Horus Heresy (novels) - Synopsis - Book 1 To Book 10

Book 1 To Book 10

1. Horus Rising: the seeds of Heresy are sown

Horus Rising, the series opener, starts its real time narrative in the early years of the 31st millennium, during the 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 Garviel Loken, Captain of the Luna Wolves' 10th Company. He becomes a member of the Mournival (an informal advisory body to Horus), and participates in Crusade campaigns against anti-Imperials and aliens. The story also hints at tensions in the nascent Imperium, exacerbated by the Emperor's absence and actions – these are common themes in following books.

2. False Gods: the Heresy takes root

"False Gods" redirects here. For the Abrahamic doctrine, see False god.

False Gods picks up the tale a few weeks after the conclusion of Book 1 in the series timeline, and tells the story of Horus' fall. In a complicated conspiracy implemented by Chaos allies, Horus is mortally wounded during a Crusade mission by an alien, Chaos-tainted weapon. In a desperate (and contrary to 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 into the preeminent power of 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 – within Crusade Expeditions and in the wider Imperium – of a forbidden religious cult, whose members worship the Emperor as god.

3. Galaxy in Flames: the Heresy revealed

Galaxy in Flames continues the Heresy story, starting timewise shortly after the end of 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 (fictional) Isstvan star system, specifically on and around the planet Isstvan 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.

4. The Flight of the Eisenstein: the Heresy unfolds

The Flight of the Eisenstein follows the Eisenstein, a space frigate of the "Death Guard" or 14th Legion, commanded by Battle‑Captain Nathaniel Garro of the 7th Company – one of the few Commanders in the Traitor Legions that remain loyal to the Emperor. The story describes Eisenstein's escape from Isstvan III (see 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 heretical belief in the Emperor's divinity.

5. Fulgrim: visions of treachery

Fulgrim centers on the eponymous Primarch of the 3rd Legion, the "Emperor's Children", as both the flamboyant, perfectionist Commander and his Space Marines become corrupted by Chaos around the time Horus meets the same fate (Book 2). As a result, a warning about Horus' imminent betrayal and the disaster that may follow – delivered by the alien Eldar to Fulgrim and his staff – 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 his "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 V (an Isstvan system planet), also known as the Dropsite Massacre. The battle fully reveals the scale and ferocity of the rebellion.

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 of Zahariel El'Zurias, a native of Caliban (a Warhammer 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 knights. 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 Neophyte. A future schism within the Legion is also intimated in this section of the book.

7. Legion: secrets and lies

Legion features the "Alpha" Legion of Space Marines, the 20th and last to be formed. It is the most secretive, subtle, and inscrutable of all Legions; its deepest secret is the binary nature of its Primarch, who comprises the twins 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 Cabal, a mysterious, ancient interspecies organisation opposed to Chaos – 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.

8. Battle for the Abyss: my brother, my enemy

Battle for the Abyss is concerned with the lead‑up to the rebels' invasion of Ultramar, the in‑universe remote home star system of the unshakably Loyalist 13th Legion, the "Ultramarines" (Book 19 and 24). 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, launches from shipyards near Jupiter around the time of the events on Isstvan III (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.

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 cultlike, Terra-allied technocracy responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all Imperial military and civilian technology. Planning his imminent 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 the Emperor. The ensuing war will determine which side in the struggle will receive the Mechanicum's crucial support.

10. Tales of Heresy

Tales of Heresy is a collection of short stories that introduces or expands storyline perspectives and actors such as the Custodian Guard (the Praetorian Guard-like Imperial Bodyguard) and the Sisters of Silence, a classified Imperial organisation of warrior‑nuns originally introduced in 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 Imperial Truth; another entry in the compilation is a Primarch origin story, wherein Angron (one of the Emperor's "sons") takes command of the 12th Space Marine Legion, the "World Eaters". The book contains seven stories by various authors; several stories relate to full-length novels in the series.