Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
For readers new to Sarah Lyons Fleming's post-apocalyptic universe, the best place to start is the original Until the End of the World trilogy. This series serves as the foundation for the entire shared universe, introducing the mechanics of the Bornavirus LX virus and establishing the emotional, survivalist tone that defines Fleming's work. The narrative follows Cassie Forrest, a young artist who must flee Brooklyn with a tight-knit group of friends to reach a survival cabin in Vermont.
We highly recommend reading the books in publication order, which also aligns with the chronological progression of the main storyline. Here is how the original series breaks down:
1. Until the End of the World (2013)
The series begins with this debut novel. Cassie Forrest has experienced her share of grief, but nothing prepares her for the sudden outbreak of a virus that turns the dead into ravenous zombies. Along with her friends, Cassie relies on her late parents' survivalist preparation to escape New York City and make a dangerous trek to safety. This book establishes the characters and the core emotional stakes of the series.
2. So Long, Lollipops (2014)
This is Book 1.5, a novella told from the perspective of Peter, one of the key characters from the first novel. It covers the events and timeline immediately following a major, heart-wrenching separation in the first book. Warning: Do not read this novella before finishing the first book, as it contains massive spoilers regarding Peter's fate.
3. And After (2014)
Book 2 shifts the setting to Kingdom Come Farm, where Cassie and the survivors struggle to build a stable life. As winter sets in, the survivors must contend not only with the frozen undead but also with the threat of other desperate humans and the emotional fallout of their losses.
4. All the Stars in the Sky (2015)
The third and final full novel in the original trilogy concludes Cassie's journey. With safe zones collapsing, the group is forced to move north in a harrowing final bid for long-term survival, testing their endurance, loyalty, and hope to the absolute limit.
The Shared Universe: The City Series
Once you finish the main trilogy, you can expand your journey with The City Series. Set in the exact same apocalyptic timeline, this series shifts the focus back to a devastated New York City. The primary connection is Eric Forrest—Cassie's brother—who is fighting to survive and desperately searching for his sister. The series is best read in the following order:
- Mordacious (2016)
- Peripeteia (2017)
- Instauration (2018)
While The City Series is technically standalone and follows a different main protagonist (Sylvie Rossi alongside Eric), reading it after the original trilogy prevents major spoilers and provides rich context regarding the fate of Cassie's family.
Expanding to the West Coast: The Cascadia Series
If you want even more of this post-apocalyptic world, Fleming's third series, The Cascadia Series, moves the setting across the country to the Pacific Northwest. It follows a completely new cast of characters dealing with the same virus outbreak on the West Coast. The books should be read in this sequence:
- World Departed (2020)
- World Between (2021)
- World Without (2023)
- World Undone (2024)
Because it takes place on the West Coast with separate characters, you can read The Cascadia Series independently, though reading it after the original trilogy and The City Series offers the most complete experience of the global disaster's timeline.
Chronological Caveats and Reading Advice
Although So Long, Lollipops is technically Book 1.5, some readers wonder if they can skip it. While you can technically jump from Book 1 to Book 2, skipping the novella means missing critical character development for Peter and the explanation of how he survives his separation from the group. For the best emotional payoff in And After, do not skip it. However, because of the massive spoilers it contains for the end of the first book, it must never be read first.
What to Know Before You Start
Sarah Lyons Fleming's books are widely praised for their focus on 'found family' and emotional depth. Unlike many gore-heavy zombie series, the focus here is on human relationships, grief, humor, and resilience in the face of despair. The audiobooks, narrated by the acclaimed Julia Whelan, are highly recommended by fans for bringing Cassie's distinct voice and dry humor to life.