Hellebore said:

I would advise strongly against this. TV tropes is a fun read, but not a good place for accurate information. It, for example, doesn't get that the table top game takes liberties with the setting in order to produce a fun and playable game, something that the creators have stated since the beginning and is obvious to anyone who examines the game mechanics, and that Space Marines aren't nearly unstoppable superhuman warriors.

Cynical Cat said:

If I only had a nickle for every post decrying one thing or anouther for not being true to the 40k cannon, I could quite my day job...

Cynical Cat said:

Lol, so exactly where is this setting then? Considering it was designed to fluff a tabletop game, you'd think that's where it would be.

TV tropes is a great place for people that don't know 40k to very quickly understand it. It goes through concepts that anyone would know, rather than having to have a 40k diploma of geekdom to understand.

It also does it in an entertaining way, which is also a plus for someone who isn't a 40k fan and doesn't know it's SERIOUS BUSINESS.

Consider also that not even GW'S own writers know what canon is and are found taking liberties with it all the time and there really is nothing to complain about (except that TVTropes is lacking in respect for a world we like to explore).

Hellebore

Baron

Not to defend GW (and their recent performance is less than stellar), but their's nothing wrong with being profit driven, current strategy and direction notwithstanding.

In the spirit of something I was accused of lately, I'll prove it right. TheBaron says that Farrer's short stories haven't been as good lately. He's a silly, silly man. Farrer's Seven Views of Ughluth's Passing ought to keep a highschool English class going for a few weeks. For a university level student, I'd say it could form a fine component-topic in a junior honours essay.

After Desh'ea was also good.

Furthermore: The Baron can't quite bring himself to suggest that Kyme and Priestley are actually incompetent; rather it's better to beat about the bush dropping poorly veiled non-sequitar comments like 'started out as a Layout Designer' and 'is sleeping with the boss'. The only majorly bad thing I've seen from them was The Inquisition: An Illustrated Guide . Elsewise, all was good. Grudgelore especially. In fact, Grudgelore , although not 40k, basically stomps right across most of those comments as a fairly thorough counter-example. Unless you adhere to the 'even monkeys can produce Shakespeare' shenanigans.

On Canon

TheBaron, you've elucidated that it's possible to maintain a coherent thread from essential beginning of 40k to modern times without major change. Hooray. That sounds to me like you've destroyed the "There's no canon" myth as opposed to the (at least nowadays) "(almost) Everything's canon". And that Almost is merely reserved for anything they particularly want to disown or cannot maintain the upkeep of. Malal always seems to be the most convincing one on that front.

Anyhow, aside from the above minor differences and quibbles, nevermind.

Relentless is good, Eisenhorn is good, First Imperial Guard Omnibus is good. Planetkill and Heroes of the Space Marines are also seriously worth a look in, as is the more comprehensive Let the Galaxy Burn .

as you can see everyone is going to have their opinion on what u should and shouldn't read. what u should buy and what u shouldn't. if ur a newbie at 40k i would say start with the basics...the 5th edition of the table top rulebook..there is a lot of fluff in there..alternatively for the cheapie method look at 40k on wikipedia. it will give u an overview which is a **** good enough start.

there are no 'wrong' novels to read. over time u will find some that will fit with ur perception of the 40k universe. I have seen 40k change alot from the orginal Rogue Trader to what the GW machine has become today. each author has his view of the IoM and u take what u like from it. it wouldn't make u any different from all these ppl responding to ur request for aid.

don't worry about all these calls for whats authentic and whats not....its a **** space opera game!

here's my 1 cent worth. if ur looking for Guard novels...the Imperial Guard Omnibus, and Gaunts Ghosts..particularly Necropolis, the Guns of Tanith,Straight Silver and Widowmaker...these 4 all have notable worlds to give u a variance of possible life in the Imperium. Ghostmaker is collection of short stories which is ok but gives that variety of background.

Ravenor, Eishenhorn and The Inquisition Wars i'd recommend also. they tackle the point behind Dark Heresy..the Inquisition. also they give a variance of imperial technology and citizens as well as a bit of political intrigue.

the Shira Calpurnia books look at life as an Arbitrator.

that said i think some of the GW TT army books are pretty solid and if ur the sort that is big on canon...thats the place to be. although one has to cast a questioning eye on it. what many ppl seem to miss is the 'canon' books provide at best a macrocosm. their focus and viewpoint is a big strategic picture. it does not discuss the small details that can be used to flesh out a game of DH. if u have the dollars to spare i strongly recommend the Imperial Armour books by Forgeworld. VERY pricey but the level of detail will give u an great idea of what the Imperium is about.