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The Horus Heresy #2
Falsos Dioses
La Gran Cruzada que ha llevado a los hombres a través de las estrellas continúa. El Emperador de la Humanidad ha entregado el mando a su hijo favorito, el señor de la guerra Horus. Sin embargo, no todo va bien en los ejércitos del Imperio. Horus todavía sigue sufriendo los celos y el resentimiento de sus hermanos primarcas, y además, cuando resulte herido en combate en el planeta Davin, deberá enfrentarse a sus propios demonios interiores. Ante todas las tentaciones que el Caos le ofrece, ¿podrá el debilitado Horus resistirse?
La épica narración de La Herejía de Horus prosigue en este nuevo y apasionante episodio. El destino de la galaxia depende de la decisión de un solo hombre ante el eterno dilema: ¿fidelidad o herejía?
La épica narración de La Herejía de Horus prosigue en este nuevo y apasionante episodio. El destino de la galaxia depende de la decisión de un solo hombre ante el eterno dilema: ¿fidelidad o herejía?
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
1594 people are currently reading
5021 people want to read
About the author
Graham McNeill
339 books913 followersHailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped a career in surveying to work for Games Workshop as a games designer. He has a strong following with his novels Nightbringer, Warriors of Ultramar, Dead Sky, Black Sun and Storm of Iron.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,486 reviews
September 22, 2018
Well this was a major step down from the first book in the Horus Heresy series. In "Horus Rising", Dan Abnett did his best to set up the psychology of the main characters in the saga, making me think that Horus' monumental decision to take down the Emperor would be based on some kind of internal conflict, and drama, and shades of grey issues of morality. It also made me very curious to see how will he get to that point. Unfortunately, all my high hopes were quickly dispersed when Graham McNeill took over, and delivered a book that is straight up pulp space action, without any pretenses at serious work of writing, with extremely simplified plot, and characters that are thinner than their own cardboard cutouts.
Now this is not very surprising when we talk about Warhammer 40k novels, which are meant to be super light weight futuristic military fiestas, focused on action, machismo, and hooking up readers to buy other WH40k products. But since this IS arguably the most important series in the entire WH40k universe, and since the first book obviously showed that it IS possible to take an extra step, and make a more serious, deeper engaging novel, I really cannot see why there was no effort to pick a better writer, and to tell a more complex story about these crucial events.
Anyway, in this book, we quickly learn that there is bit of Chaos infestation among some of the senior members of the Astartes, as one of those guys (Erebus) comes up with a kindergarten level of a master plan on how to corrupt Horus and turn him to the dark side. His brilliant idea is to basically tell Horus that some random local governor on some random irrelevant planet has rebelled, and called the Warmaster a chicken. Channeling his inner Marty McFly, Horus (previously presented as thoughtful, considerate and patient when it comes to assaulting people) immediately turns on his rage mode, and decides to take an entire spearhead of his army, with Titans, and legions of Space Marines, and all sorts of accompanying hardware, and to lead them himself, head on, into a ground assault. In the ensuing combat on a Chaos infested moon,
The most disappointing part of this whole story was how quickly and how easily Horus has turned. He was shown a few visions of very dubious authenticity, by people who were obviously lying to him, and yet he took them all for granted, and immediately forsake his beloved father, the Emperor, and decided to take him down. Just like that. Compared to this shit, the Anakin Skywalker's turn in the utterly inept SW prequel trilogy, is fucking Fyodor Dostoevsky level of psychology and complexity.
So bottom line, while this book has some pretty good action scenes, and a number of cool supporting characters, and it does plant some interesting seeds about the future religion based around the Emperor, the momentum it had inherited from the book 1 was completely wasted, and the main story about Horus was a massive let down, leading to my current score of only 49/100.
Current ranking: 410th on my all time list of novels, 7th (out of 9) on my list of Warhammer 40k novels.
Now this is not very surprising when we talk about Warhammer 40k novels, which are meant to be super light weight futuristic military fiestas, focused on action, machismo, and hooking up readers to buy other WH40k products. But since this IS arguably the most important series in the entire WH40k universe, and since the first book obviously showed that it IS possible to take an extra step, and make a more serious, deeper engaging novel, I really cannot see why there was no effort to pick a better writer, and to tell a more complex story about these crucial events.
Anyway, in this book, we quickly learn that there is bit of Chaos infestation among some of the senior members of the Astartes, as one of those guys (Erebus) comes up with a kindergarten level of a master plan on how to corrupt Horus and turn him to the dark side. His brilliant idea is to basically tell Horus that some random local governor on some random irrelevant planet has rebelled, and called the Warmaster a chicken. Channeling his inner Marty McFly, Horus (previously presented as thoughtful, considerate and patient when it comes to assaulting people) immediately turns on his rage mode, and decides to take an entire spearhead of his army, with Titans, and legions of Space Marines, and all sorts of accompanying hardware, and to lead them himself, head on, into a ground assault. In the ensuing combat on a Chaos infested moon,
The most disappointing part of this whole story was how quickly and how easily Horus has turned. He was shown a few visions of very dubious authenticity, by people who were obviously lying to him, and yet he took them all for granted, and immediately forsake his beloved father, the Emperor, and decided to take him down. Just like that. Compared to this shit, the Anakin Skywalker's turn in the utterly inept SW prequel trilogy, is fucking Fyodor Dostoevsky level of psychology and complexity.
So bottom line, while this book has some pretty good action scenes, and a number of cool supporting characters, and it does plant some interesting seeds about the future religion based around the Emperor, the momentum it had inherited from the book 1 was completely wasted, and the main story about Horus was a massive let down, leading to my current score of only 49/100.
Current ranking: 410th on my all time list of novels, 7th (out of 9) on my list of Warhammer 40k novels.
August 14, 2020
Edit: Someone pointed out to me that there are readers start this series without knowing what Warhammer 40k is and that for such reader this review might contain spoilers. So if you are completely unfamiliar with Warhammer 40k avoid this and reviews for this series in general. /edit
Still not sure if this book is better or worse than first one but it's still a bloody good fun.
Writing in this book is notch bellow first one. So far I got the impression that Abnett is better writer than McNeil, his dialogs and characters where more enjoyable. On the other hand story in this book is at much more interesting place. Horus rising was more of prolog while this book deals with events that lead to Horus becoming aligned with Chaos and starts setting the stage for the main events and great civil war to follow.
We finally get to learn more about gods of chaos, emperor and see how deep corruption has spread through Imperium. Again there are some well written fights and I especially liked how adequately disgusting are descriptions of Nurgle's (God of death, decay and disease) forces. Warning don't read that part before meal.
Still not sure if this book is better or worse than first one but it's still a bloody good fun.
Writing in this book is notch bellow first one. So far I got the impression that Abnett is better writer than McNeil, his dialogs and characters where more enjoyable. On the other hand story in this book is at much more interesting place. Horus rising was more of prolog while this book deals with events that lead to Horus becoming aligned with Chaos and starts setting the stage for the main events and great civil war to follow.
We finally get to learn more about gods of chaos, emperor and see how deep corruption has spread through Imperium. Again there are some well written fights and I especially liked how adequately disgusting are descriptions of Nurgle's (God of death, decay and disease) forces. Warning don't read that part before meal.
December 16, 2020
Interestingly, I think the best quote to sum up the qualities of the second book of the Horus Heresy is this:
"What lies beyond that door?" asked Horus, backing away from the silver portal.
"Truths you will not want to see," replied Sejanus, "and answers you will not want to hear."
This book was absolutely spectacular. False Gods is in my mind even better than its predecessor Horus Rising, mostly because of its absolutely artistic description of the corruption and subversion of Horus and some of his main lieutenants.
Graham McNeill does an impressive job as the architect of the fall of such a central character, using equal doses of truth, manipulation and prophecy. I confess to be left in doubt as to how strongly Horus' initial motivation as portrayed in this book is actually quite justified, and I believe leaving that up to the reader to figure out (at least those of us who are relative novices to the Warhammer 40K universe), was part of the authors' intention. One might say these developments could have been expanded some more, but then again, I went into this series with relatively low expectations, and they have regularly been exceeded.
These Warhammer 40K books get an undeservedly bad reputation. So far the Horus Heresy series is a delightful wonder containing deep themes, excellently crafted character development, and an enticing overarching story.
Excuse me while I'm off to read more.
