The Black Library Readers’ Hall of Fame: Class of 1989-1998

Welcome to the next installment of our ongoing project, The Black Library Readers' Hall of Fame!

We kicked things off two weeks ago with a look at first round of eligible novels- ones that actually predated the Black Library as we know it and yet played a foundational role in its modern success. You all made your voices heard through the polls, and we're excited to be able to announce the three winners today.

We've also got the polls up for the next round of books, those from the years 1989 and 1990. If the earliest books look a bit alien to the modern reader, here's where we start to see some very familiar and recognizable names and faces. Dan Abnett and his Gaunt's Ghosts. William King's Gotrek and Felix.

Look for a new installment of the Black Library Readers' Hall of Fame articles every other week, where we'll announce the latest crop of winners and introduce the candidates for the next round!

If you're joining us for the first time, let's start with a quick recap on how this all works.

The Essentials

We've assembled a Hall of Fame committee of folks with a deep involvement in fandom for the Black Library, and have invited you- the reader- to also have your voice be heard in polls to select which books will have the necessary acclaim to be elevated into the Hall.

While everyone's opinion and rationale will naturally vary, our benchmark criteria will be those books that have "cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance" to the Black Library.

We've started at the beginning and every other week we will continue to move forward towards present day. All novels (and novellas) will be considered for induction, so if you haven't seen your favorite come up for a vote it just means we haven't gotten there yet in the timeline!

And there it is! If you're excited to engage with this initiative, we always enjoy hearing opinions either at the Black Library subreddit or the Black Library Nutters Facebook Community. I'm active in both and, as you'll see, will be quite happily including reader opinions and insights for those books that make it in.

Now the moment we've all been waiting for...

The Envelope Please

First off, let me thank all of you for an incredible turnout and enthusiasm for this initiative. I had a ballpark target in mind for voting activity from you readers that would help define success, and you tripled it.

Clearly there's a lot of passion out there for these incredible books, and we're excited to announce the first group of winners. Here we go!

Jay, Goonhammer: "Warhammer 40K may be the top dog now, but that wasn't always the case. When Games Workshop expanded into IP fiction it was for its Fantasy line, with Drachenfels leading the way. Thirty years later the Black Library launched its Warhammer Horror imprint- and it was no surprise when they brought back the Vampire Genevieve trilogy to anchor it."

Michael, Track of Words: "You could argue that this isn't really that much of a Warhammer book - it's always felt almost Warhammer-adjacent to me. But it's just so good! I'm not sure this had quite the impact on the Warhammer Fantasy setting as Inquisitor did on 40k, even so it’s undoubtedly one of the early classics."

Lenoon, Goonhammer: "[Drachenfels] established a lot of the vibe of Warhammer in that nebulous 'it’s Moorcock but we make miniatures' period by driving it to dark and horrible places. I think it’s a reminder that this wasn’t always a hobby for everyone because it’s very adult, the series is occasionally really unpleasantly creepy-sexual and the deaths are more horrific than anything has been since."

Michael, Track of Words: "For all of its oddities which don't quite fit in with 40k as we now know it (of which there are a great many), there's just so much in here that went on to become fundamental themes and ideas within the setting. It's completely insane, of course, and again I get why not everyone gets along with it. But it's one of the foundation stones of the setting, and without it 40k might have ended up looking very different."

Jay, Goonhammer: "The first-ever Warhammer 40K novel, very much a reflection of the time and Games Workshop's aim to bring in established speculative fiction talent to get their nascent literary arm off the ground. Although as many people seem to hate it as love it, there's no denying the historical significance and impact of the book."

Reader u/Rebe1Scum: "The Inquisition War trilogy deserves inclusion. It canonized squats, which are now canon again, characterized the Emperor as we've since seen him in the Dark Imperium books, and described a lot of the Gothic elements of 40k that we take for granted. Yes, they include some messed up stuff; no one should ever take their demonic flesh-eating penis monster for a walk, as an example. But the inclusion of adult themes in an adult setting is not sufficient grounds for exclusion, even if they are a bit fucked up. Modern 40k owes Ian Watson and these books a lot."

