Where to Start with C.Z. Dunn
If you are new to C.Z. Dunn's work, the absolute best starting point is his flagship Space Marine Battles novel, Pandorax. This book is a massive, apocalyptic battle royale that showcases Dunn's signature ability to balance grimdark sci-fi warfare with a diverse cast of characters, including Grey Knights, Dark Angels, Astra Militarum Catachan fighters, and inquisitors. It functions perfectly well as a standalone epic.
For readers who want to follow a tighter character arc, starting with the Dark Vengeance tie-in narrative is highly recommended. You can begin with the audio drama The Ascension of Balthasar and follow it directly with the Dark Vengeance novella to experience the complete story of Company Master Balthasar's conflict with the Chaos Crimson Slaughter warband.
The Dark Angels & Dark Vengeance Cycle
Much of C.Z. Dunn’s Warhammer 40,000 fiction revolves around the secretive Dark Angels chapter, its key heroes, and their bitter enemies. This loose cycle spans novels, novellas, and audio dramas that are best enjoyed in the following thematic sequence:
- The Ascension of Balthasar (2012) – An audio drama following Sergeant Balthasar and Company Master Zadakiel on Stern's Remembrance.
- Dark Vengeance (2012) – A novella tie-in to the 6th Edition starter box set, focusing on Balthasar as a newly promoted Company Master tracking Kranon the Relentless on Bane's Landing.
- Crimson Dawn (2014) – An eNovella that acts as a prequel/companion, detailing the tragic fall and origins of Kranon's warband, the Crimson Slaughter.
- Trials of Azrael (2013) – An audio drama set during the Pandorax campaign where Supreme Grand Master Azrael must fight for survival against Khârn the Betrayer.
- Pandorax (2013) – The core novel where the Dark Angels, Grey Knights, and Catachans unite against Warmaster Abaddon's campaign in the Pandorax System.
- The Eye of Ezekiel (2017) – A novel focusing on the Dark Angels' legendary Grand Master Librarian Ezekiel as he leads the 5th Company to protect Honoria.
Interactive Gamebooks: Path to Victory
C.Z. Dunn also contributed to the interactive Path to Victory series, which allows readers to choose their own path through the story using a light ruleset. While local databases group these under Dunn's name, it is important to note that he only wrote the first entry:
- Hive of the Dead (2011) – Written by C.Z. Dunn. You play as an Imperial Guardsman surviving a zombie-like plague on Subiaco Diablo.
- Herald of Oblivion (2012) – Written by Jonathan Green. You play as an Imperial Fists Space Marine inside a space hulk.
- Shadows over Sylvania (2013) – Written by Jonathan Green. A Warhammer Fantasy entry where you play as a vampire thrall.
Other Standalone Novels & Companion Works
Dunn has penned several other stories that focus on different corners of the Warhammer universe:
- Malediction (2012) – A psychological audio drama where a retired Imperial Guard officer's glorious past is interrogated and dismantled by a Dark Angels Master.
- Bloodspire (2012) – A Blood Angels audio drama focusing on Scouts infiltrating a hive city. (Note: Often compiled with Andy Smillie's Space Wolves audio drama Deathwolf).
- The Watcher (2014) – A Horus Heresy audio drama set during the Great Heresy, following a Knight Errant psychically probing a wounded Space Wolf to spy on the Night Lords.