How to Read Don Ehrenhaft: Recommended Starting Points
For readers diving into Don Ehrenhaft's bibliography, your starting point depends entirely on your preferred flavor of speculative fiction. Because his series are tightly self-contained, there is no single overarching universe connecting all of his books. Instead, you can choose between mythic epic fantasy, high-stakes science fiction survival, or mystery-laden adventures.
Option 1: The Midgard Saga (For Epic Fantasy Fans)
If you love stories heavily inspired by Norse mythology, dwarven strongholds, and grand battles across cosmic realms, start with Midgard (2016). This series is a continuous narrative, meaning you must read it in publication order. Starting anywhere else will leave you lost amidst the invasions of Jotunheim and Svartalheim.
Option 2: Gamer's Children (For Sci-Fi Enthusiasts)
If you prefer fast-paced science fiction with post-apocalyptic stakes, start with the standalone novel Gamer's Children (2016). It serves as an excellent introduction to Ehrenhaft's writing style, focusing on high-concept technology, alien threats, and deeply human survival instincts without requiring a multi-book commitment.
Publication Order of Don Ehrenhaft's Books
For readers who want to follow the author's development as a storyteller, reading in publication order is straightforward. Almost all of Ehrenhaft's books were released in a highly productive burst between 2016 and 2017 through his exclusive publisher, Moonstruck Publishers.
The Midgard Saga
The Midgard Saga should be read strictly in the order of release. The series follows Kael and Tarin McNaughton as they protect the realms of men and gods from dark prophets, giants, and elves.
- Midgard (2016)
- Midgard: Gateway (2017)
- Midgard: Orphan (2017)
- Midgard: Nox (2017)
The Pixton Series
Currently, this series is in its infancy and consists of a single entry. It introduces a different side of Ehrenhaft's speculative writing, blending character-driven drama with superhuman or sci-fi elements.
- Strongman (2016)
Standalone Novels
These books are completely self-contained and can be read in any order at any time.
- Gamer's Children (2016) - Also published under the title Gammer's Children in some database listings.
- Five Pieces of Gold (2016)
Chronological Order and Continuity Caveats
Fortunately for readers, there are no complicated chronological puzzles in Don Ehrenhaft's catalog. The chronological order of the Midgard Saga perfectly matches its publication order. The storyline flows directly from the events of Midgard through to Midgard: Nox without prequels, flashbacks, or spin-offs to disrupt the narrative timeline.
Similarly, the standalone novels and the lone Pixton book do not share timelines or characters with the Midgard Saga. You can safely read them before, during, or after your journey through the Norse realms without fear of spoiling any plotlines.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Ehrenhaft's stories, it is helpful to understand the unique characteristics of his work:
- Independent Publishing: All of Ehrenhaft's works are published exclusively by Moonstruck Publishers. Because they are handled by an independent press, they have a distinct, creative freedom that stands out from mainstream commercial fantasy.
- Norse Mythology Infusion: The Midgard Saga is not just a generic fantasy. It draws heavily from traditional Norse cosmology, featuring specific realms like Jotunheim (the land of the giants) and Svartalheim (the land of the dark elves/dwarves). If you enjoy mythic retellings or myth-adjacent worldbuilding, this is a major draw.
- Themes of Survival and Resilience: Across both fantasy and sci-fi, Ehrenhaft's characters are often defined by their endurance. Whether Kael McNaughton is fighting cosmic invasions or the spacefaring survivors in Gamer's Children are fleeing gravity-based alien weaponry, the stories focus on how everyday people find courage under pressure.