Sister Alicia discovers her true destiny on hallowed Terra, and much else besides...

An evocative and terrifying first-hand view of one of the wonders of the Imperium, this is from Conquering_Light, one of the great writers at the Black Library forums. You can read his own thoughts on the piece at the end.

4,700 words
Story link >>

Brother Matthaias Vitrae of the Grey Knights must descend into hell to honour his brothers' sacrifice.

A fight scene is not a story. Here's the exception. Steeped in grim, gothic style, wreathed in authentic atmosphere and with some cracking, intelligent action, this is from Feil, one of the great writers at the Relic Studio forums. You can read his own thoughts on the piece at the end.

The artwork opposite is also by Feil.

1,900 words
Story link >>

In a nameless Abbey, a young novice prays for deliverance from the Orks outside - and more insidious threats within. What is the mysterious device deep within the Abbey and how can the fate of just one boy count in a galaxy of horrors?

Very different to the usual 40k fare, this makes it clear from the very beginning that it seeks territory beyond the usual bolters and chainswords. This is from Chun, one of the great writers at the Black Library forums (and elsewhere - see Chun's Corner in the Links section). You can read his own thoughts on the piece at the end

8,600 words
Story link >>

Just one more corpse in a bloody war...

Dealing with the aftermath of the violence rather than dwelling on the deed itself, this is a unique and mournful story with some memorable imagery. This is from Kammerice, one of the great writers at the Imperial Literature forums (and the Black Library). You can read his own thoughts on the piece at the end.

3,000 words
Story link >>

A dreadnaught of the Dark Angels Chapter goes into battle one more time. Is a lifetime of service about to come to an end?

The title says it all! A gripping, imaginative and action-packed take on a Dreadnaught, obsessed with time-worn thoughts of death and release. This is from Michael Boehm (aka zephyr40k), one of the great writers at the Black Library forums. You can read his own thoughts on the piece at the end.

6,700 words
Story link >>

Vix is one of the finest pit fighters on Arekkha, but can he survive the ambitions of his owner?

Truly superb stuff, with stellar fight sequences, atmosphere and attention to detail, make Pit King a must-read. This is from Graeme Stevenson (aka bad_badger), one of the great writers at the Black Library forums.

15,600 words
Story link >>

Here it is. Possibly the greatest undertaking in the history of Warhammer 40,000 fan-fiction. Lauded by the masses as one of the best 40k stories (and not just one of the best fan stories) ever, here it is in one single .rtf file for your reading pleasure.

Epic, galaxy-spanning stuff. This is from Robert Allen (aka Revenant), one of the great writers at the Black Library forums. You can read his own thoughts on the piece at the end.

202,000 words
Story link >>

A head-hopping trip through the main races of 40k, this is a cracking ride that you just don't want to end.

A real delight to read. Continually interesting, often thought-provoking and very well-written, this is by one of the great writers at the Relic forums Mvctar Avrelivs. You can read his thoughts on the piece at the end.

4,600 words
Story link >>

A twisted, psychedelic mad-house of a story, featuring an Inquisitor so exquisitely f*cked up you just can't help but want more.

There is so much that is good in this story, I don't know where to begin. The best fanfic character? No, scratch that - the best BL character I've ever read. Laugh-out-loud funny, insanely inventive and with a killer last line, this is by one of the great writers at the Black Library and Imperial Literature forums Launcifer.

7,800 words
Story link >>

Strange voices lead the mysterious Brother Junt into the Scour, and towards the terror that lies at its heart.

A beautifully realised, mysterious and characteristically twisted tale from Chun. There's a strange melancholy to the other-worldly madness on display in this story. Much to savour.

12,100 words
Story link >>