Are you looking for audiobooks in the Warhammer 40k Universe? Warhammer 30k? The Horus Heresy epoch? Audiobooks are a great listen while you work on your miniatures and models. Additionally, they are great for taking the tedium out of a long drive or flight. For a long time, Games Workshop’s digital books and audiobooks were embargoed from third-party distribution. But, times have changed!
You can get a huge number of Black Library books and audiobooks through Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited (digital books) or Audible (free or discounted audiobooks). Some of these books are free with a subscription trial.
Warhammer Audio Books: Games Workshop Lore On-Demand
I’ve had an Audible subscription for more than five years. I’m really excited that my subscription will allow me to download GW Black Library audiobooks.
If you’ve been following the industry, then you know that Games Workshop books have always been expensive, especially the audiobooks. This is particularly true when you try to get them directly from the Black Library website.
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Books Now or Never?
I’m not sure how long Games Workshop will allow their books to remain discounted on Audible or Kindle. They are never on sale elsewhere.
Hey, GW may even add more audiobooks, which would be incredible! I’m not sure, of course, but I’ll be sticking it out with the books available now.
Any stories authored by Dan Abnett or related to the lore of the Imperial Fist Space Marine chapter is right up my alley (e.g., The Beast Rises series).
Return Policy (Satisfaction Always): Audible has a really liberal return-policy. If you finish listening to an entire book but aren’t happy with it, you can get a full refund. No questions asked. I’ve listened through a few chapters of several books and easily returned them, because I couldn’t get hooked to the story. They really want you to be fully-satisfied with the books you collect.
There are literally hundreds of hours of bonafide 40k audiobooks to listen to. You can learn more about the Audible 2 free book deal and sign up here for a 30-day free trial.
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I’m certain to have missed a few favorites in the list below. I choose the books in this list based on their excellent ratings and reviews from readers/listeners.
Granted, some books aren’t even available as audiobooks, yet.
I’ll be on the lookout though and will update as I get more information. Please comment below with any book suggestions!
Now on to the list of the 116 audiobooks.
If there’s a book series and only a digital book or hardcopy available, I note this next to the title.
Horus Heresy Series (all 55 books)
The Horus Heresy is a time period in the fictional Warhammer Universe. As with other stories in the the genre, the atmosphere is dark and grim. An epic intergalactic saga unfolds through The Horus Heresy.
The places and characters are never at peace; always in conflict, and political strife abound. The Horus Heresy series of the books lays the first foundation for understanding human history in the dystopian Warhammer Universe.
At its core, The Horus Heresy revolves around the civil war that happens before the Warhammer 40,000 lore. Also known as the Warhammer 30k period, The Horus Heresy epoch begins with the Chaos force plot to over throw the Imperium’s leader, the Emperor of Man.
The key figures in The Horus Heresy are super-human soldiers, genetically engineered to win. Victory at all costs. However, during this period, these space warriors divide themselves into two factions: Those Loyal to the Emperor, and those who betray Him, theTraitors.
Hence, the struggle….and tragedy.
The following are books in the Warhammer 30k Universe.
