novels timeline

[BrotherJim]

good evening gentleman,

 

im sure this is the kind of thing that has been done to death around here,

I did run a few searches but couldn't find any solid answers, lots of great leads though!

 

anyway, I posted a list in the spacewolves forum, and seeing as i'm spreading my wings and trying new things, thought that I would head over here and clutter up your lovely forum too!

 

so basically my question is a simple one.

 

The last time I was at Isstvan, Loken died. which book to I need to buy to get back there?

 

haha I sound like a spoilt brat

 

ok so I have read the first 4

 

Horus Rising

False Gods

Galaxy in Flames

The Flight of the Eisenstein

 

and I am now part way through Fulgrim.

 

Horus Rising was by far the best, Dan Abnett for the win. I've read some guants ghosts stuff and loved it, saving Eisenhorn for a rainy day.

 

I'm not really asking which ones can I skip or anything, but all of this back and forth on the timeline playing catch ups is really starting to reek of "anime filler" episodes to me, ive seen it happen so many times before...

 

now don't get me wrong im a very patient man, I've read lots of massive fantasy/ sci fi series in my time (wheel of time, song of ice and fire, tale of the malazan, a nights dawn trilogy and of course Dune, the bible :p to name but a few...

 

so my basic question is: how far past isstvan are the now current books, in terms of timeline, which books relate to isstvan V (drop site massacre)

 

because at this stage I am pretty willing to skip anything that takes place before Isstvan. I have A Thousand Sons and Prospero Burns here ready to go, and I am pretty keen to just drop Fulgrim and get to it. then I will go back and read Legion and Mechanicum, and that's about it so far.... any other good ones?

 

hmmm so yes, where is the current new release books up to in terms of actual timeline, rather then just "Flashbacks" tying in new threads, is Horus even on his way to Terra yet?

 

also where do the forgeworld books fit into all of this? are they just the same, only 1000 times more awesome, which pictures and rules for your armies? in terms of the pictures, are they cgi, photoshop minis, or illustrations/paintings or all 3?

really curious about these books...

 

any and all information about anything discussed herein would be greatly apprieciated and assimilated :)

 

basically all I want is to read a book in 40k/30k that is as awesome as Horus Rising. After reading that book my urge to build a Luna Wolves Legion was so strong that the only thing that's stopping me is the fact I am flat broke! dead broke. no monies.

Honestly that book was so inspiring that i'm certain it is the reason I chose Logan Grimnars Company Sigil (before he became the great Wolf) which is a wolf's head howling at the moon (in white) because of that scene when Loken was inducted into the mournival (sp?)

even if it wasn't in that book

 

I have some other 40k books here but I don't want to mention them as the are not heresy... is it just a Dan Abnett thing do you think?

 

thanks in advance!

[Fallen11]

It's really good to read some novels before starting army. I was about to start EC, but then I read Fulgrim, although I liked novel, I disliked how EC turned out...meaning,my first love, Alpha Legion was the way to go :D

[Perrin]

It is pretty hard to do a timeline of the series because there would be multiple start points and multiple threads.

The Unremembered Empire is the furthest past Isstvan so far, it's about 3 years after Isstvan, but it is really a coming together of a lot of plot threads, so really you would need to read pretty much every other book in the series before getting to that one.

It probably depends on personal opinion but some of my favourite novels, other than the ones you've already read and the ones you own are Angel Exterminatus, Betrayer, and Unremembered Empire.

Legion, Mechanicum, A Thousand Sons and Prospero Burns are all really really good, so look forward to those

Outside of the Horus Heresy, Eisenhorn, Ravenor and Pariah are good. The Emperors Gift is probably my favourite, it has Grey Knights and Space Wolves. Battle for the Fang is great, kind of a follow on from Prospero Burns.

There are a lot of great novels out there, I'd get through the HH first though. There are some HH novels that you might not enjoy but I think it is worth it to read the whole series anyway, although as a student I know its hard to find the money for them all

[Kol Saresk]

Currently, we have gone up to the third year in the Horus Heresy with the story Prince of Crows by Aaron Dembski-Bowden(A D-B ), found in the Shadows of Treachery anthology, and Unremembered Empire by Dan Abnett.

 

Angel Extermonatus, Betrayer, Know No Fear and the Mark of Calth Anthology are one year after Istvaan V.

 

The Serpent Beneath(in the Primarchs anthology), Savage Weapons(in Age of Darkness anthology), and The Lion(Found in The Primarchs) are two years after Istvaan V.

 

Everything else is mixed in all around and it goes back as far as the Lion's Discovery(Descent of Angels, but no further than Unremembered Empire and Scars which is soon to be released on a format other than e-episodes.

 

While most of them will simply be "anime filler", there is also leaps and bounds in difference. This stuff is actually needed to fully convey the entirety of the Heresy's scope as this a war that has engulfed the literal galaxy. Rare is the planet not in flames and rarer still is the planet not expecting to burn. As having read everything currently in print(with the exception of the rare special goodies), I would personally say that you have not read the Horus Heresy until you have read at least the novels and printed short stories.

