How many horus heresy novels will there be

Clocking in at fifty-four books, you would be forgiven for taking one look at the Horus Heresy series of Warhammer 40K prequels and doing a runner out of the nearest airlock. Telling the tale of how the 40K universe came to be in the shape it is, the Horus Heresy is a series of novels that delves into the dark side of human nature in an already dark universe.

But fear not, grimdark fiction fans, there is help at hand. Read on, and we'll let you know which books are essential to give you all the history behind this pivotal event in the Warhammer 40K universe — and which you can gloss over for another day.

We begin in uncharacteristically linear style, considering just how many branches this series ends up having at the beginning. The first five novels are utterly essential. From here, you can start being more selective. However, if you have a particular affinity for a legion, be sure to check out the books which focus on them — such as Descent of Angels and Fallen Angels for Dark Angels fans.

The Crimson King. Old Earth. The Burden of Loyalty. Born of Flame. Slaves to Darkness. Heralds of the Siege. The Buried Dagger. The Solar War. The Lost and the Damned. The Lords of Silence Warhammer 40, Sanctus Reach Space Marine Battles. Horus Heresy read order. Publisher: Black Library. Reading order: Horus Rising. Archaon at Reply. James Withen at Reply. Pat Wehrenberg at Reply. Mari Cutler at Reply. Elmo at Reply. Mariel at Reply. Melissa Lind at Reply. Bryce the Ork at Reply.

Rusell at Reply. Elman at Reply. Gil at Reply. Sigmar at Reply. Anil at Reply. Despite its relative anonymity, it will always be held in the highest regard by its fans and maybe one day achieve the wider kudos it deserves, perhaps even becoming the greatest and most prolific novel series that you had once never read.

Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. Privacy Policy. Password recovery. Cinelinx Movies. Geek Culture. Geek Approved The Rack. If you missed out Privacy Policy Terms of Service. Rogue elements within the Mechanicum priesthood, stirred by the Warmaster's promises of independence and prosperity, turned against the Imperium and forced the Primarch Rogal Dorn to order an impenetrable blockade of the Red Planet.

Now it has become clear that the corruption has spread too deep, and that more drastic measures must be taken if the Forge World Principal is to be reclaimed. Calling upon the expertise of those who witnessed the so-called 'Death of Innocence' firsthand, Lord Dorn and Malcador the Sigillite consider their final solution - the complete extermination of all life on Mars. Wolf King is a Horus Heresy Series novella. The Space Wolves were set upon by the forces of the Alpha Legion before they had even recovered from the Scouring of Prospero — hounded to the edge of the Alaxxes Nebula , in desperation Leman Russ called out to his Primarch brothers for aid.

None came. Now, with their fleet stranded and supplies dwindling, the warriors of the Rout face almost certain death amidst the rust-red clouds of the nebula. But what a glorious end it shall be, worthy of the sagas of old, and Alpharius 's sons will soon learn that a cornered wolf is always the most deadly. The Honoured is a Horus Heresy Series novella. Perhaps, if he can master his own bitter desire for vengeance… Both The Unburdened and The Honoured were also published together as the Betrayal at Calth duology box set, a limited-edition premium version containing hard-back copies of both novellas and additional artwork.

The Unburdened is a Horus Heresy Series novella. Long considering themselves persecuted by the rest of the Imperium , the apostles of the Word Bearers Legion have courted sedition, betrayal and even open heresy for decades.

Both The Unburdened and The Honoured were also published together as the Betrayal at Calth duology box set, a limited-edition premium version containing hard-back copies of both novellas and additional artwork. Long has been the road of Nathaniel Garro. Even as the armies of the Warmaster draw near, Garro strikes out into the wastes of holy Terra.

The object of his search? None other than the Living Saint, Euphrati Keeler herself. Charged with a solemn duty by the Primarch Vulkan himself, Forgefather T'kell of the Salamanders prepares for what may be his last journey. Along with a chosen few of the Legion's elite Firedrakes , he must bear the last seven of Vulkan's greatest weapons away to the secret vault known as The Wrought , putting them forever beyond the reach of enemy and ally alike.

But word has already spread of these legendary artifacts Although Sons of the Forge is marketed as a full length novel it only contains pages, more than a novella yet less than a full novel and is the second novella marketed this way the other was Tallarn: Ironclad.

With the Ruinstorm broken and the forces of Guilliman and Sanguinius making all haste for Terra , the Dark Angels lead a bloody campaign of annihilation against the worlds of the Traitor Legions. But as the Legion fragments and the tally of shattered worlds between them and Terra grows, it falls to the Wing lieutenants to question whether the Lion still wages a war he intends to win — or one he has already lost.

