Wrath and Righteousness Books in Order

How to Read the Wrath and Righteousness Series

If you want to dive into Chris Stewart's fast-paced world of geopolitical tension, military precision, and spiritual warfare, the reading order is straightforward. The series was originally written and published as a serialized, ten-part ebook story. Because this is a continuous story with a single ongoing plot, reading them in chronological publication order is absolutely essential. Starting anywhere else will leave you completely lost as the global conflict escalates and characters navigate the pre-ordained paths set out for them.

Here is the recommended reading order for the ten individual episodes:

1. Wrath & Righteousness (Episode 1) — Published in 2012. Introduces the core conflict, the ancient forces at play, and Saudi Prince Abdullah al-Rahman.
2. Darkness of This World (Episode 2) — Published in 2012. The geopolitical fallout begins to escalate as global alliances are put to the test.
3. Son of the Morning (Episode 3) — Published in 2012. Delves deeper into the spiritual battles happening behind closed diplomatic doors.
4. Breathless (Episode 4) — Published in 2012. The pacing accelerates with high-octane military sequences and strategic counter-moves.
5. The Master's Cry (Episode 5) — Published in 2012. Marks the halfway point of the serial, focusing heavily on divine intervention and human choices.
6. Smoke and Dust (Episode 6) — Published in 2012. Destructive plots unfold on American soil and abroad, raising the stakes for the main cast.
7. Wolves in the Night (Episode 7) — Published in 2013. The tension reaches a fever pitch as characters realize the full scale of the conspiracy.
8. Evil in the Darkness (Episode 8) — Published in 2013. Focuses on the emergence of pivotal new figures, including a young girl named Azadeh.
9. Spiders from the Shadows (Episode 9) — Published in 2013. The penultimate episode, setting the stage for a dramatic international showdown.
10. Sunrise (Episode 10) — Published in 2013. The action-packed finale that brings the spiritual and geopolitical conflicts to a resolution.

A Critical Note on Formats: Episodes vs. Compilations

When searching for these books online, you are likely to run into two different formats. Originally, the series was launched as ten individual e-short stories, each running between 50,000 and 60,000 words. Because these episodes are shorter than full-length novels, the publisher (Mercury Ink) and various booksellers later compiled them into multi-episode physical print editions and audiobooks.

For instance, you will frequently find paperbacks and audio releases containing two episodes at once, such as Wrath & Righteousness: Episodes One & Two. Before purchasing or downloading, always check the product description to verify if you are buying a single digital episode or a compiled compilation volume. Double-checking this will prevent you from accidentally buying duplicate content or skipping vital chapters of the story.

The Origin: Wrath and Righteousness vs. The Great and Terrible

To fully understand this series, it helps to know its publishing history. Wrath and Righteousness is not entirely a brand-new narrative. Instead, it is a revised, secularized, and modernized adaptation of Chris Stewart’s earlier six-book series, The Great and Terrible, which was originally published between 2003 and 2008.

While the core plot, main characters, and military-thriller elements remain highly similar, there are several key differences that distinguish the two versions:

• Religious Context: The original series, The Great and Terrible, was written specifically for a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) audience. It contained explicit references to LDS theology, scripture, and LDS-specific cultural ideas about the pre-mortal life and the end times. When Glenn Beck's publishing imprint, Mercury Ink, decided to release the series to a mainstream national audience in 2012, Chris Stewart heavily edited the text, removing specific doctrinal terminology and shifting the focus to a broader Christian perspective of spiritual warfare.
• Structure and Length: The Great and Terrible was structured as six full-length novels. Wrath and Righteousness rearranged this narrative flow into ten rapid-fire episodic installments, which were subsequently bundled.
• Tone and Pacing: The revised series has a faster, more modern techno-thriller pace, leaning heavily on Stewart’s real-world experiences as an Air Force pilot to craft tight, action-driven sequences.

Reading Order for the Original 'The Great and Terrible' Series

If you prefer to read the original, LDS-themed version of the story, you should read those books in their original publication order. Do not try to mix and match books from The Great and Terrible with episodes from Wrath and Righteousness, as the pacing, terminology, and structural changes will make for a very confusing reading experience.

The correct order for the original series is:

1. The Brothers (originally published as Prologue: The Brothers) (2003)
2. Where Angels Fall (2004)
3. The Second Sun (2005)
4. Fury & Light (2007)
5. From the End of Heaven (2008)
6. Clear as the Moon (2008)

What to Know Before You Start Reading

Before you dive in, there are a few practical tips to keep in mind. First, these books are heavily serialized. Unlike some techno-thriller series where each book features a standalone mission (such as Jack Reacher or Mitch Rapp), Wrath and Righteousness is one giant story broken into ten parts. You cannot skip episodes, and you must start with Episode One.

Second, the series blends genres in a unique way. On one hand, you get highly realistic geopolitical drama, military operations, and aviation details, drawing on Chris Stewart’s credentials as a former record-setting Air Force pilot who flew B-1 bombers. On the other hand, the plot is driven by literal spiritual warfare, featuring unseen angels and demonic forces trying to influence human events. If you enjoy a mix of military thrillers and faith-based suspense (often compared to Frank Peretti's works or the Left Behind series), this will be right up your alley.

Finally, there are no direct spin-offs or sequels to the Wrath and Righteousness edition. However, if you finish the series and want more of Chris Stewart's military writing, you can check out his standalone techno-thrillers like Shattered Bone (1997), which features a hijacked B-1B bomber, or his historical non-fiction work co-authored with Ted Stewart, The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points That Saved the World.