The Recommended Reading Order
The Allies and Enemies series is a highly linear, continuous military science fiction and space opera saga. Because the characters evolve significantly and the political landscape of the galaxy changes from one installment to the next, it is highly recommended that you read the books in order of their publication. Skipping ahead will lead to major spoilers regarding character relationships, guild alliances, and the fate of the Reaches.
- Fallen (2015)
- Rogues (2016)
- Exiles (2017)
- Legacy (2019)
- Empire (2019)
- Endgame (2024)
Companion Stories and Anthologies
In addition to the main novels, Amy J. Murphy has contributed to a few multi-author anthologies and box sets. Understanding where these fit in will help you navigate her complete bibliography without confusion:
- A Simple Thing (Short Story / Novelette): This is a short story set in the Allies and Enemies universe. It was first published in the space opera anthology Orphans in the Black (2017) and later featured in At the Helm: Volume 4 (2018). While it offers fantastic extra lore, it is not required reading to understand the main series and can be enjoyed at any point, though it is best read after Exiles.
- Call of Courage: 7 Novels of the Galactic Frontier (2019): This is a multi-author box set. It does not contain a new, standalone story by Murphy; rather, it includes the full-length novel Allies and Enemies: Fallen alongside works by other popular science fiction writers. If you already own Fallen, you do not need to purchase this set for new content.
Deep Dive Into the Allies and Enemies Series
The core of Amy J. Murphy's work is her flagship space opera. The series stands out for its fierce, genetically engineered protagonist, complex secondary characters, and a galaxy where the line between ally and enemy is constantly shifting.
Fallen (Book 1)
Published in 2015 and nominated for a Dragon Award, Fallen introduces Sela Tyron. Bred and genetically modified to be the perfect, obedient soldier for a brutal, authoritarian intergalactic Regime, Sela has never questioned her duties. That changes when her commanding officer, Jon Veradin, is marked for execution without a trial. Choosing morality over her lifetime of conditioning, Sela rebels, rescues Jon, and flees into the stars, uncovering a massive galaxy-wide conspiracy. Meanwhile, Jon's sister Erelah Veradin, a gifted engineer, begins to uncover dangerous secrets about her own heritage back home.
Rogues (Book 2)
In the 2016 sequel, Sela and Jon are on the run and looking for a clean slate. They seek refuge in "the Reaches," a lawless, hardscrabble outer zone of space. However, peace is short-lived in the fringe. They quickly find themselves in the crosshairs of powerful, rival space guilds and dangerous alien syndicates. Sela must rely on her military training and a hammer-wielding combat style to keep them alive in a lawless territory where trust is a rare commodity.
Exiles (Book 3)
The stakes escalate dramatically in this 2017 installment. Sela and Jon are forced out of hiding when Jon's sister, Erelah, is captured by space pirates. As they search for her, they are drawn into the complex and volatile politics of the space guilds, including factions like Poisoncry, Ironvale, and Splitdawn. The fragile balance of power in the Reaches begins to fracture, pushing the characters to their absolute limits.
Legacy (Book 4)
Set six years after the devastating Guilds War that reshaped the Reaches, Legacy (2019) finds Sela Tyron working as a bounty hunter. She is driven by a deep-seated thirst for vengeance against the Poisoncry Guild. When a new conspiracy emerges, Sela must decide if she will pursue her personal vendetta or stand against a rising tyrant. Concurrently, Erelah is forced to form an uneasy alliance with a figure from her past when a mysterious alien threat endangers her and her young daughter, Ravi.
Empire (Book 5)
Also released in 2019, Empire continues the dense, character-driven narrative. Sela, now married to Jon, must navigate the expanding conflicts of the Reaches alongside Erelah. The political intrigue deepens as the characters face new moral dilemmas and old enemies who refuse to stay buried. Murphy continues to balance epic, high-stakes military sci-fi with intimate character moments.
Endgame (Book 6)
The grand finale of the series, Endgame (2024), brings Sela and Jon's journey to its conclusion. Once again on the run and stranded far from civilization, Sela and Jon must forge an unlikely alliance with a human survivor named Essie Hoffs and her Sceeloid companion, Deke. At the same time, Erelah Veradin faces her own desperate battle as she works to rescue her daughter, Ravi, who has been taken captive. It is a thrilling, emotional wrap-up to a decade-long sci-fi adventure.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into the Allies and Enemies series, there are a few practical elements to keep in mind. First, Amy J. Murphy’s writing style is gritty and detailed. Her background as a registered nurse in Vermont brings a visceral sense of realism to the injuries, grit, and physical struggles her characters endure. Second, while the world-building is expansive, the story is deeply personal, focusing on Sela's struggle with her identity and the familial bonds between Jon and Erelah. Finally, because the plot moves forward in a strict chronological sequence, reading the books in order is essential for understanding the shifting allegiances and political landscape of the Reaches.