Warhammer 40K books - where to start?

[Julio Angel Ortiz]

Basically, I'm always seeing the trades for the Warhammer 40K series in the sci-fi section, and I'm curious if anyone here has read them, would recommend them, and have a good idea as to where to start? I know nothing about Warhammer 40K but it looks different from my usual, which is why I'm willing to give it a try. Thanks.

 

[Jono]

Any book would be a good start. I guess the Horus Heresy novels would be the first chronologically in the universe's timeline but I've heard people mention that it is better to have a bit of knowledge of the universe as it makes it more enjoyable.

My first foray into the novels was the Eisenhorn omnibus and it is a great read. My main exposure was the Dawn of War games and some minor reading up on the universe online inspired by the games (universe history, Horus Heresy, the Emperor, the creation of the Space Marines, stuff like that). I didn't find it hard to get into the universe and I've read half a dozen more novels since, Ultramarines omnibus, the first of Gaunt's Ghosts omnibuses: Foundation, so I haven't read a lot but I have enjoyed what I have read.

It also depends on what interests you. Do you want to read primarily from the view of the Space Marines? The Imperial Guard? The Inquisition? Chaos?

 

[FPAlpha]

A good starting point would be the Gaunts Ghosts series.. there are 2 collections out (The Founding and The Saint) each comprising of 3-4 books.

Gaunts Ghosts is a solid military series set in that universe and introduces you nicely to the atmosphere and setting. Beware though that even if Gaunt is a commissar (think Soviet era "Shoot everyone who flees from the enemy" style political officers) he is a special breed, i.e. far more lenient towards his troops.. almost humanistic at times (can't have one of your heroes go around shooting his own people).

After that you can branch out.. there's a ton of Space Marine noves (genetically modified humans to reach almost superhuman levels and who are the absolute elite humanity can produce), basic Guard stories (Imperial Army action) and many in between.

For Space Marines i'd like to recommend the Space Wolf novels (think of Viking/Barbarian style elite shocktroops) and i've heard the Eisenhorn and Ravenor novels are quite well regarded (Inquisitor novels.. Inquisitors hunt traitors and worse.. often in secret) but i haven't read them.

After you've read the first few novels and know the layout i'd recommend the Horus Heresy books.. most of them are good, some of them exceptional and a few are absolute stinkers so overall it's pretty good (and explains all the animosities 10.000 years in the future between the various Space Marine units and Imperial organizations).

Special mention is Storm of Iron.. one of the best novels depicting a siege viewed from the point of the archenemy of humanity and Double Eagle (air combat "Battle of Britain" style if that's your cup of tea).

 

[Julio Angel Ortiz]

Thank you both for your replies.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

No Ork novels?