Horus Heresy (novels)

This article is about the series of novels based on the fictional event. For other related literature, see Literature (in Horus Heresy).

Horus Heresy Novel Series

Author	Various
Illustrator	Various
Cover artist	Neil Roberts, Philip Sibbering
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Genre	Science fiction novel
Publisher	Black Library
Published	2006–2012 (ongoing)
Media type	Audio (audiobook), digital (e-book), print (paperback)
No. of books	19 (List of books)

The Horus Heresy Novel Series is an ongoing series of science fiction books written by various authors and published by the Black Library starting in 2006. The stories are set during the Horus Heresy, a galaxy-spanning civil war occurring 10,000 years prior to the setting of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniatures wargame, and a major contributing factor to the dystopic setting of the game.

Overview

Premise

The Series is a dark, far future science-fiction opera with a main cast of hundreds. Its foundation is the Horus Heresy, a cornerstone event in the Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe created by Games Workshop as the setting for its tabletop wargames. The Horus Heresy is a civil war that devastates and defines the so-called Imperium of Man, the universe's nascent galactic empire; the short but all-encompassing conflict takes place during the early 31st millennium AD in the Warhammer 40,000 timeline. The Series takes full advantage of the underlying universe's wide scope, vast scale, and extreme time frames.

The Series expands previous material over a growing number of books, consisting of full-length novels and short story compilations. It has become the definitive canon element for the Horus Heresy and other aspects of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and is one of the latter's major background factors.

The plot shares with other Black Library and Games Workshop material an underlying philosophical premise often encountered in the genre, namely the postulated interplay of primordial opposites Order and Chaos. They are principally represented in the storyline by the Emperor of Mankind and the Chaos Gods respectively; the Horus Heresy is presented as a major chapter of their conflict. The Series attempts a posture of disinterested observer, while describing the extremes of setting, characters, and actions with in-universe realism.

Character-driven storyline

Overall, the Series storyline is character- rather than event-driven. The stories employ classic themes of ambition, secrecy, intrigue, hubris, duty, and betrayal as they describe the motives and actions of the protagonists, many of whom are literally larger-than-life. In multiple narrative threads, the stories attempt to make sense of a multitude of interconnected persons and events that take place across great expanses of time and space. In keeping with the character-based narrative, information about the bigger picture of the Heresy and its underlying premise is usually, though not exclusively, conveyed through characters' actions and thoughts; they are hampered by hidden motivations, shadowy or unknown opponents, incomplete knowledge, and their character flaws.

Non-linear narrative

After an opening trilogy, the novelization is not strictly sequential and the storyline may be presented in a non-linear fashion from book to book; the stories may concern events that happen earlier than their position in the Series would suggest, or may include time periods already covered in other books of the Series. The revisited time periods may pertain to either original events or to already-covered events viewed from a different perspective; in general, the stories are written as third-person omniscient narratives. In addition, several stories contain discrete subplots. The protagonists' limited perspective, the wide scope of the storyline, and the non-linear story telling, have resulted in gaps within the published narrative, presumably to be filled in as the Series continues.

Timeline

The scene-setting opening trilogy of books presents some of the background and causes of the Heresy, and describes the start of the conflict; its focus is on Warmaster Horus, the principal antagonist. There are additional story arcs later on in the Series, and some of the short stories included in compilations act as prequels or sequels of full-length novels. As of February 2012 the books' many narrative threads had only covered background and early stages in the Heresy timeline.

Creators and books

The authors and other contributors include veterans of the genre, and specifically of Warhammer 40,000-related material; most have been regular Black Library or Games Workshop associates, and some have been involved in the Heresy concept since its creation. As is the case with other Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 literature, the authors draw on diverse Mythologies and Histories, and frequently allude to fictional works or historical fact in their choices of character names, personas, and actions.

Like other Black Library titles, text-based editions include one of several "stock" unsigned single-page preambles that provide a very general background to the stories that follow. In addition, each full-length novel includes a listing of major characters in its front matter. All books in the Series feature original cover art, and one or more illustrations.

Authors

• Dan Abnett (novel, short story)
• Ben Counter (novel)
• Aaron Dembski-Bowden (novel, short story)
• Matt Farrer (short story)
• John French (short story)
• Nick Kyme (short story)
• Mike Lee (novel, short story)
• Graham McNeill (novel, short story)
• Anthony Reynolds (short story)
• Rob Sanders (short story)
• Mitchell Scanlon (novel)
• James Swallow (novel, short story)
• Gav Thorpe (novel, short story)
• Chris Wraight (short story)

Contributors

Artists

• Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration – main Series artist)
• Philip Sibbering (cover art, illustration)
• Adrian Wood (illustration)

Audiobook narrators

• Gareth Armstrong
• Martyn Ellis
• Jonathan Keeble

Compilation editors

• Christian Dunn
• Nick Kyme
• Lindsey Priestley

Titles

The following list, current as of February 2012, contains original editions in the regular Series. For other editions, see Media and editions.

