View source for The Horus Heresy

{{Italic title}}      
{{About|the series of novels based on the fictional event|other related literature|Horus Heresy#lit{{!}}Literature (in Horus Heresy)}}      
{{Infobox book series|<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]]-->     
|name=''Horus Heresy Novel Series''      
|author=Various [[#authorlist|(List of authors)]]    
|illustrator=Various [[#contriblist|(List of artists)]]    
|cover_artist={{ubl|Neil Roberts|Philip Sibbering}}      
|country=[[United Kingdom]]      
|language=[[English language|English]]      
|genre=[[Science fantasy]]      
|publisher=[[Black Library]]      
|pub_date=2006–2012 {{As of|2012|alt=(ongoing)}}{{Update after|2012|12|31|reason=still ongoing?}}      
|media_type={{ubl|li_style=white-space:nowrap; text-align:left;|Audio ([[CD]] [[audiobook]])|Digital (e-audiobook, [[e-book]])|Print ([[hardcover]], [[paperback]])}}      
|number_of_books=23      
|list_books=Horus Heresy (novels)#titlelist      
|website={{URL|1=http://www.thehorusheresy.com}}      
}}      
  
The '''''Horus Heresy Novel Series''''' is an {{As of|2012|alt=ongoing}}{{Update after|2012|12|31|reason=still ongoing?}} [[Book series|series]] of [[science fantasy]] books that contain stories written by [[#authorlist|multiple authors]]. The books are published in several [[Mass media|media]] by the [[Black Library]], a [[Games Workshop]] division, with the first title released in&nbsp;2006; {{As of|2012|alt=as of late&nbsp;2012}} the ''Series'' consisted of 23 [[#titlelist|published volumes]], with more in the [[#future|pipeline]].{{Update after|2012|12|31}} Its subject matter is the [[Horus Heresy]], a galaxy-spanning civil war occurring&nbsp;10,000 years prior to the far-future [[Campaign setting|setting]] of Games Workshop's ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' tabletop [[Miniature wargaming|miniatures wargame]], and a major contributing factor to the [[Dystopia|dystopic]] environment of the game.      
  
The ''Series'' has developed into a distinct and successful [[product line]] for the Black Library; titles [[#Sales|have often appeared]] in [[bestseller]] lists, and overall the work has received critical approval despite reservations. It is an established, definitive component of Game Workshop's ''Horus Heresy'' [[Brand#derivative|sub-brand]], and authoritative source material for the entire Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 [[fictional universe]] and its continuing development.      
  
=={{anchor|over}} Overview==      
'''Background and environment''' 
  
The ''Series'' is a dark, far-future [[military space opera]] with a main [[Ensemble cast|cast]] of hundreds. Its foundation is the [[Horus Heresy]], a cornerstone event of the [[Dystopia|dystopic]] Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 universe; the [[fictional universe]] was originally created by [[Black Library]] parent company [[Games Workshop]] as the [[campaign setting]] for its [[Warhammer 40,000|related]] tabletop [[Miniature wargaming|miniatures wargame]].{{r|dark-origin}} The Horus Heresy is a short but all-encompassing conflict{{spnd}} a civil war that devastates and defines the [[Imperium (Warhammer 40,000)|{{em|Imperium of Man}}]], the universe's nascent [[galactic empire]].{{r|background}} 
 
Although the ''Series'' takes full advantage of the underlying universe's wide scope, vast scale, and extreme time frames, it has developed a unique identity and [[Style (fiction)|"feel,"]] attributed to the concept's distinct subject matter.{{r|universe|identity}} It expands previous material{{r|audience-pov}} over a {{As of|2012|alt=growing number}}{{Update after|2012|12|31|reason=still growing?}} of [[#titlelist|titles]] consisting of full-length novels and compilations of [[novellas]] or [[Short story|short stories]], published in a [[#media|variety of media]]. The work is mainly responsible for repositioning the conflict from roughly sketched mythology to [[future history]] within the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 [[Setting (narrative)|narrative setting]].{{r|history}}    
 
'''Premise''' 
  
The [[Plot (narrative)|plot]] shares with other Black Library and Games Workshop material an underlying philosophical [[premise]] often encountered in the [[genre]], namely the postulated interplay of primordial opposites {{em|Order}} and {{em|Chaos}}.{{r|order-chaos}} They are principally represented in the storyline by the [[#eom|Emperor of Mankind]] and the [[Chaos (Warhammer)|Chaos Gods]] respectively; the Horus Heresy is presented as a major chapter of their conflict.{{r|premise}} The ''Series'' attempts a posture of disinterested observer, while describing the extremes of setting, characters, and actions with [[in-universe]] [[Realism (arts)|realism]].{{r|realism}}     
  
'''Character-driven storyline'''      
  
Overall, the ''Series'' storyline is [[Character (arts)|character-]] rather than event-driven.{{r|char-drive}} The stories employ classic themes of ambition, secrecy, intrigue, [[hubris]], duty, and betrayal as they describe the motives and actions of the [[protagonist]]s, many of whom are literally [[wikt:larger-than-life#Adjective|larger-than-life]]. In multiple [[narrative thread]]s, the stories attempt to make sense of a multitude of interconnected persons and events that take place across great expanses of time and space.{{r|bookmatter}} In keeping with the character-based narrative, information about the bigger picture of the Heresy and its underlying premise is usually, though not exclusively, conveyed through characters' actions and thoughts; they are hampered by hidden motivations, shadowy or unknown opponents, incomplete knowledge, and their [[character flaw]]s.{{r|char-traits}}     
  
'''Nonlinear narrative'''      
  
After an opening trilogy of books, the novelisation is not strictly sequential, and the storyline may be presented in [[Nonlinear narrative|nonlinear fashion]] from book to book;{{r|nonlinear}} the stories may concern events that happen earlier or later than their position in the ''Series'' would suggest, or may include time periods already covered in other ''Series'' books. In the latter case of horizontal expansions, the revisited time periods may pertain to either original events or to already-covered events viewed from a different perspective{{spnd}} in general, the stories are written as [[third-person omniscient narrative]]s.{{r|narrative-pov}} Several stories include discrete [[subplot]]s; stories may also center on pre-Heresy events, or they may take place before the Heresy begins.{{r|subplot|b15}} The protagonists' limited perspective, the wide scope of the storyline, and the nonlinear story telling, have resulted in gaps within the published narrative, presumably to be filled in as the ''Series'' continues.{{Update after|2012|12|31|reason=gaps filled in?}}      
  
'''Timelines'''      
  
The ''Series'' stories are generally set during the {{circa|lk=yes}}&nbsp;30,000&nbsp;AD Horus Heresy period of the fictional universe, ten millennia prior to the {{circa|lk=no}}&nbsp;40,000&nbsp;AD time frame employed by most Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 material. The entire Heresy conflict is depicted as lasting less than a decade.{{r|duration}}     
  
The first title in the ''Series,'' originally published April&nbsp;2006, is [[#book1|''Horus Rising'']] by [[Dan Abnett]]. It is also the first part in the opening trilogy of novels{{spnd}} a [[story arc]] completed with [[#book3|Book 3]], published in October&nbsp;2006{{spnd}} that presents some of the background and causes of the Heresy, and describes the start of the conflict. The trilogy's focus is on [[#horus|Warmaster Horus]], the principal [[antagonist]], and covers about two years of the overall Heresy timeline; however most of this period elapses before the actual rebellion begins. The ''Series'' includes additional story arcs, while stories in [[anthology|compilation]] volumes act as [[prequel]]s or [[sequel]]s to several of its full-length novels.{{r|pre-seq}}     
  
{{As of|2012}} the Black Library was keeping to a steady stream of ''Series'' releases, offering several new titles per year. Because of the lateral and pre-Heresy expansions in addition to other nonlinear elements, {{As of|2012|09|alt=by [[#book22|Book 22]] (published September&nbsp;2012),}} the titles' many narrative threads{{spnd}} spread over nearly&nbsp;9,800 pages{{r|b-physical}}{{spnd}} had only laid out background and early stages of the Heresy timeline, covering about three years of its nominal 10-year duration.{{r|audience-pov}}     
  
'''Positioning''' 
 
While earlier Horus Heresy products were marketed as game-related [[tie-in]]s, the ''Series'' like other Black Library publications, is also [[Positioning (marketing)|positioned]] as freestanding [[speculative fiction]]. It has become the publisher's [[flagship product]], and a definitive [[Canon (fiction)|canon]] element for the Horus Heresy and other aspects of the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 universe. It remains one of the latter's authoritative [[Fluff (fiction)|background]] sources, and is considered a major factor in the transformation of the Horus Heresy and the ancillary environment into [[Product marketing|marketable]] concepts and products.{{r|background|position}} 
 
'''Creators and books'''      
  
The [[#authorlist|authors]] and other [[#contriblist|contributors]] include veterans of the genre, and specifically of Warhammer&nbsp;40,000-related material;{{r|authors}} most have been regular Black Library or Games Workshop associates, and some have been involved in the Heresy concept since its creation. As is the case with other Horus Heresy and Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 literature, the authors draw on diverse [[Mythologies]] and Histories, and frequently [[Allusion|allude]] to fictional works or historical fact in their choices of character names, [[persona]]s, and actions.{{r|allusion}} Despite the large number of authors and titles the ''Series'' is considered to have generally maintained cohesion and [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]].{{r|cohesion|b17-con}} The ''Series'' creators, including Games Workshop or Black Library [[intellectual property]] staff, reputedly collaborate on its development; the work frequently negotiates the specifications and boundaries of the underlying [[brand]]ed universe, which had already undergone a 19-year development of its own by the time the first title in the ''Series'' was published.{{r|development}} 
 
Like other Black Library titles, the books' text-based editions include one of several "stock" unsigned single-page [[preamble]]s that provide a very general background to the stories that follow. In addition, each full-length novel includes a listing of major characters in its [[front matter]]; reprints or editions of some books have included a broad in-universe [[chronology]] in [[Back matter|back pages]].{{r|bookmatter}} All books  feature original [[cover art]] and one or more [[Book illustration|illustrations]], reproduced across different media releases,{{r|art}} while audio editions of ''Series'' titles are [[Voice-over|voiced]] by a variety of professional actors.

=={{anchor|authorlist}} Authors<!-- Section linked from within this article -->==      
* [[Dan Abnett]] (novel, short story)      
* Ben Counter (novel)      
* Aaron Dembski-Bowden (novel, novella, short story)      
* Matt Farrer (short story)      
* John French (novella, short story)      
* Nick Kyme (novella, short story)      
* Mike Lee (novel, short story)      
* [[Graham McNeill]] (novel, novella, short story)      
* Anthony Reynolds (short story)      
* Rob Sanders (novella, short story)      
* Mitchell Scanlon (novel)      
* [[James Swallow]] (novel, short story)      
* Gav Thorpe (novel, novella, short story)      
* Chris Wraight (short story)      
  
=={{anchor|contriblist}} Contributors<!-- Section linked from within this article -->==      
; Artists      
* Karl Richardson (illustration)   
* Neil Roberts (cover art, illustration{{spnd}} main ''Series'' artist)      
* Philip Sibbering (cover art, illustration)      
* Adrian Wood (illustration)      
  
; Audiobook narrators      
* [[Gareth Armstrong]] ([[Abridgement|unabridged]] novel, novella)      
* [[Sean Barrett (actor)|Sean Barrett]] (novella)      
* Martyn Ellis (abridged and unabridged novel, short story)      
* Jonathan Keeble (unabridged novel, novella, short story)      
* David Timpson (unabridged novel, novella)      
  
; Compilation editors      
* Christian Dunn (novella, short story)      
* Nick Kyme (novella, short story)      
* Lindsey Priestley (short story)      
  
=={{anchor|titlelist}} Titles<!-- Section linked from within this article -->==      
The following lists, current {{As of|2012|10|lc=y}}, pertain to original [[UK]] regular editions. For other editions and information see section [[#media|Media and editions]].      
  
===Published===      
{| class="wikitable"  | summary="List of published titles, authors, release dates and other details, with references."    
! scope="col" style="background: silver;"|Book !! scope="col" style="background: silver;"|Title !! scope="col" style="background: silver;"|Author !! scope="col" style="background: silver;"|Release date{{r|rel-info}} !! scope="col" style="background: silver;"|Length{{r|b-physical}} !! scope="col" style="background: silver;"|Ref{{r|ref-cmnt}}     
|-      
{{Book list      
|book_number=1|title=[[#book1|''Horus Rising'']]|alt_title=''The seeds of Heresy are sown''|author=Dan Abnett|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|April 2006 (paperback)|November 2010 (e-book)|January 2011 (audiobook)}}|aux1=412 pp.|aux2={{r|b1}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=2|title=[[#book2|''False Gods'']]|alt_title=''The Heresy takes root''|author=Graham McNeill|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|June 2006 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)|July 2011 (audiobook)}}|aux1=406 pp.|aux2={{r|b2}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=3|title=[[#book3|''Galaxy in Flames'']]|alt_title=''The Heresy revealed''|author=Ben Counter|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|October 2006 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)|January 2012 (audiobook)}}|aux1=407 pp.|aux2={{r|b3}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=4|title={{nowrap|[[#book4|''The Flight of the Eisenstein'']]}}|alt_title=''The Heresy unfolds''|author=James Swallow|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|March 2007 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=407 pp.|aux2={{r|b4}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=5|title=[[#book5|''Fulgrim'']]|alt_title=''Visions of treachery''|author=Graham McNeill|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|July 2007 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=510 pp.|aux2={{r|b5}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=6|title=[[#book6|''Descent of Angels'']]|alt_title=''Loyalty and honour''|author=Mitchel Scanlon|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|October 2007 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=413 pp.|aux2={{r|b6}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=7|title=[[#book7|''Legion'']]|alt_title=''Secrets and lies''|author=Dan Abnett|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|March 2008 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=412 pp.|aux2={{r|b7}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=8|title=[[#book8|''Battle for the Abyss'']]|alt_title=''My brother, my enemy''|author=Ben Counter|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|August 2008 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=411 pp.|aux2={{r|b8}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=9|title=[[#book9|''Mechanicum'']]|alt_title=''War comes to Mars''|author=Graham McNeill|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|December 2008 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=415 pp.|aux2={{r|b9}}|line_color=novel}}       
{{Book list      
|book_number=10|title=[[#book10|''Tales of Heresy'']]|alt_title={{interp|Short story compilation}}|author={{nowrap|Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley (editors)}}|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|April 2009 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=412 pp.|aux2={{r|b10}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=11|title=[[#book11|''Fallen Angels'']]|alt_title=''Deceit and betrayal''|author=Mike Lee|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|July 2009 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=412 pp.|aux2={{r|b11}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=12|title=[[#book12|''A Thousand Sons'']]|alt_title=''All is dust...''|author=Graham McNeill|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|March 2010 (paperback)|November 2010 (audiobook, e-book)}}|aux1=558 pp.|aux2={{r|b12}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=13|title=[[#book13|''Nemesis'']]|alt_title=''War within the shadows''|author=James Swallow|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|August 2010 (paperback)|December 2010 (e-book)}}|aux1=507 pp.|aux2={{r|b13}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=14|title=[[#book14|''The First Heretic'']]|alt_title=''Fall to Chaos''|author=Aaron Dembski-Bowden|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|November 2010 (e-book, paperback)}}|aux1=502 pp.|aux2={{r|b14}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=15|title=[[#book15|''Prospero Burns'']]|alt_title=''The Wolves unleashed''|author=Dan Abnett|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|December 2010 (audiobook, e-book)|January 2011 (paperback)}}|aux1=444 pp.|aux2={{r|b15}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=16|title=[[#book16|''Age of Darkness'']]|alt_title={{interp|Short story compilation}}|author=Christian Dunn (editor)|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|May 2011 (audiobook, e-book, paperback)}}|aux1=408 pp.|aux2={{r|b16}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=17|title=[[#book17|''The Outcast Dead'']]|alt_title=''The truth lies within''|author=Graham McNeill|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center; white-space:nowrap;|November 2011 (audiobook, e-book, paperback)}}|aux1=459 pp.|aux2={{r|b17}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=18|title=[[#book18|''Deliverance Lost'']]|alt_title=''Ghosts of Terra''|author=Gav Thorpe|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|January 2012 (audiobook, e-book, paperback)}}|aux1=469 pp.|aux2={{r|b18}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=19|title=[[#book19|''Know No Fear'']]|alt_title=''The battle of Calth''|author=Dan Abnett|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|February 2012 (audiobook, e-book)|March 2012 (paperback)}}|aux1=412 pp.|aux2={{r|b19}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=20|title=[[#book20|''The Primarchs'']]|alt_title={{interp|Novella compilation}}|author=Christian Dunn (editor)|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|May 2012 (audiobook, e-book)|June 2012 (paperback)}}|aux1=440 pp.|aux2={{r|b20}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=21|title=[[#book21|''Fear to Tread'']]|alt_title=''The Angel falls''|author=James Swallow|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|August 2012 (audiobook, e-book, paperback)}}|aux1=508 pp.|aux2={{r|b21}}|line_color=novel}}      
{{Book list      
|book_number=22|title=[[#book22|''Shadows of Treachery'']]|alt_title={{nowrap|{{interp|Short story and novella compilation}}}}|author=Christian Dunn and Nick Kyme (editors)|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|September 2012 (e-book, paperback)}}|aux1=409 pp.|aux2={{r|b22}}|line_color=novel}}
{{Book list      
|book_number=23|title=[[#book23|''Angel Exterminatus'']]|alt_title=''Flesh and iron''|author=Graham McNeill|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=text-align:center;|November 2012 (audiobook)}}|aux1={{mdash}}|aux2={{r|b23}}|line_color=novel}} 
|}

