Black Library Readers’ Hall of Fame: The Winners of 2001, and Books of 2002

The Black Library Readers’ Hall of Fame is Goonhammer's long-term, reader-participation initiative to recognize those novels that have “cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance” to the Black Library.

Through the votes of readers as well as our community panel of community voices, we’ll examine the entire history of the Black Library, induct the latest winners, and vote for the next round’s candidates every other week.

In our last installment we announced the winners of the Class of 1999-2000, which would be the last time you see years grouped together since the volume of the Black Library's output would only ramp up from there.

We also highlighted the novels of 2001, and today with the help of your votes we get to induct two more books into the Hall.

Finally, you’ll have the chance to review the twelve books that the Black Library released in 2002 and vote for the ones you feel should be included in the Hall. Remember, you can vote for as many (or as few) books as you want!

The Envelope Please

Only two books from 2001 made the cut, but the voting was as close to unanimous as we've seen so far.

For fans old and new, these should come as little surprise!

AJ, The Paladin Journal: "The Eisenhorn series stands the test of time, almost a quarter of a century, as some of the finest work that Dan Abnett has put out. This is well exemplified with these two books which introduce us to the ferociously badass Inquisitor Eisenhorn as he travels the length and breadth of the Imperium to hunt any and all enemies. Evocative prose, great pacing, memorable villains and side characters, these two books together have everything you could want out of them. Absolutely a shoe-in.

"Plus as a bonus, these two books are also supremely remarkable because much of what we know of how the Inquisition works comes from these books. Sure, the Inquisitor RPG also codified a lot of the lore and modus operandi, but these novels are a cut above the rest. Even today I can go back and enjoy the hell out of them."

Michael, Track of Words: "I have a hard time deciding which of the original three Eisenhorn novels is my favourite, and I regularly find my opinion swinging from one to another. When it comes to memorable openings though, it’s hard to look past Malleus: Darknight on Lethe Eleven, Eisenhorn dying of xenos poison. The introduction of Ravenor - brilliant, full of life, a glittering career ahead of him. The bloody battle against Beldame Sadia and her followers. And then, a few short chapters later, the Great Triumph on Thracian. Whatever you think of the rest of the book, those opening chapters of Malleus are KILLER. And given Ravenor’s importance elsewhere in Abnett’s broader Inquisition saga, this feels once again like a must-read book."

Chris, Black Library Nutters: "The gritty aspect of how Dan wrote them was so fresh and interesting from Eisenhorn's point of view really helped you feel like you were part of the story."

Michael, Track of Words: "There’s a reason why this is the book most often recommended as a new reader’s entry point into 40k fiction. Or rather, many reasons - but these can all be condensed down into two main points. First, that Xenos offers a relatable, human viewpoint on life in the Imperium away from the big battlefields, something which for a long time very few 40k books offered. And second, that it’s simply a damn fine book, and a brilliant read. Now, nearly 25 years after publication, there have been a great many 40k books which could be said to fit both of those points…and yet, Xenos remains probably the most widely-recommended starting point, and a must-read part of the 40k canon."

Jay, Goonhammer: "Even now, nearly a quarter century later, the influence of this book on the trajectory of the Black Library is difficult to understate. Xenos was the gateway book for so many readers- not just past readers, mind, but current readers too. People who still engage with Warhammer 40,000 years after getting their first taste, a lifetime of fandom. Mine too. The Eisenhorn Omnibus was my 'beach book' on a vacation to Cape Cod, and here I am two decades on now writing about it and the Black Library. Incredible."

Lenoon, Goonhammer: "Xenos, if we’re talking defining novels. If we’re looking at good books there’s a lot there. I think Xenos is something else, something that’s more important for Warhammer 40k going forward: the best game tie in novel. I think we probably forget that Xenos was written for Inquisitor, because it’s bloody good."

u/RocksInMyBoot (Reader): "Xenos/Malleus, really the Eisenhorn trilogy as a whole - the quintessential 40k trilogy. There’s a reason it’s most people’s introduction to 40k. It almost feels like essential reading for the setting and cemented Abnett as one of the BL greats."

With 2001's results, this gives Abnett two more wins for a total thus far of 4, alongside William King (3), Ian Watson (2), and Kim Newman (1).

Now, let's look at this week's crop of candidates, the novels of 2002!

The Ballot: The Class of 2002

Image credit: Games Workshop

Warhammer 40,000

Image credit: Games Workshop

Book: Farseer, by William King

Synopsis: "Rogue Trader Janus Darke is a desperate man. Once rich and famous, a string of bad luck has brought him to the brink of ruin. Dreaming of past glories, lost in despair, the last thing he wants is to accept a commission from two mysterious strangers – a voyage to the Eye of Terror, the dark heart of the galaxy. But Janus finds himself in more danger than he could have ever imagined, as he is pulled into the middle of a deadly power struggle between the elder and their ancient enemy, a daemon prince of Slaanesh."

