The Dark Imperium trilogy is Guy Haley’s three-book series about Roboute Guilliman’s return and the wars that follow. It’s the cornerstone of modern Warhammer 40k lore, bridging the Gathering Storm campaign and the Era Indomitus.
What the trilogy covers
The series picks up after the Gathering Storm campaign books, following Guilliman as he tries to hold the Imperium together. The first book, Dark Imperium, sets the stage in a galaxy split by the Great Rift.
Plague War and Godblight continue the fight against Mortarion and the Death Guard. It’s a story about a primarch trying to fix a broken empire while his own brothers work against him.
- Dark Imperium (2017)
- Plague War (2018)
- Godblight (2021)
Short stories and revisions
There’s one short story, ‘His Will’ (2020), that ties into the series. It’s not essential, but it adds a bit of context for fans who want more.
In 2021, Black Library made some changes to the first two books. Originally, the story was set about a century after the Indomitus Crusade began and ended at the Battle of Raukos. The revised version moves the timeline to roughly 012.M42 and weaves in events from the Dawn of Fire series.
- His Will (2020) is the only short story.
- The 2021 revision shifted the timeline to ~012.M42.
- Dawn of Fire events were added to the revised editions.
Why it matters
This is the series that brought Guilliman back into the spotlight and set the tone for Warhammer 40k’s current narrative. It’s where the Plague Wars against Mortarion really take off, and it’s a key part of the Era Indomitus.
If you’re following the modern lore, the Dark Imperium trilogy is essential reading. It connects directly to the Dawn of Fire series and the ongoing story of the Indomitus Crusade.
Key facts
- The Dark Imperium trilogy is written by Guy Haley and published by Black Library.
- It follows the events after the Gathering Storm campaign books.
- The three novels are Dark Imperium (2017), Plague War (2018), and Godblight (2021).
- A short story, ‘His Will’ (2020), is also part of the series.
- In 2021, the first two books were revised to set the timeline around 012.M42 and include Dawn of Fire events.
FAQ
Do I need to read the Dawn of Fire series first?
Not necessarily, but the revised editions of the Dark Imperium trilogy now include events from Dawn of Fire. Reading them in publication order can help, but you can start with Dark Imperium.
What is the correct reading order for the Dark Imperium trilogy?
The intended order is Dark Imperium, then Plague War, then Godblight. The short story ‘His Will’ can be read anytime after the first book.