Best Warhammer 40,000 Books That Feature Tyranids (2025)

The Warhammer universe is no stranger to alien terror, but few things can stoke dread and hopelessness quite like a swarm of Tyranids. These Zerg-like alien monstrosities are as stubborn as they are horrific. Naturally, that makes them a perfect subject for any eager fans looking to learn more about them. But with so many Warhammer novels, where do you start?

From Ultramar to Herodian IV, you can find Tyranids skittering in wait. We've gathered a solid starter collection for anyone looking to dive head-first into the swarm with books that focus on Tyranids. We've also included an anthology for fans who want some Tyranid goodness without focusing solely on the topic!

Updated July 28, 2024 by Kenny Kimberly: We can't get enough Tyranid horror, and we're betting you can't either. We've come back to make sure we're still offering available books, as well as to add Ravenor: The Omnibus to the list. Enjoy!

Best Warhammer 40,000 Books That Feature Tyranids

Best Horror Omnibus

Dan Abnett's Ravenor: The Omnibus

Contains multiple full stories!

If you're looking for Tyranid horror, Dan Abnett's Ravenor: The Omnibus is a perfect place to start. One story, Ravenor Rogue, follows the first contact with the Tyranids and the horror they represented.

Pros

• Has five full stories within
• Contains Ravenor, Ravenor Returned, and Ravenor Rogue for the whole series
• Shows first contact with the horrifying Tyranids

Cons

• Not all stories are Tyranid focused

See at Amazon

Dan Abnett's Ravenor: The Omnibus contains all three Ravenor stories, as well as Playing Patience and Thorn Wishes Talon. Unfortunately, not every one of these stories is focused on Tyranid horror. But we're recommending this omnibus for the inclusion of Ravenor Rogue, a story that shows first contact with the Tyranids and the horror they represented.

This story alone makes this omnibus worth purchasing, but make sure you read the other excellent stories!

Best Multi-Faction Conflict

Guy Haley's Warhammer 40,000: Death Of Integrity

Tyranids, Novamarines, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Blood Drinkers

When Chapter Master Caedis of the Blood Drinkers tracks a brood of genestealers across the sector, he and his troops find themselves facing a space hulk. With thousands of genestealers, the Adeptus Mechanicus, and the Novamarines involved, the twist through this novel is one for the ages.

Pros

• Features multiple armies
• Full of shocking twists
• Riveting, non-stop intrigue

See at Amazon

Tyranids are all fearsome, but few are as terrifying as the dreaded genestealers. As Chapter Master Caedis of the Blood Drinkers tracks a brood of these monstrosities across the sector, he and his troops find themselves face to face with a space hulk designated the Death of Integrity.

Allying with a group of Novamarines, both groups are halted by the Adeptus Mechanicus who instead tasks them with journeying into the heart of the Death of Integrity itself.

Best Astra Militarum Novel

Victoria Hayward's Warhammer 40,000: Deathworlder

Desperation against insurmountable odds

With the world of Lazulai facing the end of its existence at the hands of a Tyranid army, Major Wulf Khan is given a suicide mission to lead her Night Shrikes into the jungle in a desperate attempt to acquire the last hope Lazulai has at survival.

Pros

• Gritty jungle atmosphere
• High-risk, high-reward
• Constant action

See at Amazon

As the world of Lazulai faces extinction at the hands of a seemingly endless army of Tyranids, Major Wulf Khan is tasked with a desperate mission. Told to take her band of Night Shrikes deep into the xeno-infested jungle, the fate of the entire planet rests in their hands. Retrieving what they've been sent for is only half the battle, as the group still has to fight back through the jungle once they're done.

Best Anthology

Anthony Reynolds' Warhammer 40,000: Word Bearers: The Omnibus

Tyranoids, Eldar, Necron, and more

For people who want more than one story, Anthony Reynolds' Word Bearers: The Omnibus is a fantastic choice. This collection features plenty of stories from every setting, including Tyranids.

