How to Read the Galactic Liberation Series
The Galactic Liberation series, co-authored by science fiction veterans B.V. Larson and David VanDyke, is a straightforward, chronological military space opera. The story follows the career of Assault Captain (later Commodore) Derek Straker as he fights against a seemingly unstoppable alien empire known as the Hok. Because the series follows a continuous, chronological narrative arc, there is only one logical way to read it: in order of publication.
Readers should start at the very beginning with the first book to understand the universe, the political factions, and the genetic modifications that define the human soldiers of the Earthan Republic.
The Galactic Liberation Recommended Reading Order
Here is the chronological and publication order for the main series:
- Starship Liberator (2017): The series begins here. Assault Captain Derek Straker is a genetically sculpted pilot of lethal mech-suits, fighting in a brutal war against the Hok, an alien empire with the resources of a thousand worlds. Alongside Lieutenant Carla Engels, Straker goes on a high-risk mission behind enemy lines, only to discover that the war itself is built on a foundation of dark, state-kept secrets.
- Battleship Indomitable (2017): Picking up shortly after the events of the first book, the stakes rise as the rebellion grows. Straker and his crew find themselves in conflict with both alien enemies and corrupt human leaders. To turn the tide of the war, they must capture the largest and most powerful warship in the galaxy: the Indomitable.
- Flagship Victory (2018): Now commanding a fleet, Straker faces a complex, two-front conflict. Humanity is caught between the relentless Hok, the mysterious Mutuality, and the enigmatic, insectoid Opters. Straker must navigate tricky diplomacy and brutal naval engagements to keep his people alive.
- Hive War (2018): The conflict escalates to a planetary scale. Straker is promoted to Commodore and takes the fight directly to the core systems of the alien factions. He must employ high-risk tactics to destroy the primary hives of the enemy, testing the limits of his genetically engineered crew.
- Straker's Breakers (2019): After years of brutal fighting, Straker and his core team of veteran soldiers try to retire. However, peace is short-lived when a new authoritarian threat arises from within the Earthan Republic itself. The veteran crew is forced back into action, earning the nickname Straker's Breakers.
- Hell's Reach (2019): The final volume of the series. When several of their closest allies are captured by a hostile force and dragged into a highly radioactive and unstable nebula known as Hell's Reach, Straker and his Breakers must mount a desperate, final rescue mission. This book wraps up the main storyline of Derek Straker's fight for freedom.
What to Know Before You Start
The Galactic Liberation universe is built on classic military science fiction tropes: power armor, giant capital ships, massive fleet battles, and genetically engineered soldiers. What sets it apart is the writing partnership. B.V. Larson is known for his fast-paced, action-oriented space operas like the Undying Mercenaries series. David VanDyke, a retired military officer, brings tactical realism and strategic depth to the space battles and chain of command.
Because the plot hinges heavily on character development, political shifts, and the evolving nature of the alien threats, skipping books is not recommended. Each novel builds directly on the consequences of the previous one, transitioning Straker from a frontline mech-suit pilot to a fleet commander, and eventually to a rogue veteran fighter.
The Collaborative Minds Behind Galactic Liberation
This series represents a successful partnership between two popular voices in independent sci-fi. B.V. Larson has sold millions of books worldwide and specializes in high-concept, highly readable adventure fiction. David VanDyke, a Hugo and Dragon Award finalist, contributes a grounded perspective on military structure and terminology, drawing from his own service history.
If you enjoy Galactic Liberation, the authors have also collaborated on other projects. Notably, David VanDyke co-authored the later books of B.V. Larson's popular Star Force series, starting with Book 10, Outcast. Readers who enjoy the tactical space combat and military camaraderie of Derek Straker's crew will find a very similar style and tone in those novels.