Crimson Worlds Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Crimson Worlds

If you are diving into the Crimson Worlds universe for the first time, the recommended starting point is the very first novel published, Marines. While there are prequels available, starting with the core series is the best way to get introduced to the protagonist, Erik Cain, and the gritty, AI-assisted mechanized warfare that defines the series. Once you get a feel for the universe, you can easily loop back to the prequels or transition into the spin-offs.

Crimson Worlds Main Series in Publication Order

The main series spans nine core novels following Erik Cain's journey from a death row conscript to a legendary Marine commander. The publication order also doubles as the chronological sequence for this main story arc:

1. Marines (2012)
2. The Cost of Victory (2012)
3. A Little Rebellion (2013)
4. The First Imperium (2013)
5. The Line Must Hold (2013)
6. To Hell's Heart (2013)
7. The Shadow Legions (2013/2014)
8. Even Legends Die (2014)
9. The Fall (2014)

Additionally, Red Team Alpha (2016) is a standalone novel that is officially grouped under the main series but functions as a prequel set a few years before the events of Marines.

The Prequel Novellas

Jay Allan wrote several prequel novellas exploring the lore, key battles, and backstory of the universe. These are often read after the first few novels of the main series to add depth to the world-building:

• Tombstone (Book 0.5) (2013)
• Bitter Glory (Book 0.6) (2013)
• War Stories (2014) – A compilation that includes Tombstone, Bitter Glory, and The Gates of Hell (Book 0.7).

The Spin-Off Series

Once you reach certain milestones in the main series, the universe branches out into two distinct spin-off series, each focusing on different groups and eras:

Crimson Worlds Refugees

This series focuses on a group of survivors escaping the conflicts of the core worlds. Chronologically, this series branches off right after the events of To Hell's Heart (Book 6 of the main series) and spans its own timeline, eventually leaping more than 30 years into the future.

1. Into the Darkness (2015)
2. Shadows of the Gods (2015)
3. Revenge of the Ancients (2016)
4. Winds of Vengeance (2016)
5. Storm of Vengeance (2018)
6. Crusade of Vengeance (2021)

Crimson Worlds Successors

Set approximately 30 years after the events of the main Crimson Worlds series concludes, this trilogy follows the next generation of mercenary and military forces fighting in a changed galaxy.

1. MERCS (2015)
2. The Prisoner of Eldaron (2015)
3. The Black Flag (2017)

Recommended Chronological Reading Path

For readers who want a strict chronological experience that weaves the spin-offs and prequels together, follow this timeline flow:

• Red Team Alpha (Prequel novel)
• War Stories / Prequel Novellas (Tombstone, Bitter Glory, The Gates of Hell)
• Marines through To Hell's Heart (Main Series Books 1–6)
• Crimson Worlds Refugees Books 1–6 (Runs parallel and then extends past the main series)
• The Shadow Legions through The Fall (Main Series Books 7–9)
• Crimson Worlds Successors Books 1–3 (Set 30 years after the main series)