How to Read the Wasteland Chronicles
Kyle West’s post-apocalyptic science fiction universe is a thrilling blend of survival, alien mysteries, and human resilience. To fully experience the saga of Alex Keener and the aftermath of the Ragnarok meteor strike, readers have two primary paths: chronological order or publication order.
Chronological Reading Order
If you want to experience the events of this world in the exact order they happened, you should start with the prequel set in the ruins of Los Angeles before moving on to Alex's journey in the bunker system. Note that the prequel was written and published years after the main series ended, so it features a different perspective and tone.
- Lost Angel (Prequel, 2020) - Follows Makara Angel as she arrives in the ruins of Los Angeles and gets caught in a brutal gang war between the Lost Angels and the Black Reapers.
- Apocalypse (Book 1, 2013) - Introduces 16-year-old Alex Keener as he is forced to flee Bunker 108 after a deadly xenovirus outbreak.
- Origins (Book 2, 2013) - Alex and his companions search for the origin of the xenovirus, heading toward the mysterious Bunker One.
- Evolution (Book 3, 2013) - The stakes rise as the blight spreads and new factions struggle for control of the remnants of Earth.
- Revelation (Book 4, 2013) - Deepens the mysteries surrounding the Ragnarok meteor and the alien intelligence behind the virus.
- Darkness (Book 5, 2014) - Humanity faces its darkest hour as resources dwindle and enemies close in.
- Extinction (Book 6, 2014) - The penultimate battle for survival reaches a boiling point.
- Xenofall (Book 7, 2014) - The epic conclusion to the main series where Alex Keener and his allies confront the Radaskim threat.
Publication Reading Order
This is the order in which Kyle West originally released the books. Reading in publication order allows you to experience the mysteries of the xenovirus just as the author's original fanbase did, saving the Los Angeles prequel for a retrospective look at the universe.
- Apocalypse (2013)
- Origins (2013)
- Evolution (2013)
- Revelation (2013)
- Darkness (2014)
- Extinction (2014)
- Xenofall (2014)
- Lost Angel (2020)
Where Should You Start?
For most readers, we highly recommend starting with Apocalypse (Book 1). While Lost Angel takes place earlier chronologically, it was written as a companion prequel long after the main story was completed. Starting with Apocalypse preserves the sense of wonder, claustrophobia, and mystery as Alex Keener leaves his bunker for the first time and discovers the devastated, crimson-skied surface of Earth.
Expanding the Universe: The Xenoworld Saga
Once you finish the main Wasteland Chronicles, the adventure doesn't end. Kyle West wrote a direct sequel series called the Xenoworld Saga. This series is set approximately 400 years after the events of Xenofall. In this era, the characters from the Wasteland Chronicles have passed into legend, remembered as gods by the new generation of survivors fighting a fresh wave of alien threats. While you can read the Xenoworld Saga independently, reading the Wasteland Chronicles first provides essential context and satisfying callbacks.
The Xenoworld Saga Books:
- Prophecy (Book 1, 2015)
- Bastion (Book 2, 2015)
- Beacon (Book 3, 2016)
- Sanctum (Book 4, 2016)
- Kingdom (Book 5, 2017)
- Dissolution (Book 6, 2018)
- Aberration (Book 7, 2019)
What to Know Before You Start
The Wasteland Chronicles is a completed series that blends elements of classic post-apocalyptic survival fiction with sci-fi horror. The world is defined by a meteor strike in 2030 (called Ragnarok) that triggered an ice age and introduced an alien xenovirus that mutates living creatures into grotesque monsters. The tone is gritty but ultimately hopeful, driven by themes of friendship, loyalty, and resilience. If you enjoy games like Fallout or books like The Hunger Games, this indie sci-fi classic is an excellent addition to your reading list.