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edit - I hope this is the appropriate forum, the 30K forum description said to put background questions in this one . . . :(

Hello!

Okay, so I've just finished Galaxy in Flames. The first three books have been a BLAST! I really enjoyed them, despite some parts in book three, but the trilogy overall was GREAT.

I've gone on to the BL site and they had that handy guide which had a 'suggested order' in which to read the HH books, but tbh I'd like to jump into some Mechanicus and Malcador stuff asap, and expand on some other characters and not be sidetracked by, what appears to be, a lot of filler based on some synopses I've scanned through.

My question is: Does the HH basically open up here with just a ton of separate (but ultimately related obviously) arcs/one-offs that I can read without needing to read the previous one or two books? Do they constantly build on each other that much that skipping right to, say, Mechanicum, will leave me without any kind of bearings, etc?

I've heard Flight of the Eisenstein is pretty important, so I actually bought that one yesterday - I have probably a week or two before needing a new book so if you could all help that'd be SUPERB.

Thanks and I appreciate the help!

Yes, but no, but yes, but no. Some books you can never read and it wouldn't make a difference to the story for you (might even improve it). While others you do need to read because there might be a reference in a story you do read and would find yourself totally lost as to what the feth they're talking about.
There are stand alone books, plus books in a certain thread of the story that are connected (look at the colours on the spine of your books). but if you want to start reading about a certain Mechanicus then jumping ahead at this point is fine.
TBH the story jumps around all over the place, so in the end it's up to you

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/English_Horus_heresy_spoiler_free_tree.jpg

Enjoy

 GoonBandito wrote:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/English_Horus_heresy_spoiler_free_tree.jpg

Enjoy

Now THAT is useful. Thanks!!!

edit - I was right in grabbing that Flight of the Eisenstein, looks like it's pretty crucial for the time period. Woo hoo!

 PrehistoricUFO wrote:


I've heard Flight of the Eisenstein is pretty important, so I actually bought that one yesterday - I have probably a week or two before needing a new book so if you could all help that'd be SUPERB.

Thanks and I appreciate the help!

After the first three books, most of the Garro stuff is pretty essential reading.
After that however, find a legion/faction you likw and stick with it.

SNAAAAKE wrote:

 PrehistoricUFO wrote:


I've heard Flight of the Eisenstein is pretty important, so I actually bought that one yesterday - I have probably a week or two before needing a new book so if you could all help that'd be SUPERB.

Thanks and I appreciate the help!

After the first three books, most of the Garro stuff is pretty essential reading.
After that however, find a legion/faction you likw and stick with it.

Yeah I've started to really enjoy Flight, and it looks like I'm going to stick with the Garro arc for a while - probably follow his path on that flow chart for a while.

I might try out some Mechanicus stuff afterward, but like you said I'll need to select a marine legion soon.

 GoonBandito wrote:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/English_Horus_heresy_spoiler_free_tree.jpg

Enjoy

Very interesting Sir.

 GoonBandito wrote:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/English_Horus_heresy_spoiler_free_tree.jpg

Enjoy

Quite usefull, thank you. Exalted.

I would reccomend Fulgrim before or after Eisenstein since it directly deal with the events of the original triology. It's also a jumping off point for many of the other novels. You can consider Eisenstein and Fulgrim to be direct sequels to the original triology, though fulgrim mostly deals with the events leading up to the Isvaan massacre.

After that most people I've seen reccomend A thousand sons, Prospero burns and legion. Throw in the first heretic and you'll have a pretty decent grasp on the overall story.