Where to Start with Bob Blanton
If you are new to Bob Blanton's books, your starting point will depend on the kind of science fiction or fantasy adventure you want to experience. Bob Blanton specializes in stories driven by problem-solving, technology, and optimistic progression, avoiding grimdark tropes in favor of human ingenuity. There are three primary entry paths into his works:
- For Space Opera and Technological Uplift: Start with Starship Sakira, the opening novel of the Delphi in Space series. This is Blanton's most famous and expansive series, following a family that uses discovered alien tech to elevate Earth.
- For Collaborative Military Sci-Fi and AI: Start with Admiral’s Choice, which initiates the Laim-Saga, a series co-authored with physicist Aybiline I. Dahlson. It features galactic politics, space warfare, and strong female leads.
- For Young Adult Urban Fantasy: Start with Matthew and the Stone, the debut novel that launched the Stone series. It focuses on a teenager who acquires a mysterious artifact with magical properties.
Delphi in Space Reading Order
The Delphi in Space series is a linear, sequential narrative. Each book builds directly on the technical, political, and structural achievements of the previous installment, meaning the series should be read strictly in order of publication. The story follows the McCormack family as they build Delphi City, construct an orbital space station, establish a sovereign nation, and navigate diplomacy with alien empires.
Below is the complete reading order for the main series:
- Starship Sakira (2019)
- Delphi City (2019)
- Delphi Station (2019)
- Delphi Nation (2019)
- Delphi Alliance (2020)
- Delphi Federation (2020)
- Delphi Exploration (2020)
- Delphi Colony (2020)
- Delphi Challenge (2021)
- Delphi League (2021)
- Delphi Embassy (2021)
- Delphi Diversion (2021)
- Delphi Forge (2022)
- Delphi Envoy (2022)
- Delphi Diplomacy (2022)
- Delphi Castaways (2023)
- Delphi Mediation (2023)
- Encounters of the Third Kind (2023) - Note: This is a short prequel story told from the perspective of the starship's AI, ADI, detailing her initial meeting with Marc McCormack. While it was published later, it is best read after you are already familiar with the characters (around book 17 or 18) to avoid spoilers.
- Delphi Crossroads (2024)
- Delphi Mirror (2025)
The Laim-Saga Reading Order
Co-authored with Aybiline I. Dahlson, the Laim-Saga blends space opera with hard military science fiction. It is highly recommended to read these books in their chronological publication order, as they chart the rising tensions within a vast galactic setting. Along with the main novels, the authors have written companion novellas that detail side events in the same universe.
Main Laim-Saga Novels
- Admiral’s Choice (2022)
- Queen's Move (2022)
- Emperor’s Folly (2022)
- Rebel's Quest (2023)
- Crystal's Law (2024)
- Emperor's Plot (2024)
- Admiral's Dream (2025)
- Earth at Stake (2025)
- She Alien (2025)
- Fallen Eclipse (2025)
Laim Companion Novellas
For readers who want to explore deeper into the lore of the Laim universe, there is a parallel line of novellas. Several of these, including Chained, Tempered, Breaking Free, and Betrayed, have been collected into anthology releases like the Admiral's Choice Collection. These novellas provide additional background on characters and factions and are best read alongside the early novels in the series.
The Stone Series Reading Order
The Stone series was Bob Blanton's debut project, exploring a contemporary young adult fantasy setting. It follows Matthew Brandt, a teenager who discovers a stone that grants him hidden martial abilities and supernatural powers, leading him into the world of espionage and undercover operations. The series has a simple, straightforward publication order:
- Matthew and the Stone (2017)
- Stone Ranger (2018)
- Stone Undercover (2019)
- Stone Investigations (2021)
What to Know Before You Start
Bob Blanton’s background as a long-time Hewlett-Packard engineer heavily influences his writing. His sci-fi is characterized by detailed engineering, logical progression, and problem-solving. Readers who enjoy stories about building empires, utilizing realistic-feeling technology, and progressive exploration will feel right at home. The main conflict in his books is rarely just about combat; instead, it centers on how societies react to sudden, disruptive technological changes and how to construct alliances based on mutual benefit. If you are looking for dark, dystopian narratives, you will not find them here; Blanton's universes are designed to showcase human potential and positive future outcomes.