Announcing the Black Library Readers' Hall of Fame

One of the most common questions asked in the various Black Library reader communities is, "What are the best Warhammer books ever written?"

New readers ask this as they try to get a sense of an intimidatingly-large body of work, now encompassing novels numbering in the hundreds. Established readers likewise love to debate the question, advocating for their favorite authors, books, or factions.

Eventually, some of us got to thinking, wouldn't it be great if there was something we could point to. Something enduring, something that also reflects the thoughts and feelings the reading community. What are the all-time great Warhammer novels that resonated with us, the folks buying and devouring these books year in and year out. Warhammer has one of the most passionate and dedicated fandoms of any property in the world. What do we think are the best of its novels of all time?

Thus the Black Library Readers' Hall of Fame was born.

Back in 2016 the Black Library kicked off a series it called the Black Library Hall of Fame. Each month a Black Library author was asked to select a book for inclusion, with David Guymer kicking things off that August with The Ambassador by Graham McNeill. While a fun experiment, it didn't last a year, with only nine books ultimately being selected.

But today, we're kicking off a series that will carry us through the entire history of the Black Library, selecting the best of the best for inclusion into the Readers' Hall of Fame. To help select the hall of famers, we've put together a representative Hall of Fame Committee- but everyone will have a voice!

How It Works

Each installment, we'll be putting a new slate of books up for consideration for election to the Hall, starting at the beginning of Warhammer's published fiction and moving forwards. Selection will be determined by voting, with both the Hall of Fame Committee (see below) voting as well as public polls on Goonhammer for the 'popular vote.'

Periodically we will rotate out members of the Committee to bring in fresh voices and perspectives!

This isn't an awards show like the Oscars where there can be only one winner. Instead, all books that get enough votes will be inducted! What's the criteria? Borrowing from the National Film Registry here, our guiding principle is to recognize books that have "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance" to the Black Library. If that seems a broad criteria, it should be- readers will have lots of varying opinions about books that have stood the test of time, and we look forward to the many discussions and excitement ahead!

The Readers' Hall of Fame Committee

Here are the eight members who make up the inaugural voting committee. Each was chosen for a combination of expertise, perspective, and community contribution.

Aaron "Lenoon" Bowen, Goonhammer

Aaron "Lenoon" Bowen is a Goonhammer writer and possibly a pseudonym for a bundle of neuroses wrapped in a tatty tweed jacket. He writes, edits and relentlessly posts on Goonhammer from an increasingly chaotic cave/office. He makes knights about it, when not reading, building, painting and gaming for review.

He’s been writing book review for Goonhammer ever since the first Goonhammer Reads Science Fiction piece in 2022 and reads sci-fi, Warhammer fiction, weird tales and other such speculations voraciously.

Some might say too much.

Liam Brough, Black Library Nutters

New father Liam is one of the founders (and admins) of the Black Library Nutters Facebook Pages. The Nutters pages were created as a safe hobby space for genuine hobbyists and collectors without scalpers ruining the hobby.

"Whilst we are mainly a Black Library community," he notes, "we do also try and include all aspects of the hobby such as models and painting. One of the highlights of the community is that we run a yearly Christmas Charity drive where we all come together to raise funds for children at Christmas to provide them with food and toys.

"I began collecting Warhammer in the mid 90's for a few years as a child, had a break, then took up the hobby again around 10 years ago from a collector's point of view (it’s a running joke amongst the Nutters that I have enough stuff to be a museum or a store).

"I collect any and all rarity that is Warhammer/Black Library related (including misprints, memorabilia & trophies). My army of choice is Fantasy Dwarfs, and my favourite book is Gotrek & Felix's Trollslayer."

Michael Dodd, Track of Words

Michael Dodd is a technical writer and editor by day, and a book reviewer and author interviewer in his free time. He has spent the last decade writing reviews and interviewing authors for his site Track of Words, as well as reviewing for Grimdark Magazine and the British Fantasy Society.

He lives in London surrounded by books, miniatures, and guitars. You can’t possibly expect him to pick a favourite Black Library book…but it would probably be something by Peter Fehervari.

Chris Farrugia, Black Library Nutters

Chris is one of the founding members of the Black Library Nutters, which comprises two pages on Facebook (one for community and dialogue, the other for buying and selling without the scalpers).

"I’ve been an avid fan of Warhammer since I was a young lad," he notes, "and fast forward over 30+ years and that passion is still going strong. Space Hulk was and always has been my favourite part of the tabletop game- I just love the closeness of the Terminators vs the evil Genestealers.

