A.C. Spahn Books in Order

Where to Start Reading A.C. Spahn

If you are new to the work of A.C. Spahn, your starting point depends entirely on which subgenre you prefer. Spahn has built two distinct universes that showcase her trademark wit and heart:

• For Sci-Fi Comedy Fans: Start with Endurance: The Complete Series. Originally released as a series of episodic novellas, this space opera follows a crew of lovable misfits who constantly stumble their way into saving the universe. It is the perfect entry point if you enjoy fast-paced dialogue, quirky character interactions, and lighthearted galactic adventures.
• For Urban Fantasy Enthusiasts: Start with Enchantress Undercover, the first book in the Arcane Artisans series. This series offers a unique twist on the urban fantasy genre by focusing on craft-based magic, underground societies, and a protagonist who relies on creativity and undercover work rather than raw firepower.

The Endurance Series: Sci-Fi Comedy & Cosmic Mischief

The Endurance series is a USA Today bestselling space opera comedy. The narrative centers around the crew of the Endurance, a disrespected and exiled patrol ship sent to the dark, quiet corners of the solar system. Rather than a highly polished military outfit, the crew is composed of outcasts and eccentric personalities who have been written off by the fleet's high command. Despite their flaws (or perhaps because of them), they repeatedly find themselves in the wrong place at the right time to save the galaxy.

The Crew of the Endurance

The key to the series' charm lies in the dynamics between its core characters:

• The Captain: A leader trying to regain favor with his superiors and redeem his career after being sidelined.
• The First Officer: A trigger-happy second-in-command who is always ready for a fight.
• The Engineer: A hyperactive technical genius who keeps the ship running against all odds.
• The Physicist: A conspiracy-theorizing scientist who sees hidden plots in every corner of space.
• The Covert Operative: A shy agent with a mysterious background who prefers to stay out of the spotlight.

Chronological Reading Order of Endurance

While the individual episodes were originally published as standalone novellas, they follow a continuous chronological story. If you want to follow the chronological order of the individual releases, read them as follows:

1. Enduring Endurance (Book 1) - Published in 2013. The crew is introduced as they deal with a seemingly routine patrol that quickly turns into a crisis.
2. A Numbers Game (Book 1.5) - Published in 2013. A bonus novella that expands on the crew's early adventures and provides deeper insight into their operational quirks.
3. Mightier than the Sword (Book 2) - Published in 2013. The stakes rise as the crew deals with diplomatic and security disasters.
4. Under Cover (Book 3) - Published in 2014. The crew must go undercover to navigate a dangerous conspiracy.
5. Preferred Dead (Book 4) - Published in 2014. A high-stakes mission where survival is far from guaranteed.
6. Wet Ducks (Book 5) - Published in 2015. The final chapter in the core episodic arc where all the threads come together.

A Practical Note for Readers: The individual novellas are generally no longer sold separately. Instead, readers should pick up the omnibus edition, Endurance: The Complete Series (published in 2016). This collected edition contains all five main novellas, the mid-series entry A Numbers Game, and two additional bonus short stories, making it the most convenient way to read the entire saga.

The Arcane Artisans Series: Craft Magic & Urban Fantasy

In 2019, Spahn shifted her focus to urban fantasy with the Arcane Artisans series. Unlike traditional urban fantasies that focus on combat-heavy spellcasting or paranormal romance, this series features a unique system of craft-based magic. The magic users in this world—artisans—wield power tied to creative, physical crafts, weaving spells through objects and artistic disciplines.

The series follows Adrienne Morales, a fugitive and enchantress living in San Francisco. To protect her sanity and keep her powers hidden from the "Voids"—people who are immune to magic and seek to execute rogue magic users—she practices her craft in secret by hiding enchantments within the works of art she sells in her shop. Over the course of four books, Adrienne navigates complex cults, deep-seated conspiracies, and dangerous magical secrets. The series is complete and forms a single, tightly written narrative arc.

Publication & Chronological Order of Arcane Artisans

The publication order and chronological order for the Arcane Artisans series are identical. To get the full story of Adrienne's undercover missions, you must read the books in the following sequence:

1. Enchantress Undercover (2019) - Introduces Adrienne Morales, the concept of craft magic, and the undercover operations that pull her into a hidden world of magical cults.
2. Enchantress Under Pressure (2019) - Raises the stakes as Adrienne's cover is threatened and she must navigate increasingly dangerous conspiracies.
3. Enchantress Underground (2019) - Dives deeper into the magical underworld, forcing Adrienne to rely on her unique crafting talents to survive.
4. Enchantress Under Fire (2019) - The action-packed conclusion to the series that resolves the main magical conflicts and wraps up Adrienne's arc.

Short Stories and Standalones

Beyond her multi-book series, A.C. Spahn is an active writer of short speculative fiction. Her shorter works are known for their whimsical premises, emotional depth, and genre-blending style. Many of these stories were published in prestigious online flash fiction markets and anthologies.

Cara Watt, P.I. Stories

Spahn has written a series of short stories featuring Cara Watt, a speculative private investigator. These stories combine classic detective noir tropes with sci-fi and fantasy elements. They were primarily published in the online magazine Daily Science Fiction. While they do not have a dedicated omnibus release, they offer a fun, bite-sized look into Spahn's mystery-writing style.

Standalone Short Fiction

Spahn's other notable short stories have appeared in publications such as Flash Fiction Online, Electric Spec, and the speculative poetry journal Star*Line. Some of her most popular standalone short stories include "Eye Contact", "Invisible Ones", and "Voracious" (which showcases Spahn's trademark humor and love for unusual food concepts).

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive into A.C. Spahn's catalog, keep these tips in mind to get the best reading experience:

• Chronological Continuity: Although the Endurance novellas were originally released as episodes, they should not be read out of order. The relationships between the crew members and the underlying galactic threat develop progressively from book to book. Reading them out of order will spoil key character growth and plot twists.
• No Standalones in Arcane Artisans: The Arcane Artisans books function as a serialized novel split into four parts. You should not attempt to read Enchantress Under Pressure or the subsequent sequels without starting with Enchantress Undercover.
• Omnibus Availability: Always look for the omnibus edition for the Endurance series. It is the only format in which the bonus short stories are easily accessible.
• Tone & Vibe: Expect a mix of action and comedy. Spahn's background in theater and comedic roles strongly influences her prose, meaning her stories prioritize snappy dialogue, banter, and lighthearted resolutions even when the characters face serious danger.