Horus Heresy reviews:
#1 Horus Rising
#2 False Gods
#3 Galaxy in Flames
#4 The Flight of the Eisenstein
#5 Fulgrim
#6 Descent of Angels
#7 Legion
"What lies beyond that door?" asked Horus, backing away from the silver portal.
"Truths you will not want to see," replied Sejanus, "and answers you will not want to hear."
This book was absolutely spectacular. False Gods is in my mind even better than its predecessor Horus Rising, mostly because of its absolutely artistic description of the corruption and subversion of Horus and some of his main lieutenants.
Graham McNeill does an impressive job as the architect of the fall of such a central character, using equal doses of truth, manipulation and prophecy. I confess to be left in doubt as to how strongly Horus' initial motivation as portrayed in this book is actually quite justified, and I believe leaving that up to the reader to figure out (at least those of us who are relative novices to the Warhammer 40K universe), was part of the authors' intention. One might say these developments could have been expanded some more, but then again, I went into this series with relatively low expectations, and they have regularly been exceeded.
These Warhammer 40K books get an undeservedly bad reputation. So far the Horus Heresy series is a delightful wonder containing deep themes, excellently crafted character development, and an enticing overarching story.
Excuse me while I'm off to read more.
Horus Heresy reviews:
#1 Horus Rising
#2 False Gods
#3 Galaxy in Flames
#4 The Flight of the Eisenstein
#5 Fulgrim
#6 Descent of Angels
#7 Legion
January 24, 2026
"Voglio che fra diecimila anni il mio nome sia conosciuto in tutti i cieli"
Horus il più luminoso dei figli sarà messo alla prova, una lenta corruzione, un veleno che penetra l'anima.
I poteri oscuri si rivelano. I sussurri del Caos tentano la mente, mutando la fede in tradimento.
Questo libro, secondo della serie dell' "Eresia di Horus" è l'alba della notte eterna, la tragedia che prende forma, inesorabile. Qui la fine della Grande Crociata dell' Imperatore inizia a svelarsi, un racconto di grandezza perduta e orrori senza fine.
"Ricorda le mie parole tutto ciò che è stato ottenuto finora in questa crociata impallidirà rispetto a ciò che devo ancora compiere"
-------------------------------
"Ten thousand years from now my name will be known in all the heavens"
Horus the brightest of sons will be tested, a slow corruption, a poison that penetrates the soul.
The dark powers reveal themselves. The whispers of Chaos tempt the mind, turning faith into betrayal.
This book, the second in the "Heresy of Horus" series is the dawn of eternal night, the tragedy that takes shape, inexorable. Here the end of the Emperor's Great Crusade begins to unfold, a tale of lost grandeur and endless horrors.
"Mark my words all that has been achieved so far in this crusade will pale in comparison to what I have yet to accomplish"
Horus il più luminoso dei figli sarà messo alla prova, una lenta corruzione, un veleno che penetra l'anima.
I poteri oscuri si rivelano. I sussurri del Caos tentano la mente, mutando la fede in tradimento.
Questo libro, secondo della serie dell' "Eresia di Horus" è l'alba della notte eterna, la tragedia che prende forma, inesorabile. Qui la fine della Grande Crociata dell' Imperatore inizia a svelarsi, un racconto di grandezza perduta e orrori senza fine.
"Ricorda le mie parole tutto ciò che è stato ottenuto finora in questa crociata impallidirà rispetto a ciò che devo ancora compiere"
-------------------------------
"Ten thousand years from now my name will be known in all the heavens"
Horus the brightest of sons will be tested, a slow corruption, a poison that penetrates the soul.
The dark powers reveal themselves. The whispers of Chaos tempt the mind, turning faith into betrayal.
This book, the second in the "Heresy of Horus" series is the dawn of eternal night, the tragedy that takes shape, inexorable. Here the end of the Emperor's Great Crusade begins to unfold, a tale of lost grandeur and endless horrors.
"Mark my words all that has been achieved so far in this crusade will pale in comparison to what I have yet to accomplish"
March 26, 2018
I was there the day that Horus fell...
The opening trilogy of the Horus Heresy is still one of the best parts of the saga, and re-reading it after ten years is still a blast. My knowledge of Warhammer 40000 lore grown a lot in this time, and knowing now what is going to happen to characters in their future adds a lot of pleasure and entertainment to the reading.
Kharn, Magnus, Fabius, Angron, Lucius and so on. I'm so happy this is not just a list of names for me.
A great book and the Heresy takes roots for real.
February 5, 2025
My, another hit! Despite this having been penned by a different author.
This book continues directly after the ending of the previous installment so we once again follow Gavriel Loken, captain and member of the XVIth Legion (aka Luna Wolves), as he navigates the Great Crusade.
The books is divided into 4 parts:
In the first, we go to a new planet. Horus and his warriors meet up with the Word Bearers and there the trouble begins. Because as we know, Horus already struggled somewhat by the end of the previous book, but here ... well ... Erebus, asshole supreme (if you ask me), has convened a war council on some planet.
In the book's next part, we're on the planet's moon where a rebellion is to be quashed. However, the terrain already immediately gives away that something is literally afoul here. And thus begins the action, which was once again sublime. We had an expedition through a swamp, several zombies attacking, a ghost ship, the constant doubt if a brother won't try to kill Loken ... I was uneasy throughout and I loved it! :D
Anyway, in part three, we're inside the so-called Serpent Lodge where a ritual is performed that has Horus and Erebus have a little adventure in "dreamland".
Once again, children, the lesson is: COMMUNICATION / TRUTH IS IMPORTANT! This is also where at least Sindermann and Keeler stop being secular. Unfortunately, that leads - and I kid you not - to them summoning an actual demon. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was HILARIOUS (and badass, at least Keeler's actions)!
Part 4 has the Crusade continue and a human civilisation being discovered that is very similar to the Imperium. More importantly, though, this is where the lodge fully turns on Loken and tries to make him their scapegoat for some brutal horror committed by THEM earlier. The biggest tragedy is what happens . The only saving grace for this little bookworm's broken heart is that Loken and Torgaddon know what is going on (somewhat) and decide to fight the spreading evil. So at least they aren't blind to what's happening.
What I really liked here was the importance of the remembrancers despite their bad reputation (usually by those already serving Chaos). And the emotional impact. I mean ... I was cutting onions almost throughout the entire fourth part if you know what I mean.
The writing was tight, the characterization detailed and everything fit nicely with the previous book so one didn't necessarily notice that it was written by someone else. OK, some things were a little different and not quite as excellent, but still extremely good!
I love how rich this universe is. Dark and tragic, but rich in details!
This book continues directly after the ending of the previous installment so we once again follow Gavriel Loken, captain and member of the XVIth Legion (aka Luna Wolves), as he navigates the Great Crusade.
The books is divided into 4 parts:
In the first, we go to a new planet. Horus and his warriors meet up with the Word Bearers and there the trouble begins. Because as we know, Horus already struggled somewhat by the end of the previous book, but here ... well ... Erebus, asshole supreme (if you ask me), has convened a war council on some planet.
In the book's next part, we're on the planet's moon where a rebellion is to be quashed. However, the terrain already immediately gives away that something is literally afoul here. And thus begins the action, which was once again sublime. We had an expedition through a swamp, several zombies attacking, a ghost ship, the constant doubt if a brother won't try to kill Loken ... I was uneasy throughout and I loved it! :D
Anyway, in part three, we're inside the so-called Serpent Lodge where a ritual is performed that has Horus and Erebus have a little adventure in "dreamland".
Once again, children, the lesson is: COMMUNICATION / TRUTH IS IMPORTANT! This is also where at least Sindermann and Keeler stop being secular. Unfortunately, that leads - and I kid you not - to them summoning an actual demon. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was HILARIOUS (and badass, at least Keeler's actions)!
Part 4 has the Crusade continue and a human civilisation being discovered that is very similar to the Imperium. More importantly, though, this is where the lodge fully turns on Loken and tries to make him their scapegoat for some brutal horror committed by THEM earlier. The biggest tragedy is what happens . The only saving grace for this little bookworm's broken heart is that Loken and Torgaddon know what is going on (somewhat) and decide to fight the spreading evil. So at least they aren't blind to what's happening.
What I really liked here was the importance of the remembrancers despite their bad reputation (usually by those already serving Chaos). And the emotional impact. I mean ... I was cutting onions almost throughout the entire fourth part if you know what I mean.
