William C. Dietz Reading Order

3 books (2016–2018)

William C. Dietz's America Rising trilogy is a complete science fiction action series consisting of three books published between 2016 and 2018. The books should be read in publication order: Into the Guns, Seek and Destroy, and Battle Hymn. This finished series combines elements of action-driven narrative with science fiction worldbuilding across its three installments.

Start with Into the Guns and read in order.

#	Title
1	Into the Guns 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Seek and Destroy 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Battle Hymn 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

10 books (1990–2017)

William C. Dietz compiled ten science fiction anthologies between 1990 and 2017, now complete. These collections span military science fiction, action-oriented stories, and speculative scenarios, with titles ranging from The Far Stars War through Mech. Read them in publication order beginning with The Far Stars War to follow the evolution of the anthology series as it developed over nearly three decades.

Start with The Far Stars War, the first of 10 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	The Far Stars War 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Siege of Arsita 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Elemental: The Tsunami Relief Anthology 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Horrors Beyond 2 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Five by Five 2: No Surrender 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	No Surrender 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Shadows of the New Sun 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Hath No Fury 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Infinite Stars 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Mech 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2022–2023)

William C. Dietz's Crickets series comprises two science fiction novels published in 2022 and 2023. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with the first Crickets novel followed by Crickets 2. Both books blend action and adventure elements within a science fiction framework.

Start with Crickets and read in order.

4 books (1988–2012)

The Crisis of Empire series comprises four science fiction novels published between 1988 and 2012, following the events of humanity's struggle for survival across the galaxy. Written by multiple authors including William C. Dietz, David Drake, Roger MacBride Allen, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, this complete series should be read in publication order beginning with An Honorable Defense. The books progressively develop the narrative across this military science fiction setting, with each installment building on the previous story.

Start with An Honorable Defense(By: David Drake), the first of 4 books in the Crisis of Empire series.

#	Title
1	An Honorable Defense(By: David Drake) 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Cluster Command 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The War Machine(By: David Drake,Roger MacBride Allen) 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Crown of Empire(By: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro,David Drake) 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1991–1992)

This three-book science fiction action series by William C. Dietz follows a complete narrative arc across Drifter, Drifter's Run, and Drifter's War, published between 1991 and 1992. Read the books in publication order to experience the full story as intended. The series combines action and adventure elements within a science fiction setting.

Start with Drifter and read in order.

#	Title
1	Drifter 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Drifter's Run 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Drifter's War 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (2001–2006)

The Halo: The Original series comprises four science fiction novels published between 2001 and 2006, completing a finished story arc in the Halo universe. While William C. Dietz is credited as series author, the individual books were written by Eric Nylund and Dietz across the collection. Readers should follow publication order beginning with The Fall of Reach to experience the narrative as intended, progressing through First Strike, The Flood, and concluding with Ghosts of Onyx. This complete series serves as foundational storytelling for the Halo franchise's expanded universe.

Start with The Fall of Reach(By: Eric Nylund), the first of 4 books in the Halo: The Original series.

#	Title
1	The Fall of Reach(By: Eric Nylund) 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	First Strike(By: Eric Nylund) 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Flood 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Ghosts of Onyx(By: Eric Nylund) 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2007–2012)

The Hitman series consists of two science fiction action novels published between 2007 and 2012. William C. Dietz wrote the first installment, Enemy Within, followed by Raymond Benson's Damnation. This complete series should be read in publication order to follow the narrative properly.

Start with Enemy Within and read in order.

#	Title
1	Enemy Within 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Damnation(By: Raymond Benson) 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

10 books (1993–2023)

William C. Dietz's Legion series spans ten military science fiction novels published between 1993 and 2023, following the chronological order of their release. The series appears to be complete, with the final installment coming thirty years after the debut. Readers should begin with Legion of the Damned and proceed through the books in publication order to experience the full arc of this action-driven science fiction saga.

Start with Legion of the Damned, the first of 10 books in the Legion series.

#	Title
1	Legion of the Damned 1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Final Battle 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	By Blood Alone 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	By Force of Arms 2000Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	For More Than Glory 2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	For Those Who Fell 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	When All Seems Lost 2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	When Duty Calls 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	A Fighting Chance 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	From the Ashes 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (2007–2012)

The Mass Effect series is a science fiction action saga comprising four novels published between 2007 and 2012. The first three books were written by Drew Karpyshyn, while William C. Dietz authored the final installment. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Revelation and concluding with Deception.

Start with Revelation(By: Drew Karpyshyn), the first of 4 books in the Mass Effect series.

3 books (2015–2016)

The Mutant Files is a completed science fiction action series by William C. Dietz comprising three novels published between 2015 and 2016. Read the books in publication order, beginning with Deadeye, followed by Redzone, and concluding with Graveyard. This trilogy should be experienced sequentially to follow the story's progression and character development.

