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I interested in some of the HH books, but I've heard that some of them suck and would like to know which ones are worth reading.

Go in order. It's a series.

All of them except Battle for the Abyss, it's frankly just dire. Read Horus Rising, False Gods, Galaxy in Flames, Flight of the Eisenstein and Fulgrim in that order, they should be the first things you read because the compilation books will probably make more sense that way. Read the rest at your leisure, maybe best to read A Thousand Sons and Prospero Burns back-to-back, although the which one comes first doesn't really matter.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Leonus Cohol wrote:Go in order. It's a series.

The first three are, the rest are not.

Actually, read Prospero Burns first, that way you are not pre-set to dislike the Space Wolves as you are after reading A Thousand Sons. Then read A Thousand Sons and share your impressions.

Some say Prospero Burns redeems the Space Wolves, to me it just made them worse. It'd be interesting to see the conclusion of someone who read the stories in a different order.

Thanks guys I will get right on that.

I agree with the advice of others in regards to what order to read them in, but I will also add a couple of pointers for more... 'dubious' novels within the series. As Taco said, Battle for the Abyss is awful. The two Dark Angels novels (Descent of Angels & Fallen Angels) are 'OK' IMHO, whilst I thought Nemesis was largely just popcorn-action, with little depth. But the vast majority of the series is excellent.

Omegus wrote:Some say Prospero Burns redeems the Space Wolves, to me it just made them worse.

I never could've guessed!

Although I would say even Battle for the Abyss has it's moments. Chiefly the interactions it shows between the various legions who had yet to pick sides, and how the cracks were already there and ready for Horus to exploit. That and there are some pretty cool characters (the World Eater and Thousand son specifically).

People condemned the first Dark Angels book for it's lack of relevance to the Heresy, but things are starting to become clear with the 2nd book and it is building up to a hopefully exciting crescendo in the final book of the trilogy. Personally, I quite enjoyed reading about the background to the DA in the first book, and it was a welcome change of pace from the other books in the series.

start from the beginning. some might suck but youll be glad to read even the bad ones. i dont regret reading them. some dont like the DA ones but i liked them.

Orkymike wrote:start from the beginning. some might suck but youll be glad to read even the bad ones. i dont regret reading them. some dont like the DA ones but i liked them.

This, even the worst books have something to add that makes the background seem better!

I liked all of them...well except Battle for the Abyss, I just couldn't get in it. As the rest have said, its best to read the first four or so in order then you can kinda jump around a bit. I personally started with Legion and jumped around but still found them to be a great read.

Battle for the Abyss and Mechanicum are relatively weak. The DA books don't add much to the story of the Heresy, but if you're into the DA, go for it.

daveNYC wrote:Battle for the Abyss and Mechanicum are relatively weak. The DA books don't add much to the story of the Heresy, but if you're into the DA, go for it.

I disagree.
I thought Mechanicum was one of the best in the series. It's a great novel; lots of different varieties of action (Knights, Titans(!!!), Space Marines, 'Standard' battles), great non-action/dialogue sequences and some really interesting characters. It's one of the few novels that doesn't focus on the astartes and it adds a lot of insight into the Heresy and the split within the Mechanicum and between the Mechanicum and imperium. It also adds some extra insight into the Big E and his 'personality'. I really recommend it as an all-round great book and it's not really 'predictable' unlike some of the novels; I really couldn't predict how it would end - and it was great.
It was the 1st book in the series I read and I loved it. Most people seem to think it's a good book and I thoroughly agree, then again, some people do dislike it, but personally I can't see why... But it's written by McNiell. Frankly, pretty much any novel by Dan Abnett, McNiell or Demski-bowden will be good.
I can't recommend the book enough personally, possibly my 4th or 3rd favourite in the series (with Legion, First Heretic and one of the 1st 3 methinks).

I agree, Mechanicum was nothing less than "boss as hell."

As an added bonus for me it featured the Void Dragon, which made me quite the happy camper.

There hasn't been a Horus Heresy book I can say I disliked, at the moment. Haven't read Battle of the Abyss or Nemesis yet, which are apparently not great.

A Thousand Sons was pretty easily my favorite. Am reading Prospero Burns now, which is good so far, even if the Space Wolves are massive dicks to mortals (Nicest chapter my ass).

Egads, can we have one thread without hating on the Space Wolves?!
*note: Salamanders are supposedly the nicest Chapter/Legion.

