Seconded on Ciaphas Cain, those are rightly thought of as some of the best books ever produced in 40k. They're funny, less overly dark, and usually focus on some cool mystery that the cowardly commissar has to solve.



Post-cadia just feels meh as far as I am concerned. GW basically goes "OK, this time it's extra grimdark and the galaxy is extra doomed", which is exactly what they said for 6th edition. And 7th edition. Now with the posterboy for heroism leading the imperium alongside absurd out-of-nowhere, space marine-but-space marines space marines on his side (primaris are ridiculous) it's less likely than ever that they'll do something to upset the status quo.