Christopher Johns Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

If you are jumping into the works of Christopher Johns, the absolute best starting point is his flagship portal fantasy series, Axe Druid. Not only is it his most popular work, but it also establishes the fantasy world of Brindolla, which acts as the cornerstone for his fantasy writing. Once you finish the main six-book story arc of Axe Druid, you can seamlessly transition to its direct sequel series, Brindollan Affairs, or branch out into his urban fantasy and VRMMO series that share the same overarching universe.

Here is the recommended path to experience his books to the fullest:

1. Start with Axe Druid (Books 1-6): Follows Zeke and his gaming friends who are transported to the fantasy world of Brindolla. This series should be read first and in strict publication order.
2. Read Brindollan Affairs: A direct follow-up set in the same world, focusing on the next generation of heroes.
3. Explore High Table Hijinks (Books 1-4): An urban fantasy series set on Earth featuring Sergeant Marcus Bola. It features explicit universe crossovers and references to Axe Druid, particularly in the third book.
4. Dive into Mephisto's Magic Online (Books 1-3): A VRMMO series that transitions into a system apocalypse. It exists in the same shared universe and is best read after you are familiar with Johns's storytelling style.

Axe Druid Series

The Axe Druid series is a classic portal fantasy (isekai) LitRPG. It follows Zeke, a young man who, along with his real-life gaming buddies, is summoned to the fantasy world of Brindolla after answering a mysterious call for help. Zeke ends up taking on the unconventional class of an Axe Druid, combining nature magic with heavy martial combat. The series is highly praised for its depiction of camaraderie and team-based tactics, which Johns drew directly from his personal experiences serving in the United States Marine Corps.

The series is complete and should be read in its chronological publication order:

• Into the Light (2019)
• Into the Dragon's Den (2019)
• Into the Hells (2019)
• Into the Darkness (2020)
• Into the Storm (2020)
• Into the Wild (2020)

Brindollan Affairs Series

Set in the same fantasy world as Axe Druid, this series shifts the focus to the next generation of Brindolla's royalty. The story follows Prince Azlo and Princess Nadir, the children of the legendary heroes who saved the realm. Rather than enjoying lives of quiet luxury, they are thrust into political schemes, monster hunts, and magical conflicts. It functions as a direct sequel and spin-off, meaning readers will get the most enjoyment out of it by reading the Axe Druid series first.

Read the books in this order:

• Forge Sorcerer (2023)
• Legacy (2023)

High Table Hijinks Series

This series moves the action from high fantasy portal worlds to urban fantasy on Earth. The story follows Sergeant Marcus Bola, a military veteran who discovers a hidden world of gods, mythological creatures, and secret factions when he unexpectedly gains access to a magical leveling system. The series blends gritty combat with Johns's signature humor and military camaraderie.Because it is set in the same shared universe as Axe Druid, sharp-eyed readers will notice subtle connections, including a major nod and crossover sequence in the third volume, Land of Drunken Pharaohs. The publication and reading order is as follows:

• Galaxy (2021)
• Old-Fashioned Huntsman (2021)
• Land of Drunken Pharaohs (2021)
• Oni Umeshu Mojito (2022)

Mephisto's Magic Online Series

For fans of virtual reality gaming and system apocalypse scenarios, Mephisto's Magic Online offers a slightly different flavor of GameLit. It begins with a group of popular online streamers entering a highly anticipated, deeply personalized virtual reality fantasy game. However, the stakes quickly escalate as the digital boundary begins to bleed into real life. Fans speculate that this series represents the furthest point chronologically in the author's shared universe, though it can be read independently from his other series.

Read the trilogy in this order:

• Mageblood (2020)
• Crimson Queen (2020)
• Aetherocalypse (2021)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Christopher Johns's books, there are a few key elements that define his writing style. First is the strong emphasis on team dynamics. Drawing from his time as a combat correspondent and photojournalist in the Marine Corps, Johns excels at portraying genuine brotherhood, military-style banter, and tactical coordination. The friendships in his books are inspired by his real-life companions, giving the dialogue an authentic, lived-in feel.

Second, his books feature explicit GameLit mechanics, including status screens, level-ups, and class progression. However, Johns keeps the pacing fast and avoids letting the numbers bog down the narrative. If you enjoy action-heavy fantasy, lighthearted humor, and stories that focus on the bonds between allies, this shared universe is highly rewarding.