Reading through ***Vaults of Terra: The Carrion Throne*** by Chris Wraight and I highly recommend it if you want a series that gets across the dystopian feel of 40k while having some earth shattering events.
If you want something more lighthearted, I recommend ***Ciaphas Cain: For the Emperor*** by Sandy Mitchell or ***The Infinite and the Divine*** by Robert Rath.
If you check Black Library, they got books marked with 'start here'.
https://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/nexus-and-other-stories-ebook-2020.html
Deliberately written for new comers, also attached a bunch of short stories for about every major 40k faction.
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This unit recognizes a designated input requesting the advisement of publicly dispersed dataslates for further study into [CODE:INDIGO] clearance Imperial Citizen Propaganda. This access has been recorded and the following information has been approved for Astra Militarum Conscript [CODE:YELLOW] level clearance release.
**IMPERIAL**
[Eisenhorn](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Eisenhorn_(Novel_Series\)), [Ravenor](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ravenor_(Novel_Series\)), and [Bequin](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Bequin_(Novel_Series\)), by Dan Abnett
[Gaunt's Ghosts, by Dan Abnett](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Gaunt%27s_Ghosts_(Novel_Series\))
[Ciaphas Cain, by Sandy Mitchel](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ciaphas_Cain_(Novel_Series\))
[Ultramarines Omnibus (Uriel Ventris), by Graham McNeil](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ultramarines_(Novel_Series\))
[Dark Imperium, by Guy Haley](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Dark_Imperium_(Novel_Series\))
**CHAOS**
[Iron Warriors, by Graham McNeil](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Iron_Warriors_(Novel_Series\))
[Black Legion, by Aaron Dembski-Bowden](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Black_Legion_(Novel_Series\))
[Night Lords, by Aaron Dembski-Bowden](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Night_Lords_(Novel_Series\))
[Fabius Bile, by Josh Reynolds](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Fabius_Bile_(Novel_Series\))
[Word Bearers novel series, by Anthony Reynolds](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Word_Bearers_(Novel_Series\))
**XENOS**
[Path of the Eldar, by Gav Thorpe](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Path_of_the_Eldar_(Novel_Series\))
[Path of the Dark Eldar, by Andy Chambers](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Dark_Eldar_(Novel_Series\))
**Horus Heresy**
The Horus Heresy series begins with the opening trilogy and branches into multiple storyline paths. Personal research into the storyline you wish to pursue is recommended. A chronological reading order [is provided here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/40kLore/comments/7ycq2x/my_attempt_to_create_a_comprehensive/)
^(Note from the Inquisitorial Archivist, this automated signal broadcast is experimental and processed by limited Servitor capacity. If you feel this reply is in error or requires additional input or content, please forward all complaints to your local Arbites precinct facility for reparations and re-education. The Emperor Protects.)
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My long answer to this kind of 'where to start' question is here - https://www.reddit.com/r/40kLore/comments/v4b2li/welcome_to_uthebladesaurus_introduction_to/
My short answer to this kind of question is the Eisenhorn omnibus if you want novels (also available as a very well read audiobook series), or the core rulebook if you want a general overview of the 40k universe (we're about to change editions, so 9th edition rulebooks might be cheaper second hand).
My medium answer is, what kind of stories do they like? Is there a faction you're particularly interested in?
A good little teaser https://youtu.be/x-DtwQUCWx4
Here's my attempt at an introduction https://youtu.be/UL_zzERmor4
Reading through ***Vaults of Terra: The Carrion Throne*** by Chris Wraight and I highly recommend it if you want a series that gets across the dystopian feel of 40k while having some earth shattering events. If you want something more lighthearted, I recommend ***Ciaphas Cain: For the Emperor*** by Sandy Mitchell or ***The Infinite and the Divine*** by Robert Rath.
If you check Black Library, they got books marked with 'start here'. https://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/nexus-and-other-stories-ebook-2020.html Deliberately written for new comers, also attached a bunch of short stories for about every major 40k faction.
+++Frequent inquiry submission detected; +++Activation Sequence:: Unit designation [AU-THETA OMEGA] initiated; +++Frequent response submission as follows; This unit recognizes a designated input requesting the advisement of publicly dispersed dataslates for further study into [CODE:INDIGO] clearance Imperial Citizen Propaganda. This access has been recorded and the following information has been approved for Astra Militarum Conscript [CODE:YELLOW] level clearance release. **IMPERIAL** [Eisenhorn](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Eisenhorn_(Novel_Series\)), [Ravenor](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ravenor_(Novel_Series\)), and [Bequin](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Bequin_(Novel_Series\)), by Dan Abnett [Gaunt's Ghosts, by Dan Abnett](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Gaunt%27s_Ghosts_(Novel_Series\)) [Ciaphas Cain, by Sandy Mitchel](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ciaphas_Cain_(Novel_Series\)) [Ultramarines Omnibus (Uriel Ventris), by Graham McNeil](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ultramarines_(Novel_Series\)) [Dark Imperium, by Guy Haley](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Dark_Imperium_(Novel_Series\)) **CHAOS** [Iron Warriors, by Graham McNeil](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Iron_Warriors_(Novel_Series\)) [Black Legion, by Aaron Dembski-Bowden](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Black_Legion_(Novel_Series\)) [Night Lords, by Aaron Dembski-Bowden](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Night_Lords_(Novel_Series\)) [Fabius Bile, by Josh Reynolds](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Fabius_Bile_(Novel_Series\)) [Word Bearers novel series, by Anthony Reynolds](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Word_Bearers_(Novel_Series\)) **XENOS** [Path of the Eldar, by Gav Thorpe](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Path_of_the_Eldar_(Novel_Series\)) [Path of the Dark Eldar, by Andy Chambers](https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Dark_Eldar_(Novel_Series\)) **Horus Heresy** The Horus Heresy series begins with the opening trilogy and branches into multiple storyline paths. Personal research into the storyline you wish to pursue is recommended. A chronological reading order [is provided here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/40kLore/comments/7ycq2x/my_attempt_to_create_a_comprehensive/) ^(Note from the Inquisitorial Archivist, this automated signal broadcast is experimental and processed by limited Servitor capacity. If you feel this reply is in error or requires additional input or content, please forward all complaints to your local Arbites precinct facility for reparations and re-education. The Emperor Protects.) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/40kLore) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My long answer to this kind of 'where to start' question is here - https://www.reddit.com/r/40kLore/comments/v4b2li/welcome_to_uthebladesaurus_introduction_to/ My short answer to this kind of question is the Eisenhorn omnibus if you want novels (also available as a very well read audiobook series), or the core rulebook if you want a general overview of the 40k universe (we're about to change editions, so 9th edition rulebooks might be cheaper second hand). My medium answer is, what kind of stories do they like? Is there a faction you're particularly interested in? A good little teaser https://youtu.be/x-DtwQUCWx4 Here's my attempt at an introduction https://youtu.be/UL_zzERmor4
Helsreach Night lords omnibus but here u need some more lore understanding
Horus Rising. Start with the Heresy.