Ciaphas Cain 100% The simple fact that there are footnotes that explain shit to the reader (and serve as jokes on top) is such a plus for newcomers that I really think it's the best place to start.
Helsreach is 40K, self contained, and a great look into the mindset of Astartes (and even how the see fellow Chapters), Militarum, and Mechanicus. Bonus points if you even remotely like the Black Templars. Absolutely recommend!
And there's a fan made animation following the book free here on UA-cam! Yeah woe unto me for enjoying the sorta SFM seeming animation of a potentially pirated book- but being able to visibly watch the dynamics put fourth by Helsreach really helped me get into 40k early on
For me, it was the Gaunts Ghost's series, along with Chiaphas cain and the Eisenhorn series. And somewhat sprinkled with different books. The "Watchers of the Throne" series and "Vaults of Terra" series helped understand how the imperium/Terra Works
I think those books are a good place to start for people that have a basic understanding of the lore. For people that are really new, well actually for anyone intimidated by the books, I always recommend Ciaphas Cain. It's lighthearted, it's funny, it's engaging, and literally has footnoots.
In addition of cain series, I also always add the deff skwaddron comic to the recommendations if ppl ask for something humorous to read about 40k universe. That one will never get old(regardless if you're fan of orks or not).
Literally listens to Eisenhorn at work in two days and it was an amazing way to not only set the tone e and setting of the grim dark 40k universe but also show the full range and scope of how things work and are set in it
Glad to see more of us who read that particular trilogy. Never knew who was the actual warmonger (the sane dreadnought guy) until later(sol talgron, from my understanding).
I say this whenever someone makes a list like this, but the Cain books are very much an excellent introduction to the franchise as well. It was literally my first book into the universe and i was kind of thrown off when i read future books that were not funny and so.......grimdark.
The infinite and the divine , is the one I would recommend as it is it dose not need a understanding of lore and it is both fun but still dark in tone. It also has large and small scale in what happen in it.
I knew rough lore that I used to read up on wikis as a kid, but I started actually reading with the iron warriors omnibus and was immediately gripped! That said I had a rough understanding of the universe so maybe that helped give context, great read though ☺ definitely need to give the nightlords ones a go! 🦇
Gaunts Ghosts is solid in showing the great aspects of the Guardsmen. William Kings Space Wolf trilogy is amazing in taking you through the process of becoming a Space Marine through Ragnar Blackmanes eyes.
It may sound odd but the infinite and the Divine is a lovely book to read. It is self contained, light hearted to lure you in and shows how grand the scale is with how quickly we rush through the Millenia.
I'm relatively new to the fandom. For my money, I'd look in the xenos section of the black library. First book I ever read was Commander Farsight's novels. Simple reads. Since it's Tau, it acually avoids a lot of the grimdark stuff which can alienate a new entry. Farsight is a fun character, and his journey doesn't require a massive amount of backstory and lore to understand. Cool dudes in mech suits fight Space Orks and space bugs. If you've seen LOTR, starship troopers and/or understand the premise of Starcraft, you have enough knowledge to jump in.
I only ever recommend the Eisenhorn books if someone is interested in getting further into 40k via the books. They’re good, but not great for beginners. My go to is the Cain and Gaunts Ghosts books. My CSM bud recommended Soul Hunter, and I got the audio book. Holy shit. It’s a trilogy, and I put it on halt because I wanted to read Lords of Silence (*holy shit*) Biggest recommendation is to find a book following a faction you like. It’s why I’ll never go through a xenos book, bar Infinite and the Divine.
Ciaphas Cain should be on there. Eisenhorn and ravenor trilogies were my first like 17 years ago. God that makes me feel old. Read them in high school and fell in love, then when the Horus heresy books started it was game over, been reading them since day one and I’ve never looked back. Have two bookcases in my house of nothing but black library books
I actually started my journey into Warhammer 40K reading James Swallow's _Blood Angels Omnibus._ Kind of a weird place to start- but it began a journey I have yet to regret... *_"For the Emperor... and Sanguinius!!!"_*
The last chancers brings you in from the POV of a "human" and gives great little bits of almost every other aspect of 40k, most of the xenos, the imperium, space marines and even the inquisition, all from an "outsider" view which is an awesome way to be introduced and let's you explore what clicks with your tastes
I had some general knowledge of 40k from various online repositories. I loved Mechanicus, and then was gate kept from The Great Work by the GWS employee. It's such a fantastic book, though has a somewhat confusing narative mechanic.