Published

1. Horus Rising – Dan Abnett – April 2006 (print); November 2010 (e-book); January 2011 (audio)
2. False Gods – Graham McNeill – June 2006 (print); December 2010 (e-book); July 2011 (audio)
3. Galaxy in Flames – Ben Counter – October 2006 (print); December 2010 (e-book); January 2012 (audio)
4. The Flight of the Eisenstein – James Swallow – March 2007 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
5. Fulgrim – Graham McNeill – July 2007 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
6. Descent of Angels – Mitchel Scanlon – October 2007 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
7. Legion – Dan Abnett – March 2008 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
8. Battle for the Abyss – Ben Counter – August 2008 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
9. Mechanicum – Graham McNeill – December 2008 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
10. Tales of Heresy – Short story compilation. Nick Kyme & Lindsey Priestley, editors – April 2009 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
11. Fallen Angels – Mike Lee – July 2009 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
12. A Thousand Sons – Graham McNeill – March 2010 (print); November 2010 (audio, e-book)
13. Nemesis – James Swallow – August 2010 (print); December 2010 (e-book)
14. The First Heretic – Aaron Dembski-Bowden – November 2010 (e-book, print)
15. Prospero Burns – Dan Abnett – December 2010 (audio, e-book); January 2011 (print)
16. Age of Darkness – Short story compilation. Christian Dunn, editor – May 2011 (audio, e-book, print)
17. The Outcast Dead – Graham McNeill – November 2011 (audio, e-book, print)
18. Deliverance Lost – Gav Thorpe – January 2012 (audio, e-book, print)
19. Know no Fear – Dan Abnett – February 2012 (audio, e-book); March 2012 (print)

Announced

• The Primarchs – Novella compilation. Christian Dunn, editor – June 2012
• Fear to Tread – James Swallow – September 2012
• Shadows of Treachery – Short story and novella compilation. Christian Dunn & Nick Kyme, editors – October 2012

Select characters

Main article: List of Horus Heresy characters

The following, listed alphabetically, are among characters that appear in multiple books or are protagonists of at least one novel; the listing includes other characters that are of special significance to the Series storyline.

• Ezekyle Abaddon – First Captain, Luna Wolves Legion of Space Marines – In the opening trilogy (books 1–3); also appears in other books
• Ahzek Ahriman – Senior Corvidus (prognostic); Chief Librarian (combat warlock), Thousand Sons Legion – Books 12 and 15
• The Cabal – Secret, non-Imperial anti-Chaos organization – Books 7 and 18. Special mention:
  • John Grammaticus – Human operative – Book 7
• The Emperor of Mankind – Founder and Head of the Imperium of Man; initiator of the Great Crusade; the "Anathema" of Chaos – Appears in several books, including books 9, 12 and 14
• Erebus – First Chaplain (discipline, ideology, and morale officer), Word Bearers Legion; Dark Apostle, Word Bearers of Chaos Undivided – A major character in several books, including books 2, 14 and 19
• Nathaniel Garro – Captain, Death Guard Legion – Book 4
• Kasper Hawser – Terran (Earth-born) academic and conservator (historian); Space Wolves Legion Remembrancer (civilian chronicler) – Book 15
• Ingethel – Viator of the Primordial Truth; daemon of Chaos Undivided – Book 14
• Kelbor-Hal – Fabricator General of Mars – Books 8 and 9
• Garviel Loken – Captain, Luna Wolves Legion – In the opening trilogy (books 1–3)
• Horus Lupercal – Primarch of the Luna Wolves Legion; Warmaster of the Imperium of Man; rebel-in-chief – Appears in several books, including the opening trilogy (books 1–3)
• Malcador ("the Sigillite") – Regent of Terra; First Lord of the Council – Book 13; appears in several other books
• Branne Nev – Captain, Raven Guard Legion – Books 16 and 18
• Kor Phaeron – First Captain, Word Bearers Legion; Keeper of the Faith (an old, purged religion); Black Cardinal, Word Bearers of Chaos Undivided; character-zero of the Heresy – Books 14 and 19
• The Primarchs – Biologically- and psychically engineered progeny of the Emperor; Commanders of the Space Marine Legions – One or more (out of 20 total) may appear in every book of the Series. Special mentions:
  • Alpharius-Omegon – Primarch of the Alpha Legion – Books 7 and 18
  • Lorgar Aurelian – Primarch of the Word Bearers Legion; "Chosen of the Pantheon" of Chaos – Books 12 and 14; appears in several other books
  • Corvus Corax – Primarch of the Raven Guard Legion – Book 18
  • Fulgrim – Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion – Book 5; appears in several other books
  • Roboute Guilliman – Ruler of Ultramar (a frontier star system); Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion – Book 19
  • Lion El'Jonson – Commander of the Order (an organization of knights); Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion – Books 6 and 11
  • Magnus the Red ("the Crimson King") – Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion – Books 12 and 15; appears in several other books
• Kyril Sindermann – Primary Iterator (spokesperson and propagandist) of the Imperial Truth; Luna Wolves Legion Remembrancer – Books 1 and 2
• Argel Tal – Captain, Word Bearers Legion – Book 14
• Meer Erv Tawren – Magos of Analyticae (high ranking information technology specialist), planet Calth Mechanicum – Book 19
• Constantin Valdor – Captain-General, Chief Custodian of the Emperor – Books 10 and 13
• Remus Ventanus – Captain, Ultramarines Legion – Book 19
• Kai Zulane – Imperial astropath, Ultramarines Legion Choir (astropathic conclave) – Book 17
• Zahariel El'Zurias – Knight Supplicant of the Order; Librarian-in-training, Dark Angels Legion – Books 6 and 11