Michael, Track of Words: "This stands on its own, and undoubtedly stands the test of time for impact and for absolute madness, even if - understandably - not everyone gets along with it. I'll say it again: that moment with the Titan power fist is pure batshit crazy genius."

Jay, Goonhammer: "Too weird, too kinky, too ridiculous, Ian Watson's enduring Imperial Fists novel never sank into its Legion's firmament the way William King's Space Wolf would just six years later. And yet, for all that fate would take a different path than the one Watson chose, Space Marine remains a milestone. If you need a clue as to the book's significance, look no further than the announcement notice of the Heretic Tomes imprint in 2009. Heretic Tomes was meant to bring back 'classic and fan-favourite novels' due to 'unprecedented reader demand.'

Reader u/Rafnir_Fann: "Strange but oddly brilliant. It comes from an era when 40k was weird and a bit punk, a bit heavy metal, a bit weird esoterica."

The Ballot: 1999-2000

And now, let’s take a look at our next round of Black Library Readers’ Hall of Fame candidates, which are the novels released in 1999 and 2000.

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: 13th Legion, by Gav Thorpe

Synopsis: "Across a hundred blasted war-zones, upon a dozen bloody worlds, the convict soldiers of the Thirteenth Legion fight a desperate battle for redemption in the eyes of the immortal Emperor. In this endless war against savage orks, merciless eldar and the insidious threat of Chaos, Kage and the Last Chancers penal battalion must fight not only to win but to survive!"

Note: First book of the Last Chancers series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Eye of Terror, by Barrington J. Bayley

Synopsis: "As the Imperium's war-fleets launch a mission into the heart of Chaos, rogue trader Maynard Rugolo searches for wealth and power on the fringe worlds of the distant realm, until he encounters the devastating powers of Chaos."

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: First & Only, by Dan Abnett

Synopsis: "For a thousand years, the Sabbat Worlds have been lost to the Imperium, claimed by the dread powers of Chaos. Now, a mighty crusade seeks to return the sector to Imperial rule. And at the forefront of that crusade are Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only – better known as Gaunt’s Ghosts. Trapped in the grinding trench warfare of Fortis Binary, the Ghosts find themselves drawn into a conspiracy to assassinate the crusade’s leader, Warmaster Macaroth. With enemies all around them and no one to trust, Gaunt and his men must find a way to save the Warmaster and prevent the Sabbat Worlds Crusade from falling into anarchy – even if it means waging war on their supposed allies."

Note: First book in the Gaunt's Ghosts series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Ghostmaker, by Dan Abnett

Synopsis: "On Monthax, Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his Tanith First-and-Only await the order to advance into the sweltering jungle and drive the alien eldar from the world. As battle approaches, Gaunt walks the lines, raising his men's spirits and remembering their most heroic deeds - and the tragedies that have dogged Gaunt's Ghosts from the day of their founding on lost Tanith. The day that Gaunt became known as the Ghostmaker."

Note: Second book of the Gaunt's Ghosts series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Necropolis, by Dan Abnett

Synopsis: "On the world of Verghast, a grinding war between two hive cities - one loyal to the Imperium, the other fallen to the worship of the Dark Gods - is bolstered by the forces of the Astra Militarum, spearheaded by the Colonel-Commissar Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only. But bitter rivalries and treachery threaten to derail the defence of Vervunhive, and it falls to Gaunt to take command of the Imperial forces and forge victory from an almost certain defeat."

Note: Third book of the Gaunt's Ghosts series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Ragnar's Claw, by William King

Synopsis: "A deadly plague is ravaging the planet of Aerius, and millions of Imperial citizens are dying. Inquisitor Sternberg turns to the fearsome Space Wolves for aid in recovering the ancient Talisman of Lykos, which he believes can cure the corruption ravaging the world. Ragnar Blackmane and his squad of Blood Claws embark on a near-suicidal mission to retrieve the talisman before it is too late. But this is no ordinary plague, and the servants of Nurgle await the Space Wolves. Will they be able to overcome the forces of Chaos, or is Aerius doomed?"