==={{anchor|future}} Announced<!-- Section linked from within this article -->===      
<!-- {| class="wikitable" | style="width: 50%";  
! scope="col" width="225px"|Title !! scope="col" width="225px"|Author !! scope="col" width="250px"|Release date{{r|bl-hh-cs}} !! Ref{{r|ref-cmnt}}     
|-      
{{Book list  
|title={{nowrap|}}|alt_title={{nowrap|}}|author={{nowrap|}}|publish_date={{ubl|li_style=white-space:nowrap; text-align:center;|}}|aux1={{r|b#}}|line_color=unpublished}}      
|} -->     
{{As of|2012|11|01|alt=As of early November 2012}} official announcement of further additions to the ''Series'' was pending.{{r|bl-hh-cs}}

=={{anchor|charlist}} Select characters==      
{{Main|List of Horus Heresy characters}}      
The following, listed alphabetically, are among characters that appear in multiple books or are protagonists of at least one novel; the listing includes other characters that are of special significance to the ''Series'' storyline.{{r|bookmatter}}     
* {{anchor|abaddon}}Ezekyle Abaddon{{spnd}} First Captain, Luna Wolves Legion of [[Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)|Space Marines]]{{spnd}} In the opening trilogy (Books&nbsp;[[#book1|1–3]]); also appears in other books      
* {{anchor|ahriman}}Ahzek Ahriman{{spnd}} Senior Corvidae (a [[precognition]] [[cult]]); Chief {{vanchor|Librarian}} (combat [[Magician (fantasy)|warlock]]), Thousand Sons Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book12|12]] and&nbsp;[[#book15|15]]      
* The Cabal{{spnd}} Secret, non-Imperial anti-[[Chaos (Warhammer)|Chaos]] organization{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book7|7]] and&nbsp;[[#book18|18]]. Special mention:      
** John Grammaticus{{spnd}} Human operative{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book7|7]]      
* Lysimachus Cestus{{spnd}} Captain and Fleet Commander, Ultramarines Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book8|8]]      
* {{anchor|eom}}The Emperor of Mankind{{spnd}} Founder and Head of the [[Imperium (Warhammer 40,000)|Imperium of Man]]; initiator of the [[#set|Great Crusade]]; "the [[wikt:anathema|{{dfn|style=font-style:italic;|1=Anathema}}]]" of Chaos – Appears in several books, including Books&nbsp;[[#book9|9]],&nbsp;[[#book12|12]] and&nbsp;[[#book14|14]]      
* {{anchor|erebus}}Erebus{{spnd}} First Chaplain (discipline, ideology, and morale officer), Word Bearers Legion; Dark [[wikt:apostle#Noun|Apostle]] ("Chaplain"-equivalent rank), Word Bearers of Chaos Undivided{{spnd}} A major character in several books, including Books&nbsp;[[#book2|2]],&nbsp;[[#book14|14]] and&nbsp;[[#book19|19]]      
* [[List of Horus Heresy characters#garro|Nathaniel Garro]]{{spnd}} Captain, Death Guard Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book3|3]] and&nbsp;[[#book4|4]]      
* {{anchor|hawser}}Kasper Hawser{{spnd}} [[wikt:Terra#etymology|Terran]] ([[Earth]]-born) [[academic]] and Conservator (historian); {{vanchor|Remembrancer}} ([[Embedded journalism|embedded]] civilian Crusade chronicler), 40th [[#set|Expedition]] of the Great Crusade; [[wikt:skjald|{{dfn|style=font-style:italic;|1=skjald}}]] (oral historian), Space Wolves Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book15|15]]      
* Ingethel{{spnd}} Emissary of the [[Chaos (Warhammer)|Primordial Truth]]; "the Ascended," [[Daemon (Warhammer)#wh40k|daemon]] of Chaos Undivided{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book14|14]]      
* Ka'Bandha{{spnd}} Bloodthirster (Greater Daemon of Khorne, a Chaos god){{spnd}} Book [[#book21|21]]      
* {{anchor|keeler}}Euphrati Keeler{{spnd}} Imagist (photographer); Remembrancer, 63rd Crusade Expedition; [[wikt:evangelist#Noun|Evangelist]] of the {{lang|la|''Lectitio Divinitatus''}} (a clandestine [[#eom|Emperor]]-worshipping cult); "the New Saint"{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book1|1]] through&nbsp;[[#book4|4]]      
* Kelbor-Hal{{spnd}} Fabricator General of [[Mars]]{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book8|8]] and&nbsp;[[#book9|9]]      
* Eristede Kell{{spnd}} Assassin-at-Marque (Imperial assassin under special licence), [[#book13|Officio Assassinorum]]{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book13|13]]      
* [[List of Horus Heresy characters#loken|Garviel Loken]]{{spnd}} Captain, Luna Wolves Legion{{spnd}} In the opening trilogy (Books&nbsp;[[#book1|1–3]])      
* {{anchor|horus}}Horus Lupercal{{spnd}} [[#primarch|Primarch]] of the Luna Wolves Legion; Warmaster of the Imperium of Man; rebel-in-chief{{spnd}} Appears in several books, including the opening trilogy (Books&nbsp;[[#book1|1–3]])      
* Malcador ("the Sigillite"){{spnd}} [[Regent]] of Terra; First Lord of the Council (governing body of the Imperium){{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book4|4]] and&nbsp;[[#book13|13]]; appears in several other books      
* Meros{{spnd}} Apothecary (combat medic), Blood Angels Legion; "the Red Angel"{{spnd}} Book [[#book21|21]]      
* Branne Nev{{spnd}} Captain, Raven Guard Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book16|16]] and&nbsp;[[#book18|18]]      
* Kor Phaeron{{spnd}} First Captain, Word Bearers Legion; Black Cardinal (chief spiritual officer and [[high priest]]), Word Bearers of Chaos Undivided{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book14|14]] and&nbsp;[[#book19|19]]      
* Alexis Polux{{spnd}} Captain, Imperial Fists Legion; Master of the Retribution Fleet{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book22|22]]      
* {{anchor|primarch}}The [[Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)#orig|Primarchs]]{{spnd}} [[Genetic engineering|Biologically]] and [[Psyker|psychically]] engineered progeny of the [[#eom|Emperor]]; Commanders of the Space Marine Legions{{spnd}} One or more (out of 20 total) may appear in every book of the ''Series.''{{r|bookmatter}} Special mentions:      
** Alpharius-Omegon{{spnd}} Primarch of the Alpha Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book7|7]],&nbsp;[[#book18|18]], and&nbsp;[[#book20|20]]      
** Lorgar Aurelian{{spnd}} Primarch of the Word Bearers Legion; "Chosen of the Pantheon" of Chaos{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book12|12]] and&nbsp;[[#book14|14]]; appears in several other books      
** Corvus Corax{{spnd}} Primarch of the Raven Guard Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book18|18]]; appears in other books      
** Rogal Dorn{{spnd}} Primarch of the Imperial Fists Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book4|4]] and&nbsp;[[#book22|22]]; appears in other books      
** Fulgrim{{spnd}} Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book5|5]] and&nbsp;[[#book20|20]]; appears in several other books      
** {{anchor|roboute}}Roboute Guilliman{{spnd}} Ruler of Ultramar (a frontier [[star system]]); Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book19|19]]      
** {{anchor|lion}}Lion El'Jonson{{spnd}} Commander of the Order (an organisation of [[knight]]s); Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book6|6]],&nbsp;[[#book11|11]], and&nbsp;[[#book20|20]]      
** Magnus ("the Red"){{spnd}} Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book12|12]] and&nbsp;[[#book15|15]]; appears in several other books      
** {{anchor|manus}}Ferrus Manus{{spnd}} Primarch of the Iron Hands Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book5|5]] and&nbsp;[[#book20|20]]      
** Sanguinius{{spnd}} Primarch of the Blood Angels Legion{{spnd}} Book [[#book21|21]]; appears in other books      
* Jago Sevatarion ("Sevatar"){{spnd}} First Captain, Night Lords Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book22|22]]      
* Kyril Sindermann{{spnd}} Primary Iterator (spokesperson and propagandist) of the [[#itruth|Imperial Truth]]; Remembrancer, 63rd Crusade Expedition; "the [[#keeler|Saint's]] Apostle"{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book1|1]] through&nbsp;[[#book4|4]]      
* Argel Tal{{spnd}} Captain, Word Bearers Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book14|14]]      
* Meer Erv Tawren{{spnd}} Magos of Analyticae (high-ranking information technology specialist), planet [[#book19|Calth]] [[#book9|Mechanicum]]{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book19|19]]      
* Eldrad Ulthran{{spnd}} Senior [[Eldar (Warhammer 40,000)|Eldar]] Farseer ([[divination]]/[[Magic in fiction|sorcery]] [[adept]] and [[policy]] advisor){{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book5|5]]      
* Constantin Valdor{{spnd}} Captain-General, Commander of the Custodian Guard (Imperial Bodyguard){{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book10|10]] and&nbsp;[[#book13|13]]; appears in other books      
* Remus Ventanus{{spnd}} Captain, Ultramarines Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book16|16]] and&nbsp;[[#book19|19]]      
* Othere Wyrdmake{{spnd}} Rune Priest ([[#Librarian|Librarian]]-equivalent rank), Space Wolves Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book12|12]] and&nbsp;[[#book15|15]]       
* Zadkiel{{spnd}} Fleet Captain, Word Bearers of Chaos Undivided; Master of the ''Furious Abyss''{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book8|8]]      
* Kai Zulane{{spnd}} Imperial [[astropath]] ([[telepathy|telepathic]] communications conduit), Ultramarines Legion{{spnd}} Book&nbsp;[[#book17|17]]      
* Zahariel El'Zurias{{spnd}} Knight Supplicant of the [[#lion|Order]]; Librarian-in-training, Dark Angels Legion{{spnd}} Books&nbsp;[[#book6|6]] and&nbsp;[[#book11|11]]     
  
=={{anchor|brief}} Synopsis==      
==={{anchor|set}} Story setting<!-- Section linked from within this article -->===      
Early in {{nowrap|the 31st millennium AD,}} the [[Milky Way]] is in the throes of the {{em|Great Crusade.}} Originating from [[wikt:Terra#etymology|Terra]] (Earth), it is an interstellar [[wikt:crusade#Noun|crusade]] that claims the galaxy as the rightful domain of Humankind, and aims to reunite the multitude of scattered human [[Space colonization|space colonies]] under an "Imperium of Man." Organised in numerous {{em|Expeditions}}, the Crusade fields huge fleets and vast armies; at its forefront, led by the [[#primarch|Primarchs]], are Legions of [[Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)|Space Marines]]{{spnd}} [[Transhumanism|transhuman]] super-warriors numbering in the millions. Over the course of two Terran centuries, the Crusade has reached [[star system]]s more than&nbsp;50,000 [[light year]]s away from its original staging point in the Sol ([[Solar System|Solar]]) System, has assimilated millions of worlds into the Imperium, and has given Humankind a dominant position among the galaxy's species. Its grand mastermind is the "Emperor of Mankind," a mysterious, immortal superhuman of unknown origin who is said to be almost&nbsp;40,000 years old when the Crusade starts.{{r|crusade}}     
  
{{anchor|itruth}}The Emperor, Founder and Head of the Imperium, is a being of literally towering [[charisma]], prowess, conviction, and ability. He has declared an [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[worldview]]{{spnd}} the {{em|Imperial Truth}}{{spnd}} based on science, [[Rationalism|reason]], and human primacy.{{r|imp-truth}} However, he is also the most powerful human (or humanlike) {{em|[[psyker]],}} and overall, one of the most formidable psychics in the galaxy; the Imperial Truth is at best a misrepresentation. The Emperor knows that in the {{em|{{vanchor|Warp}},}} the [[dark matter]]/[[dark energy]]-like [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel dimension]] that is the domain of thought, emotion, and consciousness, exist sentient vortices of concentrated, harmful energy. These malign [[Non-physical entity|immaterial entities]] forever seek to breach the material universe and subjugate or consume all life within it. They are the basis of many human and [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|alien]] religions, and are known (by the few humans aware of their existence) collectively as {{em|Chaos,}} the {{em|Primordial Truth,}} or the {{em|Primordial Annihilator}}.{{r|chaos}}     
  
Humankind's continuing [[evolution|biological]] and [[spiritual evolution|psycho-spiritual]] evolution includes the gradual development of widespread Warp-related psychic abilities that will make the species far more susceptible to Chaotic influence;{{r|evolution}} united under the Imperium of Man, shielded in the unbelief of Imperial Truth, and judiciously steered by the Emperor and his inner circle, the human race may yet avoid the Chaos-induced psychic corrosion and [[social entropy]] that would lead to its eventual annihilation. The transition of Humankind to a spiritually conscious species that is [[Self-determination (philosophy)|self-determining]], and free of taint, may thus be accomplished. Chaos is aware of the Emperor's objectives; it has plans of its own to thwart them.{{r|audience-pov|b18-pre}}     
  
==={{anchor|book1-10}} Book 1 to Book 10===      
;{{anchor|book1}} 1. Horus Rising{{!:}} the seeds of Heresy are sown      
''Horus Rising'', the ''Series'' opener, starts its [[Real time (media)|real time]] narrative in {{nowrap|early 31st millennium AD,}} during the&nbsp;203rd Terran year of the Great Crusade. It describes the rise to power of Horus Lupercal, Primarch of the Luna Wolves Legion of Space Marines (the 16th Legion of 20 formed originally), and the most versatile and favoured "son" of the Emperor. The Emperor has recently appointed him Warmaster (overall commander of Imperial military forces) and has left him in charge of the Crusade; he then returns to Terra, where in relative isolation is undertaking a secret project that even Horus is not privy to. Much of the focus of this novel is on [[List of Horus Heresy characters#loken|Garviel Loken]], Captain of the Luna Wolves' 10th Company. He becomes a member of the {{em|Mournival}} (an informal advisory body to Horus), and participates in Crusade campaigns against anti-Imperials and [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|aliens]]. The story also hints at tensions in the nascent Imperium, exacerbated by the Emperor's absence and actions{{spnd}} these are common themes in following books.{{r|b1-rev}}     
  
;{{anchor|book2}} 2. False Gods{{!:}} the Heresy takes root      
{{Redirect|False Gods|the Abrahamic doctrine|False god}}      
''False Gods'' picks up the tale a few weeks after the conclusion of [[#book1|Book 1]] in the ''Series'' timeline, and tells the story of Horus' fall. In a complicated conspiracy implemented by Chaos allies, Horus is [[Mortal wound|mortally wounded]] during a Crusade mission by an [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|alien]], Chaos-tainted weapon. In a desperate (and contrary to [[#itruth|Imperial doctrine]]) action by his lieutenants to ensure his survival, he is taken to a [[temple]] that has a reputation for healing. However the temple is actually in service to Chaos, and both Horus' wound and its supposed healing makes him susceptible to Chaos' influence. He ultimately turns against his "father," the Emperor, and sets in motion the entire Heresy. This novel further highlights the institutional and personal tensions that accompany the Imperium's maturity as the preeminent power in the galaxy; they include rifts among Primarchs and among (and within) Legions. The tensions, and characters' flaws, are repeatedly and successfully manipulated by Chaos in this and following volumes. A parallel storyline, also present in several other books, involves the growing influence{{spnd}} within Crusade Expeditions and in the wider Imperium{{spnd}} of a forbidden [[Cult (religious practice)|religious cult]], whose members worship the Emperor as god.{{r|b2-rev}}     
  
;{{anchor|book3}} 3. Galaxy in Flames{{!:}} the Heresy revealed      
''Galaxy in Flames'' continues the Heresy story, starting timewise shortly after the end of [[#book2|''False Gods'']]. It outlines the corrupted Warmaster's descent into madness, which will soon engender a brutal galaxy-wide civil war that abruptly ends the Great Crusade and subverts its objectives and ideals. Horus continues his secret planning of the rebellion in earnest, seeking (and finding) allies among the Primarchs, their Legions, and the Imperium's other organisations and personalities. The novel details the first open move of the Heresy, the culling of remaining Loyalists from the ranks of "Traitor" Legions and other rebel forces. This mainly takes place in the [[Planets in science fiction|(fictional) {{em|Isstvan}} star system]], specifically on and around the planet Isstvan&nbsp;III; Loyalist vessels come under treacherous rebel fire in the surrounding space, while on the planet's surface pro-Emperor elements of several rebel Space Marine Legions and Imperial Army units defiantly oppose the traitors.      
  