Synopsis

Story setting

Early in the 31st millennium AD, the Milky Way is in the throes of the Great Crusade. Originating from Terra (Earth), it is an interstellar crusade that claims the galaxy as the rightful domain of humankind, and aims to reunite the multitude of scattered human space colonies under an "Imperium of Man." The Crusade fields huge fleets and vast armies; at its forefront, led by the Primarchs, are the Legions of Space Marines – transhuman super-warriors numbering in the millions. Over the course of two Terran centuries, the Crusade has reached star systems more than 50,000 light years away from its original staging point in the Sol (Solar) System, has assimilated millions of worlds into the Imperium, and has given Humanity a dominant position among the galaxy's species. Its grand mastermind is the Emperor of Mankind, a mysterious, immortal superhuman of unknown origin who is almost 40,000 years old when the Crusade starts.

The Emperor, founder and head of the Imperium, is a being of literally towering charisma, prowess, conviction, and ability. He has declared an atheistic worldview – the Imperial Truth – based on science, reason, and human primacy. However, he is also the most powerful human psychic, and overall, one of the most formidable in the galaxy; the Imperial Truth is at best a misrepresentation. The Emperor knows that in the Warp, the dark matter/dark energy-like parallel dimension that is the domain of thought, emotion, and consciousness, there exist sentient vortices of concentrated, harmful energy. These malign immaterial entities forever seek to breach the material universe and subjugate or consume all life within it. They are the basis of many human and alien religions, and are known (by the few humans aware of their existence) collectively as Chaos, the Primordial Truth, or the Primordial Annihilator.

Humankind's future biological and psychic evolution includes the natural development of widespread Warp or psychic abilities that will make the species far more susceptible to Chaotic influence; united under the Imperium of Man, shielded in the unbelief of Imperial Truth, and judiciously steered by the Emperor and his inner circle, humanity may yet avoid the Chaos-induced psychic corrosion and social entropy that would lead to its eventual annihilation. The transition of Humanity to a spiritually conscious species that is self-determining, and free of taint, may thus be accomplished. Chaos is aware of the Emperor's objectives; it has plans of its own to thwart them.

Book 1 to Book 10

1. Horus Rising: the seeds of Heresy are sown

Horus Rising describes the rise to power of Horus Lupercal, Primarch of the Luna Wolves Legion, and the most versatile and favored "son" of the Emperor. The Emperor has appointed him Warmaster (overall commander of the Imperial military) and left him in charge of the Great Crusade; he then returned to Terra, where in relative isolation is undertaking a secret project that even Horus is not privy to. Much of the focus of this novel is on Garviel Loken, Captain of the Luna Wolves' 10th Company, who becomes a member of the Mournival (an advisory body to Horus), and follows his involvement in campaigns against anti-Imperials and aliens as the Crusade's third century begins. The story also hints at existing tensions in the nascent Imperium, exacerbated by the Emperor's absence and actions – these are common themes in following books.

2. False Gods: the Heresy takes root

"False Gods" redirects here. For the Abrahamic doctrine, see False god.

False Gods tells the story of Horus' fall. In a complicated conspiracy implemented by Chaos allies, Horus is wounded on the moon of the planet Davin by an alien, Chaos-tainted weapon. In a desperate effort by his lieutenants to see him healed, Horus is taken to a temple on Davin. However, the temple is secretly in service to Chaos and both Horus' wound and its supposed healing makes him susceptible to Chaos' influence. He ultimately turns against his "father," the Emperor. The events of False Gods describe the point at which Horus sets in motion the entire Heresy, an event that brings fundamental change to the fictional universe.