The writing was tight, the characterization detailed and everything fit nicely with the previous book so one didn't necessarily notice that it was written by someone else. OK, some things were a little different and not quite as excellent, but still extremely good!
I love how rich this universe is. Dark and tragic, but rich in details!
January 12, 2025
Of all the books on the Warhammer 40K universe, the Horus Heresy series ranks among the best out there. Book Two follows in the tour de force style of the first volume.
These are books that are honestly best enjoyed with a healthy dose of lore under your belt. It is best viewed as a "history" of events set 10K before the current setting. But, where these books shine is in the details both subtle (best enjoyed after knowing the lore) and direct.
False Gods, the title, can have many meanings. In the wake of the events of the first book, we begin to see the proverbial snake in the grass. His name is Erebus, First Chaplain of the Word Bearers. The Luna Wolves have been renamed the Sons of Horus and the loyalty of the 63rd slowly shifts from the Emperor to the Warmaster Horus.
Yet, Erebus (acting on behalf of his Primarch, Lorgar) has requested Horus to come to Davin. It seems that the Governor, appointed by Horus, has rebelled. This is not only an affront to the Emperor, but a personal insult to Horus who considered Temba a friend.
Loken, who starts to question his Primarch's actions and begins to suspect that all is not well with Erebus, starts down his path that will lead to conflict with his very own brothers. Horus and the Sons of Horus, backed up by elements of the Word Bearers will assault the moon of Davin where the traitors are ensconced.
During this operation, not only will Horus become gravely injured, but the legion will face some unnatural foes that will make some question the aesthetic and scientific background of the Imperial Creed. In order to save Horus, Erebus proposes that he be taken to Davin and to a temple.
The entire ritual conducted will shed light on not only Horus' thoughts, as he has a fascinating dream sequence, but it will show the world that is to come in 40K. Yet, the irony to the well-versed reader will be the events whilst true are a product of Horus' actions subsequent to his "resurrection".
Perhaps the best views on this are from the opinion of Loken. A true and loyal Astartes he will uncover some unfortunate truths about Erebus and what happened (in the previous novel) with the Interex and how Erebus is playing a double game. More than this I shall not spoil for anyone who maybe unaware, but I reiterate that this is a series best not walked into without any background knowledge.
Finally, in the wake of these unnatural events, the ordinary humans onboard the Vengeful Spirit, Horus' flagship, begin to turn to the Lectitio Divinatus for inspiration and start the veneration of the Emperor as the God-Emperor. These events will be shocking and stark, as Euphrati Keeler, who is still reeling mentally from the events of the previous book, finds purpose and strength through the belief in the Emperor and this faith will manifest in an amazing way, as she will become the first Living Saint.
A brilliant story with many hints and subtle points from Angron's wrath, to Fulgrim meeting Horus and his seeming meeting of minds. The rot goes deeper than ever as Erebus is the one who is spreading the concept of the Lodges throughout the Legions that will fall eventually to Chaos.
Having deep-dived into the lore (something I highly recommend for a true appreciation of these novels) I loved all the subtle hints and nods to the future that flew right over my head the first time I read this. Thus while the concept of spoilers may be a thing for other books, I do not think that truly applies in this series as like any history the events are known but the details are what is fleshed out.
These are books that are honestly best enjoyed with a healthy dose of lore under your belt. It is best viewed as a "history" of events set 10K before the current setting. But, where these books shine is in the details both subtle (best enjoyed after knowing the lore) and direct.
False Gods, the title, can have many meanings. In the wake of the events of the first book, we begin to see the proverbial snake in the grass. His name is Erebus, First Chaplain of the Word Bearers. The Luna Wolves have been renamed the Sons of Horus and the loyalty of the 63rd slowly shifts from the Emperor to the Warmaster Horus.
Yet, Erebus (acting on behalf of his Primarch, Lorgar) has requested Horus to come to Davin. It seems that the Governor, appointed by Horus, has rebelled. This is not only an affront to the Emperor, but a personal insult to Horus who considered Temba a friend.
Loken, who starts to question his Primarch's actions and begins to suspect that all is not well with Erebus, starts down his path that will lead to conflict with his very own brothers. Horus and the Sons of Horus, backed up by elements of the Word Bearers will assault the moon of Davin where the traitors are ensconced.
During this operation, not only will Horus become gravely injured, but the legion will face some unnatural foes that will make some question the aesthetic and scientific background of the Imperial Creed. In order to save Horus, Erebus proposes that he be taken to Davin and to a temple.
The entire ritual conducted will shed light on not only Horus' thoughts, as he has a fascinating dream sequence, but it will show the world that is to come in 40K. Yet, the irony to the well-versed reader will be the events whilst true are a product of Horus' actions subsequent to his "resurrection".
Perhaps the best views on this are from the opinion of Loken. A true and loyal Astartes he will uncover some unfortunate truths about Erebus and what happened (in the previous novel) with the Interex and how Erebus is playing a double game. More than this I shall not spoil for anyone who maybe unaware, but I reiterate that this is a series best not walked into without any background knowledge.
Finally, in the wake of these unnatural events, the ordinary humans onboard the Vengeful Spirit, Horus' flagship, begin to turn to the Lectitio Divinatus for inspiration and start the veneration of the Emperor as the God-Emperor. These events will be shocking and stark, as Euphrati Keeler, who is still reeling mentally from the events of the previous book, finds purpose and strength through the belief in the Emperor and this faith will manifest in an amazing way, as she will become the first Living Saint.
A brilliant story with many hints and subtle points from Angron's wrath, to Fulgrim meeting Horus and his seeming meeting of minds. The rot goes deeper than ever as Erebus is the one who is spreading the concept of the Lodges throughout the Legions that will fall eventually to Chaos.
Having deep-dived into the lore (something I highly recommend for a true appreciation of these novels) I loved all the subtle hints and nods to the future that flew right over my head the first time I read this. Thus while the concept of spoilers may be a thing for other books, I do not think that truly applies in this series as like any history the events are known but the details are what is fleshed out.
January 17, 2025
2,75⭐
Duuuużo słabszy tom. Przegadany, ale kilka bardzo dobrych momentów go ratuje.
Koniec końców może być.
Duuuużo słabszy tom. Przegadany, ale kilka bardzo dobrych momentów go ratuje.
Koniec końców może być.
June 8, 2018
I think, after nine months on my reading list, it might be time to just admit that I couldn’t give less of a crap about Horus. He’s a bit like Ted, from How I Met Your Mother: everyone keeps mentioning how great he is in the text, but nothing he’s actually doing makes me think anyone under his command would even respect him, let alone adore him. Such a fundamental mischaracterisation makes the Horus Heresy nearly impossible to get into for me (which is sad, because I have fond memories of 40K).
November 5, 2019
Oh boy. The writing is pretty bad in this one. They don't seem to be able to figure out how to get around modern English colloquialisms, so the mood is constantly being broken. The first book seemed to try to develop the characters a bit more and give them nuance, but book two descends into melodrama and its only the lack of facial hair that prevents the villains from twirling their mustachios.
December 15, 2022
This is the book where the changes in the characters psyche (caused by the Warp) really begins to take effect.
Well written, I actually found this more enjoyable than the first book of The Horus Heresy, though that probably has a lot to do with the author's style of delivery. I found out at the end of the book that Graham McNeill won the David Gemmell Legend Award in 2010, which says a lot (to me) about why I enjoy his writing.
Thanks for reading.
Well written, I actually found this more enjoyable than the first book of The Horus Heresy, though that probably has a lot to do with the author's style of delivery. I found out at the end of the book that Graham McNeill won the David Gemmell Legend Award in 2010, which says a lot (to me) about why I enjoy his writing.
Thanks for reading.
July 24, 2019
THIS BOOK MAKES NO GODDAMN SENSE.
I see a lot of reviewers waxing lyrical about the portrayal of the corruption of Horus, but here's a (BARELY) condensed timeline. I'm not going to mark any spoilers, the book's five years old and the Heresy itself was laid out in broad strokes twenty years ago.
---
Last year: 6319. Horus is a Good Guy. A really good guy. Loken is attacked by a demon. Horus explains about demons, says that they're real and malignant.
A couple months ago: Erebus, a Bad Guy who doesn't even come across on the page as a competent liar, shows up. Horus is still a Good Guy. Erebus steals something. They have to fight their way out of hostile country.
