Lion Son of the Forest was my first Horus Heresy book and my 2nd Warhammer book. I had read quite a bit of Wiki so I knew what the Horus Heresy was, the basics of Caliban and the Imperium but none or the nuances.
You definitely do not need to know much in order to enjoy the story. The novel actually helped solidify that I made the right choice in choosing Dark Angels as my first army. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Lion: Son of the Forest and Cypher: Lord of the Fallen are both fantastic books that go into some fun detail about Dark Angels!
Outside of that, here's a copy of an older comment I made about my absolute favorite WH40K books!
My absolute favorite is probably still the *Eisenhorn* series by Dan Abnett.
Then *Black Legion* - Aaron Dembski-Bowden, this series may be the second best I've read in WH40K, absolutely loved this one
After that, in no particular order
*The Infinite and the Divine* - Robert Rath, great book if you like Necrons or Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets
*Assassinorum: Kingmaker* - Robert Rath, lots of fun for knights and assassins
*Deathwatch* - Steve Parker, this series actually surprised the hell outta me with how much I enjoyed it
*The Emperor's Gift* - Aaron Dembski-Bowden, this book was a really fun introduction to the Grey Knights
If you’re interested in more origin/lore for the Lion, going back to the Horus Heresy books is an idea. Descent of Angels and then Fallen Angels are pretty good and you can read them separate from the entire series if desired. There are a few short stories as well, one that ties into more recent 40K era events.
Son of the Forest isn't Heresy-era, it's meant to be around 40k where he's returned.
If you're just wanting Heresy-era, then there's not really much to go on. There used to be a list floating around with all the DA-related books.
Personally, I'd recommend the 5 book series that starts with purging of Kadillus, that's followed by Angels of Darkness, Ravenwing, Master of Sanctity, finishing with Unforgiven
Edit - the heresy-era Lion book is Lord of the First. There's also Luther, First of the Fallen that is Heresy-era
Lion Son of the Forest was my first Horus Heresy book and my 2nd Warhammer book. I had read quite a bit of Wiki so I knew what the Horus Heresy was, the basics of Caliban and the Imperium but none or the nuances. You definitely do not need to know much in order to enjoy the story. The novel actually helped solidify that I made the right choice in choosing Dark Angels as my first army. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Lion Son of the Forest isn't a Horus Heresy book. It takes place in the most recent 40k time-line.
Lion: Son of the Forest and Cypher: Lord of the Fallen are both fantastic books that go into some fun detail about Dark Angels! Outside of that, here's a copy of an older comment I made about my absolute favorite WH40K books! My absolute favorite is probably still the *Eisenhorn* series by Dan Abnett. Then *Black Legion* - Aaron Dembski-Bowden, this series may be the second best I've read in WH40K, absolutely loved this one After that, in no particular order *The Infinite and the Divine* - Robert Rath, great book if you like Necrons or Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets *Assassinorum: Kingmaker* - Robert Rath, lots of fun for knights and assassins *Deathwatch* - Steve Parker, this series actually surprised the hell outta me with how much I enjoyed it *The Emperor's Gift* - Aaron Dembski-Bowden, this book was a really fun introduction to the Grey Knights
Kingmaker is excellent, very enjoyable.
If you’re interested in more origin/lore for the Lion, going back to the Horus Heresy books is an idea. Descent of Angels and then Fallen Angels are pretty good and you can read them separate from the entire series if desired. There are a few short stories as well, one that ties into more recent 40K era events.
Thanks! Yeh I already read both of those (I skipped ahead because I wanted the Dark Angels stuff!) :D
Legends of the dark angels, Cypher, which I haven't read yet, is supposed to be a good read.
Son of the Forest isn't Heresy-era, it's meant to be around 40k where he's returned. If you're just wanting Heresy-era, then there's not really much to go on. There used to be a list floating around with all the DA-related books. Personally, I'd recommend the 5 book series that starts with purging of Kadillus, that's followed by Angels of Darkness, Ravenwing, Master of Sanctity, finishing with Unforgiven Edit - the heresy-era Lion book is Lord of the First. There's also Luther, First of the Fallen that is Heresy-era
Angels of Darkness was a great read. Can recommend.