;{{anchor|book4}} 4. Flight of the Eisenstein{{!:}} the Heresy unfolds      
''Flight of the Eisenstein'' follows the ''Eisenstein,'' a space [[frigate]] of the Death Guard or 14th Legion, commanded by Battle-Captain [[List of Horus Heresy characters#garro|Nathaniel Garro]] of the 7th Company{{spnd}} one of the few Commanders in the Traitor Legions that remain loyal to the Emperor. The story describes ''Eisenstein''{{'s}} escape from Isstvan&nbsp;III (see [[#book3|''Galaxy in Flames'']] above) and its perilous voyage across the galaxy as it attempts to reach Terra and raise the alarm over the developing rebellion. Garro and the others on board the vessel face suspicion and incredulity from Imperial authorities; apart from the inconceivable news of Horus' betrayal, the situation is complicated by the fact that many of the travellers on the ''Eisenstein'' now openly proclaim their [[heretic]]al belief in the Emperor's divinity.{{r|b4-rev}}      
  
;{{anchor|book5}} 5. Fulgrim{{!:}} visions of treachery      
''Fulgrim'' centers on the [[wikt:eponymous#Adjective|{{dfn|1=eponymous}}]] Primarch of the 3rd Legion, the Emperor's Children, as both the flamboyant, perfectionist Commander and his Space Marines fall into Chaotic corruption around the time Horus meets the same fate ([[#book2|Book 2]]). As a result, a warning about Horus' imminent betrayal and the disaster that may follow{{spnd}} delivered by the alien [[Eldar (Warhammer 40,000)|Eldar]] to Fulgrim and his staff{{spnd}} goes unheeded. The Emperor's Children eventually become the "Chosen" of Slaanesh, a god of Chaos, while Fulgrim is slowly and unwittingly drawn into grotesque communion. Primarch Ferrus Manus and the Iron Hands Space Marines (the 10th Legion) also play a prominent role in the novel, and several other Primarchs and Legions make appearances. Described in passing is the pivotal Battle of Isstvan&nbsp;V (an [[#book3|Isstvan system]] planet), also known as the {{em|Dropsite Massacre.}} The battle fully reveals the scale and ferocity of the rebellion.{{r|b5-sub}}     
  
;{{anchor|book6}} 6. Descent of Angels{{!:}} loyalty and honour      
''Descent of Angels'' is a pre-Heresy story that concludes about 50 years before the start of that conflict. It introduces the Dark Angels Space Marines (the 1st Legion) and their Primarch, Lion El'Jonson. The story is mainly told from the [[point of view (literature)|point of view]] of Zahariel El'Zurias, a native of {{em|Caliban}} (a Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 planet). Caliban is an isolated, low-technology planet that resembles a [[medieval fantasy]] world; the narrative details the [[fantasy]]-like setting, uniquely diverging from the ''Series'' norm. Zurias is introduced in the story as an Aspirant of the Order, an organisation of techno-[[barbarian]] [[knight]]s. The first half of the novel is set on Caliban and covers the final battles of the Order under the leadership of Jonson, the future Primarch. The book's second half describes Caliban's unification with the Imperium of Man as well as the actions of the Dark Angels during the early years of the Great Crusade. In this part of the story, Zurias, selected as candidate Space Marine, is accepted as a Dark Angel [[wikt:neophyte#Noun|{{dfn|style=font-style:italic;|1=Neophyte}}]]. A future [[wikt:schism#Noun|{{dfn|1=schism}}]] within the Legion is also intimated in this section of the book.{{r|b6-rev}}      
  
;{{anchor|book7}} 7. Legion{{!:}} secrets and lies      
''Legion'' features the Alpha Legion, the 20th and last to be formed Space Marine Legion, known as the most secretive, subtle, and inscrutable of them all; its deepest secret is the binary nature of its Primarch, who comprises the [[twin]]s Alpharius and Omegon. The book also highlights the Imperium's mainstream military force, the Imperial Army, featuring several male and female officers and their units. Another important factor in the novel is the {{em|Cabal,}} a mysterious, ancient interspecies organisation opposed to Chaos{{spnd}} one of the main characters is a human Cabal operative, John Grammaticus. The story takes place over roughly a 6-month period, about two years before the Heresy starts; it describes the events that eventually lead Alpharius-Omegon to support Horus.      
  
;{{anchor|book8}} 8. Battle for the Abyss{{!:}} my brother, my enemy      
''Battle for the Abyss'' is concerned with the lead-up to the rebels' invasion of {{em|Ultramar,}} the in-universe remote home star system of the unshakably Loyalist 13th Legion, the Ultramarines ([[#book19|Book 19]]). Early in the Heresy, the Traitor Word Bearers Legion is tasked with organising and leading the invasion; they plan to use an immense, secretly commissioned warship, the ''Furious Abyss,'' to spearhead the surprise attack. The vessel, commanded by Fleet Captain Zadkiel, [[Ship commissioning|launches]] from shipyards near [[Jupiter]] around the time of the events on Isstvan&nbsp;III ([[#book3|Book 3]]), and sets course for Macragge, Ultramar's capital world. Leading the cast of Loyalist protagonists is Cestus, Fleet Commander and Captain of the 7th Company of the Ultramarines. They become aware of the powerful [[capital ship]]'s true purpose, and engage in long pursuit; they will seek to prevent the ''Furius Abyss'' from participating in the invasion and from reaching Macragge.      
  
;{{anchor|book9}} 9. Mechanicum{{!:}} war comes to Mars      
''Mechanicum'' is the first book in the ''Series'' not to focus on Primarchs or Space Marines. Instead, it is about the civil war on [[Mars]], which takes place around the time of the start of the wider Heresy conflict. The planet is the seat of the Mechanicum, a Terra-allied [[technocracy]] responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all Imperial military and civilian technology. Planning his imminent [[Military campaign|campaign]] against the Imperium, Horus obtains the secret allegiance of highly placed Mechanicum Adepts, including that of Kelbor-Hal, Fabricator General of Mars and the technocracy's leader. They plot, and eventually carry out, a [[coup d'état]] in order to eliminate those on Mars who are loyal to the alliance with Terra and to the Emperor. The ensuing war will determine which side in the struggle will receive the Mechanicum's crucial support.{{r|b9-sub|b9-rev}}      
  
;{{anchor|book10}} 10. Tales of Heresy      
''Tales of Heresy'' is a collection of short stories that introduces or expands storyline perspectives and actors such as the {{em|Custodian Guard}} (the Imperial Bodyguard) and the {{em|Sisters of Silence}}, a [[Classified information|classified]] Imperial organisation of warrior-nuns originally introduced in [[#book4|Book 4]]; most stories take place around the time of the Heresy. It includes two stories that take place on Terra, one of which is happening much earlier than the Heresy and adds to the background regarding the [[#itruth|Imperial Truth]]; another entry in the compilation is an [[origin story]] describing the rise to Primarch of Angron (one of the Emperor's "sons"), who takes command of the 12th Legion, the World Eaters. Several stories relate to full-length novels in the ''Series;'' the book contains seven stories by various authors.{{r|b10-toc}}

==={{anchor|book11-20}} Book 11 to Book 20===      
;{{anchor|book11}} 11. Fallen Angels{{!:}} deceit and betrayal      
''Fallen Angels'' continues the Dark Angels tale begun in Book 6, [[#book6|''Descent of Angels'']]. The novel starts around the time of Book 6's conclusion, about 50 years before the Heresy, but forwards to just about the time of the Heresy's beginning in the opening chapters. It tells two stories: one concerns the effort of Primarch Lion El'Jonson and a small group of Dark Angels to deny a {{em|forge world}} (a planet devoted to manufacturing, especially of weapons) to Horus' forces; the other is the story of Luther (Lion El'Jonson's [[Executive officer#Military|second]]), Zahariel El'Zurias (by now a full Space Marine), and a Dark Angels contingent sent back to Caliban, the Dark Angels Legion home world. They get involved in the fight against a growing [[insurgency]] that seeks to free the planet from under the Imperium's thumb.       
  
;{{anchor|book12}} 12. A Thousand Sons{{!:}} all is dust...      
''A Thousand Sons'' is the story of Primarch Magnus and the Thousand Sons Space Marines, the 15th Legion; it mainly takes place before the Heresy begins. Following a reprimand by the Emperor for dabbling in [[Magic (paranormal)|sorcery]], Magnus and his Legion secretly continue to study the forbidden subjects. Then, around the time of Horus' corruption ([[#book2|Book 2]]), Magnus learns through sorcery of his brother's impending betrayal. He tries{{spnd}} again through sorcery{{spnd}} to warn the Emperor, believing that the gravity of the news justifies his disobedience. However, he overreaches with his powers and damages the vital and secret project the Emperor is undertaking ([[#book1|Book 1]]), endangering the safety of Terra itself in the process. The Emperor is enraged and orders Leman Russ, Primarch of the 6th Legion (the Space Wolves), to {{em|Prospero}}, the Thousand Sons Legion's in-''Series'' home world. The Space Wolves, accompanied by other Imperial forces, are to bring Magnus and his Legion to Terra to account for themselves.{{r|b12-rev}}     
  
;{{anchor|book13}} 13. Nemesis{{!:}} war within the shadows      
''Nemesis'' is set about two years after the events on Isstvan&nbsp;V described in Book&nbsp;5, [[#book5|''Fulgrim'']]. It is a look at the war behind the war, the covert operations undertaken by the opposing sides in order to influence the visible conflict. Specifically, it deals with a plan by a secret Imperial organisation, the {{em|Officio Assassinorum,}} to eliminate Horus; an "Execution Force" consisting of operatives from all of the Officio's disciplines, and led by top-rated [[sniper]] Eristede Kell, is tasked with the mission. There have been several previous unsuccessful attempts against Horus' life, and this gives a high-ranking officer of the Traitor Word Bearers Legion the idea to field a [[wikt:nemesis|{{dfn|1=nemesis}}]] weapon of his own: a highly specialised assassin, who is to be used in an audacious scheme to kill the Emperor.{{r|b13-rev}}      
  
;{{anchor|book14}} 14. The First Heretic{{!:}} fall to Chaos      
''The First Heretic'' details the fall to Chaos of Primarch Lorgar and the 17th Space Marine Legion, the Word Bearers. Decades before the start of the Horus Heresy they become [[Heresy|heretics]] relative to the Imperial Truth by introducing [[religious worship]]. This results in public and humiliating censure of Lorgar and the entire assembled Legion, by the Emperor himself. The despairing Lorgar is subsequently swayed by two of his most trusted lieutenants, who are in secret allegiance with Chaos; eventually both Primarch and Legion covertly embrace (and promote) the Primordial Truth, many years before Horus' corruption. The story is largely told from the point of view of Argel Tal, a Captain of the Word Bearers, and spans several decades, starting 43 years before the events on Isstvan&nbsp;V ([[#book5|Book 5]]) and concluding around the time the Word Bearers are on their way to assault Calth ([[#book19|Book 19]]).{{r|b14-rev}}     
  
;{{anchor|book15}} 15. Prospero Burns{{!:}} the Wolves unleashed      
''Prospero Burns'' is part of the story arc of [[#book12|Book 12]], however it follows a different but related timeline. The story begins more than a century before the Space Wolves-led mission to Prospero and the concurrent start of the Heresy. It is presented from the point of view of Kasper Hawser, formerly a noted Terran academic who becomes a [[#Remembrancer|Crusade Remembrancer]], and then the [[Oral tradition|Oral Historian]] or [[wikt:skjald|''skjald'']] of the 3rd Company of the Space Wolves Legion. On the surface it is his story; the important understory concerns the long-term machinations of Chaos, whose aim is the destruction of both Space Wolves and Thousand Sons. Chaos attempts to exploit the weaknesses of the Primarchs and their Legions in order to pit them against each other{{spnd}} the ultimate result is the confrontation on Prospero. While this confrontation is taking place, Horus' previously covert rebellion becomes visible ([[#book3|Book 3]]). The novel also adds background to Horus' fall and to the planning of the Heresy campaign by Chaos and its forces.      
  
;{{anchor|book16}} 16. Age of Darkness      
''Age of Darkness'' is a compilation of nine short stories by various authors.{{r|b16-toc}} They take place during the seven-year period between the Dropsite Massacre on Isstvan&nbsp;V ([[#book5|Book 5]]), and the conclusion of Horus' campaign. The stories present various facets of the unfolding conflict, as suspicion, insecurity, and paranoia spread through the galaxy on the wake of the {{em|Great Betrayal}}. Subjects include: a Primarch prepares for the end of the Imperium; a Traitor [[Psychological warfare|PSYOP]] topples an Imperial planet; an unusual diplomatic contest will decide which side will be chosen by a world on the fence; a non-combatant may be a rebel agent or a herald of unpalatable truths for the Imperium; a Loyalist Space Marine in a Traitor Legion holds his own against his erstwhile brothers. Several of the included stories are linked through continuity; some are also prequels or sequels to stories in other ''Series'' books.{{r|pre-seq|b16-rev}}      
  
;{{anchor|book17}} 17. The Outcast Dead{{!:}} the truth lies within      
''The Outcast Dead'' is the first novel-length story in the ''Series'' to take place almost entirely on Terra. It covers a relatively short period, starting several months before Magnus' catastrophic psychic visit at the Imperial Palace ([[#book12|Book 12]]), and concluding several months after this event. The unauthorised visit is central to the story, as apart from damaging the Emperor's top secret project and the planet's defense, it massively disrupts Terra's long-range communications infrastructure. The ensuing isolation and confusion cause indecision and delays for the Imperium. The story's main character is Kai Zulane, previously a gifted Imperial [[Psyker|astropath]] attached to the Ultramarines Legion. He unwittingly becomes the keeper of a secret that could decide the victor in the developing galactic civil war. "The Outcast Dead" are characters in the story: a small, disparate group of Space Marines suspected as traitors, with whom Zulane falls in during the second half of the book. In the end, the secret kept by Zulane is revealed to the one person it is actually intended for, and has implications for the Heresy's conclusion and the future course of the Imperium of Man.{{r|b17-con|b17-rev}}      
  
;{{anchor|book18}} 18. Deliverance Lost{{!:}} ghosts of Terra      
''Deliverance Lost'' is mainly concerned with the actions of Primarch Corvus Corax and his Space Marine Command, the 19th Legion (also known as the Raven Guard), during the year following the Dropsite Massacre ([[#book5|Book 5]]). However, operatives and the Primarch of the Alpha Legion ([[#book7|Book 7]]) play a prominent role. The story starts about 3 months after the Dropsite Massacre, with the unexpected rescue of Corax and the remnants of his Legion (at less than 5% strength, due to casualties in that battle). Arriving at Terra a few months after the events described in [[#book17|''The Outcast Dead'']] have taken place, Corax convinces the Emperor to impart to him the knowledge and material that may accelerate the rebuilding of his Legion. The second part of the novel describes the effort to reconstitute the Raven Guard, undertaken on {{em|Deliverance}} (its home world in Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 fiction), and the pursuit of opposite objectives by the Alpha Legion. The novel features the reappearance of the Cabal ([[#book7|Book 7]]), and of other well-known characters; it also adds information about the developing strategies and subterfuge applied by the opposing sides, including reasons for Horus' timetable and for the Emperor's actions during the initial stages of the Heresy.      
  
