In the current tabletop gaming industry, Warhammer remains ahead of the pack, offering countless models for people to collect, as well as a plethora of associated media – including video games, board games, and even books.
The latter in particular has proved incredibly popular amongst old and new fans alike, offering unique insights into the surrounding world and lore of the Warhammer 40K universe, and giving fans a little more information pertaining to their favorite armies.
And while there are so many books now on the market, there are some that just stand out from the crowd.
But this begs the question: what are the best Warhammer 40K books on the market, and what makes them special?
What Is Warhammer 40K?
Warhammer 40K began life as a miniatures wargame produced by Games Workshop – designed as a futuristic expansion of the popular Warhammer franchise – and is now the most popular tabletop wargame in the world.
While the original Warhammer tabletop game embodies the tropes and traditions of the fantasy storytelling genre, Warhammer 40K leans more towards science fiction – with a futuristic dystopian setting (39,000 years in the future), alien races, and a more technological motif throughout.
However, it still touches on aspects of the fantasy genre, incorporating such aspects as demonic possession, magic, orcs, elves, and other supernatural creatures commonly associated with classic fantasy.
What Is The Background Narrative?
Set 39,000 years in the future, the backstory for Warhammer 40K sees a politically and socially stagnant human race that is constantly besieged by various alien races, supernatural entities, and opposing armies.
The future depicted in Warhammer 40K is violent and suspicious, with all scientific and social progression having halted, and the only goal of humanity being the domination and destruction of all those who oppose their reign.
Based around the ‘Imperium of Man’ – which itself consists of numerous factions, including the popular ‘Space Marines’ – Warhammer 40K sees these forces engaged in near-constant war with invading forces and malevolent supernatural beings, where the prospect of a bright future is non-existent, and humanity merely fights back against their inevitable doom.
This sets the backdrop for the wider media, as well as the novelizations, which explore specific narratives from the points of view of various races and factions within the world.
The 20 Best Warhammer 40K Books
As you might imagine, with such an expansive narrative world, there are numerous books that have been released – each depicting different facets of the world of Warhammer 40K.
However, there are some that just stand out from the crowd for their originality, content, and storytelling quality.
This is why we have compiled a list of the top 20 Warhammer 40K books on the market.
First on the list, we have Krieg: A Death Korps Novel.
Written by Steven Lyons, Krieg tells the story of the Death Korps of Krieg, who are deployed on a dangerous and devastating mission within the Octarius War Zone.
While known for being a capable and somewhat unhinged suicide squad of troops, the mission far outweighs anything they have accomplished before, and might just be the end of the Death Korps as we know it.
Based around the ‘Astra Militarum’, otherwise known as the Imperial Guard, Krieg tells the in-depth story of the last breaths of mankind, as they embark upon their perilous campaign against otherworldly threats, alien forces, and schisms within their own race that pose continuous threats to their survival.
Focused on the stories of Sons of the Lion, the Legacy of Caliban omnibus sees the space-faring warriors on their mission to defend mankind from perilous threats – all the while combating their sworn enemies, the ‘Dark Angels’, chaos-worshiping heathens destined on summoning dark entities to their world.
As a plot emerges aimed at destroying the Imperium and passing power to the Dominion of Chaos, the Sons must track down their fallen former brothers in arms and make things right once and for all.
Written by Gav Thorpe, Legacy of Caliban features the novels Ravenwing, Master of Sanctity, and The Unforgiven, Legacy of Caliban also contains an anthology of short stories – including Honor of the Third, A Hunt in the Dark, Battle-Brothers, Accept No Failure, Holder of the Keys, and All Must End.
As any fan of Warhammer 40K will know, the Space Marines are something of the poster children for the entire franchise, and this story by famed writer Dan Abnett focuses on the exploits of Damocles Squad – a faction under the command of Brother Priad.
Tasked with defending mankind from the threats that mean them harm, Damocles Squad comes face to face with Dark Eldar, Chaos Cultists, and even legions of Orks as they band together to postpone their inevitable destruction.
This book in particular details numerous sagas within the lives of Priad and Damocles Squad – seeing them at their highest and lowest as they battle with some of the galaxy’s most dangerous forces.
Pros
Action-packed
Nuanced balance of gore and drama
Strong world-building
Exciting storylines
Well crafted characters
Cons
More of an anthology than a novel
The protagonist can be dull at times
Themes: war, brotherhood, honor, duty, good vs evil
Written by Simon Spurrier, Fire Warrior focuses on the fledgling ‘Tau’ empire, whose blue-skinned, yellow-armored warriors lead an honorable existence that draws inspiration from famed warriors like the Japanese samurai of old.