Pros

• Anthology of works
• Features multiple short stories
• Provides a varied look at the Warhammer universe

See at Amazon

Warhammer's universe is home to more than just Tyranids, and while we're here to discuss them, many of us may want to find something that mixes them with some other factions. If you're looking for an anthology, we strongly recommend Word Bearers: The Omnibus. This collection is an anthology of works that cover multiple armies, with several stories focusing heavily on the Tyranids. If you're looking for a sampling of everything the Warhammer universe has to offer, this is an unbeatable option.

Best Ultramarine Novel

Graham McNeill's Warhammer 40,000: Warriors Of Ultramar

When conventional bloodshed fails

With the Great Devourer attacking the world of Tarsis Ultra, Captain Uriel Ventris pulls his allies together to defend against the tyranid swarm. This novel also includes the prequel story Leviathan.

Pros

• Includes the Leviathan short story
• Features Ultramarines and Mortifactors

See at Amazon

You won't find a list of Tyranid stories that doesn't mention Graham McNeill's titanic story, Warriors of Ultramar. Captain Uriel Ventris and his Ultramarines find themselves defending the world of Tarsis Ultra against an unstoppable Tyranid swarm. Allying with the vicious Mortifactors, Ventris finds his faith in the Ultramarines and every ounce of his teachings heavily challenged in their quest for victory and survival. This story also includes the prequel short story, Leviathan.

Best Action Novel

Lucien Soulban's Warhammer 40,000: Desert Raiders

Non-stop Tyranids, non-stop action

Sent to investigate a strange SOS signal on a distant planet, a regiment of Tallarn Desert Raiders find themselves overwhelmed by an endless horde of Tyranids.

Pros

• Full of hordes of Tyranid
• Follows an Imperial Guard regiment
• Constant action

See at Amazon

If you've ever wanted to read a story of a non-stop, endless horde of vicious Tyranids, then Lucien Soulban's Desert Raiders is a story you have to pick up as soon as possible. Sent to investigate a strange SOS signal from a distant planet, a regiment of Tallarn Desert Raiders find themselves caught in the center of a swarm with no end. Every page is full of constant violence, graphic bloodshed, and Tyranids as far as the eye can see.

Best Intrigue Story

C. S. Goto's Warhammer 40,000: Warrior Brood

Secrets, Space Marines, and endless swarms

While enough Tyranids to blacken the sky invade the world of Herodian IV, Inquisitor Kalypsia and a team of Deathwatch Space Marines go on a mission to retrieve intel from a crucial research outpost. There, they discover secrets that could doom all of humanity.

Pros

• Features Deathwatch Space Marines
• Endless swarms of Tyranid armies
• Intrigue and suspense

See at Amazon

Tyranids come in swarms, but few swarms have ever been seen as large as the hive fleets invading the world of Herodian IV in C. S. Goto's Warrior Brood. Dispatched to the surface, Inquisitor Kalypsia and a team of Deathwatch Space Marines brave the endless hordes to retrieve intel from a vital research outpost. Once they've managed to get their prize, they find a secret grave enough to doom life as they know it.

FAQ

Where Can I Find Warhammer Novels?

Many Warhammer novels have gone out of print. Check local book and game stores, as well as online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and more. You can find all of our suggestions that we've made here on Amazon, and they're particularly easy to find as audiobooks or for kindles. Physical copies are harder to find.

Are The Warhammer Novels Canon?

Novels created, published, or licensed by Games Workshop Limited. Other stories and novels go on a case-by-case basis. Some sites track the canon so you know if you're reading something that has been retconned or not.

What Are The Tyranids?

The Tyranids are a swarm of insect-like xenos with an insatiable hunger and an uncanny, vicious knack for swarming over and consuming entire worlds. They're similar, in essence, to races like StarCraft's Zerg or Halo's Flood, but with their own horrific twist.