How to Start Reading A.J. Steiger
A.J. Steiger is a versatile author who doesn't stick to a single genre, moving easily between young adult science fiction, contemporary realism, middle-grade dark fantasy, and surreal adult horror. Because her works cross these different age ranges and styles, the best starting point depends entirely on what kind of story you are looking for.
For readers who want to experience her signature blend of psychology, ethics, and high-stakes speculative fiction, the best starting point is her debut duology, beginning with Mindwalker. If you prefer a grounded, deeply emotional contemporary story about neurodiversity and human connection, start with the standalone novel When My Heart Joins the Thousand.
A.J. Steiger Books in Publication Order
If you want to read Steiger's books in the order they were written and released, follow this chronological list. Because only two of her books belong to a connected series, publication order is also the chronological order for her entire catalog:
- Mindwalker (2015) — Mindwalker Duology, Book 1
- Mindstormer (2017) — Mindwalker Duology, Book 2
- When My Heart Joins the Thousand (2018) — Standalone Contemporary YA Novel
- Cathedral of Bones (2021) — Standalone Middle-Grade Dark Fantasy Novel
- Eye of a Little God (2024) — Standalone Adult Surreal Horror Novel
The Mindwalker Duology
The only interconnected series A.J. Steiger has written is the Mindwalker duology. These books must be read in order, as the plot of the second book directly continues the events, character growth, and unresolved mysteries of the first.
1. Mindwalker (2015)
Set in a dystopian future, the story introduces seventeen-year-old Lain Fisher, a prodigy trained as a Mindwalker. Her job is to enter the minds of traumatized citizens and erase painful memories to help them heal. However, when she meets a classmate named Steven who is struggling with severe trauma, Lain makes the forbidden decision to help him off the record. In doing so, she stumbles upon dark, systemic conspiracies and secrets about her own father's death, forcing her to question the morality of her society's memory modification.
2. Mindstormer (2017)
The sequel picks up the narrative thread with Lain navigating a world where the truth is heavily policed. Waking up with amnesia after her mind was wiped, Lain must piece together who she was and join a resistance movement. The stakes are raised as she fights against the totalitarian state while struggling with personal sacrifice, identity, and the ethical weight of memory manipulation.
The Standalone Novels: How to Choose
Steiger's standalone books span different age targets and genres. Here is a breakdown of what to expect from each standalone work:
When My Heart Joins the Thousand (2018)
This contemporary young adult novel focuses on Alvie, a neurodivergent seventeen-year-old girl who lives independently and wants to keep it that way. To avoid being placed in a group home when she turns eighteen, she needs to prove she can function in society. She meets Stanley, a boy with a rare bone disease who is also dealing with his own physical challenges. The book is widely praised for its authentic, raw depiction of autism, mental health, and the vulnerable development of trust and love between two complex characters.
Cathedral of Bones (2021)
A dark fantasy novel aimed at middle-grade readers, this story takes place in a world where magic users called Animists summon monstrous entities like imps and wraiths to perform tasks. Simon Frost is a low-ranking mailroom worker at the Foundation who longs to prove himself. When a remote village begs for help against a monster and the Foundation ignores them, Simon sneaks away to solve the crisis. He discovers that the monster is actually a girl with a forgotten past, leading him into a conspiracy that threatens the entire magic system.
Eye of a Little God (2024)
Steiger's transition into adult fiction is a surreal horror novel published by Severn House. The story follows Eddie Luther, a damaged veteran and drifter on the verge of ending his life in the woods of Nebraska. His plans are interrupted when he hears a whisper in his ear asking for help. The voice leads him to a hidden journal and a surreal, unsettling subterranean world underneath the town of Devil's Fork. There, he encounters whispering televisions, a malevolent figure known as the Painted Man, and a mysterious entity that forces him to question his own sanity.
What to Know Before You Start
While the settings and genres of A.J. Steiger's novels vary wildly, they share a common thematic core. She frequently explores characters who feel isolated, misunderstood, or neurodivergent, pushing them to navigate heavy psychological issues, systemic control, and personal autonomy. Readers should be prepared for dark, introspective themes even within her YA and middle-grade books, as she does not shy away from depicting trauma, mental illness, and moral ambiguity.