How to Start Reading Delphi in Space
If you are looking to plunge into Bob Blanton’s optimistic, technology-driven sci-fi universe, the path forward is straightforward. The series is best read in publication order. Because the books follow a tightly chronological and continuous narrative, jumping in midway will leave you lost in a maze of geopolitical developments, advanced alien technologies, and character relationships. The adventure begins with Starship Sakira, where Marc McCormack discovers an ancient alien spaceship hidden on Earth and inadvertently sets humanity on a path toward the stars.
The core of the series centers around the McCormack family. When Marc finds the Paraxean ship, he also reactivates its onboard artificial intelligence, Cerise. Instead of handing this game-changing tech over to governments or corporate entities, Marc, his brilliant daughter Catie, and his brother Blake decide to develop it secretly. They establish a corporate haven in the Cook Islands, construct space stations, and eventually declare a sovereign nation to protect their tech from global spies and greedy politicians. Reading from the beginning allows you to watch this slow-burn development unfold naturally, scaling from minor oceanic operations to grand interstellar diplomacy.
Delphi in Space Books in Publication Order
For the best reading experience, follow the books as they were written and released. This list includes all the main novels up to the latest releases, including the companion stories:
- Starship Sakira (2019) – Marc discovers the alien ship and meets its AI.
- Delphi City (2019) – The McCormacks set up a tech haven in the Cook Islands to secretly utilize the alien technology.
- Delphi Station (2019) – Space infrastructure begins as the family builds a massive orbital hub.
- Delphi Nation (2019) – To shield their advancements from Earth's governments, the McCormacks declare independence.
- Delphi Alliance (2020) – Building alliances on Earth and preparing for the inevitable arrival of the ship's original owners.
- Delphi Federation (2020) – The scope widens as humanity begins structuring its galactic presence.
- Delphi Exploration (2020) – Venturing deep into the cosmos to discover what lies beyond Earth's solar system.
- Delphi Colony (2020) – Setting up humanity’s first permanent off-world settlements.
- Delphi Challenge (2021) – The team faces external threats and logistics struggles as their territory expands.
- Delphi League (2021) – Organizing the various human and alien factions into a cohesive coalition.
- Delphi Embassy (2021) – Establishing formal diplomatic ties with powerful alien empires.
- Delphi Diversion (2021) – Navigating security crises and military distractions that threaten the league.
- Delphi Forge (2022) – Industrializing space production to build a fleet capable of defending human interests.
- Delphi Envoy (2022) – High-stakes diplomatic missions to distant stars.
- Delphi Diplomacy (2022) – Managing delicate negotiations with ancient alien civilizations.
- Delphi Castaways (2023) – A change of pace where characters must survive on a primitive planet after a crash.
- Delphi Mediation (2023) – Resolving conflicts between warring alien factions.
- Encounters of the Third Kind (2023) – A companion short story written from the perspective of the ship’s AI.
- Delphi Crossroads (2024) – Dealing with pivotal decisions that will shape the future of the alliance.
- Delphi Mirror (2026) – The latest adventure facing new cosmic anomalies and threats.
Key Story Arcs in the Series
To help you digest this massive 19-novel saga, it is useful to view the series as three major narrative blocks:
The Earth and Sol System Arc (Books 1 to 5): This initial block is heavily grounded in near-future sci-fi. The McCormacks must balance their sudden technological superiority with the realities of Earth's geopolitics. It focuses on the building of Delphi City, construction of the orbital space station, and the formal declaration of a sovereign nation to keep greedy governments at bay.
The Galactic Expansion Arc (Books 6 to 12): Here, the series transitions into a grand space opera. The McCormacks venture beyond the solar system, establish off-world colonies, organize the Delphi League, and make formal contact with the alien empires of the galaxy. Catie's role as a primary coordinator and diplomat becomes central during this phase.
The Deep Space and Diplomatic Arc (Books 13 to 19): The later books scale up the stakes, focusing on the industrialization of space travel (the Forge), mediation of interstellar conflicts, and surviving unexpected catastrophes, such as being stranded on primitive worlds. The narrative deepens the lore of the Paraxeans and tests the resilience of the alliances built in the earlier books.
Chronological Caveats and the AI Perspective
While the publication order is almost completely chronological, there is one minor exception: the companion short story, Encounters of the Third Kind. Released in 2023, this story shifts focus away from the human characters to tell the beginning of the story from the perspective of ADI, the artificial intelligence. It details what ADI experienced leading up to her first contact with Marc McCormack and the calculations she had to make to guide humanity forward.
For chronological purists, this short story technically serves as a prequel and can be read before Starship Sakira. However, most fans and reading guides suggest reading it in its publication slot (after Book 17, Delphi Mediation) or at least after you have read the first three or four books. Reading it later gives you a deeper appreciation for ADI's character development and the lore of the Paraxeans, which might feel dry or confusing if tackled without context.
The Connected Universe: The Laim-Saga
If you finish the main series and find yourself wanting more of Bob Blanton’s universe, you are in luck. Blanton co-authored a spin-off series called the Laim-Saga (also known as the Laim Novellas or Laim series) with author Aybiline I. Dahlson. Set in the exact same fictional universe, the Laim-Saga expands on the galactic landscape, exploring different cultures, political structures, and characters who operate outside the direct orbit of the McCormack family.
The Laim-Saga should be read in its own publication order. The primary titles in English include:
- The Admiral's Choice (also published under the title Us: The AI in Me)
- Queen's Move
- Emperor's Folly
- Rebel's Quest
- Crystal's Law
Additionally, further stories in this series (including Sovereign, released in 2026) and several novellas continue to expand the lore. While you do not need to read the Laim-Saga to enjoy the main Delphi in Space novels, it is highly recommended for readers who enjoy the technical and geopolitical worldbuilding that Blanton is known for.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into the first book, it is helpful to understand the tone and style of Bob Blanton's writing. Unlike many modern sci-fi series that lean heavily into grimdark elements or existential dread, Delphi in Space is fundamentally optimistic. It is a story about competent people using intelligence, engineering, and ethical leadership to solve complex problems. While there are military skirmishes and political espionage, the primary focus is on construction, innovation, and diplomatic expansion.
The series is also notable for its character growth, particularly that of Catie McCormack. She starts the series as a precocious twelve-year-old and grows into one of the most critical leaders and minds in the galaxy. This coming-of-age arc, combined with a relatively clean and accessible writing style, makes the series popular among young adult readers as well as adult space opera fans who appreciate hard sci-fi concepts presented in an easy-to-read format.