We now have a large collection of Age of Sigmar fiction published by Black Library. These books are an excellent source of additional depth on the lore and vital tidbits on the Mortal Realms. The vignettes in these books prove great inspiration for Age of Sigmar hobby projects. On this page, you’ll find an Age of Sigmar reading order, as well as links to my reviews and comments on particular books.
Books are a recent innovation. Before the modern era of the Empire, learned men wrote on scrolls (single sheets of parchment). Scrolls were arranged in great racks but easily became disorganized. In an effort to better organize the writings, bookbinding emerged in reaction to wizard grimoires, great tomes of magical knowledge. Histories were recorded in these tomes along with sacred scriptures. For the latest COVID-19 updates, check Warhammer Community. Find out what you’ll be reading over the next few months with a look at upcoming Black Library releases. From new hardbacks and audio dramas to paperbacks of classic novels and lavish limited editions, this is where you’ll discover what’s coming and when you add them to your. Great deals on Warhammer 40k Books In Fiction & Literature Books. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at eBay.com. Fast & Free shipping on many items! Bringing the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 to life. Novels from the universe of Warhammer 40K and Horus Heresy. Score A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
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While this part of the site is building, check out Track of Words for his excellent Black Library coverage.
Age of Sigmar New Releases
A short section for the latest Age of Sigmar new releases.
Soul Wars by Josh Reynolds
“Nagash revives an ancient grudge with the God-King Sigmar as a ferocious new war between the living and the dead shakes the Mortal Realms.
The Mortal Realms tremble with unending war. In Shyish, the Realm of Death, an ancient evil stirs, sensing opportunity. Nagash, the Undying King and God of Death, sets his gaze upon the citadels of the living and the servants of Sigmar, the God-King of Azyr. Allies once, joined together against the machinations of the Ruinous Powers, the two gods now find themselves enemies. Nagash, burning with the need to avenge an ancient slight, calls forth his soulless legions to sweep across the realm he claims as his own and reassert death’s dominion over all things, as the War of Heaven and Death begins anew.”
Amazon UK Affiliate Links: Hardback / Kindle
Callis and Toll: The Silver Shard by Nick Horth
“A malevolent threat looms over the once great city of Excelsis. For as long as the treacherous Ortam Vermyre lives, civilisation is no longer safe within the Realm of Beasts. Witch Hunter Hanniver Toll must brave the deadly seas and jungles of the Taloncoast to stop Vermyre before he can reach the legendary lost city of Xoantica. For within this forgotten ruin lies an artefact of darkest sorcery that possesses the power to reshape reality itself. The Silver Shard. Can Toll and his companion, a former Freeguild soldier known as Armand Callis, capture their nemesis in time? Or will Vermyre evade the Order of Azyr’s justice and tear the Mortal Realms asunder?
Read it Because
It’s an exploration of the people and dark places of the Mortal Realms, far from the front lines of war.”
