Alex London Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading Alex London?

Alex London (who also writes middle-grade novels under the name C. Alexander London) is a highly versatile author whose books span genres, target age groups, and themes. If you are trying to figure out where to begin, the best entry point depends entirely on your favorite genre and age group:

• For YA Dystopian & Cyberpunk Fans: Start with Proxy. This fast-paced, high-stakes duology is widely considered his breakout hit and is perfect for readers who enjoy stories like The Hunger Games or Blade Runner.
• For Middle-Grade Fantasy & Action Fans: Start with City of Thieves, the first book in the Battle Dragons trilogy. It features a brilliant mix of futuristic cities, dragon rider culture, and family loyalty.
• For Epic YA Fantasy Lovers: Start with Black Wings Beating, the opening volume of the Skybound Saga, which builds a unique fantasy landscape centered around falconry, blood sport, and deep sibling dynamics.

The Proxy Duology (YA Cyberpunk)

Set in a corporate-run future where the wealthy can pay to have less-fortunate "proxies" take their physical punishments, this duology explores systemic injustice, class divides, and rebellion. The series must be read in publication order, as the events of the second book build directly upon the world-altering climax of the first.

1. Proxy (2013) – Introduces Syd, a proxy who pays for the crimes of Knox, a wealthy patron, until a fatal accident forces them to run for their lives together.
2. Guardian (2014) – Picks up after the collapse of the proxy system, exploring the chaotic aftermath of revolution and the difficult rebuilding of society.

The Skybound Saga (YA Epic Fantasy)

This trilogy is set in the world of Upland, where birds of prey are a source of status, power, and war. It follows twins Kylee and Brysen as they are swept into an ancient conflict and the search for the legendary Ghost Eagle. Like the Proxy series, the Skybound Saga is a continuous narrative that should be read in chronological order.

1. Black Wings Beating (2018)
2. Red Skies Falling (2019)
3. Gold Wings Rising (2020)

The Battle Dragons Series (Middle-Grade Sci-Fi/Fantasy)

For younger readers, London created a thrilling cyberpunk-inspired metropolis where dragons are used as weapons, transport, and tools of street gangs. It follows a young boy named Abel who bonds with a stolen dragon. This series is best read in order of release:

1. City of Thieves (2021)
2. City of Speed (2022)
3. City of Secrets (2023)

Middle-Grade Adventure Series (As C. Alexander London)

Under the name C. Alexander London, the author has penned several highly engaging adventure series for middle-grade readers. These are generally standalone-friendly within their concepts, but chronological reading is recommended to follow character growth.

An Accidental Adventure

A fun, humorous adventure series about two siblings who hate traveling but are forced into globe-trotting quests by their famous explorer parents.

1. We Are Not Eaten by Yaks (2011)
2. We Dine with Cannibals (2012)
3. We Give a Squid a Wedgie (2013)
4. We Sled with Dragons (2013)

Dog Tags Series

A series focused on the bonds between military service members and their working dogs. Each book is a standalone story dealing with different historical conflicts or military branches, meaning they can be read in any order.

1. Semper Fido (2012)
2. Strays (2012)
3. Prisoners of War (2014)
4. Divided We Fall (2014)

Tides of War Series

Similar to Dog Tags, this series focuses on Navy SEALs and their highly trained military animals—specifically dolphins and sea lions—working on underwater missions.

1. Blood in the Water (2014)
2. Honor Bound (2014)
3. Enemy Lines (2015)
4. Endurance (2015)

The Wild Ones Series

An animal fantasy series reminiscent of Redwall meets Warriors, set in a secret animal society hidden within human cities.

1. The Wild Ones (2015)
2. Moonlight Brigade (2016)
3. The Great Escape (2017)

Multi-Author Series Contributions

Alex London has also contributed to major multi-author franchises. These do not require reading his other series, but they should be read within the context of their respective parent series order:

• The 39 Clues: Doublecross, Book 2 – Mission Hindenburg (2015)
• The 39 Clues: Superspecial, Book 1 – Outbreak (2016)

Standalone Novels & Anthologies

For readers looking for quick, self-contained stories, London has written several standalones and contributed to notable YA anthologies.

Standalone Novels

• Search and Rescue: Pentagon Escape (2023) – A thrilling interactive, choose-your-own-path style adventure book.

Notable Anthologies

• It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Lattes, and Other Jewish Revelations (2019) – A collection of stories focusing on Jewish teenagers.
• Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder (2022) – A collection of queer science fiction stories.
• At Midnight (2022) – A modern retelling of classic fairy tales.