I have to agree that Battle of the Abyss and Nemesis aren't great, but Nemesis at least does actually add something to the story; providing some nice insight into Rogal Dorn's personality and view on things. I'd say Nemesis is more of a 'popcorn' novel really; providing little more than action, which was pretty repetitive IMHO. Then again, Assassins are cool and the Chaotic character was COOL.

Just Dave wrote:Egads, can we have one thread without hating on the Space Wolves?!

No, never.

*note: Salamanders are supposedly the nicest Chapter/Legion.

They are, they go to great lengths to save civilian lives, as seen in many works and in Index Astartes.

I have to agree that Battle of the Abyss and Nemesis aren't great, but Nemesis at least does actually add something to the story; providing some nice insight into Rogal Dorn's personality and view on things. I'd say Nemesis is more of a 'popcorn' novel really; providing little more than action, which was pretty repetitive IMHO. Then again, Assassins are cool and the Chaotic character was COOL.

I generally have heard the main reason to read Battle of the Abyss is for the World Eaters and Thousand Sons characters.

Just Dave wrote:Egads, can we have one thread without hating on the Space Wolves?!

This question is ludicrous. Of course not.

Yeah, and you two are the worst 'culprits'.

I'd personally like to see more with the World Eaters in the HH, portraying them as more than just berserkers, but i think I'm going to lose that one.

Shame really...

chunky_baby wrote:I'd personally like to see more with the World Eaters in the HH, portraying them as more than just berserkers, but i think I'm going to lose that one.

Shame really...

Read After De'Shea, in the short story anthology Tales of Heresy.

It has Kharn managing to pacify a raging Angron through words, Angron being moved by Kharn's unwavering loyalty to him and his word.

I'd prefer a full novel centering on them as well myself, but it's something.

Actually, I thought after De'Shea was rubbish, it must be said. There's another short story featuring World Eaters in the 2nd anthology (Age of Darkness) and they feature in the 1st three books too. IIRC Aaron Dembski Bowden has been given the go-ahead to do a World Eaters-centric Novel (or maybe audio-drama?) I think; which would be good news for World Eaters fans*.
*Of which I'm not, but it doesn't mean I'll go slamming them in every thread.

Just Dave wrote:Actually, I thought after De'Shea was rubbish, it must be said. There's another short story featuring World Eaters in the 2nd anthology (Age of Darkness) and they feature in the 1st three books too. IIRC Aaron Dembski Bowden has been given the go-ahead to do a World Eaters-centric Novel (or maybe audio-drama?) I think; which would be good news for World Eaters fans*.
*Of which I'm not, but it doesn't mean I'll go slamming them in every thread.

I haven't been able to find Age of Darkness myself.

And After De'Shea was good in that it showed another aspect of Angron, Kharn, and the World Eaters, but the writing felt stilted at times.

Dembski-Bowden writing a World Eaters novel would be good stuff indeed.

And hey now, it's not like I walked into the Ragnar Blackmane thread and started bashing the Wolves.

Void__Dragon wrote:

Just Dave wrote:Actually, I thought after De'Shea was rubbish, it must be said. There's another short story featuring World Eaters in the 2nd anthology (Age of Darkness) and they feature in the 1st three books too. IIRC Aaron Dembski Bowden has been given the go-ahead to do a World Eaters-centric Novel (or maybe audio-drama?) I think; which would be good news for World Eaters fans*.
*Of which I'm not, but it doesn't mean I'll go slamming them in every thread.

I haven't been able to find Age of Darkness myself.

And After De'Shea was good in that it showed another aspect of Angron, Kharn, and the World Eaters, but the writing felt stilted at times.

Dembski-Bowden writing a World Eaters novel would be good stuff indeed.

Lets be fair, AD-B writing anything is good stuff!
I think Age of Darkness is the better of the anthologies and definitely provides some juicy info on Roboute, Lion'el and Curze. I'd definitely recommend it if you've enjoyed the HH so far!

Personally, I agree that it showed a different side to Angron & Kharn (backing up the idea of Kharn being level-headed pre-heresy), however I feel it made Angron seem petulant, hung up on 'father-issues' and ultimately not fit to lead a Legion of Space Marines, whilst I agree with the writing being... uncomfortable for me. Maybe that's just my interpretation of the novel however.

And hey now, it's not like I walked into the Ragnar Blackmane thread and started bashing the Wolves.

Honestly, my point stands.

Just Dave wrote:Lets be fair, AD-B writing anything is good stuff!
I think Age of Darkness is the better of the anthologies and definitely provides some juicy info on Roboute, Lion'el and Curze. I'd definitely recommend it if you've enjoyed the HH so far!