3. Galaxy in Flames: the Heresy revealed

Galaxy in Flames outlines the corrupted Warmaster's descent into madness, which results in a galaxy where brother wlll fight brother. The novel details the first open move of the Heresy: the culling of the remaining Loyalists from the ranks of "Traitor" Legions and other rebel forces, an event that takes place mostly on and around the planet Isstvan III. While Loyalist vessels sustain traitorous fire in the surrounding space, on the planet's surface elements of the Imperial Army and of the Luna Wolves, World Eaters, Emperor's Children, and Death Guard Legions defiantly oppose the rebels.

4. Flight of the Eisenstein: the Heresy unfolds

Flight of the Eisenstein follows the Eisenstein, a space frigate of the Death Guard Legion commanded by Battle-Captain Nathaniel Garro of the 7th Company – one of the few Commanders in the Traitor Legions that remained loyal to the Emperor. The story describes Eisenstein's escape from Isstvan III (see Galaxy in Flames above) and its perilous voyage across the galaxy as it attempts to reach Terra and warn the Emperor of the developing rebellion.

5. Fulgrim: visions of treachery

Fulgrim centers on the eponymous Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion, as both the flamboyant Commander and his Space Marines fall into corruption shortly after Horus meets the same fate. They eventually become the "Chosen" of Slaanesh, a god of Chaos. Primarch Ferrus Manus and his Iron Hands Legion also play a prominent role in the novel, and the pivotal Battle of Isstvan V (the so-called Dropsite Massacre) is described in passing.

6. Descent of Angels: loyalty and honour

Descent of Angels is a pre-Heresy story that introduces the Dark Angels Legion and their Primarch, Lion El'Jonson. It is told from the point of view of planet Caliban native Zahariel El'Zurias, originally an Aspirant of the Order (an organisation of techno-barbarian knights). The first half of the novel is set on Caliban and covers the final battles of the Order under the leadership of Lion El'Jonson, the future Primarch. The book's second half describes Caliban's unification with the Imperium of Man as well as the actions of the Dark Angels during the early years of the Great Crusade – the story ends about 50 years before the start of the Heresy. In the story's second half, Zurias, selected as candidate Dark Angel, is accepted as a Neophyte Space Marine. A future schism within the Legion is intimated in this section of the book.

7. Legion: secrets and lies

Legion features the Alpha Legion, the 20th and last to be formed Space Marine Legion, known as the most secretive, subtle, and inscrutable of them all. It also features the Imperial Army as well as the Cabal, a mysterious and ancient interspecies organization opposed to Chaos – a human Cabal operative, John Grammaticus, is one of the main characters. The story takes place around two years before the Heresy, over roughly a 6-month period; it describes the events that eventually lead Alpharius-Omegon, the Legion's Primarch, to support Horus.

8. Battle for the Abyss: my brother, my enemy

Battle for the Abyss is concerned with the lead-up to the Battle of Calth (Book 19), fought between Primarch Roboute Guilliman's Ultramarines Legion and the rebel Word Bearers Legion. The Word Bearers plan to use an immense warship, the Furious Abyss, to spearhead their attack; one of the initial targets is the planet Calth in Ultramar, the Ultramarines' home star system. The Loyalist protagonists must pursue the ship and prevent it from reaching Macragge, Ultramar's capital world and site of their main base. If the Ultramarines fail, the Loyalist side could suffer a blow from which it may never recover.

9. Mechanicum: war comes to Mars

Mechanicum is the first book in the Series that does not focus on Primarchs or Space Marines. Instead, it is about the civil war on Mars, as Traitor and Loyalist forces fight to determine which side in the struggle will receive the support of the Mechanicum, the Mars-based technocracy responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all Imperial military and civilian technology. Planning his imminent campaign against the Imperium, Horus obtains the secret allegiance of highly placed Mechanicum Adepts who plot, and eventually carry out, a coup in order to eliminate those on Mars who are loyal to the Emperor.

10. Tales of Heresy

Tales of Heresy is a collection of short stories, most of them set around the Heresy time-period, which introduce new perspectives and characters. However, it includes a story that provides a much earlier and wider background to the storyline, as well as other stories that relate to Series novels. The book contains seven stories by various authors.

