We’ve barely had time to process the news that Echoes of Eternity, the seventh book in the epic Siege of Terra series, is on its way. And no sooner has that bombshell dropped than we got to sit down with Dan Abnett, who’s only gone and written the eighth – and final – book in the whole series. Here’s what he has to say about a truly epic series of novels that he had the honour both to kick off and to complete.
Warhammer Community: You started the narrative 17 years ago in Horus Rising, how have you found the journey to The Siege of Terra?
Dan Abnett: I honestly feel quite dazed and confused. When we set out, we knew it would be a major project, and that it would probably appeal to a lot of people. But we had no idea just how significant it would become, or how big it would get in every sense of the word. It’s been very – let’s say – demanding. The established story of the Heresy that we were using was very detailed in places, with sections of the mythology set in stone in ways that every reader knew. But there were also big gaps and, because that mythology had evolved over the years, many contradictions.
So all we had to do was make it all work, make it coherent, make it fit together, fill in those gaps, and do justice to the well-known sections. You can’t let readers down by changing things, or by not giving them what they quite rightly expect to see. But readers also want to be surprised and to learn things they didn’t know. That’s a lot of hours spent planning, debating, arguing, inventing… I suppose what I’m saying is that we all knew it was a major project that would take years to complete, and we were all determined to stay the course and get it done. On the other hand, it seems genuinely unreal to finally be reaching the end.
WarCom: Did you ever imagine while writing that first book that we would be here now with over 60 novels?
Dan: If you’d told me at the start it was going to take 17 years and 60-plus novels, I’d have laughed in your face and doubted I would still be there at the end. But now we’ve reached the final moments, that seems entirely reasonable and barely enough. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done. And the Horus Heresy has occupied part of my headspace for all that time, so I’m going to miss it when it’s over. If you can imagine thinking, “I always knew we’d do it” and “I can’t believe we’ve done it” at the same time, you’ll be close to my current mental state.
WarCom: What have been the highlights?
Dan: For me, the highlights have been the process itself. The privilege of being part of such a long-term commitment, forming such a close creative bond with the whole Heresy team, and building out the huge scope of the universe. Writers don’t often get the chance to work together for such a long time on such a big, long-form endeavour. There have been so many great moments, so many great novels, and everyone – both the characters and the authors – have had their moment to shine.
WarCom: Who have been your favourite characters to write and to read?
Dan: Loken, obviously. No, Abaddon. And John Grammaticus. Also Sanguinius, and the Khan, and… actually, the more I write (and read), the more favourites I discover. I now love characters and Legions that held little interest for me to begin with. I wasn’t a particular fan, for example, of Space Wolves or Ultramarines at the start. Now I adore both. The more you engage with the material, the more compelling things become.
Take the White Scars, for instance. Early on, I had no particularly strong feelings about them. Then Chris really began to show their potential and I started to find them fascinating. That’s how the collaborative process is supposed to work, writers revealing ideas and inspiring each other. Even at this late stage, working on the final book, when you’d think there would be no surprises left, I have been shocked by how much of a favourite Malcador has become.
I suppose if I had to pick one character, both to write and to read, it would be Horus Lupercal. It’s his party after all. But Dorn and Valdor hold very special places in my affections too. And Oll, and Vulkan…
WarCom: How did you approach writing a story with a predetermined ending?
Dan: Cautiously. Like the series itself, I always knew the last book would be epic. I had no idea how epic. Even braced for it, I wasn’t ready for it. After Saturnine, I thought I knew what writing a Siege of Terra book would entail. I did not. I’ve never written anything this big either in terms of word count or dramatic scale. I have never taken so many pages of notes, or done so much research, or made such detailed plans, or re-re-re-drafted to get things just that little bit better…
The biggest thing for me is doing justice to the source material. Everyone knows the ending. I have to make it work, I have to deliver on those expectations, I have to show the ending that we all know is coming in the best possible way, and I still have to surprise and intrigue with other revelations to maintain the drama, otherwise it’s just colour text. And, after 17 years and 60-plus books, I have to stick the landing. I have to make it worth the trip to get here. So, you know, no biggie…
WarCom: Can you do the honours and give us a tiny hint at what might be to come?
Dan: The final book is called The End and the Death. Astute readers will know exactly where that phrase comes from (clue: he’s the one who walks beside you…). In some respects, you know what this book contains – a death (more than one, so get your hankies ready) and an ending. But I’ve thrown everything at it. It’s vast in scale, form, and ambition. It absolutely tells the story you expect and want. But it’s also packed with twists, surprises, jump-scares, call-backs to even the earliest novels, horror, huge action, and some revelations that may make your jaw drop. There are even a few jokes.
It’s heroic on a Warhammer scale, but also truly sad. It’s cosmic in scope, but also intensely personal. After 18 months of writing, with the amazing support of the editorial team and my fellow Heresy writers, it is – I hope – a fitting end to the series. It’s certainly the best ending I could deliver.
Thanks Dan! We can’t wait to read it. The End and the Death will be released by Black Library when they’re good and ready. If you want to learn more, sign up to the newsletter where you’ll get all the latest news as soon as it drops.