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typeyou t1_ja6603g wrote

I'm not sure where to start the series. I'm highly interested. Randomly finished one book " Horus Rising" and I cant help but think that I'm missing a lot or I'm somewhere in the middle. Please help.

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Maldevinine t1_ja6j8oo wrote

Part of the problem is that by the time Horus Rising was written, it was part of a setting that had already existed with extensive storytelling within it for about 30 years. You're supposed to know who all the people in the story are already because they're major players in the history of the setting.

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hav0cnz_ t1_ja6t975 wrote

Is there a recommended reading order? I, too, started with Horus Rising after something online told me to, and I feel the same way.

This stuff should be right up my alley, but somehow it just didn't hit.

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Maldevinine t1_ja6uemo wrote

I recommend starting with the 3rd Edition Rulebook and associated codexs, before skipping to the 6th edition codexs and then to the 9th Edition Rulebook and what of the codexs they've released so far because the Necron and Chaos codexs in 9th feature the buildup and fallout of the 13th Black Crusade.

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carnajo t1_ja6y4n0 wrote

This doesn't really help someone who's only interested in the novels. My recommendation would be to jump on some YouTube channels that give introductory and background info on the setting.

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typeyou t1_ja7be6b wrote

That's it! The book read as if I already knew the characters.

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Marcuse0 t1_ja8p99w wrote

The entire series is kind of a "filling in the blanks" around a bunch of known knowns that have been pedalled throughout GW's history. Every single Space Marine and Chaos Space Marine codex came with a potted history of the heresy, the book authors have had to write around these points a lot.

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PregnancyRoulette OP t1_ja66wnw wrote

Horus Rising is where I started because the print order told me to. I'm on book 8 of the publish order. The one one that can be skipped at this point is Decent Of Angels. False Gods and Galaxy in Flames are next in the Publishing order, but you could read Fulgrim, Legion, and Battle for the Abyss for prequels that explain how different legions decided to stand for or against Horus

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General_Josh t1_ja8443l wrote

I'd highly recommend the Eisenhorn books (starting with 'Xenos') by Dan Abnett (same author as Horus Rising).

They're a great jumping off point into the whole Warhammer universe, they don't assume you have any background knowledge.

(Also, while looking it up to make sure I was spelling 'Eisenhorn' right, I just discovered there's a fourth book that I haven't read yet. Immediate buy for me!)

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ManaBurn98 t1_ja9evrz wrote

If you are not aware, there are 2 sister series the the Eisenhorn saga. The "Ravenor" series as well as the "Bequin Saga"(Pariah, Penitent and Emperor willing soon Pandemonium). All of which are amazing reads that just further expand the story Dan Abnett tells.

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Zephrok t1_ja8hp8j wrote

I would read a book that stays away from the major events to start with. In my opinion, the omnibuses are the perfect place to start, s they represent some of the best writing in short form and they cover a breadth of the setting.

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forgotmypassword-_- t1_jabhcku wrote

> Please help.

I actually recommend starting with 40k. What kind of books do you like?

Helsreach is a generally good place to start.

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typeyou t1_jac7h5c wrote

Space oddessy, space fiction or non-fiction, historical, dark ages, western adventure, survival, biographies, supernatural, mysteries. I love all genres.

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forgotmypassword-_- t1_jacxzg3 wrote

>I cant help but think that I'm missing a lot or I'm somewhere in the middle. Please help.

Horus Rising is part of the Horus Heresy series, which is a set of prequel books filling in a story we've known the big plot beats since the 80s(?).

>Space oddessy

Forges of Mars is a self-contained story that'll introduce you to various factions.

>supernatural, mysteries

If you want to go off the deep end, anything by Peter Fehervari. However, you really, really should not start here. His books are weird.

>heist

Shroud of Night is a pretty good heist book.

>historical

You might get a kick out of The Macharian Crusade. The first book is being rereleased, so it's a more affordable price.

>survival

The Night Lords Omnibus is often recommended. Do you want to sympathize with superhuman space terrorists? Because you will.

Alternatively, the Gaunt's Ghost series is basically Sharpe in space.

Helsreach is the story of a city's last stand, following the World's Angriest Man.

The Fabius Bile trilogy follows a mad scientist who tells a god to their face that they don't exist.

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