I started with the dark imperium books it goes into some of gullimans shock of being push into the 42nd millennium and I found it very interesting to read
The last hunt is really good as well (for people with a basic understanding of the setting) it follows the white scars as a planet gets invaded by tyranids (biiig bugs)
For me, First and Only was my first and only Warhammer 40k. Have had to read way too many unrelated books to read more. I tried to start those on Farsight, but am atill halfway there
If you're a world war II fan and want a light start. Double Eagle follows the counterattack of the imperium having navy and militarum and a very low level start.
Here are my picks: - Horton Hears a Heretic - The Triumphant Chronicle of the Butter Exterminatus - One Tyranid Two Thousand Tyranids Green Ork Greener Ork - The Inquisitor in the Hat
anything that's written by Aaron Demski Bowden is guaranteed fantastic. echoes of eternity in HH is a later stage book but will have an effect on you, or you're not human.
That’s were i started was when guilliman returned first book i ever listened to ya I listened to it found a very good narration of it on youlube and it just had me going holy shit holy shit holy shit especially when he first came back
I started with Dead Sky, Black Sun! Straight into the Daemonclaba. Doubt I spelled that right. But it was great! From there I went to the rest of Uriel Ventris. Then I went to Caiaphas Cain. Doubtful that I spelled that right either. Right now I'm going through the Horus Heresy and am currently working on Fulgrim. Also I have read as many anthologies as possible.
Gaunts Ghosts series are great entries in. Also the Eisenhorn books are perfect too. Jumping straight into the Traitor legions books is not a good call in my opinion...
Would love to see 👀 a longer video 📹 on best books 📚. Top 50-100, especially Audible available. Bonus maybe am Audible sponsorship / advertising 🤔 opportunity for you.
My first book was Catachan Devil which was a great beginner book I feel as it was somewhat short and fairly bombastic.. My very next book was The Davis Bible Omnibus and that bih thicker then the Bible 😂.. I'm maybe half way through but it is amazing!!
The issue with not starting with Horus Heresy, is that reading the other books drops the reader into a completely chaotic universe with no reference to why it is this way. You need to start at the beginning and after about a dozen books, then you can skip around.
I picked up soul hunter because it looked cool and then read the “grim dark future there is only war” line and I was sucked into this awesome messed up universe
Surprised you didmt include Ciaphas Cain or Helsreach, since they were my first and only available books at the time that threw me into the 40k rabbit hole,
Barrier of entry is quite high? Ive been 40k fan since circa 2005 and dabled in lore for most of 2 decacdes and I think I don't know much about 40k. I know much events but not lore.
I always tell people to start with Dark Imperium. That book will suck you in. I bought it and finished it within 6 hours of purchase literally couldn't put it down.
My taste in scifi is ham, cheese and war crimes I've listened to a couple of Ciapis Kain books most of them were against the Nids and orks one started against the Tau then went vs Nids on a Forge world
I know it’s almost cliche at this point to say this is one of the best entry books to 40k, but The Infinite and The Divine is a fantastic book with no real need to understand anything surrounding it
You want to get attached to characters and have your favourites killed off every book? Gaunts Ghosts. You want Brum Brum Tank Commander looks for a biggger tank? Gossfrieds Gunheads Want to hit your head repeatedly on a wall and enjoy every second? Ultramarines Omnibus.
Honestly no. Start with the Cain novels. They are very 40k and are more like young adult novels. If you are liking that sample, then move onto the thicker space marine stuff. If you want more like Cain, go onto Brutal Kunnin'.
Want a bit of humor?
CIAPHAS CAIN!
The Cain series was my gateway through the immaterium and into the grimdark. 10/10 would recommend
Or one of the ork books. I'd recommend Brutal Kunning or the Prophets of Waaaagh Trilogy.
The Infinite and the Divine is also a good humor choice.
Ciaphas Cain 100%
The simple fact that there are footnotes that explain shit to the reader (and serve as jokes on top) is such a plus for newcomers that I really think it's the best place to start.
