Gaunt's Ghosts
military science fiction
Series · science fiction
The Horus Heresy
The Horus Heresy series by Aaron Dembski-Bowden has 54 known books (54 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Horus Rising (2006). The latest book with a fully recorded publication date is The Buried Dagger.
- Books
- 54 known books (38 novels + 16 collections)
- Published
- 54
- First published
- 2006
- Status
- completed
- Shelved under
- Science Fiction
- Last checked
Start here: Horus Rising (2006) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Horus Rising
"Horus Rising" is book 1 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2006, written by Dan Abnett, and runs 416 pages. It's the book that opens the series and the trilogy charting Horus's corruption by the Chaos gods. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Horus Rising - Book 2:
False Gods
Published in 2006, "False Gods" holds position 2 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and spans 416 pages. It's the second book in the opening trilogy charting Horus's corruption by the Chaos gods. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of False Gods - Book 3:
Galaxy in Flames
"Galaxy in Flames" (2006) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 3 in the Horus Heresy, written by Ben Counter, and runs 416 pages. It closes the opening trilogy at the shattering moment the Legions turn on each other at Isstvan. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Galaxy in Flames - Book 4:
The Flight of the Eisenstein
"The Flight of the Eisenstein" is book 4 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2007, written by James Swallow, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Flight of the Eisenstein - Book 5:
Fulgrim
Published in 2007, "Fulgrim" holds position 5 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 512 pages. It's one of the first five books the series' own reading guidance calls essential, sequential, and the right place to start. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fulgrim - Book 6:
Descent of Angels
"Descent of Angels" (2007) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 6 in the Horus Heresy, written by Mitchel Scanlon, and is 416 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Descent of Angels - Book 7:
Legion
"Legion" is book 7 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2008, written by Dan Abnett, and spans 414 pages. It's one of the entries the series' own guidance names among its strongest tie-in fiction. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Legion - Book 8:
Battle for the Abyss
Published in 2008, "Battle for the Abyss" holds position 8 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Ben Counter, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Battle for the Abyss - Book 9:
Mechanicum
"Mechanicum" (2008) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 9 in the Horus Heresy, written by Graham McNeill, and spans 416 pages. It's one of the titles readers are pointed to on the curated spine through the series' wide middle stretch. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Mechanicum - Book 10:
Tales of Heresy
"Tales of Heresy" is book 10 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2009, written by Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley, and comes in at 416 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Tales of Heresy - Book 11:
Fallen Angels
Published in 2009, "Fallen Angels" holds position 11 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Mike Lee, and is 416 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fallen Angels - Book 12:
A Thousand Sons
"A Thousand Sons" (2010) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 12 in the Horus Heresy, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 560 pages. It tells the tragedy of the loyal Thousand Sons Legion and is named among the series' strongest entries. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Thousand Sons - Book 13:
Nemesis
"Nemesis" is book 13 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2010, written by James Swallow, and runs 464 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Nemesis - Book 14:
The First Heretic
Published in 2010, "The First Heretic" holds position 14 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, and spans 416 pages. It covers the fanaticism of the Word Bearers who engineered the Heresy and is named among the series' strongest entries. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The First Heretic - Book 15:
Prospero Burns
"Prospero Burns" (2011) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 15 in the Horus Heresy, written by Dan Abnett, and runs 444 pages. It's one of the titles readers are pointed to on the curated spine through the series' wide middle stretch. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Prospero Burns - Book 16:
Age of Darkness
"Age of Darkness" is book 16 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2011, written by Christian Dunn, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Age of Darkness - Book 17:
The Outcast Dead
Published in 2011, "The Outcast Dead" holds position 17 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 464 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Outcast Dead - Book 18:
Deliverance Lost
"Deliverance Lost" (2011) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 18 in the Horus Heresy, written by Gav Thorpe, and is 480 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Deliverance Lost - Book 19:
Know No Fear
"Know No Fear" is book 19 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2012, written by Dan Abnett, and spans 416 pages. It's named among the series' strongest entries and one of the titles on the curated spine through its wide middle stretch. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Know No Fear - Book 20:
The Primarchs
Published in 2012, "The Primarchs" holds position 20 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection, written by Christian Dunn, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Primarchs - Book 21:
Fear to Tread
"Fear to Tread" (2012) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 21 in the Horus Heresy, written by James Swallow, and spans 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fear to Tread - Book 22:
Shadows of Treachery
"Shadows of Treachery" is book 22 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2012, written by Christian Dunn and Nick Kyme, and comes in at 416 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shadows of Treachery - Book 23:
Angel Exterminatus
Published in 2012, "Angel Exterminatus" holds position 23 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and is 416 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Angel Exterminatus - Book 24:
Betrayer
