Chris Kennedy Books in Order

How to Start Reading Chris Kennedy

Chris Kennedy is a former naval aviator who brings real-world military experience, tactical precision, and a sense of brotherhood to his military science fiction. Because he is both a solo author and the head of Chris Kennedy Publishing (CKP), his name is attached to dozens of books, collaborative series, and shared universes. If you are new to his work, there are three primary starting points depending on your interests:

• For Epic, Shared-Universe Military Sci-Fi: Start with Cartwright's Cavaliers, the book that launched the massive Four Horsemen Universe (4HU). This series, co-created with Mark Wandrey, is Kennedy's most famous and expansive project.
• For Classic Solo Space Opera: Start with Janissaries, the opening novel of The Theogony Trilogy. This is the beginning of his flagship solo series following protagonist Shawn "Calvin" Hobbs.
• For Grounded Near-Future Techno-Thrillers: Start with Red Tide, the first book in the Occupied Seattle duology. This story imagines a Chinese military invasion of the American Pacific Northwest, utilizing authentic military strategy and tactics.

The Four Horsemen Universe (4HU) Reading Order

The Four Horsemen Universe is a massive shared universe featuring contributions from dozens of authors. In this universe, humanity enters a galactic community where they are outclassed technologically but highly valued as mercenaries. The books are structured in "cycles," and it is highly recommended to read them in narrative sequence rather than strict publication order. While many books work as standalones, the main story arcs build upon one another.

1. The Revelations Cycle (The Foundation)

This is the first cycle and the ideal entry point. It introduces the main factions, technology, and rules of the universe. The core reading order for this cycle is:

1. Cartwright's Cavaliers (by Mark Wandrey)
2. Asbaran Solutions (by Chris Kennedy)
3. Winged Hussars (by Mark Wandrey)
4. The Golden Horde (by Chris Kennedy)
5. A Fistful of Credits (Anthology)
6. Peacemaker (by Kevin Ikenberry)
7. For a Few Credits More (Anthology)
8. The Good, the Bad, and the Merc (Anthology)
9. CASPer Alamo (by Eric S. Brown)
10. Alpha Contracts (by Chris Kennedy)
11. Assassin (by Kacey Ezell)
12. Honor the Threat (by Kevin Ikenberry)

2. The Omega War Cycle

The second major story cycle raises the stakes of the galactic conflict. Follow this sequence for the core narrative:

1. A Fiery Sunset
2. The Midnight Sun
3. Dark Moon Arisen
4. Stand or Fall
5. Sinclair's Scorpions
6. Dirty Deeds
7. When the Axe Falls
8. A Pale Dawn
9. Do No Harm
10. Deathangel
11. Sons of the Lion
12. Alabaster Noon

3. The Guild Wars Cycle

Running alongside and following the events of the Omega War, this cycle focuses on smaller mercenary units and internal guild politics. Key books include:

• Storm Clouds
• Between Two Worlds
• Endless Night
• An Axe To Grind
• The Dark Before the Light
• Daughter of the Pride
• Gale Force
• One Minute to Midnight
• Night Song
• Sword of Minerva
• Eye of the Storm
• The Street Survivors
• And Break It Not
• Descent
• Three Steps to Oblivion
• Ally
• Tempest Rage

4. The Phoenix Initiative Cycle

The Phoenix Initiative is a newer subseries focusing on Joel "The Lyon" Lyons and his attempts to run the "Pride" mercenary company. Read them in this order:

1. The Lyons' Pride
2. World Enders
3. On a Cloudy Day
4. The Misfits
5. Companion to Darkness
6. First Missions
7. BRASS, Inc.
8. Gunpowder Geishas
9. Andromeda
10. Thicker than Water
11. Foiled Ambitions
12. Companions in Chains
13. Companion to Ghosts
14. Bureau 42

The Shawn "Calvin" Hobbs Saga (Theogony Universe)

For readers who prefer a single, continuous storyline following one protagonist, Chris Kennedy's Theogony Universe is the best fit. Shawn "Calvin" Hobbs is a fighter pilot who discovers alien intervention in Earth's history, leading to interstellar war. This saga spans three trilogies that must be read in chronological order:

Phase 1: The Theogony Trilogy

This is where the story begins, introducing Calvin Hobbs and the secret alien history of Earth.

1. Janissaries (2014)
2. When the Gods Aren't Gods (2014)
3. Terra Stands Alone (2014)

Phase 2: Codex Regius Trilogy

This series continues Calvin's journey as humanity expands into the wider galaxy and faces new political and military challenges.

1. The Search for Gram (2015)
2. Beyond the Shroud of the Universe (2015)
3. The Dark Star War (2016)

Phase 3: The Progenitors' War Trilogy

The final trilogy of the main Hobbs arc deals with the ancient precursors of the universe and the ultimate fate of human expansion.

1. A Gulf in Time (2019)
2. A Gulf in the Past (2020)
3. The Progenitors' War (2021)

Co-Authored and Collaborative Series

Because of his collaborative nature, Chris Kennedy has partnered with several other prominent sci-fi authors to write in shared or established universes.

Murphy's Lawless & the Terran Republic (with Charles E. Gannon)

Set in Gannon's popular Caine Riordan / Terran Republic universe, this spin-off series follows a group of 20th-century soldiers abducted by aliens in 1993 and awakened in the 22nd century. The recommended reading order for this specific branch is:

1. Shakes (2020)
2. Obligations (2020)
3. Man-Eater (2020)
4. Promises (2020)
5. Pearl (2020)
6. Waveoff (2020)
7. Infiltration (2021)
8. Insertion (2021)
9. Assault (2021)

Following these, Kennedy and Gannon co-wrote the primary collaborative novels Mission Critical (2023) and Admiral and Commander (2024) which bring the story back into the main Terran Republic space opera timeline.

Symbiote Wars (with J.N. Chaney)

This fast-paced military sci-fi series follows James Sutton as humanity becomes caught between warring factions of alien symbiotes. Read the series in direct chronological order:

1. Symbiote Wars (2024)
2. Opening Moves (2024)
3. Gaining the Edge (2024)
4. Recon by Fire (2024)
5. Assault (2024)

Out of the Dark (with David Weber)

David Weber began this alien invasion and resistance series in 2010 with Out of the Dark. Chris Kennedy joined him to co-author the sequels, which should be read in publication order:

1. Out of the Dark (by David Weber - 2010)
2. Into the Light (by David Weber & Chris Kennedy - 2021)
3. To Challenge Heaven (by David Weber & Chris Kennedy - 2024)

Shared Universes Published by Chris Kennedy Publishing

As a publisher, Chris Kennedy has helped foster several indie sci-fi universes. While he may not write every book, these are closely associated with his catalog and frequently crossover with his fans' interests:

• The Coalition / Salvage Universe (created by Kevin Steverson): A military sci-fi universe focused on salvaged alien technology and system defense. It starts with Hide the Lightning.
• The Fallen World (created by Christopher Woods): A post-apocalyptic mercenary series set in a world ravaged by corporate nuclear warfare. It begins with Broken City.