Books On Board
author Reading Order

Brian Godawa Books in Order

18 Books
3 Series & collections
2011 – 2021 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start: The Recommended Path

If you are new to Brian Godawa's biblical sci-fi/fantasy universe, the best place to start is with his flagship series, Chronicles of the Nephilim. Specifically, you should begin with the book that started it all: Noah Primeval. Although there is a prequel (Enoch Primordial) that takes place earlier chronologically, starting with Noah Primeval introduces the core concepts of the cosmic war, the Nephilim, and the Watchers in a way that builds the world naturally for the reader.

Once you finish the eight core narrative books of the Nephilim series, you can seamlessly transition into the historical spin-offs of the Chronicles of the Watchers, and then conclude with the first-century eschatological thrillers in the Chronicles of the Apocalypse.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While reading in publication order is highly recommended for first-time readers to experience the evolution of the world's lore, chronological readers will find a deeply satisfying historical timeline that spans from the dawn of creation to the end of the first century.

The Combined Chronological Timeline

If you want to read the entire saga in the order of historical events, follow this sequence:

  1. Enoch Primordial (Nephilim #2) - Set before the Great Flood.
  2. Noah Primeval (Nephilim #1) - The era of the Flood.
  3. Gilgamesh Immortal (Nephilim #3) - The post-Flood world and the Rise of Nimrod.
  4. Moses: Against the Gods of Egypt (Watchers #4) - The Exodus era (approx. 1400 BC).
  5. Abraham Allegiant (Nephilim #4) - The life of Abraham and the destruction of Sodom.
  6. Joshua Valiant (Nephilim #5) - The conquest of Canaan (part 1).
  7. Caleb Vigilant (Nephilim #6) - The conquest of Canaan (part 2).
  8. David Ascendant (Nephilim #8) - The reign of David and his war against the giant clans.
  9. Jezebel: Harlot Queen of Israel / The Dragon King (Watchers #1) - Set during the divided kingdom of Israel (approx. 850 BC).
  10. Qin: Dragon Emperor of China (Watchers #3) - Expanding the cosmic conflict to ancient China (approx. 220 BC).
  11. Jesus Triumphant (Nephilim #9) - The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ, culminating in the defeat of the principalities.
  12. Tyrant (Apocalypse #1) - The reign of Nero and the early church under persecution (60s AD).
  13. Remnant (Apocalypse #2) - The lead-up to the siege of Jerusalem.
  14. Resistant (Apocalypse #3) - The Jewish revolt against Rome.
  15. Judgment (Apocalypse #4) - The fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the wrapping up of the apocalyptic age.

The Flagship Saga: Chronicles of the Nephilim

This series establishes the theological and mythological framework of Godawa's universe. It tells the story of the cosmic war between the Creator (Yahweh) and the fallen Watchers who rebelled and fathered the Nephilim giants.

  • Noah Primeval (2011) – The initial entry following Noah's battle against spiritual darkness.
  • Enoch Primordial (2012) – A prequel exploring Enoch's journey into the spiritual realms and the origins of the Watchers.
  • Gilgamesh Immortal (2012) – The story of the legendary king Gilgamesh as a giant seeking immortality.
  • Abraham Allegiant (2013) – Abraham's encounter with the giant kings of Canaan.
  • Joshua Valiant (2013) – The initial stages of the invasion of Canaan and the giant clans.
  • Caleb Vigilant (2013) – The continuation of the conquest focusing on Caleb's faith and warfare.
  • David Ascendant (2014) – Goliath's brothers and David's rise to the throne.
  • Jesus Triumphant (2015) – The ultimate climax of the Old Testament cosmic war during Christ's descent into Hades.

Note on Companion Books: Godawa has also written non-fiction theological guides, such as When Giants Were Upon the Earth (2014) and When Watchers Ruled the Nations (2020). These are best read after completing the fiction series if you want to dive into the historical and biblical research behind the lore.

The Historical Spin-offs: Chronicles of the Watchers

This series expands the universe by examining how the cosmic war and the remnants of the Watchers influenced other cultures and historical moments outside of the main biblical timeline.

  • The Dragon King / Jezebel: Harlot Queen of Israel (2016) – Focuses on Elijah's clash with Jezebel and the dark spiritual powers behind her.
  • Qin: Dragon Emperor of China (2019) – Explores the spiritual warfare surrounding the unification of ancient China under the first emperor.
  • Moses: Against the Gods of Egypt (2021) – The story of the Exodus re-framed as a direct assault on the territorial spirits of Egypt.

Companion Book: The Spiritual World of Jezebel and Elijah (2019) serves as a historical and theological companion detailing the ancient Near Eastern context of the Jezebel story.

The Eschatological Climax: Chronicles of the Apocalypse

This four-book series shifts the focus to the first century, adapting the Book of Revelation through a preterist lens, focusing on the destruction of Jerusalem and the spiritual forces driving the Roman Empire.

  • Tyrant (2017) – The rise of Nero as the beast of Rome.
  • Remnant (2017) – The escape of the early Christians from impending doom.
  • Resistant (2018) – The internal conflicts and Jewish rebellion against Roman occupation.
  • Judgment (2018) – The final destruction of Jerusalem and the victory of Christ's kingdom.

What to Know Before You Start

Brian Godawa's novels are heavily researched. Each book contains extensive appendices explaining the ancient Near Eastern mythology, biblical texts, and historical documents that inspired the plot. His writing style is cinematic and fast-paced, reflecting his background as a Hollywood screenwriter. While the books are Christian speculative fiction, they contain intense depictions of spiritual warfare, pagan rituals, and ancient battles, making them appeal to fans of epic historical fantasy as well.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Chronicles of the Nephilim before the other series?

While not strictly mandatory, it is highly recommended to start with the Chronicles of the Nephilim. This series sets up the theological rules, the nature of the Watchers, and the overarching cosmic conflict that carries over into the spin-offs and sequel series.

QIs Enoch Primordial or Noah Primeval the true first book?

Noah Primeval was published first and serves as the best introduction to the world's themes. However, Enoch Primordial is a prequel set chronologically before the Flood, so you can read it first if you prefer strict timeline order.

QWhat are the companion non-fiction books in the series?

Godawa wrote books like When Giants Were Upon the Earth and When Watchers Ruled the Nations to provide the historical, mythological, and biblical research backing his fictional stories. They are excellent companion reads but not required to follow the plot.

QHow does Chronicles of the Watchers relate to the main series?

It acts as a spin-off series focusing on the influence of the Watchers (fallen angels) in different nations and eras, such as ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and imperial China.

QWhat is the order of the Chronicles of the Apocalypse series?

The recommended reading order is: Tyrant, Remnant, Resistant, and then Judgment. This series should be read after completing the Chronicles of the Nephilim.