Remaining Books in Order

Where to Start: Choose Your Path into the Outbreak

D.J. Molles’ post-apocalyptic military thriller series, The Remaining, has expanded from a self-published hit into a massive literary universe. At the center of this world is Captain Lee Harden, a Special Forces soldier tasked with surviving in a bunker and emerging to rebuild a shattered United States after the devastating FURY virus turns the population into hyper-aggressive, animalistic predators. Because the universe has grown to include the original series, a direct sequel series, and several standalone entries, there are three primary ways you can start reading.

1. The Original Origin Path (Recommended)

If you want the full, chronological experience of Lee Harden’s struggle and the collapse of society, you should start with the original book, The Remaining. This path takes you through the original six-novel series and its accompanying novellas in the sequence they were written, allowing you to watch the characters and the infected evolve step-by-step.

2. The Sequel Series Entry (Lee Harden Series)

For readers who want to skip the initial outbreak and jump straight into a broader geopolitical and survival conflict, you can start directly with Harden, the first book of the follow-up series. D.J. Molles wrote the sequel series in a way that provides enough background context for newcomers to follow the story without feeling lost, though reading the original books first remains the most satisfying choice.

3. The Standalone Entry Points

If you prefer a self-contained story to test the waters of the universe, you can pick up any of the standalone novels set in this world, such as The Valley, Sanctuary, Coyote Song, or Abe. These books focus on different characters and regions, giving you a taste of the world's brutal tone and action-packed survival dynamics before committing to the main multi-book arcs.

The Foundational Series: The Remaining

The original series consists of six main novels and two essential companion novellas. These books focus heavily on Lee Harden's efforts to establish a safe haven, coordinate survivors, and combat both the infected and rogue human factions. To follow this story correctly, read them in this order:

• Faith: A Novella (Book 0.5): Chronologically the earliest story, this novella can be read at any time, but it functions best as a quick introduction to the virus's onset and the initial panic before Lee’s main mission starts.
• The Remaining (Book 1): The official starting point. Lee Harden emerges from his underground bunker to find a ruined world and must begin his mission to find and secure survivors.
• Aftermath (Book 2): Lee, recovering from severe wounds, must navigate the delicate power dynamics of a survivor camp while facing new tactical threats.
• Refugees (Book 3): Factions begin to form, and Lee must fight not just the infected, but warlords trying to carve out their own empires in the ashes.
• Fractured (Book 4): The pressure mounts as internal conflicts threaten to destroy everything Lee has built, forcing tough moral sacrifices.
• Trust: A Novella (Book 4.5): This novella bridges the gap between the fourth and fifth books, focusing on key character motivations and setting up the final conflict of the original series.
• Allegiance (Book 5): With the stakes higher than ever, alliances are tested as survival demands choosing sides in a rapidly expanding war.
• Extinction (Book 6): The epic conclusion to the initial series arc, where Lee’s original mission reaches its ultimate, action-packed climax.

The Sequel Series: The Lee Harden Series

After finishing the original series, the story continues directly in the Lee Harden series. This six-book sequence takes place over a condensed period and follows Lee as he deals with the regional fallout of the plague and new, organized human threats. Read them in publication order:

1. Harden (Book 1)
2. Southlands (Book 2)
3. Primal (Book 3)
4. Defiant (Book 4)
5. Unbowed (Book 5)
6. Terminus (Book 6)

The Standalone Novels and Chronological Placement

D.J. Molles has written several standalone books that expand the lore of the Remaining universe. While these can be read on their own, fans who want a complete picture should know where they fall chronologically:

• Coyote Song: A standalone novel exploring survival outside of Lee's immediate sphere.
• The Valley: Focuses on different survivors dealing with the brutal realities of the infected.
• Sanctuary: Explores the concept of secure havens and the costs associated with maintaining them.
• Project Hometown: A story detailing the pre-apocalypse preparation and the initial breakdown of command structures.
• Abe (2024): This novel runs concurrently with the events of Defiant (Lee Harden Series Book 4) and follows the fan-favorite character Abe. It is best read right after finishing Defiant to avoid spoilers and maintain narrative flow.

Publication vs. Chronological Order: Key Caveats

For the vast majority of your reading journey, publication order and chronological order are identical. The only minor deviations are the novellas and the standalone novels. The author suggests that first-time readers stick to the publication order, as it naturally introduces the mysteries of the infected and the development of the world. Reading Faith (Book 0.5) first is acceptable, but it lacks the immediate hook of the main novel, so starting with The Remaining is highly advised. Always ensure you read the novella Trust (Book 4.5) before starting Allegiance, as it contains character transitions that are vital to understanding the plot of the final two core books.

Practical Reader Advice

Before you dive in, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, unlike standard zombie fiction where the undead are slow and mindless, the infected in The Remaining are hyper-fast, aggressive, and possess a level of animalistic cunning that makes them much more dangerous. Second, D.J. Molles is the sole author of all these works; unlike some massive expanded universes, there are no co-authored books, ensuring a highly consistent voice and technical quality throughout the series. Finally, the series features heavy military realism. Molles utilized his background in law enforcement and consulted veteran friends to ensure that weapon handling, squad tactics, and combat logistics feel entirely authentic and grounded.