Horus Heresy reading order

This was published in the March and April 2019 editions of White Dwarf magazine, and it is the order I've been following for the last few years. Because, let's face it, who has the time to read 60 something books? Not me! You probably don't even have time to read the abridged list below. But give it a go, maybe. If you want. I have only included the "essentials" - none of the side plots, none of the "further related reading", etc.

The Great Crusade Era

The opening trilogy perfectly sets the scene for everything that is to follow. The Great Crusade is drawing to a close and the Emperor returns to Terra, pronouncing Horus Warmaster...

  1. Horus Rising, Dan Abnett (2006)
  2. False Gods, Graham McNeill (2006)
  3. Galaxy in Flames, Ben Counter (2006)

The Betrayal

Seduced by the promises of dark gods, Horus rejects his oaths to the Emperor and declares outright rebellion. The true beginning of the Horus Heresy starts here...

  1. The Flight of the Eisenstein, James Swallow (2007)
  2. Fulgrim, Graham McNeill (2007)

The War Escalates

As Horus' treachery is revealed and several other Primarchs and their Legions join his cause, the struggle for the galaxy begins across multiple war fronts

Mars

  1. Mechanicum, Graham McNeill (2008)

Calth

  1. The First Heretic, Aaron Dembski-Bowden (2010)
  1. Know No Fear, Dan Abnett (2012)
  1. Betrayer, Aaron Dembski-Bowden (2010)
  2. Mark of Calth(short story compilation), Laurie Golding (editor) (2013)

Prospero

  1. A Thousand Sons, Graham McNeill (2010)
  1. Prospero Burns, Dan Abnett (2010)
  1. The Crimson King, Graham McNeill (2017) [A note from JP - I found this book incredibly confusing. Skip it, IMO.)

Signus Prime

  1. Fear to Tread, James Swallow (2012)

The Traitors Gather

As the loyalist Legions lay crippled and scattered, Horus and the other Traitor Primarches look to consolidate their power.

  1. Angel Exterminatus, Graham McNeill (2012)
  1. Vengeful Spirit, Graham McNeill (2014)
  1. Tallarn, John French (2017)

Imperium Secundus

With the galaxy split in two by a furious warp storm, the loyalists engage in a desperate plan to form a second front in the event of diaster.

  1. The Unremembered Empire, Dan Abnett (2013)
  1. Pharos, Guy Hayley (2015)
  2. Angels of Caliban, Gav Thorpe (2016)

Plight of the Loyal Legions

The loyal Primarchs begin to follow their own paths as they try to fight for mankind's freedom from tyranny. Oh, and, a note from JP - this is a bit of a "choose your own adventure" style scenario in that you can follow the story of the Raven Guard, the Salamanders or the White Scars. You could choose all three, but the whole point of this list is to acknowledge that no-one has enough time for that. So, instead, I am choosing for you: the White Scars. If you really want to know what books are recommended for the Raven Guard and the Salamanders, well, ask me. I'll tell you.

  1. Scars, Chris Wraight (2014)
  1. The Path of Heaven, Chris Wraight (2016)

Terra and its Praetorians

As the Traitors cut a swathe across the galaxy, the protectors of Terra look to their defence.

  1. Praetorian of Dorn, John French (2016)
  1. The Master of Mankind, Aaron Dembski-Bowden (2016)

The Path to the Siege of Terra

Forces on both sides of the war prepare for the inevitable attack on the Golden Throne and the Siege of Terra.

  1. Ruinstorm, David Annandale (2017)
  1. Wolfsbane, Guy Haley (2018)
  1. Titandeath, Guy Haley (2018)
  1. Slaves to Darkness, John French (2018)
  1. The Buried Dagger, James Swallow (2019)

The Siege of Terra

Everything has led to this moment... the greatest battle ever fought in the history of mankind begins, the very fate of the galaxy at stake.

So, uh, what that means in practice is that there's an entire follow-up mini-series, called "The Siege of Terra", comprised of 9 further books which you have to read all of. Sorry about that.

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