Deliverance Lost is about Corax and the Raven Guard in the aftermath of Isstvan V. Outcast Dead covers the exploits of the members of the traitor legions that were on Terra when the news of the Heresy broke. The Outcast Dead (XVII) and Deliverance Lost (XVIII) can be skipped. There are some good short stories here that fill out the background of the Heresy by the top authors of Black Library. ADB and Lorgar and the real start of the Heresy.Īge of Darkness (XVI) **** An anthology than can be skipped. The First Heretic (XIV) by Aaron Dembski-Bowden ***** Must read. Nemesis (XIII) by James Swallow Skip unless you really like assassins. Prospero Burns (XV) by Dan Abnett ***** Originally this and Thousand Sons were supposed to come out at the same time but it was delayed due to Dan Abnett’s health issue so we had to wait almost a year for it. At least Blood Games by Dan Abnett, The Voice by James Swallow, The Last Church by Graham McNeill and After Desh’ea by Matthew Farrer.įallen Angels (XI) skip unless you love Dark AngelsĪ Thousand Sons (XII) by Graham McNeill **** Must read. Tales of Heresy (X) ***** This is an anthology but I highly recommend. Fun to read along with the Dan Abnett book Titanicus set in 40K for a couple of callbacks. Interesting background but can be skipped. Mechanicum (IX) by Graham McNeill **** Covers the civil war on Mars. There are big reveals in this book related to the 40K universe. Legion (VII) by Dan Abnett ***** This one divides people but it’s Abnett and it’s awesome.

I will still recommend skipping Descent of Angels (VI) unless you really like the Dark Angels. If you know the Heresy there are no surprises here and I still say skip and avoid having to slog through it. I used to recommend skipping Fulgrim (V) ( you can read my review of Fulgrim on Goodreads to see why) but as people have pointed out in the comments there are some impactful events that take place in this book (someone loses a head). The Flight of the Eisenstein (IV) by James Swallow **** This one reads like an action movie. I don’t find the writing in this book as strong as the first two but the plot carries it. Galaxy in Flames (III) by Ben Counter *** The conclusion of the initial trilogy that is the tragedy of Horus. “I was there, the day Horus slew the Emperor.”įalse Gods (II) by Graham McNeill **** The origin of the fall of Horus. Horus Rising (I) by Dan Abnett ***** I’ve read this one three times. Update: 10/30/20 – The Siege of Terra update! My thoughts on the first four Siege books and filled in a few of the gaps. Update: 7/1/19 – added the books I’ve read in the year+ since my original post I’m also including my star rating for each book. I put together this list with my must-read and not so much must-read Horus Heresy recommendations. Back at the beginning of 2018, Ty was looking for recommendations on how to navigate the huge backlog of Horus Heresy books.

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett