E.M. Hardy Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading E.M. Hardy?

E.M. Hardy is a standout voice in the GameLit and LitRPG communities, known for combining detailed crafting mechanics, progression elements, and base-building strategies with engaging fantasy premises. Since her debut in 2018, she has built several distinct worlds. Fortunately, because her series are set in entirely separate universes, you don't have to worry about a single, massive reading order list. Instead, you can choose your entry point based on the subgenre that appeals to you most.

Here are the two best starting paths depending on what you like:

• For Dungeon-Core and Base-Building Fans (The Flagship Choice): Start with the Archeologist Warlord series, beginning with Initializing. This is E.M. Hardy's most popular series and her debut project, featuring unique mechanics where the protagonist manages a sentient pyramid.
• For Crafting and Progression Fantasy Fans: Start with The Artificer's Chronicles (also known as The Secret Class series), beginning with The Artificer's Chronicles. It features classic zero-to-hero progression focused on magical craftsmanship.
• For One-Shot/Standalone Readers: If you want a complete story in a single book, start with Siegecraft: The Combat Engineer's Gambit or the cozy LitRPG Kael's Curios.

Archeologist Warlord Series Reading Order

This is E.M. Hardy's flagship trilogy, combining archaeological lore, ancient mythology, and dungeon-core base-building. The story follows Martin Fuller, an aspiring archaeologist who is transported to an alien planet where he becomes a sentient, pyramid-like entity. To prevent a catastrophic invasion, he must build, strategize, and upgrade his defenses.

This series should be read strictly in publication order:

1. Initializing (2018)
2. Expanding (2018)
3. Reuniting (2019)

The Artificer's Chronicles (The Secret Class Series)

For readers who love detailed crafting systems, magical glyphs, and classic progression fantasy, this series is highly recommended. It follows Renan Saneris, a teenager who misses out on a traditional class assignment but unlocks the unique, rare class of Artificer. Renan must learn to forge powerful magical artifacts to defend his world against emerging threats.

1. The Artificer's Chronicles (2022)
2. The Artificer's Chronicles 2 (2024)

Aberrant Farmer Series

This series takes a darker, rural approach to LitRPG and features unique progression mechanics. It tells the story of Ferren, a peasant who loses his arm in a monster attack, only for it to regrow with scales and shapeshifting abilities. He uses this bizarre mutation to protect his family and build a homestead.

1. One-Armed Beasthunter (2022)
2. One-Armed Beasthunter 2 (2022)

First Orcish Era Series

A body-swapping fantasy that explores the culture of orc tribes. Isaiah Hunter discovers a mysterious flea-market necklace that connects his mind with Kurdan, a newly crowned Orc Chieftain. The two swap bodies whenever they sleep, leading to a mutually beneficial partnership to survive their respective environments.

1. Becoming the Orc Chieftain (2018)

Gemsmith Series

Set in the harsh desert world of Khonsu, this series introduces Ezias, who wakes up in a wasteland after surviving a bank robbery on Earth. He is granted the rare Gemsmith class, allowing him to craft weapons infused with monster essence while avoiding being turned into a salt statue.

1. Gemsmith (2025)

Standalone LitRPG Novels (One-Shots)

If you aren't ready to commit to a multi-book series, Hardy has written several standalone LitRPG and urban fantasy novels. These are self-contained stories that require no prior reading:

• The Gentleman Incubus (2019): An urban fantasy LitRPG starring Glenn, an incubus navigating modern life.
• The Curseling (2021): A dream-invasion fantasy where a vengeful specter feeds on an adventuring party's fears.
• Demon Lord for Hire (2022): A progression fantasy about a commerce deity playing the role of a Demon Lord for money.
• Hell-Forged (2023): A LitRPG adventure where a protagonist escapes the "Hell Games" only to be summoned as a princess's champion.
• Siegecraft: The Combat Engineer's Gambit (2025): A memory-wiped protagonist uses engineering skills to turn the tide of a massive military siege.
• Kael's Curios (2025): A cozy LitRPG about a retired hero faking his death to run a quiet magic shop built from a dungeon seed.

What to Know Before You Start

E.M. Hardy's books are characterized by clear-cut progression stats, tactical combat, and crafting tables, which are core staples of the LitRPG genre. While her series are independent, they all showcase her signature style of underdog protagonists solving problems through clever planning and strategic upgrades rather than brute force alone. If you prefer audiobooks, her major series feature professional narrations from narrators like Roger Clark and Daniel Wisniewski, making them highly accessible for listeners on the go.