"These days I thoroughly enjoy the Black Library side of things and dive into the lore and novels which is where my love for the hobby is currently focused. The new Primaris Marines and returning Primarchs have made the narrative very interesting!"

Abhinav Jain, The Paladin Journal

Long-time science-fiction/fantasy geek, and lover of the worlds of Warhammer especially, Abhinav dabbles a little on YouTube these days under the name The Paladin Journal where he still reviews for various media and also talks about new releases and issues in Warhammer.

He also used to write for the blog The Founding Fields under the moniker Shadowhawk and ran his own as well, Shadowhawk's Shade for a few years.

Jay Kirkman, Goonhammer

Jay joined the Goonhammer team at the start of this year and has been a staple every week with his Black Library Weekly column. He also enjoys writing book reviews, pens the Black Library Bibliophiles series and is also behind the 40K History of the Black Library series here on Goonhammer.

A former Friendly, Local Game Store owner, Jay's love of the Black Library has deep roots despite only ever having painted one miniature. He's a fan of the Night Lords and enjoys collecting books and curios for his Black Library Museum.

Mira Manga, Black Library Book Club

Mira Manga is a London-based writer, editor, and YouTuber known for her heartfelt contributions to the sci-fi and fantasy genres. She is an editor for 28 Magazine and Trench Crusade and a writer and regular columnist for Wyrd Science magazine.

On her YouTube channel, Mira connects with her community through book clubs, (including one with Arbiter Ian), reviews and in-depth interviews, often featuring authors from the Black Library. She also serves as a trustee for Game Therapy UK.

Proudly self-described as a "grimdark adventurer with a unicorn heart," find her roaming the Fantasy section of a local library near you!

Parker, the Black Library Subreddit

Parker the Librarian has been reading Black Library for almost two decades. He moderates r/blacklibrary on Reddit and tries to help people track down books the best he can, guide new people to the best places to start, and foster a welcoming community all Librarians can enjoy. "It's an honor," he says, "to help pick our favorite books for our first Black Library Hall of Fame."

A little about him: he raises chickens, can't sleep unless a dog's in the room, and his partner says he's semi-feral. She still let him build a library in their home though, so he guesses he's doing pretty good these days. He's "eternally grateful for this wonderful community, and appreciates all of you."

The Ballot

And now, let's take a look at our inaugural round of Black Library Readers' Hall of Fame candidates, which are the novels released prior to 1999 (all of which actually predate the official formation of the Black Library itself in 1997).

All readers are invited to make their voices heard and vote for which books they'd like to see inducted into the Readers' Hall of Fame. These polls will be active for one week before their results are compiled and added to the Committee's voting.

Warhammer 40,000

Image credit: Games Workshop

Book: Chaos Child, by Ian Watson

Synopsis: "Devastated by the death of a close ally, renegade Inquisitor Jaq Draco prepares to surrender his very soul to the gods of Chaos, so he may discover the mythical place where time is reversed and the dead may rise again. Only by renouncing his fanatical faith in the God- Emperor can he hope to achieve his ultimate goal - and an eternity of damnation!"

Note: Part Three of the Inquisition War trilogy

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Harlequin, by Ian Watson

Synopsis: "In the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium, the Inquisition protects mankind from its many enemies, whether foul daemons or the inscrutable, alien eldar. But who will protect humanity if the Inquisition itself becomes corrupted? Renegade Inquisitor Jaq Draco and his motley companions find themselves caught in a war that no one can win – unless he can somehow access the ancient secrets hidden in the legendary Black Library."

Note: Part Two of the Inquisition War trilogy

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Inquisitor, by Ian Watson

Synopsis: "Forty thousand years in the future, the human Imperium struggles for survival against its relentless enemies. Inquisitor Jaq Draco uncovers a plot that threatens the psychic future of mankind. Can he unravel the trail of con- spiracy before he himself is destroyed by its deadly clutches? Dazzling and frenetic, Ian Watson's Inquisition War presents a unique vision of the Warhammer 40,000 universe."

Note: Part One of the Inquisition War trilogy. Later retitled Draco.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Space Marine, by Ian Watson

Synopsis: "Three young Imperial Fists, newly recruited to the Chapter, go from their formative years in the underhive gangs of Necromunda, through their trials and being chosen by the Chapter, to fighting as part of the renowned First Company on a mission into the depths of a tyranids hive ship."