Monday: "Horus Rising" ends. They're going to Davin.
Tuesday:
"Horus, I'm sorry, I was corrupted by Chaos! Watch out for Chaos!" (Dies)
"What's Chaos?" (Falls over)
Wednesday:
"Get me 50ccs of Phlebotinum, stat! He's not stabilizing! If only I knew about the weapon that wounded him, can you go get it for me?" (Horus bleeds)
"Sure, but don't do anything crazy while I'm gone." (Loken leaves)
"I know magic and superstition are forbidden nonsense, but maybe we could take him to these wizards I know?" (They take Horus to wizards and seal him in a room, bleeding to death, with no medical care, because wizards)
Thursday:
"Hey, this is one CRAZY dream, hey dead friend, didn't expect to see you here!"
"Hi, I am TOTALLY your dead friend, now I am going to tell you a pack of obvious, easily caught out lies, starting with 'I am your dead friend!'"
"No, Horus, I am your brother primarch, don't listen to him, it's not really him and you know it!"
"Well, that's true, I'm not really your dead friend and I admit I've fed you a pack of lies, but you should totally believe me, because he's using magic, and Magic Is Bad, except when I use it to appear in your dreams."
"You make a solid point, self-admitted liar! I should turn evil now!" (Horus turns evil)
Meanwhile, in a library...
"This ancient text mentions Horus! It must be prophecy, not Aleister Crowley verbally masturbating all over the page!" (A demon appears, then is slain by an obvious and visible miracle)
"Pay no attention to what you all just saw! Magic is still not real!"
Friday:
"Hey legion, you know that guy not all of you trust? He lied to me in a magic dream, but I'm sure he has our best interests at heart, let's turn evil!" (Evilness happens)
"Let the obvious murders commence!" (Murdering commences)
---
Okay, more seriously - he's a 300-year-old demigod who is on record as a master of strategy and an excellent reader of men, but when he repeatedly catches not-really-his-dead-friend in a series of blatant lies, and his brother primarch shows up to warn him about the lies, he makes such an obviously bad decision that any chance of this man being chosen as humanity's greatest warlord, never mind overthrowing a 30,000-year-old physical god who could literally unmake him with a thought, becomes too great a suspension of disbelief to bear. We are supposed to believe Horus can see through every stratagem, except when Erebus makes a really obvious series of blunders and even dream-Horus calls him on them over and over again.
There was so much potential there, especially given what we know about, say, the change in Henry VIII's personality after his jousting injury. He could have been healed, but the healing gone wrong in so many more subtle and insidious ways, his doubts over his own mortality stoked and a fear of his eventual death leading him to a pact with the Ruinous Powers. Instead, we get the obviously least trustworthy character in the history of literature up to and including Loki themselves, overseeing supposedly near-instantaneous corruption of a 300-year-old demigod whose idea of subtlety is to walk into a room and say "HEY, YOU ARE A GOOD WRITER, PITY NO ONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO READ IT!" and to orchestrate a conspiracy where one of his own troopers shoots a covert target dead center of mass, square-on, with his own bolter. If he's going to be that obvious, why not just arrange a Stalin heart attack and shoot him in a basement?
This book reads like they tried to shortcut the Heresy and, like Fred Savage in "The Princess Bride," 'get to the good parts.' I can understand that from marketing to gamers, but after the very slow burn of "Horus Rising," this book feels rushed and makes no goddamn sense.
I see a lot of reviewers waxing lyrical about the portrayal of the corruption of Horus, but here's a (BARELY) condensed timeline. I'm not going to mark any spoilers, the book's five years old and the Heresy itself was laid out in broad strokes twenty years ago.
---
Last year: 6319. Horus is a Good Guy. A really good guy. Loken is attacked by a demon. Horus explains about demons, says that they're real and malignant.
A couple months ago: Erebus, a Bad Guy who doesn't even come across on the page as a competent liar, shows up. Horus is still a Good Guy. Erebus steals something. They have to fight their way out of hostile country.
Monday: "Horus Rising" ends. They're going to Davin.
Tuesday:
"Horus, I'm sorry, I was corrupted by Chaos! Watch out for Chaos!" (Dies)
"What's Chaos?" (Falls over)
Wednesday:
"Get me 50ccs of Phlebotinum, stat! He's not stabilizing! If only I knew about the weapon that wounded him, can you go get it for me?" (Horus bleeds)
"Sure, but don't do anything crazy while I'm gone." (Loken leaves)
"I know magic and superstition are forbidden nonsense, but maybe we could take him to these wizards I know?" (They take Horus to wizards and seal him in a room, bleeding to death, with no medical care, because wizards)
Thursday:
"Hey, this is one CRAZY dream, hey dead friend, didn't expect to see you here!"
"Hi, I am TOTALLY your dead friend, now I am going to tell you a pack of obvious, easily caught out lies, starting with 'I am your dead friend!'"
"No, Horus, I am your brother primarch, don't listen to him, it's not really him and you know it!"
"Well, that's true, I'm not really your dead friend and I admit I've fed you a pack of lies, but you should totally believe me, because he's using magic, and Magic Is Bad, except when I use it to appear in your dreams."
"You make a solid point, self-admitted liar! I should turn evil now!" (Horus turns evil)
Meanwhile, in a library...
"This ancient text mentions Horus! It must be prophecy, not Aleister Crowley verbally masturbating all over the page!" (A demon appears, then is slain by an obvious and visible miracle)
"Pay no attention to what you all just saw! Magic is still not real!"
Friday:
"Hey legion, you know that guy not all of you trust? He lied to me in a magic dream, but I'm sure he has our best interests at heart, let's turn evil!" (Evilness happens)
"Let the obvious murders commence!" (Murdering commences)
---
Okay, more seriously - he's a 300-year-old demigod who is on record as a master of strategy and an excellent reader of men, but when he repeatedly catches not-really-his-dead-friend in a series of blatant lies, and his brother primarch shows up to warn him about the lies, he makes such an obviously bad decision that any chance of this man being chosen as humanity's greatest warlord, never mind overthrowing a 30,000-year-old physical god who could literally unmake him with a thought, becomes too great a suspension of disbelief to bear. We are supposed to believe Horus can see through every stratagem, except when Erebus makes a really obvious series of blunders and even dream-Horus calls him on them over and over again.
There was so much potential there, especially given what we know about, say, the change in Henry VIII's personality after his jousting injury. He could have been healed, but the healing gone wrong in so many more subtle and insidious ways, his doubts over his own mortality stoked and a fear of his eventual death leading him to a pact with the Ruinous Powers. Instead, we get the obviously least trustworthy character in the history of literature up to and including Loki themselves, overseeing supposedly near-instantaneous corruption of a 300-year-old demigod whose idea of subtlety is to walk into a room and say "HEY, YOU ARE A GOOD WRITER, PITY NO ONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO READ IT!" and to orchestrate a conspiracy where one of his own troopers shoots a covert target dead center of mass, square-on, with his own bolter. If he's going to be that obvious, why not just arrange a Stalin heart attack and shoot him in a basement?
This book reads like they tried to shortcut the Heresy and, like Fred Savage in "The Princess Bride," 'get to the good parts.' I can understand that from marketing to gamers, but after the very slow burn of "Horus Rising," this book feels rushed and makes no goddamn sense.
October 3, 2025
A decent sequel to the super Horus Rising, populated by many of the same characters. I always find it fascinating when another author picks up the reins on an existing universe and have to wonder if there was an overall plan or if each author morphs the plot while telling the tale. Abnett left lots of loose ends with Horus Rising; the theft of the xeno weapon from the newly encountered human civilization (which led to a rapid falling out), a secret lodge of warriors, and the plotting of one Erebus, the soldier who stole the weapon.
McNeill picks up right where Abnett left and the 63rd venture to Davin, a world brought 'into compliance' several decades ago. Erebus tells the Warmaster Horus that the man he left in charge of the Imperial forces turned traitor and must be brought to heel. What Horus find on the moon which supposedly led the rebellion is pure hell, and McNeill takes a dive into the macabre as dead soldiers animated by the warp take a heavy toll on the 63rd. Worse, Horus himself becomes gravely wounded. Erebus, however has a plan-- take Horus to a snake temple on the planet Davin and he might be healed. This shocks some of the warriors; the entire purpose of the Crusade after all is to rid humanity of faith in gods and such, bringing all people encountered into a secular society lead by the Emperor.
