Do I have to read all the Horus Heresy books? Where to start
You do not. Black Library has put together the Horus Heresy Saga, a curated run of 12 novels. It cuts a path through the series so you hit the important moments and branch off later. Start with Horus Rising at £17.38, then False Gods at £20.85.
What the Saga is
The Horus Heresy is the war that tore the Imperium apart, told across a very long run of novels. Warhammer Community, Games Workshop's news site, describes the Saga as a curated collection of novels. It goes from the earliest days of Horus's rebellion to the brink of the Siege of Terra.
The books were chosen as jumping-off points into the wider series. Each carries new artwork by Neil Roberts.
The first four books
| Book | About the book |
|---|---|
| 1. Horus Rising, £17.38, sold out at the moment | By Dan Abnett. The Saga opens here, so read this one first. |
| 2. False Gods, £20.85, in stock | By Graham McNeill. Horus is badly wounded and begins to fall under the corrupting influence of Chaos, and Erebus shows his true colours. |
Book three is Galaxy in Flames by Ben Counter, with the betrayal on Isstvan III and the duel between Garviel Loken and Ezekyle Abaddon. Book four is Flight of the Eisenstein by James Swallow, in which Captain Nathaniel Garro of the Death Guard flees the Isstvan system to warn the Emperor.
A simple reading rule
- Read book one. If you like it, read book two straight away. They run on from each other.
- After book two, decide. Carry on along the Saga if you want the main story, or branch off into stories about a Legion you love. Warhammer Community says the Saga is built so you can do either.
- Do not buy the whole series up front. Buy book one, and the next when you want it.
If you also collect the models
If you collect, our Horus Heresy collection has the games and kits. If you want a lighter first Warhammer book, see which Warhammer 40,000 novel to read first.
Common questions
Do I have to read all the Horus Heresy books in order?
You do not have to read them all. Within the Saga, read in order, and branch off once you have the main events.
How many books are in The Horus Heresy Saga?
Twelve novels make up the Saga, according to Warhammer Community. The whole series is much larger than that.
Can I start the Horus Heresy without reading other Warhammer 40,000 books?
The Saga was chosen to let newcomers get a good grasp of the series. The Heresy is set in the 31st Millennium, long before the 41st Millennium of Warhammer 40,000. You do not need any 40,000 novels first.
The Horus Heresy Saga, its 12 novels, new Neil Roberts artwork and False Gods as book two: Warhammer Community, 25 March 2026. Galaxy in Flames as the third book: Warhammer Community, 22 July 2026. Flight of the Eisenstein as the fourth: Warhammer Community, 14 October 2026. Authors: listings and the articles named. Prices and stock: this shop, read live.