C. Alexander London Books in Order

Where to Start Reading C. Alexander London

C. Alexander London (who also publishes simply as Alex London) has a highly diverse bibliography spanning multiple age groups and genres. Because his series are set in entirely different worlds, there is no single starting point. Instead, where you should begin depends on what kind of story you are looking for:

• For Young Adults seeking dark sci-fi: Start with Proxy. It is a fast-paced, thought-provoking cyberpunk thriller that serves as a fantastic introduction to his YA writing.
• For Young Adults seeking epic fantasy: Start with Black Wings Beating, the first book of the Skybound Saga, which builds a unique world centered around falconry and magic.
• For Middle-Grade Readers seeking high-octane adventure: Start with City of Thieves, the first book in the Battle Dragons series, which blends dragon-riding with modern cyberpunk-style racing.
• For younger readers seeking humor: Start with We Are Not Eaten by Yaks, the opening chapter of the hilarious Accidental Adventures tetralogy.

The Proxy Universe

One of London's most celebrated works is the Proxy duology, a YA cyberpunk story set in a dystopian future where the wealthy can purchase "proxies" to take their punishments. It features a diverse cast, high-stakes action, and deep ethical questions.

While the core story is a duology, there are also two companion short stories that expand the lore. The optimal reading order for this universe is:

1. Proxy (2013) – The core novel introducing Knox and his proxy, Ted.
2. Punishment: A Proxy Story (2014) – A prequel short story. Although chronologically first, it is best read after the first novel to avoid spoiling the world's mechanics.
3. Guardian (2014) – The direct sequel to Proxy, wrapping up the main storyline.
4. Daydreamer: A Proxy Short Story (2017) – A companion short story that provides extra flavor to the dystopian world.

The Skybound Saga

Writing as Alex London, the author crafted an epic fantasy trilogy called the Skybound Saga. This series focuses on siblings Kylee and Brysen in a world where birds of prey are used as weapons, tools, and objects of worship. The trilogy should be read in strict publication order:

1. Black Wings Beating (2018)
2. Red Skies Falling (2019)
3. Gold Wings Rising (2020)

Battle Dragons

For middle-grade readers, the Battle Dragons series delivers a thrilling adventure set in the futuristic city of Oakhaven, where humans and dragons live side-by-side, and illegal dragon-racing syndicates rule the streets. Read this trilogy in sequence:

1. City of Thieves (2021)
2. City of Speed (2022)
3. City of Secrets (2023)

The Accidental Adventures

This series represents London’s comedic middle-grade adventure debut. It follows twins Oliver and Celia Navel, who hate adventures but are constantly dragged into them by their explorer parents. The books follow a continuous narrative and should be read in order:

1. We Are Not Eaten by Yaks (2011)
2. We Dine with Cannibals (2012)
3. We Give a Squid a Wedgie (2013)
4. We Sled with Dragons (2013)

Military and Animal Adventures: Dog Tags and Tides of War

London has written two distinct, action-packed military fiction series for Scholastic, both highlighting the bond between soldiers and animal partners. While the series share thematic similarities, they are set in different contexts and can be read independently of each other.

Dog Tags Series

This series focuses on military dogs and their handlers in intense combat scenarios. Each book features a different pair, but they are best enjoyed in order:

1. Semper Fido (2012)
2. Strays (2012)
3. Prisoners of War (2014)
4. Divided We Fall (2014)

Tides of War Series

Focusing on the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program, this series follows handlers and their highly trained dolphins or sea lions. Read them in the following order:

1. Blood in the Water (2014)
2. Honor Bound (2014)
3. Enemy Lines (2015)
4. Endurance (2015)

The Wild Ones Trilogy

An animal-led fantasy series in the vein of Redwall meets Warriors, The Wild Ones follows a brave raccoon named Kit and a community of rogue animals defending their home in Animan (a secret animal civilization beneath a human city). The trilogy is structured as follows:

1. The Wild Ones (2015)
2. Moonlight Brigade (2016)
3. The Great Escape (2017)

Collaborations and Standalones

In addition to his own universes, London has contributed to major collaborative franchises. Most notably, he wrote for Scholastic's mega-popular The 39 Clues series:

• The 39 Clues: Doublecross Book 2 - Mission Hindenburg (2015) – Part of the multi-author Doublecross arc. To understand the plot, you should read the Doublecross books in order, starting with Jude Watson's Mission Titanic.
• The 39 Clues: Superspecial - Outbreak (2016) – A standalone special edition book in the franchise.

For younger readers, London also wrote the picture book The Adventures of Wrong Man and Power Girl! (2018). For adults, his poignant nonfiction book One Day the Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War Zones (2007) details his real-world experiences as a journalist and human rights researcher.