My biggest issue with McNeill concerns how he often jumps timelines with little notice. A chapter may start eight months prior to where he left off, and then jump around; if this was more deftly done, it would be ok, but it got confusing at times. While False Gods features some action, this takes a deeper dive into politics and intrigue, especially with the explosive denouement, of which I will not discuss to avoid spoilers. I will move onto the next in the series, but not sure about trying to slog through all 50+ 3 solid stars!!
McNeill picks up right where Abnett left and the 63rd venture to Davin, a world brought 'into compliance' several decades ago. Erebus tells the Warmaster Horus that the man he left in charge of the Imperial forces turned traitor and must be brought to heel. What Horus find on the moon which supposedly led the rebellion is pure hell, and McNeill takes a dive into the macabre as dead soldiers animated by the warp take a heavy toll on the 63rd. Worse, Horus himself becomes gravely wounded. Erebus, however has a plan-- take Horus to a snake temple on the planet Davin and he might be healed. This shocks some of the warriors; the entire purpose of the Crusade after all is to rid humanity of faith in gods and such, bringing all people encountered into a secular society lead by the Emperor.
My biggest issue with McNeill concerns how he often jumps timelines with little notice. A chapter may start eight months prior to where he left off, and then jump around; if this was more deftly done, it would be ok, but it got confusing at times. While False Gods features some action, this takes a deeper dive into politics and intrigue, especially with the explosive denouement, of which I will not discuss to avoid spoilers. I will move onto the next in the series, but not sure about trying to slog through all 50+ 3 solid stars!!
June 19, 2019
I had to put this one down and pick it up a few times, the first half really dragged for me. The second half picked up a little bit, but for all tactical brilliance the characters are supposed to have, they sure do just run straight at things and hit it with swords a lot. Every action scene was the same:
Look!
Things!
Run up and chop em!!
Aren't we glorious?
The characters behaved more like what you'd imagine orks would be when it finally came down to the action bits, which left me wondering why these idiots were in charge of anything. Like, not once did they try sneaking around and doing a clever high stakes commando raid or anything, just hold up the plot armour which was incredibly thick.
The most interesting characters were the biographers tagging along for the voyage, and they were what saved the book for me, even if they did all kind of melt into one or two characters near the end.
I guess if you're really into 40k, like /reaaaaaaaly/ into it, you'll really enjoy this, but for filthy casuals, like me it was a bit of a letdown after all of the hype this series has.
Look!
Things!
Run up and chop em!!
Aren't we glorious?
The characters behaved more like what you'd imagine orks would be when it finally came down to the action bits, which left me wondering why these idiots were in charge of anything. Like, not once did they try sneaking around and doing a clever high stakes commando raid or anything, just hold up the plot armour which was incredibly thick.
The most interesting characters were the biographers tagging along for the voyage, and they were what saved the book for me, even if they did all kind of melt into one or two characters near the end.
I guess if you're really into 40k, like /reaaaaaaaly/ into it, you'll really enjoy this, but for filthy casuals, like me it was a bit of a letdown after all of the hype this series has.
March 22, 2020
All of the characters from the first book disappeared and in their place we got cardboard cutouts with their names. However, it was a moderately enjoyable story once I got used to the characters lack of personality.
My biggest gripe is that I was hoping to learn about the great scheme that turned Horus to chaos, but no. It can be summed up like this:
Horus is "good", but has a bad day.
Erebus shows Horus a possible bad future through sorcery.
Magnus, Horus' brother who he knows is a great sorcerer, tells Horus that it is only one of many possible futures and that Erebus is tricking him by showing him a bad future.
Horus: "Shut up, I don't want to know the truth. I've decided I'm evil now, chaos chaos chaos let's kill the Emperor... chaos chaos."
There should, at least, have been a bit more focus on how Horus was dying and that affecting his judgement, but no, he doesn't even seem to care that he's dead unless he turns to chaos. It reads like he turned to chaos on a whim because he's super gullable and doesn't think for himself.
My biggest gripe is that I was hoping to learn about the great scheme that turned Horus to chaos, but no. It can be summed up like this:
Horus is "good", but has a bad day.
Erebus shows Horus a possible bad future through sorcery.
Magnus, Horus' brother who he knows is a great sorcerer, tells Horus that it is only one of many possible futures and that Erebus is tricking him by showing him a bad future.
Horus: "Shut up, I don't want to know the truth. I've decided I'm evil now, chaos chaos chaos let's kill the Emperor... chaos chaos."
There should, at least, have been a bit more focus on how Horus was dying and that affecting his judgement, but no, he doesn't even seem to care that he's dead unless he turns to chaos. It reads like he turned to chaos on a whim because he's super gullable and doesn't think for himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2022
Jos jedna odlicna knjiga. I mada su neki likovi malo razvodnjeni i ponasaju se protivno onome sto smo mogli da vidimo u prvom deli (Horus Rising), sam kvalitet ne pada previse te vas ova knjiga vuce da je procitato ako je moguci i na eks. Dosta toga je objasnjeno, dosta toga ce vas pogoditi, sa dosta likova cete se saosecati a neke i zamrzeti. Uprkos tome sto bas svako od karatera pokusava da postupi najispravnije moguce shodno svojoj ulozi u drustvu nevidljive ruke HAOSA cvrsto drze konce i znaju da je dovoljno da padne jedan, onaj najvece, te ce za njim bas skoro svi popadati kao domine. Duznost je teza od maca, a ko bolje i neupitnije sluzi nego najsavrseniji profesionalni vojnici koje je galaksija ikada videla. Njihova duznost i jeste mac, mac koji u pogresnim rukama moze da ZAPALI GALAKSIJU!
January 18, 2025
Another great entry which I ended up devouring in 4 days. Based on hearsay, I expected a steep drop in quality, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the writing remained engaging enough, with the occasional minor hiccups. I noticed that people talk a lot about how the characters change in this one, but since I’m unfamiliar with their ultimate fates or arcs in later books, I can’t say I was bothered by how they evolved here. While there’s certainly some loss of subtlety in how they’re portrayed, and they can feel a bit more one-dimensional at times, their behavior still felt consistent enough with what was established earlier. Considering this series was initially planned as a trilogy, the pacing and occasional rush in events make sense in context. That said, a few key developments occur offscreen, which can be a little frustrating and may detract from the emotional weight of certain moments.
Despite these shortcomings I've mentioned, I must admit that it was still a page-turner for me. It's a captivating thriller filled with tension and pivotal moments that kept me engrossed, featuring a quicker pace and more dramatic twists than its predecessor. The narrative sacrifices some nuance in favor of momentum, but the payoff overall was worth it. The larger stakes and escalating tension set the stage beautifully for the next installment, leaving me eager to see where the series goes from here. At the end of the day, False Gods may not be as subtle or polished as Horus Rising, but it more than makes up for it with its energy, excitement, and sense of looming tragedy, becoming a solid sequel that left me wanting more.
Despite these shortcomings I've mentioned, I must admit that it was still a page-turner for me. It's a captivating thriller filled with tension and pivotal moments that kept me engrossed, featuring a quicker pace and more dramatic twists than its predecessor. The narrative sacrifices some nuance in favor of momentum, but the payoff overall was worth it. The larger stakes and escalating tension set the stage beautifully for the next installment, leaving me eager to see where the series goes from here. At the end of the day, False Gods may not be as subtle or polished as Horus Rising, but it more than makes up for it with its energy, excitement, and sense of looming tragedy, becoming a solid sequel that left me wanting more.
March 31, 2025
*** 4.35 ***
A very successful follow up to the first book in the series! Surprisingly consistent with it, despite being written by different authors. I am hooked on the story and can't stop thinking about it, because it's like a train wreck, you know things are going to get really bad and bloody, but you can't look away, because you need to know what happens...
A lot of battles, blood and gore, some horror elements, and mysticism . I would not recommend it for young readers, but adults who love military sci-fi should give it a try 👍😎
A very successful follow up to the first book in the series! Surprisingly consistent with it, despite being written by different authors. I am hooked on the story and can't stop thinking about it, because it's like a train wreck, you know things are going to get really bad and bloody, but you can't look away, because you need to know what happens...
A lot of battles, blood and gore, some horror elements, and mysticism . I would not recommend it for young readers, but adults who love military sci-fi should give it a try 👍😎
March 22, 2016
Lots of filler 'n shit in this one, but there was some fun action and it's hard to not have fun in a universe as motherfucking over the top as 40k's. More to come if and when I feel like writing about 40k stuff, which will probably be never because I already have an obscene backlog.
