D.J. Molles Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for The Remaining Universe

The vast majority of D.J. Molles's bibliography is anchored by his flagship post-apocalyptic saga, which encompasses two main series, several novellas, and multiple standalone character novels. To get the full story of Captain Lee Harden and the reconstruction of a shattered United States, you should read these books in a combination of publication and chronological order.

Phase 1: The Original 'The Remaining' Series

This is where you must start. The series introduces Captain Lee Harden, a Special Forces soldier locked in a bunker under orders to emerge and rebuild society after a devastating bacterial plague turns the population into hyper-aggressive predators (known as "primals").

1. The Remaining (2012)
2. Aftermath (2012)
3. Refugees (2012)
4. Fractured (2013)
5. Trust (2014) (Novella)
6. Faith (2014) (Novella)
7. Allegiance (2015)
8. Extinction (2015)

Reader Advice: Do not skip the novellas Trust and Faith. While they are shorter than the main novels, they bridge critical character and plot developments between Fractured (Book 4) and Allegiance (Book 5).

Phase 2: The Lee Harden Sequel Series & Companion Stories

After finishing the original six-book series, the story continues directly with the Lee Harden Series, which is set a few years later as the survivors attempt to build a new nation while facing hostile factions and evolving threats.

1. Harden (2018)
2. Southlands (2019)
3. Primal (2020)
4. Defiant (2020)
5. Abe (2024) (Companion Novel)
6. Unbowed (2021)
7. Terminus (2022)
8. The Valley (2023)
9. Sanctuary (2024)
10. Coyote Song (2024) (Companion Novel)

Chronological Caveats & Database Discrepancies:

• Abe (2024): In some local databases, this book is grouped with the original series. Chronologically, however, it follows Major Abe Darabie's exploits during a rescue mission against cartel forces, taking place concurrently with the events of Defiant. It is best read immediately after Defiant.
• Sanctuary (2024): Often cataloged as a standalone novel in general retail databases, Sanctuary is actually the functional eighth book in the Lee Harden series, continuing Lee's struggle and setting up the subsequent stories. Do not read it as a standalone if you want to avoid massive spoilers.
• Coyote Song (2024): This book is written to be accessible as a standalone entry point, but chronologically it occurs after the events of Sanctuary, following Lee Harden and a human-primal hybrid named Kat.
• Project Hometown (2025): This prequel story takes readers back to before the apocalypse, detailing the brutal selection process of the Coordinators. While it is chronologically first, it is highly recommended to read it after finishing at least the original series to fully appreciate the lore.

Other Series by D.J. Molles

If you want a break from Captain Lee Harden's battle against the primals, D.J. Molles has successfully branched out into dystopian fiction, dark epic fantasy, and space opera.

A Grower's War (Dystopian Thriller)

Rather than infected monsters, this grounded dystopian series explores themes of surveillance, occupation, and rebellion in a war-torn North Carolina occupied by a foreign coalition.

1. Rocky River Bridge (2017) (Prequel short story)
2. The Purge of District 89 (2017)
3. Renegades (2017)
4. Rogue Cell (2017)

Godbreaker Trilogy (Sci-Fi / Fantasy)

Set in a world where ancient civilizations were crushed by gods, human factions are now forced to fight in endless wars for the amusement and power of demigods. It follows Perry McGown, a battlefield scavenger who uncovers a heritage that could rewrite the balance of power.

1. Breaking Gods (2019)
2. The Nine (2020)
3. Confluence (2021)

Ashes of Eormun (Dark Epic Fantasy)

A dark fantasy series following an empire fueled by the harvested ashes of magical children. The debut novel, A Harvest of Ash and Blood, was shortlisted for the Manly Wade Wellman Award in 2024.

1. A Harvest of Ash and Blood (2023)
2. The Orphan and the Queen (2024)
3. The Breath That Breaks the Stone (2024)

The Coming Dark (Military Science Fiction)

A space opera centering on Liam Avione, a young warrior trained to be a "Deathbringer" who must navigate genetic defects and intergalactic political tensions ahead of an alien invasion.

1. The Coming Dark (2025)
2. The Coming Dark 2 (2025)

Standalone Novels

Molles has also penned several independent novels across various genres that do not require any prior reading:

• Wolves (2016) – A gritty, isolated survival thriller.
• Johnny (2018) – A dark character-driven crime thriller.
• The Santas (2020) – A dark comedy-action thriller perfect for holiday reading.
• The Book of Dog (2023) – A post-apocalyptic story centering on a man and his loyal dog.
• The Peace Child (2026) – A futuristic sci-fi thriller.

What to Know Before You Start

D.J. Molles spent years as a police officer, which heavily influences the highly detailed, authentic tactical and survival elements in his stories. Although he did not serve in the military himself, he relies on close friends and family members who are veterans to ensure the combat scenarios, weapons handling, and command structures in his military fiction feel incredibly realistic. Expect high-stakes tension, flawed protagonists who take real physical and emotional beatings, and gritty, relentless pacing.