Where to Start Reading Christopher G. Nuttall
With an incredibly prolific output spanning space opera, epic fantasy, and alternate history, Christopher G. Nuttall offers several distinct entry points depending on your favorite genre. Rather than reading his entire catalog in publication order, readers are highly encouraged to choose one of his major flagship universes and read that specific series from the beginning.
For fans of military science fiction and starship combat, the best place to start is Ark Royal (2014), the first book in a massive, classic-style space opera series. If you prefer ground-based military sci-fi with themes of political collapse and survival, begin with The Empire's Corps (2011). Fantasy readers, particularly those who enjoy magical academies, portal fantasy, and progression elements, should begin with Schooled in Magic (2014) or the high-society magic of The Zero Blessing (2017) in The Zero Enigma series. If you prefer alternate history with steampunk and magic, The Royal Sorceress (2012) is the perfect gateway.
The Ark Royal Universe: Reading Order and Arcs
The Ark Royal series is a sprawling military science fiction saga consisting of 20 novels. While it functions as a continuous universe, it is structured around smaller story arcs and trilogies that follow different ships and crews. To get the most out of the overarching galactic conflicts, readers should follow the publication order:
- The First Trilogy (Books 1-3): Consists of Ark Royal (2014), The Nelson Touch (2014), and The Trafalgar Gambit (2014). This arc introduces the outdated, heavily armored interstellar supercarrier HMS Ark Royal and its crew as they defend humanity against an alien threat.
- The Warspite Arc (Books 4-6): Consists of Warspite (2014), A Savage War Of Peace (2015), and A Small Colonial War (2015). This arc shifts focus to the crew of the HMS Warspite under Captain John Naiser.
- The Vanguard/We Lead Arc (Books 7-10): Consists of Vanguard (2016), Fear God and Dread Naught (2016), We Lead (2017), and The Longest Day (2017).
- Later Conflicts (Books 11-20): Covers The Cruel Stars (2017), Invincible (2018), Para Bellum (2018), The Right of the Line (2019), The Lion and the Unicorn (2020), Fighting For The Crown (2021), Drake's Drum (2021), Endeavour (2022), The Lone World (2023), and concludes with Judgement Day (2023).
The Schooled in Magic Saga
The Schooled in Magic series is Nuttall's largest fantasy project, following Emily, a teenage girl from modern Earth who is magically transported to a medieval fantasy world. Over the course of 28 books, the series blends magical academy life, industrial revolution progression, and geopolitical warfare. The main novels should be read in publication order, but there are a few important novellas and side stories that slot into the timeline chronologically:
- Books 1-14: Read from Schooled in Magic (2014) through Graduation Day (2017).
- Book 14.5: Alassa's Tale (2018) is a novella that should be read after Graduation Day and before The Princess in the Tower (Book 16 in standard lists, though chronologically next).
- Books 15-23: Read from The Princess in the Tower (2018) through The Face of the Enemy (2021). Note that Alassa's Tale and Void's Tale are often listed out of numerical order in database lists but fit neatly as mid-series companion pieces.
- Book 23.5: Void's Tale (2021) should be read after The Face of the Enemy and before Child of Destiny (Book 26 in database lists, but Book 24 chronologically).
- Books 24-28: Read from Child of Destiny (2021) through The Apprentice Mistress (2024).
The Empire's Corps Series
For readers who appreciate gritty military sci-fi with heavy political and historical parallels, The Empire's Corps is a 22-book epic. Drawing inspiration from the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, the series follows Captain Edward Stalker and his Marines as they are exiled to the edge of the galaxy while the central galactic civilization collapses around them. The series is straightforward and should be read in chronological publication order:
- The Empire's Corps (2011)
- No Worse Enemy (2012)
- When The Bough Breaks (2013)
- Semper Fi (2013)
- The Outcast (2013)
- To the Shores (2013)
- Reality Check (2013)
- Retreat Hell (2014)
- The Thin Blue Line (2014)
- Never Surrender (2015)
- First to Fight (2015)
- They Shall Not Pass (2016)
- Culture Shock (2016)
- Wolf's Bane (2017)
- Cry Wolf (2019)
- Favour The Bold (2019)
- Knife Edge (2020)
- The Halls of Montezuma (2020)
- The Prince's War (2021)
- The Prince's Gambit (2022)
- The Princes Alliance (2022)
- The Forsaken (2024)
Other Major Series to Explore
The Zero Enigma
Set in a fantasy world where social status is determined by magical capability, this 12-book series focuses on Caitlyn, a girl born into a high noble family with no magic whatsoever. It should be read in order starting with The Zero Blessing (2017) and ending with The Alchemist's Secret (2024).
A Learning Experience
An uplifting, high-concept sci-fi series where a group of humans acquires advanced alien technology and must quickly learn to defend Earth from hostile galactic empires. The series spans 8 books, beginning with A Learning Experience (2014) and continuing through The Burning World (2024).
The Royal Sorceress
This 5-book steampunk and alternate history fantasy series is set in a Victorian England where magic exists but is highly regulated. It follows Gwendolyn Lestrange as she becomes the first official female Royal Sorceress. Read in order starting with The Royal Sorceress (2012) and concluding with The Revolutionary War (2023).
What to Know Before You Start
Nuttall is a highly successful independent author who publishes primarily through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. In line with a reader-first philosophy, all of his self-published books are distributed without Digital Rights Management (DRM). His writing style relies heavily on his deep interest in history, politics, and military tactics, meaning his sci-fi and fantasy series often deal with institutional inertia, logistical realities, and the societal impact of technological change.