Focused around the fire warriors, a chapter of the Tau military who are considered to be the best of the best, Fire Warrior sees one of the titular soldiers tasked with tracking down a crashed ‘ethereal’ – one of the secretive rulers of the elusive and relatively young species.
Battling Imperial Space Marines, the young warrior must give everything he can to save his leader, even if it means sacrificing his own life in the process.
This tale of a hero’s journey is the perfect introduction to the Tau empire, and the mythology surrounding them is one reason why they have remained such a popular, yet underrated addition to the Warhammer 40K universe.
Pros
Relatable protagonist
Gripping narrative
Intriguing new race of characters
Action-packed yet nuanced
Tense and suspenseful
Cons
Weak character development
Themes: duty, honor, good vs evil, war, coming of age
Written by Anthony Reynolds, Ian St. Martin, and Rob Sanders, Renegades of the Long War is an omnibus that tells the dark tales of the ‘Heretic Astartes’ – otherwise known as the Chaos Space Marine Renegades.
Based around the exploits of the Renegades, the self-professed champions of corruption, wrath, and perversion, the story sees these fallen marines on their path to achieve immortality, power, and revenge against their enemies, as they kill in the name of their dark, chaos Gods, and donate their lives to their dark cause.
Now slaves to the darkness they courted, the Renegades find themselves engaged in the ‘long war’, a campaign that will not end until the seams of reality have been torn asunder.
Pros
Interesting narrative
Engaging characters
A unique point of view
Good balance of gore and drama
Great world building
Cons
Complex subject matter
Themes: war, obsession, death, good vs evil, supernatural
Written by Justin Woolley, Catachan Devil tells the story of the ‘Catachan 57 Jungle Fighters’, who under the command of Colonel Haskell ‘Hell Fist’ Aldalon, arrive on the mysterious quagmire world of Gondwa VI.
As they explore the planet’s surface and realize the true extent of what they are facing, they find themselves besieged on all sides by a growing Ork threat – using their guile and training to go on the offensive, setting out to retake the handy Outpost Four to secure their victory.
However, with greenskins on all sides, rising casualties, as well as a fledgling, untrained recruit under their protection, Haskell and the boys must use every trick in their arsenal if they are to retake the planet and get out of there alive.
Pros
Strong ensemble of characters
Well crafted dialogue
A tense and suspenseful storyline
Strong villains (the Orks)
Action-packed and exciting
Strong leading man
Cons
Cliche at times
Themes: brotherhood, war, honor, duty, survival, good vs evil
Written by Mike Brooks, Huron Blackheart: Master of the Maelstrom follows the exploits of the titular overlord, whose rule over the chaos-worshiping Renegades hangs in the balance amidst ever-growing dissidence in his ranks, their individual pursuits of dark power, and the dark Gods they profess their loyalty to.
As old threats resurface and look to dethrone Blackheart, the master of the Red Corsairs grows to realize the weight of true power, and the true sacrifice that comes with chaotic deals with dark entities – deals that, while helpful and life-saving, can result in the loss of something much more irreplaceable.
Pros
Interesting character study
Action-packed and exciting
Strong world-building
Well crafted narrative
Cons
Weak character development
Shorter than similar novels
Themes: obsession, power, darkness, war, supernatural, deception, betrayal
Written by Nate Crowly, Prophet of the Waaagh focuses on the Ork warlord ‘Ghazghkull Thraka’, the once great threat to the Imperium of mankind, and leader of a feared Ork army.
Told by his once faithful banner bearer Makari the grot, Prophet of the Waaagh sees Lord Inquisitor Tytonida Falx, as she tracks down the grot for information on the feared warlord, who has become something of a dark legend within the history and lore of the Heresy.
Seeking to learn more about the Ork who would one day become such a feared warrior, Falx must delve deeper into a history seldom ever heard, hearing of the dark tales and bloody events that saw a humble creature become the ‘warlord of warlords’.
This novel is different from many others on this list, taking both a different narrative stance and approaching the story from the perspective of the enemy.
Curated by Nick Kyme, Knight of Tallassar is an omnibus that details the stories and exploits of infamous Ultramarine ‘Cato Sicarius’ – a warrior whose adventures, prowess, and deeds have been both revered and reviled throughout the galaxy.
Focusing on the titular hero of the Imperium, Knight of Tallassar shows a few glimpses of how the Space Marine became a military hero amongst the Imperium, one of the most decorated soldiers in the galaxy, and the scourge of countless races and factions throughout the Warhammer Universe.