As determined as Guilliman is to reach Terra, Horus is as resolute in delaying his brother Primarch until it is too late. At all costs, they must hold back the Ultramarines. Guilliman foresees the coming ambush, but he has no choice but to plunge into it, and so begins a desperate struggle where the passage of every second could mark the difference between survival or extinction for the Imperium. The Primarchs is a series of Horus Heresy novellas that focus on each of the 18 known Primarchs.

The series began publication in May , starting with Roboute Guilliman. As of , The Primarchs series not only contains novellas focusing on each Primarch as originally announced but also contains short stories, audio dramas and even stories focusing on non-Primarch characters, such as Malcador the Sigillite. Even after learning of his true heritage as a Primarch son of the Emperor of Mankind , he strove to expand his domain as efficiently and benevolently as possible, with the XIII Legion Ultramarines as his alone to command.

Now, facing a rival empire on the Ork-held world of Thoas, Guilliman must choose his weapons carefully — otherwise his dream of a brighter future could be lost forever At the height of the Great Crusade , his Space Wolves fight to bring the rebel world of Dulan to compliance. Enraged by the defiance of the tyrant Durath, Russ has pledged to strike him down personally but his brother Lion El'Jonson , Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion, advises more caution.

With the might of two Legions arrayed against Durath, tensions nevertheless run high, and the rivalry between the Wolf and the Lion threatens to engulf them all. Lord of the mystical and uncanny, Magnus the Red has long studied the ancient crafts of sorcery.

A Psyker without peer, save only for the Emperor himself, he commands his loyal followers of the Thousand Sons Legion in the Great Crusade , always vigilant for any lost knowledge they might recover from the remains of dead human civilisations. Now, fighting alongside his brother Perturabo of the Iron Warriors Legion , Magnus begins to foresee an approaching nexus of fate.

Will he remain true to their mutual aims, or divert his own efforts towards furthering his own mastery of the warp? Born to a life of political conflict, Perturabo was always considered a child prodigy among the people of Olympia — indeed, his philosophical and scientific works were beyond compare. When word reaches him of turmoil on his adoptive home world, he orders the Iron Warriors to abandon their campaign against the xenos Hrud and crush this emerging rebellion by any means necessary On the world of Colchis , mighty religions rule a decaying society in the name of absent gods — until the arrival of Lorgar.

Primarch , prophet, leader of destiny, the "Golden One" is raised by Kor Phaeron , priest of the Covenant, to be his weapon in a quest for power. As religious war spreads across the planet, spearheaded by the Brotherhood of Lorgar, the Primarch is plagued by visions of the future and the coming of the Emperor. To find his place in this new order, he must reach balance between the teachings of his adopted father Kor Phaeron, and the fate that he knows awaits him among the stars.

Final cover art has yet to be revealed. Lord of Chemos and bearer of the Palatine Aquila, Fulgrim , Primarch of the Emperor's Children , is determined to take his rightful place in the Great Crusade , whatever the cost. A swordsman without equal, the Phoenician has long studied the art of war and grows impatient to put his skills, and those of his loyal followers, to a true test. Now, accompanied by only seven of his finest warriors, he seeks to bring a rebellious world into compliance, by any means necessary.

But Fulgrim soon learns that no victory come without cost, and the greater the triumph, the greater the price one must pay The Great Crusade has swept across half the galaxy, a million human worlds now embracing the truth and reason that comes with allegiance to the rule of Terra.

But even such unparalleled success comes at a cost. Rumours abound that the Emperor plans to step back from the Crusade and raise one of his Primarch sons to lead in his stead. Ever since the Imperium 's discovery of Chogoris , the White Scars ' culture of warrior mysticism has sat uneasily with the ideals of Unity. As the Great Crusade burns across the stars, their enigmatic Primarch Jaghatai Khan fights to preserve their distinctiveness amid a galaxy where cold rationality holds sway.

Despite his self-imposed isolation, others in the brotherhood of Primarchs seek to draw him into the greatest ideological battle of them all -- the place of psychic power within the Legions. As the Librarius Project is born, and opposition to it grows, the Khan must decide where his greatest allegiance lies -- to the Imperial Truth , or to his own heritage. As the Emperor marshals his armies to reclaim the Galaxy for the glory of Mankind , one by one his Space Marine Legions are reunited with their missing Primarchs.

