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series Reading Order

Beginnings Books in Order

35 Books
2001 – 2014 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start Reading Beginnings

With over 35 entries spanning main novels, short stories, and side ventures, the absolute best way to experience the saga is in publication order. Trying to piece together a chronological timeline from the start will only lead to confusion, as the story naturally expands outward from its central Montana sanctuary. Your journey must begin with The Silent Victor, which lays the groundwork for the devastating plague that reshapes humanity in a matter of hours.

The Core Arc and Key Milestones

The series is anchored by several major narrative shifts that track the evolution of the survival community:

  • The Montana Foundation: After the initial shock of the virus in The Silent Victor, the sequel Cain fast-forwards five years to show the rise of the Beginnings sanctuary, introducing the struggle between external wilderness threats and internal secrets.
  • The Underground Secrets: In Beyond the Wall, the survivors uncover a hidden government project directly beneath their home, fundamentally changing what they know about the origin of the plague.
  • Frank's Era: Farther down the line, Consigning Fate (Book 23 in our local sequence) marks a massive emotional turning point where leadership shifts, placing the beloved, quirky character Frank into a primary role.

Chronological Quirks and Time Travel

As the series progresses, Jacqueline Druga isn't afraid to shake up the genre constraints. The most notable detour occurs with Planet of the Leps and its direct sequel Escape the Planet of the LEPS. These installments inject science fiction and time-travel elements into the otherwise gritty, realistic survival setting. Characters like Elliott Ryder and the Slagel Brothers deal with futuristic technology and jumps 1,000 years forward. While jarring to some, these should still be read in their publication order to preserve character development and continuity.

Complete Publication Order List

Use this sequential checklist to read through the Beginnings saga:

  1. The Silent Victor (2001)
  2. Cain (2011)
  3. Beyond the Wall (2013)
  4. Circle of Justice (2013)
  5. The Ripple (2013)
  6. Robbie's Tale (Short Story) (2013)
  7. State of Time (2013)
  8. The Inner Struggle (2014)
  9. Blink of an Eye (2014)
  10. Freedom Fight (2014)
  11. Phases of War (2014)
  12. The Horse Soldier (2014)
  13. In Retrospect (2014)
  14. Savage Wars (2014)
  15. The Aragon Window (2014)
  16. Ousting of Phineas (2014)
  17. On Divided Blood (2014)
  18. The Game (2014)
  19. Pursuit of Creed (2014)
  20. Blessed Irony (2014)
  21. I Am Frank (Short Story) (2015)
  22. Bringing in Lodi (2015)
  23. Faulted Lines (2015)
  24. And Then ... Farewell (2015)
  25. Consigning Fate (2015)
  26. Black Parade (2016)
  27. Joe (2016)
  28. On Borrowed Time (2016)
  29. Planet of the Leps (2017)
  30. Escape the Planet of the LEPS (2017)
  31. Aftermath (2018)
  32. The Strain (2018)
  33. A New Order (2020)
  34. The Third Ten (2020)
  35. Blurred (2020)

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the Beginnings series?

You should start with The Silent Victor, the very first book published in 2001, which introduces the global virus outbreak that triggers the apocalypse.

QCan I read the Beginnings books out of order?

It is highly discouraged. Because the characters age, relationships evolve, and leadership shifts permanently (such as Frank taking over in Consigning Fate), reading them out of sequence will spoil major plot twists.

QWhere do the short stories like Robbie's Tale fit in?

Side stories like Robbie's Tale and I Am Frank are companion pieces. They are best read in their publication order to flesh out background events and secondary characters without disrupting the main storyline's flow.

QWhat are the "Leps" books about?

Starting with Planet of the Leps and Escape the Planet of the LEPS, these books introduce futuristic tech, time-travel, and the Slagel Brothers' journey 1,000 years into the future, blending sci-fi with the series' classic dystopian survival.

QWhy is the character Frank so important?

Frank transitions from a beloved side character to a central figure, eventually taking on a primary leadership role in Consigning Fate, which changes the dynamic of the Beginnings community.

QIs the series completed?

While the original main run reaches a comfortable resting point around 2020 with Blurred, the wider Beginnings universe continues to expand with subsequent entries like Crossing Paths (2023) and Welcome to Beginnings (2025).