Fallen Empire Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the publication order of the main series. Author Lindsay Buroker wrote the series in a rapid-release fashion over 2016 and 2017, structuring the core narrative so that each book builds directly on the events of the last. Starting with the first novel, Star Nomad, introduces you to the core conflict, the crew, and the stakes of the universe, without letting prequel details bog down the momentum.

However, if you want a complete chronological experience, Buroker has penned several prequels, side novellas, and follow-up stories. Below is the complete guide to navigating the Fallen Empire universe, including the main novels, the companion novellas, and the spin-off series.

Fallen Empire Main Series in Publication Order

The core of the Fallen Empire saga spans eight main novels, all released in 2016, following Alisa Marchenko’s quest to reunite with her daughter in a chaotic post-war galaxy:

• Star Nomad (Book 1): Introduces Alisa Marchenko, a former Alliance fighter pilot who salvages a dusty imperial freighter. Along the way, she reluctantly teams up with Leonidas, a deadly cyborg soldier from the defeated Empire.
• Honor’s Flight (Book 2): Alisa and her crew seek repairs and allies, only to face betrayal from her former faction, the Alliance.
• Starseers (Book 3): Mystic elements enter the fray as Alisa searches for a mysterious group of Starseers who might hold the key to finding her daughter.
• Relic of Sorrows (Book 4): The crew of the Star Nomad hunts for ancient artifacts in a high-stakes race against corporate interests and pirate factions.
• Cleon Moon (Book 5): A rescue mission brings the crew to the dangerous Cleon Moon, forcing Alisa to make difficult alliances.
• Arkadian Skies (Book 6): With galactic tensions rising, Alisa must navigate a web of secrets to keep her ragtag crew together.
• Perilous Hunt (Book 7): The hunt for Alisa's daughter reaches a critical peak as the crew faces their most dangerous adversaries yet.
• End Game (Book 8): The action-packed finale that resolves Alisa's main quest and wraps up the primary storylines of the Fallen Empire crew.

Prequels, Novellas, and Side Stories

To flesh out the universe, Buroker published several short stories and novellas. While not strictly necessary to enjoy the main plot, they add rich backstory for the characters:

• Remnants: A short story taking place two to three years before the events of Star Nomad. It reveals how Alisa first met her quirky mechanic, Mica.
• Last Command: A prequel novella written from the perspective of Leonidas, taking place six months before the start of the series. It provides vital context on the cyborg program and Leonidas's state of mind.
• Saranth Three: A short story set between Book 1 (Star Nomad) and Book 2 (Honor’s Flight), expanding on the crew's early dynamics.
• Starfall Station: A short story set between Book 2 (Honor’s Flight) and Book 3 (Starseers), showing another adventure from Leonidas's perspective.
• Hope Springs: A post-series short story focusing on Alisa and Leonidas's honeymoon adventure, taking place after the events of End Game.

The Complete Chronological Order

For readers who prefer to experience the history of the galaxy in a strict chronological sequence, the stories should be read in this exact order:

1. Remnants (Short story)
2. Last Command (Prequel novella)
3. Star Nomad (Book 1)
4. Saranth Three (Short story)
5. Honor's Flight (Book 2)
6. Starfall Station (Short story)
7. Starseers (Book 3)
8. Relic of Sorrows (Book 4)
9. Cleon Moon (Book 5)
10. Arkadian Skies (Book 6)
11. Perilous Hunt (Book 7)
12. End Game (Book 8)
13. Hope Springs (Short story)
14. Cyborg Legacy (Standalone novel)

Spin-offs and Expanded Universe Series

The Fallen Empire universe does not end with Alisa's journey. Buroker has written several companion works and sequel series that expand on the lore:

Cyborg Legacy (2017)

Set four years after the events of End Game, this standalone novel follows Jasim Antar, a former soldier in the Cyborg Corps trying to build a peaceful life. When someone starts hunting down and murdering former cyborgs, Jasim must team up with his legendary former commander, Leonidas Adler, to stop the killer. It functions as a bridge for fans who want more cyborg lore and character cameos.

Sky Full of Stars Series

This direct sequel series is set ten years after the events of the original Fallen Empire series. It focuses on Alisa’s daughter, Jelena Marchenko, who has grown up to pilot her own adventures. The series contains the following books:

• Smuggler Ship (Book 0.5): A prequel novella that sets up Jelena’s team.
• The Rogue Prince (Book 1): Follows Jelena as she attempts to carve out her own path while dealing with galactic royalty.
• Angle of Truth (Book 2): Jelena and her crew investigate secrets that could shift the balance of power in the sector.
• Stolen Legacy (Book 3): The thrilling conclusion to Jelena’s primary arc.

Fractured Stars (2019)

A standalone science fiction romance novel set in the same universe, taking place a few years before the fall of the empire. It follows McCall Richter, a skip tracer, and Scipio, an android she liberated from an imperial research facility. It is preceded by a prequel novella titled Junkyard, which introduces the duo.

Practical Reader Advice and Starting Points

If you are new to Buroker's sci-fi work, the absolute best starting point is Star Nomad (Book 1). The author designed this book to be an easy entry point, often offering it for free to welcome new readers. You do not need to read the prequel stories (Remnants or Last Command) to understand what is happening, though they are lovely bonuses once you have grown attached to the characters.

Readers who enjoy episodic, character-driven space operas like Firefly or Star Wars will feel right at home. The books are relatively fast-paced, featuring plenty of witty banter, light romantic tension, and planetary adventures. Because the overarching plot of finding Alisa's daughter progresses with every book, it is highly recommended to read the main series sequentially rather than as standalone stories.

What to Know Before You Start

The Fallen Empire series is set in a galaxy recovering from a massive war. The tyrannical Empire has collapsed, but the new Alliance has struggled to establish order, leaving the rim systems vulnerable to corporate greed, mafia syndicates, and pirate alliances. Buroker's writing style is lighthearted and dialogue-heavy, balancing high-stakes survival with humorous banter. While there are deeper themes of post-war recovery, cyborg prejudice, and maternal devotion, the tone remains fun, adventurous, and thoroughly optimistic.