Start with Deadeye and read in order.

#	Title
1	Deadeye 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Redzone 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Graveyard 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2009–2011)

William C. Dietz's Resistance Universe is a complete science fiction series consisting of two books published between 2009 and 2011. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Gathering Storm followed by A Hole in the Sky. This action-driven science fiction duology delivers a contained narrative arc across its two volumes.

Start with The Gathering Storm and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Gathering Storm 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	A Hole in the Sky 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1990–1992)

This science fiction action series by William C. Dietz comprises two complete novels published between 1990 and 1992. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Matrix Man followed by Mars Prime. Both titles are now out of print but remain available through used book markets.

Start with Matrix Man and read in order.

#	Title
1	Matrix Man 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Mars Prime 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2005–2006)

William C. Dietz's Run series consists of two science fiction action novels published between 2005 and 2006. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Runner followed by Logos Run. This pair of books delivers fast-paced storytelling within Dietz's signature blend of science fiction and adventure.

Start with Runner and read in order.

#	Title
1	Runner 2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Logos Run 2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1986–2004)

William C. Dietz's Sam McCade series comprises five science fiction adventure novels published between 1986 and 2004, following a complete story arc. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Galactic Bounty, also released as War World, followed by Imperial Bounty, Alien Bounty, McCade's Bounty, and McCade for Hire. This finished series combines action-packed storytelling with the author's signature blend of science fiction and adventure elements.

Start with Galactic Bounty / War World, the first of 5 books in the Sam McCade series.

#	Title
1	Galactic Bounty / War World 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Imperial Bounty 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Alien Bounty 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	McCade's Bounty 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	McCade for Hire 2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (2001–2002)

William C. Dietz's completed Sauron science fiction series consists of two books published between 2001 and 2002. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with DeathDay followed by EarthRise. This action-driven science fiction duology offers a contained narrative arc for readers seeking a finished series.

Start with DeathDay and read in order.

#	Title
1	DeathDay 2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	EarthRise 2002Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (2013–2013)

8 books (1987–2013)

William C. Dietz's eight science fiction standalone novels span from 1987 to 2013 and should be read in publication order beginning with Freehold. Though each book stands alone with its own story and characters, they form a complete series within the author's broader science fiction universe. The collection includes Freehold, Prison Planet, Bodyguard, Where the Ships Die, Steelheart, Snake Eye, Ejecta, and The Seeds of Man, showcasing Dietz's work across action-driven science fiction narratives.

Start with Freehold, the first of 8 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	Freehold 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Prison Planet 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Bodyguard 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Where the Ships Die 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Steelheart 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Snake Eye 2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Ejecta 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Seeds of Man 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1997–1998)

William C. Dietz's Star Wars: Dark Forces trilogy spans from 1997 to 1998 and follows the events in publication order across three complete novels: Soldier for the Empire, Jedi Knight, and Rebel Agent. This science fiction action series is set within the Star Wars expanded universe and should be read sequentially from the first book to fully experience the narrative arc.

Start with Soldier for the Empire and read in order.

#	Title
1	Soldier for the Empire 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Jedi Knight 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Rebel Agent 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2009–2012)

This three-book science fiction series set in the StarCraft universe began in 2009 and concluded in 2012. The first novel, Heaven's Devils, was written by William C. Dietz, while the subsequent two entries, Devils' Due and Flashpoint, were penned by Christie Golden. The series is complete and should be read in publication order to follow the narrative as intended.

Start with Heaven's Devils and read in order.

#	Title
1	Heaven's Devils 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Devils' Due(By: Christie Golden) 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Flashpoint(By: Christie Golden) 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2012–2014)

The Prequel Legion is a complete science fiction trilogy by William C. Dietz, consisting of Andromeda's Fall, Andromeda's Choice, and Andromeda's War, published between 2012 and 2014. The series should be read in publication order to follow the narrative progression. This action-oriented sci-fi series builds its story across three consecutive volumes.

Start with Andromeda's Fall and read in order.

#	Title
1	Andromeda's Fall 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Andromeda's Choice 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Andromeda's War 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

11 books (2018–2025)

The Winds of War is an ongoing science fiction action series by William C. Dietz consisting of eleven books published between 2018 and 2025. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Red Ice and continuing through Red Flood, Red Dragon, Red Thunder, Red Sands, Red Tide, Red River, Red Dog, Red Line, Red Dawn, and concluding with Red Rover. Each installment builds on the previous entries, making sequential reading essential for following the narrative.

Start with Red Ice, the first of 11 books in the Winds of War series.

2 books (2009–2010)

The Zak Cato series consists of two science fiction action novels published between 2009 and 2010. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with At Empire's Edge followed by Bones of Empire.

Start with At Empire's Edge and read in order.