Hi together!

I´ve just bought the core box and i´am fit with the rules now (at leas i think so). But since my experience with the world is kind of old (i´ve played the tabletop about 12 years ago) i would like to read some novels to get a feeling for the world before i start to host my first games.

So my question is, which of the dozens of warhammer fantasy novels out there are good for this purpose? Of course it would be nice if they were good books also but their main purpose is to get me into the world.

Best regards,

Christoph

PS: I know my english isn´t flawless. Sorry for that.

The first thing that's probably going to be suggested is the "Gotrek and Felix"-series, starting with "Trollslayer". They're an entertaining read, but wind up a bit too high-fantasy compared to your usual WFRP game.

A better alternative, I feel, to get some real WFRP feeling is the "Blackheart" novels by Nathan Long: Link
They depict the kind of down-on-their-luck motley crew of reluctant adventurers you usually see in WFRP games.

I sure love novel questions! I started reading Warhammer Fantasy novels through a thread here.

Ralzar said:

I second that! I didn't read many novels so far, just the first Gotrek & Felix Omnibus, the Blackhearts Omnibus and half of the Witch Hunter Omnibus (which I also recommend, it centers more on everyday life on the Empire going wildly to the Chaos, and it has a 50's Horror Movie With Style feel to it). But, man, The Blackhearts got me dearly! I consider it great literature, and amazing in depicting the Warhammer World - even if it gets takes the reader to kinda of extreme situations, war-like ones, as it is appropriate to a story set just after the Storm of Chaos). But I heard through another thread it's kinda hard to get a new copy of it right now.

Also, I highly recommend the books that are written as they would actually exist in the world. You can find some pdfs for download, and email me if you need help with that (pedrolunaris at gmail dot com). I rejoiced with Darkness Rising and Blood on the Reik. And Felix actually reads The Loathsome Ratmen and Their Vile Kin when he and Gotrek are in Nuln in the second book of the series, Skavensalyer.

Good reading!

Tales of the Old Word is a series of short stories that include a few snippets from some of the larger books (but not so much you feel ripped off getting both). They give a good sampling of foes and situatons etc.

I really enjoyed the Witch Hunter series.

Felix and Gotrek are a good romp, a bit more beer and pretzels feel.

1. Tales from the Old World is probably the best for a variety of Warhammer stories. Start there.

2. Blackhearts Omnibus if you can find it.

3. Witch Hunter would be my third choice.

4. Gotrek and Felix is fun but not my preferred books for the world.

Thanks so far. I´ve just orderd "Tales of the world"...

Christoph

To be honest, I don't really think the warhammer novels are very well written; I find them a bit two dimensional and far too focussed on the tabletop game; also any humour in them is very laboured. That being said, I think the quality of the writing for the game-books on all editions editions is far higher. Fluff pieces abound, and give a nice pointers on the 'feel' of the world, and the narrative aspects of the game.

If your looking for books, you can't go wrong with fritz leiber, or hugh cook or any of the Virconium novels. Some of the after-action reports here aren't too shabby either.

I don't read much Warhammer Fantasy, I do however read a lot of fantasy. Now the Gotrek & Felix stories are old stompers and have been around for ages, Konrad is an interesting read about falling to Chaos.

For something not war hammer try Saladin Achmed's Throne of the Cresent Moon, for an Arabian feel, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell for some really cool magick and China Mieville's Kraken (for a look into cults).