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Quick answer: If you loved the Eisenhorn trilogy, read Dan Abnett's Ravenor and Horus Rising, then Dune, Hyperion, The Last Wish and Storm Front. All mix dark futures, mystery and grim heroes who fight forces they barely understand.
Dan Abnett's Eisenhorn trilogy, Xenos, Malleus and Hereticus, is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and follows Gregor Eisenhorn, an Inquisitor who hunts heretics and aliens, and slowly bends his own rules. It reads like a detective story in a gothic future. The books below offer similar gritty science fiction and fantasy adventures.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xenos | Dan Abnett | Adult | Eisenhorn start |
| Malleus | Dan Abnett | Adult | the second book |
| Hereticus | Dan Abnett | Adult | the third book |
| Ravenor | Dan Abnett | Adult | the spin-off |
| Horus Rising | Dan Abnett | Adult | Horus Heresy start |
| First and Only | Dan Abnett | Adult | Gaunt's Ghosts |
| Dune | Frank Herbert | Adult | political epic |
| Hyperion | Dan Simmons | Adult | epic pilgrimage |
| The Last Wish | Andrzej Sapkowski | Adult | monster-hunting stories |
| Storm Front | Jim Butcher | Adult | wizard detective |
| Gideon the Ninth | Tamsyn Muir | Adult | necromancers in space |
| The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie | Adult | gritty humour |
| Red Rising | Pierce Brown | Adult | brutal dystopia |
| Altered Carbon | Richard K. Morgan | Adult | noir and mind transfer |
| Leviathan Wakes | James S. A. Corey | Adult | space mystery |
1. Xenos by Dan Abnett
Inquisitor Eisenhorn hunts a dangerous artefact. Fast, dark and detailed.
Best for: Eisenhorn start.
2. Malleus by Dan Abnett
Eisenhorn faces enemies and his own choices. Bigger and more morally complex.
Best for: the second book.
3. Hereticus by Dan Abnett
The trilogy reaches its end. Dark and thoughtful.
Best for: the third book.
4. Ravenor by Dan Abnett
Inquisitor Ravenor, a disabled investigator, leads his own team. Intense and tactical.
Best for: the spin-off.
5. Horus Rising by Dan Abnett
The first book of the Horus Heresy, a huge story of the Imperium's civil war. Epic and grim.
Best for: Horus Heresy start.
6. First and Only by Dan Abnett
Colonel-Commissar Gaunt leads a regiment of soldiers. Gritty military science fiction.
Best for: Gaunt's Ghosts.
7. Dune by Frank Herbert
A noble family takes control of a desert planet. Dense, influential and thrilling.
Best for: political epic.
8. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Seven pilgrims tell their stories on the way to the Time Tombs. Ambitious and brilliant.
Best for: epic pilgrimage.
9. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
Geralt of Rivia, a witcher, hunts monsters. Dark, witty and political.
Best for: monster-hunting stories.
10. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden is a wizard private investigator in Chicago. A classic start to a long series.
Best for: wizard detective.
11. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
A swordswoman and a necromancer solve a mystery in a decaying palace. Witty and gothic.
Best for: necromancers in space.
12. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
A barbarian, a torturer and a vain officer are drawn into a conflict. Dark and funny.
Best for: gritty humour.
13. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
A miner on Mars infiltrates the elite. Fast and violent.
Best for: brutal dystopia.
14. Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
A soldier is resleeved to solve a murder. Gritty and fast.
Best for: noir and mind transfer.
15. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
A detective and a ship's officer find a conspiracy across the solar system. The start of The Expanse.
Best for: space mystery.
How to Choose
For more Abnett begin with Ravenor, then Horus Rising or First and Only. For epic science fiction choose Dune or Hyperion. For monster-hunting pick The Last Wish. For urban fantasy detectives read Storm Front. For gothic tone try Gideon the Ninth. Eisenhorn is easiest to enjoy if you read the trilogy in order, and no previous Warhammer knowledge is needed. Eisenhorn is widely considered one of the best entry points to Warhammer 40,000 fiction, because it is a clear detective story with a brooding hero. Audiobooks are available, with strong narration. Eisenhorn works well as a bridge between science fiction and detective fiction. If you want more of the detective side, Ravenor is the next step. If you want more of the war side, Gaunt's Ghosts and the Horus Heresy are huge. If you want something outside Warhammer, Hyperion and Dune have the same sense of a vast, strange future. Libraries often have the Black Library books. Readers new to Warhammer 40,000 can still enjoy Abnett without any background.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eisenhorn about?
An Inquisitor hunts heretics and aliens across a gothic far future.
Who wrote it?
Dan Abnett.
Do I need to know Warhammer 40,000?
No, the books explain what you need.
What are the books in the trilogy?
Xenos, Malleus and Hereticus.
Is it violent?
Yes, with brutal combat and dark themes.
Are there sequels?
Yes, including Pariah, which continues Eisenhorn's story.
What is an Inquisitor?
A secret investigator who serves the Imperium and hunts threats.
What should I read next?
Try Ravenor or Horus Rising.
Where should I start with Warhammer 40,000 fiction?
Many fans recommend Xenos or First and Only.
Are the books related to the tabletop game?
Yes, they are set in the same universe, but you do not need to play to enjoy them.
Is Eisenhorn a good starting point for Warhammer fiction?
Yes, it is often recommended because it works as a stand-alone detective story.
Who narrates the audiobooks?
Toby Longworth narrates the Eisenhorn audiobooks, which fans praise.