The Space Marine Conquests is a Black Library novel series that replaced Space Marine Battles, telling standalone stories about Space Marine Chapters in the era after the Great Rift. It matters because it’s where some of the biggest modern 40k events, like the Devastation of Baal, got their definitive telling.
What the space marine conquests actually is
It’s a multi-author series from Black Library, Games Workshop’s publishing arm. Think of it as a spiritual successor to Space Marine Battles: same idea of one novel per Chapter or campaign, but pointed at the post-Great Rift timeline.
Each book stands alone. You don’t need to read them in order, though release order is the easiest way to follow the metaplot as it unfolded.
The novels
Seven main novels came out between 2017 and 2020, with an anthology following in 2023. The line launched with Guy Haley’s The Devastation of Baal, which covers the Blood Angels and their successors facing Hive Fleet Leviathan.
| Title | Author | Released |
|---|---|---|
| The Devastation of Baal | Guy Haley | 2017 |
| The Ashes of Prospero | Gav Thorpe | 2018 |
| War of Secrets | Phil Kelly | 2018 |
| Of Honour and Iron | Ian St. Martin | 2018 |
| Apocalypse | Josh Reynolds | 2019 |
| Fist of the Imperium | Andy Clark | 2020 |
| Masters of Shadow | Thomas Parrott | unreleased |
| For Glory and Honour (anthology) | various | 2023 |
Why it matters to 40k lore
Several entries fill in gaps left by the Gathering Storm campaign and the introduction of the Primaris Marines. War of Secrets, for instance, digs into Primaris Marines serving alongside the Dark Angels and the suspicion that comes with it.
The Devastation of Baal is the big one. It’s the novel-length account of a battle that reshaped the Blood Angels and set up their later stories, and it’s often recommended as an entry point for that Chapter.
How it connects to other Black Library series
It sits alongside Dark Imperium and Dawn of Fire as part of Black Library’s post-Rift output. Where Dark Imperium follows Roboute Guilliman’s return, the Conquests zoom in on individual Chapters and their wars.
If you liked Space Marine Battles, this is the natural next shelf. If you’re new, pick whichever Chapter interests you and start there.
Key facts
- The Space Marine Conquests is Black Library’s relaunch of the Space Marine Battles series.
- It launched in 2017 with The Devastation of Baal by Guy Haley.
- Seven main novels were released between 2017 and 2020, plus a 2023 anthology, For Glory and Honour.
- Each novel is standalone and focuses on a different Space Marine Chapter.
- Stories are set after the Great Rift opened and often involve Primaris Marines.
FAQ
Do I need to read the Space Marine Conquests in order?
No. Each novel is a standalone story about a different Chapter. Reading in release order helps if you want to follow the wider post-Great Rift timeline, but it’s not required.
Is the Space Marine Conquests the same as Space Marine Battles?
It’s the relaunch of that series, not a continuation. Same format of standalone Chapter-focused novels, but set after the Great Rift opened.
Which book should I start with?
The Devastation of Baal is the usual recommendation. It’s the first release and one of the most important for the setting.