September 19, 2017
Well shit, that escalated fast. I knew it was coming, but Horus went from a likable hero to a first rate douche bag in a couple hundred pages. All I have to say is Torgaddon better not die in the next book - he's my favorite.
June 12, 2014
"Science and religion collide - breaking friendships and brotherhoods alike"
This is a reread of the Horus Heresy series. I've been slowly buying the Premium edition hardback books. So given this, I wanted to mention how beautiful the embossed cover is under the dust jack. It portrays the image you can see on the cover picture. Rather neat. Black Library has also added four images per novel, that pertain to a particular scene in the novel. The thing is, there very cartoonish - I'm not a fan of Karl Richardson's art style. Personally I think given the Gothic setting, they need to bring in H R Giger - much more suited to my own tastes. Failing that the brilliant Alan Merrett - but he has moved on to better things. The style just loses tone and connection to the words. Now I'm done with the Yogi Bear "It's because I'm smarter than the average bear" images, let's move on to the meat...
False Gods must have been a daunting novel for Graham McNeill to write, given just how mangasm-rific Horus Rising was. He even states in his foreword that this was something of a challenge. The good news is that book two in the Horus Heresy is good, the bad news, well there isn't much bad news. Don't trust serpents, especially if you see a motif of a snake eating itself. It's never a good idea to go wondering into such places. Some of the ancient beliefs of such things believes that 'you will be born renewed, but changed'. I say this as a super-human such as Horus is meant to be enamoured with knowledge beyond anyone's understanding or perception.
How would you corrupt someone who is seen as the pinnacle of mankind? You'd offer them power, POWER! Why not. The Primarch Horus is no man I hear you cry - ah but yes he is, a man's heart with a man's brain. Tell me, what would you be willing to give up for power? In Horus's case it's his brotherhood, his bonds to his father the Emperor of Mankind and his jealously of his power. And why not. For generations humanity has fought over dirt, ideas and love. One of the first stories ever written was fought for love, power and dirt - Troy, Paris, Helen, Agamemnon, Achilles and Hector.
As per usual I ramble. Flase Gods lead straight off from the happenings of Horus Rising this time a darker tale is told. Horus is forced to make decisions that will change the shape of the galaxy for years, but more sooner his legion The Luna Wolves, who he renames The Sons Of Horus. Ego! Loken and Torgaddon are forced to pick sides and so are the human Remembrancers, who record the happenings of The Great Crusade for porosity.
In a secular society where religion is dead, science and the strength of the Imperium are what the people look to - belief in deities begin to take root abroad Horus's flagship The Vengeful Spirit. That deity is The Emperor, a living god. A Remembrancer Euraphti Keeler is viewed as a living saint, embodying the power of The Emperor - there are moments in the prose where I was blown away by how easily Graham transferred from the believable too the unbelievable. Great stuff. The physical and metaphysical become blurred, especially during Horus's 'trial' - just what is divine power, what is diabolical, who is good and who is evil? It's posed for the read too make their own mind up - which decision is right and which is wrong. Is life more important than Horus's own death? Is he willing to make a pact with forces within the warp? I could tell you, but I won't.
There are flaws, for me. I had a hard time believing Horus didn't know of Erebus's attempts to engineer events, even before later issues arise with Horus. I found him too easily influenced by Erebus's theatrics - this super-human stands aloft upon a colonnade beyond such individuals as The Word Bearer Chaplain. He shouldn't be so easily swayed (in my opinion) by such petty emotions as anger - well not to the extent where a human can see how Horus has been played and the Primarch himself cannot. Even Captain Loken knew the extent of Erebus's poor acting and how he manipulated Horus into the situations they were found in later.
What did I enjoy? Well everything I've mentioned so far. Kyril Sinnderman reminds me of a 'older' professor I work with at university. That one person who knows 'things' can be explained away using books, books from the past - why did we believe in fanes/thanes(?), is there a pattern to the wars we fought? Etc etc. The wise sage, that one person who seems to always have a answer. Kyril is that person. A strong orator and a even stronger believer of the secular truth (that being of science and of the Imperium). It isn't until he is faced with his own dabbling in the powers of the arcane that he starts to question his own 'naivety'. Onto Captain Loken and Toragaddon. Two characters I can relate to in the sense of brotherhood and shared banter. It's rife, it's great... but also sad in equal measures. One man Loken, who is a thinker and a 'starch arse' see's what is happening to Horus and the Legion. The other, Toragaddon, the joker and light-hearted Space Marine. Such brilliant balance between the two characters. They just flow off the page and I could easily envision them in real life - well as much as you can imagine super-human warriors.
So here we are - mankind and the Imperium are on a knife-edge. Will you turn left or right? Which way is the right direction? Only Horus seems to know (and Magnus Primarch of The Thousand Sons). There is no road map to destiny, just a series of decisions that lead you there. What one man decides will affect trillions. Is it betrayal, has Horus been mislead? Who decides what is good and evil? Make your own mind up! A great read, intelligently written and progresses the plot really well (unlike a good half of the Horus Heresy novels).
This is a reread of the Horus Heresy series. I've been slowly buying the Premium edition hardback books. So given this, I wanted to mention how beautiful the embossed cover is under the dust jack. It portrays the image you can see on the cover picture. Rather neat. Black Library has also added four images per novel, that pertain to a particular scene in the novel. The thing is, there very cartoonish - I'm not a fan of Karl Richardson's art style. Personally I think given the Gothic setting, they need to bring in H R Giger - much more suited to my own tastes. Failing that the brilliant Alan Merrett - but he has moved on to better things. The style just loses tone and connection to the words. Now I'm done with the Yogi Bear "It's because I'm smarter than the average bear" images, let's move on to the meat...
False Gods must have been a daunting novel for Graham McNeill to write, given just how mangasm-rific Horus Rising was. He even states in his foreword that this was something of a challenge. The good news is that book two in the Horus Heresy is good, the bad news, well there isn't much bad news. Don't trust serpents, especially if you see a motif of a snake eating itself. It's never a good idea to go wondering into such places. Some of the ancient beliefs of such things believes that 'you will be born renewed, but changed'. I say this as a super-human such as Horus is meant to be enamoured with knowledge beyond anyone's understanding or perception.
How would you corrupt someone who is seen as the pinnacle of mankind? You'd offer them power, POWER! Why not. The Primarch Horus is no man I hear you cry - ah but yes he is, a man's heart with a man's brain. Tell me, what would you be willing to give up for power? In Horus's case it's his brotherhood, his bonds to his father the Emperor of Mankind and his jealously of his power. And why not. For generations humanity has fought over dirt, ideas and love. One of the first stories ever written was fought for love, power and dirt - Troy, Paris, Helen, Agamemnon, Achilles and Hector.
As per usual I ramble. Flase Gods lead straight off from the happenings of Horus Rising this time a darker tale is told. Horus is forced to make decisions that will change the shape of the galaxy for years, but more sooner his legion The Luna Wolves, who he renames The Sons Of Horus. Ego! Loken and Torgaddon are forced to pick sides and so are the human Remembrancers, who record the happenings of The Great Crusade for porosity.
In a secular society where religion is dead, science and the strength of the Imperium are what the people look to - belief in deities begin to take root abroad Horus's flagship The Vengeful Spirit. That deity is The Emperor, a living god. A Remembrancer Euraphti Keeler is viewed as a living saint, embodying the power of The Emperor - there are moments in the prose where I was blown away by how easily Graham transferred from the believable too the unbelievable. Great stuff. The physical and metaphysical become blurred, especially during Horus's 'trial' - just what is divine power, what is diabolical, who is good and who is evil? It's posed for the read too make their own mind up - which decision is right and which is wrong. Is life more important than Horus's own death? Is he willing to make a pact with forces within the warp? I could tell you, but I won't.
There are flaws, for me. I had a hard time believing Horus didn't know of Erebus's attempts to engineer events, even before later issues arise with Horus. I found him too easily influenced by Erebus's theatrics - this super-human stands aloft upon a colonnade beyond such individuals as The Word Bearer Chaplain. He shouldn't be so easily swayed (in my opinion) by such petty emotions as anger - well not to the extent where a human can see how Horus has been played and the Primarch himself cannot. Even Captain Loken knew the extent of Erebus's poor acting and how he manipulated Horus into the situations they were found in later.