;{{anchor|book19}} 19. Know No Fear{{!:}} the battle of Calth      
''Know No Fear'' documents the rebels' surprise assault on Calth, an ascendant [[#roboute|Ultramar system]] world. It is planned and led by the Traitor Word Bearers Legion, now fully and openly committed to the spread of the Primordial Truth. The narrative starts close to where the timelines of [[#book8|Book 8]] and [[#book14|Book 14]] converge (in their respective conclusions), with the invasion force en route to, or near the planet{{spnd}} in the Heresy chronology this is taking place shortly before the Isstvan&nbsp;III events described in [[#book3|''Galaxy in Flames'']]. The rebel mission has aims beyond just delivering a crippling blow to the Ultramarines Legion and their home system; its objectives may affect the entire Heresy campaign. The story tracks the Calth assault from its opening covert phases, and the actions of several characters. Unaware of the developing rebellion and the Word Bearers' true role and allegiance, Primarch Roboute Guilliman and his Ultramarines are unprepared for the underhand invasion: it is total, bloody war, with [[ritual]]istic undertones, [[scorched earth]] tactics, decisive use of technology, and the considerable involvement of Chaos; the inconceivable treachery and its implications forever change the Loyalists' view of reality.{{r|b19-rev}}     
  
;{{anchor|book20}} 20. The Primarchs      
''The Primarchs'' is a compilation of four novellas by different authors, each story starring one of the [[#primarch|"sons"]] of the Emperor.{{r|b20-toc}} The novellas further [[Characterization#dev|develop]] these characters, who make multiple appearances in the ''Series:'' following the Dropsite Massacre ([[#book5|Book 5]]), Fulgrim, perversely empowered by his own corruption, reveals his true nature and future plans to top officers of his compromised Legion; during a Great Crusade campaign against the enigmatic Eldar, [[#manus|Ferrus Manus]], already beset by unsettling dreams, is subjected by alien sorcerers to stark, portendous visions and warnings about his future and role in the soon to be revealed Heresy; with Horus' rebellion in full swing after [[#book5|Isstvan V]], a suspicious and isolated [[#lion|Lion El'Jonson]] accepts the newly revealed realities of the [[#Warp|Warp]] and decides on an independent course of action for the Dark Angels in the unfolding conflict; around the same time, and plotting a typically indecipherable course in the expanding war, the [[#book7|twinned Primarch]] of the Alpha Legion is involved in a unique [[counterintelligence]] operation that extends the Legion's customary deceptions inwards.{{r|b20-rev}}

==={{anchor|book21+}} Book 21 and above===      
;{{anchor|book21}} 21. Fear to Tread{{!:}} the Angel falls      
''Fear to Tread'' describes an operation by the forces of Chaos that is meant to turn Primarch Sanguinius and the 9th Space Marine Legion, the so-called Blood Angels, to their cause. To succeed, Chaos plans to take advantage of a [[Genetic disorder|genetic flaw]] in Sanguinius' and the Legion's [[DNA]]. As the Heresy is getting under way, the outwardly still loyal Warmaster orders the entire 9th Legion and their unsuspecting Primarch to a remote star system. There they find themselves isolated and ambushed, fighting a new kind of war{{spnd}} against Chaos entities and [[Daemon (Warhammer)#wh40k|daemons]]{{spnd}} designed by their opponents to trigger the Legion's flaw. The Chaotic plan almost succeeds; yet conflicting agendas among the anti-Imperial protagonists as well as the fortitude and unorthodox tactics of quick-to-adapt Blood Angels narrowly result in Imperial victory. In the meantime Horus' rebellion erupts openly and the Loyalists suffer catastrophic losses in the Dropsite Massacre ([[#book5|Book 5]]). Sanguinius and his Legion, now fully aware of the great betrayal and the reality of Chaos, race to the defense of Terra and the Emperor while buffeted by unprecedented navigational difficulties; it is hinted that these are related to the traitors' action at Calth ([[#book19|Book 19]]).{{r|b21-rev}}     
  
;{{anchor|book22}} 22. Shadows of Treachery      
''Shadows of Treachery'' is a compilation that collects five short stories by ''Series'' authors previously published in [[Limited edition books|limited editions]], [[art book]]s, or other formats; it also contains two new novellas: one is mainly about an all-out close-quarters space battle, between an Imperial "Retribution Fleet" sent to punish Horus following the events of Isstvan&nbsp;III ([[#book3|Book 3]]) and the Traitor fleet that ambushes it; the other deals with the aftermath of another naval engagement in space that cripples the Traitor Night Lords Legion.{{r|b22-toc}} The narratives of all stories fill gaps in the ''Series'' or add further details about the Heresy and its actors; they cover periods that range from several decades before the conflict to around the time frame of [[#book18|Book 18]] (one short story is a prequel to that novel). Most of the stories involve the 7th or 8th Space Marine Legions, respectively the Imperial Fists and Night Lords, and their Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Konrad Curze. Other Legions and Primarchs are also featured, while one short story takes place on Mars and illuminates an aspect of the Traitor Mechanicum's conspiracy.{{r|b22-rev}}      
 
;{{anchor|book23}} 23. Angel Exterminatus{{!:}} flesh and iron      
''Angel Exterminatus'' is the next installment in the Horus Heresy saga. [[#pe|"Premium"]] and e-audio editions were published {{nowrap|October–November 2012;}} the regular text editions are expected early&nbsp;2013.
<!-- ;{{anchor|book#}} [#]. Title{{!:}} subtitle      
[Book # (tentative). To be published Month Year].{{Update after|year|month|last-day|reason=published?}} -->    
  
=={{anchor|media}} Media and editions<!-- Section linked from within this article and [[Horus Heresy]] -->==      
The ''Series'' is published in several countries and languages, and most of its titles have been released in multiple media: in print ([[paperback]] and [[hardcover]] editions); as [[e-books]]; and as either abridged or unabridged [[audiobooks]] and e-audiobooks (respectively, in [[compact disc]] and [[audio file format|audio file]] formats). Starting November 2010, titles have often been released simultaneously in multiple media; also since then, digital or audio releases have occasionally preceded print versions of the same title (see table [[#titlelist|"Published"]] above). Stories in ''Series'' compilations have been published individually as e-books, and as [[MP3]] or [[CD]] "audio shorts."{{r|eds}}     
  
''Series'' stories have appeared in whole or in part in other Black Library publications, sometimes before publication of the corresponding ''Series'' books; prepublications have included stand-alone releases of compilation stories.{{r|other-pub}} "Prerelease" copies of ''Series'' volumes have been regularly offered months before official publication, in Games Workshop- and Black Library-sponsored events such as the various [[Games Day]]s.      
  
There have been a number of [[special edition]]s and [[Product bundling|bundles]] published in a variety of media; these include the "Horus Heresy Collections," which mix editions and media of the same or different titles.

The works' cover art has been separately released, in [[poster]] and other formats.{{r|eds|exclusive}}   
      
==={{anchor|pe}} "Premium" editions<!-- Section linked from within this article -->===   
Starting in October&nbsp;2012 with [[#book23|''Angel Exterminatus'']] (Book 23), all ''Series'' titles are scheduled to also be released in special "Premium" editions: "Premium Hardback" (print) and "Enhanced Ebook" (digital), which include additional material and artwork; these versions are published several months before the regular edition counterparts. The earlier catalogue of the ''Series'' is also republished in this edition, again beggining October&nbsp;2012 with the opening trilogy of novels ([[#book1|''Horus Rising'']], [[#book2|''False Gods'']], and [[#book3|''Galaxy in Flames'']]).{{r|hh-pe|exclusive}} 
 
==={{anchor|sel-spec}} Other special editions (selections)===      
* {{anchor|book1-ae}}[[#book1|''Horus Rising'']]{{spnd}} Dan Abnett. "5th Anniversary Edition" to mark the 5-year publishing history of the ''Series.'' With {{" '}}titanium blue' foil treatment on the cover" and it includes "an exclusive new introduction by author Dan Abnett".{{r|bl-b1-ae|b1-rev}}{{spnd}} April&nbsp;2011{{r|b1-ae}}      
* ''Limited Edition Horus Heresy Audio Boxset''{{spnd}} Dan Abnett, Ben Counter, Graham McNeill. Contains the abridged audio versions of the ''Series''{{'}} opening trilogy narrated by Martyn Ellis. Includes an exclusive bonus audio CD containing the short story "Little Horus" by Abnett, from the [[#book16|''Age of Darkness'']] compilation, also read by Ellis. Edition limited to 2,000 copies worldwide{{r|bl-b1-3-as}}{{spnd}} November&nbsp;2011{{r|b1-3-as}}     
* ''Xmas 2011 Horus Heresy eBundle''{{spnd}} [[#authorlist|''Series'' authors]]. E-book edition of the first 17&nbsp;Books in the ''Series.'' One of several ''Series'' bundles, this was offered as a {{nowrap|"Christmas 2011 Special"}}{{spnd}} November&nbsp;2011{{r|b1-17-eb}}

=={{anchor|received}} Reception<!-- Section linked from within this article -->==      
{{As of|2012|10}}, the ''Series'' as a whole was generally enjoying both popular and critical approval, with corresponding commercial success; the publisher's favourable sales performance has been credited to the ''Series''{{'}} popularity.{{r|bs-perf}} The considerable Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 fan base embraced the work, and helped propel the product's sales: titles have consistently appeared at or near the top of UK and US [[science fiction]] charts, have occupied high positions in the UK [[Nielsen BookScan]] lists, and since early&nbsp;2010 have often charted in [[The New York Times Bestseller List]] for mass market paperbacks.

'''Reviews''' 
 
''Series'' books have been regularly reviewed; reviews have typically appeared in genre-related media and [[Science fiction fandom|enthusiast]] or specialist websites.{{r|reviews}} Critical reception of individual titles has been mixed, with reviewers occasionally commenting on perceived differences (in style or substance) among authors, and in the handling of individual stories by the same author;{{r|crit-auth}} yet the general tone of reviews has been mostly positive. Although the ''Series'' overall has been viewed favourably, there have been complaints about its length, the multitude of characters and narrative threads, and the timeline jumps or repetitions caused by the nonlinear storytelling.{{r|crit-balance}} 
 
Reviewers have commented on constraints that the underlying universe, and storyline continuity, may impose on authors. Additionally, as the ''Series'' has gradually acquired a backstory and terminology of its own, the accessibility of individual stories to new or casual readers has been questioned.{{r|crit-cmnt}} 

'''Fandom'''

With few exceptions, fans of the gaming and [[fiction]] aspects of the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 universe embraced the detailed, canonical exposition of its major myth that the ''Series'' represents. As the work progressed, they have echoed the praise or complaints of reviewers; fans have also criticised the mounting monetary cost of following Heresy-related literature in general, and the ''Series'' in particular.

As of [[#book22|Book 22]] {{As of|2012|10|alt=(October 2012)}}, the overall reaction remained positive. Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 [[fandom]] was engaged in in-depth discussions of ''Series'' books, of the work's impact on the larger fictional universe, and of its possible future direction. The ''Series'' was followed in [[social media]] outlets, in wargaming- and science fiction-related [[blogs]], and in [[online discussion]] sites, both those dedicated to Games Workshop products and others of a more general nature. Apart from story-and-character development, the fans' areas of interest have included the Books' art, the rendering of the stories in different media, and the authors' craftsmanship.

The discussions have touched less common subjects, such as the product's packaging and the merits of special editions. Comprehensive reviews of individual titles have been persistently posted, while detailed, knowledgeable analyses of the ''Series'' as a whole have also appeared; perceived discrepancies, [[plot holes]], continuities (and discontinuities), allusions, and plot hints are readily pointed out and expounded on. In addition, ''Series''-related [[fan fiction]] and artwork has appeared on a regular basis, while news or rumours regarding future releases are closely scrutinised.{{r|fandom}}
 
'''{{vanchor|Sales}}'''<!-- Linked from within this article -->

Early in its publishing history, the ''Series'' became a sales success in its category. [[#book1|''Horus Rising'']] by Dan Abnett, the opening title, set the pace shortly after its release, topping [[Locus (magazine)|''Locus'']] magazine's "Locus Bestsellers: Gaming-Related" list of August 2006; {{As of|2012|10|alt=as of Book 20,}} practically every title in the ''Series'' had achieved the same or similar performance on this chart.{{r|loc-bsl}}

[[#book7|''Legion'']] by Abnett, and [[#book8|''Battle for the Abyss'']] by Ben Counter, were listed in Nielsen BookScan's list of top-20 fictional works by small publishers (defined as a publisher whose sales made up less than 0.3% of the Total Consumer Market during the previous year) for the year ending on 23 August&nbsp;2008; the books appeared in eighth and sixteenth place respectively.{{r|bs-b7b8}} The next published title, [[#book9|''Mechanicum'']] by Graham McNeill, entered ''[[The Bookseller]]'s'' "Top 20 Fiction Heatseekers" chart of 5 December&nbsp;2008, shortly after its release, at number&nbsp;10.{{r|bs-b9}}     
  
[[#book12|''A Thousand Sons'']] by McNeill was released in February&nbsp;2010, and also arrived at number&nbsp;22 on The New York Times Bestseller List, the first ever novel on the Black Library imprint to do so. [[#book13|''Nemesis'']] by James Swallow followed, reaching number&nbsp;26 on the List in August&nbsp;2010. [[#book14|''The First Heretic'']], by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, reached number&nbsp;28 in the weekly chart in November&nbsp;2010 and stayed on the List for a second week, at number&nbsp;33. Abnett's [[#book15|''Prospero Burns'']] reached number&nbsp;16 on the List in January&nbsp;2011; this title also topped a science fiction and fantasy book chart published by ''[[The Times]]''&nbsp;(London) in March of the same year. The compilation [[#book16|''Age of Darkness'']], edited by Christian Dunn, also entered The New York Times Best Sellers List, in May&nbsp;2011, at number&nbsp;31. Book&nbsp;19, [[#book19|''Know No Fear'']], again by Dan Abnett, continued the trend: it appeared in the List at number&nbsp;21 in March&nbsp;2012. It was followed by the next ''Series'' title, [[#book20|''The Primarchs'']], a compilation edited by Dunn, which occupied position&nbsp;29 during the week of 17 June&nbsp;2012. In September&nbsp;2012 [[#book21|''Fear to Tread'']] by Swallow entered The New York Times Best Sellers List at number&nbsp;13, at the time the highest entry on that chart for a ''Series'' novel; the book remained on the List the week following.{{r|times-b15|nyt-bsl}}

=={{anchor|rel}} Related works==      
Between the late–1980s [[Horus Heresy#intro|introduction of the Horus Heresy]] and the start of this ''Series'' publication in&nbsp;2006, Games Workshop and affiliates released {{em|Horus Heresy}}-branded products that expanded the concept's standing as Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 background material.{{r|audience-pov}} The release of such works, which include literature independent of this ''Series,'' continued {{As of|2012|lc=y}}; the works may relate to it as prequels, sequels, or expansions of its stories.    
  
Pre-''Series'' Horus Heresy literature may have been [[Retroactive continuity|superseded or rendered obsolete]], while other such literature may no longer be authoritative even as it remains in Horus Heresy and Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 canons;{{r|development}} still other non-''Series'' Horus Heresy literature has been eventually incorporated into the work.{{r|b22-toc}}
  
A significant development was {{nowrap|the 2012}} initial release of the ''Horus Heresy'' miniatures wargame expansion, which repositioned the Heresy as a foreground element within the ''Warhammer&nbsp;40,000'' gaming system{{spnd}} while highlighting the importance of the Horus Heresy to Games Workshop's product lineup and the related universe. The expansion is reputedly developed in coordination with the ''Novel Series,'' and includes new material and information about the Horus Heresy and the fictional universe; it joins the ''Series'' as an authoritative source of Heresy material and Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 background.{{r|hh-mwg}}        
  
The Black Library and Games Workshop have also released novels, game rulebooks, and other products that while not branded or classified as ''Horus Heresy,'' are directly related to story arcs or events described in the ''Series.''      
  