Note: Billed as "The Original Eldar Novel" by BlackLibrary.com

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Grey Hunter, by William King

Synopsis: "When the Spear of Russ, an ancient relic of the Space Wolves once wielded by Leman Russ himself, is stolen, the Chapter seeks its return on the world of Garm. But when the forces of Chaos ambush them, the enraged Space Wolves learn that there is more to the attack than they could have guessed, for an ancient enemy of the Chapter is prophesied to be reborn."

Note: Book three in the Space Wolf series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: The Guns of Tanith, by Dan Abnett

Synopsis: "Gaunt’s Ghosts embark on their most dangerous mission yet as they make a daring drop assault on the world of Phantine. With the elite enemy Blood Pact and vicious xenos mercenaries ranged against them and short of ammunition with no means of escape, things look grim for the Tanith First. But the greatest danger may come from within the regiment as an old grudge is settled and tragedy strikes."

Note: Book five in the Gaunt's Ghosts series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Hereticus, by Dan Abnett

Synopsis: "Hunted by his former allies as a radical and enemy of the Imperium, Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn must fight to prove that he remains loyal as he tracks down a dangerous heretic whom the Inquisition believes dead, the dread former Inquisitor Quixos. As he grows more desperate for victory, Eisenhorn uses ever darker means to achieve his goals, but how far can he go using the weapons of the enemy until he becomes that very enemy, and no different to the traitor he hunts?"

Note: Book three in the Eisenhorn series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Nightbringer, by Graham McNeill

Synopsis: "Newly promoted to the captaincy of the Ultramarines Fourth Company, Uriel Ventris leads his warriors to the world of Pavonis, where vicious alien raiders are bringing death and destruction. As Pavonis descends into political turmoil, Uriel and his warriors must battle the xenos as they unravel a plot to unleash an ancient evil buried deep beneath the world – the mysterious and deadly Nightbringer."

Note: Book one of the Chronicles of Uriel Ventris.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Soul Drinker, by Ben Counter

Synopsis: "The Soul Drinkers have served the Imperium loyally for thousands of years, but when the opportunity arrives to retrieve an ancient relic of their Chapter, blind obsession throws them into conflict with those that they are honour-bound to obey. Faced with an impossible choice between their duty to the Imperium and their duty to the Emperor, will this proud and noble Chapter compromise its beliefs, or forge a new destiny for themselves among the stars?"

Note: Book one of the Soul Drinkers series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Storm of Iron, by Graham McNeill

Synopsis: "On the nightmare battlefields of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, few foes spark more fear and dread than the Chaos Space Marines. Nurturing a hatred that is millennia-old, they attack without mercy, spreading terror and destruction in their wake. Now hell has come to Hydra Cordatus, for a massive force of terrifying Iron Warriors, brutal assault troops of Chaos, have invaded the planet and lain siege to its mighty imperial citadel. But what prize could possibly be worth so much savage bloodshed and destruction and how long can the defenders possibly hold out?"

Note: Readers' Choice winner in 2018.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Straight Silver, by Dan Abnett

Synopsis: "On the battlefields of Aexe Cardinal, the struggling forces of the Imperial Guard are locked in a deadly stalemate with the dark armies of Chaos. Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his regiment, the Tanith First-and-Only, are thrown headlong into the living hell of trench warfare, where death by an unseen enemy is always just a moment away. The only chance for Gaunt and his lightly armed scouts to survive is to volunteer for a mission so dangerous that no one else dares accept it!"

Note: Book six in the Gaunt's Ghosts series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Warhammer Fantasy

Image credit: Games Workshop

Book: The Claws of Chaos, by Gav Thorpe

Synopsis: "Kurt Leitzig, a knight in the Count of Ostermark's bodyguard, hides his shameful past as the son of a family condemned and burned by Witch Hunters. However, when another witch hunt brews, Kurt discovers that when the powers of Chaos become involved he cannot trust those closest to him – perhaps not even himself."

Note: Book one in the Slaves to Darkness series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: The Dead and the Damned, by Jonathan Green

Synopsis: "The Warhammer universe explodes with adventure and sudden violence as Badenov's Band, rogues and brigands all, take on all comers as they roam the Old World. Led by their raven-haired commander Torben Badenov, whose lust for glory is only surpassed by his ferocity in battle, the motley gang roams the wretched towns and haunted forests fighting until every last unholy creature they encounter joins the dead or the damned."

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Star of Erengrad, by Neil McIntosh

Synopsis: "While on a mission of vengeance against the dark forces who murdered his father, Stefan Kumansky, a lone warrior and mercenary, is hired to destroy a powerful enemy, forcing him to embark on a dangerous journey to Erengrad--a land rife with evil where he must battle against human and demon foes."

Note: Book one in the Stefan Kumansky series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Zavant, by Gordon Rennie

Synopsis: "Gentleman sage, ex-priest, and dabbler in the forbidden and arcane arts, Zavant Konniger risks everything to search for a mysterious and brutal murderer that stalks the dark streets of Altdorf with the coming of the Red Moon and that hides within the body of another being."

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Good luck to all, and we’ll be back in two weeks to announce the winners- and move on to the next group of books!

The Banner of Glory

Finally, here's a look at all of the current members of this most prestigious Hall!

Thank you all for reading, for voting, and for making your voices heard!

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