Yoon Ha Lee Reading Order
10 series · 106 books
Yoon Ha Lee is an American science fiction and fantasy author whose intricate, mathematically-influenced prose builds richly imagined worlds spanning both intimate short stories and expansive space opera narratives. His Machineries of Empire trilogy, beginning with Ninefox Gambit, established him as a master of hard science fiction blending military drama with innovative worldbuilding, earning the Locus Award for Best First Novel in 2017. With prolific output across multiple series including short fiction collections and essays, Lee has become known for exploring themes of identity, power, and transformation through genre-bending storytelling.
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Anthologies Series
Ongoing57 books (2004–2025)
Yoon Ha Lee's Anthologies series comprises 45 books of short fiction spanning fantasy, science fiction, and horror, published across two decades from 2004 to 2025. The series is ongoing and should be read in publication order, beginning with In Lands That Never Were. Entries include appearances in both standalone anthologies and magazine collections such as Lightspeed and Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, as well as year's best compilations.
Start with In Lands That Never Were, the first of 45 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with In Lands That Never Were
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Machineries Of Empire Series
Complete4 books (2016–2019)
The Machineries of Empire is a four-book science fiction fantasy series by Yoon Ha Lee, published between 2016 and 2019. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Ninefox Gambit and continuing through Raven Stratagem, Revenant Gun, and concluding with Hexarchate Stories. Lee blends complex worldbuilding with elements of horror and mathematical abstraction to create a distinctive universe centered on exotic technologies and calendrical warfare.
Start with Ninefox Gambit, the first of 4 books in the Machineries Of Empire series.
Start this series with Ninefox Gambit
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Moonstorm Series
Ongoing2 books (2024–2025)
Yoon Ha Lee's Moonstorm series is a two-book fantasy sequence that began in 2024 with the first installment, followed by Starstrike in 2025. The series is still ongoing, so readers should expect additional books to be announced. Both novels should be read in publication order to experience the story as intended.
Start with Moonstorm and read in order.
Start this series with Moonstorm
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Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2023–2023)
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Ongoing12 books (2011–2026)
Yoon Ha Lee's collection of short stories and novellas spans from 2011 to 2026, offering twelve volumes of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. These works should be read in publication order beginning with A Vector Alphabet of Interstellar Travel and continuing through Cutting Corners, the most recent entry. The series remains ongoing, with Lee regularly adding new installments to this expanding body of interconnected shorter fiction.
Start with A Vector Alphabet of Interstellar Travel, the first of 12 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with A Vector Alphabet of Interstellar Travel
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Standalone Novels Series
Ongoing3 books (2020–2026)
Yoon Ha Lee has written three standalone novels published between 2020 and 2026, with the series still ongoing. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Phoenix Extravagant, followed by Thor: Metal Gods (co-written with Brian Keene, Jay Edidin, and Aaron Stewart-Ahn), and Code and Codex. The novels blend elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, offering independent stories that do not require reading in a specific sequence beyond their release dates.
Start with Phoenix Extravagant and read in order.
Start this series with Phoenix Extravagant
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
The Vela Series
Complete1 book (2019–2019)
The WisCon Chronicles Series
Complete8 books (2008–2017)
The WisCon Chronicles is a complete eight-volume anthology series published between 2008 and 2017, featuring essays and criticism on science fiction, fantasy, and feminism from diverse contributors. Each volume focuses on specific thematic areas including feminist science fiction, carnival celebrations, futures of feminism and fandom, and ableist narratives in speculative fiction. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Volume 2, which includes work by prominent authors such as N.K. Jemisin, Catherynne M. Valente, and Kelly Link.
Start with The WisCon Chronicles, Vol. 2(By: Elizabeth Bear,Rachel Swirsky,Kelly Link,Mark Rich,Lawrence Schimel,Nisi Shawl,Eileen Gunn,L. Timmel Duchamp,Nnedi Okorafor,Nicola Griffith,Catherynne M. Valente,N.K. Jemisin,K. Tempest Bradford,Na'amen Gobert Tilahun,Joan Haran,Laura Quilter,Laurie J. Marks,K. Joyce Tsai,Tom LaFarge,Kate Schaefer,Rosalyn Berne,Susan Simensky Bietila,Jacqueline A. Gross,Chris Nakashima Brown,M.J. Hardman), the first of 8 books in the The WisCon Chronicles series.
Start this series with The WisCon Chronicles, Vol. 2(By: Elizabeth Bear,Rachel Swirsky,Kelly Link,Mark Rich,Lawrence Schimel,Nisi Shawl,Eileen Gunn,L. Timmel Duchamp,Nnedi Okorafor,Nicola Griffith,Catherynne M. Valente,N.K. Jemisin,K. Tempest Bradford,Na'amen Gobert Tilahun,Joan Haran,Laura Quilter,Laurie J. Marks,K. Joyce Tsai,Tom LaFarge,Kate Schaefer,Rosalyn Berne,Susan Simensky Bietila,Jacqueline A. Gross,Chris Nakashima Brown,M.J. Hardman)
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| 1 |  The WisCon Chronicles, Vol. 2(By: Elizabeth Bear,Rachel Swirsky,Kelly Link,Mark Rich,Lawrence Schimel,Nisi Shawl,Eileen Gunn,L. Timmel Duchamp,Nnedi Okorafor,Nicola Griffith,Catherynne M. Valente,N.K. Jemisin,K. Tempest Bradford,Na'amen Gobert Tilahun,Joan Haran,Laura Quilter,Laurie J. Marks,K. Joyce Tsai,Tom LaFarge,Kate Schaefer,Rosalyn Berne,Susan Simensky Bietila,Jacqueline A. Gross,Chris Nakashima Brown,M.J. Hardman) |
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The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror Series
Ongoing15 books (2010–2024)
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror is an ongoing anthology series edited by Yoon Ha Lee, comprising 15 volumes published between 2010 and 2024. The series began with annual editions from 2010 through 2019, then transitioned to numbered volumes starting with Volume 1. Readers should follow publication order to experience the curated selections in their intended sequence, beginning with the 2010 Edition.
Start with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition, the first of 15 books in the The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror series.
Start this series with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition
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Thousand Worlds Series
Likely Complete3 books (2019–2023)
Yoon Ha Lee's Thousand Worlds series comprises three fantasy and science fiction novels published between 2019 and 2023, with the most recent entry appearing in 2023. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Dragon Pearl, followed by Tiger Honor, and concluding with Fox Snare. The series appears to be complete, offering readers a finished narrative arc across all three installments.
Start with Dragon Pearl and read in order.
Start this series with Dragon Pearl
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Yoon Ha Lee written?
- Yoon Ha Lee has written 106 books across 10 series. Their published works span from 2004 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Yoon Ha Lee series?
- Here are the first books in Yoon Ha Lee's series: Anthologies: In Lands That Never Were; Machineries Of Empire: Ninefox Gambit; Moonstorm: Moonstorm; Short Stories/Novellas: A Vector Alphabet of Interstellar Travel; The WisCon Chronicles: The WisCon Chronicles, Vol. 2(By: Elizabeth Bear,Rachel Swirsky,Kelly Link,Mark Rich,Lawrence Schimel,Nisi Shawl,Eileen Gunn,L. Timmel Duchamp,Nnedi Okorafor,Nicola Griffith,Catherynne M. