Warhammer’s universe is home to some of the most entrancing stories you may find in the world of fiction. The incredibly versatile franchise features something for everyone, from comedic political undertones to grimdark horror settings that keep you awake at night. Today, we’re here to talk about some of the best novels you can find that do the latter.
Warhammer’s universe is no stranger to horrific settings, but few do it as well as these choices. We’ve gone to the Black Library and pulled a few volumes off the shelf to dust off for your enjoyment. Let this list serve as a primer for you to go out and grab as many books as you can!
Updated May 11, 2025 by Kenny Kimberly:Warhammer’s been popular lately, as it deserves to be! We’ve come back to clean up some information on this piece, as well as provide you with a couple of suggestions to help fill those dusty gaps in your bookshelf. We’ve also edited one book that is no longer in print. Enjoy!
Warhammer 40,000: Nexus and Other Stories
A little spooky, a little actiony
Warhammer 40,000: Nexus and Other Stories focuses on providing you with a good introduction to the universe. This collection includes a selection of wonderful short stories, as well as the novella Nexus by Thomas Parrott.
Are you interested in jumping into the world of Warhammer 40k but aren’t certain where to start? One of the best ways to do so is by grabbing an anthology. Anthologies bring together a bunch of different stories so you can get a good sampling platter of what a franchise or universe has to offer. Best of all, if you don’t like one story, there’s plenty more - but if youdolove the stories you’re reading, there’s another one just like it in the next page!
This anthology is of particular value to newcomers. The spattering of short stories covers everything from horror to action and anything you’d hope to find in between. But one of the best stories available is the novella Nexus, written by Thomas Parrott. This collection will give you the whole novella to jump into as you finish your short stories.
Warhammer: The Deacon Of Wounds
A bit more haunting post-Pandemic
Warhammer: The Deacon of Wounds is set on Theotokos, a planet dying of thirst. This story follows the Arch-Deacon Ambrose and his rise to influence as he deals with a new mysterious sickness.
First off the shelves of the Black Library is Warhammer: The Deacon of Wounds. Aside from having possibly the coolest name a book could have, this story also follows a uniquely twisted story. Set on the planet of Theotokos where the residents are dying of thirst, Arch-Deacon Ambrose finds himself able to bring water to the residents at last. Doing so gives rise to a mysterious new pandemic that’s more sinister than just a pathogen, leading to a horrific story that hits a bit harder since the 2020 pandemic.
Warhammer: The Resting Places
Ideal for new or budding fans
The Resting Places is a collection of stories out of the Black Library that’s perfect for beginners. If you’re a new reader looking to learn as much as possible, or if you just don’t want to commit to a full novel, this is an excellent choice.
If you aren’t sure where you want to start in theWarhammer libraries, the Black Library offers an excellent starting point for fans of all sorts of literature. This piece is a collection of short stories, serving as an anthology rather than a single novel. Some of the most well-known and beloved authors in the Warhammer franchise have stories in here, making it an excellent choice for fans who haven’t yet decided on where they want to start. It’s not as big of a commitment as a full novel, so if you just want to flick through a few stories, this is the ideal choice.
This book has gone out of physical print! That can make tracking down a physical copy rather difficult, as well as considerably more expensive than some of us may want to shell out for. However, it’s also available on Kindle or as a virtual book - and PDF’s never run out of stock!
Warhammer: The Bookkeeper’s Skull
Great for fans of investigations
The Bookkeeper’s Skull is a fantastic story for fans of investigations and mysteries. This story follows a cadet who’s investigation leads to uncovering a horrific, hidden cult.
The Bookkeeper’s Skull is one of the best novels for fans of investigations and eldritch horror similar toLovecraftian tales. This story focuses on a cadet new to the job whose investigation into a sleepy town begins to uncover a cult. Fans of stories that focus on detectives, mystery, and twists and turns are certain to love this story.
It’s also not terribly long, making it a good starting point for readers who are new to the Black Library. If you’re a fan of Lovecraftian tales, murder mysteries, or intrigue-focused stories, then there’s no reason to skip up this haunting story.
Warhammer: Briardark
Ideal for fans of grimdark monster hunts
Are you a fan of monster-hunting stories? Warhammer: Briardark follows the story of Samuel Helmgaart as he tracks an unknowable evil before it can claim the life of someone he loves.
Briardark is one of the morestripped-down stories, focusing mostly on a personal tale. Despite that, it’s also one of the highest stakes that you’ll find in these stories, particularly for parents who can empathize with the main character. The story follows beast hunter Samuel Helmgaart, a known and respected tracker reeling with grief. As an unknowable evil from a nearby forest seems to target his daughter for death from beyond the grave, Samuel is forced into action to keep his daughter from falling prey to the evil.
Warhammer: Black-Eyed Saint
Zealots, fear, and insanity
The Black Eyed Saint follows the story of Runar Skoldolfr and Tiberius Grim as they lead an expedition into the Blood-Rock Peaks to answer a call for help. Once there, the expedition finds itself separated in their journey to save the village.
Readers who are fans of intense, high-octane stories are certain to love this selection from the Black Library. When a woman from a neighboring township shows up begging for help, Runar Skoldolfr and Tiberius Grim set off for an expedition to the Blood-Rock Peaks to answer the call. Once there, the expedition finds itself separated, desperately fighting against the locals to try to get back together and solve the issue. This story is full of religious zeal, horrific phobias, and insanity.
Warhammer: Dark Harvest
Nothing is what it seems
Warhammer: Dark Harvest follows a disgraced warrior-priest stuck in an isolated village. Dark Harvest is a grimdark story that focuses as much on the spiritual horror as it does physical.
Following the story of a disgraced warrior-priest on a journey across the Greywater Fastness, Dark Harvest is a story with some spiritual and religious tones that many readers will love. Much of the horror and conflict of this story focuses on internal battles, but as our hero is stranded in an isolated, grim village, there’s suspicion around every corner.
Of all the Warhammer horror stories, this is one of our favorites. Warhammer frequently uses spiritual and philosophical themes, whether that be the worship of a God-King or fear over the many mind-shattering horrors in the universe. This story manages to bring that style of philosophical theming into one of the most terrifying packages it could fit into.
Where To Start?
With so many books being mentioned, where should you start your reading journey? If you haven’t readanythingfrom Warhammer, we recommend getting started with one of the anthologies. The selection we added with our September update - Nexus & Other Stories - is probably the best spot for a newcomer to hop into the franchise.
If you have a good understanding of the universe, then you may jump into something with a bit more background behind it. Black-Eyed Saint is a great jumping-in point for someone who understands more about Warhammer than the average newbie.
FAQ
Absolutely not! Many of the books are separate from the games, and most games don’t follow the books closely if there’s a relation. Reading the novels is great for worldbuilding, but don’t treat it as a must if you just want to play the games.
What Is The Black Library?
In the Warhammer universe, the Black Library is where the Eldar race keeps their knowledge, primarily focused on Chaos and the Necrons. In our universe, the Black Library was founded in 1997 as a publishing company, focused heavily on Warhammer stories.
Are The Warhammer Books Canon?
Anything created, published, or licensed by Games Workshop Limited is considered canon. Other stories are on a case-by-case basis, with some being partially canon, and some being non-canonical.
