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.
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When it comes to the Warhammer 40K universe, there are few species more iconic than the Orks. Swarming across the galaxy in a wave of WAAAGH! they somehow manage to be both horrifiying and hilarious at the same time. Over the years, the gruesome greenskins have appeared in dozens of Warhammer 40K novels. But which ones truly capture the essence of these legendary xenos?
To find the answer we’ve scoured the Black Library and put together our picks for the very best Ork novels ever written. For ease of reference we’ve also listed the author, publication date and our rationale for why we picked it. At the end, we’ve also included a few bonus eShorts and audio dramas worthy of Gork and Mork themselves.
But enuff gabbin’. Grab ya choppa and slugga and let’s get krumpin’ as we stomp into… the 10 best Warhammer 40K Ork Books ever written.
10. The Beast Arises: Volume 1 Omnibus
Author: Dan Abnett, David Annandale, Gav Thorpe and Rob Sanders
Date Published: December 2015
Why We Picked It: Set in the 32nd millennium after the events of the Horus Hersey, this epic 12 book series focuses largely on a massive, system-wide invasion of Orks lead by a warboss known as The Beast. While the series follows a variety of different characters and species, it also offers a glimpse into the brutal nature of the Ork horde.
9. Caves of Ice
Author: Sandy Mitchell (pen name of Alex Stewart)
Date Published: February 2004
Why We Picked It: A classic Warhammer 40K Ork novel, the story chronicles the exploits of Commissar Ciaphas Cain. Assigned to defend a mining station on the remote iceworld of Simia Orichalcae, Cain soon finds himself in some of the most epic Ork battles ever written (with a dash of Necrons thrown in for good measure). It’s a solid read and a great entry for Black Library readers looking for more insight into the bloodthirsty greenskinned xenos.
8. Outgunned
Author: Denny Flowers
Date Published: August 2022
Why We Picked It: One of the most unique Warhammer 40K Ork books in recent years, the story follows the aerial exploits of Flight Commander Lucille Von Shard, who leads a squadron of fighter pilots to the Ork-infested planet Bacchus. Featuring dog fighting dakkajets and fearsome flyboyz, it’s a rarely seen glimpse into the aerial side of Ork combat.
7. Yarrick: The Omnibus
Author: David Annandale
Date Published: February 2024
Why We Picked It: Detailing the exploits of the legendary Commissar Yarrick, this omnibus also offers some of the best depictions of Ork battle in all of the Black Library. Taking place during the Second and Third Wars for Armageddon, it follows a group of Imperial Forces facing down the largest Ork Waaagh! ever assembled. It’s an action-packed read that also some surprising insight into the greenskinned mindset.
6. Sanctus Reach: Evil Sun Rising
Author: Guy Hayley
Date Published: November 2016
Why We Picked It: This epic Ork novel chronicles the dreaded Red Waaagh! The story follows the exploits of Big Mek Uggrim as he leads his Red Sunz into battle on the planet of Alaric Prime. Uggrum and his boyz soon find themselves in the fight of their lives, taking on both humans and rival klans and offering some of the greatest Ork battle scenes ever written.
5. Warboss
Author: Mike Brooks
Date Published: August 2022
Why We Picked It: A hilarious deep dive into greenskin society, this unique Ork novel follows six brutal clans battling for succession after the death of a powerful warboss. Set on the recently conquered imperial world of Aranua, the book follows Da Genrul, a Warboss of the Blood Axes Klan as he takes on rival Evil Sunz, Goffs and Speed Freeks, while navigating a prophecy from the Ork Gods Gork and Mork, and an uprising of particularly pesky grotz.
4. Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh!
Author: Nate Crowley
Date Published: March 2022
Why We Picked It: This sprawling and blood spattered novel follows the rise and fall of the legendary Ghazghkull Thraka, one of the greatest (and most feared) Ork warbosses of all time. His storyis narrated by his faithful banner bearer, a lowly gretchin named Makari. It’s an epic read that digs deep into the culture, language and religion at the heart of Ork armies.
3. DEFF SKWADRON
Author & Illustator: Gordon Rennie & Paul Jeacock
Date Published: May 2004
Why We Picked It: An insanely fun and over-the-top read, this high-flying graphic novel follows a squadron of Ork pilots as they take to the skies to battle a rival klan in their fighta bommas. Featuring bizarre characters, fantastic art and a heaping dose of Ork humor, it’s a must-read for fans of Warhammer 40K greenskins.
2. Brutal Kunnin’
Author: Mike Brooks
Date Published: September 2020
Why We Picked It: The first novel to feature the legendary Ork warrior Ufthak Blackhawk, the story kicks off during the invasion of the Imperial forge world of Hephaesto. Ufthak soon finds himself tangling with the notorious Ork pirate Kaptin Badrukk, the forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus and his fellow Bad Moons as he seeks to drench himself in guts and glory. It’s fast, fun and a pitch-perfect slice of Ork life.
1. DA Big Dakka
Author: Mike Brooks
Date Published: February 2024
Why We Picked It: The second novel featuring Ufthak Blackhawk finds him facing down the Drukhari in the webway city of Commorragh. Forced to compete in gladiatorial combat, Ufthak must also deal with vicious Archon and draw on all his brawn (and brains) to keep himself and his boyz alive. The end result is our pick for the best Warhammer 40K Ork book ever written. WAAAGH!
Warhammer 40K Ork Novellas & eShorts
While there are plenty of epic Warhammer 40K Ork books to choose from, the battle-crazed xenos also make an appearance in an assortment of novellas and short stories. Below are our top picks for shorter snippets of greenskinned glory.
- Da Gobbo’s Revenge by Mike Brooks
- Da Gobbo Rides Again by Rhuairidh James
- Da Gobbo’s Demise by Denny Flowers
- Engine of Mork by Guy Haley
- Mad Dok by Nate Crowley
- Road Rage by Mike Brooks
- Da Big Mouf by Danie Ware
- Where Dere’s Da Warp Dere’s A Way by Mike Brooks
- The Enemy of My Enemy by Nate Crowley
- The Only Good Ork by Sandy Mitchell
- Green and Grey by Edoardo Albert
- Ork Hunter by Dan Abnett
- Painboyz by Mike Brooks
Warhammer 40K Ork Audio Dramas
- Prophets of Waaagh! by Guy Haley
- Sanctus Reach: Klaw of Mork by Guy Haley
You can also check out the full list on the Black Library website.
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.
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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.