How to Read Bennett R. Coles' Books
Bennett R. Coles has established a strong reputation in the science fiction genre by combining his fifteen years of real-world naval officer experience with imaginative, high-stakes space adventures. Whether you are looking for gritty, psychologically intense military science fiction or a swashbuckling space fantasy complete with sailing ships cruising through the cosmos, Coles has a series tailored for you. To begin exploring his work, you should choose one of two distinct entry points depending on your preferred subgenre.
Option 1: The Virtues of War Trilogy (For Gritty Military Sci-Fi Fans)
If you prefer hard-hitting, realistic military tactics, complex chain-of-command struggles, and the psychological weight of interstellar conflict, start with the Virtues of War trilogy (also known as the Astral Saga). This series is best read in its strict chronological sequence, which aligns with its publication order. The trilogy introduces readers to the Astral Corps and features Lieutenant Katja Emmes as she faces the brutal realities of combat, planetary pacification, and political maneuvering.
Option 2: The Blackwood & Virtue Series (For Space Sailing and Adventure Fans)
If you prefer a lighter, adventure-driven space fantasy featuring solar sails, imperial intrigue, and class dynamics on a star-sailing vessel, start with the Blackwood & Virtue series. This series is also best read in order of release, starting with Winds of Marque. It follows the aristocratic Commander Lord Liam Blackwood and the brilliant, lower-deck Petty Officer Amelia Virtue as they hunt down pirates and navigate the dangerous political currents of a vast space empire.
The Virtues of War Series in Detail
The Virtues of War trilogy is a military space opera that focuses on the cost of war on individual soldiers. The setting features the Astral Corps, the military arm of a unified Earth empire trying to maintain control over restive colony worlds in the Centauri system. Coles relies heavily on his background as a bridge officer, navigator, and UN military observer to deliver authentic operational detail, realistic communications, and believable weaponry.
1. Virtues of War (2011 / 2015)
The novel that starts the trilogy introduces Lieutenant Katja Emmes, a newly minted ground-combat officer of the Astral Corps. Eager to prove herself and live up to her legendary father's name, Katja is thrust into a high-stakes mission to suppress a colonial rebellion on the planet of Cerberus. Alongside her are Commander Thomas Kane, a pilot struggling under the shadow of a past mistake, and Sublieutenant Jack Mallory, an intelligence officer with a hidden agenda. The book establishes the series' signature blend of intense combat action and deep psychological trauma.
2. Ghosts of War (2013 / 2016)
Picking up after the brutal events on Cerberus, the second book deals directly with the fallout of the campaign. Katja, Jack, and Thomas are haunted by their actions and the loss of their comrades. While the military command treats them as heroes, they are sent on a diplomatic and peacekeeping mission that quickly devolves into a web of conspiracy, sabotage, and political assassinations. The tone shifts toward a slower-burn thriller, exploring how soldiers cope with post-traumatic stress and the moral ambiguity of their orders.
3. March of War (2017)
The final volume of the trilogy raises the stakes to an absolute maximum. Tensions between Earth and the Centauri colony worlds have erupted into all-out war. Katja and her surviving allies must infiltrate the Centauri homeworld in a desperate attempt to prevent an apocalyptic clash that could destroy both civilizations. The book brings the story arcs of the main characters to a dramatic, satisfying conclusion while offering a powerful anti-war message under its explosive action.
Nomenclature and Publication Caveats
Readers researching this trilogy online may find conflicting titles and release dates due to the series' publication history. Coles originally self-published the first two books through his indie press, Promontory Press, before the trilogy was picked up by major publisher Titan Books. During this transition, some books were renamed and re-released:
- Book 1: Originally published as Virtues of War in 2011, it was re-released in a newly edited and polished edition by Titan Books in 2015.
- Book 2: Originally published under the title Casualties of War in 2013. When Titan Books acquired the rights, it was retitled Ghosts of War and released in March 2016. They are the exact same novel, so readers only need to read one of them.
- Book 3: March of War was published directly by Titan Books in 2017 and did not undergo any title changes.
Tie-Ins and Interactive Fiction
To fully experience the Astral Saga, readers can integrate two additional works that expand on the main trilogy:
- "Twenty Excellent Reasons" (2017 Short Story): Published in the science fiction anthology Infinite Stars (edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt), this short story is set within the Virtues of War universe. Chronologically, it takes place between the events of Ghosts of War and March of War, providing extra context on the brewing conflict.
- Fog of War: The Battle for Cerberus (2019 Interactive Novel): This is a 170,000-word text-based interactive game written by Coles and published by Choice of Games. Set in the same universe, it allows players to step into the boots of a young Astral Corps sublieutenant commanding a platoon during the early days of the Cerberus campaign. While it features original characters, it offers a deeper look at the ground war mentioned in the first novel and is a highly recommended companion piece.
The Blackwood & Virtue Series in Detail
Stepping away from the gritty realism of the Astral Corps, the Blackwood & Virtue series is a swashbuckling space adventure set in a universe where imperial starships resemble sailing vessels navigating the currents of space. The series focuses on the partnership between Commander Lord Liam Blackwood—an honorable officer from an aristocratic background—and Petty Officer Amelia Virtue, an exceptionally clever mechanic from the lower decks. Together, they command the HMSS Daring under orders from His Imperial Majesty.
1. Winds of Marque (2019)
The series opener introduces the crew of the HMSS Daring. Tasked with posing as a privateer ship to hunt down elusive space pirates without officially involving the Royal Navy, Blackwood and Virtue must navigate treacherous regions of space. The novel sets up the class tensions, naval traditions, and lighthearted, fast-paced adventure that define the series.
2. Dark Star Rising (2020)
The second adventure sees the crew of the HMSS Daring pulled deeper into imperial politics and espionage. An apparent pirate threat turns out to be part of a much larger conspiracy that could tear the empire apart. Amelia Virtue's mechanical genius and Liam Blackwood's tactical brilliance are put to the ultimate test as they face enemies both within the navy and out in the deep dark.
3. Light in the Abyss (2024)
Released in May 2024, the third book follows the crew as the threat of an open civil war looms over the empire. The HMSS Daring is sent on a high-risk mission into uncharted sectors of space, where the crew faces unexpected environmental hazards and must rely on their sailing skills to survive.
4. On Halo Tides (2026)
The fourth book, released in 2026, continues the ongoing narrative. As the imperial borderlands descend into conflict, Blackwood and Virtue are forced to make difficult moral choices to protect their crew and maintain their loyalty to the crown in a rapidly changing galaxy.
Standalone Short Stories
Aside from his primary series, Coles has written a standalone science fiction short story titled "All Quiet on the Temporal Front", published in March 2013. This story is an independent, time-travel themed military sci-fi work that is not connected to either the Virtues of War universe or the Blackwood & Virtue series, making it a quick, self-contained read for fans of time-travel fiction.
What to Know Before You Start
Bennett R. Coles writes science fiction from an insider's perspective. Because he spent 15 years as a naval officer, his descriptions of shipboard life, naval terminology, chain of command, and tactical operations carry a level of realism that sets his books apart from typical space operas. If you are starting the Virtues of War trilogy, expect a mature, dark look at the psychological damage inflicted by combat. If you choose the Blackwood & Virtue series, expect a lighter, retro-futuristic blend of classic age-of-sail traditions mixed with advanced space technology. Both series are highly episodic within their overall narrative arcs, meaning you should definitely read them in order rather than skipping around.