The Recommended Reading Order for Meta
When it comes to reading Tom Reynolds’ hit superhero saga, readers generally choose between two distinct routes: Publication Order and Chronological Order. While both paths offer a rewarding experience, the consensus among fans is to follow the publication order. Reading in the order of release allows you to experience the mystery of the metabands exactly as Connor Connolly does, whereas starting with the prequel might reveal secrets and history that are more impactful when uncovered later in the narrative arc.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Here is how the two primary reading orders stack up, featuring all six main novels and the prequel novella. Note that the sixth full-length novel, Infinity's End, serves as the epic conclusion to the entire saga.
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
This is the order in which the books were released. Starting with the original 2013 novel allows you to build your understanding of the universe alongside the protagonist, Connor, before diving into the history of the world through the prequel.
- Meta (Book 1) – Published in 2013
- The Second Wave (Book 2) – Published in 2014
- Rise of The Circle (Book 3) – Published in 2015
- Midnight Strikes (Book 0 / Prequel) – Published in 2018
- Omni's Fall (Book 4) – Published in 2019
- New Empire (Book 5) – Published in 2020
- Infinity's End (Book 6) – Published in 2023
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you prefer to read the events of the universe in the exact order they occurred, you should begin with the prequel. This method provides the historical context of the great battle and the initial loss of powers before Connor ever finds his metabands.
- Midnight Strikes (Book 0 / Prequel) – Set in the aftermath of the ruin of Empire City.
- Meta (Book 1) – Connor Connolly discovers the metabands and becomes Omni.
- The Second Wave (Book 2) – Explores the emergence of thousands of new metahumans.
- Rise of The Circle (Book 3) – Focuses on anti-meta sentiments and Connor’s undercover mission.
- Omni's Fall (Book 4) – Connor struggles with failing tech and travels to the isolationist nation of Kaldonia.
- New Empire (Book 5) – Connor must deal with an incoming alien refugee ship.
- Infinity's End (Book 6) – The final multiverse-hopping battle against Connor's nemesis.
Deep Dive: The Book-by-Book Breakdown
To help you understand what to expect from each installment, here is a detailed breakdown of the books that make up Tom Reynolds' superhero universe.
Midnight Strikes (Book 0)
Although published in 2018, this prequel is set in the immediate aftermath of the final cataclysmic battle that destroyed Empire City and caused the world's metabands to shut down. The story follows Jim, the masked vigilante known as Midnight, who is hunting for the device that caused the power loss. Alongside Amanda Khan, a teenager searching for her missing friend, Midnight must investigate a mysterious cult called "The Receptive" that claims to hold the key to restoring metahuman abilities. It serves as an excellent companion piece that sheds light on the origins of the world's superhero system.
Meta (Book 1)
This is where the main story begins. Ten years after the mysterious disappearance of the world's superheroes, Connor Connolly is just an ordinary teenager trying to get through high school. Everything changes when he stumbles upon a pair of metabands—metallic bracelets that grant him superhuman strength, speed, and flight. Adopting the superhero persona Omni, Connor must quickly learn how to control his new powers, team up with the veteran vigilante Midnight, and stop a villain known as The Controller, all while hiding his secret identity from his family and friends.
The Second Wave (Book 2)
In the second book, the status quo is shattered when thousands of new metabands suddenly rain down from the sky, granting superpowers to ordinary citizens all over the world. Connor is no longer one of the few metas in existence; instead, he must navigate a society struggling to adapt to a sudden influx of superpowered individuals. Balancing high school drama with high-stakes heroics becomes even more challenging as Connor is pulled into a dangerous covert mission that goes horribly wrong.
Rise of The Circle (Book 3)
With public fear of metahumans reaching an all-time high, new laws are proposed to ban metas from public spaces. Connor is forced to go undercover at an elite prep school to investigate a mysterious student group known as "The Circle." As political tensions rise and society threatens to tear itself apart, Connor has to decide how far he is willing to go to protect his fellow metahumans, culminating in a dramatic battle that changes the course of his superhero career.
Omni's Fall (Book 4)
Following the devastating fallout of the fight against Alpha Team, Connor is at his lowest point. His allies have lost their powers, his metabands are damaged beyond repair, and his classmate Sarah feels betrayed after discovering his secret identity. When Connor goes on a field trip to Kaldonia—a hermit kingdom that strictly bans all metahumans—he uncovers a secret technology that could change the fate of metahumans across the globe, forcing him to decide if it is his salvation or his doom.
New Empire (Book 5)
The stakes shift from local and political to global and extraterrestrial. When an alien spacecraft carrying a species known as the Volaris arrives at Earth claiming to be refugees, the world welcomes them. However, Connor harbors a dangerous secret: he knows the aliens are hiding their true intentions, and that their arrival is directly linked to the origins of the metaband technology itself. Connor must race against time to uncover the truth before humanity is enslaved.
Infinity's End (Book 6)
In the final chapter of the Meta saga, Connor faces his ultimate challenge. After a desperate victory, Connor finds himself stranded in an alternate dimension where his original timeline has been completely erased. In this parallel world, his arch-nemesis John Jones—the man who murdered his father—is celebrated as the world's greatest hero. To stop a cosmic threat capable of destroying all existence, Connor must form an uneasy alliance with his father's killer, traveling across various parallel dimensions to save the multiverse.
What to Know Before You Start
The Meta series is highly serialized, meaning that the books must be read in order to understand the ongoing character arcs, relationships, and overarching plot developments. The series starts as a relatively grounded, street-level superhero story focused on teenage struggles and vigilante justice in Bay View City, but rapidly expands in scope. By the later books, the story incorporates global politics, high-tech science fiction, alien invasions, and multiverse travel. In addition to writing the series, author Tom Reynolds is well-known as the co-host of the popular comedy podcast The Complete Guide to Everything, and his witty, fast-paced dialogue style heavily influences the tone of the books.