Star Force Books in Order

How to Read the Star Force Series: The Quick Answer

For the best experience, the Star Force series should be read in publication order. The saga is highly serialized, with each book building directly on the events, technology, and cosmic conflicts of the last. Starting anywhere other than the beginning will leave you lost in a web of complex interstellar politics and alien biology.

The series is naturally divided into two major narrative blocks. The first nine books focus on Kyle Riggs, a computer science professor thrust into leading humanity's desperate fight for survival. The final three books (Books 10–12) shift the focus to Kyle's son, Cody Riggs, and are co-authored by David VanDyke. In some retail and local database listings, the standalone release of the novella Army of One is inserted as Book 9, pushing The Dead Sun to Book 10 and the Cody Riggs books to 11–13. Regardless of numbering, the narrative progression remains the same.

Star Force Reading Order

Here is the recommended reading order for the Star Force series, representing the chronological progression of the main universe:

1. Swarm (2010) – The book that starts it all. Kyle Riggs is abducted by an alien vessel, discovers nanotechnology, and is forced to fight to survive.
2. Extinction (2011) – Kyle leads Star Force Marines as reluctant pawns of the robotic Macros, fighting to protect Earth from total annihilation.
3. Rebellion (2011) – Humanity begins to question its forced alliance with the Macros as new, complex alien species enter the conflict.
4. Conquest (2011) – Earth is finally liberated, but Kyle faces deep betrayal and escalating galactic stakes.
5. Army of One (2014) – A spin-off novella. While published later, it is chronologically Book 4.5. It follows Bjorn Gaines, a nanotized assassin trying to survive in the Florida Keys during the events of Conquest.
6. Battle Station (2012) – The war expands as Kyle strives to construct a massive defensive outpost to guard the solar system.
7. Empire (2012) – Star Force takes the fight deep into enemy territory, carving out a human empire among the stars.
8. Annihilation (2013) – Kyle Riggs faces his most dangerous campaign yet as the Macros launch a decisive offensive.
9. Storm Assault (2013) – An all-out assault on the core systems of the robotic invaders, testing the limits of human technology.
10. The Dead Sun (2014) – The thrilling conclusion to the original Kyle Riggs story arc.
11. Outcast (2014) – Co-authored with David VanDyke. This book kicks off the Cody Riggs saga, following Kyle's son as a fresh Star Force Academy graduate commanding a lost ship.
12. Exile (2014) – Co-authored with David VanDyke. Cody and his crew struggle to navigate uncharted systems and hostile alien territories.
13. Demon Star (2015) – Co-authored with David VanDyke. The climax of the Cody Riggs arc as the crew of the Valiant makes their final stand.

The Sagas: Kyle Riggs vs. Cody Riggs

The series undergoes a major transition after the ninth mainline book, The Dead Sun. This transition changes both the protagonist and the writing style, as B.V. Larson teamed up with space opera author David VanDyke for the remaining books.

The Kyle Riggs Arc (Books 1–9)

This is the foundation of the Star Force universe. Kyle Riggs is an everyday man whose technical background helps him hijack alien nanotech. Over the course of nine books, Kyle evolves from a terrified abductee into a ruthless, pragmatically cold commander who must make horrific ethical choices to keep humanity from being wiped out by the Macros. The tone is fast-paced, action-heavy, and driven by Kyle's internal first-person narrative.

The Cody Riggs Arc (Books 10–12)

Starting with Outcast, the narrative shifts to Cody Riggs, Kyle’s son. Fresh out of the academy, Cody is much younger and less experienced than his legendary father. Alongside Ensign Olivia Turnbull and the beloved, curious artificial construct Marvin, Cody finds himself stranded hundreds of light-years from Earth. This arc leans heavily into classic "lost fleet" tropes, focusing on ship-to-ship survival, exploration, and the challenges of leadership under pressure. Co-author David VanDyke's influence introduces more structured military protocols compared to the chaotic, seat-of-the-pants command style of Kyle Riggs.

Where Does Army of One Fit?

One of the most common points of confusion for readers is the placement of the novella Army of One. Originally published in the Planetary Assault anthology, it was later released as a standalone ebook in 2014. Because of its standalone publication date, many database listings place it between Storm Assault and The Dead Sun.

However, the story itself is a side-adventure focusing on Bjorn Gaines, another man who received the nanotech treatment. The events of his story take place concurrently with the alien invasion in Conquest (Book 4). To avoid minor continuity issues and to understand the state of the war, the best place to read Army of One is right after Conquest as Book 4.5. That said, because it focuses on a different protagonist, it can be skipped entirely without losing track of the main Kyle Riggs storyline.

The Star Force Universe and Factions

To fully enjoy the series, it helps to understand the main forces at play in B.V. Larson's universe:

• The Macros: Giant, spider-like robotic machines that mine star systems for raw resources. They view biological life as a minor nuisance or cheap labor. They are not evil in the traditional sense; they are simply driven by cold, relentless programming.
• The Nanos: The creators of the nanotechnology that Kyle Riggs uses. They are the sworn enemies of the Macros, engaging in a galaxy-wide war of attrition. They regularly abduct biological species to test their viability as combat officers.
• Marvin: A standout character who quickly became a fan favorite. Marvin is an artificial construct with a highly distinct, inquisitive personality. He joins Cody Riggs in the latter half of the series, providing crucial tech assistance and lighthearted relief.
• The Ancients: A long-dead civilization that left behind massive ring networks and ruins, which both humans and machines fight to control.

What to Know Before You Start

Star Force is a premier example of pulp military science fiction. B.V. Larson does not write slow, dense hard-sci-fi; instead, he delivers rapid, page-turning action, heavy weapons combat, and rapid technological escalations. Kyle Riggs is a highly pragmatical, sometimes controversial protagonist who will do whatever it takes to win, which keeps the moral stakes interesting.

For audiobook listeners, the series is narrated by Mark Boyett. His distinct voice acting and narration style have been widely praised by fans on platforms like Audible and Goodreads, making the audiobooks an exceptionally popular way to experience the Star Force universe.