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Arkady Martine Books in Order

9 Books
3 Series & collections
2016 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

How to Read Arkady Martine: The Recommended Order

Arkady Martine's rise to the top of modern speculative fiction has been anchored by her masterfully constructed space opera universe. For the best experience, readers should follow the publication order. Because her main series is a highly continuous story with deep political intrigue, skipping ahead will ruin key plot revelations and character developments.

Here is the recommended reading path for her primary works:

  1. A Memory Called Empire (2019) – The Hugo Award-winning debut novel that introduces the sprawling Teixcalaanli Empire and Lsel Station.
  2. A Desolation Called Peace (2021) – The direct sequel and conclusion to the Teixcalaan duology, which also won the Hugo Award for Best Novel.
  3. Rose/House (2023) – A standalone science fiction gothic mystery novella that can be read at any point before or after the main duology.

The Teixcalaan Duology: A Closer Look

The core of Arkady Martine’s bibliography is the Teixcalaan series. The series draws heavily from her academic background in medieval Byzantine history and her research on Aztec imperialism, crafting a world where cultural assimilation, language, and memory are weaponized.

1. A Memory Called Empire (2019)

The story begins with Mahit Dzmare, a newly appointed ambassador from Lsel Station—a small, independent mining enclave—to the center of the massive, expansionist Teixcalaanli Empire. Upon arrival, Mahit discovers that her predecessor has died under highly suspicious circumstances. Equipped with an outdated, secretly implanted imago machine containing the memories of the previous ambassador, Mahit must navigate the complex, poetry-loving, and politically ruthless court of Teixcalaan to preserve her home station's independence while staying alive.

2. A Desolation Called Peace (2021)

Set shortly after the events of the first book, the sequel elevates the stakes from political intrigue to first-contact space conflict. When an incomprehensible, terrifying alien force attacks the edges of Teixcalaanli space, the empire's military is sent to investigate. Three Seagrass, a brilliant Teixcalaanli diplomat, is tasked with establishing communication with the alien threat, and she recruits Mahit Dzmare to assist. The novel deals intensely with themes of language, collective consciousness, and the cost of imperial peace.

Standalone Fiction & Novellas

Aside from her space opera duology, Martine has written distinct standalone stories that showcase her range as a speculative writer.

Rose/House (2023)

This locked-room mystery novella represents a shift in subgenre, moving from grand space politics to intimate, atmospheric gothic sci-fi. The story takes place in the Mojave Desert inside "Rose House," an architectural masterpiece controlled by a sentient, autonomous AI. The house was sealed after the death of its creator, the legendary architect Basit Deniau, with only his former protégé, Selene Gisil, allowed brief annual visits. When the AI reports a dead body inside the locked house, a local detective must team up with Selene to solve an impossible crime while dealing with the house's non-human nature.

Short Fiction & Anthologies

Before publishing her debut novel, Martine (under her birth name AnnaLinden Weller and pen name Arkady Martine) contributed numerous short stories to notable speculative fiction magazines and anthologies. While these are not required to understand the Teixcalaan duology, they offer excellent companion reading. Key short stories include:

  • "Lace Downstairs" (2012) – Published in Abyss & Apex, this was her first published genre story.
  • "How the God Auzh-Aravik Brought Order to the World Outside the World" (2016) – Published in Strange Horizons, showcasing her myth-making style.
  • "Ekphrasis" (2016) – Included in the anthology An Alphabet of Embers.
  • "All the Colors You Thought Were Kings" (2016) – Featured in Shimmer Magazine Issue 31.
  • "Contra Gravitatem (Vita Genevievis)" (2016) – Published in Lackington’s.
  • "A Being Together Amongst Strangers" (2020) – Published in Uncanny Magazine and later compiled in The Best of Uncanny.

What to Know Before You Start

Martine’s novels are celebrated for their dense, poetic prose and structural complexity. Instead of standard action-heavy military sci-fi, expect heavy focus on linguistics, diplomatic negotiations, and institutional memory. The Teixcalaan duology features prominent queer relationships and explores the psychological toll of loving a culture that seeks to assimilate your own. While the Teixcalaan books form a complete story arc, they leave room for further expansion, though no third book is currently planned.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for Arkady Martine's books?

You should read the Teixcalaan books in publication order: start with A Memory Called Empire, followed by its direct sequel A Desolation Called Peace. Her novella Rose/House is a standalone and can be read at any time.

QIs the Teixcalaan series complete?

Yes, the Teixcalaan series is a completed duology. While the author has expressed interest in writing other stories within the same universe, the main story arc of Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass is fully concluded.

QDo I need to read Arkady Martine's short stories to understand the novels?

No. Her short stories, such as "Lace Downstairs" or "A Being Together Amongst Strangers," are completely standalone works and do not tie into the plot of the Teixcalaan duology.

QWhat is the novella Rose/House about?

Rose/House is a locked-room gothic science fiction mystery set in a sealed desert home managed by a sentient AI, where a mysterious dead body is discovered despite no one being able to enter.

QWhat real-world cultures inspired the Teixcalaanli Empire?

Martine drew major inspiration from the Byzantine Empire (specifically its diplomacy, court bureaucracy, and cultural hegemony) and Aztec civilization, adapting these historical elements into a futuristic space opera setting.

QDid Arkady Martine co-author any books with her wife, Vivian Shaw?

No, Arkady Martine and Vivian Shaw have not published any co-authored books, though they have discussed collaborating on science fantasy projects in the past.