I did not expect episode 5 of Prime Video’s Secret Level to completely change what I would read next, but there I was, watching this dark, beautiful, brutal animated story set in the Warhammer 40k universe, absolutely hooked. The grimdark style, the raw intensity, the stunning visuals, and that morally messy story grabbed me immediately. Within hours, I had ordered Dan Abnett’s Eisenhorn trilogy.
What. A. Find.
Dan Abnett writes with a clarity that makes the impossible feel real. His writing is direct and punchy, never dragging where it should not, but rich enough to build a universe that feels lived-in and ancient. Following Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn through his decades-long career means watching someone’s principles slowly fall apart in the face of hard choices and survival. It is uncomfortable. It is gripping.
The world-building here is massive. A far-future humanity spread across the galaxy, worshipping an undying Emperor, hunting threats both alien and heretical. The magic system (or “psychic powers,” if you prefer) feels dangerous and wrong. The sci-fi parts, from huge hive cities to space travel through a nightmare alternate dimension, create a setting that is both medieval and futuristic.
But what surprised me most was how much feels relevant to our world today. The religious intensity, the failing institutions, the question of what happens when good people compromise in the name of doing what is necessary. Eisenhorn’s journey asks: when does protecting humanity mean betraying everything you believe? It is fiction, yes, but it reflects something real.
If you have been curious about Warhammer 40k but unsure where to start, this trilogy is perfect. It stands alone beautifully. And if, like me, an unexpected episode of television got you interested, I think you will find yourself just as absorbed.
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