While the cynic might tell you that every Black Library book is technically a tie-in novel, since it effectively functions as a marketing arm for Games Workshop products, the term “tie-in” in the modern context has a much narrower definition. The term specifically refers to books that are released to “tie in” to a specific tabletop wargaming product launch, typically the introduction of a new edition.
By way of illustration, here’s a pocket history of the last several expansions.
Dark Imperium, by Guy Haley
Year: 2017
Tabletop Edition: 8th
Summary: “Fell times have come to the galaxy. Cadia has fallen, destroyed by the onslaught of Chaos. A Great Rift in the warp has opened and from its depths spew daemons and the horrors of Old Night. But all hope is not lost...
“A hero, long absent, has returned and with him comes the wrath of the Ultramarines reborn. Roboute Guilliman has arisen to lead the Imperium out of darkness on a crusade the likes of which has not been seen since the fabled days of the Emperor. But never before have the forces of Ruin amassed in such numbers, and nowhere is safe from despoliation.
“From the dreaded Scourge Stars come the hordes of the Plaguefather, Lord Nurgle, and their pustulent eye is fixed on Macragge. As the Indomitas Crusade draws to an end, Guilliman races to Ultramar and a confrontation with the Death Guard.”
Indomitus, by Gav Thorpe
Year: 2020
Tabletop Edition: 9th
Summary: “For nearly ten years, the Indomitus Crusade has waged a war of defiance and reconquest in the war-torn Imperium. Attached to Crusade Fleet Quintus – dubbed the Cursed Fleet by many – the Ultramarines of the Ithraca’s Vengeance are drawn to a stricken world. With millions enslaved, a malign necron technology siphons the souls of the innocent and heralds the Silent Kingdom’s expansion. The Ultramarines face an impossible decision: mount a desperate last stand to destroy the Pariah Nexus, or break away and damn the entire sector to bring word of this ancient foe’s resurgence to the only being capable of halting it – the Lord Primarch Roboute Guilliman.”
Leviathan, by Darius Hinks
Year: 2023
Edition: 10th
Summary: “‘The dream.... it is a portent... of the end.’
“The fortress world of Regium has a proud history, For millennia, it has endured when others have fallen to ruin and damnation, standing defiant in defence of the Imperium of Man. But now it is shaken. Parasitic plagues run rampant, and Regium’s citizens are haunted by dreams of horrific monsters feasting upon their flesh and marrow.
“Lieutenant Castamon of the Ultramarines recognises these signs of an impending Tyranid invasion all too well. Rallying his warriors, the battle-hardened veteran launches a strike force to slaughter the xenos in the outer system, before it can reach Regium. But as this new tendril of Hive Fleet Leviathan proves unpredictable and deadly, Castamon and the First Company must harness all their skill, might, and zeal, or face utter annihilation.”
This brings us to the most recent installment, the newly-revealed Armageddon: Season of Fire. Warhammer Community posted a short interview this week with author Jude Reid, who noted that “from the start, this novel was always going to be a love letter to Armageddon throughout the ages.”
Armageddon: Season of Fire, by Jude Reid
Year: 2026
Edition: 11th
Summary: “Armageddon is dying. Hive Tartarus will fall. In Armageddon: Season of Fire, Major Ambrosius Roth of the Steel Legion, Sister Superior Sabreen of the Order of Our Martyred Lady, and Brother Gavriel of the Blood Angels face impossible choices as they try to hold back the Ork advance.
“This is a look at one of the key battles on Armageddon and how it’s been fought over the generations, told from three perspectives – Astra Militarum, Adepta Sororitas, and Space Marines.”
These tie-ins aren’t exclusive to the grim, dark future either, as books like Gary Kloster’s Skaventide (Age of Sigmar 4th Edition), Dominion by Darius Hinks (3rd Edition), and Harrowdeep by David Annandale (Warhammer Underworlds) can attest to.
The other thing we can glean from looking at the past pattern of tie-ins is that we’re highly likely to see a Special Edition of Armageddon: Season of Fire on offer here as well before too long.
May’s Black Library Giveaway
I had a lot of fun writing the latest Heroes of the Black Library installment over on Tabletop Battles this week, featuring one of Gotrek Gurnesson’s sidekicks that graduated into her own novel. It’s a deep dive into Maleneth Witchblade, from the novels we see her character grow and develop, the tabletop miniature, and even some ideas for decorating your library!
That’s why this month’s giveaway is a new paperback copy of Ghoulslayer, by Darius Hinks! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment below answering the following question:
Which Age of Sigmar character would you love to see as a one-off Gotrek sidekick, and why?
One line will do, I’m not asking for the Great American Novel here (unless you’re happy to write it!). And if you don’t have one, that’s okay too, I’ll take that answer too.
I’ll pick a random comment this coming Sunday and voila, a winner is you!
