Where to Start Reading Christopher Hopper
With an expansive bibliography that spans military science fiction, space opera, hard sci-fi, and epic fantasy, knowing where to begin with Christopher Hopper depends entirely on your preferred genre. He has two major entry points that represent the best of his writing style:
- For Military Sci-Fi & Space Opera Fans: Start with the Ruins of the Galaxy universe. Co-authored with J.N. Chaney, this series is a high-octane, action-packed military sci-fi saga that hit #1 on Amazon and Audible. It is characterized by gritty combat, alien worlds, and deep camaraderie.
- For Classic Epic Fantasy Fans: Start with Rise of the Dibor, the first book in The White Lion Chronicles. This was Hopper's breakout debut trilogy, offering a rich, faith-infused high fantasy setting in a world that has never known a moral fall, suddenly forced to defend itself against creeping darkness.
The Ruins Universe: Chronological vs. Publication Order
The interconnected Ruins universe consists of two major subseries: Ruins of the Galaxy and its prequel series, Ruins of the Earth. How you approach these series depends on whether you prefer experiencing the timeline linearly or in the order of release.
Option 1: The Chronological Path (Recommended)
If you prefer a linear storyline where you see the origin of the conflict, you should start with the prequel series before moving into the galactic arena. This sequence builds the foundation of how humanity first makes contact with the broader galaxy and the initial wars that reshape Earth:
- Ruins of the Earth (2020)
- Gods and Men (2020)
- Phantom Deadfall (2021)
- Decayed Legacy (2021)
- Valley of the Dead (2021)
- Fire and Fury (2021)
- Ruins of the Galaxy (2019)
- Galactic Breach (2019)
- Gateway to War (2019)
- Void Horizon (2019)
- Black Labyrinth (2019)
- Imminent Failure (2020)
- Terminal Fallout (2020)
- Quantum Assault (2020)
- Rise of the Gladias (2020)
Option 2: The Publication Path
If you prefer to read the books in the order they were released, you will jump straight into the deep end of the space opera setting with Ruins of the Galaxy, then circle back to see how the Earth fell and survived in the prequel series. Many readers enjoy this order because Ruins of the Galaxy immediately establishes the grand scale of the universe, the advanced tech, and the political stakes, making the prequel series feel like a detailed historical flashback.
Other Science Fiction and Space Opera Series
Beyond his flagship co-authored franchise, Hopper has written several other sci-fi series that explore different themes, from survival games to cyberpunk-inflected space runs:
Infinita
A solo hard-SF thriller trilogy focusing on mystery, high-stakes exploration, and high-concept scientific concepts. Follow this order:
- Oblivion Awaits (2021)
- Parallax Rising (2022)
- Kogarashi's Run (2022)
Imperium Descent & Rim of Chaos
A sweeping solo space opera series by Hopper that delves into political intrigue, space combat, and falling empires. The spin-off novel Rim of Chaos (2024) is set within the same universe and is written by Christie Strahler and edited by Hopper.
- Imperium Descent (2022)
- Imperium Descent: Volume II (2022)
- Rim of Chaos (2024) (Companion / Spin-off)
Resonant Son
Another collaborative effort with J.N. Chaney, this series offers action-packed space exploration and sci-fi mystery:
- Resonant Son (2019)
- Resonant Abyss (2019)
Adaptives
A comedically gritty dystopian survival game series. Gabriel Stone, a U.S. Marine, and Chloe Lidell, a Texas farm girl, wake up in a featureless room and are forced to survive lethal challenges against alien beasts. The series begins with:
- Dark Harvest Rebellion (2024)
Epic Fantasy and Faith-Based Adventures
Hopper's early career was defined by rich fantasy worlds, many of which carry allegorical elements and Christian themes of sacrifice, light, and redemption.
The White Lion Chronicles
Set in the unfallen world of Dionia, this trilogy details the rise of the Dibor, elite young warriors trained to defend their paradise against the infiltration of an ancient evil named Morgui.
- Rise of the Dibor (2006)
- The Lion Vrie (2007)
- Athera's Dawn (2011)
The Berinfell Prophecies
Co-authored with renowned fantasy writer Wayne Thomas Batson, this trilogy follows seven elven Lords who are hidden on Earth as infants to protect them from a spider king, only to be summoned back as teenagers to save their homeland.
- Curse of the Spider King (2009)
- Venom and Song (2010)
- The Tide of Unmaking (2012)
Standalone Novels, Anthologies, and Other Worlds
If you want a quick taste of Hopper's solo writing style before committing to a multi-book series, you have a couple of options:
- The Sky Riders (Inventors World) (2013) – A standalone fantasy adventure set in a unique world of engineers, sky pilots, and aerial mystery.
- The Dogs of God: Science Fiction According to Chris (2020) – An anthology collection of Hopper's shorter science fiction stories, offering a great cross-section of his speculative ideas.