Since you know from my previous post (if not you can check it here), I started to collect W40K… I plan to play it when the lockdown is over. However, W40K is not only collecting, painting and playing, it is also reading an immense lore.
I am by nature an avid reader, I can read books related to politic, business, etc. But the ones I really love to read are the Fantasy ones. Horus Rising saga fits perfectly in my sweet spot.
Just to give you a quick idea, I got my first book from the saga on January 7 and I finished my third book on February 1. I already started the fourth book. They all have over 400 pages of pure action.
Even though, each book is written by a different author, they all follow a perfect timeline. The transition from one book to another is smooth. They all connect each other and make references to previous stories. So it helps to read them in order.
Since the book 1 of The Horus Heresy wasn’t available, I started with the Book 2: False Gods – The heresy takes root from Graham McNeill. Then I went with Book 3: Galaxy in Flames – The heresy revealed from Ben Counter, and finally I got the Book 1: Horus Rising – The seeds of heresy are sown from Dan Abnett. Later I will post a review of each book trying to avoid any spoiler possible.
I really enjoy the arc of the characters. They all have different personalities and you see that some events are changing them. Even though they are mighty and considered perfect, they have doubts. They want answers and they start to questions what were not supposed to be questioned. At each new step, pieces of the puzzle starts to get in place to explain why the galaxy is a grim place. Many characters you will like, will take decisions you wouldn’t think they would. However, after some events you understand why they changed.
I always end up with an eternal debate in my head. Who is wrong? What is the right choice? Who is hiding the truth? I am sure you will understand the debate when you read the books. I would dare to say that everything makes sense. At least all my questions have been answered so far. Sadly, some main characters will suffer dreadful changes due to unexpected circumstances. You will feel the nerve-racking feeling when everything seems to be going fine… and then… too late, a difficult decision changes the future of the galaxy for ever. Some moments you will be wishing the character could go back and change his mind. You, the reader, see the trap, you know that everything will get messy, but you can’t do anything. Your conscience will tell you to go right, but the character you enjoy end up not being as you expected. Thus, the latter, when faced with a difficult situation, decides to go to the left. That said, you will feel excited to turn to the next page.
IMPORTANT: If you have the Core Book (the rules for playing Warhammer 40,000) you will have small summaries of what happened during the Horus Heresy saga. The saga tells the events that occurred after the Great Crusade, during the period known as Age of Darkness that started in year 31,000. I made the “mistake” of reading the Core Book and hence, I know, let’s say, the end result of the saga. Nevertheless, the stories are so compelling, full of actions and intrigues, that knowing the conclusion is in no way reducing the interest of the lecture.
I started Book 4: The Flight Of The Eisenstein – The heresy unfolds by James Swallow. I can’t wait to see what will happen next, since the Book 3… made some of my favorite characters to… have unexpected endings. :0(
If you became interested to buy the books, you can check first on Amazon. However, some are very expensive and have shipping fees, since they are sold by third parties. I currently have 8 books from the saga, but unfortunately, I am missing, Book 5 and Book 6. The latter is out of stock at Games Workshop online store. If you prefer to buy e-books, you don’t have this problem. That’s not an option for me, since I prefer to hold the physical book and turn the pages. Also, if you don’t like to read, go with the audiobooks. Never tried them, but I am sure they must be great. Amazon has them and, of course, you can acquire them at Black Library.
In summary: I am totally hooked up with this saga. The list of books is huge and many are a compendium of small stories. As I advance, I will post my thoughts about each book and author. I strongly recommend that you read The Horus Heresy saga; at least the first three books are great and will give you a lot of information to help you make sense of the game. Now that I know what happened before W40K, I know exactly what armies I plan to build and collect. Knowing the background story gives you a boost of interest in your army.
So far I finished:
- Horus Rising – The seeds of heresy are sown (book 1)
- False Gods – The heresy takes root (book 2)
- Galaxy in Flames – The heresy revealed (book 3)
Reading:
- The Flight of The Eisenstein – The heresy unfolds (book 4)
Own:
- Legion – Secrets and lies (book 7)
- Battle for The Abyss – My brother, my enemy (book 8)
- Mechanicum – Knowledge in power (book 9)
- The Buried Dagger – Doom of the Death Guard (book 54)*
*I know… 54 doesn’t make any sense…