Edward Brody Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Eden's Gate

Edward Brody is best known for his landmark LitRPG series, Eden's Gate. Because this series follows a continuous, linear storyline tracking the protagonist's survival, leveling progress, and guild-building efforts, there is only one logical way to read these books: in order of publication. Skipping any entry will leave you lost in terms of both character progression and the overarching political plots unfolding in the virtual world.

Here is the recommended reading path for the series:

1. The Reborn (2017)
2. The Sparrow (2017)
3. The Sands (2017)
4. The Arena (2018)
5. The Omen (2018)
6. The Ascent (2019)
7. The Scourge (2021)

Deep Dive: The Eden's Gate Series Book-by-Book

1. The Reborn (2017)

This is where the adventure begins. The story introduces Gunnar Long, a standard gamer who decides to try out a revolutionary, fully immersive virtual reality MMORPG called Eden's Gate. However, what was supposed to be a temporary escape from his mundane 9-to-5 life becomes a permanent residency when he finds himself trapped inside the game, with his physical body in the real world dead or unresponsive. In this new fantasy realm, Gunnar must learn the basics of survival, build relationships with both non-player characters (NPCs) and other "Reborn" players, and uncover the mystery behind the game's developer. It sets the foundational rules of the magic system and virtual physics that govern the entire series.

2. The Sparrow (2017)

Following his initial survival, Gunnar shifts his focus toward finding a stable home and establishing a presence in the settlement of Edgewood. As he attempts to put down roots, he must deal with the complex politics of dark elves, negotiate local power structures, and manage the internal relationships of his growing group of allies. The book expands the world beyond basic survival, delving deeper into the faction dynamics and the lore of the game's universe.

3. The Sands (2017)

In the third volume, Gunnar is fully invested in building up his guild, "Unity," and solidifying their strength. However, the vast world of Eden's Gate is filled with deception. Gunnar faces new, unexpected threats and betrayal from rival factions who view the Reborn as a threat to their own power. The mechanics of group combat and tactical leveling take center stage as the guild faces its first major external trials.

4. The Arena (2018)

The stakes escalate dramatically as Edgewood, the settlement Gunnar has worked so hard to protect, comes under direct attack. Gunnar and the members of Unity must defend their home from rival player factions and hostile creatures. To survive the onslaught, Gunnar is forced to test his limits in high-stakes combat, navigating a massive conflict that reshapes the political landscape of the region.

5. The Omen (2018)

Following the destructive events of the Arena, Gunnar seeks a temporary retreat to recover and regroup. He takes a journey into unexplored lands, aiming to complete what appears to be a straightforward, low-risk quest. However, this simple mission quickly spirals into a dark sequence of events involving ancient dragons, unexplained natural phenomena, and ominous signs that point to a much larger threat looming over the entire world of Eden's Gate.

6. The Ascent (2019)

In the sixth installment, Gunnar pivots his strategy to focus on his individual magical abilities. He undergoes intense training to master complex spellcasting and level up his mage subclass. The narrative leans heavily into game progression mechanics, showcasing detailed training sequences, magical theory within the game rules, and Gunnar's confrontation with powerful, high-level creatures that push his skills to their absolute limit.

7. The Scourge (2021)

The latest entry in the series tackles the heavy realities of war and moral choices. As conflict spreads across the virtual continent, Gunnar and his guild must make difficult decisions that will determine the fate of both Reborn players and the sentient NPCs who inhabit the world. The book balances large-scale battle sequences with the personal growth of the characters, leaving readers with a dramatic cliffhanger regarding the future of the game world.

What to Know Before You Start

Before jumping into Edward Brody's books, there are a few important details that readers should keep in mind:

• Strict Continuity: The series behaves like a single, massive story broken into chapters. Reading order is non-negotiable; starting anywhere other than The Reborn will ruin the narrative and make the game mechanics incomprehensible.
• No Spin-offs or Co-authored Works: Currently, there are no side stories, anthologies, or companion novels set in the Eden's Gate universe. The main sequence of seven books comprises the entire bibliography.
• The Hiatus Status: Since the release of The Scourge in 2021, the series has been on an indefinite hiatus. In community updates and personal statements, Brody has shared that personal health challenges and severe burnout have delayed his writing progress. While he remains committed to finishing the series, there is no official release date for Book 8.
• Clarifying Name Confusion: When searching for "Eden's Gate," make sure you do not confuse Brody's LitRPG series with the political thriller of the same name by David Hagberg, or the fictional cult from the video game Far Cry 5.