The Siege of Terra: A Guide to Reading Order
The Siege of Terra is a massive undertaking, encompassing multiple books and a wealth of stories. It's a pivotal event in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, detailing the final stand of humanity against the forces of Chaos. But with so many books, it can be hard to know where to start.
This guide will help you navigate the Siege of Terra, offering the most logical reading order for the series:
1. The Horus Heresy Series:
While not strictly part of the Siege of Terra, the events of the Horus Heresy are essential to understanding the context and build-up to the siege. This series is vast, with 50+ books, but you can focus on the following for the Siege:
- The Horus Heresy Book 1: Horus Rising: Introduces the central characters and the seeds of the rebellion.
- The Horus Heresy Book 2: False Gods: Deepens the conflict between Horus and the Emperor.
- The Horus Heresy Book 3: Galaxy in Flames: Explores the devastating consequences of the Horus Heresy.
- The Horus Heresy Book 4: Flight of the Eisenstein: Focuses on the escape of a key character from the Horus Heresy.
- The Horus Heresy Book 5: Fulgrim: Details the corruption of one of the loyalist primarchs.
- The Horus Heresy Book 6: Descent of Angels: Shows the fall of the loyalist Angels.
2. The Siege of Terra Books:
This is where the main event takes place. Here's the recommended reading order:
- The Horus Heresy Book 30: The Solar War: Introduces the Siege of Terra and focuses on the battles in the Sol system.
- The Horus Heresy Book 31: The Primarchs: Provides more backstory and focuses on the Primarchs involved in the Siege.
- The Horus Heresy Book 32: The Beast Arises: Details the invasion of Terra by Chaos and the devastating battles.
- The Horus Heresy Book 33: The Master of Mankind: Explores the Emperor's role in the Siege and the fate of humanity.
- The Horus Heresy Book 34: Saturnine: Offers a perspective from the loyalist side.
- The Horus Heresy Book 35: Mortis: Focuses on the fate of one of the Primarchs during the Siege.
- The Horus Heresy Book 36: The Fallen: Explores the story of one of the fallen loyalist Legions.
- The Horus Heresy Book 37: Know No Fear: Highlights the courageous defense of Terra.
- The Horus Heresy Book 38: The Last Stand: The climax of the Siege of Terra and the final showdown between Horus and the Emperor.
- The Horus Heresy Book 39: The Primarchs: The Siege of Terra Book Four: Focuses on the Primarchs during the final stages of the Siege.
- The Horus Heresy Book 40: Warp Storm: Explores the aftermath of the Siege and the continued struggle against Chaos.
3. Other Siege of Terra Related Stories:
There are several other short stories and novellas that delve deeper into specific aspects of the Siege:
- The Horus Heresy: The Damnation of Pythos: Focuses on the siege of the Imperial Palace.
- The Horus Heresy: The Serpent and the Dove: Offers a perspective on the siege from a different angle.
- The Horus Heresy: The Master of Mankind: Focuses on the Emperor's perspective during the Siege.
- The Horus Heresy: The Fallen: Explores the story of a fallen loyalist Legion.
Note: This reading order is a suggestion, and you can adjust it to your preferences. Some readers prefer to read the books chronologically, while others prefer to focus on specific characters or events. It's up to you to decide what works best for you.
Enjoy the journey through the Siege of Terra!
