How to Read Andy Marino's Books
Andy Marino is a highly versatile author whose work spans from gripping historical thrillers for middle-grade readers to intense psychological horror for adults. Because his catalog is split between distinct age groups and genres, the best way to approach his books depends entirely on what kind of story you are looking for.
Here are the two primary paths recommended for readers starting out:
- The Young Reader & Historical Fiction Path: Start with Conspiracy, the first book in The Plot to Kill Hitler trilogy. This series offers a continuous narrative following two siblings in Nazi Germany. Once finished, you can dive into the Escape From books in any order.
- The Adult Horror & Thriller Path: Start with The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess, a dark, psychological horror novel dealing with possession and addiction. Follow it up with It Rides a Pale Horse, a supernatural thriller about an artist forced to create a terrifying sculpture.
The Plot to Kill Hitler Trilogy
Published in 2020, this trilogy is a fast-paced work of historical fiction set in Berlin during World War II. Unlike his other historical books, this series follows a single continuous storyline and should be read in strict order. The plot revolves around Max and Gerta Hoffmann, two siblings who get pulled into a dangerous real-life conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
- Conspiracy (2020) – Max and Gerta are caught in a web of resistance and secrets in 1943 Berlin.
- The Execution (2020) – The stakes rise as the Gestapo closes in and the siblings must make difficult choices to survive.
- The Escape (2020) – The thrilling conclusion as the siblings attempt to flee the collapsing regime.
The Escape From Series
Marino's Escape From books are action-packed historical disaster thrillers published by Scholastic. Each book features a different set of characters, a different historical event, and a unique setting, meaning they are completely standalone and can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order is a great way to experience how Marino develops the series' high-stakes tension.
- Escape from Chernobyl (2021) – Set during the 1986 nuclear disaster, following two cousins trying to survive the immediate aftermath of the reactor explosion.
- Escape from East Berlin (2022) – Set in 1961, following a girl named Kitty as she attempts to cross the newly erected Berlin Wall to reunite with her family.
- Escape from Stalingrad (2023) – Set in 1942 during one of the most brutal battles of World War II, following kids trapped in the ruins of the city.
- Escape from Alcatraz (2024) – A thrilling adventure set in the infamous island prison, focused on a daring escape attempt.
Standalone Novels
Marino has written several standalone books that showcase his ability to shift between sci-fi, fantasy, technology thrillers, and horror. These can be read at any time without worrying about continuity.
- Unison Spark (2011) – Marino’s debut novel, a dystopian science fiction story about teens fighting a manipulative, omnipresent social network.
- Uncrashable Dakota (2013) – An alternate-history adventure set aboard a massive airship, featuring family secrets and high-stakes sabotage.
- The Door (2014) – A fantasy thriller about a young girl who discovers a portal to an alternate world inside her family's isolated lighthouse.
- Autonomous (2018) – A high-tech thriller about a driverless car that begins using its passengers' digital secrets against them during a road trip.
- The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess (2021) – Marino's first adult horror novel, which blends themes of addiction recovery with a terrifying story of demonic possession.
- It Rides a Pale Horse (2022) – A supernatural horror novel about an artist forced to create a sinister sculpture to save his kidnapped sister from a mysterious force.
Short Stories and Novellas
If you are looking for a quick read, Marino has also published shorter fiction that highlights his genre-blending style:
- The Oregon Trail Diary of Willa Porter (2013) – A Tor.com Original novella written in a diary format. It starts as a typical western pioneer journey but slowly morphs into atmospheric supernatural horror as the landscape turns hostile.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Andy Marino's bibliography, keep these key details in mind:
Target Audiences
Marino writes for two very different age groups. His historical thrillers (The Plot to Kill Hitler and Escape From series) are middle-grade books written with fast pacing and accessible prose, though they don't shy away from the real dangers of history. On the other hand, The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess and It Rides a Pale Horse are graphic, psychological horror stories intended strictly for adult readers.
Thematic Connections
Even though his genres vary wildly, Marino's books consistently explore themes of individual agency, survival, and the impact of technology or supernatural forces on personal freedom. Whether it is teens fighting a dystopian social network in Unison Spark or siblings resisting the Nazi regime in Conspiracy, his protagonists are always fighting back against overwhelming systems.