BookRank

Reading order

The Horus Heresy reading order

Graham McNeill

  1. Horus Rising2006
  2. False Gods
  3. Galaxy in Flames2006
  4. The Flight of the Eisenstein2007
  5. Fulgrim2007
  6. Descent of Angels2007
  7. Battle for the Abyss2008
  8. Mechanicum2008
  9. Fallen Angels2009
  10. A Thousand Sons2010
  11. Nemesis2010
  12. The First Heretic2010
  13. Every volume in order (34) ↓
7.87.8 / 10
452 ratings
Score
34 volumes
Volumes
2006–2019
Published
Completed
Status
Science fiction
Genre

Quick answer

Horus Rising
Start withHorus Rising2006 · Volume 1 of 34
Buy the first volumeListen to the audiobook

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Publication order

34 volumes2006–2019Completed

  • A Warhammer 40,000 series by many Black Library authors, not one.
  • Start with the opening trilogy: Horus Rising (Dan Abnett), False Gods and Galaxy in Flames.
  • The story is finished in the follow-up series The Siege of Terra.

Every volume in order

Read: 0 of 34
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200620062007200720072008200820092010201020102011201120112012201220122012201320132014201420152016201620162017201720172017201820182019
7.58.08.5
200620062007200720072008200820092010201020102011201120112012201220122012201320132014201420152016201620162017201720172017201820182019
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Score per volume34 volumes on a timeline, 2006 to 2019 · Best-rated volume: A Thousand Sons
  1. Horus Rising
    Horus Rising2006 · Not ranked yetStart hereBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  2. False Gods
    False Gods · 206 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  3. Galaxy in Flames
    Galaxy in Flames2006 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  4. The Flight of the Eisenstein
    The Flight of the Eisenstein2007 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  5. Fulgrim
    Fulgrim2007 · 105 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  6. Descent of Angels
    Descent of Angels2007 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  7. Battle for the Abyss
    Battle for the Abyss2008 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  8. Mechanicum
    Mechanicum2008 · 67 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  9. Fallen Angels
    Fallen Angels2009 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  10. A Thousand Sons
    A Thousand Sons2010 · 74 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  11. Nemesis
    Nemesis2010 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  12. The First Heretic
    The First Heretic2010 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  13. Prospero Burns
    Prospero Burns2011 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  14. The Outcast Dead
    The Outcast Dead2011 · 28 ratings · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  15. Deliverance Lost
    Deliverance Lost2011 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  16. Know No Fear
    Know No Fear2012 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  17. Fear to Tread
    Fear to Tread2012 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  18. Angel Exterminatus
    Angel Exterminatus2012 · 28 ratings · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  19. Betrayer
    Betrayer2012 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  20. Vulkan Lives
    Vulkan Lives2013 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  21. The Unremembered Empire
    The Unremembered Empire2013 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  22. Vengeful Spirit
    Vengeful Spirit2014 · 18 ratings · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  23. The Damnation of Pythos
    The Damnation of Pythos2014 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  24. Deathfire
    Deathfire2015 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  25. Pharos
    Pharos2016 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  26. Angels of Caliban
    Angels of Caliban2016 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  27. The Master of Mankind
    The Master of Mankind2016 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  28. Garro
    Garro2017 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  29. The Crimson King
    The Crimson King2017 · 16 ratings · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  30. Ruinstorm
    Ruinstorm2017 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet
  31. Old Earth
    Old Earth2017 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  32. Wolfsbane
    Wolfsbane2018 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  33. Titandeath
    Titandeath2018 · Not ranked yetBuy
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  34. The Buried Dagger
    The Buried Dagger2019 · Not ranked yetBuy
    –Not ranked yet

Order checked by hand · Order and years: Wikidata (CC0). Spotted an error? Tell us. · Data updated October 29, 2026

The Horus Heresy books ranked, best to worst

  1. 1.A Thousand SonsBook 12 · 20108.0
  2. 2.False GodsBook 27.9
  3. 3.MechanicumBook 9 · 20087.7
  4. 3.FulgrimBook 5 · 20077.7
Top Science fiction series →

Extras, short stories and spin-offs

Not needed to follow the main story — read them after the series or skip them.

  • The Siege of Terra

Frequently asked questions

Which Horus Heresy book is the best?

By reader score, A Thousand Sons (8.0/10). The lowest-rated is Fulgrim (7.7/10).

Which The Horus Heresy book is the longest?

“A Thousand Sons” is the longest at 560 pages; the shortest is “False Gods” with 416 pages.

What should I read after The Horus Heresy?

After the main series: The Siege of Terra.