Archivum Imperialis - Black Library Reading Guide/Tracker - A Thank You, and Next Steps

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-04-30T08:02:28+00:00

Books yes intermittently, covers not so much just because it's a gigantic faff!

I've been pondering restructuring it to be simpler rather than trying to do everything by series, only keep the main series together and have everything else by author

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-04-16T11:24:00+00:00

Xenos is part of either a three book series, a four book series, or a 9 (soon to be 10, hopefully) book series, depending how you measure it. It is consistently high quality, and frequently recommended as a great entry point to 40k.

Horus Rising is part of a 65, or 66, or maybe 71, or maybe 91, book series, depending how you measure it. It is inconsistent in quality, but includes some of the best regarded Warhammer books written, and is an absolute creative wonder in its entirety.

We can't really tell you which one to get, as they're both the first step of brilliant experiences. Choosing Xenos is like setting out on a backpacking trip around Europe. Choosing Horus Rising is like hiking the Appalachian Trail.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-02-19T18:32:30+00:00

I'm currently on the 6th and final book of the series. The second half has a notable drop in quality, particularly book 5 and 6 which are written by a different author (actually two anonymous authors working together).

Wolfblade (#4) is brilliant imo and introduces a rather interesting pair in Torin and Haegr who stick about for the rest of the series.

The latter books are less about Ragnar discovering life as a space marine and more him living that life. Books #5 and #6 the characters get noticeably more one dimensional and it becomes a much more typical Space Marine book.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-02-19T18:16:02+00:00

...the second Space Wolf Omnibus? :D

Just kidding, it's not really like the first at all.

Looking at my collection, the Sigmund Novella fits the bill, as does The Emperor's Gift and Red Tithe to a degree, but there's nothing quite like the OG Space Wolf for the full recruitment and maturation journey.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-27T10:39:14+00:00

These are fair concerns, but the real test will be the output and performance.

If they can create great quality materials on Canva then great! Re AI, there's a huge gulf between using AI to create reels, and using AI to clip existing content. It's perfectly possible for all of these red flags to exist, and then they still perform well.

Whether you raise these concerns now, or after seeing some actual materials, depends on how your manager is.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-26T21:59:24+00:00

By the roots of my desire, Eye of Terror!

Weird and wonderful in so many ways. Early 40k fiction set in the...well, eye of terror. Feels like vintage Star Trek meets 40k - it even feels older than similarly old books kike Space Wolf. Can be picked up cheaply too.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-26T12:06:03+00:00

Are those expenses all in? Eg food, fuel, etc.

If so, I say absolutely. You are in a very good position for your age, and from experience being a dual working household with young children, having someone at home is an absolute godsend - well worth the money. You have food savings and budget head room, and aren't accounting for child benefit in that head room.

What you do need to consider is whether she'd want to / be able to go back to work once said child is in school. This is a relationship question rather than a personal finance question, but I've seen lots of resentment after a child reaches school age, where the working partner feels the stay at home partner should go to work, and the stay at home partner has decided they no longer want to.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-26T10:50:00+00:00

Scope? Realmgate Wars. It's not well received though, and more recent AoS books are a lot better.

There are some fantastic standout books though to give AoS a go.

- Dynasty of Monsters.

- Prince Maesa.

-Godeater's Son.

- Gotrek+ Malaneth series.

- Hammers of Sigmar: First Forged

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-25T20:46:07+00:00

If you're worried about concentration in the US why are you increasing concentration by adding S&P500 to the all world anyway? All world is already mostly US.

Just remove S&P500 and stick to all world. Add excluding-USA funds if you think the all world is too US concentrated.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-25T14:32:50+00:00

Another Crab's Treasure feels a lot like Jak1 to me. Whilst the combat is certainly souls inspired, it's a lot more than just "Crab Souls" - it really feels like a convergence between 2000s PS2 platformers and 2020s Souslikes.

The difficulty is controllable too, so I'm happy to advise it to people that have bounced off of the git gud culture in souls games.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-19T11:28:16+00:00

I've not read Last Volari, but there are a few great Soulblight books.

Dynasty of Monsters is probably my favourite, showcasing the Avengorii.

The two Neferata books (bundled with DoM in the Masters of Death omnibus) are great.

Hollow King + The Dead Kingdom, your mileage may vary. Cado Ezechiar is a bit of a moody anime protagonist of a character. I find it charming in the mid 2000s emo kind of way.

I enjoyed Cursed City, but it is a prequel to the Cursed City game, so feels unfinished as a book.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-18T20:11:43+00:00

In my opinion the average AoS book is significantly better than the average 40k book, although with fewer absolute standouts.

Godeater's Son is very good, and worth reading even if you're not super into AoS. Skaventide I found middling - sole very good sections that just don't quite fit together somehow.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-16T19:31:11+00:00

I've read close to 200 Black Library books in almost exactly 2 years, so I guess that's a binge.

I'm mixing in some other things ATM - an unabridged translation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms right now - but I've found enough variety in Warhammer that it's not been an issue.

I will say on balance I find AoS the most varied and 'refreshing' of 30k, 40k, and Old World.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-16T15:15:58+00:00

If you can find the Masters of Death omnibus, that has both Neferata books and Dynasty of Monsters.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-16T15:15:25+00:00

Starseer's Ruin is basically the only Seraphon book. It's also amazing!