Long being revered within the Warhammer 40K tabletop game, Cato Sicarius has always been somewhat mysterious – however, with this omnibus, fans and enthusiasts alike can read up on what made the man a legend, and what makes him such an enduring character within the franchise.
Pros
Intriguing storyline
Engaging tales
Action-packed and exciting
Strong lead character
Tense and suspenseful
Well crafted world building
Cons
Character development could’ve been deeper
Themes: heroism, war, good vs evil, honor, duty, death
Within the Imperium, there are numerous chapters of Space Marines, with one of the most popular being The Grey Knights – warriors whose exploits are famous throughout the Warhammer universe.
Written by Ben Counter, The Grey Knights Omnibus tells the tale of these incorruptible, imperious, devout warriors, who made a name for themselves within the ranks of the empire for their pure devotion to their cause, and their noble pursuits to preserve humankind.
Styled as daemon hunters, the Grey Knights are guided by their faith and armed with all the tools and trappings needed to send even the most terrifying chaos worshiper packing, standing as the only thing between humanity and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface.
Packed with action, moral conflicts, and overwhelming threats, this novel makes the reader question notions of faith and duty, and whether such things are enough in the face of an unimaginable evil.
Pros
Solid storytelling
Strong world-building
Engaging plot
Strong characters
Cons
Humorless (when compared to other novels)
Characters are more dour and serious
Themes: duty, honor, faith, sacrifice, death, brotherhood, good vs evil
Feared and elite, even amongst the other chapters of Space Marines, Deathwatch represents the empire’s main weapon against the agents of darkness that would seek to do them harm.
With stories by Steve Parker, Ian St. Martin, Justin D Hill, and many more, Death Watch: The Omnibus tells some of the most action-packed and exciting tales from the back catalog of this elite unit, as they hunt down alien monsters and enemy insurgents all throughout the galaxy.
Containing three novels, and plenty of short stories to keep fans engaged and occupied, Deathwatch: The Omnibus shows the light and shade of these fearless warriors, showing their high and low points, and the impact they have had in shaping the empire in what would otherwise be its waning days of power.
For fans of action, gore, and all the things that have come to be associated with the Warhammer 40K universe, this is certainly one to check out.
Written by Gav Thorpe and C Z Dunn, Legends of the Dark Angels tells the storied history, myths, and legends of the titular Dark Angels – a faction of Space Marines renowned for their clandestine behavior, striking white robes, and notable exploits throughout the galaxy.
With a focus on magic, the Dark Angels’ main role is to repel the dark forces of Chaos that wish to destroy the very fabric of reality – using their own training, tools, and understanding of potent warp-magic to keep evil at bay, and uphold the status quo.
Containing four novels, one novella, and several short stories, Legends of the Dark Angels sees the mysterious and legendary team as they traverse the galaxy – fighting in the name of the emperor, banishing supernatural threats from their realm, and forging a strong legacy even within the hallowed ranks of the Space Marines.
With the threats rising minute by minute, and the powers of the Dark Angels seemingly stretched to their very limits, this novel poses the following question: is knowledge enough to hold back a tide of evil?
Pros
Strong characterization
Intriguing narrative techniques
Strong storytelling
Good world-building
Really strong lore-building
Unusual subject matter
Cons
Lacks humor at times
Themes: magic, darkness, good vs evil, loyalty, duty, honor, war, death
Written by Dan Abnett, The Founding is a collection of tales surrounding fan favorites ‘Gaunt’s Ghosts’ – Imperium soldiers otherwise known as the Tanith first and only.
Displaced from their home planet due to an overwhelming accumulation of chaos, the First and Only – or Gaunt’s Ghosts – act as specialist, itinerant scouts throughout the galaxy, using their expertise as guerilla fighters and trackers to oust chaos where they can, and preserve the honor and spirit of their fallen planet.
Led by the infamous Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt, the Ghosts must evade the schemes of rival regiments of troops, the lethal threats that the galaxy poses to them, and the ever-present threat of chaos – whose armies are massing with each passing day.
If the empire is to maintain its grasp of the chaos-infested Sabbat System, then Gaunt’s Ghosts must use everything in their arsenal to keep the forces of evil at bay.
This omnibus represents what Warhammer has always done so well – create classic feeling war scenarios that people of all knowledge levels can enjoy and engage with.
It takes what so many people love about the Cadian armies and the Catachan, and turns them into a gripping story of survival.
