The Recommended Reading Order
Because Eden’s Gate is a highly serialized saga with a continuous, chronological storyline, there is only one logical way to read the series: in order of publication. The narrative follows Gunnar Long from the very moment he enters the virtual world, and each subsequent book builds directly on the events, character levels, alliance updates, and guild developments of the last. Reading out of order will result in severe spoilers and confusion regarding the game's mechanics, character strengths, and overall plot progression.
Eden’s Gate Books in Publication and Chronological Order
Here is the complete sequence of the Eden’s Gate books by Edward Brody, which is identical for both publication and chronological reading. Each book carries Gunnar deeper into the mechanics and conflicts of this virtual universe:
- The Reborn (2017) – The adventure begins. Gunnar Long escapes his dull real-world existence by logging into the revolutionary MMORPG Eden’s Gate, only to learn that his consciousness has been permanently transferred. He must learn to survive in a fantasy world with real-world stakes.
- The Sparrow (2017) – Gunnar works on securing his position in the virtual world, establishing his home base in the settlement of Edgewood. He faces political intrigue and conflict involving local factions, including dark elves.
- The Sands (2017) – Gunnar establishes his guild, Unity, finding a sense of family and belonging. He travels to the treacherous desert regions to undertake high-stakes quests while trying to earn the favor of Princess Adeelee and dealing with hidden eyes and ears.
- The Arena (2018) – Facing existential threats to Edgewood, Gunnar enters a dangerous arena championship in Highcastle. Winning is his only chance to gain an audience with the king and stop the antagonistic force, Dryden.
- The Omen (2018) – Retreating from the political fallout in Highcastle, Gunnar and his guildmates head into unexplored wildlands. The quest turns chaotic when Gunnar's Great Beast goes missing, and they must prevent the virtual world from falling into structural collapse.
- The Ascent (2019) – The stakes continue to rise as Gunnar navigates escalating conflicts, guild rivalries, and the threat of the real-world government pulling the plug on the servers.
- The Scourge (2021) – A massive attack by the "Scourge" leaves Edgewood in ruins. Gunnar is forced to travel through hazardous battle zones and push forward into the mysterious and deadly Wastelands.
What to Know Before You Start
Eden's Gate is a quintessential LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) series, which means it blends traditional fantasy and sci-fi narrative structures with game mechanics. If you're new to the genre, or if you're coming from classic fantasy, here are a few key elements to keep in mind before you start reading:
The Permanent Transfer Premise: Unlike virtual reality stories where players can easily log out or return to their physical bodies, Eden's Gate features a permanent consciousness transfer. Once Gunnar logs in, his real-world body dies, making the virtual world his new, absolute reality. This raises the stakes immensely: death in the game has terrifying, unexplored consequences, and the players must treat the world as their final home.
Open Skill Progression System: Edward Brody departs from standard MMO configurations by avoiding rigid, pre-defined classes (such as Warrior, Mage, or Rogue). Instead, characters develop their abilities organically based on their choices, training, and actions. Gunnar's skills evolve through practice, allowing for a more dynamic and unpredictable character sheet.
Spin-offs and Side Stories
At present, there are no spin-offs, side stories, short collections, or co-authored novels set in the Eden’s Gate universe. Edward Brody has focused his writing efforts entirely on the main sequence of books, meaning you do not have to worry about missing critical details from external novellas or companion stories while reading through the main books.
The Future of Eden’s Gate: Book 8 Status
Since the publication of The Scourge in 2021, readers have experienced a long wait for the eighth book. Edward Brody has communicated with fans via his social media channels, explaining that personal challenges, health issues, and writer burnout have delayed his progress. However, he has reassured his audience that he remains fully committed to continuing and eventually completing Gunnar Long’s journey. Brody has noted that once the draft of Book 8 is finalized, he will announce it directly, with the release typically following about a month after the announcement.