Audiobook Review: Horus Heresy - Pharos by Guy Haley

Back into the Heresy: Pharos by Guy Haley

The Horus Heresy #34

Author: Guy Haley

After a run of short stories and anthologies, I’m thrilled to dive back into a full-length Horus Heresy novel—and even more excited that it’s Guy Haley’s first significant entry into the series proper. Haley’s name has been attached to several excellent short stories, and I’ve been looking forward to seeing how he handles a larger narrative canvas.

Blurb:

Just as Guilliman's dream of Imperium Secundus seems finally to be realised, the Night Lords launch a complete invasion of distant Sotha. Their target? The mysterious Mount Pharos…

Review

Pharo picks up at a critical turning point in the Heresy. With Sanguinius ruling from Macragge and Guilliman attempting to forge a second Imperium amid the ruins of the first, there’s a real sense of both hope and looming tragedy. This is a galaxy on the brink, and Haley taps into that tension effectively.

I’ll be honest—this book starts slow. There’s a fair amount of scene-setting and political manoeuvring, and for a while, I wasn’t quite hooked. But once it finds its rhythm, the payoff is worth it. Haley has a real talent for character work, and what initially feels like a slow burn gradually turns into a rich exploration of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the haunting costs of war.

One of the book’s strongest points is the dynamic between Daniotoch and Polux. An Iron Warrior and an Imperial Fist, bitter rivals by tradition, tasked with holding Mount Pharos together for the sake of Imperium Secundus. It’s an improbable pairing, and that’s precisely why it works so well. Their banter, grudging respect, and growing camaraderie felt authentic and even moving. Haley humanises them without softening their edges, and their relationship became one of my favourite aspects of the novel.

Of course, the Night Lords return in full force, bringing with them more than just gore and sadism. For once, we get more than just the usual Night Lords core; we meet the Kellen Brothers, the Painted Count, and Krukesh the Pale (how great are those names?). These characters are still vicious and terrifying, but Haley gives them some real narrative depth. Instead of feeling like caricatures of evil, they come across more like brutal, anarchic gangsters shaped by violence, which makes their motivations and actions far more compelling.

Another standout feature of Pharos is its depiction of the Sothan Irregulars. Through characters like Sergeant Mericus, we’re reminded that the Heresy isn’t just fought between demigods in power armour. Seeing the war through the eyes of regular humans was grounding, poignant, and something I wish we saw more of in the series. These moments gave the book weight, helping balance the larger-than-life Astartes action with something more personal and relatable.

And yes, without giving too much away, there’s a confrontation between Curze and Sanguinius that is pure Heresy gold. Unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Pharo was a refreshing return to the long-form storytelling that made the early Heresy books so engaging. While it took a bit to get going, it ultimately delivered a rich, character-driven narrative that balances action, politics, and profound lore.

Unfortunately, it looks like we’re back to an anthology next, so I might dip into a few audio dramas before continuing the mainline series.

Have you read Pharos? What did you think of Haley’s take on the Heresy? And what are your thoughts on the many short stories that pepper this middle stretch of the series? Are they welcome expansions or narrative speed bumps?

As always, thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.