In my last giveaway, there was a question about whether the giveaway was open to folks outside the US. YES, the Black Library is a global community, and I’m happy to send a bit of Gotrek & Maleneth to wherever you may be.
Judging a Book by its Cover
Back in April of last year, Jude Reid’s Fulgrim: The Perfect Son arrived in both standard hardcover and a satin-covered Special Edition. As I talked about in detail here, many were surprised at just how incredible the Special Edition looked, after the official Games Workshop pictures hadn’t appeared to capture it’s rich texturing and hue.
Since then I’ve paid closer attention to books “that look better in person,” and found another one this week with Justin Woolley’s Da Freebooterz Code. I wasn’t particularly impressed with it when I ordered it, but once I got in in hand it was a completely different story.
This cover pops, and it’s gone from being something that would be filed away in the library to something I’d like to display in the Museum’s eventual Ork display.
Up for Preorder
It’s another Wallet Appreciation Week this week, as no Black Library books are up for preorder. There was much rejoicing!
ICYMI
This week on the Black Library Dispatch, I took a look at James Swallow’s Nemesis as part of my Audio Impressions series- the occasional feature where I discuss not only the book I’ve finished listening to, but share thoughts about the performance of the voice talent as well. Nemesis has a bit of a bad reputation, but is it deserved? I certainly didn’t think so.
And if that’s not enough, ‘Keeble phlegm’ gets a mention as well.
For those who enjoy Warhammer role-playing games in addition to their Black Library reading, this week’s Warhammer RPG SITREP covered Cubicle 7 Games’ appearance on WarhammerTV this week.
I also had a couple of pieces this week at my other home, Tabletop Battles. In addition to the feature on Malaneth Witchblade, I reviewed the recent anthology Carnage Unending. And while it’s not at all Black Library related, our literary reviewer Lenoon posted the next installment in his Warhound series that’s absolutely worth a read.
Over on the mothership, the latest Pages from the Black Books downloads focuses on the Raven Guard in the aftermath of Isstvan V. Then around the webway the Lorebeards interviewed David Guymer (Verminslayer, Lion El’Jonson: Lord of the First), Jordan Sorcery’s Book Club revisited the Codex: Armageddon.
A quieter than usual week here, too!
Quick Hits
Josh Reynolds (Kal Jerico: Sinner’s Bounty, Manflayer) shared that the Oldhammer Fiction Podcast had turned one of his Turnip tales into an audio narration.
Fission is an annual anthology produced by the British Science Fiction Association, and Mike Brooks (Ghost Legion, Voidscarred) will have a short story, Remembrance, in the next issue this Summer!
Brandon Easton (Embers of Extinction) shared that Takeover, a ,movie he co-wrote starring Billy Zane and Quavo, opened in theaters this week.
Coming Attractions
Here’s a list of the known upcoming releases from the Black Library based on the available preorder information we have. As always, take all of this with a grain of salt unless it’s Games Workshop-confirmed.
This section will be updated weekly in this column, and anything in bold has been added (or updated) this week.
Upcoming but Undated
Hive, by Dan Abnett (Limited Edition)
Rynn’s World, by Steve Parker (Special Edition)
Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh! (Illustrated and Annotated Edition), by Nate Crowley
Armageddon: Season of Fire, by Jude Reid
Current PODs in Production
None
Upcoming in 2026
Hive, by Dan Abnett (hardcover, 5/16)
Horus Rising, by Dan Abnett (paperback, 6/2)
Tomb World, by Jonathan Beer (paperback, 6/30)
The Remnant Blade, by Mike Vincent (paperback, 6/30)
Voidscarred, by Mike Brooks (paperback, 6/30)
Krakenblood, by Marc Collins (paperback, 7/14)
Vagabond Squadron, by Robbie MacNiven (paperback, 7/14)
Starseer’s Ruin, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (paperback, 7/14)
Siege of Terra: Flames of Betrayal, by various (paperback, 7/28)
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: The Ultimate Guide (hardcover, 8/4)
Archmagos, by Guy Haley (paperback, 8/11)
The Relentless Dead, by Steve Lyons (paperback, 8/11)
Words of Waaagh!, by DK Books (hardcover, 10/1)
Thanks again for joining me for all the going’s on in the Black Library, and see you next week!
For the record, I'm not posting this to take part in the giveaway as I've already owned a copy of Ghoulslayer (since replaced by the omnibus edition), but figured I'd still get in on the fun.
And we have a to go with the obvious - Gotrek finding himself paired with Teclis (you can even imaghoine the dialogue can't you; "Well I see that the standards for aquiring godhood in these Mortal Realms is just as dissapointing as everything else has been")
This is made even funnier as I *think* that Teclis is currently somewhat lessened in strength after staving of Nagash & Arkhan's machinations, so can't just handwave Gotrek away....
Gotrek finding himself in a desperate situation where he has to partner with Thanquol would be quite entertaining in the right hands. The Gotrek and Thanquol Series.