==={{anchor|rel-works}} Selections<!-- Section linked from within this article -->===      
* ''Horus Heresy: Collected Visions''{{spnd}}Alan Merrett (writer), [[John Blanche]] (conceptual art), Nick Kyme and Matt Ralphs (editors). [[Anthology#Omnibus|Omnibus edition]] of the four-volume [[Horus Heresy#abs|''Horus Heresy Art Book Series'']] (2004–2006); it outlines the entire Horus Heresy in art and prose. {{As of|2012|10}} it had been partially superseded, amended, or expanded by the continuing ''Novel Series'' and the newer ''Rulebook Series'' (see [[#rs-book1|below]]). As of the same date, it remained the most comprehensive, largely canonical official roadmap for the complete Heresy storyline{{spnd}} June&nbsp;2007{{r|abs-oe}}   
* ''Battle of the Fang''{{spnd}} Chris Wraight. Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 novel in the [[List of Warhammer 40,000 novels#smbs|''Space Marine Battles Series'']]. The story takes place a thousand years after the Horus Heresy, and is a continuation of the arc presented in Books&nbsp;12 ([[#book12|''A Thousand Sons'']]), and&nbsp;15 ([[#book15|''Prospero Burns'']]){{spnd}} June&nbsp;2011{{r|botf}}     
* ''Aurelian''{{spnd}} Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Subtitled ''The Eye stares back,'' this [[Horus Heresy#novella|"Horus Heresy Novella"]] is part of a story arc along with [[#book14|''The First Heretic'']], Book&nbsp;14 in the ''Series''{{spnd}} October&nbsp;2011{{r|aur-gld}}     
*{{anchor|rs-book1}}''Betrayal''{{spnd}} Alan Bligh (writer), and [[Forge World]] art and design staff. Book One in the ''Horus Heresy Rulebook Series.'' This series is part of the stand-alone ''Horus Heresy'' expansion for the ''Warhammer&nbsp;40,000'' game system; the expansion is produced by Games Workshop [[Miniature figure (gaming)|modelling]] subsidiary Forge World. ''Betrayal'' is centered on the events of {{nowrap|Isstvan III,}} also described in [[#book3|''Galaxy in Flames'']], Book 3 of the ''Novel Series''{{spnd}} September&nbsp;2012{{r|mwg-b1}}  
  
=={{anchor|note}} Notes<!-- Includes nested references. All references in  alphanumeric order by ref name, except nest (https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=20707) -->==      
{{reflist|3|refs=      
{{refn|name=eds|{{harvnb|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy"}} (publisher webpage lists different editions and media). English-language imprints or editions of individual novels may have alternate subtitles;{{r|b5-sub|b9-sub}} releases in English may also have variations in punctuation or capitalization of title or subtitle. Some compilation stories that have been published individually: {{harvnb|Black Library Online|"Ebooks: Horus Heresy"}} (includes listing of short story e-books); {{harvnb|Kyme|2011a}} (downloadable "audio short"); {{harvnb|Abnett et al.|2011}} (audiobook bundle includes a short story extra on separate disc media). ''Series'' books have been published in several languages, see {{URL|1=http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=kw%3Ahorus+heresy+AND+-ln%3Aeng+AND+x0%3Abook+AND+-mt%3Ajuv+AND+mt%3Afic|2=non-English editions}} in libraries ([[Worldcat]] catalog). {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-03-18}} Note publication details of ''Series'' titles may not be presented uniformly in official publisher materials, including discrepancies in edition details between the official ''Series'' website (in §&nbsp;[[#ext|External links]]) and the Black Library webpages listed here.}}      
  
<ref name=abs-oe>{{harvnb|Merrett|2007}}.</ref>   
  
<ref name=allusion>[[#horus|"Horus"]] and elements of the entire Heresy storyline recall the [[Egyptian pantheon|Ancient Egyptian deity]] [[Horus]] and related mythologies. A detail is the ''Series'' depiction of the "Eye of Terra/Eye of Horus" {{harv|Abnett|2006|p=114}} which is part of the [[heraldry]] of Warmaster Horus' own Legion, compare with [[Eye of Horus]]; [[#erebus|"Erebus"]], a [[Chaos (Warhammer)]] ally, is named after [[Erebus]], a [[Chaos (cosmogony)]] entity in [[Greek mythology]]; [[#lion|"Lion El'Jonson"]] is the Primarch of the "Dark Angels" Legion, alluding to 19th-century [[England|English]] poet [[Lionel Johnson]] and his poem "The Dark Angel"; [[#hawser|"Kasper Hawser"]] refers to [[Kaspar Hauser]], the mysterious 19th-century [[Germans|German]] youth. In the ''Series,'' Hawser is also known as "Ahmad Ibn Rustah" {{harv|Abnett|2011b|loc=§&nbsp;"Dramatis Personae"}}, a further allusion: [[Ahmad ibn Rustah]]; see also [[#abaddon|"Abaddon"]] vs. [[Abaddon]]; [[#ahriman|"Ahriman"]] vs. [[Angra Mainyu|Ahriman]], etc.; for an unofficial listing of many other [[Literary technique|devices]] and [[Trope (literature)|tropes]] reputedly utilised in Horus Heresy literature see {{tvtropes|HorusHeresy|The Horus Heresy}}.</ref>    
  
<ref name=art>{{harvnb|Roberts et al.|2006–2012}}; the publisher often separately previews the books' art, a subject of interest within the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 fan community {{harv|Perrin et al.|2011}}; see {{harvtxt|The Black Library Team|2012a}} for a publisher preview of ''Series'' artwork; {{harvtxt|Farley|2010}} for an interview with main ''Series'' artist Neil Roberts.</ref>     
  
<ref name=audience-pov>The audience has a partially [[omniscient point-of-view]], since a number of significant events, the general outline, and the ending of the Horus Heresy are known in advance. Story elements have been published by [[Games Workshop]] starting 1988 {{harv|Merrett|2007|p=6&nbsp;{{interp|not numbered}}}}; a comprehensive outline, including the conclusion, was published in the four-volume [[Horus Heresy#abs|''Horus Heresy Art Book Series'']] between May&nbsp;2004 and July&nbsp;2006. This ''Series'' was republished in a 2007 [[Anthology#Omnibus|omnibus edition]] {{harv|Merrett|2007}}. See also ''Horus Heresy: Collected Visions'' (in §&nbsp;[[#rel-works|Related works]]), and §&nbsp;{{See section|Horus Heresy|Expansion and continuity}}.</ref>   
  
<ref name=aur-gld>{{harvnb|Dembski-Bowden|2011}}. Originally offered as a "Collectors Edition" web exclusive.</ref>     
  
<ref name=authors>{{harvnb|Rhoads|2011b|loc=¶&nbsp;1}}; {{harvnb|Black Library Online|"Authors"}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b-physical>[[Mass market paperback]], approx. {{convert|17|x|10.6|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Sources: [[Amazon.com|Amazon UK]] (book size); British National Bibliography {{harv|BNB|2012}} (no. of pages).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b1>{{harvs|nb|last=Abnett|year1=2006|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010a|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2011a|loc3=(audiobook)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b1-17-eb>{{harvnb|Series authors|2011}}.</ref>     

<ref name=b1-3-as>{{harvnb|Abnett et al.|2011}}.</ref>

<ref name=b1-ae>{{harvnb|Abnett|2011c}}.</ref>  

<ref name=b1-rev>Review of the [[#book1-ae|"5th Anniversary Edition"]]: {{harvnb|Rhoads|2011b}} (positive).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b10>{{harvs|nb|last1=Kyme|last2=Priestley|year1=2009|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b10-toc>"Blood Games" by Dan Abnett; "Wolf at the Door" by Mike Lee; "Scions of the Storm" by Anthony Reynolds; "The Voice" by James Swallow; "Call of the Lion" by Gav Thorpe; "The Last Church" by Graham McNeill; and "After Desh’ea" by Matt Farrer {{harv|Kyme|Priestley|2009|loc=§&nbsp;"Contents"}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b11>{{harvs|nb|last=Lee|year1=2009|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b12>{{harvs|nb|last=McNeill|year1=2010d-1|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010d-2|loc2=(e-audiobook)|year3=2010d-3|loc3=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b12-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Sobel|2010}} (positive).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b13>{{harvs|nb|last=Swallow|year1=2010b-1|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010b-2|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref> 
 
<ref name=b13-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Gronli|2010}} (mixed).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b14>{{harvs|nb|last=Dembski-Bowden|year1=2010-1|loc1=(e-book)|year2=2010-2|loc2=(paperback)}}.</ref>    
  
<ref name=b14-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Rudden|2012}} (positive).</ref>    
  
<ref name=b15>{{harvs|nb|last=Abnett|year1=2010c-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2010c-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2011b|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b16>{{harvs|nb|last=Dunn|year1=2011-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2011-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2011-3|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b16-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Flory|2011}} (positive).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b16-toc>"Rules of Engagement" by Graham McNeill; "Liar's Due" by James Swallow; "Forgotten Sons" by Nick Kyme; "The Last Remembrancer" by John French; "Rebirth" by Chris Wraight; "The Face of Treachery" by Gav Thorpe; "Little Horus" by Dan Abnett; "The Iron Within" by Rob Sanders; and "Savage Weapons" by Aaron Dembski-Bowden {{harv|Dunn|2011-1|loc=§&nbsp;"Contents"}}. One story, "The Iron Within," was prepublished in ''Hammer and Bolter,'' a Black Library e-magazine, in February&nbsp;2011 {{harv|Sanders|2011}}; "The Last Remembrancer" was included in the same magazine's May&nbsp;2011 issue, published simultaneously with the ''Series'' book {{harv|French|2011}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b17>{{harvs|nb|last=McNeill|year1=2011c-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2011c-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2011c-3|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b17-con>Reputed continuity problems introduced in the ''Series'' by story elements in [[#book17|''The Outcast Dead'']] have been the subject of discussion among the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 [[Fandom|fan community]] {{harv|Antigonos et al.|2011}}; see also {{harvtxt|Dembski-Bowden|2012|loc=§&nbsp;"Author's Note", p.&nbsp;9}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b17-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Dean|2011}} (mixed).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b18>{{harvs|nb|last=Thorpe|year1=2012a-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2012a-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2012a-3|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b18-pre>{{harvnb|Thorpe|2012a-3|loc=preamble}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b19>{{harvs|nb|last=Abnett|year1=2012a-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2012a-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2012a-3|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b19-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Fortune|2012}} (positive).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b2>{{harvs|nb|last=McNeill|year1=2006|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010a|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2011b-1|loc3=(audiobook)|year4=2011b-2|loc4=(e-audiobook)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b2-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Gronli|2008a}} (mixed).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b20>{{harvs|nb|last=Dunn|year1=2012-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2012-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2012-3|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b20-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Dean|2012}} (negative).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b20-toc>"The Reflection Crack'd" by Graham McNeill; "Feat of Iron" by Nick Kyme; "The Lion" by Gav Thorpe; and "The Serpent Beneath" by Rob Sanders {{harv|Dunn|2012-3|loc=§&nbsp;"Contents"}}. Each story includes a list of characters in its own front matter. "Feat of Iron" complements a non-''Series'' Horus Heresy novella by the same author {{harv|Kyme|2011b}}; "The Lion" was prepublished in digital format, as a ''Hammer and Bolter'' [[Serial (literature)|serial]] {{harv|Thorpe|2012b}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b21>{{harvs|nb|last=Swallow|year1=2012-1|loc1=(e-audiobook)|year2=2012-2|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2012-3|loc3=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b21-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Sharps|2012}} (positive).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b22>{{harvs|nb|last1=Dunn|last2=Kyme|year1=2012-1|loc1=(e-book)|year2=2012-2|loc2=(paperback)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b22-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Fergus|2012}} (positive).</ref>   
  
<ref name=b22-toc>Short stories: "The Dark King", "The Kaban Project", and "Death of a Silversmith" by Graham McNeil; "The Lightning Tower" by Dan Abnett; "Raven's Flight" by Gav Thorpe (these stories were previously published; "Raven's Flight", a prequel to [[#book18|Book 18]], is an adaptation of an original [[Horus Heresy#a-drama|"Horus Heresy Audio Drama"]], the first such entry in this ''Series''). Novellas: "The Crimson Fist" by John French (prepublished as stand-alone e-book, see {{harvtxt|French|2012}}); "The Prince of Crows", an original story by Aaron Dembski-Bowden {{harv|Dunn|Kyme|2012-2|loc=[[edition notice]] {{interp|p.&nbsp;6&nbsp;(not numbered)}}, §&nbsp;"Contents"}}.</ref> 
 
<ref name=b23>{{harvnb|McNeill|2012b-3}}, (e-audiobook).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b3>{{harvs|nb|last=Counter|year1=2006|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010a|loc2=(e-book)|year3=2012|loc3=(audiobook)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b4>{{harvs|nb|last=Swallow|year1=2007|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010a|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b4-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Rhoads|2012}} (mostly positive).</ref>   
  
<ref name=b5>{{harvs|nb|last=McNeill|year1=2007|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010b|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b5-sub>In some editions, [[#book5|Book 5]] is subtitled ''The last Phoenix'', see {{worldcat|name=''Fulgrim: the last phoenix''|oclc=123798776}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-02-07|append=;}} the subtitle ''Visions of treachery'' is also the title of [[Horus Heresy#abs-book3|''Horus Heresy Art Book Series:'' Book 3]]</ref><!-- Nested ref --> 
  
<ref name=b6>{{harvs|nb|last=Scanlon|year1=2007|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b6-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Wolff|2009}} (neutral).</ref>    
  
<ref name=b7>{{harvs|nb|last=Abnett|year1=2008|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010b|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b8>{{harvs|nb|last=Counter|year1=2008|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010b|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b9>{{harvs|nb|last=McNeill|year1=2008|loc1=(paperback)|year2=2010c|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=b9-rev>Review: {{harvnb|Wolff|2011}} (positive).</ref>     
  
<ref name=b9-sub>In some editions, [[#book9|Book 9]] is subtitled ''Knowledge is power'', see {{worldcat|name=''Mechanicum: <nowiki>[knowledge is power]</nowiki>''|oclc=209718112}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-02-07}}</ref><!-- Nested ref -->     
  
<ref name=background>{{harvs|nb|last=Flory|year1=2007|year2=2011|loc2=¶&nbsp;2}}; {{harvnb|Fortune|2012|loc=¶&nbsp;2}}; {{harvnb|Gronli|2008a|loc=¶&nbsp;2. "{{interp|The ''Series''}} is a futuristic multi-installment retelling of the epic poem ''Paradise Lost''"}}; {{harvs|nb|last=Horus Heresy Online|year1="The Characters"|year2="The Story"}} (both from the ''Series''{{'}} official website); {{harvnb|Dembski-Bowden|2012|loc=§&nbsp;"Author's Note", p.&nbsp;9. "{{interp|A}}s more of the Horus Heresy comes to light in the&nbsp;... {{interp|''Series''}}, the lore of the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 universe undergoes subtle shifts in scope."}} (By a Horus Heresy and Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 author).</ref>     

<ref name=bl-b1-3-as>{{harvnb|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy Audio Boxset"}}.</ref>     

<ref name=bl-b1-ae>{{harvnb|The Black Library Team|2011}} (publisher webpage).</ref>    

<ref name=bl-hh-cs>{{harvnb|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy: Coming Soon"}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=bookmatter>{{harvnb|Horus Heresy Novel Series|2006–2012}}; {{harvnb|Horus Heresy Online|"The Characters"}}; §&nbsp;"Timeline"{{spnd}} in reprints or editions of {{harvnb|Counter|2006}} and {{harvnb|Swallow|2007}} ([[back matter]]). Contains brief descriptions of distinct Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 time periods, from its first millennium ("M1") up to the books' time frame. Unless otherwise specified, all references to print versions of ''Series'' titles apply to UK 1st edition paperback only, as reported by the British National Bibliography project {{harv|BNB|2012}} or in publisher-related sources such as the webpages included here.</ref>     
  
<ref name=botf>{{harvnb|Wraight|2011b}}.</ref>     

<ref name=bs-b7b8>{{harvnb|Stone|2008}}.</ref>     

<ref name=bs-b9>{{harvnb|Bookseller|2008}}.</ref>     

<ref name=bs-perf>{{harvnb|Stone|2011|loc="Special {{interp|mention}} also go{{interp|es}} to&nbsp;... Black Library (thanks to the popularity of its Horus Heresy series) for growing {{interp|its}} sales in a tough market."}}</ref>     
  
<ref name=chaos>{{harvnb|Merrett|2007|pp=34, 133, 322, 324}}; {{harvnb|McNeill|2010d-1|p=348}}; {{harvnb|Dembski-Bowden|2010-2|pp=187, 191–192}}; {{harvnb|Thorpe|2012a-3|pp=52, 166}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=char-drive>{{harvnb|Sobel|2010|loc=¶¶&nbsp;5, 6. "{{interp|T}}he characters&nbsp;... are vividly portrayed and&nbsp;... bring something unique&nbsp;... to the storyline.... {{interp|The ''Series''}}&nbsp;... takes characters from very black and white stories of good and evil&nbsp;... and shows you the many shades of grey&nbsp;..."}}. From a review of Book&nbsp;12, [[#book12|''A Thousand Sons'']]. In contrast Book&nbsp;19, [[#book19|''Know No Fear'']], is written around the event timeline. Though it develops several characters, it assumes more of a bird's-eye view to the action {{harv|Fortune|2012|loc=¶¶&nbsp;2–3. "Several of these novels focus on the motivations and reasons behind a galaxy spanning war, whereas others simply deliver cracking tales of warfare. ''Know No Fear'' sits in the latter category"}}.</ref>

<ref name=char-traits>{{harvnb|Rhoads|2011b|loc=¶&nbsp;4. "{{interp|T}}he central story of the Heresy is a very human one. It is a tragedy, one caused by such everyday emotions as jealousy and pride."}}; {{harvnb|Sobel|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;6. "{{interp|T}}he very human tragedies at the centre of those stories."}}</ref>