Pros
Outstanding storytelling
Engaging and exciting plot
Good characterization
Strong world-building
Good addition to the lore of the Imperial Guard
Cons
Unrealistic military action
Themes: brotherhood, survival, honor, duty, loyalty, war, death, sacrifice
As a chapter master of the Blood Angels, the titular Dante has his fair share of trials and tribulations.
Born into a world ravaged by war and radiation, Dante was always destined for glory and hardship – a destiny that manifested into reality when he became leader of one of the most troubled and battle-ravaged chapters in the entire empire.
Written by Guy Haley, Dante tells the various stories that saw the man become a legend – including his upbringing on Baal Secundus, his time as a scout, the hive cities of Armageddon, and fighting the alien threats in the Cryptus system.
Scarred and damaged in more ways than one, Dante knows that leadership comes with sacrifice – but he never believed it would ever cost so much.
Seemingly cursed to outlive many of his men, as well as his numerous predecessors, Dante is an unlikely hero and an even more unlikely legend – but that is the hand he has been dealt, and he’s certainly not a quitter.
Dante tells the story of how the man became a legend, even amongst the storied chapters of the Imperium – showing how through hardship and sacrifice he became not only a hero to the empire but also a threat to the very enemies that the empire fights.
Pros
Unique narrative and storytelling
Strong characterization
Strong leading character
Relatable characters
Solid world-building
Cons
Too short to be a stand-alone
Themes: sacrifice, war, honor, duty, death, pain, isolation, loss
Written by Ben Counter, Daemon World takes us to the planet Torvendis, a land ravaged by eons of brutal warfare, as well as a massing race of chaos and demons who pose a larger-than-average threat to the wellbeing of the universe and the continuation of the empire.
Many have tried to quell the bloodshed and defeat the armies of chaos on the planet – so much so that bodies literally pave the streets – but it is only when a mysterious stranger arrives on the planet’s surface that chaos itself begins to tremble.
Seeing her reign of terror crumbling before her eyes, Lady Charybdia (the princess of Slaanesh) throws everything she can at the stranger, hoping that the horrors that have always sustained the chaotic planet are enough to send him packing like so many of his predecessors.
As fear leads to insurgency, and insurgency leads to bloody riots, the balance of power seems like it is falling away from the princess for good.
But for all his supposed good, is the stranger really true in his intentions, or do the legions of chaos have something to do with his mysterious arrival?
Pros
Solid storytelling
An interesting, unique narrative
Strong leading protagonist
Good sense of tension and suspense
Action-packed and exciting
Gory, full of drama, yet nuanced
Cons
Some minor plot holes
Overly gory at times
Themes: power, corruption, good vs evil, deception, brutality, war, death
Focusing on the fearsome Tyrannids – a vicious and animalistic alien race that is both a plague on the universe and a bane on the empire – The Great Devourer is an omnibus that explores their history and origins in greater detail.
With stories by Guy Haley, Josh Reynolds, Nick Kyme, and many more, The Great Devourer sees the legions of Tyrannids run berserk throughout the galaxy, claiming soul after soul and planet after planet in their bloody and famished campaign.
With only a few pockets of Space Marines left, as well as their default enemies, the Aeldari, they find themselves questioning the very foundations of their belief systems – asking themselves whether their duty is that important, whether they should sacrifice themselves to the unstoppable machine of teeth and claws, or whether they should flee the system to ensure the preservation of their race and empire.
This novel really ramps out the peril to eleven, pitting the fan-favorite Space Marines against their greatest threat yet – one that doesn’t tire, doesn’t cease lusting for blood, and will stop at nothing until everything has been consumed.
The omnibus asks the question: what is the point of honor in the face of total oblivion?
Another story from the archives of the Tau empire, Shadowsun: The Patient Hunter tells the story of Commander O’Shaserra – revered leader of the elemental castes of the Tau, and possessor of the title of ‘Shadowsun’.
Written by Phil Kelly, we see the titular hero come face to face with the terrifying undead warriors of the Death Guard – chaos-worshiping daemon lovers with nothing to lose in their pursuit of immortality, depravity, and domination.
A master of stealth battlesuit warfare, as well as the Kauyon metastrategy, O’Shaserra is a legend amongst her people, but when pitted against this new and devastatingly powerful enemy, she will have to use every bit of training at her disposal if she is to survive with her morality and honor intact.
However, how can one so logical as O’Shaserra really hope to contend with the supernatural horrors of chaos – whose power and very behavior defy so much of what is considered to be real, right, and logical?
