Books On Board

Carol Ashby Books in Order

  • 13 Books
  • 2016 – 2023 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start with Carol Ashby

Carol Ashby’s Light in the Empire series is a sprawling, immersive collection of Christian historical fiction set during the height of the Roman Empire (AD 106–129). Because each novel is written to function as a complete, self-contained story, you can technically dive in anywhere. However, the characters, locations, and Roman families are deeply interconnected. To get the richest possible experience and avoid minor character spoilers, you have two primary reading paths to choose from.

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)

Reading in publication order allows you to experience the world exactly as Carol Ashby developed it. You start with her debut novel, Forgiven, which sets the spiritual tone of the series, and gradually trace how minor characters from early books step into the spotlight in subsequent volumes.

  1. Forgiven (2016)
  2. Blind Ambition (2017)
  3. The Legacy (2017)
  4. Faithful (2018)
  5. Second Chances (2018)
  6. True Freedom (2019)
  7. Hope Unchained (2019)
  8. Honor Bound (2020)
  9. Hope's Reward (2020)
  10. More Than Honor (2021)
  11. What Matters Most (2021)
  12. Truth and Honor (2023)
  13. Crushed Hopes and Hopeful Beginnings (2023)
  14. River of Life (2024)
  15. What Loyalty Demands (2025/2026)

Option 2: Chronological Order

If you prefer to follow the historical timeline of the Roman Empire from the conquests of Trajan through the administrative reign of Hadrian, you can read the books in chronological order. This sequence groups books by their internal dates (from AD 106 to AD 129), showcasing the evolution of the empire and the early Christian church over a quarter-century.

  1. Hope Unchained (AD 106) — Set in Germania/Rome
  2. Hope's Reward (AD 106) — Set in Thessalonica and Dacia
  3. Blind Ambition (AD 114) — Set in Rome/Germania
  4. The Legacy (AD 114) — Set in Rome/Germania
  5. What Loyalty Demands (AD 117) — Set in Roman Britain
  6. True Freedom (AD 118) — Set in Rome
  7. Forgiven (AD 122) — Set in Galilee, Judaea
  8. Faithful (AD 122) — Set in Rome
  9. Second Chances (AD 122) — Set in Rome and Thracia
  10. Honor Bound (AD 122–123) — Set in Germania
  11. Crushed Hopes and Hopeful Beginnings (AD 126) — Set in Egypt (Prequel novella to River of Life)
  12. More Than Honor (AD 126) — Set in Rome
  13. What Matters Most (AD 127) — Set in Rome
  14. Truth and Honor (AD 128) — Set in Roman Carthage
  15. River of Life (AD 129) — Set in Egypt

Understanding the Core Roman Families

Rather than following a single protagonist, the series follows the overlapping lives of several prominent Roman families of the senatorial class. Keeping track of these family lines will help you spot recurring characters and understand their motivations across different books:

  • The Drusus Family: This family is central to the very beginning and mid-points of the series. Members of the Drusus household drive the plots of Forgiven, The Legacy, Second Chances, True Freedom, and are referenced in More Than Honor.
  • The Lentulus Family: Prominently featured in the early timeline, this family's members guide the narratives in Blind Ambition and Faithful.
  • The Crassus Family: Intersecting frequently with the Lentulus family, this line is featured across Blind Ambition, Faithful, and Honor Bound.
  • The Sabinus Family: This family connects the Roman government and military spheres, taking center stage in The Legacy, Honor Bound, More Than Honor, and What Matters Most.

What to Know Before You Start

Carol Ashby brings a unique background to her fiction. Before writing historical novels, she earned a Ph.D. in chemistry and worked as a research scientist, publishing technical works on semiconductors and lasers. This analytical training translates into a strict obsession with historical accuracy. Ashby relies on over 100 academic source books to reconstruct the roads, politics, social classes, and daily lives of the Roman Empire.

While the backdrop features Roman legions, gladiatorial culture, and the threat of persecution, the stories focus heavily on internal journeys of faith, forgiveness, and reconciling deep-seated differences. The books avoid graphic violence, focusing instead on character development, historical espionage, and clean romance.

Spin-offs, Prequels, and Novellas

While the primary volumes are full-length novels, Ashby has also written shorter works that enrich the main timeline. The novella Crushed Hopes and Hopeful Beginnings serves as a direct prequel to River of Life, taking place three years prior and exploring the backstory of the slave Lusario. Reading these two back-to-back is highly recommended for the best emotional payoff.

Frequently Asked

Can Carol Ashby's books be read as standalones?

Yes, all books in the Light in the Empire series are written as standalone novels with complete, self-contained story arcs. However, reading them in publication or chronological order offers a richer experience because of recurring characters.

Which Carol Ashby book should I read first?

The best starting point is Forgiven, which is Carol Ashby's debut novel. If you prefer to read chronologically by the internal historical timeline, you should start with Hope Unchained, which takes place in AD 106.

What is the historical setting of the Light in the Empire series?

The series is set in the 2nd century Roman Empire, spanning the years AD 106 to AD 129. The stories take place during the reigns of Emperors Trajan and Hadrian across locations like Germania, Judaea, Britannia, Rome, Carthage, and Egypt.

Are there any co-authored books in the series?

No, Carol Ashby is the sole author of the entire Light in the Empire historical fiction series.

How does Carol Ashby's scientific background affect her writing?

Holding a Ph.D. in chemistry, Ashby uses her analytical research skills to ensure extreme historical accuracy, drawing from over 100 academic books to recreate authentic details of Roman life, maps, and cultural settings.

Where does the novella Crushed Hopes and Hopeful Beginnings fit?

Crushed Hopes and Hopeful Beginnings is a prequel novella to River of Life. It is set in AD 126, three years before the events of River of Life (AD 129), and details the backstory of the character Lusario.