What did I enjoy? Well everything I've mentioned so far. Kyril Sinnderman reminds me of a 'older' professor I work with at university. That one person who knows 'things' can be explained away using books, books from the past - why did we believe in fanes/thanes(?), is there a pattern to the wars we fought? Etc etc. The wise sage, that one person who seems to always have a answer. Kyril is that person. A strong orator and a even stronger believer of the secular truth (that being of science and of the Imperium). It isn't until he is faced with his own dabbling in the powers of the arcane that he starts to question his own 'naivety'. Onto Captain Loken and Toragaddon. Two characters I can relate to in the sense of brotherhood and shared banter. It's rife, it's great... but also sad in equal measures. One man Loken, who is a thinker and a 'starch arse' see's what is happening to Horus and the Legion. The other, Toragaddon, the joker and light-hearted Space Marine. Such brilliant balance between the two characters. They just flow off the page and I could easily envision them in real life - well as much as you can imagine super-human warriors.
So here we are - mankind and the Imperium are on a knife-edge. Will you turn left or right? Which way is the right direction? Only Horus seems to know (and Magnus Primarch of The Thousand Sons). There is no road map to destiny, just a series of decisions that lead you there. What one man decides will affect trillions. Is it betrayal, has Horus been mislead? Who decides what is good and evil? Make your own mind up! A great read, intelligently written and progresses the plot really well (unlike a good half of the Horus Heresy novels).
December 27, 2019
I am again impressed by the depth and complexity of these novels and the themes being explored. The first Horus Heresy novel dealt with irony and brotherhood while this one tackled deceit and secrets and most of all, change. Still a huge cast of characters, still the sense of wonder technology and action sequences, but this one left me with a knot in my stomach. The knot is because in the course of just one book some characters that embodied and personified the best there was to offer in this universe become so hateful and hate-able I cringe thinking about what will happen to the "good" guys, of which few are left. Not much else I can say without spoiling the plot other than these are fantastic books by talented authors.
January 31, 2022
Once again, thoroughly enjoyed this. I look forward to more lore in this fascinating series. I'm a huge fan already, only two books in. There is so much to this hobby.
March 27, 2021
I was there the day that Horus fell.....
False Gods is the second book in the Horus Heresy series. Warmaster Horus and the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet continue the quest to bring the galaxy under control of the Emperor. A world formerly brought into compliance has seemingly rebelled, so the Sons of Horus prepare to squash rebels, only to bring about a course of events that will bring about the great heresy.
I loved this book! Lots of great fighting action, nurgle-ly undead fun and the beginnings of the slide into chaos. Fun times! From 40K lore I knew what was coming....but there was so much action, emotion and great story along the way. Some events I did not expect and a couple characters got what I felt they deserved. Several, of course, got what they did not deserve -- it is the 40K world after all.
I listened to the audio book version of this story. Toby Longworth is a great narrator! He did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. The audio is just over 11 hours long. My son listened to the book as well and we had a great time discussing events as they unfolded.
There are interesting differences between book one, Horus Rising, and this second book. Mostly because they were written by different authors. I like it when a series changes out writers like this -- it makes each story just that little bit different even if the characters are the same. The writing in Horus Rising got more atmospheric and almost poetical at times. That story built the legend of the Warmaster. This second book is more gritty and bloody, more action oriented. The more in-your-face style works better for this second story, as it shows the violence inherent in the quest to bring a galaxy into compliance one planet at a time. And, to show the beginnings of disintegration and descent into the heresy.
Great book! Moving on to the next -- Galaxy in Flames.
False Gods is the second book in the Horus Heresy series. Warmaster Horus and the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet continue the quest to bring the galaxy under control of the Emperor. A world formerly brought into compliance has seemingly rebelled, so the Sons of Horus prepare to squash rebels, only to bring about a course of events that will bring about the great heresy.
I loved this book! Lots of great fighting action, nurgle-ly undead fun and the beginnings of the slide into chaos. Fun times! From 40K lore I knew what was coming....but there was so much action, emotion and great story along the way. Some events I did not expect and a couple characters got what I felt they deserved. Several, of course, got what they did not deserve -- it is the 40K world after all.
I listened to the audio book version of this story. Toby Longworth is a great narrator! He did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. The audio is just over 11 hours long. My son listened to the book as well and we had a great time discussing events as they unfolded.
There are interesting differences between book one, Horus Rising, and this second book. Mostly because they were written by different authors. I like it when a series changes out writers like this -- it makes each story just that little bit different even if the characters are the same. The writing in Horus Rising got more atmospheric and almost poetical at times. That story built the legend of the Warmaster. This second book is more gritty and bloody, more action oriented. The more in-your-face style works better for this second story, as it shows the violence inherent in the quest to bring a galaxy into compliance one planet at a time. And, to show the beginnings of disintegration and descent into the heresy.
Great book! Moving on to the next -- Galaxy in Flames.
December 20, 2021
This is great, as good as the first Horus Heresy novel. It follows Garviel Loken, a captain of "The Sons of Horus" (originally the "Luna Wolves"), a company of space marines in the Great Crusade of the Imperium of Man. It relates the way the Warmaster of the crusade, Horus, is seduced by the forces of Chaos into considering betraying the Emperor of Man. There are some great settings: the Plague Moon of Davin, the cathedral ship of the crusade, the Vengeful spirit, and more. And there are intriguing characters: the First Chaplain Erebus, the plague-ridden Eugen Temba, the Remembrancer Petronella Vivar. One memorable elament is an intriguingly disorienting foray into metaphysical speculation (vagueness is intentional here). There is such a vitality and baroque exuberance to this novel and the epic sci-fi world it reveals, really unparalleled. It almost reads as a Miltonic theological allegory, with the Emperor of Man standing in for God and Warmaster Horus a kind of Satan figure. Can't wait to read more. Update (12/19/21): I re-read this after reading 10 of the other Horus Heresy novels. It's so cool how cohesive the narrative is. It's filled with foreshadowing and Easter eggs.
February 11, 2021
This was a marathon read that I could literally not put down, thus I'm going to highly recommend it.
Being the second book in the series, we can begin to see where Horus starts down the path to Heresy. However, I don't know if I would necessarily call it pride. Allow me to digress. The story of Horus' betrayal against the Emperor has obvious similarities to the mythical fall of Lucifer. He is the favored son of the Emperor; the champion, the chosen one, the anointed by God himself, etc. Through the course of this story, Horus is mortally wounded, and the Ruinous Powers of Chaos intervene to save his life provided he turns against the Emperor.
They show him a future which reveals that, instead of being the champion of secularism, the Emperor is actually destroying all known religions in order to replace them with the worship of the Emperor as a god himself. In that future, there are no statues of Horus, no songs sang to Horus' name, no memory of Horus, etc., and this is what bothers Horus. He cares not about the apparent lie that the Emperor is selling. He only cares that he, Horus, is not remembered. That he, Horus, is not above all others, proclaimed as the true savior of Humanity.
Horus also reveals his utter contempt for civilian authority. He sees the bureaucrats as worthless nothings who are only getting in the way of the "glory" that is the Imperium. Horus seems to have the belief that those who do the conquering are also those best suited to administrate, which is, of course, absurd. But, it does speak to Horus' growing sense of superiority over all. Even the Space Marines themselves are displaying more and more their separation from Humanity, as they continue to place themselves above and beyond the common throng, seeing unaugmented Humans as pathetic pawns who are simply in the way and meant to be ruled.
And this goes to why I prefer the Imperial Guard. Immortal, near-omnipotent champions who are incapable of relating to those whom they protect invariably become the worst of all tyrants.
Being the second book in the series, we can begin to see where Horus starts down the path to Heresy. However, I don't know if I would necessarily call it pride. Allow me to digress. The story of Horus' betrayal against the Emperor has obvious similarities to the mythical fall of Lucifer. He is the favored son of the Emperor; the champion, the chosen one, the anointed by God himself, etc. Through the course of this story, Horus is mortally wounded, and the Ruinous Powers of Chaos intervene to save his life provided he turns against the Emperor.