Pros
Strong female lead
Good characterization
Strong fish out of water scenario
Solid storytelling
Good sense of peril and tension
Great world building
Cons
Could use more humor
Needs more character progression
Themes: supernatural, good vs evil, honor, death, war
Written by Gav Thorpe, Indomitus sees the fan-favorite Ultramarines drawn to a stricken world believed throughout the galaxy to be cursed.
Discovering the terrifying machine legions of the Necrons, the Ultramarines are faced with a startling choice – either make a last stand and hold back the Necron forces or abandon the planet for good to warn the empire and the galaxy of the growing threat.
Led by the fan-favorite recurring character ‘Roboute Guilliman’, the Ultramarines must face off in this cursed realm of the Pariah Nexus – standing together and strong against an enemy that doesn’t feel, doesn’t retreat, and doesn’t falter.
But with an enemy so powerful, and the risks so very high, is one faction of marines enough to restore peace and order to the galaxy?
Pros
Interesting story
Strong lead protagonist
Action-packed and tense
Well-written villains (the Necrons)
Atmospheric and eerie at times
Cons
Slightly underwhelming (compared to similar Marines novels)
Themes: technology, sacrifice, war, duty, honor, good vs evil
Written by Robert Rath, Assassinorum: Kingmaker follows the exploits of a Vindicare and a Callidus assassin, who despite their differences, are tasked with assassinating a despotic, seditious leader in the Knight world of Dominion.
Showing the fascinating differences between the two assassin schools of the Assassinorum, this story sees how the pair must overcome their differences and come together to stop the threat to the very system itself, and the acolytes who follow in their path.
In a world driven by factionalism, and the imminent departure from the empire seeming closer and closer, it is down to these two assassins to stop the threat at the heart of the planet, and return Dominion to a position of strength, fortitude, and certainty within the ranks of the empire.
Pros
Good character dynamics
Strong world-building
Good prose
Action-packed and exciting
Good pacing throughout
Cons
Quite long
Complex plot
Themes: teamwork, betrayal, honor, duty, corruption, death
Last on our list, but by no means least, we have The Lords of Silence written by Chris Wraight.
Following the breaking of the Cadian Gate, and the tearing in two of the ranks of the Imperial armies, the vaults of conceived reality are forced open, and a fearsome legion of traitors contained for millenia are forced into the light once again.
Among their ranks are the Death Guard, a fearsome undead legion of fallen Space Marines, each one of them looking to end the reign of the emperor once and for all, and to claim back what they feel was stolen from them so long ago.
As the undead and wretched alike carve out their paths upon this new and unknown universe, and new warbands are formed to counter the growing hordes, an even greater threat waits and watches from the darkness of the void – waiting for the right moment to bring about the end of everything.
Pros
Psychedelic and strange in the best way
Action-packed and exciting throughout
Great world building
A strong addition to the lore
Great storytelling
Cons
Potentially confusing for some
Less engaging than other novels
Themes: supernatural, death, brutality, conquest, honor, good vs evil
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing the right Warhammer 40K books for you, there are several things you should bear in mind.
Your Favorite Armies
Firstly, choosing a book series that is focused around your favorite Warhammer 40K armies will make the reading experience infinitely more enjoyable – as you will feel a connection to the subject matter.
This is generally the best place to start, and once you have completed them you can then branch out and engage with other stories and characters.
Look For Recommendations
You could also look to articles like this for recommendations – or indeed in your local book or gaming store, where the staff will most likely be informed enough to give you some suggestions.
This would be more useful for wargaming stores that sell Warhammer books – and the staff will have most likely read enough of them to make informed suggestions.
Research The Series’
You could also conduct some online research surrounding the Warhammer 40K books – allowing you to get to know the characters and the storylines before you make a decision one way or the other.
Of course, with this method, you need to be wary of spoilers that could otherwise ruin the book for you before you have the chance to read it.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about Warhammer 40K, and the 20 best books on the market today.
It’s true that the Warhammer franchise has remained continually popular amongst new and old fans alike, offering much in the way of accompanying content for fans of the models to engage with and enjoy.
However, if you are looking for the best surrounding literature, then be sure to give these a try. Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Warhammer Books Suitable For Children?
Generally speaking, the adult nature of Warhammer 40K books makes them unsuitable for children. This is mainly due to the descriptions of graphic violence, as well as other mature themes that might be scary to children.
Are Warhammer Books YA Fiction?
The mainstream Warhammer 40K books are not considered young adult fiction. However, there is a line of Warhammer YA fiction called ‘Warhammer Adventures’, that was announced in 2019.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
