Where to Start Reading C.B. Lee
If you are new to C.B. Lee's writing, your starting point depends on your favorite genre. For fans of sci-fi, superhero tropes, and found-family dynamics, the absolute best place to begin is with Not Your Sidekick, the first novel in the popular Sidekick Squad series. It introduces you to Lee's signature blend of high-stakes action, diverse representation, and lighthearted, friendly storytelling.
If you prefer standalone fantasy with a cozy, romantic focus, you should start with Lee's debut novel, Seven Tears at High Tide. This magic-realism story centers on selkie lore and a queer romance, making it a perfect introduction to their heartfelt style without the commitment of a multi-book series.
The Sidekick Squad Series Reading Order
The Sidekick Squad is C.B. Lee's most famous series, set in a futuristic world where superheroes protect society—or so it seems. The story follows a group of teenagers who uncover the dark truths behind the hero league and decide to resist. While each book shifts its primary perspective to a different member of the squad, the narrative is strictly linear. You must read them in publication order to follow the character development and the overarching plot against the corrupt government.
Here is the recommended reading order for the Sidekick Squad:
- Not Your Sidekick (2016) – Follows Jess Tran, a power-less teen who takes an internship with a local supervillain.
- Not Your Villain (2017) – Shifts the perspective to Bells Turner, a trans boy with shape-shifting abilities who finds himself declared public enemy number one.
- Not Your Backup (2019) – Centers on Abby Liang, Jess's asexual best friend, who starts a training program for power-less allies and faces new betrayals.
- Not Your Hero (2022) – The final volume wraps up the squad's journey as they unite to save their city and challenge the superhero status quo.
Multi-Author Franchises and Retellings
C.B. Lee has also contributed to several collaborative, multi-author book series. Because these books are written by different authors and tell independent stories, they do not require you to read the rest of their respective series.
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix (2021)
This novel is the first installment in the Remixed Classics series, which features diverse authors rewriting classic literature. Lee's contribution is a brilliant, sapphic retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, set in the South China Sea and inspired by the real-life Chinese pirate queen Zheng Yi Sao. It is a completely standalone story, so you can enjoy it without reading any other books in the Remixed Classics collection.
Minecraft: The Shipwreck (2020)
Lee's adventure novel is part of the official Minecraft series published by Del Rey. While it is technically the seventh novel in the franchise's publication order, each Minecraft book features a unique set of characters and a standalone plot. The Shipwreck follows three friends who discover a mystery in a gaming community that carries over into a real-life exploration of an old wreck. You can pick this up at any time without reading the other Minecraft books.
Graphic Novels and Screen Tie-Ins
For younger readers or fans of comic books, C.B. Lee wrote a trilogy of original graphic novels based on the Cartoon Network reboot of Ben 10. While these are quick, episodic adventures, they are best read in order of release:
- Ben 10: The Truth Is Out There (2019)
- Ben 10: For Science! (2019)
- Ben 10: Mecha Madness (2020)
Anthologies and Short Fiction
If you want to read C.B. Lee's shorter work, they have contributed to several popular anthologies. Key entries include:
- "Lumber Me Mine" in Out Now: Queer We Go Again! (2020) – A contemporary queer young adult anthology.
- "A Good Kiss" in From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (2020) – A Star Wars anthology story focusing on the evacuation of Echo Base on Hoth.