Hive

Warhammer 40,000

By: Dan Abnett

Narrated by: Toby Longworth

A Warhammer 40,000 Audiobook

A double-barrelled set of novels from Dan Abnett, exploring the Adeptus Arbites attempts to enforce Imperial law on a sprawling hive planet amid scandals, cults, and much worse.

LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE

Head down into the depths of a hive world, where a corrupted planetary governor has sent the populace into a perilous spiral they may not recover from. Will the population revolt? Can the Adeptus Arbites save this benighted world?

THE STORY

Welcome to Sacramentus. Austerity and toil will teach the true measure of the Hive's failing. No one is blameless. The planetary governor has fallen, deposed in scandal and treachery. The Adeptus Arbites roam the smog-choked vertics and zontals, rooting out traitors, enforcing the Imperial law without mercy.

As a new governor, an outsider, is crowned, the Hive teeters between order and anarchy. Whispers of rebellion echo from the heights of the Waistland to the depths of the Neg. Rival gangs seize both opportunity and territory, and forbidden cults grow ever bolder. But unbeknownst to all, a more terrifying threat awaits in the darkness.

May your light last, pilgrim. If the Emperor protects, perhaps we shall make it out alive.

Written by Dan Abnett. Narrated by Toby Longworth. Runtime 24 hours and 26 minutes approx.

©2026 Games Workshop Limited (P)2026 Games Workshop Limited

excellent study on life in a "safe" part of the Imperium

1. not as "readable" as other Abnett's books. There are many characters and plot lines.
2. Toby Longworth's performance is excellent
3. The book goes quite indepth into various aspects of live in a hive, it's politics, crime, inner workings, military and security structures, etc.
4. I like the notion that hive is so large a world on its own, that even educated inhabitants do not have much of an idea of the Imperium society, politics etc outside of it.
5. Do not expect this book to be crime or military novel, even though there are aspects of both genres present.

The Seminole Work for the Setting

I'm a fairly new 40K fan all things considered, only about 4-5 years, but in that time I've driven headling down the lore rabbit d through YouTube commentators like Lutin and Weshammer, like rogue trader, and of course books, lots of books.
Throughout this time I've been starved for information on hive cites. Sure the setting is visited a few times in games like Necromunda, and Hired Gun as well as the Carrion Throne series, but none of them really focus on the lives of everyday people living, working, and f from all walks of life, each with a personality so distinct they're worth a novel of their own. Toby Longworth's voice is perfect for this narrative. He is expressive and gives each character their own unique voice and tone. This has easily entered my top 10 list.

The intrigue

I loved the whole thing. It’s not something you can just listen to while you drive, you have to pay attention!

A standalone GEM

I’m not ruining anything, but it was an amazing story. Top 4-5 in franchise.

Top tier Abnett/Longworth

This is a great look into the life in a hive. The government of old hives and the work of the low are shown in a different light , may it last.