They show him a future which reveals that, instead of being the champion of secularism, the Emperor is actually destroying all known religions in order to replace them with the worship of the Emperor as a god himself. In that future, there are no statues of Horus, no songs sang to Horus' name, no memory of Horus, etc., and this is what bothers Horus. He cares not about the apparent lie that the Emperor is selling. He only cares that he, Horus, is not remembered. That he, Horus, is not above all others, proclaimed as the true savior of Humanity.
Horus also reveals his utter contempt for civilian authority. He sees the bureaucrats as worthless nothings who are only getting in the way of the "glory" that is the Imperium. Horus seems to have the belief that those who do the conquering are also those best suited to administrate, which is, of course, absurd. But, it does speak to Horus' growing sense of superiority over all. Even the Space Marines themselves are displaying more and more their separation from Humanity, as they continue to place themselves above and beyond the common throng, seeing unaugmented Humans as pathetic pawns who are simply in the way and meant to be ruled.
And this goes to why I prefer the Imperial Guard. Immortal, near-omnipotent champions who are incapable of relating to those whom they protect invariably become the worst of all tyrants.
March 28, 2018
I was there the day that Horus fell
The Great Crusade continues. Warmaster Horus and his newly renamed Legion, the Sons of Horus and the other member of 63rd expedition continues to lead the war to ensure the destiny of mankind to be the ruler of the galaxy. The primarch is alone and without the guidance of the emperor the forces unknown to them is watching.
False Gods is a personal story about Horus and the Astartes of the Sons of Horus(Luna Wolves). To the doubting Horus and slow buildup on turning, the secretly founding of the worship of the emperor in the expedition and the conspiracy to what happen to Horus in the end. This book is really well written and easy to follow even if the reader is not as in dept on the Warhammer franchise.
July 3, 2016
Two books into the Horus Heresy and two great stories down.
I actually found this one even better than Horus Rising (but there is no sixth star to give it) for the way the novel plays with the concept of truth. There are parts when I'm so twisted around by what the character's are seeing and doing that even I don't know who's good and who's evil, and given that I go into this thinking I know everything about this setting that's a pretty amazing thing. It was a little slower to get going than Horus Rising but as soon as 'that thing' happened on Davin's moon I couldn't put it down. Even if I did spend a lot of that time mentally screaming 'No Horus. No. Don't listen to him, Horus. What did you just - arrgghh!'
A great book all told and already started Galaxy in Flames - only, what, 37 to go to catch up?
I actually found this one even better than Horus Rising (but there is no sixth star to give it) for the way the novel plays with the concept of truth. There are parts when I'm so twisted around by what the character's are seeing and doing that even I don't know who's good and who's evil, and given that I go into this thinking I know everything about this setting that's a pretty amazing thing. It was a little slower to get going than Horus Rising but as soon as 'that thing' happened on Davin's moon I couldn't put it down. Even if I did spend a lot of that time mentally screaming 'No Horus. No. Don't listen to him, Horus. What did you just - arrgghh!'
A great book all told and already started Galaxy in Flames - only, what, 37 to go to catch up?
February 22, 2020
False Gods it the second novel in The Horus Heresy series, which is arguably one of the biggest events to hit the universe of Warhammer 40,000. It’s also an extremely long event, occurring over dozens of books. It may be a bit of an intimidating read, but trust me, it’s well worth the effort and experience.
Written by Graham McNeill, False Gods is the epic continuation to Horus Rising. We’re still steadily building towards the main conflict, with faith and loyalties being cast into doubt all over the place.
“We will be called heretics, but we are right, he is wrong.”
False Gods is an epic read, one that is brilliantly intense and fascinating. This is a series perfect for fans of the game, as well as new fans that are merely curious about the lore (and trust me, there’s plenty of that to go around).
This novel is so full of characters, events, and plots that it’s almost difficult to believe that it was all one book. The fall of Horus into corruption is not quick, but it is steady. And the implications of his actions become more terrifying as time goes on.
Honestly, there was a lot to love about this novel. It explains how Horus came to his change of opinion, for example. It also shows off many of the other Primarks (while shining a light on how Horus felt about each and every one of them).
It’s also full to the brim of politics, battles, gore, and so much more. The Horus Heresy may not be officially out in the open here, but you can clearly see it brewing. As it turns out, there are many elements required in making it all begin – and it was a fascinating experience watching (reading) it all fall into place.
I haven’t even mentioned one of my favorite parts about the series thus far – Loken. He’s one of the leading perspectives for this novel. His story continues here, and it has quickly become a highlight* worth looking forward to (in my opinion). His viewpoint is grounding, an essential point in a plot full of monsters and giants.
“’What lies beyond that door?’ Asked Horus, backing away from the silver portal.
‘Truths you will not want to see,’ replied Sejanus, ‘and answers you will not want to hear.’”
I went into False Gods with several assumptions and expectations. Those were all blasted apart and replaced with something just as interesting – if not more so. This was an epic tale, worthy of the Space Marines and the dramatic confrontation we all know is brewing.
I know I am very behind on the times, with only sitting down to read The Horus Heresy now. But honestly, I have no regrets. I’m really enjoying every minute of the series thus far, and I am actively looking forward to seeing what will happen next.
*Before anybody feels the need to comment about Loken, I already know. I read False Gods and Galaxy in Flames back to back. So I know what is going to happen.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Written by Graham McNeill, False Gods is the epic continuation to Horus Rising. We’re still steadily building towards the main conflict, with faith and loyalties being cast into doubt all over the place.
“We will be called heretics, but we are right, he is wrong.”
False Gods is an epic read, one that is brilliantly intense and fascinating. This is a series perfect for fans of the game, as well as new fans that are merely curious about the lore (and trust me, there’s plenty of that to go around).
This novel is so full of characters, events, and plots that it’s almost difficult to believe that it was all one book. The fall of Horus into corruption is not quick, but it is steady. And the implications of his actions become more terrifying as time goes on.
Honestly, there was a lot to love about this novel. It explains how Horus came to his change of opinion, for example. It also shows off many of the other Primarks (while shining a light on how Horus felt about each and every one of them).
It’s also full to the brim of politics, battles, gore, and so much more. The Horus Heresy may not be officially out in the open here, but you can clearly see it brewing. As it turns out, there are many elements required in making it all begin – and it was a fascinating experience watching (reading) it all fall into place.
I haven’t even mentioned one of my favorite parts about the series thus far – Loken. He’s one of the leading perspectives for this novel. His story continues here, and it has quickly become a highlight* worth looking forward to (in my opinion). His viewpoint is grounding, an essential point in a plot full of monsters and giants.
“’What lies beyond that door?’ Asked Horus, backing away from the silver portal.
‘Truths you will not want to see,’ replied Sejanus, ‘and answers you will not want to hear.’”
I went into False Gods with several assumptions and expectations. Those were all blasted apart and replaced with something just as interesting – if not more so. This was an epic tale, worthy of the Space Marines and the dramatic confrontation we all know is brewing.
I know I am very behind on the times, with only sitting down to read The Horus Heresy now. But honestly, I have no regrets. I’m really enjoying every minute of the series thus far, and I am actively looking forward to seeing what will happen next.
*Before anybody feels the need to comment about Loken, I already know. I read False Gods and Galaxy in Flames back to back. So I know what is going to happen.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
July 3, 2025
5🌟
The first 3 books in the Warhammer series turned out to be a solid space opera trilogy that I enjoyed more as it went along. The first book was 4 stars for me. This book started out a little slow at first for me but I quickly got it into it and it did not disappoint. It was as amazing and large-scale epic as I was hoping for. Horus confronts the "warp" or this source of dark power and becomes corrupted. The corruption erodes Horus' soul so that we can see him becoming more brutal and heartless over time. He still has his unquestioning followers, but there are those who see the evil and oppose him. The balance between good and evil is handled well with morally-gray areas fleshed out.
I would definitely recommend reading the books in order if you are looking for a grim dark space war. I included highlights.
The first 3 books in the Warhammer series turned out to be a solid space opera trilogy that I enjoyed more as it went along. The first book was 4 stars for me. This book started out a little slow at first for me but I quickly got it into it and it did not disappoint. It was as amazing and large-scale epic as I was hoping for. Horus confronts the "warp" or this source of dark power and becomes corrupted. The corruption erodes Horus' soul so that we can see him becoming more brutal and heartless over time. He still has his unquestioning followers, but there are those who see the evil and oppose him. The balance between good and evil is handled well with morally-gray areas fleshed out.
I would definitely recommend reading the books in order if you are looking for a grim dark space war. I included highlights.
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