What is the Monster Hunter Memoirs Series?
The Monster Hunter Memoirs series is a thrilling prequel and spin-off saga set within the urban fantasy universe of Larry Correia’s bestselling Monster Hunter International (MHI) franchise. Rather than following the main series protagonist Owen Zastava Pitt, the Memoirs books shift the focus backward in time to explore the history, legendary hunts, and gritty past eras of the monster-hunting world. These books are written as firsthand memoirs of veteran hunters who fought the darkness decades before the events of the core series.
A defining feature of the Memoirs series is its collaborative nature. While Larry Correia oversees the universe and co-authors the books, he partners with other prominent sci-fi and fantasy authors to bring distinct voices to each subseries. The first three books (the Chad Gardenier trilogy) were co-authored with military science fiction veteran John Ringo. The fourth book, Fever, launched a new arc co-authored with Jason Cordova. A fifth project, titled Monster Hunter Alien Files: First Contact, is co-authored with Les Johnson and is slated for release in late 2026.
The Two Primary Character Arcs
The Monster Hunter Memoirs books are currently split into two distinct character-driven storylines, each taking place in a different decade and region of the United States:
1. The Chad Gardenier Arc (1980s Seattle & New Orleans)
Co-authored by Larry Correia and John Ringo, this trilogy follows Oliver Chadwick "Chad" Gardenier, a tough ex-Marine who is killed during the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. In the afterlife, Chad is met by a figure resembling Saint Peter and is given a choice: enter Heaven or return to Earth on a divine mission to hunt monsters. Marked with a cryptic "57," Chad returns to Earth, joining Monster Hunter International during its "Golden Days" in the 1980s. Chad is a brilliant but highly flawed protagonist whose bravado, tactical prowess, and spiritual struggles define his journey across three novels:
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Grunge (Published August 2016): Chad battles zombies, vampires, and other supernatural threats in gritty 1980s Seattle. The book was a finalist for the 2017 Dragon Award.
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Sinners (Published December 2016): Chad is reassigned to New Orleans, a supernatural hotspot filled with werewolves, hoodoo, and ancient terrors.
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints (Published July 2018): The explosive conclusion to Chad's trilogy, where he faces a larval Great One beneath New Orleans and makes a ultimate heroic sacrifice.
2. The Chloe Mendoza Arc (1970s California)
Co-authored by Larry Correia and Jason Cordova, this storyline moves further back in time and shifts the setting to the West Coast during the disco era. It follows Chloe Mendoza, a fierce and capable hunter navigating the unique supernatural threats of California in the 1970s. The tone maintains the high-octane action of the franchise while leaning into a distinct retro atmosphere:
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Fever (Published October 2023): Chloe Mendoza fights to keep the peace in California against a backdrop of retro culture, local cults, and terrifying monsters.
Cordova is actively working on sequels to continue Chloe's story, planned as a trilogy including the tentative titles Monster Hunter Memoirs: Inferno and Monster Hunter Memoirs: Ruin.
Recommended Reading Order: Where to Start?
When it comes to reading the Monster Hunter Memoirs, readers generally choose between two primary approaches. However, due to character crossovers and universe lore, there is a clear fan consensus on the best strategy.
Option 1: The Main Series First (Recommended)
Because the Memoirs are spin-offs, they assume a basic familiarity with the rules, factions, and tone of the Monster Hunter International universe. Reading the first few main series books first prevents you from feeling lost and enhances the easter eggs found in the prequels. The recommended path is:
- Read the first four or five books of the main series: Monster Hunter International, Monster Hunter Vendetta, Monster Hunter Alpha, and Monster Hunter Legion.
- Read the Chad Gardenier trilogy: Grunge, Sinners, and Saints.
- Continue with the main series: Monster Hunter Nemesis, Monster Hunter Siege, and Monster Hunter Guardian (co-authored with Sarah A. Hoyt).
- Read Monster Hunter Memoirs: Fever.
- Read Monster Hunter Bloodlines (Book 8 of the main series). Important: You should definitely read the Chad Gardenier trilogy before starting Bloodlines, as characters and events from Chad's memoirs cross over directly into the main narrative here.
Option 2: Chronological Order
For readers who want to experience the timeline of the MHI universe as it happened, you can read the books in order of their historical settings. While this is an interesting exercise for a re-read, it is not recommended for first-time readers due to potential lore spoilers and shifts in writing styles:
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Fever (Set in the 1970s)
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Grunge (Set in the 1980s)
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Sinners (Set in the 1980s)
- Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints (Set in the 1980s)
- Monster Hunter International (Set in the modern era, kicking off the main series)
What to Know Before You Start
The Memoirs series has a slightly different flavor than the main MHI series. Because John Ringo co-authored the Chad Gardenier books, the narrative leans heavily into military tactics, political incorrectness, 1980s nostalgia, and a highly episodic, memoir-style structure. Some readers find Chad to be a divisive protagonist due to his arrogance and womanizing, but many praise Ringo's trademark dark humor and intense action sequences.
Additionally, keep an eye out for The Monster Hunter Files anthologies. These collections contain short stories that bridge the gaps between the main books and the memoirs, including stories by Jason Cordova featuring the family of the protagonist from Fever.