Black Library hasn’t quite been in operation for 40 years, but there’s been Warhammer fiction for just about as long as there’s been Warhammer. So as part of the ongoing celebrations, we asked some of the people behind the books to tell us about their favourite Warhammer novels which you can buy right now.
Liam, Typesetter: Requiem Infernal by Peter Fehevari
Does anyone do gothic horror better than Peter? No, no they don't. Peter twists and turns his world around you in this claustrophobic horror novel as he slowly drags the cast into insanity. The less you know going in, the better, as you gradually discover disturbing truths about this unusual sanctuary world.
Due to the isolation of this corner of the setting, being cut off from the rest of the Imperium, any reader could comfortably jump in and enjoy Peter's luxurious writing with little knowledge of the wider Warhammer universe, but old heads would equally find plenty to love. So throw away any expectations and let this tale grip you and pull you into the cosy embrace of the warp.
Richard, Submissions Editor: Godeater's Son by Noah Van Nguyen
This Warhammer Age of Sigmar novel does a spectacular job of showing how an ordinary person in the Mortal Realms can fall to Chaos, despite them doing everything in their power to resist it. Full of pathos, memorable characters, and evocative descriptions of life in the Realm of Fire, this would be an ideal entry point for readers who are new to the setting, and it's also a must-read for Age of Sigmar fanatics. I also heartily recommend the audiobook, with excellent narration by Timothy Watson.
Karen, Desk Editing Manager: Pariah by Dan Abnett
I first read Pariah in 2012 – the year I joined Black Library. There was a copy floating round the office with a great cover and the intriguing tagline ‘Eisenhorn vs Ravenor’. Having loved the first book in the series, Xenos, I decided to give this one a go, but little did I know that the real star of the show would be the titular character, Beta Bequin.
An utterly captivating and completely unreliable narrator, Bequin has no clue who she is or where she is going, which makes her story all the more interesting as it powers along, feeding the reader plenty of twists and turns as it does. For a novel set off the battlefield, this packs an absolute punch, and appearances from Dan Abnett’s well-established Inquisitorial characters will delight old fans and new readers alike.
Richard, Audio Producer: Space Wolf by William King
This is a piece of Black Library history. Released in 1999 and part of a six-book series, it was an honour to be tasked with bringing it to life as an audiobook. The tale revolves around a young Ragnar Blackmane as he embarks upon his first steps to becoming the ruthless and heroic Space Wolf leader of legend.
There is a wonderful nostalgic feel to the book – many hobbyists cite this as the novel that got them into the hobby – and it’s amazing to see how the lore building within the narrative still stands tall in modern-day Warhammer 40,000. Narrator Phillip Sacramento brings the characters majestically to life: his delivery of the first line of Chapter One (“We’re all going to die!”) sets the tone for a book full of brotherly friendships, squabbles – and classic grim dark attrition. Bring on the rest of the series...
Pip, Production Manager: Honourbound by Rachel Harrison
I listened to the audiobook Honourbound before I started at BL on many, many runs! Considering how much I hate running, the fact that this book kept me moving is a testament in itself! To me, the characters had a real richness and depth to them. I cared about these beings, with their nuance and their emotions, and their struggles. I was gripped by the underlying plot and the culture that the characters were set against, but it was the way they interacted with each other, how they grew within the pages, and how they absolutely kicked ass in the final chapters!
Adam, Sales Coordinator: The Infinite and the Divine by Robert Rath
This is one of my favourite Black Library novels of recent times, if not all time. It's hilarious, fast-paced and just an all round good adventure from start to finish. The story features two very well known Necron characters, Trazyn and Orikan as they engage in a battle of wits for the control of an ancient artefact. I love that, in a universe that is often beset on all sides by horror and terror, you can sometimes have a peek into a slightly more lighthearted side of Warhammer. This is a perfect book for stalwart fans of the universe as well as people that are new to the hobby.
Thanks guys – some great choices here. They’re all available to buy in various formats on the Black Library webstore right now.