Black Library was founded in 1997, so when I was originally painting Citadel miniatures in the mid-80′s the idea of reading detailed stories set in the realms of Warhammer and Warhammer 40K was a completely unknown one. When I returned to the hobby a couple of years ago then, it was a while until I was aware of the extensive range of novels, ebooks and audiobooks that Black Library has to offer. To be brutally honest, my first impression of these books was that they were probably a plethora of pulp fiction, written purely as money-making tie-ins to ride on the back of successful tabletop games.
I was very wrong.
I downloaded First And Only as an ebook for my Kindle for free when Black Library first starting releasing their books in a digital download format. With a list of books I was already working my way through, it took me some time to actually get around to reading it. The Warhammer 40,000 based novel has been my first experience of the quality of literature that Black Library has to offer, and I must admit I’m impressed. Ok, so it’s never going to be listed amongst the great classics, but the standard of writing is high and the story was both engaging and interesting. By focusing in on a few key characters in a single regiment of Imperial Guard, Dan Abnett has managed to highlight the seemingly insignificant frailities, limitations and often unnoticed acts of valour that humans display, amongst the vast sprawling chaos of war raging across a million worlds. And I’ll also admit that I’ve now become sympathetic enough towards the challenges facing the Tanith First And Only – ‘Gaunt’s Ghosts’ – that I know that this novel is just the first step for me in following their continuing exploits.
I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet savoured what Black Library has to offer to give at least one of their books a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.