In the Taras Division , legionaries face annihilation as they take a last, desperate stand against a monstrous Ork invasion. Meanwhile, on Nocturne , Vulkan has raised and trained a new force of warriors. Now it is the time for him to lead his sons into battle. Now it is the time for him to truly don the mantle of Primarch, not only to save one half of his Legion, but forge a new, indivisible whole. The following are Horus Heresy Series Omnibus books, each collecting several main series novels, novellas, short stories, and printed versions of audio dramas.

It was to be the dawn of a glorious new age. Following countless millennia of darkness and strife, the armies of the Emperor of Mankind had reconquered world after world in a Great Crusade , the like of which the galaxy had never seen.

Having established themselves as the most powerful military force ever to march under a single banner, the Space Marine Legions were each led by a god-like Primarch — those apparently immortal sons of the Emperor himself.

Humanity seemed set to rule the stars once more. And then came Horus Lupercal. The noble Warmaster, and reviled arch-traitor. Crusade's End contains three novels and three short stories. Only in perfection can evil flourish.

In strength, there is weakness. In beauty, horror. The Last Phoenix contains two novels, five short stories, and two novella length short stories.

Not all of the Primarchs were created equal. Long persecuted for his Legion's sorcerous ways, Magnus the Red nevertheless considered himself among the most loyal of the Emperor's Sons. It was he who first learned of Horus's corruption, but in trying to warn his father he earned the wrath of Leman Russ - Primarch of the Space Wolves and self-styled Imperial Executioner.

Word of the subsequent attack on Prospero blurred the lines between ally and enemy, friend and foe, throughout the Legions. Seeking only unity, the Imperium engineered its own downfall. The Razing of Prospero contains two novels and four short stories. This list includes all short stories and novelettes that are first published as stand alone quick reads, quick reads, e-shorts, novelettes, or are included in special edition releases or exclusive timed releases.

Short stories that were released as part of an anthology, or ones that are prose versions of original audio dramas are not listed here. Currently most stand alone short stories are later re-released as part of an anthology. The Dark King is a short story that takes place during the Horus Heresy. Wracked by terrible visions of the future, Curze is driven insane and attacks Dorn, setting the Night Lord on an inexorable course towards eternal damnation.

The Lightning Tower is a short story that takes place during the Horus Heresy. He must tear down the magnificence of the Emperor's Palace , a shining beacon in a galaxy of darkness, and turn it into a fortress. With the army of arch-traitor Horus drawing ever closer, as he blights the Palace with gunports and defence towers, Dorn must face a difficult question: 'What are you afraid of? Army of One is a short story that takes place during the Horus Heresy , the civil war that blazed across the galaxy.

The Hive World of Proxima Apocryphis turns Traitor and Malcador the Sigillite despatches punishment in the form of a living weapon -- an Eversor Assassin - the ultimate weapon in the living arsenal of the Officio Assassinorum. The responsibility has fallen to the Imperial Assassin to decimate Proxima Apocryphis' heretical command structure and rip the traitorous heart from the defecting forces.

Army of One was later released as part of The Silent War anthology. Kryptos was later released as part of the Legacies of Betrayal anthology. As his foes elude him, he unleashes one of his Legion's most terrifying weapons: the Destroyers.

Lost Sons takes place five years after Sanguinius and the majority of the Blood Angels Legion departed for the Signus Cluster , on the Warmaster 's order. Since then, the Horus Heresy has been revealed and is sweeping across the galaxy. Only twenty Blood Angels stand guard on Baal , desperate for news of their brothers, but all travel and communication with the Signus system has been blocked by the malignant ruinstorm between the two systems.

Warden Arkad is surprised by the arrival of Tylos Rubio , an agent of the Sigillite, bearing an unfortunate message: with their Primarch and the majority of their Legion lost and presumed dead, the Sigillite has ordered the Blood Angels disbanded, and their fleet and armoury distributed to other loyalist factions.

Lost Sons was later made part of the Black Library Weekender Anthology, as only one of two short stories pertaining to the Horus Heresy, but can also be purchased separately. Death of a Silversmith is a Horus Heresy Short Story that takes place before the fall of Horus where a lone remembrancer meets an unfortunate end at the hands of the Luna Wolves.

The Divine Word follows Praefector Marcus Valerius as he is beset by disturbing dreams and in the midst of a brutal war, will he find salvation in the so-called holy truths of the Lectitio Divinitatus? The Divine Word was later made part of the Black Library Weekender Anthology, as only one of two short stories pertaining to the Horus Heresy, but can also be purchased separately.