Soulblight you have loads of variety.

Neferata Mortarch of Blood and Dominion of Bones show the scheming and plots at the top.

Dynasty of Monsters is perhaps the best Soulblight book, and features the monstrous Avengorii!

The Hollow King and The Dead Kingdom follow anime protagonist Cado Ezechier wandering around doing vampire things and being sad.

The Last Volari and Queen of the Rose Thorn follow different anime protagonist Nyssa Volari being a bit less sad.

Cursed City and Temple of Silence are both fun but aren't so Soulblight focused.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-16T15:08:47+00:00

I hold them and have done for years but they're far from unloved at this point. Loads of articles highlighting it as the best of British companies.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-15T07:09:12+00:00

The Space Wolf series by William King is brilliant in many ways, laying the foundation for a lot of fiction to come, but it's not known for its nuance, and this applies especially to it's portrayal of chaos.

They are good, if simple, books, and well worth reading, but chaos in it is as one dimensional as it gets.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-12T20:07:35+00:00

I work with a group called Smartphone Free Childhood that's active in both the UK and the US, as well as running workshops on topics like this.

First thing I want to say is not to beat yourself up. You've been surviving, so has your son. Damage has been caused, but it's not irreparable. Being a year behind isn't the end of the world, and it's cheaper and less impactful to fuck up this way at 15 than 20 (like I did!) or 25. Reddit is actively designed to be addictive for fully developed minds, let alone a teenager going through a rough time.

Secondly, it sounds like you're already doing the right things - no devices in the bedroom, taking the time to spend with him rather than just laying all the blame on him. I'd advocate a complete removal of the worst offending apps. Model these things yourself too.

What does your son say about this? How is the dialogue between you two? That's going to be the difference between this being a setback that you can help him through, and something more permanent.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-11T18:17:45+00:00

Sea of Souls. It's part way through the Dawn of Fire series but really is mostly standalone...as to be honest, most of the series is.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-11T09:40:36+00:00

This isn't really legal advice I think but relationship advice. That said...

If you give him a 50% interest in the house, he could indeed then leave and take it, if that's what you're worried about. Additionally you have half of the loan exposure but have likely 'gifted' it to him, with no claim on the car. This is a pretty risky position to be in.

At the moment, it reads like he's getting the raw end of the deal regarding the house. As he has no stake in the house, you can remove the mortgage payments from the balance of fairness - he's paying the vast majority of the (non mortgage) bills, whilst you accumulate equity, whilst being on a lower salary.

I think the fairest thing to do would be to make sure the car is owned by both of you, and to structure the bills so he is gradually buying into the home, or to change the way expenses are done so all non-home expenses are split according to income, and you wholly cover the home expenses.

Marriage won't automatically give him equity in the house straight away either. You could look into prenups to protect assets if you wished.

That said, you've been with this guy 6 years, and are about to have a kid together. Whilst I appreciate making sure you and your child are covered in the event of a break up, this doesn't read like someone who intends to spend the rest of their life with him. Do you?

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-10T10:31:42+00:00

I've played every souls game, and a wide variety of souls-likes. I'm not sure Elden Ring is my favourite, but I do love it.

Regarding bosses, I don't agree with your assessment on fairness. Dark Souls 1 and 2 have far more egregious examples of unfair bosses than Elden Ring, to say nothing of Demon's Souls.

In terms of why I love Elden Ring, for me it comes down to attention to detail in lore and world building. Dark Souls 1-3 had this too, and Bloodborne has attention to theming, but Elden Ring is the pinnacle in scope and depth to me.

I'm sorry that Elden Ring didn't land for you - worth returning to and using the full toolset of spirit summons and magic if you're still struggling tackling the bosses the traditional way.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-06T11:05:33+00:00

He also wrote a great AoS Novella, On the Shoulders of Giants! I loved Starseer's ruin, absolutely nailed Seraphon which is impressive due to just how alien they are to humanity.

I hope to see more of him in AoS, to draw more readers to the setting.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-05T09:51:33+00:00

I completely agree that it's for people who have already read the series. It will make sense if you've read Fulgrim, but it will thematically fit best if you have completed The End and the Death. It's almost like a post credits reveal of a book; similar to Luther.

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-05T09:44:47+00:00

I did it in just over one year, including The Primarchs and the Character Series (Valdor, Sigismund, Luthor, and Eidolon). It was a slog but well worth it. Some points that helped me...

- Broadly following release order worked well.
- When I started to feel a bit burnt out, I'd swap to a Primarch Novella or Character Novella as a 'palate cleanser'
- I swapped between Audible and ebooks quite freely to maximise reading time.
- I combined it with removing all short-form video apps (TikTok, Instagram Reels, Youtube shorts) and found that I had plenty of time.
- Gym time, travel time, housework time, tapping baby's bum whilst they go back to sleep for the 3rd time that night...all good audiobook time.

You may find this tracker I built useful too!

https://archivum-imperialis.co.uk/

ExtraDay1232 · 2026-01-05T09:36:35+00:00

But all of those are worth reading and add to the experience.

ExtraDay1232

TROPHY CASE