Book 11 to Book 20

11. Fallen Angels: deceit and betrayal

Fallen Angels continues the Dark Angels tale begun in Descent of Angels, opening about 50 years before the Heresy but soon forwarding to just about the time the Heresy starts. The novel tells two stories: one concerns the effort by Primarch Lion El'Jonson and a small group of Dark Angels to deny a "forge world" (a planet devoted to manufacturing, especially of weapons) to Horus' forces; the other is the story of Luther (Lion El'Jonson's second), Zahariel El'Zurias (by now a full Space Marine), and a Dark Angels contingent sent back to Caliban. They get involved in the fight against a growing insurgency that seeks to free the planet from under the Imperium's thumb.

12. A Thousand Sons: all is dust...

A Thousand Sons is the story of Primarch Magnus the Red and the Thousand Sons Legion of Space Marines, mainly taking place before the Heresy starts. Following a reprimand by the Emperor for dabbling in sorcery, Magnus and his Legion secretly continue to study the forbidden subjects. Magnus learns through sorcery of his brother Horus' impending betrayal and tries, again through sorcery, to warn the Emperor, believing that the gravity of the news would justify his disobedience. However, Magnus overreaches with his powers and damages the vital and secret project the Emperor was undertaking (Book 1), endangering the safety of Terra itself in the process. The Emperor is enraged and orders Primarch Leman Russ and his Space Wolves Legion, accompanied by other Imperial forces, to the planet Prospero, the Thousand Sons Legion's home world. They are to bring Magnus and his Legion to Terra to account for themselves.

13. Nemesis: war within the shadows

Nemesis is set about two years after the events on Isstvan V described in Book 5, Fulgrim. It deals with a plan by a secret Imperial organisation, the Officio Assassinorum, to eliminate Horus using an Execution Force drawn from all the "clades" (specialist assassin schools) that make up the Officio. There have been several previous unsuccessful attempts against Horus' life; this gives a high-ranking officer of the Traitor Word Bearers Legion the idea to field a nemesis weapon of his own (a highly specialised assassin), in an audacious scheme to kill the Emperor.

14. The First Heretic: fall to Chaos

The First Heretic details the fall to Chaos of Primarch Lorgar and the 17th Space Marine Legion, the Word Bearers. The story is told largely from the point of view of Argel Tal, a Captain of the Word Bearers, and spans about 50 years, starting 43 years before the events on Isstvan V (Book 5) and as related in Book 8, leading up to the time when the Word Bearers are on their way to assault Calth (Book 19). Following the humiliating censure of Lorgar and the 17th Legion by the Emperor himself for introducing religious worship, the Primarch is swayed by two of his most trusted lieutenants, who were already in secret allegiance with Chaos; eventually both Primarch and Legion covertly embrace the Primordial Truth, decades before Horus' corruption.

15. Prospero Burns: the Wolves unleashed

Prospero Burns is part of the story arc of Book 12, however it follows a different (but related) timeline. It begins more than a century before the Space Wolves-led mission to Prospero and the start of the Heresy. The story is presented from the point of view of Kasper Hawser, formerly a noted Terran academic, who becomes the Oral Historian (Skjald) of the 3rd Company of the Space Wolves Legion. On the surface it is his story; the important subplot concerns the long-term machinations of Chaos to destroy both the Space Wolves and the Thousand Sons by pitting one against the other. The book also gives some important background on Horus' fall to Chaos, thus providing a more coherent view of the Heresy and of its planning by the Chaos forces.

16. Age of Darkness

Age of Darkness is a compilation of nine short stories by various authors, which provide additional background for the Horus Heresy. The stories take place during the seven-year period between the Dropsite Massacre on Isstvan V (Book 5) and the start of the campaign against Terra by the Traitor forces. "The age of knowledge and enlightenment has ended. The Age of Darkness has begun."

17. The Outcast Dead: the truth lies within

The Outcast Dead is the first novel-length story in the Series to take place entirely on Terra. It covers a relatively short period, from just before the Dropsite Massacre (Book 5), to shortly after Magnus' catastrophic psychic visit at the Imperial Palace (Book 12), an event that is central to the story. The main character is Kai Zulane, previously a gifted astropath attached to the Ultramarine starship Argo. He unwittingly becomes the keeper of a secret that could decide the victor in the developing galactic civil war. The "outcast dead" are characters in the story: a small, disparate group of Space Marines suspected as traitors, with whom Zulane falls in during the second half of the book. In the end, the secret kept by Zulane is revealed to the one person it is actually intended for, and provides an explanation for the post-Heresy stagnation of the Imperium of Man.