Amazon UK Affiliate Links: Kindle / Paperback / Audio
Age of Sigmar books / fiction
The Beginning
- Gates of Azyr
The Realmgate Wars
- War Storm
- Ghal Maraz
- Hammers of Sigmar
- Call of Archaon
- Wardens of the Everqueen
- Warbeast
- Fury of Gork
- Bladestorm
- Mortarch of Night
- Hunt for Nagash (Audiodrama)
- Knights of Vengeance (Audiodrama)
- Call of Chaos (Short Stories)
- Lord of Undeath
The Legends Series
- Fyreslayer
- Skaven Pestilens
- Black Rift
- Sylvaneth
- City of Secrets
Other
- Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows
- Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden
- Labyrinth of the Lost
- Mighty Battles: 18 Stories from the Mortal Realms
Quick Reads
- The Volturung Road
- Auction of Blood
- The Hardest Word
- Pantheon
- Bear Eater
- Road of Blades
- The Spiral Tower
- Chosen of Sigmar
- Splitskull Pass
- Iron Tide
- The Sulphur Citadel
- Bridge of Smoke
- The Manticore Dreadhold
- Ten Skulls
- Righteous Blood
- The Scarlet Lord
- Vengeance Eternal
- Call of Chaos Collection
- Lord of the Cosmic Gate
- The Sacrifice
- Godless
- The Eighth Victory
- Gorechosen
- The Crystal of Fate
- The Prodigal
- The Last Gift
- Daemon of the Deep
- By the Horns
- The Unending Storm
- The Gift of Khorne
- Blood and Plague
- See No Evil
- In the Lands of the Blind
- Six Pillars
- The Trial of the Chosen
- Knight of Corruption
- The Gnawing Gate
- The Solace of Rage
- In the Walls of Uryx
- Eye of the Storm
- Beneath the Black Thumb
- Assault on the Mandrake Bastion
Black Library Authors for Age of Sigmar
- Josh Reynolds
- Guy Haley
- David Guymer
- Nick Horth
- Andy Clark
- Matt Westbrook
- CL Werner
Track of Words Age of Sigmar Book Reviews
The universe of Warhammer 40k novels is expansive. The Black Library has published over a hundred books and they aren’t stopping soon. As a new reader, how are you supposed to know which are the best? How do you find the diamonds in the rough? Below is my attempt to list the 10 best Warhammer 40k novels published today.
Obviously, “best” is a subjective term. I compared a variety of sources: articles, reviews, message board, etc. The novels below appeared time and time and again. While no “best of” list is perfect, I think this is a pretty good start.
The hope is that by going through this list, you will hit the high spots of Warhammer 40k literature and be able to delve deeper where you see fit. The novels themselves are in no particular order. Instead, this group represents the best of the best. I have provided Amazon listings, but don’t forget to check your local library. Now go forth and enjoy.
[See also the Top 5 Warhammer 40k Novels for the New Reader list]
The 10 Best Warhammer 40k Novels
Horus Rising by Dan Abnett – Amazon
Whether you are a hardcore Warhammer 40k fan or brand new to the universe, Horus Rising by Dan Abnett is the place to begin. Taking place 10,000 years before the main 40k setting, this tale lays the foundation of the 40k mythos. With the Imperium of Man at its height, the Immortal Emperor leaves the frontlines and entrusts the great crusade to his Warmaster Horus. This sets forth the 40k universe as we know it.
Horus Rising is the perfect mix of militaristic 40k fare and rich character development. Dan Abnett’s prose is top-notch (which is why you will see his name many times on this list) and Horus Rising is just the start. There is something for everyone in this novel. Simply put, this is the one Warhammer 40k book you should read.
Fulgrim by Graham McNeill – Amazon
Fulgrim by Graham McNeill (another name appearing many times on this list) is a true tragedy depicting Fulgrim’s fall from grace. The story follows the Emperor’s Children as they battle an alien foe. In their attempt to achieve perfection, Fulgrim fights against the seduction of Chaos. Fulgrim’s struggles takes the Emperor’s Children to a climactic battle on Isstvan V.
The novel itself is epic in scope and often deals with morally grey themes. McNeill’s powerful writing and vivid descriptions leaves the reader haunted. A noted criticism of the book is that it does not give story-lines the space to breathe. At 512 pages, a lot is packed into this novel. Fulgrim is a definite page turner.
Legion by Dan Abnett – Amazon
A great war looms and loyalties are tested. Legion by Dan Abnett focuses on the Space Marines of the Alpha Legion and an alien organization known as the Cabal. Told from the perspective of ordinary humans, the novels details how and why the Alpha Legion are considered traitors. As you might guess, the answers are not always black-and-white.
Secrets, lies, twists, turns… Legion is a sci-fi thriller. Abnett weaves a web of espionage and intrigue. The novel is often compared to a James Bond story set in the 40K universe. If that isn’t enough to hook you, this book is considered by some to be the best Horus Heresy novel published. Not to be missed!
