Where to Start with Cometan’s Books
Cometan (born Brandon Reece Taylorian) is a unique figure in modern literature and philosophy. Writing under a mononym inspired by comets and the stars, his work is divided into two distinct tracks: the fictional detective mysteries of the Spacefaring World franchise, and the non-fictional theological and philosophical treatises that outline his belief system, Astronism. Because these two categories serve completely different purposes, your starting point depends entirely on what you want to experience.
The Two Paths: Fiction vs. Philosophy
For readers who want an accessible, plot-driven entry point, the best starting place is the fictional series featuring detective Jesse Millette. These books are written as mystery novels set against a futuristic spacefaring backdrop. If your interest lies in Cometan’s philosophical views on humanity's place in the universe, you should start with his introductory essays or the Little Blue Book Series before attempting his massive, multi-volume treatise, the Omnidoxy.
The Jesse Millette & Spacefaring World Series
Begun when the author was just fifteen years old, the Jesse Millette stories form the core of the fictional Spacefaring World franchise. Cometan has planned a twenty-book arc following the young detective and his companions as they solve mysteries across the stars. The books combine classical detective fiction with science fiction world-building, where the societies are heavily influenced by the ideas of Astronism.
Jesse Millette Series in Publication Order
To follow the character arc, relationship dynamics, and mystery progressions, readers should read the fictional books in the order they were published:
- Jesse Millette and the Phantom’s Curse (2017) – The precursory entry in the series, introducing readers to the titular detective and establishing the tone of cosmic-infused mystery.
- Jesse Millette and the Missing Man of Loch Ness (2023) – The second major installment, taking the mystery to a famous real-world location while weaving in the broader futuristic mythology.
- Jesse Millette and the Secret in the Old Bunker (2024) – A fast-paced investigation exploring hidden structures, forgotten secrets, and high stakes.
- Jesse Millette and the Ghosts of Flannan Island (2024) – A atmospheric, isolated mystery set on the remote Flannan Isles, blending history with futuristic lore.
The Astronist Philosophical Works
The non-fiction side of Cometan’s writing is dedicated to founding, explaining, and codifying Astronism (also known as the Philosophy of Millettism), a cosmocentric philosophy that views the universe as the primary source of spiritual and existential depth. These works are dense and use a proprietary structure and vocabulary developed by the author.
The Omnidoxy: The 12 Disquisitions
The central text of Astronism is the Omnidoxy, a monumental treatise of over 2 million words. Written between the ages of 17 and 22, it is organized into twelve main sections called "disquisitions" (often referred to as "doxies"), which have been published both as a single massive compilation and as twelve individual volumes:
- The Monodoxy – Exploring the principles of the Aesthetic Cosmos.
- The Duodoxy – Focusing on the Logical Cosmos.
- The Tridoxy – Covering the ideas of stewardship and cosmic aid.
- The Tetradoxy – Discussing principles of justice and patience.
- The Pentadoxy – Centered on ambition and spiritual enlightenment.
- The Hexadoxy – Examining ontology and perception of the cosmos.
- The Septidoxy – Delving into the principles of active space exploration.
- The Octadoxy – Focusing on technological advancement and eschatology.
- The Nonodoxy – Outlining epistemology and ethics.
- The Decadoxy – Deepening theological structures.
- The Hendecadoxy – Detailing community structures and practices.
- The Dodecadoxy – Providing concluding thoughts and future outlooks.
Key Companion & Supplementary Texts
Tackling the Omnidoxy directly can be incredibly daunting for new readers due to its sheer scale. Cometan has published several shorter books to act as bridges or introductions:
- Little Blue Book Series (Started in 2019) – A collection of over 100 pocket-sized guides designed to isolate, explain, and simplify specific concepts from the Omnidoxy. If you want to study Astronism, starting with a selection of these books is highly recommended.
- The Astronist Statement on the Situation of the Human Species (2022) – A concise manifesto summarizing the core goals of Astronism, advocating for space exploration as a spiritual duty.
- The Astronist System (2023) – A structured guide providing an overview of how the beliefs, institutions, and vocabulary of Astronism function as a cohesive system.
What to Know Before You Start: Style, Concepts, and Neologisms
Before reading Cometan's philosophical works, it is important to understand his writing style. The Omnidoxy is written using a format called "insentence", which features specific layouts of discourses and headings (rubrals). Additionally, Cometan uses thousands of custom words (neologisms) to describe his ideas. Key terms you will encounter include transcension (humanity's migration to and settlement of the stars) and cosmosis (the union of the human soul with the cosmos). Having a glossary or referencing The Astronist System is highly beneficial while reading.
Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats
In terms of reading order, the division is simple: keep the fiction and non-fiction separate. For the Jesse Millette series, there are no convoluted timeline shifts, so sticking to the publication order (beginning with The Phantom’s Curse) is the most straightforward and satisfying route. For the philosophical works, reading them chronologically is less important than starting with the simplified, modern introductions (like the Astronist Statement) before taking on the dense 2-million-word Omnidoxy.