"Betrayer" (2012) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 24 in the Horus Heresy, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, and comes in at 416 pages. It's one of the titles readers are pointed to on the curated spine through the series' wide middle stretch. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Betrayer - Book 25:
Mark of Calth
"Mark of Calth" is book 25 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2013, written by Laurie Goulding, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Mark of Calth - Book 26:
Vulkan Lives
Published in 2013, "Vulkan Lives" holds position 26 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Nick Kyme, and spans 416 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Vulkan Lives - Book 27:
The Unremembered Empire
"The Unremembered Empire" (2013) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 27 in the Horus Heresy, written by Dan Abnett, and runs 416 pages. It's part of the series' wide, mosaic stretch of books jumping between Legions and theatres. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Unremembered Empire - Book 28:
Scars
"Scars" is book 28 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2013, written by Chris Wraight, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Scars - Book 29:
Vengeful Spirit
Published in 2014, "Vengeful Spirit" holds position 29 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 544 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Vengeful Spirit - Book 30:
The Damnation of Pythos
"The Damnation of Pythos" (2014) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 30 in the Horus Heresy, written by David Annandale, and is 372 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Damnation of Pythos - Book 31:
Legacies of Betrayal
"Legacies of Betrayal" is book 31 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2014, written by Laurie Goulding, and spans 432 pages. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Legacies of Betrayal - Book 32:
Deathfire
Published in 2015, "Deathfire" holds position 32 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Nick Kyme, and runs 510 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Deathfire - Book 33:
War Without End
"War Without End" (2016) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 33 in the Horus Heresy, written by Laurie Goulding, and spans 624 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of War Without End - Book 34:
Pharos
"Pharos" is book 34 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2016, written by Guy Haley, and comes in at 480 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Pharos - Book 35:
Eye of Terra
Published in 2016, "Eye of Terra" holds position 35 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection, written by Laurie Goulding, and is 416 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Eye of Terra - Book 36:
The Path of Heaven
"The Path of Heaven" (2016) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 36 in the Horus Heresy, written by Chris Wraight, and comes in at 456 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Path of Heaven - Book 37:
The Silent War
"The Silent War" is book 37 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2016, written by Laurie Goulding, and runs 512 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Silent War - Book 38:
Angels of Caliban
Published in 2016, "Angels of Caliban" holds position 38 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Gav Thorpe, and spans 400 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Angels of Caliban - Book 39:
Praetorian of Dorn
"Praetorian of Dorn" (2016) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 39 in the Horus Heresy, written by John French, and runs 440 pages. It's part of the desperate race to fortify Terra that the later stretch of the series builds toward. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Praetorian of Dorn - Book 40:
Corax
"Corax" is book 40 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2016, written by Gav Thorpe, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Corax - Book 41:
The Master of Mankind
Published in 2016, "The Master of Mankind" holds position 41 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, and comes in at 368 pages. It's part of the later stretch of the series building toward the Siege of Terra. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Master of Mankind - Book 42:
Garro
"Garro" (2017) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 42 in the Horus Heresy, written by James Swallow, and is 2 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Garro - Book 43:
Shattered Legions
"Shattered Legions" is book 43 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2017, and written by Laurie Goulding. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shattered Legions - Book 44:
The Crimson King
Published in 2017, "The Crimson King" holds position 44 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and runs 464 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Crimson King - Book 45:
Tallarn
"Tallarn" (2017) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 45 in the Horus Heresy, written by John French, and spans 432 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Tallarn - Book 46:
Ruinstorm
"Ruinstorm" is book 46 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2017, written by David Annandale, and comes in at 384 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Ruinstorm - Book 47:
Old Earth
Published in 2017, "Old Earth" holds position 47 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Nick Kyme, and is 400 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Old Earth - Book 48:
The Burden of Loyalty
"The Burden of Loyalty" (2018) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 48 in the Horus Heresy, written by Laurie Goulding, and comes in at 432 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Burden of Loyalty - Book 49:
Wolfsbane
"Wolfsbane" is book 49 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2018, written by Guy Haley, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Wolfsbane - Book 50:
Born of Flame
Published in 2018, "Born of Flame" holds position 50 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection, written by Nick Kyme, and spans 464 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Born of Flame - Book 51:
Slaves to Darkness
"Slaves to Darkness" (2018) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 51 in the Horus Heresy, written by John French, and runs 416 pages. It's part of the later stretch of the series building toward the Siege of Terra. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Slaves to Darkness - Book 52:
Heralds of the Siege
"Heralds of the Siege" is book 52 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2018, written by Nick Kyme and Laurie Goulding, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Heralds of the Siege - Book 53:
Titandeath
Published in 2018, "Titandeath" holds position 53 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Guy Haley, and comes in at 480 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Titandeath - Book 54:
