How to Read the Future Worlds Series
Brian Guthrie's signature creation is the Future Worlds series, an ambitious blend of dystopian science fiction and epic fantasy set on the fragmented planet Bhana. Here, humans live in floating crust remnants called "shells," which rely on a precarious network for water and gravity while dragons fly through the void. Navigating this universe requires a clear path, especially with the existence of both a prequel novella and full-length novels.
Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the order of release, starting with the introductory novella that sets up the world's unique atmosphere and mechanics:
- Rise: Tears (2015) – The prequel novella that introduces the water-starved mechanics of Bhana, the role of scribes, and the early signs of the Shell Network's instability.
- Rise (2016) – The award-winning debut novel that centers on the scribe Logwyn as she investigates the collapse of the global shell network.
- Fall (2024) – The direct sequel, co-authored with Michelle Guthrie, which raises the stakes into all-out war and dives deeper into the mystery of the dragons.
The Books in Detail
1. Rise: Tears (2015)
This prequel novella is the perfect gateway to Bhana. Told through a dual first-person perspective, it frames the story around a royal scribe who is interviewing individuals to document the truth behind a brewing crisis. The core of the novella focuses on Micaela, an "Edger" who works alongside "Seekers" (the local law enforcement) to handle a major system malfunction. The story highlights the absolute scarcity of water, which is protected by energy shields, and establishes the atmospheric, tense tone of the series.
2. Rise (2016)
Winner of the Inkshares Nerdist Contest and a nominee for the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, Rise expands the narrative scope significantly. We follow Logwyn, an office-supply-obsessed scribe who discovers that the Network keeping the floating shells habitable is on the verge of total collapse. She is forced to partner with a diverse cast of characters, blending elements of high-tech systems management with classical fantasy adventure. It is a story of survival, ancient secrets, and the bridging of magic and technology.
3. Fall (2024)
Co-authored with Michelle Guthrie, Fall picks up where the debut novel left off. The collapse of the Network has escalated into open warfare, forcing the characters to fight not just for their lives, but for the future of Bhana itself. This installment expands on the dragon lore, showing how these creatures fit into a world of advanced tech and fractured gravity. The co-writing dynamic brings a richer character focus and higher emotional stakes to the epic conclusion of the duology's main arc.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because the series was written in chronological order, there is little deviation between the two paths. However, readers sometimes debate whether the prequel novella is mandatory before starting the main novel:
- The Prequel-First Path (Recommended): Reading Rise: Tears first provides invaluable context about how the shells function, the class divisions between Edgers and mainstream citizens, and the role of the Network. It makes the opening chapters of Rise much easier to digest.
- The Novel-First Path: Some readers prefer to jump straight into the meat of the story with Rise, utilizing its larger page count to get hooked on Logwyn's journey, then returning to Rise: Tears as a companion backstory before reading Fall.
What to Know Before You Start
Guthrie's writing style is heavily influenced by master world-builders like Timothy Zahn and Patrick Rothfuss. Bhana is not a typical sci-fi setting; it is a genre-blending sandbox where advanced technological networks dictate survival, yet dragons and swordplay are integrated into the culture. The tone balances serious philosophical questions about hidden truths and systemic collapse with lighthearted character quirks, such as the protagonist's obsession with stationery. If you enjoy hard sci-fi concepts wrapped in the wonder of fantasy, this series is custom-built for you.
Other Projects and Future Works
In addition to the Bhana storyline, Brian Guthrie has worked on other sci-fi concepts. His project After Man, co-authored with Michelle Guthrie, won the Inkshares Geek and Sundry Hard Science Fiction Contest. Unlike the Future Worlds series, After Man leans heavier into traditional hard science fiction themes. It is a separate project and should be read independently of the Bhana books.