Personally, I agree that it showed a different side to Angron & Kharn (backing up the idea of Kharn being level-headed pre-heresy), however I feel it made Angron seem petulant, hung up on 'father-issues' and ultimately not fit to lead a Legion of Space Marines, whilst I agree with the writing being... uncomfortable for me. Maybe that's just my interpretation of the novel however.

Will definitely try to find it then.

Yeah man, how dare Angron have a problem with the Emperor condemning his Legion to death because he was too lazy to help them win the battle!? What a petulant child!

... I'm being sarcastic of course, Angron being angry is completely justified.

Honestly, my point stands.

Hey now, I mentioned an opinion I have of the Wolves based on one of the Horus Heresy novels, like how you just did concerning Angron. Is that so wrong?

Just Dave wrote:Actually, I thought after De'Shea was rubbish, it must be said. There's another short story featuring World Eaters in the 2nd anthology (Age of Darkness) and they feature in the 1st three books too. IIRC Aaron Dembski Bowden has been given the go-ahead to do a World Eaters-centric Novel (or maybe audio-drama?) I think; which would be good news for World Eaters fans*.

That could be a tough one to do. I'm not entirely how you'd write anything about post-heresy World Eaters that doesn't end up as two hundred pages of "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!" I'm pretty sure ADB had a plan before he cleared the novel with the editorial team, but yeouch on being able to pull it off.

The main character of Mechanicum (and her Scooby gang) rubbed me the wrong way. Way too Mary Sue for my tastes. All the elements you mentioned are right there though, so it's quite possible that with a better main character I'd have been much happier with it.

Void__Dragon wrote:

Just Dave wrote:Lets be fair, AD-B writing anything is good stuff!
I think Age of Darkness is the better of the anthologies and definitely provides some juicy info on Roboute, Lion'el and Curze. I'd definitely recommend it if you've enjoyed the HH so far!

Personally, I agree that it showed a different side to Angron & Kharn (backing up the idea of Kharn being level-headed pre-heresy), however I feel it made Angron seem petulant, hung up on 'father-issues' and ultimately not fit to lead a Legion of Space Marines, whilst I agree with the writing being... uncomfortable for me. Maybe that's just my interpretation of the novel however.

Will definitely try to find it then.

Yeah man, how dare Angron have a problem with the Emperor condemning his Legion to death because he was too lazy to help them win the battle!? What a petulant child!

... I'm being sarcastic of course, Angron being angry is completely justified.

How did the Emperor condemn Angron's Legion to death? If anything, saving Angron condemned the World Eaters. The Emperor prevent Angron from performing a suicidal attack - admittedly in a very callous manner and they were Angrons friends - but in doing so he prevent Angron from getting himself killed, before putting Angrons previous oppressors to the sword. Yet Angron's unhappy with it?

Honestly, my point stands.

Hey now, I mentioned an opinion I have of the Wolves based on one of the Horus Heresy novels, like how you just did concerning Angron. Is that so wrong?

No, but the insistence (on your own admittance) of slamming the Space Wolves in every thread gets very old IMHO.

Just Dave wrote:How did the Emperor condemn Angron's Legion to death? If anything, saving Angron condemned the World Eaters. The Emperor prevent Angron from performing a suicidal attack - admittedly in a very callous manner and they were Angrons friends - but in doing so he prevent Angron from getting himself killed, before putting Angrons previous oppressors to the sword. Yet Angron's unhappy with it?

Oh sorry, that was a typo.

I meant he condemned the slaves, those he considered family, to death.

And no, the Emperor did not put the previous oppressors to the sword. He teleported Angron away. Rather than you know, using his own formidable might to effortlessly crush their armies alongside his son. Or just obliterate them from above.

Angron was also pissed because his first impression of him was of a "high lord" or whatever he called him, someone who ruled over and profited off of the sweat and blood of others.

There were many ways he could of handled that situation. The Emperor chose the wrong one.

No, but the insistence (on your own admittance) of slamming the Space Wolves in every thread gets very old IMHO.

It was a joke.

Try not to take what someone says online about some fictional space vikings so seriously.

I have enjoyed all the books I've read from the HH series. Even if you wont like a certain book as much as the others it still helps to provide information for later books and general knowledge about the fluff, which is always a fun thing to have.

Thatguy91 wrote:I have enjoyed all the books I've read from the HH series. Even if you wont like a certain book as much as the others it still helps to provide information for later books and general knowledge about the fluff, which is always a fun thing to have.

Same here.

I plan to read quite a few series that I've heard aren't even very good, simply for the juicy fluff contained within.