The Buried Dagger
"The Buried Dagger" (2019) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 54 in the Horus Heresy, written by James Swallow, and is 352 pages long. It's part of the later stretch of the series building toward the Siege of Terra finale. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Buried Dagger
Our shelf-tested path for first-time readers.
- Book 1:
Horus Rising
"Horus Rising" is book 1 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2006, written by Dan Abnett, and runs 416 pages. It's the book that opens the series and the trilogy charting Horus's corruption by the Chaos gods. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Horus Rising - Book 2:
False Gods
Published in 2006, "False Gods" holds position 2 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and spans 416 pages. It's the second book in the opening trilogy charting Horus's corruption by the Chaos gods. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of False Gods - Book 3:
Galaxy in Flames
"Galaxy in Flames" (2006) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 3 in the Horus Heresy, written by Ben Counter, and runs 416 pages. It closes the opening trilogy at the shattering moment the Legions turn on each other at Isstvan. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Galaxy in Flames - Book 4:
The Flight of the Eisenstein
"The Flight of the Eisenstein" is book 4 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2007, written by James Swallow, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Flight of the Eisenstein - Book 5:
Fulgrim
Published in 2007, "Fulgrim" holds position 5 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 512 pages. It's one of the first five books the series' own reading guidance calls essential, sequential, and the right place to start. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fulgrim - Book 6:
Descent of Angels
"Descent of Angels" (2007) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 6 in the Horus Heresy, written by Mitchel Scanlon, and is 416 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Descent of Angels - Book 7:
Legion
"Legion" is book 7 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2008, written by Dan Abnett, and spans 414 pages. It's one of the entries the series' own guidance names among its strongest tie-in fiction. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Legion - Book 8:
Battle for the Abyss
Published in 2008, "Battle for the Abyss" holds position 8 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Ben Counter, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Battle for the Abyss - Book 9:
Mechanicum
"Mechanicum" (2008) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 9 in the Horus Heresy, written by Graham McNeill, and spans 416 pages. It's one of the titles readers are pointed to on the curated spine through the series' wide middle stretch. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Mechanicum - Book 10:
Tales of Heresy
"Tales of Heresy" is book 10 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2009, written by Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley, and comes in at 416 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Tales of Heresy - Book 11:
Fallen Angels
Published in 2009, "Fallen Angels" holds position 11 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Mike Lee, and is 416 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fallen Angels - Book 12:
A Thousand Sons
"A Thousand Sons" (2010) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 12 in the Horus Heresy, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 560 pages. It tells the tragedy of the loyal Thousand Sons Legion and is named among the series' strongest entries. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Thousand Sons - Book 13:
Nemesis
"Nemesis" is book 13 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2010, written by James Swallow, and runs 464 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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The First Heretic
Published in 2010, "The First Heretic" holds position 14 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, and spans 416 pages. It covers the fanaticism of the Word Bearers who engineered the Heresy and is named among the series' strongest entries. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Prospero Burns
"Prospero Burns" (2011) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 15 in the Horus Heresy, written by Dan Abnett, and runs 444 pages. It's one of the titles readers are pointed to on the curated spine through the series' wide middle stretch. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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Age of Darkness
"Age of Darkness" is book 16 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2011, written by Christian Dunn, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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The Outcast Dead
Published in 2011, "The Outcast Dead" holds position 17 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 464 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Deliverance Lost
"Deliverance Lost" (2011) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 18 in the Horus Heresy, written by Gav Thorpe, and is 480 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Know No Fear
"Know No Fear" is book 19 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2012, written by Dan Abnett, and spans 416 pages. It's named among the series' strongest entries and one of the titles on the curated spine through its wide middle stretch. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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The Primarchs
Published in 2012, "The Primarchs" holds position 20 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection, written by Christian Dunn, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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Fear to Tread
"Fear to Tread" (2012) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 21 in the Horus Heresy, written by James Swallow, and spans 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Shadows of Treachery
"Shadows of Treachery" is book 22 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2012, written by Christian Dunn and Nick Kyme, and comes in at 416 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Angel Exterminatus
Published in 2012, "Angel Exterminatus" holds position 23 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and is 416 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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Betrayer
"Betrayer" (2012) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 24 in the Horus Heresy, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, and comes in at 416 pages. It's one of the titles readers are pointed to on the curated spine through the series' wide middle stretch. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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Mark of Calth
