The votes for the Black Library Book of the Year have closed after many thousands of you chimed in – and what a year it’s been! We’ve had a variety of xenos both as antagonists and protagonists, plenty of intrigue and action from the Imperium, and aftershocks felt across the Mortal Realms as the Skaven achieved their grand plan.
The spread of votes was fairly evenly distributed across the board, but one novel ran away with the win.
Victoria Hayward’s Deathworlder is a gruelling battle between Catachan Jungle Fighters and Tyranids, while the deadly skies of Vesperus are the setting for high-octane dogfights in Interceptor City by Dan Abnett.
Renegades: Lord of Excess by Rich McCormick and Morvenn Vahl: Spear of Faith by Jude Reid star one of the most hedonistic villains and one of the most pious heroes from the 41st Millennium.
The High Kâhl's Oath by Gav Thorpe gave the Leagues of Votann their first ever full-length Black Library novel, while Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge by Gary Kloster brings a good, honest Space Marine conspiracy, and Elemental Council by Noah Van Nguyen features the T’au Empire looking inward as outright rebellion threatens one of their planets.
Mike Brooks wrote last year’s winner – The Lion: Son of the Forest – and this year he’s taken the third spot with Lelith Hesperax: Queen of Knives.
This novel by Marc Collins covers the story of Eidolon: The Auric Hammer – an exemplar of the Emperor’s Children who stands at a crossroads on the eve of the Siege of Terra. Provoked by entities from the Warp and forced to face the ghosts of his past, this character novel shows there’s plenty more stories to tell from the Horus Heresy.
Steve Lyons wins with Siege of Vraks, a novel that tackles an infamous conflict from the perspective of the warriors in the trenches. It’s a gruelling meat grinder that solidified the Kriegers’ reputation as ruthless, uncompromising fighters. This brilliant novel digs away at the grime and horror to find the unexpected humanity beneath, making it a vital retelling of a harrowing siege.
That wraps up Book of the Year 2024. Whatever part of the worlds of Warhammer you’re interested in, there are plenty of stories, and you can get a free eBook with select purchases until the 20th of April as part of the Black Library Celebration. Terms and conditions apply.
