Elliott Kay Books in Order

Where to Start: The Two Paths of Elliott Kay

Before diving into Elliott Kay's books, it is essential to understand that his bibliography is split into two distinct genres. Depending on your mood, you will want to take one of two paths:

• For Military Science Fiction Fans: Start with Poor Man's Fight (2013). This path is ideal if you enjoy military logistics, space combat, and stories about young soldiers fighting against corrupt, debt-ridden interstellar systems.
• For Erotic Urban Fantasy Fans: Start with Good Intentions (2011). Choose this path if you are looking for paranormal action, humor, gods and demons, and unapologetically explicit polyamorous romance.

Poor Man's Fight Series Reading Order

The Poor Man's Fight series follows Tanner Malone, a young man who joins the space navy to escape crushing student debt, only to find himself in the middle of a conflict involving corporate greed and space piracy. Reading this series in publication order is strongly recommended, as it follows a continuous narrative arc.

1. Poor Man's Fight (2013) – Establishes Tanner's entry into the navy and the initial pirate conflict.
2. Rich Man's War (2014) – Expands the conflict as larger corporate and political forces enter the arena.
3. Dead Man's Debt (2016) – Follows the consequences of the war and Tanner's evolving role.
4. No Medals for Secrets (2017) – A shift in perspective that explores the espionage and political intrigue elements of the universe.
5. Last Man Out (2018) – Focuses on a new set of characters fighting a desperate defensive action.
6. No Man's Land (2023) – Tanner Malone returns to guide the series toward its latest major conflicts.

Good Intentions Series Reading Order

The Good Intentions series is an urban fantasy narrative set in Seattle, focusing on Alex Carlisle, a normal guy who stumbles into a relationship with a powerful succubus and a beautiful angel. Due to the high volume of side stories, novellas, and short story collections, organizing this series can be challenging. Here is the recommended reading path:

1. Good Intentions (2011) – The first novel where Alex meets Rachel and Lorelei.
2. Natural Consequences (2013) – The second main novel, expanding the supernatural politics of Seattle.
3. Life in Shadows (2015) – A novella focusing on the side characters and their pasts, best read between books 2 and 3.
4. Personal Demons (2016) – The third full-length novel.
5. Small Victories (2020) – A collection of short stories that fill in gaps between the main books.
6. Past Due (2020) – The fourth full-length novel in the main sequence.
7. Habitual Heroes (2021) – A short story collection featuring the characters in various episodic encounters.
8. Low-Key Calamities (2023) – A collection of short stories expanding the lore and relationships.
9. Devil in the Details (2025) – The fifth major novel, continuing the core storyline.
10. Cozy Shadows (2026) – The sixth main novel.

Good Intentions Universe Spin-Offs

If you want to explore the same world but through a fresh lens, Kay has introduced standalone stories set within this urban fantasy setting:

• Grand Theft Sorcery (2024) – A standalone heist novel set in Los Angeles following the power vacuum left by a deceased vampire lord. While it features cameos and references familiar to fans, it is designed to be accessible to new readers.

Wandering Monsters Series

For readers who enjoy tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons, the Wandering Monsters series offers a humorous fantasy adventure from the perspective of the creatures that adventurers usually slay.

1. Run Like Hell (2018) – Follows Scars of No-Clan, a half-orc warrior trying to survive in a world where monsters are hunted for bounties.
2. Nowhere to Run (2019) – Continues the survival adventures of the monster party as they deal with wizards, adventurers, and dungeon politics.

Standalone Novels and Other Projects

If you are looking for self-contained stories, Kay has written several standalone works spanning different subgenres:

• Days of High Adventure (2014) – A sword-and-sorcery fantasy novel focused on classic adventuring themes.
• Hot Restart (2022) – A science fiction space romance featuring comedic elements and mature themes similar to the style of his urban fantasy books.
• Great Power and No Responsibilities (2024) – A comedic sci-fi story set in Los Angeles following a protagonist who acquires psychic powers and must deal with alien hyperintelligence.

What to Know Before You Start

Elliott Kay's books are highly character-driven and often carry strong thematic elements. His military science fiction series critiques predatory capitalism, economic inequality, and the military-industrial complex. On the other hand, his urban fantasy books, particularly the Good Intentions series, contain highly explicit sexual content, polyamorous relationships, and graphic violence. Readers should check content warnings if they are sensitive to these themes.