The Recommended Reading Order
The Multiverse series (also widely known as the Hell's Gate series) is a linear story that must be read in order of publication. Because each book directly continues the overarching plot and escalates the conflict between two human civilizations, jumping in anywhere other than the beginning will leave you lost in a maze of portals, factions, and military strategies. Below is the recommended reading path:
- Hell's Gate (2006) – Co-authored with Linda Evans. This first installment sets up the grand scope of the series and details the initial, disastrous first contact between the two civilizations.
- Hell Hath No Fury (2007) – Co-authored with Linda Evans. The war escalates as both sides mobilize their unique assets—dragons and spells on one side, firearms and psionic scouts on the other.
- The Road to Hell (2016) – Co-authored with Joelle Presby. Following a long publishing hiatus, this book shifts the strategic balance and introduces deeper political intrigues and alliances.
What to Know Before You Start
The central premise of the Multiverse series revolves around the discovery of portals leading to parallel Earths. For decades, two distinct branches of humanity have been expanding through these portals, unaware of each other's existence, until they inevitably collide. Unlike typical military science fiction, this series blends high fantasy elements with hard industrial tech and psionics:
- The Union of Arcana: A faction that has mastered the arts of magic. They use spells for communication, portals for transit, and breed massive dragons to serve as both heavy transport and devastating weapons of war.
- The Sharonan Empire: A technology-driven society whose advancements are roughly equivalent to late 19th-century Earth (steam engines, telegraphs, repeating rifles, and early machine guns). What they lack in magic, they make up for with disciplined industrial power and psionic abilities like telepathy and telekinesis.
The core theme of the books is the tragedy of cultural collision. The first meeting between Arcanan and Sharonan explorers results in panic and a bloody massacre. Because neither side understands the other—Arcanans view technology as unnatural and demonic, while Sharonans view magic as an impossible, terrifying threat—both factions quickly become locked in a total war fueled by mutual fear and political opportunism.
The Story Behind the Books: Co-Authorship and the Long Hiatus
The creation of the Multiverse series is a tale of collaboration. David Weber, famous for his Honor Harrington space opera saga, initially paired up with fantasy writer Linda Evans to build this ambitious world. Together, they wrote Hell's Gate and Hell Hath No Fury, establishing the complex magic and psionic systems that define the setting.
However, the series went on a nearly decade-long hiatus due to health challenges faced by Evans and scheduling conflicts for Weber. To revive the series, Weber partnered with author Joelle Presby. Presby brought fresh energy to the project, helping to pen the massive third novel, The Road to Hell, which resolved several long-standing plotlines while setting the stage for a grand finale.
Practical Reader Advice
Can these books be read as standalones? No. The Multiverse series functions as a single, sprawling epic divided into volume-sized chapters. You should absolutely start with Hell's Gate.
What is the tone? If you enjoy David Weber's trademark style—meticulous military logistics, detailed explanations of how technology (or magic) works, complex political diplomacy, and massive, high-stakes battles—you will feel right at home. However, be prepared for a slower pace in the beginning as the authors build the foundation of both societies.
Is the series complete? No. The Road to Hell leaves the conflict unresolved. While Weber and Presby have indicated plans to write a fourth installment to conclude the story arc, a release date has not yet been announced. Readers should prepare themselves for a cliffhanger at the end of the third book.