Warhammer 40K Books in Order
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Warhammer 40K Books In Order: The Ultimate Reading Guide For Warhammer 40k Fans
Looking for the best way to read Warhammer 40K books in order without getting totally lost in ten thousand years of grimdark lore? This guide to Warhammer 40K Books in Order in Warhammer 40k breaks down the key series, the best starting points, and the smartest reading paths whether you’re brand-new or already neck-deep in the Warp. We’ll cover publication order, in-universe chronology, and focused routes for fans of Space Marines, Chaos, the Imperial Guard, and more. Use this as your roadmap to navigate the sprawling Warhammer 40k universe like a veteran inquisitor instead of a confused hive ganger.
The Warhammer 40k universe is massive, brutal, and absolutely packed with novels, novellas, omnibuses, audio dramas, and short stories. If you’ve ever opened a Warhammer 40K book list and felt your brain melt like a Guardsman under a Titan’s foot, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why having a smart, curated approach to Warhammer 40K Books in Order matters.
This isn’t just a dry checklist. You’re a gamer, you’re lore-hungry, and you want to know: where do I start, what do I skip, and how do I get the most out of the Warhammer 40k setting without spending years sorting through reading orders on random forums? This guide lays out practical, gamer-friendly ways to read Warhammer 40K books in order: by era, by faction, and by story arc, with clear suggestions on which paths are worth your time.
What Does “Warhammer 40K Books In Order” Actually Mean?
When people search for Warhammer 40K Books in Order, they usually mean one of three things:
- Publication order – the order the books were actually released by Black Library.
- In-universe chronological order – roughly when things happen in the Warhammer 40k timeline.
- Story-arc or series order – the order within a specific series like Gaunt’s Ghosts or the Horus Heresy.
The catch: Warhammer 40k is not a neat, linear narrative. It’s a shared universe built over decades by tons of authors. Books overlap, backtrack, and zoom in on different corners of the galaxy. So there is no single perfect “master list.” Instead, the smartest way to approach Warhammer 40K books in order is to:
- Pick a starting tier (beginner, intermediate, deep lore).
- Choose a focus (faction, era, or specific series).
- Follow a recommended reading path within that focus.
This guide is built around that logic. Think of it like planning a campaign: you choose a faction, define your objective, and deploy your forces (books) in a smart sequence.
Best Overall Starting Points For Warhammer 40K Books In Order
If you’re new to Warhammer 40k, diving straight into a 54+ book mega-series like the Horus Heresy is like trying to learn the tabletop game by playing a 3,000-point Apocalypse match on day one. You can, but it’s rough. Instead, start with tight, self-contained stories that showcase the setting without overwhelming you.
Tier 1: New To Warhammer 40k – Essential Entry Books
These books are widely recommended as the best “on-ramp” into the universe. Read them in this order:
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Eisenhorn Trilogy by Dan Abnett
- Xenos
- Malleus
- Hereticus
This series follows Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn as he hunts heretics, daemons, and worse across the Imperium. It’s noir, detective, and horror wrapped in 40k, and it explains the Imperium’s institutions and insanity in a very accessible way.
-
Gaunt’s Ghosts (First Arc) by Dan Abnett
- First and Only
- Ghostmaker
- Necropolis
Think “Band of Brothers in space” with the Imperial Guard (Astra Militarum). You’ll get a feel for how regular humans survive (or don’t) in the 41st Millennium, plus lots of large-scale warfare that will resonate if you’re into tabletop battles or 40k video games.
-
Space Marine-Focused Starters
- Helsreach by Aaron Dembski-Bowden (Black Templars defending a hive city during the Third War for Armageddon).
- Rynn’s World by Steve Parker (Crimson Fists vs. Orks, a great look at a Chapter under siege).
If you mostly care about big power armor heroes, these give you straight-up Space Marine action with clear stakes and minimal lore barrier.
Once you’ve knocked out one or two of these paths, you’ll have enough context to tackle deeper or more sprawling Warhammer 40K books in order.
Warhammer 40K Books In Order By Major Series
Most readers eventually lock onto one or more big series. Below are the most important ones, with order and suggested approach.
1. The Horus Heresy – Prequel Epic To Warhammer 40k
The Horus Heresy is the giant prequel saga that explains the galaxy-defining civil war 10,000 years before “modern” Warhammer 40k. It’s huge: dozens of novels and anthologies. You don’t need to read it all in strict order, but if you want a clear entry route, use this sequence:
- Horus Rising – Dan Abnett
- False Gods – Graham McNeill
- Galaxy in Flames – Ben Counter
- The Flight of the Eisenstein – James Swallow
- Fulgrim – Graham McNeill
- Descent of Angels – Mitchel Scanlon (optional early, but solid if you like Dark Angels)
- Legion – Dan Abnett
These books cover the rise of Horus, the betrayal on Isstvan, and the early ripple effects. After that, there are three sane approaches:
- Completionist – Keep going in numbered order up through the Siege of Terra series.
- Primarch-Focused – Cherry-pick books about your favorite Legions (e.g., A Thousand Sons, Prospero Burns, Know No Fear).
- Siege of Terra Route – Once you understand the setup, jump ahead to the Siege of Terra finale arc, starting with The Solar War.
In terms of Warhammer 40K books in order, the Horus Heresy sits firmly before the main 40k timeline, but you don’t have to read it first. For most gamers, it works best as a second phase once you already like the universe.
2. Gaunt’s Ghosts – Imperial Guard Long-Form Epic
Gaunt’s Ghosts is one of the most beloved Warhammer 40k series, and it actually does benefit from reading the books in order. The arcs are:
-
The Founding
- First and Only
- Ghostmaker
- Necropolis
-
The Saint
- Honour Guard
- The Guns of Tanith
- Straight Silver
- Sabbat Martyr
-
The Lost
- Traitor General
- His Last Command
- The Armour of Contempt
- Only in Death
-
The Victory (and beyond)
- Blood Pact
- Salvation’s Reach
- The Warmaster
- Anarch
Here, the ideal Warhammer 40K Books in Order path is straightforward: read them sequentially. Character arcs, unit history, and campaign continuity all build over time. If you vibe with military sci-fi, this is arguably the best long-form series in the setting.
3. Eisenhorn & The Inquisition Saga
We already mentioned Eisenhorn as a starter, but there’s a wider “Inquisition” mini-universe you can follow in a specific order:
-
Eisenhorn Trilogy
- Xenos
- Malleus
- Hereticus
-
Ravenor Trilogy
- Ravenor
- Ravenor Returned
- Ravenor Rogue
-
The Bequin Trilogy (ongoing at time of writing)
- Pariah
- Pentinent
- (Planned third book)
This is one of the cleanest, most satisfying Warhammer 40K Books in Order chains. It rewards reading in sequence, with recurring characters, intersecting timelines, and a slow-burn dive into daemonic and psychic horror.
4. Space Marine Chapter-Focused Series
If you’re building a Space Marine army on the tabletop or are obsessed with a specific Chapter, following that Chapter’s books in order is incredibly satisfying. Here are some of the big ones:
-
Ultramarines (Graham McNeill)
- Nightbringer
- Warriors of Ultramar
- Dead Sky, Black Sun
- The Killing Ground
- Storm of Iron (loosely connected, Chaos-focused but relevant)
-
Blood Angels (James Swallow + others)
- Deus Encarmine
- Deus Sanguinius
- Red Fury
- Black Tide
Then you can branch into newer Blood Angel or Primaris-era stories.
-
Space Wolves
- Space Wolf (William King)
- Ragnar’s Claw
- Grey Hunter
- Then newer Space Wolves novels and Horus Heresy entries like Prospero Burns.
These series are more modular. You can often jump in mid-stream if you just want action with your favorite Chapter, but following the books in order gives better character continuity.
Reading Warhammer 40K Books In Order By Faction Or Theme
Another gamer-friendly way to tackle Warhammer 40K books in order is to follow a faction path—Imperium, Chaos, Xenos—rather than a specific author or series. Here are curated routes.
Imperium-Centric Route (Humans, Inquisition, And Space Marines)
If you love the fascist-gothic nightmare of the Imperium, follow this progression:
- Eisenhorn trilogy – introduction to the Inquisition and the Imperium’s hypocrisy.
- Gaunt’s Ghosts (at least the first arc) – ground-level view of Imperial warfare.
- Helsreach – intense, small-theater war with Space Marines and Imperial forces.
- Pick a favorite Chapter series (Ultramarines, Blood Angels, Space Wolves) and read the first 2–3 books in order.
- Then, when you want the big picture backstory, start the early Horus Heresy books.
This path builds from street-level to galaxy-level, which makes the setting far more coherent.
Chaos-Focused Route
Prefer daemons, traitors, and edge-lord energy? There are strong Chaos-flavored Warhammer 40K books in order too:
- Horus Rising / False Gods / Galaxy in Flames – the fall of Horus and the opening of the Heresy.
- A Thousand Sons – the tragedy of Magnus and his Legion.
- Betrayer – World Eaters, Word Bearers, and absolute carnage.
- Storm of Iron – Iron Warriors siege warfare in “modern” 40k.
-
Night Lords trilogy by Aaron Dembski-Bowden:
- Soul Hunter
- Blood Reaver
- Void Stalker
This list isn’t exhaustive, but if you read those in order, you’ll get a satisfying, connected vision of Chaos across both the Heresy era and the 41st Millennium.
Xenos Route (Orks, Eldar, Necrons, Tyranids)
Xenos-focused Warhammer 40k books are a bit more scattered, but you can still build a path:
-
Orks:
- Deff Skwadron (comic-style, but very on-brand)
- Brutal Kunnin by Mike Brooks
- Orks-heavy battles like Rynn’s World and Helsreach
-
Eldar / Aeldari:
- Path of the Warrior
- Path of the Seer
- Path of the Outcast (together forming the “Path of the Eldar” trilogy)
- Necrons & Tyranids: Best approached through mixed-faction war novels like The Sautekh Dynasty stories or Tyranid invasion books such as Devastation of Baal.
Here, “in order” mostly means in-series order; Xenos books are more standalone and less tightly interwoven than Imperium-centric sagas.
How To Choose The Right Warhammer 40K Books In Order For You
You don’t need to read everything. In fact, you shouldn’t try unless you’re aiming for a full hobby lifestyle. Here’s how to choose your Warhammer 40K Books in Order path intelligently.
Step 1: Decide Your Goal
Ask yourself what you actually want from the books:
- “I want to understand the setting for games.” – Start with Eisenhorn, a couple of Guard or Marine novels, then sample Horus Heresy.
- “I’m obsessed with one faction.” – Follow that faction’s core series in order.
- “I want a huge story to binge.” – Gaunt’s Ghosts or Horus Heresy are your heavy-hitters.
Step 2: Match Your Preferred Tone
Warhammer 40k books swing from pulpy bolter porn to sharp political horror. Choose accordingly:
- Character-driven, grounded: Eisenhorn, Ravenor, Gaunt’s Ghosts.
- Epic, larger-than-life: Horus Heresy, especially books like Know No Fear or The First Heretic.
- Relentless action: Standalone Space Marine or Guard novels like Helsreach, Rynn’s World, Storm of Iron.
Step 3: Commit To One Path First
The biggest mistake is sampling a dozen first books and never sticking with any. Pick one Warhammer 40K Books in Order path and actually ride it out through at least 3–4 novels. The pay-off in character development and lore context is worth it.
Strengths And Weaknesses Of Following Warhammer 40K Books In Strict Order
Like any meta-strategy, trying to read Warhammer 40K Books in Order has its pros and cons.
Strengths
- Better character and plot continuity – Series like Gaunt’s Ghosts and Eisenhorn are meant to be read in order.
- Clear sense of escalation – Starting small and working up to galaxy-wide events makes the stakes hit harder.
- Smoother lore onboarding – Chronological-ish reading within a series helps you slowly absorb factions, events, and institutions.
Weaknesses
- Sheer volume – Being strict about order can trap you in weaker early books instead of jumping to the best entries.
- Non-linear canon – Warhammer 40k lore retcons itself; some older books feel out of step with modern interpretations.
- Burnout risk – Trying to consume everything in order (especially the entire Horus Heresy) can feel like a grind.
The sweet spot is a hybrid approach: stick to order within a given series, but feel free to jump between series and eras based on your interests.
Practical Tips And Strategies For Tackling Warhammer 40K Books In Order
- Use omnibuses when possible – Black Library often bundles arcs like The Founding (Gaunt’s Ghosts) or the full Eisenhorn trilogy. It’s cheaper and keeps your reading path tidy.
- Alternate heavy and light reads – If you’re deep in the Horus Heresy, break it up with a punchy standalone like Helsreach to avoid lore fatigue.
- Anchor yourself with a “main” series – Treat one series as your “campaign” (e.g., Gaunt’s Ghosts) and everything else as side quests.
- Don’t be afraid to skip – If a book in a long series isn’t grabbing you, skim or look up a synopsis and move on. This universe is too big to get stuck.
- Lean on digital and audio – Audiobooks are excellent for Warhammer 40K; dramatic narration helps make the setting click while you commute or paint minis.
Common Mistakes With Warhammer 40K Books In Order (And How To Avoid Them)
Mistake 1: Starting With The Deepest Lore
Jumping straight into mid-series Horus Heresy or super niche faction novels is like loading into a late-game save with no tutorial. Instead, warm up with accessible standalones or first-in-series books before chasing the really dense lore.
Mistake 2: Treating The Entire Canon As Mandatory
There are a lot of Warhammer 40K books, and not all of them are top-tier. You’re allowed to be selective. Focus on well-regarded series and authors first (Dan Abnett, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Graham McNeill) and only dig into deep cuts if you’re still hungry.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Your Own Fandom
If you mainly play Chaos Space Marines on the tabletop or grind through 40k video games as a specific faction, lean into that. Warhammer 40K Books in Order hit way harder when you’re already invested in the armies, Legions, or characters involved.
Mistake 4: Obsessing Over Perfect Chronology
Trying to perfectly line up every Warhammer 40k book by in-universe date is a rabbit hole. The setting’s timeline is intentionally fuzzy, and different authors focus on different fronts. Prioritize story cohesion within series over absolute timeline accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warhammer 40K Books In Order In Warhammer 40k
Do I Need To Start With The Horus Heresy To Understand Warhammer 40k?
No. The Horus Heresy is a prequel set 10,000 years before the main 40k era. It deepens your understanding but isn’t required to enjoy most Warhammer 40k books. For most readers, starting with Eisenhorn, Gaunt’s Ghosts, or a strong standalone like Helsreach is a better move, then circling back to the Heresy once you’re hooked.
What’s The Single Best Starting Book For Warhammer 40K Books In Order?
If you want one clear recommendation, Xenos (Eisenhorn #1) is the go-to starting point for Warhammer 40K Books in Order. It’s accessible, well-written, and shows you how the Imperium, Inquisition, and Chaos operate without demanding prior lore knowledge.
How Many Warhammer 40K Books Are There?
There are hundreds of Warhammer 40k novels, novellas, and anthologies published by Black Library, and more are added every year. That’s why building a curated reading order around key series and themes is critical instead of trying to “read everything in order.”
Can I Just Read Standalone Warhammer 40k Books Out Of Order?
Yes. Many Warhammer 40k books are built to stand alone and can be read in any order—especially faction-focused battle novels. However, big series like Gaunt’s Ghosts, Eisenhorn, and the Horus Heresy are much better if you follow their internal order.
Is It Worth Collecting Physical Copies, Or Should I Go Digital For Warhammer 40K Books?
That’s down to preference. Physical collectors’ editions look amazing on a shelf, but if you’re working through long Warhammer 40K Books in Order sequences like the Horus Heresy, digital or audio can be more practical and affordable. Many readers mix formats—physical for favorite series, digital for experimentation.
Conclusion: Is Following Warhammer 40K Books In Order Worth It?
If you’re already into Warhammer 40k through games or the tabletop, following smartly chosen Warhammer 40K Books in Order is absolutely worth it. The right reading path turns a cool ruleset and some miniatures into a living, breathing galaxy full of tragic heroes, doomed worlds, and endless war.
The key is not to treat the entire Black Library catalogue as mandatory homework. Pick a strong starting point like Eisenhorn or Gaunt’s Ghosts, follow that series in order, and branch out based on the factions and tones you like most. Approach it like building a campaign: deliberate, focused, and tailored to your playstyle. Do that, and the Warhammer 40k universe stops being overwhelming and starts feeling like a brutal, brilliant sandbox you’ll want to stay in for a long time.