 

However, if there is a book you must read, it is The First Heretic.

 

Forgeworld's books has each book focusing on a specific battle or a specific element of the battle. For example, book one, Betrayal, focuses on the Battle of Istvaan III and the four Legions that were there. Book two, Massacre, focuses on the Dropsite Massacre, and introduces four of the seven other Legions involved in that conflict. Book three, Extinction, will focus on the events following the Massacre on Istvaan V, as well as the Battle of Phall(seen in the short story Crimson Fist in Shadows of Treachery) and introduce four more Legions.

 

The "standard" Horus Heresy Legion list is in Betrayal. Each Legion will get unique rules, units and even optional list configurations across the series of books.

 

For example, the Death Guard. Introduced in Betrayal. Any model with Legiones Astartes(Death Guard) will get special fluffy rules. Their Primarch, two characters and a unit, the Death Shroud, are introduced. In Massacre, the Death Guard get a new Character, Calas Typhon, a new unit, the Grave Wardens and their own Rite of War, which creates a fully alternate,n optional and specialized fluffy list that only the Death Guard can use.

 

They are gold mines in scenarios for the specific battle(s) they are covering as well as the fluff that is held within them on the battle(s) it(them)self(ves) and the Legions within its pages.

 

The FW books are very extensive and very well written. Actually worth their price as gaming books go.

 

Note: All books listed are just off the top of my head as moving the timeline forward from Iatvaan III and V.

[BrotherJim]

amazing work gentlemen,

im overwhelmed

excellent as long as people in the know think that it is all worthwhile im happy to stick it through. just hate when you get into a series picking up all these loose threads and waiting for something amazing to happen where it all falls into place.... and it never comes.... (evangelion, im looking at you!)

ok cool im not sure if I'll read them in print order or best first, hmm....

It's really good to read some novels before starting army. I was about to start EC, but then I read Fulgrim, although I liked novel, I disliked how EC turned out...meaning,my first love, Alpha Legion was the way to go

yeah its really powerful stuff hey! it sucks too because all the best paint schemes have been taken, so you can either swallow the fluff or just try and do your own thing, good luck with your alphas! post your stuff!

perrin, cool name, cheers fella that's exactly the stuff im looking for, thanks brother!

kol_Saresk, wow dude really apprieciate the info, you are a scholar and a gentleman. im going to have to re-read that alot to be able to let it soak in.

sorry to be a chore, but which HH novel(s) feature the drop site massacre? and a teaser, who's perspective do we see it from?

also are there any pretty pictures in the forgeworld books? love me some pictures

really appreciate the info gents, its great to have it all in one place

I was going to paint this evening, but now I hear 1Ksons or prospero burns caling my name, wait, just discovered I have battle of the fang!

[Cactus]

The images here give a good idea of what to expect in Forge World's books.

[BrotherJim]

bahaha thanks dude now I feel like a retard :)

 

for all the time I spent on that site, there is always something new to learn

 

cheers buuddy

[Kol Saresk]

Novels featuring Dropsite Massacre

 

The First Heretic - Word Bearers

 

Fulgrim - Emperor's Children

 

Vulkan Lives(Features in flashback format, but is a decent portion of the novel) - Salamanders

 

Now, short stories featuring the events on Istvaan V immediately following the Massacre

 

Raven's Flight(Can be found in audiodrama, or Shadows of Treachery anthology) - Raven Guard

 

Face of Treachery(Can be found in the Age of Darkness anthology) - Raven Guard, World Eaters

 

Deliverance Lost hosts Corax's escape from the Istvaan V system.

[BrotherJim]

amazing! cheers man

 

might have to finish Fulgrim now to get the scoop on their side, main issue here is that I only have the audio book, and i'm none too pleased with the voice actor's interpretation of Fulgrim, its killing the story for me. so I will have to pick the book up at some stage...

 

in which case i will have to read Descent of Angels, its only 2 books until legion, I can hold out...

bit worried about this though, never really looked at dark angels for fear they may actually be cool underneath those robes, and I already have secret plans for the deathwing command squad.... I really like the idea of Fallen Angels (I have Cypher) plus I have the DV kit... 

 

haven't really heard good things about the book though.... could be folly...

 

thanks again for the help everyone!

[miller_gooner]

I'll just get my bit in...

 

I started reading this series 4 years ago now and havent regretted a minute of it and am 100% up to date with all reading and audio material under my belt.

 

I played table top when I was a kid so by reading the HH it was like starting all over again!

 

You'll see people crying about how some of the books in the series didn't meet their expectations but my advice is don't skip any, yeah I had some that I enjoyed way more than others but they're all a good insight to the Legions and their part in the Crusade/HH and play their part in the story.

 

You will jump a head and then come back again but part of the fun is taking a step back having a think about it and then discussing where you are on here with everyone else.

 

We're currently waiting for Vengeful Spirit's release and it's quite nice to realise that after reading for so long we're at a point where all the pieces are aligned nicely.

 

Good things come to those who wait and all that stick with it and enjoy.

 

*As an aside, I listened to Angel Exterminatus and Fulgrim's voice killed me - just made me hate him more!