"Mark of Calth" is book 25 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2013, written by Laurie Goulding, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Vulkan Lives
Published in 2013, "Vulkan Lives" holds position 26 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Nick Kyme, and spans 416 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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The Unremembered Empire
"The Unremembered Empire" (2013) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 27 in the Horus Heresy, written by Dan Abnett, and runs 416 pages. It's part of the series' wide, mosaic stretch of books jumping between Legions and theatres. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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Scars
"Scars" is book 28 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2013, written by Chris Wraight, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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Vengeful Spirit
Published in 2014, "Vengeful Spirit" holds position 29 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and comes in at 544 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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The Damnation of Pythos
"The Damnation of Pythos" (2014) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 30 in the Horus Heresy, written by David Annandale, and is 372 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Legacies of Betrayal
"Legacies of Betrayal" is book 31 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2014, written by Laurie Goulding, and spans 432 pages. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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Deathfire
Published in 2015, "Deathfire" holds position 32 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Nick Kyme, and runs 510 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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War Without End
"War Without End" (2016) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 33 in the Horus Heresy, written by Laurie Goulding, and spans 624 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Pharos
"Pharos" is book 34 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2016, written by Guy Haley, and comes in at 480 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Eye of Terra
Published in 2016, "Eye of Terra" holds position 35 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection, written by Laurie Goulding, and is 416 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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The Path of Heaven
"The Path of Heaven" (2016) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 36 in the Horus Heresy, written by Chris Wraight, and comes in at 456 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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The Silent War
"The Silent War" is book 37 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2016, written by Laurie Goulding, and runs 512 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Angels of Caliban
Published in 2016, "Angels of Caliban" holds position 38 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Gav Thorpe, and spans 400 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Praetorian of Dorn
"Praetorian of Dorn" (2016) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 39 in the Horus Heresy, written by John French, and runs 440 pages. It's part of the desperate race to fortify Terra that the later stretch of the series builds toward. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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Corax
"Corax" is book 40 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2016, written by Gav Thorpe, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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The Master of Mankind
Published in 2016, "The Master of Mankind" holds position 41 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, and comes in at 368 pages. It's part of the later stretch of the series building toward the Siege of Terra. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Garro
"Garro" (2017) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 42 in the Horus Heresy, written by James Swallow, and is 2 pages long. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Shattered Legions
"Shattered Legions" is book 43 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2017, and written by Laurie Goulding. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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The Crimson King
Published in 2017, "The Crimson King" holds position 44 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Graham McNeill, and runs 464 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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Tallarn
"Tallarn" (2017) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 45 in the Horus Heresy, written by John French, and spans 432 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Ruinstorm
"Ruinstorm" is book 46 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2017, written by David Annandale, and comes in at 384 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Old Earth
Published in 2017, "Old Earth" holds position 47 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Nick Kyme, and is 400 pages long. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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The Burden of Loyalty
"The Burden of Loyalty" (2018) is a Horus Heresy story collection at number 48 in the Horus Heresy, written by Laurie Goulding, and comes in at 432 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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Wolfsbane
"Wolfsbane" is book 49 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel published in 2018, written by Guy Haley, and runs 416 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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Born of Flame
Published in 2018, "Born of Flame" holds position 50 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection, written by Nick Kyme, and spans 464 pages. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
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Slaves to Darkness
"Slaves to Darkness" (2018) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 51 in the Horus Heresy, written by John French, and runs 416 pages. It's part of the later stretch of the series building toward the Siege of Terra. It's part of the wide, mosaic middle stretch of the series, telling the war from a different Legion or theatre than its neighbors while the official numbering keeps the whole saga anchored in sequence.
