Where to Start Robbie's Journey: The Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, you should read the Napoleonic Horseman series in its strict publication order. Because the narrative is a continuous, chronological biography of the protagonist, jumping ahead will spoil major plot developments, military promotions, and the evolving political alliances of the era. The saga begins with Robbie as a young French recruit fleeing the Reign of Terror and follows him all the way to the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.
The Napoleonic Horseman Reading Order
Here is the complete order of the books, detailing Robbie's progression through the ranks and the changing fronts of the Napoleonic Wars:
- Chasseur à Cheval (2013): Robbie Macgregor, a Franco-Scot outcast, is forced to join the French army to escape the guillotine. He serves in the French light cavalry, participating in the capture of the Dutch Fleet at Texel, the conquest of Malta, and the Italian campaign, catching the eye of a young General Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Napoleon's Guard (2013): Now a trusted figure, Robbie becomes embroiled in espionage and battlefield action during the Egyptian campaign and the Battle of the Pyramids.
- British Light Dragoon (2014): A major turning point in the series. Robbie crosses over to the British side, taking the name Robbie Matthews. He secures a commission as a captain in the 11th Light Dragoons, fighting French invaders in Hanover while battling the prejudices of his new comrades.
- Soldier Spy (2014): Working under the British intelligence officer Colonel Selkirk, Robbie plays the dangerous game of a double agent, returning to France to convince Napoleon of his ongoing loyalty.
- 1808: The Road to Corunna (2014): Robbie is dispatched to Spain as one of Wellington’s "Exploring Officers" (elite scouts and intelligence gatherers). He witnesses the brutal guerrilla warfare and the grueling British retreat to Corunna.
- Talavera (2019): The Peninsular War intensifies as Robbie reconnoiters French positions ahead of the bloody clash at the Battle of Talavera.
- The Lines of Torres Vedras (2019): Robbie gathers vital intelligence behind enemy lines as Wellington retreats behind the massive, secret fortifications of Torres Vedras, facing down the French forces at Bussaco and Fuentes de Oñoro.
- Bloody Badajoz (2020): Robbie is thrust into the horrors of siege warfare during the infamous and bloody assault on the fortress city of Badajoz.
- The Road to France (2020): As the allied forces push Napoleon's armies back across the Pyrenees, Robbie acts as the vanguard, scouting the path into France itself.
- Waterloo! (2021): The epic finale. Following Napoleon's escape from Elba, Robbie returns to the saddle for the final, decisive confrontation at the Battle of Waterloo.
Chronological Context and Identity Shifts
One potential point of confusion for new readers is the protagonist's name change. In the first two books, he is Robbie Macgregor, serving the French Republic and Empire due to his paternal French heritage. Starting in book three, British Light Dragoon, he adopts his maternal Scottish heritage and is known as Robbie Matthews, serving the British Crown. Despite the name change and shifting allegiances, these books follow the exact same character. The internal timeline of the books matches the publication order perfectly, starting in the 1790s during the French Revolution and concluding in 1815 at Waterloo.
What to Know Before You Start
Griff Hosker is famous for his fast-paced, action-oriented writing style. Unlike longer, slower historical novels, Hosker's books focus heavily on military movements, cavalry tactics, and espionage. The series is highly recommended for fans of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series or Simon Scarrow’s military fiction. While the combat scenes are gritty and realistic, the books maintain an upbeat, adventurous tone that makes them quick and satisfying reads.