18. Deliverance Lost: ghosts of Terra

Deliverance Lost is mainly concerned with the actions of Primarch Corvus Corax and his command, the 19th Space Marines Legion (known as the Raven Guard), during the year following the Dropsite Massacre (Book 5). However, operatives and the Primarch of the Alpha Legion (Book 7) play a prominent role. The novel also provides some information about the developing strategies and subterfuge applied by the opposing sides, including reasons for Horus' timetable, and for the Emperor's actions during the initial stages of the Heresy. It starts about 3 months after the Dropsite Massacre, with the unexpected rescue of Corax and the remnants of his Legion (at less than 5% strength, due to their casualties in that battle). Apparently arriving at Terra a few months after the events described in The Outcast Dead had taken place, Corax convinces the Emperor to impart to him the necessary knowledge and material to accelerate the rebuilding of his Legion, including top-secret gene-stock. The second part of the novel describes the effort to reconstitute the Raven Guard, undertaken on Deliverance, its home planet, and the pursuit of opposite objectives by the Alpha Legion. The novel also features a reappearance of the Cabal (Book 7), and of other well-known characters.

19. Know no Fear: the battle of Calth

Know no Fear documents the rebels' surprise assault on Calth, an ascendant Ultramarine world. It is planned and lead by the Traitor Word Bearers Legion, now fully committed to the spread of the Primordial Truth. The story starts close to where the timelines of Book 8 and Book 14 converge (in their respective conclusions), with the invasion force en route to, or near the planet. The tactical objective is to destroy the unshakably Loyalist Ultramarines Legion, the largest of all. The strategic objective is to utilize the malignant, destructive energies unleashed by the war to generate so-called warp storms (immense navigational and communication vortices), in order to isolate and confuse Loyalist forces – effectively neutralizing them for the remainder of the Heresy campaign. Another, fundamental objective of the Word Bearers is to offer up the treachery, the indiscriminate slaughter, and finally the ravaged planet, to their new gods of Chaos Undivided. The story tracks the Calth campaign from its opening covert phases, and the actions of several characters. It is total, bloody war with ritualistic undertones, scorched earth tactics, decisive use of technology, and the considerable involvement of Chaos; the treachery and its implications forever change the Loyalists' view of reality.

[20]. The Primarchs

[Book 20 (tentative). To be published June 2012. Novella compilation].

Book 21 and above

[21]. Fear to Tread: the Angel falls

[Book 21 (tentative). To be published September 2012].

[22]. Shadows of Treachery

[Book 22 (tentative). To be published October 2012. Short story and novella compilation].

Media and editions

The Series is published in several languages, and most of its titles have been released in multiple media: in print (mass market paperback), as e-books, and as either abridged or unabridged audiobooks (in disc- or downloadable media). Additionally, there have been a number of special editions and bundles, published in a variety of media. The books' cover art has been separately released, in poster and other formats.

Select special editions

• Horus Rising – Dan Abnett – April 2011. "5th Anniversary Edition" to mark the 5-year publishing history of the Horus Heresy Novel Series. "With titanium-blue foiling and a specially commissioned introduction from author Dan Abnett."

• Limited Edition Horus Heresy Audio Boxset – Dan Abnett, Ben Counter, Graham McNeill – November 2011. Contains the abridged audio versions of the Series' opening trilogy (Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy in Flames) narrated by Martyn Ellis. Includes an "exclusive bonus CD" with the story Little Horus by Abnett, from the Age of Darkness compilation. Edition limited to 2,000 copies worldwide.

• Xmas 2011 Horus Heresy eBundle – Series authors – November 2011. E-book edition of the first 17 books in the Series (Horus Rising to The Outcast Dead). One of several bundles offered, this was a "Christmas 2011 Special."

Reception

Legion, by Dan Abnett, and Battle for the Abyss, by Ben Counter, were listed in Nielsen BookScan's list of top-20 fictional works by small publishers (defined as a publisher whose sales made up less than 0.3% of the Total Consumer Market during the previous year) for the year ending on 23 August 2008, appearing in eighth and sixteenth place respectively. Mechanicum, by Graham McNeill, entered The Bookseller's "Top 20 Fiction Heatseekers" chart of 5 December 2008, shortly after its release, at number 10.

A Thousand Sons was released in February 2010, and swiftly rose to the top of the British science fiction charts. It also arrived at number 22 on the New York Times Bestseller List, the first ever novel on the Black Library imprint to do so. Nemesis followed, reaching number 26 on the New York Times Bestseller List in August 2010. The First Heretic reached number 28 in November 2010, and stayed in the chart for a second week, reaching number 33. Prospero Burns reached number 16.

Series books have been regularly reviewed; reviews have typically appeared in genre-related media and enthousiast or specialist websites. Critical reception of different books and stories has been mixed, yet the general tone of reviews has been positive – although the Series overall has been viewed favorably, there have been complaints about its length and about the multitude of characters and narrative threads.