The Divine Word was later released as part of the Legacies of Betrayal anthology. The Kaban Project is a Horus Heresy Short Story that takes place on Mars where the Mechanicum has recreated one of humanity's greatest sins: an artificially sentient machine known only as Kaban. The Kaban Project was originally published in the Horus Heresy: Collected Visions artbook and again in the Shadows of Treachery anthology, and now is available for the first time as a stand alone e-book.

The Gates of Terra takes place as the Heresy spreads across the galaxy and confusion reigns, only one thing is certain: Horus and his traitor Legions will eventually strike at Terra. But he will not find it unguarded - the Ardent Reef , an encircling ring of gun bastions and asteroid bases, is but one amongst many such lines of defence. Captain Arcadese of the Ultramarines finds himself in command of a host of his battle-brothers, as the renegade Warmaster's fleet launches its final assault on the Throneworld.

Will he hold the line even in the face of almost certain death, or will his own loyalty waver in those final moments? Angron , gladiator- Primarch of the World Eaters , is renowned across the galaxy for his savagery and brutal martial code. But amidst the ruins of Isstvan III , even as he slaughters his own wayward sons, he finds a unique serenity in the carnage of warfare And for what does the Eater of Worlds hunger above all else?

Nothing more than freedom. Serpent was later released as part of the Legacies of Betrayal anthology and as an audio book. Stranger things than xenos and mutants dwell in the dark places between the stars - things known only too well to the inhabitants of Davin. Cult priest Thoros calls upon the favour of his patron gods to aid him in casting out the pretenders and non-believers, for only the true disciples of Chaos can be allowed to rule the galaxy Cover art taken from audio drama cover.

After returning from his failed mission to Caliban , he has since ignored all of Malcador the Sigillite 's summons and devoted himself to restoring a garden in a forgotten biodome of the Somnus Citadel. While waging an aggressive "war" on the aphids plaguing the garden, he is visited by an unexpected soul: Tarik Torgaddon , slain months ago on Istvaan III. Torgaddon cheerfully remembers being killed, yet insists he is there on Luna.

Luna Mendax was later released as part of The Silent War anthology. When he learns of the death of his beloved Primarch , Ferrus Manus , at the hands of the Traitor Legions , his grief imbues him with the strength and resolve to undertake a special mission on behalf of Rogal Dorn himself. Striking out into the stars, he searches for any signs of his lost brethren, hoping to bring them back to Terra to aid in the final defence of the Imperial Palace.

The question remains — just who has survived the slaughter on Istvaan V , and what yet remains of them? Riven was released by the Black Library as part of their Digital Mondays e-book releases, and was written by author John French.

Riven was later released as part of the Legacies of Betrayal anthology. While Leman Russ and the rest of the Rout fight against the daemonic masses, Bjorn stands alone. Bjorn: Lone Wolf was later released as part of the Legacies of Betrayal anthology. The Wolf of Ash and Fire was released as a free e-book with every copy of Macragge's Honour and later released as a stand alone e-book. Heart of the Conqueror is a Horus Heresy short story that takes place after the events of the main series novel Betrayer , and follows the World Eaters Legion and their now Daemonic Primarch , Angron.

Angron is chained in the deepest dungeon aboard the Conqueror , his own flagship. Meanwhile the ship's only Navigator takes her own life after no longer being able to be part of the Legion's insanity and bloodlust, ripping the ship violently out of the Warp and into realspace, where they are then stranded and lost, with the Daemon Primarch beneath their feet.

Heart of the Conqueror was released as a Horus Heresy Weekender exclusive, and is also included in the Legacies of Betrayal anthology. This short story was later released as an e-book. Child of Night is a Horus Heresy short story. What will happen when he discovers that his Legion has fallen into heresy? And where will his loyalties lie? Child of Night was later released as part of The Silent War anthology. The Shadowmasters is a Horus Heresy Short Story that first appeared within the dusk jacket for the hardback release of the Horus Heresy Novella Corax: Soulforge and later released as an audio book.

The Mor Deythan stand apart from their brothers of the Raven Guard Legion - indeed, there are many who would claim that they do not even exist. Blessed with the same powers of stealth and subterfuge as their Primarch Corvus Corax , the self-styled Shadowmasters may slip through any battlefield, unseen and unheard, until they are ready to strike. Now, as the Legion mounts its attack on the Forge World of Atlas , Brother-Sergeant Chamell leads his warriors on a vital, clandestine mission to strike at the enemy's heart.