1. Horus Rising: The Horus Heresy, Book 1
2. False Gods: The Horus Heresy, Book 2
3. Galaxy in Flames: The Horus Heresy, Book 3
4. The Flight of The Eisenstein: The Horus Heresy, Book 4
5. Fulgrim: The Horus Heresy, Book 5
6. Descent of Angels: The Horus Heresy, Book 6
7. Legion: The Horus Heresy, Book 7
8. Battle for the Abyss: The Horus Heresy, Book 8
9. Mechanicum: The Horus Heresy, Book 9
10. Tales of Heresy: The Horus Heresy, Book 10
11. Fallen Angels: The Horus Heresy, Book 11
12. A Thousand Sons: The Horus Heresy, Book 12
13. Nemesis: The Horus Heresy, Book 13
14. The First Heretic: The Horus Heresy, Book 14
15. Prospero Burns: The Horus Heresy, Book 15
16. Age of Darkness: The Horus Heresy, Book 16
17. The Outcast Dead: The Horus Heresy, Book 17
18. Deliverance Lost: The Horus Heresy, Book 18
19. Know No Fear: The Horus Heresy, Book 19
20. The Primarchs: The Horus Heresy, Book 20
21. Fear to Tread: The Horus Heresy, Book 21
22. Shadows of Treachery: The Horus Heresy, Book 22
23. Angel Exterminatus: The Horus Heresy, Book 23
24. Betrayer: The Horus Heresy, Book 24
25. Mark of Calth: The Horus Heresy, Book 25
26. Vulkan Lives: The Horus Heresy, Book 26
27. The Unremembered Empire: The Horus Heresy, Book 27
28. Scars: The Horus Heresy, Book 28
29. Vengeful Spirit: The Horus Heresy, Book 29
30. The Damnation of Pythos: The Horus Heresy, Book 30
31. Legacies of Betrayal: Let the Galaxy Burn, Book 31 (Kindle Digital)
32. Deathfire: The Horus Heresy, Book 32
33. War Without End: The Horus Heresy, Book 33
34. Pharos: The Horus Heresy, Book 34
35. Eye of Terra: The Horus Heresy, Book 35
36. The Path of Heaven: The Horus Heresy, Book 36
37. The Silent War: The Horus Heresy, Book 37
38. Angels of Caliban: The Horus Heresy, Book 38
39. Praetorian of Dorn: The Horus Heresy, Book 39
40. Corax: The Horus Heresy, Book 40
41. The Master of Mankind: The Horus Heresy, Book 41
42. Garro: The Horus Heresy, Book 42
43. Shattered Legions: The Horus Heresy, Book 43
44. The Crimson King: The Horus Heresy, Book 44
45. Tallarn: The Horus Heresy, Book 45
46. Ruinstorm: The Horus Heresy, Book 46
47. Old Earth: The Horus Heresy, Book 47
48. The Burden of Loyalty: The Horus Heresy, Book 48
49. Wolfsbane: The Horus Heresy, Book 49
50. Born of Flame: The Horus Heresy, Book 50
51. Slaves to Darkness: The Horus Heresy, Book 51
52. Heralds of the Siege: The Horus Heresy, Book 52
53. Titandeath: The Horus Heresy, Book 53
54. The Buried Dagger: The Horus Heresy, Book 54
55. Siege of Terra: The Solar War, Book 55
The Horus Heresy: Primarchs Series
The Primarchs are the 20 genetically-engineered progeny of the Emperor. They are super human creations formed from the genotypic material of the mysterious leader of the Imperium, the Emperor.
Primarchs are far superior in every way to a normal human. They are extremely tall, strong, durable, agile, and have very high intelligence. Interestingly, along with a Primarch’s physical traits, they also have a charisma which make them ideal leaders. They served as Generals and Commanders in the Imperial army.
Each Primarch had a specialized unique skill and talent that made them particularly suited to specific tasks they performed for the Emperor. The Primarchs also had their own progeny, and whose genetical material forged the famed Space Marine chapters (also known as the Adeptus Astartes). Compared to a Primarch, however, a Space Marine was a mere shadow in terms of prowess in battle.
As the stories of The Primarchs take place during The Horus Heresy time period, the conflict between the Loyalists and Traitor legions play a major role in the narratives.
These are the stories of when demi-gods prowled the grim-dark Universe….and changed History.
56. Roboute Guilliman: Primarchs
57. Leman Russ: The Great Wolf: Primarchs
58. Magnus the Red: Primarchs
59. Perturabo: The Hammer of Olympia: Primarchs
60. Lorgar: Bearer of the Word: Primarchs
61. Fulgrim: The Palatine Phoenix (Kindle Digital)
62. Ferrus Manus: Primarchs
63. Jaghatai Khan: Warhawk of Chogoris
64. Vulkan: Lord of Drakes
65. Corax: Lord of Shadows: Primarchs
66. Sons of the Emperor (Kindle Digital)
67. The Lords of Terra
68. Angron: Slave of Nuceria
69. Konrad Curze: The Night Haunter (Hardcopy)
The Beast Arises (12 Books)
The Beast Arises Book series is a collection of novels published by the Black Library. It is the biggest literary event for Games Workshop, second only to The Horus Heresy.
There are 12 novels in the series. The narrative follows the Imperial War against the Powerful Ork race in the Warhammer Universe.
The story begins 1,500 Terran/Earth years following the end of the Horus Heresy. This makes this storyline follow quite nicely from that epoch in the Warhammer History timeline.
The Imperium is at peace with the ever watchful Space Marines guarding the galaxy. There is certainly infighting within the Imperium, but it is calm compared to the storms of the past rebellion.