References

• Abnett, Dan (2006). Horus rising: the seeds of heresy are sown (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 1. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration) (1st ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-294-9 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-021-6 ; (CD) (audiobook). Read by Martyn Ellis (abridged ed.). 2011. ISBN 978-1-84970-015-3. 

•    (2008). Legion: secrets and lies (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 7. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-536-0 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-032-2. 

•    (2010) (mp3). Prospero burns: the Wolves unleashed (audiobook). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 15. Read by Gareth Armstrong (unabridged ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-122-0 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-125-1 ; (print). Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). 2011a. ISBN 978-1-84416-776-0. 

•    (2011b) [originally published 2006]. Horus rising: the seeds of heresy are sown (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 1. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration) ("5th anniversary" reprint ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84970-111-2. 

•    (2012) (mp3). Know no fear: the battle of Calth (audiobook). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 19. Read by Gareth Armstrong (unabridged ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-613-3 ; (e-book). 2012. ISBN 978-0-85787-512-9 ; (print). Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). 2012. ISBN 978-1-84970-134-1. 

• Abnett, Dan; Counter, Ben; McNeill, Graham (2011) (CD). The Horus Heresy audio boxset (audiobook). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 1–3. Read by Martyn Ellis (abridged, limited ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84970-218-8. 

• "Authors". blacklibrary.com. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. http://www.blacklibrary.com/Authors. Retrieved 2012-03-10. 

• "Best Sellers" (weekly feature). The New York Times: § "Books". Sunday. ISSN 0362-4331. http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/mass-market-paperback/list.html. Retrieved 2011-05-22. 

• Counter, Ben (2006). Galaxy in flames: the heresy revealed (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 3. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-393-9 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-023-0 ; (CD) (audiobook). Read by Martyn Ellis (abridged ed.). 2012. ISBN 978-1-84970-094-8. 

•    (2008). Battle for the Abyss: my brother, my enemy (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 8. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-657-2 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-033-9. 

• Dean, Steve (n/d). "The Outcast Dead by Graham McNeill. Audiobook review". britishfantasysociety.org. British Fantasy Society. http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/reviews/warhammer-40000-the-horus-heresy-the-outcast-dead-by-graham-mcneill-audiobook-review/. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 

• Dembski-Bowden, Aaron (2010). The first heretic: fall to Chaos (e-book). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 14. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-045-2. ; (print). Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). 2010. ISBN 978-1-84416-884-2. 

• Dunn, Christian, ed. (2011) (mp3). Age of darkness (audiobook). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 16. Read by Gareth Armstrong, Jonathan Keeble & Martyn Ellis. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-154-1 ; (e-book). 2011. ISBN 978-0-85787-153-4 ; (print). Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). 2011. ISBN 978-1-84970-036-8. 

• Dunn, Christian, ed. (2012). The Primarchs (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84970-207-2. 

• Dunn, Christian & Kyme, Nick, eds. (2012). Shadows of treachery (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84970-346-8. 

• "Ebooks: Horus Heresy". blacklibrary.com. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. http://www.blacklibrary.com/ebooks/horus-heresy. Retrieved 2012-01-12. 

• Flory, Graeme (28 April 2011). "'Age of Darkness' – Edited by Christian Dunn (Black Library)" (blog). Graeme's Fantasy Book Review. Graeme Flory. http://www.graemesfantasybookreview.com/2011/04/age-of-darkness-edited-by-christian.html. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 

• Fortune, Ed (26 February 2012). "Book Review: Know No Fear". starburstmagazine.com. Manchester, UK: Starburst Magazine. ISSN 0955-114X. http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/book-reviewslatest-literary-releases/2011-book-review-know-no-fear. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 

• Guss, Samuel (n/d). "Horus Heresy" (blog). Exploring Uncertainty. Samuel J. Guss. http://www.samuelguss.com/?tag=horus-heresy. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 

• "Horus Heresy". blacklibrary.com. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. http://www.blacklibrary.com/Horus-Heresy. Retrieved 2012-01-26. 

• "Horus Heresy Articles" (online magazine). Blogcritics (Technorati). ISSN 1936-0649. http://blogcritics.org/tag/horus-heresy/. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 

• "Horus Heresy: Coming Soon". blacklibrary.com. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/coming-soon. Retrieved 2011-07-01. 

• "Horus Rising (anniversary edition)". blacklibrary.com. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/horus-rising-anniversary-edition.html. Retrieved 2012-01-22. 

• Johnson, Jervis (1988). Adeptus Titanicus Rulebook (print). Games Workshop Design Staff (art) (1st ed.). Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-869893-57-3. 

• Kyme, Nick & Priestley, Lindsey, eds. (2009). Tales of heresy (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 10. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-683-1 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-038-4. 

