The Recommended Reading Order for Toy Soldiers
For the best reading experience, you should read the Toy Soldiers series in its official publication order. Because the narrative follows a strict chronological progression—tracking the outbreak from its initial moments in London through a freezing winter and a final, desperate push for survival—skipping ahead will spoil major plot points and character deaths. The core series is structured as follows:
- Apocalypse (2018)
- Aftermath (2018)
- Abandoned (2019)
- Adversity (2019)
- Adaptation (2019)
- Annihilation (2020)
If you prefer to grab the entire story in one go, there is also a complete omnibus edition titled Toy Soldiers: The Complete Series, which collects all six volumes into a single package.
Understanding the Timeline and Setting
One of the most unique aspects of Toy Soldiers is its timeline. The series is set specifically in the late 1980s (beginning in 1989) in the United Kingdom. Because the story takes place in a pre-digital era, characters must survive without cell phones, the internet, or modern GPS. This lack of instant communication dramatically ramps up the tension, isolating survivors and turning every decision into a high-stakes gamble.
The zombie threat in this universe also shifts. The infected, referred to by survivors as 'Biters' or 'Screechers,' display varying degrees of speed, aggression, and coordination. As the series progresses, the survivors must adapt to an enemy that is far more unpredictable than standard slow-walking ghouls.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Fortunately for readers, there are no complicated prequels, side novellas, or external spin-offs to worry about. The chronological order of the story matches the publication order exactly. You start with the outbreak in London, follow the survivors as they struggle through the immediate aftermath, deal with the abandonment of the British mainland by the authorities, brave a brutal winter, and finally reach the climax in Annihilation.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Book 1, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of your read:
- Start with Apocalypse: Do not attempt to read these books as standalones. The character arcs—especially the growth of a young boy named Peter and the gritty leadership of Sergeant Major Johnson—are continuous and form the emotional core of the series.
- Gritty Realism: Author Devon C. Ford is a former UK public services worker with experience in prison and police services. He brings an authentic, grounded perspective to the military elements and squad dynamics, avoiding clean, Hollywood-style action in favor of raw realism.
- Audiobook Option: The audiobooks are highly regarded by the community and are narrated by the acclaimed voice actor John Lee, whose performance brings the bleak, rainy British atmosphere to life.
- Separate Universes: While Devon C. Ford is also famous for his post-apocalyptic debut series After It Happened, the two series are completely separate. There are no crossovers or shared characters, so you can enjoy Toy Soldiers entirely on its own.