New Chaos Space Marines Battleforce Sets (First Look)
Bow down to the Dark Gods of the Warp! We dig our claws into two new Chaos Space Marine Battleforce box sets.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When it comes to Warhammer 40K Space Marines, there are few Chapters more iconic than the Dark Angels. Yet for fans looking to better understand the Unforgiven, the lore can often be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our picks for the very best Dark Angels novels from Games Workshop’s Black Library. To keep things simple, for each book we’ve listed the author, publication date and our rationale for why we picked it.
But enough talk, brothers and sisters of battle. Grab your chainsword and holy bolt pistol as we set forth from the Rock and uncover… the 10 best Warhammer 40K Dark Angels book.
15. War of Secrets
Author: Phil Kelly
Date Published: June 2018
Why We Picked It: A great starting point for new readers, this is the first Dark Angels book set in the modern era of Warhammer 40K (also known as the Era Indomitus), and follows Space Marine Xedro Farren as he and the Unforgiven battle the Ta’u. It’s a great way to dip your toes into the lore of the Dark Angels in the 41st millennium.
14. Descent of Angels
Author: Mitchel Scanlon
Date Published: March 2007
Why We Picked It: While this is an entry in long-running Horus Heresy saga, this Dark Angels book can be read without any prior knowledge. The story explores key elements of the history of the Unforgiven on their homeworld of Caliban and chronicles their early exploits during the galaxy-wide conflict.
13. Fallen Angels
Author: Mike Lee
Date Published: May 2020
Why We Picked It: The sequel to Descent of Angels, this book finds the Dark Angels battling the forces of Horus in the Gehinnom System, while at the same time chronicling the civil war on their own world of Caliban. It’s a key chapter covering lore related to both the Horus Heresy and the Unforgiven.
12. Angels of Caliban
Author: Gav Thorpe
Date Published: June 2016
Why We Picked It: A sequel to Fallen Angels, the novel follows Lion El’Jonson and his defence of the planet Ultramar against the forces of the Night Lords. The book also takes place on Caliban and follows the Lion’s adopted father Luther as he seeks to cast off the both the Imperium and the Dark Angels.
11. Pandorax
Author: C Z Dunn
Date Published: November 2013
Why We Picked It: This unique Dark Angels novel is actually the first book written by Black Library author C Z Dunn (who has since gone on to write extensively about the Unforgiven). The story follows Imperial troops battling the forces Chaos on the planet Pythos and dives into the Unforgiven and their current leader, Supreme Grand Master Azrael. It’s a hefty dose of action and Dark Angels lore.
10. The Eye of Ezekiel
Author: C Z Dunn
Date Published: March 2017
Why We Picked It: An excellent standalone Dark Angels novel, the story follows the exploits of Ezekiel, Grand Master of the Dark Angels as he seeks to liberate the ice planet of Honoria from a massive ork army. It’s a great introduction to the lore and overall vibes of the Unforgiven.
9. Deathwing (Anthology)
Authors: by Dan Abnett, Bryan Ansell, William King, Storm Constantine, Neil McIntosh, Graham McNeill, Charles Stross, Gav Thorpe & Ian Watson
Date Published: January 2012
Why We Picked It: Originally published in the 1980s, this anthology of short stories focuses on The Deathwing, the elite inner circle of the Dark Angels. It’s a great introduction to early Black Library fiction and the lore of the First Legion.
8. Lion El’Jonson: Lord of the First
Author: David Guymer
Date Published: May 2020
Why We Picked It: This novel helps establish a key part of Dark Angels lore: namely the mindset of the Chapter’s legendary founder Lion El’Jonsnon and his relationship with his “father,” the Emperor. It’s a fascinating look at one of the Unforgiven’s most important figures.
7. Luther: First of the Fallen
Author: Gav Thorpe
Date Published: April 2021
Why We Picked It: While technically this book is also part of the Horus Hersey, it can really be read as a standalone novel. The story offers more insight into Luther, the charismatic and ruthless second-in-command of the Dark Angels, following his rise and eventual fall to the Dark Gods of Chaos.
6. Cypher: Lord of the Fallen
Author: John French
Date Published: July 2023
Why We Picked It: A fantastic standalone Dark Angels novel, the story is narrated by Cypher, one of the most infamous members of The Fallen, as he escapes from one of the most secure prisons in the Imperium and is hunted by his former brethren. The end result is an action-packed read that offers a rare glimpse into the shadowy side of Unforgiven lore.
5. Lazarus: Enmity’s Edge
Author: Gary Kloster
Date Published: March 2024
Why We Picked It: One of the most recently published Dark Angels books, the story follows the exploits of Lazarus, Battle Master of the Fifth Company of the Unforgiven. Tasked with defending the planet Reis, Lazarus and his Adeptus Astartes must untangle a deadly conspiracy while facing down an ancient evil with ties to his Chapter’s past.
4. The Lion: Son of the Forest
Author: Mike Brooks
Date Published: April 2023
Why We Picked It: In this epic Dark Angels novel, the Unforgiven’s founder Lion El’Jonson awakes from suspended animation in the 41st millennium and must content with his own past and the perilous future his Chapter now faces. It’s a key piece of modern Dark Angels lore that brings the popular Primarch into the modern Warhammer 40K universe.
3. Knights of Caliban Omnibus
Author: Gav Thorpe
Date Published: May 2019
Why We Picked It: Collecting three Dark Angels novels, this omnibus offers a more nuanced take on the Unforgiven, detailing both their battle prowess and their obsessive need to tracking down the Fallen; the hated Chaos worshipping members of their order who betrayed the Emperor ten-millennia earlier.
2. Legends of the Dark Angels Omnibus
Author: Gav Thorpe and C Z Dunn
Date Published: April 2023
Why We Picked It: This omnibus edition includes four novels, one novella and several short stories that follow a number of heroes from the ranks of the Unforgiven, including Azrael, Ezekiel and Balthasar, chronicling a number of key battles from Dark Angels lore.
1. Legacy of Caliban: The Omnibus
Author: Gav Thorpe
Date Published: September 2016
Why We Picked It: A must-read for anyone looking for more insight into the Dark Angels, this omnibus collects three novels and several short stories that follow the Unforgiven after the Horus Heresy, diving into some of the Chapter’s most bloody battles and darkest secrets.
Please note that the list above is not meant to be exhaustive, but includes only our top picks. You can also check out the full list on the Black Library website and Games Workshop has put together a list of their own picks.
SEE OUR BOOKS COVERAGE
Visit our Warhammer 40K Books page for more reviews and news.
Daniel Martin is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has been an avid wargamer for as long as he can remember. Black Templars remain his favorite Warhammer 40K army and he enjoys board games, cycling and spending way too much money on miniatures.
*We are a member of the Amazon Affiliates program, which allows us to earn a small commission off of any sales at no extra cost to you the consumer.
New Chaos Lord Space Marine Models (First Look)
We give praise to the Ruinous Powers and take a closer look at the two new Chaos Lord models coming to 40K.