the Basement of Death

Back at the beginning of the year, Ty was looking for recommendations on how to navigate the huge backlog of Horus Heresy books.  I put together this list with my must-read and not so much must-read Horus Heresy recommendations.

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett ***** I’ve read this one three times. “I was there, the day Horus slew the Emperor.”
False Gods by Graham McNeill **** The origin of the fall of Horus.
Galaxy in Flames by Ben Counter *** The conclusion of the initial trilogy that is the tragedy of Horus. I don’t find the writing in this book as strong as the first two but the plot carries it.
The Flight of the Eisenstein by James Swallow **** This one reads as an action movie. Introduces Garro.
I’d skip Fulgrim and Descent of Angels unless you really like the Emperor’s Children or Dark Angels (you can read my review of Fulgrim on Goodreads)
Legion by Dan Abnett ***** This one divides people but it’s Abnett and it’s awesome. Do not expect an Alpha Legion book. There are big reveals in this book related to the 40K universe.
Battle for the Abyss – just don’t
Mechanicum by Graham McNeill **** Covers the civil war on Mars. Interesting background but can be skipped. Fun to read along with the Dan Abnett book Titanicus set in 40K for a couple of callbacks.
Tales of Heresy ***** This is an anthology but I highly recommend. At least Blood Games by Dan Abnett, The Voice by James Swallow, The Last Church by Graham McNeill and After Desh’ea by Matthew Farrer.
Fallen Angels skip unless you love Dark Angels
A Thousand Sons by Graham McNeill **** Must read. Then jump ahead and read…
Prospero Burns by Dan Abnett ***** Originally this and Thousand Sons were supposed to come out at the same time but it was delayed due to Dan Abnett’s health issue so we had to wait almost a year for it.

Nemesis by James Swallow Skip unless you really like assassins.
The First Heretic by Aaron Dembski-Bowden ***** Must read. ADB and Lorgar and the real start of the Heresy.
The Outcast Dead and Deliverance Lost can be skipped.
Know No Fear by Dan Abnett ***** Must Read. The Battle of Calth and it’s Abnett.
The Primarchs skip
Fear to Tread by James Swallow *** I’d recommend for Blood Angel fans. It has some great flashback scenes with Horus and Sanguinius and some cool reveals. The events at Signus Prime are referenced in future books.
Angel Exterminatus by Graham McNeill *** Can be skipped. The adventures of Fulgrim and Perturabo. Graham almost makes the Iron Warriors primarch a good guy in this book.
Shadows of Treachery anthology **** Not required but there are some great short stories here. The Crimson Fist by John French, The Dark King by Graham McNeill, The Lightning Tower by Dan Abnett and Prince of Crows by Aaron Dembski-Bowden.
Betrayer by Aaron Dembski-Bowden ***** It can be skipped but don’t! Angron and Lorgar causing chaos throughout Ultramar. Kharn back when he was less berserker. Makes you think that maybe these guys aren’t really so bad?
Vulkan Lives by Nick Kyme I skipped this one. I think you can too unless you are a Vulkan and Salamanders fan.
The Unremembered Empire by Dan Abnett **** This book starts the Imperium Secundus arc of books. You could skip this whole arc but I wouldn’t recommend that. There are lots of primarchs and it is Abnett.
Scars by Chris Wraight I have not read this so I think it can be skipped but I’ve heard good things about it so I might catch up on it later. It is about the White Scars and the Khan of course.
Vengeful Spirit by Graham McNeill *** Not required but is interesting to see Horus’ point of view and his development. This is the Knight book and has some Death Guard too.

There are a bunch of anthology and Salamander and other books mixed in here that I haven’t read and I don’t think you need too either. This is the stretch of time I believe Black Library lost its way and was producing tons of Horus Heresy content but most was background and not moving the plot toward Terra. There probably are some gems in there but you have to find them.

Pharos by Guy Haley **** Continues the Imperium Secundus arc so not required but a great book. I really like Dantioch and Polux.
Angels of Caliban by Gav Thorpe **** I’d recommend this one. Continues the Dark Angels arc from Fallen Angels and wraps up the Imperium Secundus story.
Praetorian of Dorn by John French ***** Highly recommended. Terra and Imperial Fists. Great story and has a huge reveal at the end.
The Master of Mankind by Aaron Dembski-Bowden ***** Must read. The emperor is a dick.
Ruinstorm by David Annandale Follows the Imperium Secundus story arc.  It’s Annandale so has some horror elements. Also, how the Blood Angels get to Terra from Ultramar and the Ultramarines and the Dark Angels don’t.

Garro by James Swallow **** Not required reading but this is a collection of all the cool Garro short stories.

I haven’t read the Crimson King by Graham McNeill yet but it’s highly recommended and probably next on my list.