<ref name=cohesion>{{harvnb|Flory|2007}}; {{harvnb|Rhoads|2011a|loc=¶&nbsp;2}}; {{harvnb|TV Tropes|"Horus Heresy"|loc=¶&nbsp;"Depending on the Writer". "Impressively averted for a series that so far has had seven different authors."}} {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-03-16}} {{interp|Note information regarding the number of authors in the preceding quote has been superseded. See also {{tvtropes|DependingOntheWriter|Depending on the Writer}}}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=crit-auth>{{harvnb|Bosier|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;3. "{{interp|T}}he sense of majesty and glory is palpable in the hands of the more talented authors"}}; {{harvnb|Gronli|2008b|loc=¶&nbsp;2}}; {{harvnb|Wolff|2011|loc=¶¶&nbsp;1, 2}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=crit-balance>Critics' praise: {{harvnb|Flory|2011|loc=¶&nbsp;2. "There have been a few little blips along the way&nbsp;... but on the whole, the 'Horus Heresy' series has consistently demonstrated why it’s the flagship series for the Black Library"}}{{spnd}} and critics' complaint: {{harvnb|Dean|2011|loc=¶&nbsp;1. "Here we go again,... the {{interp|Horus Heresy}} plot has been drawn out like over-stretched chewing gum"}}; {{harvnb|Sobel|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;5. "Certain reviewers have criticised the glut of personalities&nbsp;... and in some cases my experience has resonated with this critique"}}; {{harvnb|Wolff|2011|loc=¶&nbsp;2. "{{interp|T}}he Horus Heresy has had its ups&nbsp;... and downs...."}}; {{harvnb|Flory|2012|loc=¶&nbsp;7. "{{interp|The ''Series''}}&nbsp;... has already been proven to jump backwards and forwards along its own timeline and certain events&nbsp;... have already been alluded to."}}</ref>  
 
<ref name=crit-cmnt>Postulated creative constraints: {{harvtxt|Rhoads|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;1}}; {{harvtxt|Dean|2011|loc=¶&nbsp;4}}; fans vs. casual readers: {{harvtxt|Fortune|2012|loc=¶&nbsp;4}}; {{harvtxt|Rudden|2012|loc=final paragraph}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=crusade>{{harvnb|Merrett|2007|pp=9, 12, 15, 46}}; {{harvnb|Abnett|2006|loc=preamble, pp.&nbsp;46–47}}; {{harvnb|Ansell|Priestley|1990|pp=174, 175}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=dark-origin>{{harvnb|McNish|2011|loc="{{interp|T}}he dark heart of the series' premise...."}}; {{harvnb|Rudden|2012|loc=¶&nbsp;3. "{{interp|T}}hat nod-and-wink-to-crushing-doom sense the best Heresy novels have."}} For the concept's origins see §&nbsp;{{See section|Horus Heresy|Introduction}}. For items related to the wider fictional universe, see [[Warhammer 40,000 spin-offs]]. Unless otherwise specified, "''Series''" refers to the "''Horus Heresy Novel Series''" throughout this article.</ref> 
 
<ref name=development>{{harvnb|Rundle|2010|loc={{URL|1=http://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/interview-dan-abnett/2/|2=p.&nbsp;2}}}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-09-21}} From an interview with ''Series'' author Dan Abnett; {{harvnb|Farley|2010}}. Interview with Neil Roberts, the ''Series''{{'}} main artist; {{harvnb|Rhoads|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;1}}. From a reviewer's essay; for a creator's perspective on working within the overall Warhammer environment see {{harvtxt|Baxter|2003}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=duration>{{harvnb|Horus Heresy Online|"The Story"|loc=¶&nbsp;1}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=evolution>{{harvnb|Games Workshop Design Studio|2008|p=112}}.</ref>    
  
<ref name=exclusive>{{As of|2012}}, all digital media editions, the books' art, and the majority of special editions and bundles were offered exclusively through the publisher's online or physical outlets {{harv|Black Library Online|FAQ}}; this included the "Horus Heresy Collections" {{harv|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy Collections"}}, and the titles' "Premium Hardback Edition," which was offered at a substantially higher price point over the mass market paperback edition ({{harvnb|The Black Library Team|2012b}}; {{harvnb|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy"}} has price information).</ref>{{Update after|2012|12|31|reason=still exclusive?}}      

<ref name=fandom>An apparent minority among fans has considered the ''Series'' publication as unnecessary tampering with the universe's legends, or has disagreed with the shifting of the focus to an earlier period; elsewhere, see {{harvtxt|Connor MacLeod et al.|2012}} for a fan-authored, detailed analysis of ''Series'' titles, and {{harvtxt|Perrin et al.|2011}} for a discussion of its art; by using published details and minutiae, fans have created unofficial works that fill gaps in ''Series'' coverage, such as a partial "Horus Heresy timeline" {{harv|isilvra|2011}}. The related discussion includes comments on continuity, as does {{harvnb|Antigonos et al.|2011}}; a discussion of future ''Series'' releases is at {{harvtxt|Masshuu et al.|2010}}. Other examples (among many) of fan-based resources: {{URL|1=http://www.dakkadakka.com/|2=''DakkaDakka - Wargaming and Warhammer 40k Forums, Articles and Gallery''}}, see in forum {{nowrap|"40K Background"}} for ''Series'' discussions; {{URL|1=http://www.heresy-online.net/forums/index.php|2=''Heresy-Online - Warhammer 40k and Fantasy Forums for painting tips, news & tactics!''}}, includes forum "Black Library Fiction" with subforum "BL {{interp|Black Library}} Book Reviews," featuring reviews of ''Series'' titles; {{URL|1=http://www.belloflostsouls.net/|2=''Warhammer 40k, Fantasy, Wargames & Miniatures News: Bell of Lost Souls''}}, the §&nbsp;"BoLS Lounge" of this expansive Warhammer-focused website includes the active {{nowrap|"Warhammer 40K Background"}} forum, which hosts frequent discussions on the ''Series.'' All the above are among fan sites that also host fan-authored background articles, fictional works, or wargaming rulesets related to or inspired by the ''Series.''</ref>
  
<ref name=hh-mwg>{{harvnb|Bickham|2012}} (from a Games Workshop monthly publication).</ref>    
  
<ref name=hh-pe>Book&nbsp;23 "Premium" editions: {{harvs|nb|last=McNeill|year1=2012b-1|loc1=(print)|year2=2012b-2|loc2=(e-book)}}. Book&nbsp;1 republished in same: {{harvs|nb|last=Abnett|year1=2012b-1|loc1=(print)|year2=2012b-2|loc2=(e-book)}}.</ref>   
 
<ref name=history>{{harvnb|Flory|2007|loc={{"'}}The Horus Heresy'&nbsp;... has been a well known part of the Warhammer canon for a number of years.... {{interp|The ''Series'' is}} detailing exactly what happened."}}; {{harvnb|Sobel|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;6. "{{interp|B}}ringing to life&nbsp;... characters that have long occupied the role of legends in the Warhammer&nbsp;40,000 mythos"}}; {{harvnb|Rudden|2012|loc=¶&nbsp;4. "{{interp|T}}his is the start, this is how things were meant to be."}}</ref> 
 
<ref name=identity>{{harvnb|Bosier|2010|loc=¶&nbsp;6. "{{interp|T}}he feel of the Horus Heresy books is entirely different than those of&nbsp;... {{interp|other Warhammer&nbsp;40,000}} books because the subject matter is inherently different"}}; {{harvnb|Flory|2007|loc="{{interp|The books}} require little or no background knowledge to fully appreciate"}}; however, see {{harvtxt|Rudden|2012|loc=final paragraph}}. According to this reviewer, individual titles may be progressively less accessible to readers who come late to the ''Series.''</ref>     
  
<ref name=imp-truth>{{harvnb|Abnett|2006|pp=59–63}}; {{harvnb|Kyme|Priestley|2009|p=160}}; {{cite book|ref=harv|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2009|editor={{harvnb|Kyme|Priestley|2009}}|contribution=The Last Church|pages=323–373|separator=,|authorlink=Graham McNeill}}}}.</ref>     

<ref name=loc-bsl>{{harvnb|Locus Online|"Locus Bestsellers"}}.</ref>
  
<ref name=mwg-b1>{{harvnb|Bligh|2012}}.</ref>    
  
<ref name=narrative-pov>One short story {{harv|Wraight|2011a}}, mixes [[First-person narrative|first-person-limited]] and [[third-person narrative|third-person]] narrative threads; {{harvnb|French|2012}}, a novella, does the same; another short story is written entirely in first person: {{cite book|ref=harv|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2012a|origyear=originally published 2011|contribution=Death of a Silversmith|editor={{harvnb|Dunn|Kyme|2012-2}}|pages=269–284|authorlink=Graham McNeill|separator=,}}</ref>     
  
<ref name=nonlinear>{{harvnb|Wolff|2009|loc=p.&nbsp;1. "{{interp|The ''Series'' does}} not adhere to a rigorously linear storyline between volumes. The vastness of the Warhammer&nbsp;40K&nbsp;{{interp|40,000}} universe&nbsp;... offers more opportunities to non-traditional storytelling. In addition, it is easier to drag out a series when it is not the standard linear storyline."}}</ref>     
  
<ref name=nyt-bsl>At the New York Times Bestseller List {{harv|New York Times|"Best Sellers"}}:      
* ''A Thousand Sons''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-03-14/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=14 March 2010}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2011-05-22|append=}}      
* ''Nemesis''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-08-15/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=15 August 2010}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-02-09|append=}}      
* ''The First Heretic''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-11-14/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=14 November 2010}}; {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-11-21/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=21 November 2010}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-02-09|append=&nbsp;(all links)}}      
* ''Prospero Burns''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-01-16/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=16 January 2011}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-02-09|append=}}      
* ''Age of Darkness''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-05-15/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=15 May 2011}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-04-04|append=}}      
* ''Know No Fear''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-03-18/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=18 March 2012}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-04-15|append=}}      
* ''The Primarchs''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-06-17/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=17 June 2012}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-06-22|append=}}      
* ''Fear to Tread''{{spnd}} {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-09-16/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=16 September 2012}}; {{URL|1=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-09-23/mass-market-paperback/list.html|2=23 September 2012}}. {{Retrieved|accessdate=2012-09-19|append=&nbsp;(all links)}}</ref>     
  
<ref name=order-chaos>{{harvnb|Porush|1991}}; {{harvnb|Stableford|2006|loc=p.&nbsp;80, col.&nbsp;1. "Order and Chaos are frequently substituted for Good and Evil in the conceptual frameworks of twentieth-century commodiﬁed fantasy,..."}}; however see {{harvtxt|Baxter|2003}}, "The nature of 'Chaos' confused us all, I think.... {{'"}}Chaos" and "evil" are not synonymous'&nbsp;.... {{interp|T}}he GW {{interp|Games Workshop}} designers had an ambition to do the Chaos concept justice&nbsp;..." (the author was briefly associated with Games Workshop, pre-''Series''); also see [[Fantasy tropes and conventions]].</ref>   
 
<ref name=other-pub>Examples: {{harvnb|French|2011}}. Short story from the [[#book16|''Age of Darkness'']] compilation which was simultaneously published (in text and audio) in Black Library's ''Hammer and Bolter'' e-magazine; {{harvnb|Thorpe|2012b}}. A novella republished in [[#book20|''The Primarchs'']] compilation. It was serialized in ''Hammer and Bolter'' between February and April&nbsp;2012; {{harvnb|French|2012}}. Novella from the [[#book22|''Shadows of Treachery'']] compilation prepublished as an e-book in July&nbsp;2012.</ref>     
 
<ref name=position>The Black Library had briefly expanded into Horus Heresy merchandising, a project that was abandoned in favor of the [[core product]] {{harv|Black Library Online|"Frequently Asked Questions"|loc=the publisher's website}}; the ''Horus Heresy'' tabletop miniatures wargame, introduced&nbsp;2012, builds on the success of the ''Series'' (see §&nbsp;[[#rel|Related works]]); however {{As of|2012|10|lc=y}} {{URL|1=http://www.thehorusheresy.com|2=''www.thehorusheresy.com,''}} a website published by Games Workshop that concentrates on the ''Series,'' had been last updated January&nbsp;2011 and covered the ''Series'' only up to Book&nbsp;15, [[#book15|''Prospero Burns'']].</ref>
  
<ref name=pre-seq>{{cite book|ref=harv|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2011a|contribution=Rules of Engagement|editor={{harvnb|Dunn|2011-3}}|pages=9–63|authorlink=Graham McNeill|postscript=}} (although published before Book&nbsp;19, [[#book19|''Know No Fear'']], it mainly deals with that novel's aftermath); {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Wraight|first=Chris|year=2011a|contribution=Rebirth|editor={{harvnb|Dunn|2011-3}}|pages=203–246|postscript=}} (sequel to [[#book15|''Prospero Burns'']]); {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Thorpe|first=Gav|year=2011|contribution=The Face of Treachery|editor={{harvnb|Dunn|2011-3}}|pages=247–276|postscript=}} (prequel to [[#book18|''Deliverance Lost'']]).</ref>     
  
<ref name=premise>{{harvnb|Merrett|2007|pp=9, 27, 34, 54, 109, 324}}; {{harvnb|McNeill|2006|p=246}}; {{harvnb|Abnett|2012a-3|loc=preamble}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=realism>{{harvnb|Gronli|2008b|loc=¶&nbsp;4. "{{interp|T}}he books came across as more hard hitting than some of the video games that have been released&nbsp;.... The action was a lot more hectic. The characters were more realistic. There also happened to be a lot more honesty in the books&nbsp;..."}}; {{harvnb|Rhoads|2011b|loc=¶&nbsp;9. "The thematic tone is pitch perfect."}}; the Horus Heresy became fully established as a concept upon its inclusion as [[Fluff (fiction)|background]] of wargames whose [[Alignment (role-playing games)|alignment]] is a matter of player choice {{harv|Johnson|1988|loc=§&nbsp;"The Imperium: The Horus Heresy"}}. See also §&nbsp;"Description" in {{bgg title|4091|Adeptus Titanicus}}.</ref>    
  
<ref name=ref-cmnt>See [[#multi-ref|note]] under §&nbsp;[[#refer|References]].</ref>     
  
<ref name=rel-info>"Paperback" refers to mass market paperback; "audiobook" may refer to either [[CD|disc]] or [[audio file format]] (e-audiobook) release. Sources: official ''Series'' website (in §&nbsp;[[#ext|External links]]); Black Library website {{harv|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy"}}; British National Bibliography {{harv|BNB|2012}}.</ref>     
  
<ref name=reviews>Select reviews: {{harvnb|Blogcritics|"Horus Heresy Articles"}} (multiple books, mixed); {{harvnb|Flory|2007}} (''Series'' overview as of [[#book4|Book 4]], positive); {{harvnb|Fortune|2012}} (positive); {{harvnb|Gronli|2008b}} (overview as of [[#book9|Book 9]], mixed); ''Series'' review essays can be found at {{harvs|txt|last=Rhoads|year1=2010|year2=2011a}}; reviewers have specifically commented on the books' cover art ({{harvnb|Gronli|2008a|loc=¶&nbsp;4}}; {{harvnb|Rhoads|2011b|loc=¶&nbsp;1. "{{interp|L}}avish cover art&nbsp;..."}}).</ref>     
  
<ref name=subplot>{{harvnb|Wolff|2011|loc=¶&nbsp;4}}.</ref>     

<ref name=times-b15>{{harvnb|Eureka|2011|loc="{{interp|Ranking by}} {{interp|s}}ales, January 2011 Source: Nielsen.com"}}.</ref>     

<ref name=universe>{{harvnb|NT (Neil Tringham)|2012|loc=§&nbsp;"Frame". "{{interp|N}}arrative frames can be strikingly detailed and evocative, as in the extensive universe constructed to support Warhammer 40,000 (1987)."}}</ref>     
}}

=={{anchor|refer}} References<!-- Section linked from within this article -->==
{{ambox|type=style|image=none|textstyle=font-size:87%;|text={{anchor|multi-ref}}{{ubl|References may include multiple versions of cited works, published in alternate formats or media. These may be listed consecutively in ascending date order, separated by a double semicolon {{strong|(;;)}}. In such references, information common to listed versions may appear in the first instance only.|Audio sources are listed by author.}}}}
{{refbegin|2}}  
    
