Alaric Bond Books in Order

Where to Start: The Ultimate Entry Point

For readers diving into the maritime world of Alaric Bond, the biggest question is whether to follow the publication order or chronological order. Unlike classic Age of Sail series that follow a single protagonist (like C.S. Forester's Hornblower or Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey), Alaric Bond's signature Fighting Sail series uses an ensemble cast. Because of this multi-perspective format, the books are highly versatile, but starting in the right place makes a significant difference in character development and chronological flow.

We highly recommend starting with His Majesty's Ship. Although it was the second book published (released in 2009), it serves as the chronological beginning of the saga. Set in the spring of 1795, it introduces the 64-gun ship-of-the-line HMS Vigilant and lays the groundwork for the recurring cast of characters, including Lieutenant Tom King and Captain Sir Richard Banks. Beginning here lets you witness the crew's formation from a raw mix of pressed men and volunteers into a cohesive fighting force.

If you prefer to read in the order the author wrote them, you can start with The Jackass Frigate (published in 2008). This was Bond's debut novel, set in late 1796. It features a smaller, 28-gun frigate, HMS Pandora, and highlights the fast-paced, dangerous operations of the Mediterranean fleet. However, reading this first means you will experience a slight jump backward in time when you pick up His Majesty's Ship next.

The Fighting Sail Series: Chronological Order

Below is the recommended chronological reading order for the Fighting Sail series. Reading the books in this sequence allows you to follow the historical progression of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, as well as the long-term career arcs of the recurring crew members.

1. His Majesty's Ship (2009) - Chronologically the first book. Set in 1795, it introduces HMS Vigilant as she departs Spithead to escort an outbound convoy, highlighting the struggles of organizing a new crew.
2. The Jackass Frigate (2008) - Set in late 1796, focusing on HMS Pandora as she is sent to support the Mediterranean Fleet during the threat of a French invasion. It features the chaotic events surrounding the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1797.
3. True Colours (2010) - Set in 1797, this novel captures the tension of the Spithead and Nore mutinies, where the loyalty of the crew is tested to its absolute limits.
4. Cut and Run (2011) - Set in 1797-1798, the story follows Lieutenant Tom King as he takes a position with the Honourable East India Company, dealing with the unique perils of armed merchant vessels.
5. The Patriot's Fate (2012) - Set in 1798, the crew faces conflict in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea, matching wits against French forces during the build-up to the Battle of the Nile.
6. The Torrid Zone (2014) - Shifts the action to the Caribbean (West Indies) during the Quasi-War, where the crew battles tropical diseases, privateers, and hostile fleets.
7. The Scent of Corruption (2015) - Set in 1803 during the uneasy Peace of Amiens, this book shifts the focus to shore-based intrigue, dealing with political corruption, smuggling, and espionage.
8. HMS Prometheus (2015) - Set in 1803 as the Peace of Amiens collapses, the crew is commissioned onto a brand-new vessel, HMS Prometheus, preparing for the resumption of full-scale war.
9. The Blackstrap Station (2016) - Set in 1804, focusing on the blockade of Gibraltar and the crucial trade routes through the Mediterranean.
10. Honour Bound (2017) - Follows the crew as they navigate diplomatic tensions and naval skirmishes in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea.
11. Sealed Orders (2018) - The characters find themselves on a secretive mission where information is scarce, and trust is the ultimate currency.
12. Sea Trials (2019) - Highlights the administrative and technical challenges of keeping a fleet battle-ready, along with the personal trials of the officers and crew.
13. Lone Escort (2020) - Focuses on a single vessel tasked with protecting merchant shipping against overwhelming odds in hostile waters.
14. The Seeds of War (2021) - The global reach of the conflict expands, setting the stage for major tactical adjustments and personal sacrifices.
15. On the Barbary Coast (2022) - Takes the crew to North Africa to confront the Barbary pirates, dealing with hostage negotiations, coastal bombardments, and shifting alliances.

The Coastal Forces Series: World War II

In 2020, Alaric Bond launched a new historical naval fiction series, shifting his focus from the age of wood and canvas to the high-speed diesel operations of World War II. The Coastal Forces series follows the crews of Britain's motor torpedo boats (MTBs) and motor gunboats (MGBs) fighting in the English Channel.

Set primarily in the Dover Strait—popularly known as "Hellfire Corner"—this series mirrors Bond's Fighting Sail style by utilizing an ensemble cast. Rather than focusing on a single heroic captain, readers get to know the officers, mechanics, gunners, and Wrens who maintained and fought these small, unarmored wooden boats against German E-boats and coastal artillery. This series should be read in publication order:

• Hellfire Corner (2020) - Introduces MGB 194 and her crew as they establish patrols in the narrow, dangerous waters of the Channel.
• Glory Boys (2023) - Follows the crew as the intensity of the Channel war escalates, testing the endurance of the fast-attack crews.
• Narrow Seas (2024) - Explores the strategic push to secure control of the Channel in the later stages of the war.

Standalone Novels: The Smuggling World

Aside from his major series, Alaric Bond has written two standalone novels. While these books are set during the Napoleonic era, they steer away from massive fleet battles to explore the local, illicit economies of the English south coast. They focus on the high-stakes conflict between local smugglers ("free traders") and the British Revenue Service.

• Turn a Blind Eye (2013) - Set in the autumn of 1801, this book follows Commander Griffin as he takes charge of a local revenue cutter. He is tasked with breaking up a powerful local smuggling ring in a community where it is hard to tell friends from enemies.
• The Guinea Boat (2015) - Set in Hastings during the Peace of Amiens in 1803, the story follows two childhood friends, Nat and Alex. As they grow up, their paths diverge: one joins the Revenue Service, while the other turns to smuggling and espionage, putting them on a dangerous collision course.

What to Know Before You Start

The most defining characteristic of Alaric Bond's writing is his ensemble narrative structure. Traditional naval fiction tends to center on one invincible officer who makes all the right decisions. Bond intentionally breaks this trope. In his books, the perspective shifts frequently between the quarterdeck (officers), the lower deck (ordinary seamen and pressed landsmen), and even the civilians and women who historically lived aboard ship. This format gives a much more rounded and realistic depiction of the intense social hierarchy and camaraderie of a warship.

Furthermore, Bond's dedication to realism is deeply influenced by his own practical background. As a seasoned sailor and carpenter, he brings a tangible accuracy to descriptions of rigging, woodwork, ship handling, and naval carpentry. Readers who appreciate historical accuracy will find his detailed depictions of Nelson's Navy highly satisfying.

It is also worth noting that after the closure of Fireship Press in 2024, Alaric Bond's backlist and new releases are now published by Old Salt Press, an independent publishing cooperative dedicated to maritime and naval historical fiction.