Brendan Reichs Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Brendan Reichs

Brendan Reichs is known for crafting high-energy, suspenseful stories that blend science fiction, mystery, and thriller elements. Because his books range from middle-grade paranormal adventures to mature young adult dystopian series, the best starting point depends on your age group and reading preferences:

• For Dystopian and Thriller Fans (Young Adult): Start with Nemesis, the first book in the Project Nemesis trilogy. It is a solo series that features a mix of survival games, conspiracies, and world-ending stakes.
• For Sci-Fi Mystery and Adventure Lovers (Young Adult): Start with Virals, co-authored with his mother, Kathy Reichs. This series features a group of teenagers who develop wolf-like superpowers and use them to solve crimes.
• For Younger Readers (Middle Grade): Start with The DarkDeep, co-authored with Ally Condie, which captures a spooky, collaborative vibe perfect for fans of mystery portals and creature adventures.

The Virals Series Reading Order

Co-authored with bestselling crime novelist Kathy Reichs, the Virals series is a spin-off of the famous Temperance Brennan (Bones) books. The series features Tory Brennan, the grandniece of Temperance Brennan, and her group of friends on Morris Island. After contracting a mutated canine parvovirus, they develop heightened senses and reflexes, which they use to solve local cold cases and conspiracies.

While the main novels are straightforward, several critical novellas expand the story. You can read them in publication order or chronological order. All the novellas were eventually compiled in the collection Trace Evidence (2016), which is the easiest way to read them physically.

Virals Recommended Reading Order

1. Virals (2010) – The main series kicks off here, introducing Tory and her friends as they discover their powers.
2. Seizure (2011) – The second main book, following the group as they search for a pirate's lost treasure to save their island home.
3. Shift (2013) – A novella set between Seizure and Code (often listed as Book 2.5).
4. Code (2013) – The third main novel, where the team must solve an elaborate geocaching game set by a dangerous stalker.
5. Swipe (2013) – A novella set between Code and Exposure (often listed as Book 3.5).
6. Exposure (2014) – The fourth main novel, where the group's secrets are exposed and they face kidnapping threats.
7. Shock (2015) – A prequel novella (often numbered 0.5) that details Tory's initial move to Morris Island. While chronologically first, it is best read after you are already familiar with the characters. Note that some early listings trace its conception back to 2009, but it was published digitally as a standalone in 2015 before being collected.
8. Terminal (2015) – The fifth and final main novel of the core storyline.
9. Spike (2016) – A follow-up short story set after the events of Terminal (often listed as Book 5.5).
10. Trace Evidence (2016) – A collection that binds together the novellas Shock, Shift, Swipe, and the exclusive post-series story Spike.

The Project Nemesis Trilogy Reading Order

If you prefer solo work by Brendan Reichs, the Project Nemesis trilogy is a fast-paced young adult sci-fi thriller. The story follows Min Wilder and Noah Livingston in a world threatened by an impending asteroid impact, where a dark conspiracy causes them to be murdered on their sophomore birthdays only to wake up alive and unharmed. This series should be read strictly in order of publication:

1. Nemesis (2017) – The thriller begins as Min and Noah uncover the bizarre loop of their deaths and the secrets of their town.
2. Genesis (2018) – The second installment, where the characters find themselves trapped in a simulated survival game.
3. Chrysalis (2019) – The epic conclusion to the trilogy where the characters must make their final escape.

The Darkdeep Trilogy Reading Order

Co-authored with Ally Condie, The Darkdeep series is aimed at middle-grade readers. Set in the Pacific Northwest, it follows a group of kids who discover a mysterious, dark pool in the woods that brings their thoughts and fears to life. The series is a trilogy and should be read in chronological order:

1. The DarkDeep (2018) – The group discovers the pool and must deal with the creatures they accidentally create.
2. The Beast (2019) – The stakes rise as the pool's power spreads and a strange local legend begins to wake up.
3. The Torchbearers (2020) – The final book, where the kids must defend their town and understand the origin of the pool.

Graphic Novels & Anthologies

Aside from his major series, Brendan Reichs has written standalone graphic novels and contributed to prominent anthologies:

• Clark & Lex (2023) – A DC Comics graphic novel illustrated by Jerry Gaylord. It reimagines a teenage Clark Kent and Lex Luthor competing for a prestigious internship at LuthorCorp, forcing them to team up.
• Don't Turn Out the Lights (2020) – Reichs contributed a short story to this middle-grade horror anthology curated by Jonathan Maberry, which pays tribute to Alvin Schwartz's classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

What to Know Before You Start

Brendan Reichs transitioned into writing after working as a litigation attorney, earning his MFA in Creative Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. His legal background frequently informs the high-stakes conspiracies and logical puzzle-solving elements in his stories. Furthermore, his collaborative efforts with both Kathy Reichs (who brings forensic expertise) and Ally Condie (who brings strong character-driven pacing) offer distinctly different reading experiences depending on the series you choose.