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Heralds of the Siege
"Heralds of the Siege" is book 52 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy story collection published in 2018, written by Nick Kyme and Laurie Goulding, and is 416 pages long. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's military science fiction with operatic stakes -- brothers destroying brothers, and gods whispering behind the history that becomes 40K's backstory.
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Titandeath
Published in 2018, "Titandeath" holds position 53 in the Horus Heresy, a Horus Heresy novel, written by Guy Haley, and comes in at 480 pages. Like the rest of the Horus Heresy, it's part of Black Library's prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000, telling the ten-thousand-year-old origin story of the Emperor's Great Crusade and the Warmaster Horus's turn to Chaos.
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The Buried Dagger
"The Buried Dagger" (2019) is a Horus Heresy novel at number 54 in the Horus Heresy, written by James Swallow, and is 352 pages long. It's part of the later stretch of the series building toward the Siege of Terra finale. As with the rest of the series, it's set during the galactic civil war that follows the Isstvan betrayal, when the Space Marine Legions turn on each other across a galaxy the Emperor had nearly finished reuniting.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Buried Dagger
About The Horus Heresy
The Horus Heresy is Black Library's monumental prequel saga to Warhammer 40,000 — the ten-thousand-year-old origin story every 40K fan knows in outline, finally told in full across 54 official volumes by a rotating team of authors. In the 31st millennium the Emperor of Mankind has nearly completed the Great Crusade, reuniting the human galaxy through his twenty superhuman primarch sons and their Space Marine legions. He names his most brilliant son, Horus, Warmaster — then returns to Terra on a secret project, leaving the galaxy in Horus's hands.
The opening trilogy (Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy in Flames) charts Horus's corruption by the Chaos gods and the shattering moment the Legions turn on each other at Isstvan. From there the series widens into a galactic civil war told from every side: the tragedy of the loyal Thousand Sons, the fanaticism of the Word Bearers who engineered it all, secret wars of assassins and remembrancers, and the desperate race to fortify Terra.
It is military science fiction with genuinely operatic stakes — brothers destroying brothers, gods whispering behind history — and its best entries (Legion, A Thousand Sons, The First Heretic, Know No Fear) stand with the strongest tie-in fiction ever written. The mainline concluded in 2019, handing off to the Siege of Terra finale series.
Frequently asked questions
How many Horus Heresy books are there?
The official mainline runs to 54 numbered volumes (2006–2019), a mix of novels, anthologies and novella compilations. The story then concludes in the separate Siege of Terra series — eight novels plus the three-part finale The End and the Death (2019–2024).
What order should I read the Horus Heresy in?
Start with the numbered order — books 1–5 (Horus Rising to Fulgrim) are mandatory and sequential. Afterwards the official numbering remains the default guide, though the series becomes an anthology of parallel stories and many readers follow shortened 'essential' lists.
Do I need to read all 54 books?
No. The anthologies and several side novels are skippable. A common condensed path covers roughly 15–20 core volumes from Horus Rising to The Buried Dagger, then moves to the Siege of Terra.
Do I need to know Warhammer 40,000 first?
No — Horus Rising was written as an entry point and explains its universe as it goes. Knowing 40K deepens the dramatic irony (you know how it ends), but it isn't required.
What comes after The Buried Dagger?
The Siege of Terra series, which depicts the final assault on the Emperor's palace: The Solar War, The Lost and the Damned, The First Wall, Saturnine, Mortis, Warhawk, Echoes of Eternity, The End and the Death (published in three volumes, 2023–2024).
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