Helsreach is 40K, self contained, and a great look into the mindset of Astartes (and even how the see fellow Chapters), Militarum, and Mechanicus. Bonus points if you even remotely like the Black Templars. Absolutely recommend!
And there's a fan made animation following the book free here on UA-cam! Yeah woe unto me for enjoying the sorta SFM seeming animation of a potentially pirated book- but being able to visibly watch the dynamics put fourth by Helsreach really helped me get into 40k early on
Oberon!
@@Erikon14 Yeah, it was written by the same author as the original novel, Richard Boykin as I believe.
the infinite and the divine was an absolutely enthralling blast to listen to
I started with Horus Rising. By chapter 10 I was hooked for life.
For me, it was the Gaunts Ghost's series, along with Chiaphas cain and the Eisenhorn series. And somewhat sprinkled with different books. The "Watchers of the Throne" series and "Vaults of Terra" series helped understand how the imperium/Terra Works
Gaunts ghost is epic.
Eisenhorn and Ciaphas Cain are so good.
I think those books are a good place to start for people that have a basic understanding of the lore. For people that are really new, well actually for anyone intimidated by the books, I always recommend Ciaphas Cain. It's lighthearted, it's funny, it's engaging, and literally has footnoots.
And if nothing else, Ciaphas Cain books are very good palette cleansers.
@@Maganac1 Oh dude, absolutely. Fucking devastated that Horus killed the great Angel? Nothing a little Cain can't fix.
In addition of cain series, I also always add the deff skwaddron comic to the recommendations if ppl ask for something humorous to read about 40k universe. That one will never get old(regardless if you're fan of orks or not).
Literally listens to Eisenhorn at work in two days and it was an amazing way to not only set the tone e and setting of the grim dark 40k universe but also show the full range and scope of how things work and are set in it
the first Gaunts Ghost and Space Wolf novels were how I started 40k after spending years in fantasy. (High Elves for life)
"15 hours" got me started on the books ❤
eisenhorn and night lord omnibus is by far my favorite book's in the warhammer 40k universe..
Great recommendations, i also think the Word Bearers Trilogy gives a great overal lore for the 40k setting
Glad to see more of us who read that particular trilogy. Never knew who was the actual warmonger (the sane dreadnought guy) until later(sol talgron, from my understanding).
@@ivanivanovic5586 ah that makes sense. Excellent work
I started with the Horus Heresy Books. Was a awesome start to it.
Would prefer this before starting in the middle...
I still think the Space Wolf omnibus is a great introduction to the general setting of 40k, as you learn along with Ragnar.
I say this whenever someone makes a list like this, but the Cain books are very much an excellent introduction to the franchise as well.
It was literally my first book into the universe and i was kind of thrown off when i read future books that were not funny and so.......grimdark.
The infinite and the divine , is the one I would recommend as it is it dose not need a understanding of lore and it is both fun but still dark in tone.
It also has large and small scale in what happen in it.
War of the beast, because if that doesn't turn you off 40k, nothing will
Gods that was such a weird series of decisions. And all of them are so unnecessary.
Gaunts ghost is the best 40k book
That’s what I started with in 99
There's like 20 of them.
@@Maximus51022 I started with the Magnus primarch books
I knew rough lore that I used to read up on wikis as a kid, but I started actually reading with the iron warriors omnibus and was immediately gripped!
That said I had a rough understanding of the universe so maybe that helped give context, great read though ☺ definitely need to give the nightlords ones a go! 🦇
Ah yes, the storm of iron and Honsou, my starting book (if I didn't read something else as first instead) too.
Helsreach, no contest.
Super helpful, thank you!
Bequin trilogy. It does a really good job at slowly introducing you into the world through the lends of a thriller and spy craft.
Gaunts Ghosts is solid in showing the great aspects of the Guardsmen. William Kings Space Wolf trilogy is amazing in taking you through the process of becoming a Space Marine through Ragnar Blackmanes eyes.
It may sound odd but the infinite and the Divine is a lovely book to read. It is self contained, light hearted to lure you in and shows how grand the scale is with how quickly we rush through the Millenia.
‘15 hours’. Best guard book and good intro
Brothers of the Snake!!!!! Self contained, well paced, with some good "slice of life" warrior monk shenanigans
Can't wait for your Eisenhorn video.
I really felt that either Prospero Burns or Horus Rising would be preferable.
I got my start with Eye of Terror (1999) when I stumbled across the audiobook for free on youtube
I'm relatively new to the fandom. For my money, I'd look in the xenos section of the black library.
First book I ever read was Commander Farsight's novels. Simple reads. Since it's Tau, it acually avoids a lot of the grimdark stuff which can alienate a new entry. Farsight is a fun character, and his journey doesn't require a massive amount of backstory and lore to understand.
Cool dudes in mech suits fight Space Orks and space bugs. If you've seen LOTR, starship troopers and/or understand the premise of Starcraft, you have enough knowledge to jump in.
I only ever recommend the Eisenhorn books if someone is interested in getting further into 40k via the books. They’re good, but not great for beginners. My go to is the Cain and Gaunts Ghosts books.
My CSM bud recommended Soul Hunter, and I got the audio book. Holy shit.
It’s a trilogy, and I put it on halt because I wanted to read Lords of Silence (*holy shit*)
Biggest recommendation is to find a book following a faction you like. It’s why I’ll never go through a xenos book, bar Infinite and the Divine.
Horus rising is a nice one to the general setting helsreach is a nice self contained story that shows you how the modern imperium operates
Ciaphas Cain should be on there. Eisenhorn and ravenor trilogies were my first like 17 years ago. God that makes me feel old. Read them in high school and fell in love, then when the Horus heresy books started it was game over, been reading them since day one and I’ve never looked back. Have two bookcases in my house of nothing but black library books
I want a chronological start to reading the Lore.
It will take you years before you make it out of Warhammer 30k then
Every audiobook ive listened involving Roberte Guilliman has been absolutely 10/10 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 so dope
I actually started my journey into Warhammer 40K reading James Swallow's _Blood Angels Omnibus._
Kind of a weird place to start- but it began a journey I have yet to regret...
*_"For the Emperor... and Sanguinius!!!"_*
My first WH 40K book was "The Infinite and the Devine"
The last chancers brings you in from the POV of a "human" and gives great little bits of almost every other aspect of 40k, most of the xenos, the imperium, space marines and even the inquisition, all from an "outsider" view which is an awesome way to be introduced and let's you explore what clicks with your tastes
Would you mind doing a quick short on the good Grey Knight’s books? Thanks!
I started with the Eisenhorn trilogy and would second this recommendation. Fun stuff
I had some general knowledge of 40k from various online repositories. I loved Mechanicus, and then was gate kept from The Great Work by the GWS employee. It's such a fantastic book, though has a somewhat confusing narative mechanic.
I'm actually listening to the Talos trilogy. It includes Throne of Lies. Also downloaded A Lesson in Darkness. I guess that's my weekend sorted!😁
Id say the infinite and the divine is another amazing starting book to jump in to the series
Helsreach by far my favourite book
I started with the dark imperium books it goes into some of gullimans shock of being push into the 42nd millennium and I found it very interesting to read
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, when you sing you begin with Do-Re-Mi, which rhymes with "Horus Heresy".
The last hunt is really good as well (for people with a basic understanding of the setting) it follows the white scars as a planet gets invaded by tyranids (biiig bugs)
Dark imperium is where I started. It’s a great series. Then I went on to the dawn of fire series.
For me, First and Only was my first and only Warhammer 40k. Have had to read way too many unrelated books to read more. I tried to start those on Farsight, but am atill halfway there
I always recommend Master of Mankind and Valdor: Birth of the Imperium.
The Watcher in the Rain
THIS!
Especially the audio play.
Nightlords has such a pretty romance...
I’m hyped
If you're a world war II fan and want a light start. Double Eagle follows the counterattack of the imperium having navy and militarum and a very low level start.
Here are my picks:
- Horton Hears a Heretic
- The Triumphant Chronicle of the Butter Exterminatus
- One Tyranid Two Thousand Tyranids Green Ork Greener Ork
- The Inquisitor in the Hat
I started with the eisenhorn series. Would recommend as a first
anything that's written by Aaron Demski Bowden is guaranteed fantastic. echoes of eternity in HH is a later stage book but will have an effect on you, or you're not human.
