Is The Infinite and the Divine worth reading? Yes — it’s one of the most beloved standalone novels Black Library has ever published, and proof that Warhammer 40,000 can be genuinely, laugh-out-loud funny without losing its grandeur. Robert Rae’s 2020 novel follows two immortal Necrons — the collector Trazyn the Infinite and the astromancer Orikan the Diviner — through a petty, escalating rivalry that spans millennia. It’s clever, character-driven, and a perfect palette-cleanser from grimdark despair.
This review is spoiler-light. For more picks, see our best Warhammer books guide.
What is The Infinite and the Divine about?
Trazyn is a Necron obsessed with collecting artefacts, curiosities, and occasionally entire living beings for his galactic museum. Orikan is a Necron seer convinced of his own cosmic importance. When their interests collide over a single artefact, it sparks a feud that neither will let go of — a grudge match played out across the galaxy and across millions of years, because both antagonists are effectively immortal robots with infinite patience and infinitely bruised egos.
That premise — two deathless beings sniping at each other over centuries — is the engine of the book, and it’s wonderful. The scale is epic; the motivations are gloriously small.
Why fans adore it
- It’s genuinely funny. The comedy comes from character, not slapstick: two brilliant, vain immortals whose feud keeps escalating in ever more absurd ways.
- It makes the Necrons feel real. The soulless robot-skeletons of the tabletop become vivid personalities — proud, petty, scheming, and strangely relatable.
- The scope is staggering. Because both leads are immortal, the story leaps across enormous spans of time, giving you a Necron’s-eye view of the galaxy’s deep history.
- It’s a complete, self-contained story. No prior reading required, no cliffhanger to chase — a rare and welcome thing in tie-in fiction.
The good
- A perfect change of pace. If you’ve overdosed on grimdark misery, this is the antidote — witty and warm while still unmistakably 40k.
- Superb central duo. Trazyn and Orikan are among the most memorable characters in modern Black Library.
- Newcomer-friendly. You don’t need to know Necron lore going in — you’ll know it (and love it) coming out.
The not-so-good
- Tone won’t suit everyone. If you want relentless grimdark tragedy, its lighter, comedic register may not land.
- Low on battlefield spectacle. This is scheming and rivalry, not massed warfare — by design.
- It sets a high bar. Some readers find other Necron fiction can’t quite match it afterwards.
Who should read it?
- Necron fans who want their faction to feel like more than silent killing machines.
- Readers who want to see 40k’s sense of humour — yes, it has one.
- Anyone after a self-contained, standalone novel with no series commitment.
If you’re building a Necron army to go with it, our Necrons army guide covers where they sit on the tabletop.
Why it matters for the Necrons
Before this novel, the Necrons were often the setting’s least-humanised faction — silent, implacable, hard to write about and harder to love. The Infinite and the Divine changed that. By giving two of their most iconic characters genuine personality, wit, and history, it made the whole faction feel like a civilisation of individuals rather than a swarm of killer robots. A lot of the affection Necron players have for their army today traces straight back to this book, which is a large part of why it’s so frequently recommended as the Necron read.
Verdict
The Infinite and the Divine is a delight — a smart, funny, surprisingly affecting story about two immortals who just cannot let a grudge go. It expands what Warhammer fiction can be, and it’s an easy recommendation for veterans and newcomers alike.
Our rating: 9 / 10 — the best Necron novel, and one of Black Library’s finest standalones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Necron lore before reading it?
No — the book introduces the Necrons and their key concepts as it goes, and it’s a great way to learn the faction rather than a reward for already knowing it.
Is The Infinite and the Divine a standalone?
Yes. It’s a complete, self-contained story with no required prior reading and no cliffhanger sequel-bait — one of the reasons it’s so widely recommended.
Who are the main characters?
Trazyn the Infinite, a Necron who collects artefacts (and beings) for his museum, and Orikan the Diviner, a Necron astromancer — bitter rivals across millions of years.
Is it actually a comedy?
It’s often very funny, but it’s not a parody — it plays its characters straight and lets the humour rise naturally from their immortal, ego-driven feud. There’s real pathos underneath.