Eisenhorn by Dan Abnett – Amazon
Eisenhorn by Dan Abnett is a trilogy of novels about the career of Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn. Written as a first person narrative, Eisenhorn follows a man’s quest to safeguard humanity and eradicate Chaos in the universe. Eisenhorn wields great power, but do the ends always justify the means? Good versus evil and everything in between.
The Eisenhorn trilogy was popular enough to be collected as an Omnibus. Fast paced and full of character, Abnett is in top form. This trilogy is self-contained and can be enjoyed by anyone without previous reading. A Warhammer 40k classic.
A Thousand Sons by Graham McNeill – Amazon
The twelfth book of the Horus Heresy series details how the Thousand Sons went from loyal warriors to so-called traitors. Being forced to return to Prospero for their use of sorcery, Magnus the Red and the Thousand Sons warn the Emperor of Horus’ treachery. But the Emperor is not keen on their use of forbidden powers and instead sends the Space Wolves to to attack Prospero.
A Thousand Sons is gut wrenching and powerful, but also thoughtful and complex. The characters are philosophical and the story tragic. By the time the Space Wolves lay down a brutal siege on Prospero you may find yourself sympathizing with the Thousand Sons. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The First Heretic by Aaron Dembski-Bowden – Amazon
Lorgar and the Word Bearers worship the Emperor as a god. For this they are punished. Questioning their faith, they seek out the true gods. But if the Emperor is not the true god, then who is? In slips Chaos and the first heretics in the 40k universe.
The fall from grace is a common tale in the Horus Heresy series, but The First Heretic is one of the more compelling. It is the struggle of faith, shattered beliefs, and betrayal. We begin to see that many of these tragedies could have been prevented had the Emperor not been a poor father to his children. A heart wrenching novel.
Ravenor by Dan Abnett – Amazon
The Ravenor trilogy follow Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his mission to root out heresy in the galaxy. Ravenor is an immensely powerful psychic unable to use his physical body. Using only his mind, Ravenor travels through the Imperium of Man and time itself hunting down Chaos.
To truly appreciate Ravenor, it is recommended that you read Eisenhorn first. For as great as Eisenhorn is, Abnett has taken the universe one step further. The trilogy is a true adventure and Abnett’s writing as good as ever. Similar to Eisenhorn, the trilogy has been collected as an Omnibus. If you enjoyed Eisenhorn, you will love Ravenor.
The Founding (Gaunt’s Ghosts) by Dan Abnett – Amazon
The Founding collects the first three novels that follow Ibram Gaunt, commissar of the Tanith First-And-Only regiment. On the day of the regiment’s founding, Chaos destroys their world. Now Gaunt and his regiment travel from world to world fighting battles both physical and political.
The Gaunt’s Ghosts series by Dan Abnett is widely considered one of the best and The Founding is just the beginning. No need to read any backstory. Abnett knows how to flesh out the micro and the macro. You will care not only for the characters but also the universe they live in. Jump right in. This is good, fast paced stuff.
Storm of Iron by Graham McNeill – Amazon
Storm of Iron by Graham McNeill is the book to read if you enjoy Chaos Space marines. This standalone novel focuses on the Iron Warriors’ siege of the imperial planet Hydra Cordatus. But why have the Iron Warriors invaded and can they be stopped?
McNeill unleashes incredibly detailed military action along with fascinating characters in this 40k novel. Plenty of explosions without neglecting plot. The battles are brutal, both physically and emotionally. Never a dull moment. A classic McNeill ending makes this required reading.
Titanicus by Dan Abnett – Amazon
If you were ever interested in the Titans of Warhammer 40k, this is the novel for you. Huge battles, both literally and figuratively, fill the pages while subplots and twists unfold in the background. The Titans are the big allure of this book, but you might find the non-Titan characters even more interesting. Mech-warfare with political intrigue.
Warhammer Books To Read
The page count of Titanicus suits the title. It is a hefty work with a bounty of plot threads. Readers who haven’t read earlier works, specifically Mechanicus, might be a bit lost. Titanicus might not be the most new-reader friendly novel. For those of you who are familiar with the 40k universe and/or have a love of Titans, this will be a welcome addition.