The Recommended Reading Order for Tunnels
The Tunnels series follows a strict, linear narrative with no prequels, short stories, or companion novels. Because the story is highly serialized, with each book picking up directly where the previous one left off, you must read the series in its publication order. Skipping any book will leave you completely lost in the subterranean depths.
- Tunnels (2007)
- Deeper (2008)
- Freefall (2009)
- Closer (2010)
- Spiral (2011)
- Terminal (2013)
Understanding the Subterranean Saga: Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Tunnels (2007)
The adventure begins with 14-year-old Will Burrows, a quiet boy with a passion for archaeology and digging. When his eccentric father, Dr. Burrows, suddenly disappears through a secret portal in their basement, Will and his loyal friend Chester Rawls follow the trail. They plunge into a terrifying underground world known as the Colony, a Victorian-style city buried deep beneath London. Here, they discover that a sinister cult-like group called the Styx rules the inhabitants with an iron fist. Will must navigate this cruel society to find his father, uncovering shocking truths about his own family heritage along the way.
2. Deeper (2008)
Picking up immediately after the explosive events of the first book, Deeper sees Will and Chester fleeing from the Styx. Forced further down into the Earth's crust, they encounter even harsher subterranean environments and new dangers. In this installment, they meet Elliott, a fierce and resourceful half-Styx girl who becomes a key ally. Together, they struggle to stay ahead of their pursuers while uncovering the Styx's genocidal plan, known as the Dominion, which threatens to wipe out the entire surface world using a weaponized virus.
3. Freefall (2009)
In Freefall, the stakes and the setting change dramatically. Will and Chester find themselves falling through a massive vertical shaft called the Pore, landing in a giant, hollow void near the Earth's core. In this subterranean environment, gravity is vastly reduced, allowing the characters to float and glide. They must survive in a prehistoric jungle filled with strange creatures, all while the Styx continue their relentless pursuit. This book deepens the series' sci-fi elements and tests the limits of the characters' survival skills.
4. Closer (2010)
As the conflict escalates, Closer returns some of the focus back to the surface world while maintaining the subterranean tension. The Styx's plan to deploy their deadly biological weapon moves closer to fruition. Will and his allies try to find a way back to the surface to stop them, leading to intense skirmishes, shifting alliances, and shocking betrayals. The division between the underground dwellers and the surface world becomes increasingly blurred as the Styx prepare for war.
5. Spiral (2011)
Spiral ramps up the action as the Styx unleash their deadly Phase virus on the surface world, starting with a localized outbreak. Will, Chester, and Elliott must work with a secret military task force to contain the threat and find a cure. As the title suggests, the narrative spirals into a fast-paced thriller filled with scientific elements, espionage, and desperate battles across both the surface and the deep subterranean tunnels.
6. Terminal (2013)
The epic conclusion to the six-part saga, Terminal wraps up the long-running war between humanity and the Styx. Will and his friends make their final stand in a desperate bid to save the planet. This finale answers lingering mysteries about the true origins of the Styx, the history of the subterranean worlds, and the ultimate fate of Will Burrows. It is a dark, action-packed conclusion that offers a definitive end to the journey.
The Highfield Mole: The Self-Published Precursor
If you are exploring the history of the series, you might come across references to a book called The Highfield Mole: The Circle in the Spiral. You do not need to hunt this down to complete your collection. Published in March 2005, this was the original self-published version of the story written by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams. After catching the attention of publisher Barry Cunningham (famous for launching Harry Potter), the book was edited, polished, and re-released commercially in 2007 under the title Tunnels. The text of the 2007 edition is the definitive version of the first book.
Crucial Reading Advice: What to Know Before You Begin
Are the books standalone? No. The Tunnels series is a continuous story. Characters, plot threads, and mysteries carry over directly from one book to the next. You should not read these out of order.
Expect a Dark Tone: While marketed as young adult fiction, Tunnels features a gritty, claustrophobic atmosphere and a surprisingly high level of violence, betrayal, and dark themes. Readers sensitive to dark sci-fi or intense survival scenarios should prepare for a story that pushes the traditional boundaries of YA adventure.
No Official Spin-Offs: Unlike many modern YA franchises, there are no companion short story collections, spin-offs, or sequels focusing on other characters. The six core novels represent the entirety of the Tunnels universe.