Note: Second book of the Space Wolves series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Space Wolf, by William King

Synopsis: "On the grim death world of Fenris, the Space Wolves Chapter selects its aspirants from the best and brightest of the young tribesmen. Ragnar of the Thunderfist tribe finds his life changed forever when he is chosen. After being revived from a savage death on the battlefield, Ragnar is recruited into the fearsome Space Wolves Chapter. He is then thrown into a galactic war against the dark forces of Chaos. However, the implanting of the Canis Helix unleashes his primal instincts and Ragnar must fight to control the beast within him."

Note: First book of the Space Wolves series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Daemonslayer, by William King

Synopsis: "Gotrek and Felix join an expedition northwards in search of the long-lost dwarf hold of Karag Dum. Setting forth for the hideous Realms of Chaos in an experimental dwarf airship captained by an insane Slayer-Engineer, the heroic pair are sworn to recover the ancient treasures or die in the attempt. But darkness awaits them in Karag Dum, along with the greatest battle of Gotrek's life…"

Note: Third book in the Gotrek & Felix series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Dragonslayer, by William King

Synopsis: "Gotrek and Felix head back towards the Empire aboard the arcane dwarf airship Spirit of Grungni. Tired and wounded from their adventures in the Chaos Wastes, the intrepid duo look forward to seeing friendly lands once more. But darker forces are at work and when a violent storm blows them into the Worlds Edge Mountains they disturb a deadly creature of legend which guards a vast golden hoard. With an army of rampaging orcs behind and a wrathful dragon ahead, things look bleak for Gotrek and Felix!"

Note: Fourth book in the Gotrek & Felix series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Hammers of Ulric, by Dan Abnett, Nik Vincent, and James Wallis

Synopsis: "Corrupted powers gather around the ancient mountaintop fortress of Middenheim, the City of the White Wolf. Danger has arisen, not at the embattled borders of the Empire, but at the beating heart itself. Only the noble Templar Knights of Ulric can drive out the darkness, but they will need unlikely help to do it. A lowly thief, a devout servant of Morr, and the Hammers of Ulric gather to defend the city. For if Middenheim falls, the Empire falls with it."

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Skavenslayer, by William King

Synopsis: "Seeking to undermine the very fabric of the Empire with their arcane warp-sorcery, the skaven, twisted Chaos rat-men, are at large in the reeking sewers beneath the city. Led by Grey Seer Thanquol, the servants of the Horned Rat are determined to overthrow this bastion of humanity. Against such forces, what possible threat can just two hard-bitten adventurers pose?"

Note: Second book in the Gotrek & Felix series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: Trollslayer, by William King

Synopsis: "After fleeing the authorities in the Imperial city of Altdorf, Felix Jaeger swears a drunken oath to dour dwarf Gotrek Gurnisson to record his death saga. In the cold light of day, Felix's worst fears are confirmed as he learns that Gotrek is a Trollslayer - a dwarf doomed to seek out a heroic death in battle to atone for an unknown personal disgrace. Their travels throw them into a string of extraordinary adventures as Felix tries to survive his companion's destiny."

Note: First book in the Gotrek & Felix series.

Image credit: Games Workshop[/caption]

Book: The Wine of Dreams, by Brian Craig

Synopsis: "With the help of a mysterious stranger, Reinmar Weiland, an innocent young merchant, stumbles upon the deadly secrets of a sinister underworld, whose plots threaten an unsuspecting Empire, and discovers the existence of the legendary elixir, the banned Wine of Dreams."

Note: 'Brian Craig' was pseudonym for Brian Stableford.

[poll id="34"]

And we’re off to the races! Best of luck to all the authors featured today. We’ll be back in two weeks with the winners- and the next round of voting!

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