The Recommended Reading Order
David Nees’ post-apocalyptic thriller series is divided into two main narrative tracks: the core journey of Jason and a two-part companion series focusing on Catherine. For the best experience, you have two great options to choose from depending on how you like to read:
Option 1: The Main Jason Saga First (Best for Momentum)
If you want to follow the main character's linear journey without detours, read the core novels first, then circle back to the companion duology:
- Jason's Tale (2016)
- Uprising (2019)
- Rescue (2019)
- Undercover (2019)
- Escape: Part 1 of The Coup (2021)
After completing Jason's books, read Catherine's Tale (Parts 1 & 2) to see how other survivors in the region coped with the collapse.
Option 2: The Chronological Timeline (Best for Worldbuilding)
If you prefer to understand the Hillsboro gangster conflict from all angles before the clash in Uprising, integrate the companion books in chronological order:
- Jason's Tale (2016)
- Catherine's Tale, Part 1 (2017)
- Catherine's Tale, Part 2 (2017)
- Uprising (2019)
- Rescue (2019)
- Undercover (2019)
- Escape: Part 1 of The Coup (2021)
Understanding the Subseries & Arcs
After the Fall: Catherine's Tale
Published in 2017, this two-part spin-off runs parallel to the timeline between Books 1 and 2. It follows Catherine and her family as they deal with a rising gangster threat in the town of Hillsboro. The author has noted that he originally wrote this as a two-part side story but later planned to rewrite and consolidate them into a single, tightly paced novel.
The Coup Arc
Book 5, Escape, marks a major shift in the series. Subtitled Part 1 of The Coup, it transitions Jason from regional survival into national political intrigue after he is taken prisoner. The storyline is structured to continue, though a second part has not yet been released.