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Horus Heresy Novel Series|2006–2012}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); unsigned/unattributed. -->|year=2006–2012|contribution=§&nbsp;The Horus Heresy{{spnd}} It is a time of legend" {{interp|preamble}}; "§&nbsp;[[Dramatis personæ|Dramatis Personae]]|title=Horus Heresy Novel Series|type=[[book series]] [audio; digital; print]|volume=1–9, 11–15, 17–22|publisher=[[Black Library]]|location=[[Nottingham, UK]]|edition=1st UK|at=[[Front matter]]; [[liner notes]]|id=ISBN 978-1-84416-294-9 {{interp|Book 1 {{harv|Abnett|2006}}}}<!-- No Series ISBN found-->}} 
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Horus Heresy Online|"The Story"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=A Tale of Heresy|url=http://www.thehorusheresy.com/the-heresy/|work=thehorusheresy.com|publisher=[[Games Workshop]]|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-03-21}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Abnett|first=Dan|year=2006|title=Horus rising: the seeds of heresy are sown|type=print|format=[[paperback]]|others=[[Cover art]] and [[Book illustration|illustration]] by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=1|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-294-9|authorlink=Dan Abnett|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2010a}}|year=2010a|type=e-book|format=[[EPUB]]; [[Mobipocket|mobi]]|isbn=978-0-85787-021-6|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2011a}}|year=2011a|type=[[audiobook]]|format=CD|others=Read by Martyn Ellis|edition=[[Abridgement|abridged]]|isbn=978-1-84970-015-3}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Abnett|first=Dan|year=2008|title=Legion: secrets and lies|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=7|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-536-0|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2010b}}|year=2010b|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-032-2}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2010c-1}}|last=Abnett|first=Dan|year=2010c-1|title=Prospero burns: the wolves unleashed|type=e-audiobook|format=[[MP3]]|others=Read by [[Gareth Armstrong]]|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=15|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=[[Abridgement|unabridged]]|isbn=978-0-85787-122-0|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2010c-2}}|year=2010c-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-125-1|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2011b}}|year=2011b|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-776-0}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Abnett|first=Dan|year=2011c|origyear=originally published 2006|title=Horus rising: the seeds of heresy are sown|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=1|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition="5th anniversary" UK reprint|isbn=978-1-84970-111-2|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2012a-1}}|last=Abnett|first=Dan|year=2012a-1|title=Know no fear: the battle of Calth|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Read by [[Gareth Armstrong]]|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=19|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=unabridged|isbn=978-0-85787-613-3|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2012a-2}}|year=2012a-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-512-9|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2012a-3}}|year=2012a-3|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-134-1}} 
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2012b-1}}|last=Abnett|first=Dan|year=2012b-1|origyear=originally published 2006|title=Horus rising: the seeds of heresy are sown|type=print|format=[[hardcover]]|others=Cover art and illustration by Neil Roberts; illustrations by Karl Richardson|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=1|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=[[#pe|"Premium Hardback"]]|isbn=978-1-84970-382-6|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Abnett|2012b-2}}|year=2012b-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|edition=[[#pe|"Enhanced"]]|isbn=978-0-85787-915-8}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Abnett et al.|2011}}|last1=Abnett|first1=Dan|last2=Counter|first2=Ben|last3=McNeill|first3=Graham|year=2011|title=The Horus Heresy audio boxset|type=audiobook|format=CD|others=Read by Martyn Ellis|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=1–3|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=abridged [[Product bundling|bundled]] [[Limited edition books|limited]]|isbn=978-1-84970-218-8|authorlink1=Dan Abnett|authorlink3=Graham McNeill}}    
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last1=Ansell|first1=Bryan|last2=Priestley|first2=Rick|year=1990|title=[[Realm of Chaos (Warhammer)|Realm of chaos]]|type=print|format=hardcover|others=Stories by Games Workshop [[staff writer]]s; illustrations by Games Workshop art & design staff|volume=The lost and the damned|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st|isbn=978-1-86989-352-1|authorlink1=Bryan Ansell|authorlink2=Rick Priestley|lastauthoramp=y}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Antigonos et al.|2011}}|author=Antigonos {{interp|[[pseudonym]]}} et al.|date=18 October 2011|title=Temporal inconsistencies in Outcast Dead (?)- Dropsite Massacre and Prospero's Razing|url=http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?321105-Temporal-inconsistencies-in-Outcast-Dead-(-)-Dropsite-Massacre-and-Prospero-s-Razing|work=warseer.com|type=[[online discussion]] site|publisher=Warseer|location=US|at="Forum: Warhammer 40,000 Background"|id={{interp|[[Conversation threading|thread]] id}} 321105|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66JFfl90g|archivedate=2012-03-20|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-20}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Authors"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Authors|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Authors|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-03-10}}      
* {{cite journal|ref=harv|last=Baxter|first=Stephen|month=May–June|year=2003|origyear=originally published in print (issue 229)|title=Freedom in An Owned World: Warhammer Fiction and the Interzone Generation|url=http://www.vectormagazine.co.uk/article.asp?articleID=42|journal=[[Vector (magazine)|Vector]]|publisher=[[British Science Fiction Association]]|publication-date={{interp|Unspecified online pub. date}}|version<!-- In place of suppressed "edition" -->=([[Online magazine|Online]] ed.)|id={{interp|''Vector'' online article id}} 42|issn=0505-0448|accessdate=2012-10-06|authorlink=Stephen Baxter}}   
* {{cite news|ref={{harvid|New York Times|"Best Sellers"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|date=Sunday|title=Best Sellers {{interp|mass market paperback}}|url=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/mass-market-paperback/list.html|format=weekly feature|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]|agency<!-- In place of suppressed "edition" -->=([[Online newspaper|Online]] ed.)|at=§&nbsp;"Books"|issn=0362-4331|accessdate=2011-05-22}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref=harv|title=The Horus Heresy|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|editor-last=Bickham|editor-first=Jes|format=featured article|year=2012|month=October|magazine=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]|issue=394|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|version<!-- In place of suppressed "edition" -->=(print ed.)|at=82–89, insert|issn=0265-8712}}    
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Bligh|first=Alan|year=2012|title=Betrayal|type=print|format=[[leatherbound]]|others=Cover art, illustrations, and reproductions by Forge World art & design staff|series=Horus Heresy {{interp|Rulebooks}}|volume=1|publisher=[[Forge World]]|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-90796-496-1}}    
* {{cite news|ref=harv|last=Bosier|first=Jen|date=28 June 2010|title=Horus Heresy 101|url=<!-- http://www.examiner.com/article/horus-heresy-101 --><!-- Domain ''examiner.com'' in [[MediaWiki:Spam-blacklist]] as of accessdate. -->|work=[[Examiner.com]]|publisher=Clarity Media Group|location=[[Denver, Colorado]]|agency<!-- In place of suppressed "edition" -->=(National ed.)|at=§&nbsp;"Arts & Entertainment"|oclc=649509343|accessdate=2012-04-28}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|BNB|2012}}|author=<!-- British Library staff; not credited.-->|date=2012|title=British National Bibliography|url=http://bnb.bl.uk/|work=The British Library|format=online [[bibliography]] database|publisher=[[British Library]]|location=London, UK|accessdate=2012-09-26}}   
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Connor MacLeod et al.|2012}}|author=Connor MacLeod {{interp|[[pseudonym]]}} et al.|date=23 May 2012|title=Horus Heresy series analysis thread|url=http://bbs.stardestroyer.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=155113|work=StarDestroyer.Net BBS|type=online discussion site|publisher=Michael Wong|location=US|at="Forum: Science Fiction"|id={{interp|[[Conversation threading|thread]] id}} 155113|accessdate=2012-10-07}}    
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Counter|first=Ben|year=2006|title=Galaxy in flames: the heresy revealed|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=3|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-393-9|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Counter|2010a}}|year=2010a|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-023-0|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Counter|2012}}|year=2012|type=audiobook|format=CD|others=Read by Martyn Ellis|edition=abridged|isbn=978-1-84970-094-8}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Counter|first=Ben|year=2008|title=Battle for the Abyss: my brother, my enemy|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=8|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-657-2|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Counter|2010b}}|year=2010b|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-033-9}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Dean|first=Steve|date=2011|title=The Outcast Dead by Graham McNeill. Audiobook review|url=http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/reviews/warhammer-40000-the-horus-heresy-the-outcast-dead-by-graham-mcneill-audiobook-review/|work=britishfantasysociety.org|publisher=[[British Fantasy Society]]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GHTZsoi|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-08}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Dean|first=Steve|date=2012|title=Warhammer 40K: The Primarchs: The Horus Heresy. Book review|url=http://www.britishfantasysociety.co.uk/reviews/warhammer-40k-the-primarchs-the-horus-heresy-book-review/|work=britishfantasysociety.org|publisher=British Fantasy Society|accessdate=2012-07-11|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Dembski-Bowden|2010-1}}|last=Dembski-Bowden|first=Aaron|year=2010-1|title=The first heretic: fall to chaos|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=14|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-045-2|postscript}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Dembski-Bowden|2010-2}}|year=2010-2|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-884-2}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Dembski-Bowden|first=Aaron|year=2011|title=Aurelian: the eye stares back|type=print|format=hardcover|series=Horus Heresy {{interp|Novellas}}|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition="Collectors Editions: Gold"|isbn=978-1-84970-106-8|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Dembski-Bowden|first=Aaron|year=2012|title=Void stalker|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art by Jon Sullivan|series=Night Lords|volume=3|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-148-8|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Dunn|2011-1}}|editor-last=Dunn|editor-first=Christian|year=2011-1|title=Age of darkness|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Features short stories by ''Series'' authors; read by [[Gareth Armstrong]], Martyn Ellis & Jonathan Keeble|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=16|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-154-1|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Dunn|2011-2}}|year=2011-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-153-4|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Dunn|2011-3}}|year=2011-3|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-036-8}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Dunn|2012-1}}|editor-last=Dunn|editor-first=Christian|year=2012-1|title=The Primarchs|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Includes novellas by Nick Kyme, [[Graham McNeill]], Rob Sanders & Gav Thorpe; read by [[Gareth Armstrong]], [[Sean Barrett (actor)|Sean Barrett]], Jonathan Keeble & David Timpson|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=20|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=unabridged|isbn=978-0-85787-638-6|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Dunn|2012-2}}|year=2012-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-651-5|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Dunn|2012-3}}|year=2012-3|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-207-2}}      
* {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Dunn|Kyme|2012-1}}|editor1-last=Dunn|editor1-first=Christian|editor2-last=Kyme|editor2-first=Nick|year=2012-1|title=Shadows of treachery|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|others=Includes short stories by [[Dan Abnett]], [[Graham McNeill]] & Gav Thorpe; novellas by Aaron Dembski-Bowden & John French|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=22|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-828-1|lastauthoramp=y|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Dunn|Kyme|2012-2}}|year=2012-2|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-346-8}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Ebooks: Horus Heresy"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Ebooks: Horus Heresy|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/ebooks/horus-heresy|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-01-12}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|FAQ}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=FAQ: Digital products, eBooks and audio|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Getting-Started/FAQ-Digital-products.html|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|accessdate=2012-09-08}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Farley|first=Jordan|date=21 July 2010|title=Interview: Neil Roberts|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/07/21/interview-neil-roberts/|work=[[SFX (magazine)|sfx.co.uk]]|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|location=[[Bath, UK]]|accessdate=2012-10-07}}   
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Fergus|first=Stefan|date=30 August 2012|title={{-'}}Shadows of Treachery' ed. by Christian Dunn & Nick Kyme (Black Library)|url=http://civilian-reader.blogspot.com/2012/08/shadows-of-treachery-ed-by-christian.html|work=Civilian Reader|type=[[blog]]|publisher=Self-published|accessdate=2012-10-02}}   
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Flory|first=Graeme|date=13 April 2007|title=Tales from the Black Library{{spnd}} 'The Horus Heresy{{'-}}|url=http://www.graemesfantasybookreview.com/2007/06/tales-from-black-library-horus-heresy.html|work=Graeme's Fantasy Book Review|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GHsq5G1|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-15}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Flory|first=Graeme|date=28 April 2011|title={{-'}}Age of Darkness'{{spnd}} Edited by Christian Dunn (Black Library)|url=http://www.graemesfantasybookreview.com/2011/04/age-of-darkness-edited-by-christian.html|work=Graeme's Fantasy Book Review|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GIBQgpp|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-08|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Flory|first=Graeme|date=11 August 2012|title={{-'}}Fear to Tread'{{spnd}} James Swallow (Black Library)|url=http://www.graemesfantasybookreview.com/2012/08/fear-to-tread-james-swallow-black.html|work=Graeme's Fantasy Book Review|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|accessdate=2012-10-21|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Fortune|first=Ed|date=26 February 2012|title=Book Review: Know No Fear|url=http://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/book-reviews-latest-literary-releases/2011-book-review-know-no-fear|work=starburstmagazine.com|publisher=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst Magazine]]|location=[[Manchester, UK]]|issn=0955-114X|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GIK5GKm|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-08}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref=harv|last=French|first=John|month=May|year=2011|editor-last=Dunn|editor-first=Christian|title=The Last Remembrancer|magazine=Hammer and Bolter|issue=7|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(e-magazine)|volume<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] format" -->='''(EPUB; mobi)'''|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-993-6}}      
* {{cite ebook|ref=harv|last=French|first=John|year=2012|origyear=also in {{harvnb|Dunn|Kyme|2012-1}}|title=The crimson fist|type=e-book|format=EPUB, mobi|series=Horus Heresy {{interp|Novellas}}|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-732-1|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Frequently Asked Questions"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Getting-Started/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|at=§&nbsp;"Our most common questions"|accessdate=2012-04-07}} 
* {{cite book|ref=harv|author=Games Workshop Design Studio|year=2008|title=Warhammer 40,000 rulebook|type=print|format=hardcover|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=5th|isbn=978-1-84154-875-3}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|Gronli|2008a}}|last=Gronli|first=Jonathan|date=22 August 2008|title=Gamertell Review: The Horus Heresy: False Gods by Graham McNeill|url=http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/38409/gamertell-review-the-horus-heresy-false-gods-by-graham-mcneill|magazine=TechnologyTell|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=([[online magazine]])|publisher=Technology Tell Network|at=§&nbsp;"Gamertell: Reviews"|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GISD2nV|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-14}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|Gronli|2008b}}|last=Gronli|first=Jonathan|date=20 November 2008|title=Horus Heresy novel series wrapup|url=http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/40637/horus-heresy-novel-series-wrapup|magazine=TechnologyTell|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(online magazine)|publisher=Technology Tell Network|at=§&nbsp;"Gamertell"|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GIa48TK|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-15|authormask=2}} 
* {{cite magazine|ref=harv|last=Gronli|first=Jonathan|date=18 October 2010|title=Gamertell Review: The Horus Heresy: Nemesis by James Swallow|url=http://www.technologytell.com/gaming/62576/horus-heresy-nemesis-by-james-swallow-book-review|magazine=TechnologyTell|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(online magazine)|publisher=Technology Tell Network|at=§&nbsp;"Gamertell"|accessdate=2012-10-21|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Horus Heresy|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Horus-Heresy|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-01-26}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|TV Tropes|"Horus Heresy"}}|author=<!-- TV Tropes contributors -->|title=Horus Heresy|url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HorusHeresy|work=Television Tropes & Idioms|type=[[wiki]]|publisher=[[TV Tropes]]|accessdate=2012-03-16}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|Blogcritics|"Horus Heresy Articles"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Horus Heresy Articles|url=http://blogcritics.org/tag/horus-heresy/|magazine=[[Blogcritics]]|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(online magazine)|publisher=[[Technorati]]|issn=1936-0649|accessdate=2012-03-08}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy Collections"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Horus Heresy Collections|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/collections|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-10-22}}
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy: Coming Soon"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Horus Heresy: Coming Soon|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/coming-soon|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-09-21}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|isilvra|2011}}|author=isilvra {{interp|[[pseudonym]]}}|date=17 February 2011|origyear=<nowiki />[[Timestamping_(computing)|timestamped]] "09:16 PM"|title=Horus Heresy timeline (post #3)|url= http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?s=05443307d6ffaf06af1523989f5203cd&showtopic=222664&view=findpost&p=2662681|editor=(discussion originator) AekoldHelbrass {{interp|pseudonym}}|work=The Bolter and Chainsword|type=online discussion site|publisher=David Johnston|location=UK|at="Forum: The Horus Heresy"|id={{interp|[[Conversation threading|thread]] id}} 222664|accessdate=2012-10-26}}
