cain, or Gaunt’s Guard are missing from this list in favour of the first book in the series. That’s because, obviously, new readers should start with the beginning of a series. This list was made by using Goodreads data to look at the popularity and success of certain titles, then filling in the gaps with other great recommendations to create a well-rounded list.Īs well, in most cases, only the first book in a series features on our list. It was exceptionally difficult to create a list of just a few of the best Warhammer books while trying to be fair and encapsulate as much as possible. The below best Warhammer 40k books are perfectly approachable to those who have never played the tabletop game before, but have an interest in dark military science fiction or space operas. While it can be overwhelming to look at the breadth and scope of models, games, books, and more, you can choose to immerse yourself in the universe as much as you would like for your best personal experience. There are more than 350 books within the Warhammer 40k universe, and more than 50 prequels alone in The Horus Heresy series.īut don’t let this ever-expanding universe intimidate you. With the surge of Warhammer in mainstream media, it means that more and more people are hearing about it for the first time and wondering where to begin. In a BBC interview, a Warhammer fan described the appeal of the tabletop element as partially due to the tactical component, saying its not as detached as video games can be. The endorsement of celebrities such as Henry Cavill of The Witcher fame and Ed Sheeran, despite his Game of Thrones cameo, certainly didn’t hurt that larger appeal either. Instead of being something that was secretive or a guilty pleasure, it has become more mainstream with the current surge of unapologetic nerd culture. It has been popular for the last 35 years, but Warhammer has experienced a definite spike in popularity during recent years. While that remains, the books frequently oscillate somewhere between that parody and serious grimdark reality. Warhammer began as a grimdark parody, not afraid to laugh at itself. The books derived out of the desire, and demand, to delve further into the background and lore of this alternate militaristic universe. Of course before there were the books, there were the Warhammer models and tabletop game. Then, if you want to learn more about the prequel era, you can read our article about The Horus Heresy reading order. However, it will be the perfect introduction to your Warhammer reading journey. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the books. So, we’ve taken a look at the ratings and popularity on Goodreads to create a list of the best Warhammer 40k books. On top of the multitude of books and products, there are different factions, wars, and eras. What began as an RPG tabletop game has since expanded to include literally hundreds of companion books that delve into the history and lore of this universe. Warhammer is the most popular product from its parent company Games Workshop. So, this list has distilled their bibliography down to the best Warhammer 40k books that you need to read first. But the Warhammer universe can be overwhelming with its breadth and scope.

If you’re a fan of science fiction and fantasy, then it is likely you’ve seen mentions of Warhammer everywhere.
