C.J. Darlington Books in Order

Where to Start Reading C.J. Darlington

For readers new to C.J. Darlington, the best starting point is her award-winning debut novel, Thicker Than Blood (2009). This book introduces her signature style: emotionally resonant, faith-driven storytelling with realistic characters overcoming deep personal struggles. It is also the first entry in her primary contemporary series, making it the perfect gateway to her fiction.

If you prefer young adult speculative fiction, you should start with Jupiter Winds (2014), a dystopian adventure set in a future where teenagers fight to survive amidst extinct creatures and corporate control.

The Thicker Than Blood Series

Set against the unique backdrop of the antiquarian book trade and horse ranching in Elk Valley, Colorado, this contemporary Christian fiction series explores themes of family, estrangement, redemption, and healing. While each novel is structured to stand alone with its own self-contained plot, characters recur across the books, and reading them in publication order provides the most satisfying character arcs.

Recommended Reading Order for Thicker Than Blood

1. Thicker Than Blood (2009): Focuses on Christy Williams, a struggling antiquarian book buyer who is framed for a crime, and her estranged sister, May, who runs a Colorado horse ranch.
2. Bound by Guilt (2011): Introduces Roxi Gold, a homeless teenager running from a troubled past, who finds shelter and a second chance at the Triple Cross Ranch.
3. Ties That Bind (2014): Follows the continued stories of the Elk Valley community as secrets from the past threaten new relationships and testing characters' faith.
4. Running on Empty (2015): Focuses on Del Mangini, a young woman living out of her car who is suddenly thrust into caring for her younger half-sister.

The Jupiter Winds Series

For fans of science fiction, the Jupiter Winds series is a YA dystopian saga set in the 22nd century. The story follows Grey Alexander and her sister Rin as they smuggle contraband and search for their missing parents on a futuristic, terraformed Jupiter.

Publication vs. Chronological Order

The series consists of two main novels and a prequel novella. You can read them in either of the following ways:

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended for First-Time Readers)

Reading in publication order allows you to experience the main mystery first, then dive into the backstory later.

1. Jupiter Winds (2014)
2. Jupiter Storm (2016)
3. Under the Wire (2017) (Prequel novella #0.5)

Option 2: Chronological Order

If you prefer to read the events in the order they occurred in the universe's timeline, start with the prequel:

1. Under the Wire (2017)
2. Jupiter Winds (2014)
3. Jupiter Storm (2016)

Collaborative Work: Riverbend Friends Series

C.J. Darlington is also a contributing author to the Riverbend Friends series, a multi-author YA project published by Focus on the Family and Tyndale House. The series follows four high school friends (Tessa, Shay, Izzy, and Amelia) navigating teen struggles and faith in Riverbend, Indiana. Although the series features seven books, Darlington wrote two specific volumes:

• Searching for Normal (2021): The second book in the series, focusing on Shay's perspective.
• Heart of Belonging (2023): The sixth book in the series, focusing on Amelia's perspective.

The other books in the Riverbend Friends series were written by Stephanie Coleman, Jill Williamson, Sarah Anne Sumpolec, and Kathy Buchanan.

Standalone Fiction & Short Story Collections

Beyond her main series, Darlington has published works for younger audiences and short fiction:

• Out of Time (2012): A short story collection featuring three quick faith-centered tales about characters facing life-altering decisions.
• Alison Henry and the Creatures of Torone (2017): A children's fantasy novel about a young girl who discovers a hidden world of magical creatures and a mystical deer.

Non-Fiction Work

Drawing from her personal life as a horse owner in Pennsylvania, Darlington published a practical guide for equestrian enthusiasts:

• What I Wish I Knew When I Bought My First Horse (2016): A non-fiction handbook sharing lessons, tips, and advice for first-time horse owners.