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First and Only
by Dan Abnett
The Tanith First and Only are a regiment of ghosts, survivors of a home world that was incinerated before they could even prove their worth. Led by Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt, they are forced to fight an unwinnable war in the trenches of the Imperium, where survival is measured in inches and the enemy is often less dangerous than the bureaucracy of their own commanders. Abnett avoids the trap of glorifying combat, instead focusing on the fraying nerves of soldiers who know they are expendable. The pacing is relentless, shifting between high-stakes tactical maneuvers and the quiet, crushing weight of loss. This is for readers who prefer their science fiction with a heavy dose of realism, where the heroes are broken, the stakes are soul-crushing, and the camaraderie is the only thing keeping the darkness at bay.
10 Books similar to 'First and Only'
Since you finished First and Only, you likely have an appetite for stories where the soldier is a cog in a machine that does not care if they live or die. We have selected these titles because they excel at portraying the psychological toll of endless conflict and the intense, often tragic bonds that form in the mud. Whether you are looking for the visceral, hard-boiled combat of Richard K. Morgan or the haunting, boots-on-the-ground realism of Erich Maria Remarque, these books share that same bleak, gritty DNA that makes military fiction so compelling.
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Like 'First and Only,' this is a quintessential Warhammer 40,000 military sci-fi novel that captures the brutal, relentless nature of total war. It features a gritty, ensemble-focused narrative that fans of Gaunt's Ghosts will appreciate for its tactical detail and uncompromising atmosphere.
This classic foundational text of military science fiction shares the 'boots on the ground' perspective found in Abnett's work. It focuses heavily on the camaraderie, training, and the philosophical weight of soldiers serving in an interstellar conflict.
Morgan writes with a visceral, hard-boiled intensity that mirrors Abnett's ability to ground high-concept sci-fi in gritty, human reality. It features broken, complex characters navigating a dark, war-torn world where survival is never guaranteed.
This novel is a cult classic that perfectly captures the psychological toll of endless, mechanized warfare. Readers who enjoyed the desperate, trench-warfare feel of the Tanith First and Only will find the visceral combat and isolation familiar.
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by John Scalzi
While slightly more optimistic than the grimdark setting of Warhammer 40,000, this book excels at the camaraderie and tactical problem-solving of a military unit. It shares the 'found family' dynamic that is so central to the appeal of Gaunt's Ghosts.
by Glen Cook
This is the definitive 'gritty military fantasy' that heavily influenced the tone of modern grimdark sci-fi. It follows a band of mercenaries in a brutal world, mirroring the 'everyman soldier' perspective that Gaunt's Ghosts fans love.
by John Scalzi
For readers who enjoy the 'behind the scenes' aspect of military life and the camaraderie of a squad, this offers a meta-fictional, often humorous look at the expendability of soldiers. It captures the bond formed between grunts in the face of impossible odds.
If you appreciate the 'War is Hell' theme of Gaunt's Ghosts, this classic provides the raw, emotional, and historical foundation for that genre. It focuses on the loss of innocence and the deep, tragic bonds formed between soldiers in the trenches.
by Joe Haldeman
This novel captures the alienation and trauma of soldiers who are constantly deployed to new, hostile environments. Fans of Abnett's tactical descriptions and the feeling of being a small cog in a massive, uncaring war machine will find this deeply resonant.
by Dan Abnett
Since you already enjoy Abnett's writing, this entry in the Horus Heresy series is a must-read for its masterful blend of espionage, political intrigue, and military action. It showcases his ability to manage a large cast while maintaining high-stakes tension.
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