Cover art taken from audio book release. The Shadowmasters was later released as part of the Corax anthology. Decades before Horus's civil war sunders the Imperium , Raeven Devine , ruler-in-waiting of the world of Molech , prepares for his Becoming , the rite that will elevate him to the rank of Knight and bond him with the mighty war machine that will be his steed for years to come.

But traitors within the Sacristans have other ideas and a shocking act of betrayal sets the stage for one of the bloodiest battles of the Horus Heresy. The Devine Adoratrice was released as an ebook so it could act as the prequel to Book 29, Vengeful Spirit.

Chagrined by his defeat at the hands of Jaghatai Khan , Mortarion abandons the pursuit of the White Scars Legion and instead leads the Death Guard in a spiteful, punitive rampage across the systems of the Prosperine Empire.

World after world has fallen to this horrific onslaught, and yet the insular and secretive Primarch seems preoccupied by some other, unspoken goal. Daemonology was originally released as an ebook but was later released as part of the Blades of the Traitor anthology. Daemonology was later released as part of the War Without End anthology.

Sins of the Father is a Horus Heresy short story. As Azkaellon and Amit duel in the ritual Tempest of Angels , the two favoured sons of Sanguinius learn something about their virtues and their weaknesses, of both themselves and each other. Sins of the Father was also later released as part of the Eye of Terra anthology.

As Horus grinds the Imperium beneath his boot, emissaries from the XVIth Legion return to worlds sworn to the Warmaster during the Great Crusade to have them renew their fealty. With the Sons of Horus already at battle readiness over Sixty-Three Fourteen, a grim decision must be made Vorax is a Horus Heresy short story.

But those rogue priests and adepts lurking in the depths will soon face a new enemy, and the hunters shall become the prey Vorax was later released as part of the Eye of Terra anthology. The Value of Fear is a Horus Heresy short story. The Raven Guard under Corax continue to gather all leaderless loyalists to their banner, determined to take the fight to Horus and his heretics.

In the industrial nightmare of the underhive, the XIXth Legion receive a lesson in terror tactics from the most unlikely of allies — the Night Lords The Value of Fear was later released as part of the Corax anthology. Brotherhood of the Moon is a Horus Heresy short story. In the aftermath of the rebellion within his Legion, Jaghatai Khan ordered the trials of his wayward sons to determine whether or not they would atone.

The proud Terran legionary Torghun Khan now stands before his accusers, and must account for the events that could have led him into outright heresy Brotherhood of the Moon was later released as part of the Eye of Terra anthology.

Virtues of the Sons is a Horus Heresy short story. Virtues of the Sons was published simultaneously as a stand-alone ebook and as a part of the Death and Defiance anthology. Virtues of the Sons was later released as part of the War Without End anthology.

Imperfect is a Horus Heresy short story. Especially since Ferrus Manus is dead Imperfect was published simultaneously as a stand-alone ebook and as a part of the Death and Defiance anthology. Imperfect was later released as part of the War Without End anthology.

Howl of the Hearthworld is a Horus Heresy short story. In the wake of the Razing of Prospero and Magnus the Red ' betrayal, Space Wolves watch packs were sent to keep an eye on each of the Primarchs , ready strike should treachery rear its head. Howl of the Hearthworld was published simultaneously as a stand-alone ebook and as a part of the Death and Defiance anthology.

Howl of the Hearthworld was later released as part of the War Without End anthology. Scattered and leaderless after their disastrous defeat at the hands of the Dark Angels Legion , the remnants of the Night Lords once mighty fleet head to a prearranged location: the world of Sotha , located on the fringes of Ultramar. They expect to find some of Guilliman's XIII Legion opposing them, but they're not prepared for what awaits them when they stumble across one of the most important worlds in Imperium Secundus.

A Safe and Shadowed Place was published simultaneously as a stand-alone ebook and as a part of the Death and Defiance anthology. Gunsight is a Horus Heresy short story. His target? Non-other than Warmaster Horus himself. Gunsight was published simultaneously as a stand-alone ebook and as a part of the Death and Defiance anthology. Gunsight was later released as part of the War Without End anthology. Black Oculus is a Horus Heresy short story.

Their only option? To thread the needle, and dive into the heart of the black hole. Perhaps by sheer blind luck, they were transported far across the warp to the Tallarn System — but the Navigators in service to the Iron Warriors fleet were irreversibly corrupted by that harrowing experience.

Black Oculus was originally released as an ebook but was later released as part of the Blades of the Traitor anthology. Black Oculus was later released as part of the War Without End anthology. Wolf Mother is a Horus Heresy short story.