However, lurking out there, in the darkness of the universe…the Orks have come back. They are more powerful than ever before—the question now remains: Can the Imperium of Man hope to survive the coming onslaught when The Beast Arises?
70. I Am Slaughter: The Beast Arises, Book 1
71. Predator Prey: The Beast Arises, Book 2
72. The Emperor Expects: The Beast Arises, Book 3
73. The Last Wall: The Beast Arises, Book 4
74. Throneworld: The Beast Arises, Book 5
75. Echoes of the Long War: The Beast Arises, Book 6
76. The Hunt For Vulkan: The Beast Arises, Book 7
77. The Beast Must Die: The Beast Arises, Book 8
78. Watchers In Death: The Beast Arises, Book 9
79. The Last Son of Dorn: The Beast Arises, Book 10
80.Shadow of Ullanor: The Beast Arises, Book 11
81. The Beheading: The Beast Arises, Book 12
Other Recommended Books
If you’re browsing for other Warhammer Universe books, then you’ll find a lot more on audible. Of course, you may not find everything on audible but these are an excellent selection. Although I’ve searched for the Eisenhorn: Omnibus audiobook, it it may not be a compilation you can download free as you would the individual novels.
82. Space Marine Conquests: Apocalypse: Warhammer 40,000
83. Shadowbreaker: Warhammer 40,000
84. Dark Imperium: Plague War: Warhammer 40,000
85. The Lords Of Silence: Warhammer 40,000
86. The Magos: Warhammer 40,000
87. Watchers of the Throne: The Emperor’s Legion
88. The Devastation of Baal: Warhammer 40,000
89. Helsreach: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Battles
90. Overfiend: Warhammer 40,000
91. Blades of Damocles: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Battles
92. Crusade + Other Stories: Warhammer 40,000
93. Dante: Warhammer 40,000
94. Blood of Iax: Warhammer 40,000
95. The Carrion Throne: Warhammer 40,000: Vaults of Terra, Book 1
96. Ciaphas Cain: For the Emperor: Warhammer 40,000
97. Xenos: Warhammer 40,000: Eisenhorn, Book 1
98. Ravenor: Warhammer 40,000
99. Hunger: Warhammer 40,000
100. Damocles: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Battles
101. Fabius Bile: Primogenitor: Warhammer 40,000
102. Fabius Bile: Clonelord: Warhammer 40,000
103. The Talon of Horus: Warhammer 40,000: Black Legion, Book 1
104. Black Legion: Warhammer 40,000: Black Legion, Book 2
105. Pandorax: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Battles
106. Spear of the Emperor: Warhammer 40,000
Ciaphas Cain (10 Book Series)
The Ciaphas Cain series, authored by Sandy Mitchell, comprises a set of science fiction novels situated in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Centered around the titular character, Ciaphas Cain, the series delves into the life of an Imperial Commissar serving the Imperial Guard, renowned for his diverse and vibrant career.
The novels take the form of Cain’s personal, often meandering notes, which were later transformed into a cohesive narrative, enriched with footnotes and excerpts from other sources following his demise. These documents were subsequently made accessible to the Holy Inquisition, with Inquisitor Amberley Vail of the Ordo Xenos, a key figure in the stories and Cain’s long-standing associate, credited as the editor.
107. For the Emperor – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 1
108. Caves of Ice – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 2
109. The Traitor’s Hand – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 3
110. Death or Glory – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 4
111. Duty Calls – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 5
112. Cain’s Last Stand – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 6
113. The Emperor’s Finest – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 7
114. The Last Ditch – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 8
115. The Greater Good – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 9
116. Choose Your Enemies – Ciaphas Cain: Warhammer 40,000, Book 10
Conclusion
Audiobooks are a great way to take the tedium out of your commute, or simply to listen while you work on your miniatures and models. Whether you’re looking for Warhammer 40k audiobooks, Warhammer 30k audiobooks, or The Horus Heresy epoch audiobooks, we’ve got you covered!
I hope you found this overview helpful. There are certainly a lot more stories in the Universe. The Warp is an endless source of tales, and who knows what else awaits us in the vastness of space? Until next time, may the Emperor protect you (or haunt you).
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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Would love to listen to all them so good the series
How is it an “updated” list? Where are the other 9 Ciaphas Cain books?
It’s been updated! Thank you!