The Recommended Reading Order
The Long Winter trilogy by A.G. Riddle is a tightly structured science fiction narrative that follows a single continuous timeline. Because each book builds directly on the events, character developments, and global crises of the previous installment, there is only one logical way to read this series. You must read them in publication order.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- Winter World (February 2019)
- The Solar War (2019)
- The Lost Colony (2019)
- The Lost Colony: Extended Epilogue (2019 - Companion Bonus)
Overview of the Books
1. Winter World
The trilogy opens with Earth facing a sudden and inexplicable crisis: the planet's temperatures are plummeting, launching humanity into a rapid, artificial ice age. As glaciers advance and society begins to disintegrate, scientists discover a massive, mysterious alien object near Mars that seems to be harvesting the Sun's energy. The story alternates between two main characters: Emma Matthews, a NASA astronaut who becomes stranded in space after the International Space Station is destroyed, and James Sinclair, a brilliant, disgraced scientist pulled from a federal prison to help solve the solar anomaly. Together, they are sent on a desperate mission to investigate the alien grid and find a way to save Earth.
2. The Solar War
Picking up after the events of the first book, humanity has survived the initial freeze and begun the slow process of rebuilding. James and Emma have settled down and started a family, hoping the worst is behind them. However, the alien force—known as the Grid—returns to complete its mission. A new barrage of threats forces James and Emma back into action. They must contend not only with the overwhelming technological superiority of the alien invaders but also with fracturing human factions fighting over the planet's remaining resources. The sequel is darker and more introspective, focusing heavily on the price of survival and the moral decisions the protagonists must make under pressure.
3. The Lost Colony
The final novel in the trilogy moves the setting away from a ruined Earth. The remaining remnants of humanity have fled across space to Eos, a habitable new planet. However, upon arrival at the settlement of Jericho City, they discover that the first wave of colonists has completely vanished without a trace, leaving behind empty buildings and a collection of mysterious buried spheres. Emma Matthews, now the mayor of the new settlement, struggles to keep the community united in the face of deadly weather anomalies and emerging external threats. Meanwhile, James Sinclair conducts a high-stakes scientific investigation into the missing colonists, the alien Grid's true origins, and a cosmic mystery that challenges their understanding of time and space.
The Lost Colony: Extended Epilogue and Extras
After finishing the three main novels, readers should seek out the official Extended Epilogue. This is not a published book, but rather a self-published companion piece released by A.G. Riddle to give fans additional closure. The epilogue provides a detailed look at what happens to Emma, James, and their family, as well as the supporting character Arthur (an android whose loyalties shift throughout the final book).
The Extended Epilogue, along with technical drawings of the "Eye of the Grid" and detailed architectural plans for James and Emma's home on Eos, is available for free on A.G. Riddle's official website.
What to Know Before You Start
If you are planning to dive into The Long Winter, here are a few practical insights to keep in mind:
- Alternating Perspectives: The books are written in first-person, switching back and forth between James Sinclair and Emma Matthews. This structure allows the author to show both the technical, scientific side of the crisis (through James) and the logistical and leadership challenges (through Emma).
- A Closed Narrative: Unlike some sprawling science fiction series, The Long Winter is a complete, finished story. There are no active spin-offs, co-authored prequels, or companion novels outside of the online extras.
- Tone and Style: The series blends hard science fiction concepts—such as orbital mechanics, climatology, and space travel—with fast-paced, cinematic thriller pacing. Fans of Riddle's other works, like The Atlantis Gene, will find a similar style here, though The Long Winter leans more heavily into survivalism and space exploration.