Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
If you are looking to plunge into the Federal Histories, the best way to experience the story is by following the publication order. The series represents a linear progression following Stephanie Morgana, a young woman from a poverty-stricken background who discovers she is the first human witch. Because the storyline builds directly from one volume to the next, jumping in mid-series is not recommended.
Once you finish the initial six-book arc, you should move directly onto the sequel series, Heretic of the Federation, which starts twenty-seven years after the events of the final Federal Histories book. This direct continuation expands the universe and introduces new central conflicts while maintaining the same style and stakes.
Publication Order of Federal Histories (Witch of the Federation)
All six core books in this series were published in rapid succession between 2019 and 2020, tracking Stephanie's meteoric rise from an underdog to the protector of the Federation. Here is the order in which they should be read:
- Witch of the Federation (2019) – Stephanie Morgana's magical capabilities are tested and unlocked by the AI known as BURT, setting her path in motion.
- Witch of the Federation II (2019) – Stephanie begins training in earnest, navigating both space-age military academies and ancient alien magical systems.
- Witch of the Federation III (2019) – Rival factions take notice of her unprecedented double-energy magical signatures as cosmic tensions rise.
- Witch of the Federation IV (2019) – As dangerous forces try to exploit her power, Stephanie relies on her loyal companions to protect the emerging Federation.
- Witch of the Federation V (2020) – The threat of dark magic and hostile alien civilizations forces Stephanie to take on a larger leadership role.
- Witch of the Federation VI (2020) – Stephanie fights to unite a deeply fractured galaxy, concluding her primary narrative arc and cementing her role as protector.
The Sequel Series: Heretic of the Federation
Set nearly three decades after Stephanie's first adventure, this spin-off series shifts the focus to John Dunn, a protagonist fighting against a rigid, computer-controlled regime. It features the same blend of magic and technology and runs for six books:
- The Heretic Lives (2020)
- Young Apostate (2020)
- Time to Fear (2021)
- Battle Tested (2021)
- Hope But First War (2021)
- Angel of Armageddon (2021)
Chronological Context and the Kurtherian Connection
For readers unfamiliar with the author, Michael Anderle is the mastermind behind the massive Kurtherian Gambit Universe. The Federal Histories series takes place in the "Age of Magic" era of this shared universe. While it resides under the Kurtherian umbrella, the series does not require you to read the dozens of other Kurtherian Gambit books first. It functions exceptionally well as a standalone entry point because it introduces its own settings, lore, and characters.
The central conceit of the series is framed as the "Federal History Project"—an archive bringing the records of the Federation's early days to the present. By weaving together dystopian elements, magical training arcs, and space travel, it bridges the gap between classic military sci-fi and epic portal fantasy.
What to Know Before You Start
The books in this series are substantial, often ranging from 700 to 900 pages each, offering a highly detailed and slow-burn exploration of Stephanie's magical training and political maneuvering. The tone is distinctly modern, practical, and clean, featuring minimal profanity and avoiding explicit content, which makes it a popular recommendation for both young adults and older sci-fi fans. You can expect a heavy emphasis on team dynamics, sarcastic AI humor, and classic underdog progression tropes.