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Johnson|first=Jervis|year=1988|title=Adeptus Titanicus rulebook|type=print|format=[[loose leaf]]|others=Cover art & illustrations by Games Workshop art & design staff|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st|isbn=1-869893-57-3<!-- ISBN may be obsolete -->|authorlink=Jervis Johnson}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Kyme|first=Nick|year=2011a|origyear=also in {{harvnb|Dunn|2011-1}}|title=Forgotten sons|type=e-audio short|format=MP3|others=Read by Martyn Ellis|series=Horus Heresy {{interp|Short Stories}}|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-191-6}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Kyme|first=Nick|year=2011b|title=Promethean sun: into the fires of war|type=print|format=hardcover|series=Horus Heresy {{interp|Novellas}}|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition="Collectors"|isbn=978-1-84970-122-8|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|editor1-last=Kyme|editor1-first=Nick|editor2-last=Priestley|editor2-first=Lindsey|year=2009|title=Tales of heresy|type=print|format=paperback|others=Features short stories by ''Series'' authors; cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=10|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-683-1|lastauthoramp=y|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Kyme|Priestley|2010}}|year=2010|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-038-4}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Lee|first=Mike|year=2009|title=Fallen angels: deceit and betrayal|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=11|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-728-9|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Lee|2010}}|year=2010|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-039-1}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Black Library Online|"Horus Heresy Audio Boxset"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Limited Edition Horus Heresy Audio Boxset|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/limited-edition-horus-heresy-audio-boxset.html|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-01-19}}   
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Locus Online|"Locus Bestsellers"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=Locus Bestsellers|url=http://www.locusmag.com/2006/Issues/08LocusBestsellers.html|work=Locus Online|year=2006|month=August|origyear=originally in print, [[Locus (magazine)|''Locus'']] issue 547; unspecified online pub. date|publisher=[[Locus Publications]]|location=California, US|at=§&nbsp;"Gaming-Related", collection notes|issn=0047-4959|accessdate=2012-10-28|postscript=.&nbsp;"Data period: May 2006." {{interp|Initial publication lags collection by 3 months}}.}}
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Masshuu et al.|2010}}|author=Masshuu {{interp|[[pseudonym]]}} et al.|date=10 May 2010|title=Upcoming Horus Heresy Novels|url=http://www.40kforums.com/vb/showthread.php/22297-Upcoming-Horus-Heresy-Novels|work=Warhammer 40k Forums, Articles & Blogs|type=online discussion site|publisher=40K Forums|location=UK|at="Forum: Warhammer 40k Bacground and Stories"|id={{interp|[[Conversation threading|thread]] id}} 22297|accessdate=2012-10-26}}
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2006|title=False gods: the heresy takes root|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Philip Sibbering|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=2|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-370-0|authorlink=Graham McNeill|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2010a}}|year=2010a|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-022-3|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2011b-1}}|year=2011b-1|type=audiobook|format=CD|others=Read by Martyn Ellis|edition=abridged|isbn=978-1-84970-057-3|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2011b-2}}|year=2011b-2|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|isbn=978-0-85787-114-5}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2007|title=Fulgrim: visions of treachery|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=5|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-476-9|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2010b}}|year=2010b|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-028-5}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2008|title=Mechanicum: war comes to Mars|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts; illustration by Adrian Wood|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=9|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-664-0|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2010c}}|year=2010c|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-037-7}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2010d-1}}|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2010d-1|title=A thousand sons: all is dust...|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=12|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-808-8|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2010d-2}}|year=2010d-2|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Read by Martyn Ellis|edition=unabridged|isbn=978-0-85787-118-3|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2010d-3}}|year=2010d-3|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-051-3}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2011c-1}}|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2011c-1|title=The outcast dead: the truth lies within|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Read by Jonathan Keeble|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=17|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=unabridged|isbn=978-0-85787-327-9|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2011c-2}}|year=2011c-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-326-2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2011c-3}}|year=2011c-3|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-086-3}}   
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2012b-1}}|last=McNeill|first=Graham|year=2012b-1|title=Angel exterminatus: flesh and iron|type=print|format=hardcover|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts; illustrations by Karl Richardson|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=23|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition="Premium Hardback"|isbn=978-1-84970-209-6|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2012b-2}}|year=2012b-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|edition="Enhanced"|isbn=978-0-85787-911-0|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|McNeill|2012b-3}}|year=2012b-3|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Read by David Timpson|edition=unabridged|isbn=978-0-85787-639-3}} 
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=McNish|first=Cliff|date=19 May 2011|title=Cliff McNish's top 10 most frightening books for teenagers|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2011/may/19/cliff-mcnish-top-10?CMP=twt_gu|work=[[Guardian.co.uk]]|type=[[online news]] resource|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|location=London|version<!-- In place of unavailable "edition" -->=(US ed.)|at=§&nbsp;"6. Legion by Dan Abnett"|oclc=60623878|accessdate=2012-10-19|authorlink=Cliff McNish}} 
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Merrett|first=Alan|year=2007|editor1-last=Kyme|editor1-first=Nick|editor2-last=Ralphs|editor2-first=Matt|title=The Horus Heresy: collected visions|type=print|format=hardcover|others=Cover art & illustrations by Games Workshop art & design staff; includes short stories by [[Graham McNeill]]; illustrations by [[Sabertooth Games]] art staff |series=Horus Heresy Art Books|volume=1–4|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=omnibus|isbn=978-1-84416-424-0|lastauthoramp=y}}      
* {{cite encyclopedia|ref={{harvid|NT (Neil Tringham)|2012}}|author=NT {{interp|Neal Tringham}}|date=27 May 2012|editor1-last=Clute|editor1-first=John|editor2-last=Nicholls|editor2-first=Peter|title=Interactive Narrative|url=http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/interactive_narrative|encyclopedia=[[The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]]|series<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=([[Internet encyclopedia]])|publisher=[[SF Gateway]]|accessdate=2012-07-10|editor1-link=John Clute|editor2-link=Peter Nicholls (writer)|lastauthoramp=y}} 
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Perrin et al.|2011}}|author=Perrin {{interp|[[pseudonym]]}} et al.|date=16 November 2011|title=Best Horus Heresy cover-art ever, In my opinion|url=http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?showtopic=242061|work=The Bolter and Chainsword|type=online discussion site|publisher=David Johnston|location=UK|at="Forum: The Horus Heresy"|id={{interp|[[Conversation threading|thread]] id}} 242061|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66vU2yUP7|archivedate=2012-04-14|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-04-13}}       
* {{cite journal|ref=harv|last=Porush|first=David|month=November|year=1991|origyear=originally published in print edition|title=Prigogine, Chaos, and Contemporary Science Fiction|url=http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/backissues/55/porush55art.htm|journal=[[Science Fiction Studies]]|publisher=SF-TH|location=[[Greencastle, Indiana]]|publication-date={{interp|Unspecified online pub. date}}|version<!-- In place of suppressed "edition" -->=(Online ed.)|volume=18|issue=55|at=Part 3|issn=0091-7729|accessdate=2012-07-10}} 
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Rhoads|first=Eric|date=5 December 2010|title=The Horus Heresy - Black Library's Challenge|url=http://www.wordtipping.com/2010/12/horus-heresy-black-librarys-challenge.html|work=WordTipping|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|location=[[Meadville, Pennsylvania]]|accessdate=2012-10-21}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Rhoads|2011a}}|last=Rhoads|first=Eric|date=2 March 2011|title=Horus Heresy: The Difficulty of Reviewing this Series|url=http://www.wordtipping.com/2011/03/horus-heresy-difficulty-of-reviewing.html|work=WordTipping|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|location=Meadville, Pennsylvania|accessdate=2012-03-16|authormask=2}} 
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Rhoads|2011b}}|last=Rhoads|first=Eric|date=18 April 2011|title=Horus Rising by Dan Abnett{{spnd}} Book Review|url=http://www.wordtipping.com/2011/04/horus-rising-by-dan-abnett-book-review.html|work=WordTipping|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|location=Meadville, Pennsylvania|accessdate=2012-03-12|authormask=2}}   
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Rhoads|2012}}|last=Rhoads|first=Eric|date=23 July 2012|title=Flight of the Eisenstein by James Swallow|url=http://www.wordtipping.com/2012/07/flight-of-eisenstein-by-james-swallow.html|work=WordTipping|type=blog|publisher=Self-published|location=Meadville, Pennsylvania|accessdate=2012-10-05|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite sign|ref={{harvid|Roberts et al.|2006–2012}}|last1=Roberts|first1=Neil|last2=et al.|year=2006–2012|title=Horus Heresy Novel Series|format<!-- In place of "[work] type" -->=cover art; illustrations|medium=CD; downloadable media; print|volume=1–23|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=all|at=Front cover (all media); booklet (CD); p.&nbsp;1, [[front matter]], various pages (print)|id=ISBN 978-1-84416-294-9 {{interp|Book 1 {{harv|Abnett|2006}}}}<!-- No Series ISBN found-->|authorlink2=#contriblist|author-separator=}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Rudden|first=David|date=2012|title=Horus Heresy: The First Heretic by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Book review|url=http://www.britishfantasysociety.co.uk/reviews/horus-heresy-the-first-heretic-by-aaron-dembski-bowden-book-review/|work=britishfantasysociety.org|publisher=British Fantasy Society|accessdate=2012-09-13}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref=harv|last=Rundle|first=James|date=18 February 2010|title=Interview: Dan Abnett|url=http://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/interview-dan-abnett/|magazine=[[SciFiNow]]|version<!-- In place of suppressed "edition" -->=(Online ed.)|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|location=Bournemouth, UK|issn=1753-3147|accessdate=2012-09-21}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref=harv|last=Sanders|first=Rob|month=February|year=2011|editor-last=Dunn|editor-first=Christian|title=Iron Within|magazine=Hammer and Bolter|issue=5|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(e-magazine)|volume<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] format" -->='''(EPUB; mobi)'''|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-0-85787-995-0}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Scanlon|first=Mitchel|year=2007|title=Descent of angels: loyalty and honour|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=6|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-508-7|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Scanlon|2010}}|year=2010|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-029-2}}      
* {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Series authors|2011}}|year=2011|author={{interp|[[#authorlist|''Series'' authors]]}}|title=The Horus Heresy eBundle|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=1–17|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition="Xmas 2011 eBundle"|isbn=978-0-85787-497-9}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Sharps|first=Nick|date=9 August 2012|title=Book Review: Fear to Tread by James Swallow|url=http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2012/08/book-review-fear-to-tread-by-james-swallow/#more-59718|work=SF Signal|type=[[webzine]]|accessdate=2012-08-31}}      
* {{cite web|ref=harv|last=Sobel|first=Phillip|month=March|year=2010|title=A Thousand Sons by Graham McNeill{{spnd}} review|url=http://www.boomtron.com/2010/03/a-thousand-sons-by-graham-mcneill-review|work=Boomtron|type=webzine|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GJXQRLk|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-12}}      
* {{cite encyclopedia|ref=harv|last=Stableford|first=Brian|year=2006|title=Chaos|encyclopedia=Science fact and science fiction: an encyclopedia|series<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(print)|publisher=[[Routledge]]|location=London & New York|edition=1st|pages=79–80|isbn=978-0-41597-460-8|authorlink=Brian Stableford}}      
* {{cite journal|ref=harv|last=Stone|first=Phillip|date=26 September 2008|title=Packing a punch: independent publishers are riding out a tough market well, with a number of them outstripping market growth|journal=[[The Bookseller]]|publisher=Bookseller Media|location=London|issue=5351|pages=SS6–7|issn=0006-7539}}      
* {{cite journal|ref=harv|last=Stone|first=Phillip|date=13 May 2011|title=Mixed business: Philip Stone reports on the performance of the SF&F and graphic novel sectors|journal=[[The Bookseller]]|publisher=Bookseller Media|location=London|issue=5480|page=24|issn=0006-7539|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Swallow|first=James|year=2007|title=The flight of the Eisenstein: the heresy unfolds|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=4|publisher=Black Library|edition=1st UK|location=Nottingham, UK|isbn=978-1-84416-459-2|authorlink=James Swallow|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Swallow|2010a}}|year=2010a|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-026-1}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Swallow|2010b-1}}|last=Swallow|first=James|year=2010b-1|title=Nemesis: war within the shadows|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=13|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84416-868-2|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Swallow|2010b-2}}|year=2010b-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-052-0}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Swallow|2012-1}}|last=Swallow|first=James|year=2012-1|title=Fear to tread: the angel falls|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Read by [[Gareth Armstrong]]|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=21|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=unabridged|isbn=978-0-85787-803-8|authormask=2|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Swallow|2012-2}}|year=2012-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-772-7|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Swallow|2012-3}}|year=2012-3|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-195-2}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|The Black Library Team|2011}}|author=The Black Library Team {{interp|[[staff writer]]s}}|date=3 March 2011|title=The seeds of heresy are being re-sown|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Blog/the-seeds-of-heresy-are-being-resown.html|work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|at=§&nbsp;"Blog"|accessdate=2012-10-18}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|The Black Library Team|2012a}}|author=The Black Library Team {{interp|[[staff writer]]s}}|date=19 April 2012|title=Hell's Angels|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Blog/Hells-Angels.html |work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|at=§&nbsp;"Blog"|accessdate=2012-04-26|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|The Black Library Team|2012b}}|author=The Black Library Team {{interp|[[staff writer]]s}}|date=22 September 2012|title=Hard Back Heresy|url=http://www.blacklibrary.com/Blog/Hard_Back_Heresy.html |work=blacklibrary.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|at=§&nbsp;"Blog"|accessdate=2012-09-23|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|Horus Heresy Online|"The Characters"}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|title=The Characters of the Horus Heresy|url=http://www.thehorusheresy.com/the-characters/|work=thehorusheresy.com|publisher=Games Workshop|location=Nottingham, UK|accessdate=2012-03-21}}      
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Thorpe|2012a-1}}|last=Thorpe|first=Gav|year=2012a-1|title=Deliverance lost: ghosts of Terra|type=e-audiobook|format=MP3|others=Read by [[Gareth Armstrong]]|series=Horus Heresy Novel Series|volume=18|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=unabridged|isbn=<!-- "97808757875911" provided by publisher -->|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite ebook|ref={{harvid|Thorpe|2012a-2}}|year=2012a-2|type=e-book|format=EPUB; mobi|isbn=978-0-85787-985-1|postscript=}}[[#multi-ref|;;]] {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Thorpe|2012a-3}}|year=2012a-3|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art & illustration by Neil Roberts|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-061-0}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|Thorpe|2012b}}|last=Thorpe|first=Gav|month=February–April|year=2012|editor-last=Dunn|editor-first=Christian|title=The Lion|format<!-- "title" format -->=[[Serial (literature)|serial]]|magazine=Hammer and Bolter|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(e-magazine)|volume<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] format" -->='''(EPUB; mobi)'''|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|issue=17–19|isbn=978-0-85787-983-7|authormask=2|postscript=&nbsp;{{interp|issue 17}}.}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref={{harvid|Eureka|2011}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|date=3 March 2011|origyear=monthly magazine supplement of ''The Times''|title=Top 10 sci-fi & fantasy books for adults|magazine=[[Eureka (Times magazine)|Eureka]]|issue=18|page=54|publisher=[[The Times]]|location=London|issn=0140-0460}}      
* {{cite journal|ref={{harvid|Bookseller|2008}}|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line. -->|date=5 December 2008|title=Top 20 Fiction Heatseekers|journal=[[The Bookseller]]|publisher=Bookseller Media|location=London|issue=5361|page=34|issn=0006-7539}}      
* {{cite magazine|ref=harv|last=Wolff|first=Karl|date=6 September 2009|title=Book Review: ''Descent of Angels'' (The Horus Heresy, Book 6) by Mitchel Scanlon|url=http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-descent-of-angels-the/|magazine=[[Blogcritics]]|version<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=(online magazine)|publisher=[[Technorati]]|issn=1936-0649|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GJeu949|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-09}}      
* {{cite news|ref=harv|last=Wolff|first=Karl|date=26 April 2011|title=Book Review: Mechanicum (The Horus Heresy, Book Nine) by Graham McNeill|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Book-Review-Mechanicum-The-Horus-Heresy-Book-898033.php|newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|agency<!-- In place of unavailable "[work] type" -->=([[online newspaper]])|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation|Hearst Seattle Media]]|at=§&nbsp;"Lifestyle: Blogcritics"|issn=0745-970X|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/66GJs7a4k|archivedate=2012-03-18|deadurl=no|accessdate=2012-03-08|authormask=2}}      
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Wraight|first=Chris|year=2011b|title=Battle of the Fang|type=print|format=paperback|others=Cover art by Jon Sullivan; illustrations by [[John Blanche]] & Adrian Wood|series=Space Marine Battles Novels|publisher=Black Library|location=Nottingham, UK|edition=1st UK|isbn=978-1-84970-046-7}}  
     
{{refend}}

=={{anchor|ext}} External links<!-- Section linked from within this article -->==      
* {{official website|1=http://www.thehorusheresy.com|name=The Horus Heresy}}{{spnd}} Official website, may be inactive {{As of|2012|10|lc=y}}; includes some non-''Series'' Horus Heresy material      
  
{{Warhammer 40,000}}      
{{Warhammer 40,000 Novels}}      
{{Horus Heresy}}      
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Horus Heresy (Novels)}}      
  
[[Category:British science fiction]]      
[[Category:Science fiction book series]]      
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000 novels]]      
  
[[es:La herejía de Horus (novelas)]]      
[[ru:Цикл «Ересь Хоруса»]]