How to Read the Survivors Series: Recommended Paths
For readers diving into the post-apocalyptic world of Survivors, there are two primary ways to approach the books: Publication Order and Chronological Order. While both have their merits, we strongly recommend following the Publication Order for your first read-through.
The main series is structured into two distinct six-book arcs. Because the plot carries over directly from one book to the next, reading the main novels in order is essential. The choice of reading order primarily affects where and when you read the three companion novellas: Alpha's Tale, Sweet's Journey, and Moon's Choice (which are collected in the print edition Tales from the Packs).
The Recommended Path: Publication Order
Reading in publication order allows you to experience the mysteries and character growth exactly as the authors intended. You will meet the characters in the main series first, and the companion novellas will serve as rewarding backstory lookbacks that fill in the gaps without spoiling key plot points of the first arc.
The Alternative Path: Chronological Order
If you prefer to know a character's history before they enter the main storyline, a chronological read-through places the three novellas first. Because these novellas are prequels that take place before the devastating earthquake known as the "Big Growl," reading them first gives you deep insight into the pack dynamics and the history of the characters before the world changes. However, some readers find that starting with the novellas makes the beginning of the main series feel slightly less mysterious.
The Ultimate Survivors Reading List
Here is the breakdown of the books, grouped by their respective arcs and companion collections, complete with original publication years.
Survivors: The Original Series (Arc 1)
The first arc focuses on Lucky, a golden retriever mutt who has always lived as a Lone Dog. After the Big Growl shatters his city, he must learn to work with a group of Leashed Dogs (former pets) to survive in a strange and dangerous new world.
- The Empty City (2012) – The story begins immediately after the Big Growl. Lucky escapes a collapsing shelter and must navigate the ruined streets, eventually teaming up with his sister Bella and a group of abandoned pets.
- A Hidden Enemy (2013) – Pack dynamics shift as Lucky and the Leashed Dogs encounter the Wild Pack. Lucky finds himself torn between his love for freedom and his growing ties to the pack.
- Darkness Falls (2013) – Danger intensifies as the dogs face the threat of terrifying wild animals and internal conflict within the pack under the rule of the stern Alpha.
- The Broken Path (2014) – Lucky and the pack must make difficult decisions as resources grow scarce and they are forced to travel into unfamiliar, hostile territories.
- The Endless Lake (2014) – Following a devastating flood, the pack finds themselves trapped in a strange new land where alliances are tested and new threats emerge from the water.
- Storm of Dogs (2015) – The thrilling conclusion to the first arc. The dogs must unite to face their ultimate enemies, the Fierce Dogs, in an epic battle for survival.
Survivors: The Gathering Darkness (Arc 2)
The second arc shifts the perspective to Storm, a young Doberman who was raised among the Fierce Dogs but chooses to live with the Wild Pack. This arc deals with the aftermath of the battle, deep pack divisions, and a new threat rising from within.
- A Pack Divided (2015) – In the wake of the war with the Fierce Dogs, tension rises within the pack. Storm struggles to find her place and deal with suspicion due to her heritage.
- Dead of Night (2016) – A mysterious disease begins to spread among the dogs, and a traitor within the camp threatens to destroy the fragile peace.
- Into the Shadows (2017) – As trust completely erodes, Storm must venture into the shadows to uncover the truth behind the pack's misfortunes.
- Red Moon Rising (2017) – The moon turns red, signaling dark times ahead. Storm and her allies must race against time to prevent a full-scale civil war among the dogs.
- The Exile's Journey (2018) – Cast out from the pack, Storm goes on a journey of self-discovery and survival, learning what it truly means to be a loyal packmate.
- The Final Battle (2019) – The epic finale of the entire Survivors saga. The dogs face their greatest threat yet, and Storm must make the ultimate sacrifice to save her pack.
The Companion Novellas (Tales from the Packs)
Originally published as individual e-shorts, these three novellas were compiled into a single physical book titled Tales from the Packs in 2015. They focus on the origins of key characters before the events of The Empty City.
- Alpha's Tale (2014) – Explains how a half-wolf dog named Alpha rose to power, detailing the harsh rules and experiences that shaped his strict leadership style.
- Sweet's Journey (2015) – Follows Sweet, a swift-footed dog, as she survives on her own before joining the Wild Pack, showing the origins of her resilience.
- Moon's Choice (2015) – Explores Moon's life in the Wild Pack before she met Lucky, shedding light on her past choices and her loyalty to her packmates.
What to Know Before You Start
Like its sister series Warriors, Survivors is published under the collective pseudonym Erin Hunter. The books are actually written by a collaborative team of authors. For Survivors, the main creative forces and writers were Gillian Philip and Inbali Iserles, working alongside editor Rosie Best and the rest of the Working Partners team. This collaborative writing style allowed the authors to create a cohesive world with complex pack structures and rich canine vocabulary.
When reading, you will quickly notice that the story is told entirely from the dogs' perspective. Humans are referred to as "longpaws," cars are "loudpaws," and natural elements have mythical canine names (such as "Sun-Dog" for the sun and "Earth-Dog" for the earth). This unique world-building makes the series feel like a grand animal mythology rather than a standard survival story.
Where Should You Start?
If you are new to the series, start with The Empty City. It establishes the post-apocalyptic setting, explains the rules of the world, and introduces the core cast of characters. Reading the prequels first is a fun project for a reread, but nothing beats experiencing the mystery of the ruined world alongside Lucky for the first time.