• Lee, Mike (2009). Fallen angels: deceit and betrayal (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 11. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-728-9 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-039-1. 

• "Limited Edition Horus Heresy Audio Boxset". blacklibrary.com. Nottingham, UK: Games Workshop. http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/limited-edition-horus-heresy-audio-boxset.html. Retrieved 2012-01-19. 

• McNeill, Graham (2006). False gods: the heresy takes root (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 2. Philip Sibbering (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-370-0 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-022-3 ; (CD) (audiobook). Read by Martyn Ellis (abridged ed.). 2011. ISBN 978-1-84970-057-3 ; (mp3) (audiobook). Read by Martyn Ellis (abridged ed.). 2011. ISBN 978-0-85787-114-5. 

•    (2007). Fulgrim: visions of treachery (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 5. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-476-9 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-028-5. 

•    (2008). Mechanicum: war comes to Mars (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 9. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration); Adrian Wood (illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-664-0 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-037-7. 

•    (2010). A thousand sons: all is dust... (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 12. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-808-8 ; (mp3) (audiobook). Read by Martyn Ellis (unabridged ed.). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-118-3 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-051-3. 

•    (2011b) (mp3). The outcast dead: the truth lies within (audiobook). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 17. Read by Jonathan Keeble (unabridged ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-327-9 ; (e-book). 2011b. ISBN 978-0-85787-326-2 ; (print). 2011b. ISBN 978-1-84970-086-3. 

• Merrett, Alan (2007). Kyme, Nick & Ralphs, Matt. eds (hardcover). The Horus Heresy: collected visions (print). Horus Heresy Art Books. 1–4. Games Workshop design & art staff (cover art, illustrations); Graham McNeill (short stories); Sabertooth Games art staff (illustrations) (omnibus ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-424-0. 

• Rhoads, Eric (18 April 2011). "Horus Rising by Dan Abnett - Book Review" (blog). WordTipping: Speculative Fiction Book Reviews. Eric Rhoads. http://www.wordtipping.com/2011/04/horus-rising-by-dan-abnett-book-review.html. Retrieved 2012-03-12. 

• Scanlon, Mitchel (2007). Descent of angels: loyalty and honour (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 6. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-508-7 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-029-2. 

• Series authors (2011). The Horus Heresy eBundle (e-book). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 1–17 ("Xmas 2011 ebundle" ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-497-9. 

• Sobel, Phillip (March 2010). "A Thousand Sons by Graham McNeill – review" (webzine). Boomtron. http://www.boomtron.com/2010/03/a-thousand-sons-by-graham-mcneill-review. Retrieved 2012-03-12. 

• Stone, Phillip (26 September 2008). "Packing a punch: independent publishers are riding out a tough market well, with a number of them outstripping market growth". The Bookseller (5351): SS6–7. ISSN 0006-7539. 

• Swallow, James (2007). The flight of the Eisenstein: the heresy unfolds (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 4. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-459-2 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-026-1. 

•    (2010). Nemesis: war within the shadows (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 13. Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84416-868-2 ; (e-book). 2010. ISBN 978-0-85787-052-0. 

•    (2012). Fear to tread: the angel falls (print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84970-195-2. 

• "The Horus Heresy – It is a time of legend" [preamble]; "Dramatis Personae" (e-book; print). Horus Heresy Novel Series. Series volumes. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. 2006–2012. Front matter. 

• Thorpe, Gav (2012) (mp3). Deliverance lost: ghosts of Terra (audiobook). Horus Heresy Novel Series. 18. Read by Gareth Armstrong (unabridged ed.). Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-0-85787-591-1 ; (e-book). 2012. ISBN 978-0-85787-985-1 ; (print). Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration). 2012. ISBN 978-1-84970-061-0. 

• "Top 20 Fiction Heatseekers". The Bookseller (5361): 34. 5 December 2008. ISSN 0006-7539. 

• Wolff, Karl (6 September 2009). "Book Review: Descent of Angels (The Horus Heresy, Book 6) by Mitchel Scanlon" (online magazine). Blogcritics (Technorati). ISSN 1936-0649. http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-descent-of-angels-the/. Retrieved 2012-03-09. 

•    (26 April 2011). "Book Review: Mechanicum (The Horus Heresy, Book Nine) by Graham McNeill" (online newspaper). Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Hearst Seattle Media): § "Lifestyle: Blogcritics". ISSN 0745-970X. http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Book-Review-Mechanicum-The-Horus-Heresy-Book-898033.php. Retrieved 2012-03-08. 

• Wraight, Chris (2011b) (paperback). Battle of the Fang (print). Space Marines Battles Novels. Nottingham, UK: Black Library. ISBN 978-1-84970-046-7.