Paradisi Chronicles Books in Order

Where to Start Reading the Paradisi Chronicles

Because the Paradisi Chronicles is an open-source, collaborative science fiction universe, there is no single, mandatory reading order. Instead of a single linear narrative, different authors have contributed distinct series, anthologies, and standalone novels set within the shared history of the Paradisi System. How you start depends entirely on the kind of story you want to experience.

Option 1: The Caelestis Series (Recommended Starting Point)

For most readers, the absolute best place to begin is the Caelestis Series by M. Louisa Locke. Starting with the short prequel story Aelwyd: Home (Book 0.5) and the debut novel Between Mountain and Sea, this series offers a grounded, character-driven entry point. It follows the Yu family—one of the ten original Founding Families—several generations after the colonization of the planet New Eden. Through this coming-of-age arc, readers are introduced to the planet's alien landscapes, the complex social hierarchies of the colony, and the Ddaerans, a native human-like species with unique abilities.

Option 2: The Paradisi Exodus Series (The Prequel Route)

If you prefer to start at the very beginning of the timeline and enjoy high-stakes survival, political intrigue, and hard sci-fi, start with the Paradisi Exodus Series by Cheri Lasota (writing as Tristan Hunter). This subseries begins with the novella Paradisi Escape (set in the year 2094) and continues through Sideris Gate, documenting humanity's desperate final days on a collapsing Earth and the initial, chaotic journey to the stars. This route provides crucial context on how the colony was formed and the sacrifices made to reach New Eden.

What to Know Before You Start

In 2014, inspired by an open challenge from indie author Hugh Howey to rethink traditional publishing, M. Louisa Locke, Cheri Lasota, and a group of indie writers launched the Paradisi Chronicles in 2015. They created a shared, open-source universe where peer-reviewed authors could write stories sharing the same lore, planets, and history.

The core premise of the universe centers on the late 21st century. As Earth faces environmental and societal collapse, ten wealthy and powerful families fund a secret space colonization effort. Their destination is the Paradisi System, specifically a hospitable planet they name New Eden. Upon arrival, the human colonists discover they are not alone. The world is inhabited by the Ddaerans. The resulting stories explore colonization, cultural integration, genetic secrets, and the ethical dilemmas of coexisting with an indigenous species.

Publication Order of the Shared Universe

For readers who want to experience the universe exactly as it grew and evolved in the real world, here is the publication order of the early core releases. Reading in this order exposes you to different perspectives and authors as they actively built the foundation of New Eden.

• Light the Way by Roslyn McFarland (2015)
• Saber and Science by Andy R. Bunch (2015)
• Erase Me Not by Sarah Woodbury (2015)
• First Watch by Auburn Seal (2015)
• Chronicle Worlds: Paradisi Edited by Samuel Peralta (2016)
• God's Sandbox by Ashley C. Harris (2016)

The Subseries Breakdowns

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, the easiest way to read the Paradisi Chronicles is to follow individual subseries. Each subseries has a consistent author, tone, and main cast of characters.

1. The Caelestis Series (M. Louisa Locke)

This series focuses on family secrets, romance, coming-of-age, and the mystery of the Ddaeran people. The recommended reading order for this arc is:

1. Between Mountain and Sea (2015)
2. Under Two Moons (2017)
3. Through Ddaera's Touch (2017)

2. The Paradisi Exodus Series (Cheri Lasota)

Focusing on the evacuation of Earth and the journey through space, this is a suspenseful sci-fi thriller series. Read these in the following order:

1. Paradisi Escape (2015)
2. Sideris Gate (2016)
3. Janua Mutiny (2018)
4. The Fall of Seren (2018)
5. PlanetFall (2018)

3. The Janus Paradisi Series (Andy McKell)

This arc shifts focus to the Janus Corporation, a powerful security and corporate entity involved in the colonizing mission. It follows the security team's experiences during the journey and arrival. Read them in this order:

1. Faces of Janus (2016)
2. Janus Challenge (2017)
3. Janus Arrival (2018)
4. Final Flight (2018)

4. The Lost Mission Series (Marti Ward)

This subseries investigates the mystery of early exploration and colonization ships that went missing during the long journey to the Paradisi System. The reading order is:

1. Casindra Lost (2019)
2. Moraturi Lost (2020)
3. Moraturi Ring (2021)

Practical Reading Advice

Do you need to read every single book? Absolutely not. Because the universe is collaborative, each author's subseries stands completely on its own. You can read the entire Caelestis series without ever touching Janus Paradisi, and you won't feel lost. If you want a taste of the broader universe with multiple authors, pick up the Chronicle Worlds: Paradisi anthology, which features twelve short stories from various writers showcasing different corners of the lore.