Where to Start with Alan Brennert
If you are new to Alan Brennert, the absolute best starting point is his bestselling 2003 masterpiece, Moloka'i. This novel established Brennert as a premier voice in historical fiction, detailing the life of Rachel Kalama, a young girl sent to the Kalaupapa leprosy settlement in the late 19th century. Once you have finished Rachel's story, you should proceed directly to its 2019 sequel, Daughter of Moloka'i, which follows Rachel's daughter, Ruth, through her childhood in California and her internment during World War II.
For readers who want a broader taste of his historical settings, his 2009 novel Honolulu serves as an excellent companion piece. While it is set in the same region, it features entirely different characters and can be read completely independently of the Moloka'i books.
The Hawaii Novels: Reading Order
Brennert's most famous body of work is set against the backdrop of Hawaiian history. Although these books are often grouped together as a thematic collection (and were published together in a 2015 bundle), only two of them share a direct narrative connection. Here is the recommended sequence:
- Moloka'i (2003): The core book that introduces Rachel Kalama and her decades-long journey of survival, community, and identity in the Kalaupapa settlement. Start here.
- Daughter of Moloka'i (2019): The direct sequel. It picks up the threads of Rachel's daughter, Ruth, who was taken from Rachel at birth to prevent infection and was subsequently adopted by a Japanese-American family. It should be read second.
- Honolulu (2009): A standalone companion novel that focuses on a young Korean "picture bride" navigating the multicultural landscape of Honolulu in the early 20th century. This can be read before, between, or after the Moloka'i books.
Speculative and Historical Standalone Novels
Before Brennert became a historical fiction sensation, he spent decades writing speculative fiction, urban fantasy, and psychological thrillers. These standalones can be read in any order, but looking at them chronologically reveals the evolution of his style:
City of Masques (1978)
Brennert's debut novel is a blend of science fiction and psychological horror. It tells the story of Jim, a struggling actor who undergoes a clinic's sinister psychological conditioning to prepare for a James Dean biopic, only to slowly lose his own identity to the persona of the dead star.
Kindred Spirits (1984)
A paranormal romance set in New York City during the Christmas season. It follows two lonely individuals, Ginny and Michael, who are on the verge of giving up on life. The novel takes a supernatural turn, exploring themes of connection, life, and the unseen forces that bind us together.
Time and Chance (1990)
This parallel-world fantasy deals with the classic theme of the "road not taken." It features Richard Cochrane, who left his hometown to pursue acting, and Rick Cochrane, a version of him from a parallel reality who stayed behind to raise a family. When their realities collide, they swap lives, leading to a lyrical examination of regret, choices, and domestic life.
Palisades Park (2013)
A return to historical fiction, this standalone is a love letter to the real-life Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey. Spanning several decades, the story follows the Stopka family as they operate a food stand, chase dreams of high diving, and witness the park's history unfold against the backdrop of major historical events like the Great Depression and World War II.
Short Stories, Comics, and Screenwriting Adaptations
Brennert is also a highly decorated screenwriter and short-story writer. Knowing about these works adds rich context to his novels:
- Her Pilgrim Soul and Other Stories (1990): This collection contains Brennert's finest short speculative fiction. The title story, which features a spirit experiencing a brief second chance at life through a holographic generator, was famously adapted as a classic episode of The Twilight Zone and later turned into an off-Broadway play.
- Batman: Holy Terror (1991): A landmark Elseworlds graphic novel. Written by Brennert with art by Norm Breyfogle, this story reimagines Gotham City in a religious-state America where Bruce Wayne becomes a costumed vigilante after discovering the state-sponsored murder of his parents.
The Wild Cards Shared Universe
The Wild Cards universe is a massive, multi-author shared world edited by George R.R. Martin. While the universe itself spans dozens of books, Brennert's specific contribution to it is the short story "Skin Deep" (published in 2021). The story centers on Trina Nelson, a "joker" who is deformed by the alien virus and tries to overcome societal prejudice. If you only want to read Brennert's writing, you do not need to tackle the entire series; you can find "Skin Deep" online via Tor.com, or collected in the 2025 anthology Aces Full (also published under the title Full House in some markets).
What to Know Before You Start
Alan Brennert's historical fiction is characterized by rigorous, empathetic research. Unlike standard historical romances, books like Moloka'i do not shy away from the harsh realities of quarantine and illness, but they emphasize the joy, dignity, and resilience of their subjects. If you enjoy character-driven stories with deep emotional payoff, you will appreciate his screenwriting-honed pacing and focus on relationships.