D.J. Bodden Books in Order

Where to Start Reading D.J. Bodden

D.J. Bodden, a former Marine helicopter pilot and tech entrepreneur, writes fast-paced speculative fiction with a heavy emphasis on tactical realism, underdog heroes, and cooperative problem-solving. Because his books span distinct universes, your ideal starting point depends on your preferred genre:

• For LitRPG and GameLit Fans: Start with Nomad Soul, the first book in The Illusionist series. It is set in the popular Viridian Gate Online (VGO) expanded universe and offers an excellent entry point that balances high stakes with clever magic mechanics.
• For Hard Sci-Fi and Space Opera Fans: Start with The Starborn Heir, which kicks off the FiveFold Universe via the Zack Lancestrom trilogy. It is perfect for readers who enjoy galactic intrigue, ancient cosmic secrets, and military sci-fi.
• For Urban Fantasy Fans: Start with Black Fall, Bodden's debut novel and the beginning of The Black Year series, which follows a teenager discovering a hidden supernatural Manhattan.

1. The Viridian Gate Online (VGO) Expanded Universe

D.J. Bodden is a prominent contributor to the expanded universe of James A. Hunter’s massive LitRPG franchise, Viridian Gate Online. His books run parallel to the main timeline and explore different regions and character classes in the virtual world.

The Illusionist Series

This is Bodden's signature VGO contribution, focusing on Alan Campbell, a clever protagonist who must rely on illusion magic, misdirection, and strategic coordination rather than brute strength. The recommended reading order is chronological by release:

1. Nomad Soul (2019)
2. Dead Man's Tide (2019)
3. Inquisitor’s Foil (2019)
4. Sharper's Coin (2022)

Phoenix of Ankara / Gentleman's War

This series expands the VGO universe further, highlighting military and political conflicts. The first book acts as a tactical exploration of the game's boundaries:

• Gentleman's War (2022)

Reading Tip: While you can read The Illusionist as a standalone series, you will get the most out of the VGO books if you first read James A. Hunter's VGO Book 1, Cataclysm, to understand the fundamental rules and stakes of the virtual environment.

2. The FiveFold Universe

The FiveFold Universe is Bodden's primary sci-fi sandbox, featuring hard science fiction, planetary colonization, space warfare, and mysterious ancient technologies. It is split into multiple distinct subseries and collaborative projects.

Zack Lancestrom Series

The core trilogy follows the cosmic trials and political intrigue surrounding Zack Lancestrom. Read these in strict order:

1. The Starborn Heir (2021)
2. The Voidburned Queen (2021)
3. The Sunforged Prophet (2021)

Tears of Perseus Series

This is a collaborative space opera project curated by D.J. Bodden, featuring multiple veteran authors (including Kevin J. Anderson and William Alan Webb). It details the events leading to the Second Interstellar War. They should be read in the following sequence or via the omnibus edition:

1. Truumeel's Light (2022)
2. Falk's Claim (2022)
3. Mercia's Hammer (2022)
4. Metzler's Mistake (2022) – co-authored with Kevin J. Anderson
5. Raden's End (2023) – co-authored with Kevin J. Anderson
6. Halloway's Charge (2023)

Janus Invarian Series

Co-authored with D. Ahren Bell, this subseries focuses on Janus Invarian, an Outsider surviving on the airless planet of Irkalla. It is a gritty survival adventure set within the FiveFold Universe:

1. Void Runner (2024)
2. Twilight War (2024)
3. Survivor's Choice (2024)

3. The Black Year Books

This is Bodden's debut urban fantasy series. It follows Jonas Black as he is pulled from modern-day Manhattan into a hidden world of supernatural conflict. The series is complete and should be read in publication order:

1. Black Fall (2015)
2. White Winter (2016)
3. Red Spring (2017)
4. Dead Summer (2018)

4. The Last Brigade Universe Anthologies

As a former Marine, Bodden has contributed military science fiction stories to the shared Last Brigade universe created by William Alan Webb. He contributed to the following anthologies:

• Standing Fast (2021)
• Standing Defiant (2021)
• Standing Fast on Foreign Shores (2022)
• Standing Free (2023)
• Standing Against All Odds (2023)