Cas Russell Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order (Tor Books Editions)

For all new readers, the author recommends sticking to the revised Tor Books editions. These releases feature heavy revisions, streamlined continuity, and enhanced pacing. Here is the recommended reading path for the main series:

1. Zero Sum Game (Book 1) — Originally self-published in 2014, re-released by Tor in 2018. Cas uses her calculation abilities to dodge bullets, only to stumble into a conspiracy involving mental control.
2. Null Set (Book 2) — Published by Tor in 2019. Cas tries to survive the aftermath of her choices while battling her own fragmented mind and memories.
3. Critical Point (Book 3) — Published by Tor in 2020. Cas must confront her erased past to save a friend from a dangerous explosives expert.

The Russell's Attic Era: Self-Published vs. Tor Editions

Before Tor Books acquired the series, S.L. Huang self-published it under the name Russell's Attic (a math pun reference to Russell's Paradox). When the books transitioned to Tor, they underwent major overhauls, name changes, and structural updates. If you read the original self-published editions, here is how they map to the current continuity:

• Zero Sum Game remained Book 1, though with professional polish.
• The self-published Book 4, Plastic Smile, was heavily rewritten and edited to become the official Book 2, Null Set.
• The self-published Books 2 and 3 (Half Life and Root of Unity) serve as side adventures in the original sequence but are not currently part of the core Tor novel line.
• Critical Point is a new addition to the continuity, picking up after the events of Null Set.

Transition Advice: If you have already read the original self-published books up to Root of Unity, you can jump straight to the Tor edition of Null Set. If you read the entire original self-published run (including Plastic Smile), you can proceed directly to Critical Point.

Companion Short Stories and Where They Fit

S.L. Huang has written two companion short stories that expand on the characters in the Cas Russell universe. While these are optional and not required to understand the main trilogy, they provide excellent flavor. Chronologically, they fit into the original timeline as follows:

• "Rio Adopts a Puppy" (Full title: A Neurological Study on the Effects of Canine Appeal on Psychopathy) — Occurs in parallel with the events of the original self-published novel Half Life.
• "Ladies' Day Out" (Full title: An Examination of Collegial Dynamics as Expressed Through Marksmanship) — Occurs between the events of Half Life and Root of Unity.

These short stories are available to fans who sign up for S.L. Huang's mailing list on her official website or by contacting the author directly.