Where to Start Reading Danielle Stinson
Danielle Stinson's bibliography spans two distinct styles, making your starting point dependent on your preferred genre. If you love fast-paced young adult science fiction with emotional depth, survivalist action, and reality-warping mysteries, you should begin with her solo debut novel, Before I Disappear. It is a standalone work that offers a self-contained, high-stakes story.
If you prefer adult historical fiction, epic mythological retellings, and sweeping narratives told from the perspective of overlooked historical figures, you should dive into the books she co-wrote with Ashlee Cowles under the joint pseudonym A.D. Rhine. This collection, known as the A Novel of Troy series, is a chronological duology that must be read in order, starting with Horses of Fire.
Danielle Stinson's Solo Works
Before I Disappear (2019)
Published in 2019, Danielle Stinson's debut novel is a young adult science fiction mystery set in the eerie, isolated town of Fort Glory, Oregon. The story follows seventeen-year-old Rose Montgomery, whose family moves to Fort Glory in search of a fresh start. However, when Rose returns home from an errand, she discovers that the entire town—along with her little brother Charlie—has vanished into thin air, leaving behind a massive, unnatural crater.
To save her brother, Rose must cross the boundary into "the Fold," a liminal, reality-bending dimension that has swallowed Fort Glory. Inside the Fold, physical laws do not apply, and survivors are hunted by their own worst fears and internal darkness. The book blends scientific concepts like dimensional physics with a strong emotional core focused on sibling love, maternal protection, and surviving trauma. Readers who enjoy atmospheric stories like Stranger Things or classical dimension-hopping adventures like A Wrinkle in Time will find this standalone novel highly engaging.
The Historical Novels of A.D. Rhine
In addition to her solo young adult writing, Danielle Stinson co-writes adult epic historical fiction under the pen name A.D. Rhine. She shares this pseudonym with her lifelong friend and fellow author, Ashlee Cowles. Both grew up as military children, moving frequently and bonding over their shared experiences and love for classical literature. Their collaboration has produced the A Novel of Troy duology, which reimagines the final days of the legendary Trojan War through the eyes of four key women: Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra.
A Novel of Troy Duology Reading Order
The A.D. Rhine books follow a strict chronological sequence and should be read in publication order:
- Horses of Fire (2023): The first book in the duology introduces readers to a gritty, grounded Troy on the brink of collapse. Instead of focusing solely on legendary kings and warriors, the narrative is driven by the women of the city. We follow Andromache, Helen, Cassandra, and Rhea (a horse-whisperer from the Trojan hills) as they struggle to survive and protect their loved ones during the siege.
- Daughters of Bronze (2024): The concluding chapter of the duology picks up as the decade-long Trojan War reaches its devastating climax. The novel focuses on the aftermath of the city's fall, the survival strategies of the remaining Trojan women, and the complex choices they must make to preserve their legacy and build a future from the ashes of Troy.
Complete Bibliography of Danielle Stinson
Here is the chronological order of Danielle Stinson's books, including her solo YA release and her collaborative historical novels written under her pseudonym:
- Before I Disappear (2019) — Solo Young Adult Sci-Fi Standalone
- Horses of Fire (2023) — Co-authored as A.D. Rhine (A Novel of Troy, Book 1)
- Daughters of Bronze (2024) — Co-authored as A.D. Rhine (A Novel of Troy, Book 2)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Danielle Stinson's work, it helps to understand the recurring themes that shape her writing. Having grown up in a military family, Stinson moved frequently as a child, living in locations ranging from Germany to Alaska. This nomadic lifestyle inspired her deep appreciation for sibling bonds, protective family instincts, and the feeling of trying to find home in an unstable environment. These elements are highly prominent in both the survivalist YA atmosphere of Before I Disappear and the wartime struggles in the A Novel of Troy duology.
Additionally, while Before I Disappear is marketed to teenagers, its mature themes—addressing domestic abuse, bullying, and psychological trauma—give it a crossover appeal for adult readers. On the other hand, the A.D. Rhine books are targeted specifically at adult audiences, featuring mature themes, violence, and complex political intrigue fitting for a Trojan War epic.