Books On Board
series Reading Order

Darklanding Books in Order

12 Books
2017 – 2018 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Darklanding

The Darklanding series is designed to be read in its original publication order. Written as an episodic "television season in book form," the narrative flows continuously from one book to the next. Skipping around will cause you to miss key character development, evolving political conflicts, and recurring jokes (such as the antics of Fry's beloved pig-dog, Maximus).

Here is the complete chronological and publication order for the Darklanding series, starting with Thaddeus Fry's first day on the job:

  1. Assignment Darklanding (2017) – Sheriff Thaddeus Fry arrives on the frontier planet of Ungwilook to take over the local station, only to find his predecessor's office bombed, a mining collapse in progress, and corporate interests breathing down his neck.
  2. Ike Shot the Sheriff (2018) – Fry faces growing unrest among the local miners and an incident that threatens to ignite a full-scale riot, testing his resolve as a peacekeeper.
  3. Outlaws (2018) – Supply lines are threatened when a daring monorail heist disrupts the colony, forcing Fry to track down clever thieves in the surrounding wastes.
  4. Runaway (2018) – A mysterious runaway arrives in the colony seeking asylum, bringing dangerous pursuers and local complications for the sheriff.
  5. An Unglok Murder (2018) – The peace is shattered when a member of the native Unglok species is murdered. Fry must navigate alien customs and corporate greed to prevent a localized war.
  6. SAGCON (2018) – A system-wide security conference brings corporate bigwigs and shady figures to the spaceport, turning Darklanding into a pressure cooker.
  7. Race to the Finish (2018) – A dangerous, high-stakes race across the planet's unforgiving landscape attracts outlaws, thrill-seekers, and plenty of trouble.
  8. Boom Town (2018) – New discoveries trigger a population explosion on Ungwilook. Fry must manage the influx of greedy prospectors, opportunists, and new lawbreakers.
  9. A Warrior's Home (2018) – Ghosts of the war on Centauri Prime catch up with the colony. Fry must help a battle-weary ally defend their new home.
  10. Hunter (2018) – A deadly predator stalks the fringes of the mining settlement, and Fry must team up with local trackers to neutralize the threat.
  11. Diver Down (2018) – Secrets buried deep beneath the planet's surface are uncovered, threatening to expose corporate conspiracies that others will kill to protect.
  12. Empire (2018) – The epic season finale. A major alien threat looms, forcing the community of Darklanding to unite behind Sheriff Fry for a final stand.

The Darklanding Omnibus Editions

Because the series was released rapidly as short, episodic stories, the authors packaged the complete narrative into four handy omnibus editions. If you prefer buying in bulk or reading in larger blocks, these collections are the easiest way to experience the saga:

  • Darklanding Omnibus 1 – Contains Books 1–3: Assignment Darklanding, Ike Shot the Sheriff, and Outlaws.
  • Darklanding Omnibus 2 – Contains Books 4–6: Runaway, An Unglok Murder, and SAGCON.
  • Darklanding Omnibus 3 – Contains Books 7–9: Race to the Finish, Boom Town, and A Warrior's Home.
  • Darklanding Omnibus 4 – Contains Books 10–12: Hunter, Diver Down, and Empire.

Additionally, the authors have made the entire run available in a single combined collection titled Darklanding: The Complete First Season.

The Backstory: A Prequel Short Story

For readers who want to understand the psychological weight that Sheriff Fry carries, Craig Martelle wrote a tie-in prequel short story titled "The Trenches of Centauri Prime". This story explores the brutal trenches of the war Fry fought in before arriving on Ungwilook. It is not mandatory to read before starting the main series, but it offers excellent context regarding Fry's PTSD and military history. The story has been published in sci-fi anthologies like Bridge Across the Stars and Galactic Frontiers, and is occasionally offered as a free download through Craig Martelle's official newsletter.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the dusty streets of Ungwilook, here are a few key details to keep in mind:

The Episodic Structure

Martelle and Moon specifically structured Darklanding to feel like a weekly television show. When first released in late 2017 and early 2018, new installments were published every 18 days. The chapters are short, the dialogue is punchy, and each book features a self-contained conflict that feeds into a larger seasonal story arc. This makes it an incredibly fast, binge-worthy read.

Authentic Grit and Real-World Influence

The grit of Darklanding's law enforcement isn't just imagined. Craig Martelle is a retired Marine, and Scott Moon is a former police officer. Their real-world experiences with command structures, tactical situations, and police work lend a layer of authenticity to how Sheriff Fry handles conflicts, manages deputies, and de-escalates tense standoffs with outlaws.

A Memorable Cast of Supporting Characters

While Sheriff Fry is the star, the town of Darklanding is populated by a rich, quirky cast. You will get to know characters like Maximus, Fry's flatulent pig-dog companion; Zag, the massive minotaur-like alien bounty hunter; the local French bartender; a corporate company man; and a local madame who knows everyone's business. The evolving dynamic between the human colonists and the native Unglok species forms the heart of the series' social themes.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Darklanding books be read as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained main conflict, they are structured like episodes of a television show. To fully understand the overarching plot and character growth, you should read them in order starting with Assignment Darklanding.

QWho are the authors of the Darklanding series?

The series is co-authored by Craig Martelle and Scott Moon. They blended their real-world backgrounds as a Marine and a police officer, respectively, to write the gritty space western.

QIs there a Season 2 of Darklanding?

No. The series was designed as a 12-part saga representing a single "complete season." The twelfth book, Empire, wraps up the storyline, and the authors have not published further seasons.

QWhat is "The Trenches of Centauri Prime"?

It is a prequel short story by Craig Martelle detailing the war Sheriff Fry fought in prior to the events of the main series. You can find it in anthologies like Bridge Across the Stars.

QWho is Maximus in the Darklanding series?

Maximus is Sheriff Fry's companion "pig-dog." He serves as the comic relief of the series and is well-loved by fans for his loyalty and humorous, flatulent nature.

QHow do the Omnibus collections group the books?

The 12 books are grouped into four volumes of three books each: Omnibus 1 (Books 1-3), Omnibus 2 (Books 4-6), Omnibus 3 (Books 7-9), and Omnibus 4 (Books 10-12).