Any good books to read to help understand this era?

[Archon]

I've read just a few of the Horus Heresy novels and I realize thats far far far before the events of Martyr. One thing that struck me as curious is why my Inquisitor is constantly referring to a Space Marine as a godlike being of almost worship status.

I was just under the assumption there were many chapters out there roaming around with millions of Space Marines doing the Imperium's work.

[Hobo Elf]

Since most WH40k games are Space Marine centric you get this idea that they'd be everywhere, but this isn't true. Most normal people, even Inquisitors who are more out there than other humans, will never see any Xenos or daemons, they won't even see a Space Marine. To them they are mythical creatures of great worship since they are rare and hallowed creations of the God-Emperor himself.

As for good books, the problem here is that they all focus on a micro portion of the setting. You won't get a good picture by reading one or even a few. The Eisenhorn books are usually recommended though since they do bring up many concepts of the setting. You'll even get the human perspective of an Astartes which will reveal why they are venerated like that. Since Eisenhorn is an Inquisitor you'll also run into lots of concepts and even things that got turned into mechanics (such as Puritan/Radical) that are present in Inquisitor Martyr.

[Darth Revan]

Originally posted by Kiosk:

I've read just a few of the Horus Heresy novels and I realize thats far far far before the events of Martyr. One thing that struck me as curious is why my Inquisitor is constantly referring to a Space Marine as a godlike being of almost worship status.

I was just under the assumption there were many chapters out there roaming around with millions of Space Marines doing the Imperium's work.

not in 40k, there are approximately 1,000 chapters which should have 1,000 space marines each but not all chapters follow that size limiting rule.

the imperium in 40k is quite different to the imperium of 30k in many ways.

[Phobos]

Originally posted by Kiosk:

I've read just a few of the Horus Heresy novels and I realize thats far far far before the events of Martyr. One thing that struck me as curious is why my Inquisitor is constantly referring to a Space Marine as a godlike being of almost worship status.

I was just under the assumption there were many chapters out there roaming around with millions of Space Marines doing the Imperium's work.

No but you can do the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series.

[Athos42]

I can assure you the Eisenhorn Trilogy by Dan Abnett is very good:

- Xenos
- Malleus
- Hereticus

If you want to understand what an Inqusitor does, and what being a Radical or Puritan means, there is no better source. The sequel "Ravenor" trilogy:

- Ravenor
- Ravenor Returned
- Ravenor Rogue

is also good, but not quite on par with the "Eisenhorn" books.

[Awesomer]

following for future books to buy

[tprx]

There's a LOT of lore on google. You start with one page and... 2 hours later, you have two dozens unread threads open!
You can do that for a few days without problems :)

[Bloodpain]

you can read the lexicanum: https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page

ok its not a book...

you can read:
-Gaunts Ghosts (~16? books)
-Soul Drinker (5 books)
-Eisenhorn Trilogy
-Ravenor Trilogy