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Beasts in Velvet, by Jack Yeovil

Synopsis: "In the Imperial capital of Altdorf, a killer stalks the streets. Nicknamed 'The Beast' by those who have seen the remains of his victims, all evidence points to the haughty members of the Imperial court, the wealthy and privileged who are a law unto themselves."

Note: Part Two of the Vampire Genevieve trilogy. 'Jack Yeovil' was pseudonym for Kim Newman.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Drachenfels, by Jack Yeovil

Synopsis: "Detlef Sierck, the self-proclaimed greatest playwright in the world, has declared that his next production will be a recreation of the end of the Great Enchanter Drachenfels – to be staged at the very site of his death, the Fortress of Drachenfels itself. But the castle's dark walls still hide a terrible secret which may make the opening night an evening to remember!"

Note: Part One of the Vampire Genevieve trilogy. 'Jack Yeovil' was pseudonym for Kim Newman.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Genevieve Undead, by Jack Yeovil

Synopsis: "There are many secrets in the dark places of the Old World. From the cities of the Empire, where men huddle together in defiance of the darkness that sweeps across the land, to the vast, savage forests that house all manner of terrible beasts, everywhere you look there is a dark tale or ancient legend waiting to be unearthed. For the vampire Genevieve Dieudonné, several of these ancient horrors and blood-soaked nightmares are about to come to light, as she is plunged into battles for her life and her very soul across three linked novellas. Embarking on an odyssey of self-discovery, she must face monsters and magicians, intrigue and evil. Her journey takes her from the depths of an old theater to an accursed mansion under a deadly gothic spell, and finally to the hunt of a savage unicorn mare through haunted forests."

Note: Part Three of the Vampire Genevieve trilogy. 'Jack Yeovil' was pseudonym for Kim Newman.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Konrad, by David Ferring

Synopsis: "Deep in the Empire, the young Konrad is flung into a life of desperate exile after his village is razed to the ground by marauding beastmen. In a constant battle for survival, he must seek the answers to his mysterious past in a savage land teeming with the foul servants of the Dark Gods."

Note: Part One of the Konrad trilogy. 'David Ferring' was pseudonym for David S. Garnett.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Plague Daemon, by Brian Craig

Synopsis: "The minstrel Orfeo once again confronts the forces of Chaos as a malignant plot deep within the Khyprian Empire threatens to unleash the decaying realm of the Plague God on the Border Princes surrounding the Khyprian Empire, in the sequel to Zaragoz."

Note: Part Two of the Tales of Orfeo trilogy. 'Brian Craig' was pseudonym for Brian Stableford.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Shadowbreed, by David Ferring

Synopsis: "Five years ago, the boy Konrad first saw the Bronze Knight, harbinger of destruction and death for his true love and those dearest to him. Now, Konrad is no longer a child but a mercenary confounded by dreams of the legendary hero, Sigmar, and fighting in a land far from his devastated home. When the evil warrior reappears, with him rides Konrad's chance at vengeance."

Note: Part Two of the Konrad trilogy. 'David Ferring' was pseudonym for David S. Garnett.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Storm Warriors, by Brian Craig

Synopsis: "The king of the isle of Morien is dead, and now the new King Herla, a brave and powerful youth, must face his greatest challenge when an eldritch storm shipwrecks mysterious elves onto his shores. An ancient law forbids Herla from casting the elves back into the seas, so he accepts their presence and watches them carefully. But when accidents, thefts, violent slayings and unnatural disease spread across his land, Herla is up against the odds and about to discover the darkest secret of all..."

Note: Part Three of the Tales of Orfeo trilogy. 'Brian Craig' was pseudonym for Brian Stableford.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Warblade, by David Ferring

Synopsis: "Konrad is plunged into a series of deadly adventures, aided only by the Warblade, a mystical sword forged especially for him, and his companions, as he sets out to uncover the mystery of his destiny and to take on his old enemies, the skaven, who are plotting against the Emperor himself."

Note: Part Three of the Konrad trilogy. 'David Ferring' was pseudonym for David S. Garnett.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Zaragoz, by Brian Craig

Synopsis: "Plunged into a web of deceit and intrigue within the walls of Zaragoz following a moment's kindness, the wanderer Orfeo finds himself battling against the Dark Powers that threaten the Warhammer world."

Note: Part One of the Tales of Orfeo trilogy. 'Brian Craig' was pseudonym for Brian Stableford.

[poll id="21"]

And we're off to the races! Best of luck to Messrs. Craig/Stableford, Yeovil/Newman, Ferring/Garnett, and Watson. We'll be back in two weeks with our inaugural inductees- and the next round of voting!

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