False Gods
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Our view
“False Gods” is a dark, fast-moving second Horus Heresy novel that turns on the wounding of Horus and the temptations that follow. The change of author goes almost unnoticed, the main characters each get their share of attention, and the pull between loyalties is the book’s real interest. Some readers feel the closing chapters are rushed, and some doubt how much it offers anyone unfamiliar with Warhammer 40,000 lore.
The view of the BookRank editors, written from readers’ ratings and comments. It does not affect the score or the book’s place in a ranking.
About the book
The Great Crusade that has taken humanity into the stars continues. The Emperor of mankind has handed the reins of command to his favoured son, the Warmaster Horus. Yet all is not well in the armies of the Imperium. Horus is still battling against the jealousy and resentment of his brother primarchs and, when he is injured in combat on the planet Davin, he must also battle his inner daemons. With all the temptations that Chaos has to offer, can the weakened Horus resist?
Reading order · The Horus Heresy
Full order & progress →- Horus RisingStart here
–Not ranked yet - False GodsThis book
7.97.9 / 10 - Galaxy in FlamesGalaxy in Flames–Not ranked yet
- The Flight of the EisensteinThe Flight of the Eisenstein–Not ranked yet
- Fulgrim
7.77.7 / 10 - Descent of AngelsDescent of Angels–Not ranked yet
- Battle for the AbyssBattle for the Abyss–Not ranked yet
- Mechanicum
7.77.7 / 10 - Fallen AngelsFallen Angels–Not ranked yet
- A Thousand Sons
8.08.0 / 10 - NemesisNemesis–Not ranked yet
- The First HereticThe First Heretic–Not ranked yet
- Prospero Burns
–Not ranked yet - The Outcast DeadThe Outcast Dead–Not ranked yet
- Deliverance LostDeliverance Lost–Not ranked yet
- Know No Fear
–Not ranked yet - Fear to TreadFear to Tread–Not ranked yet
- Angel ExterminatusAngel Exterminatus–Not ranked yet
- BetrayerBetrayer–Not ranked yet
- Vulkan LivesVulkan Lives–Not ranked yet
- The Unremembered Empire
–Not ranked yet - Vengeful SpiritVengeful Spirit–Not ranked yet
- The Damnation of PythosThe Damnation of Pythos–Not ranked yet
- DeathfireDeathfire–Not ranked yet
- PharosPharos–Not ranked yet
- Angels of CalibanAngels of Caliban–Not ranked yet
- The Master of MankindThe Master of Mankind–Not ranked yet
- GarroGarro–Not ranked yet
- The Crimson KingThe Crimson King–Not ranked yet
- RuinstormRuinstorm–Not ranked yet
- Old EarthOld Earth–Not ranked yet
- WolfsbaneWolfsbane–Not ranked yet
- TitandeathTitandeath–Not ranked yet
- The Buried DaggerThe Buried Dagger–Not ranked yet
Where the score comes from
The sources average 8.0 across 206 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 58% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Science fiction average of 7.8. That is how 7.9 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Library | 6.9 | 7 | 3% |
| Hardcover | 8.0 | 199 | 97% |
In this book
Themes this book shares with others — each leads to the best books on it.
If you liked this
The same shelf — Science fiction — and a score of 7.9, the closest to this book.