I quite like the Warhammer crime books, you get a taste of the setting without all the madness of ETERNAL WAR!!!!!
That’s were i started was when guilliman returned first book i ever listened to ya I listened to it found a very good narration of it on youlube and it just had me going holy shit holy shit holy shit especially when he first came back
The Eisenhorn books are amazing Dan Abnett has outdone himself their a must read for anyone wanting an adventure
Thank you
For me my introduction to warhammer books starting with infinite and the divine, blood gorgons, and a thousand sons
And if I love space wolves what do you recommend?
The flight of Esienstein 1 love
I suggest starting with the rule book.
I started with Dead Sky, Black Sun! Straight into the Daemonclaba. Doubt I spelled that right. But it was great! From there I went to the rest of Uriel Ventris. Then I went to Caiaphas Cain. Doubtful that I spelled that right either. Right now I'm going through the Horus Heresy and am currently working on Fulgrim. Also I have read as many anthologies as possible.
Any salamander related book recommendations?
Dark Imperium was the first one I read. Book two had the most epic battle out of the 3.
Gaunts Ghosts series are great entries in. Also the Eisenhorn books are perfect too. Jumping straight into the Traitor legions books is not a good call in my opinion...
False gods is where everyone should start
I'd highly recommend the infinite and the divine
Gaunt's ghost!
The infinite and the divine is also an excellent book
Space Wolves omnibus.
Would love to see 👀 a longer video 📹 on best books 📚. Top 50-100, especially Audible available. Bonus maybe am Audible sponsorship / advertising 🤔 opportunity for you.
The lion son of the forest
My first book was Catachan Devil which was a great beginner book I feel as it was somewhat short and fairly bombastic..
My very next book was The Davis Bible Omnibus and that bih thicker then the Bible 😂..
I'm maybe half way through but it is amazing!!
The issue with not starting with Horus Heresy, is that reading the other books drops the reader into a completely chaotic universe with no reference to why it is this way. You need to start at the beginning and after about a dozen books, then you can skip around.
Bet! Ill read dark imperium next! Horus heresy books were good.
Is Eisenhorn a single book or a series? I have a credit on audible and always heard it was good
I picked up soul hunter because it looked cool and then read the “grim dark future there is only war” line and I was sucked into this awesome messed up universe
Maybe start with your favourite faction?
Surprised you didmt include Ciaphas Cain or Helsreach, since they were my first and only available books at the time that threw me into the 40k rabbit hole,
I literally push Ciaphas cain as the best entry for 40k. you get the grimdark, you get humour, you get action, intrigue, romance and great characters.
i started with horus rising, false gods then galaxy in flames and then eisenstein 😆 i was already there so why not
Barrier of entry is quite high? Ive been 40k fan since circa 2005 and dabled in lore for most of 2 decacdes and I think I don't know much about 40k. I know much events but not lore.
I need a Audiobook with your voice😂
I always tell people to start with Dark Imperium. That book will suck you in. I bought it and finished it within 6 hours of purchase literally couldn't put it down.
My taste in scifi is ham, cheese and war crimes I've listened to a couple of Ciapis Kain books most of them were against the Nids and orks one started against the Tau then went vs Nids on a Forge world
I know it’s almost cliche at this point to say this is one of the best entry books to 40k, but The Infinite and The Divine is a fantastic book with no real need to understand anything surrounding it
I bought all three of these books by sheer chance at Barnes and nobles the same day lol
I started with Horus Rising.
You want to get attached to characters and have your favourites killed off every book?
Gaunts Ghosts.
You want Brum Brum Tank Commander looks for a biggger tank?
Gossfrieds Gunheads
Want to hit your head repeatedly on a wall and enjoy every second?
Ultramarines Omnibus.
Horus is Rising! Obviously start with HR.
If it doesnt start with: I was there when Horus slew the Emperor
Then they aint starting out right
Honestly no. Start with the Cain novels. They are very 40k and are more like young adult novels. If you are liking that sample, then move onto the thicker space marine stuff. If you want more like Cain, go onto Brutal Kunnin'.
Cia - Cia -Ciaphas Cain!
Cypher was an okay read.
Horus rising would probably be the best introduction to the novels but you’ll probably need at least some prior understanding of the lore
Eisenhorn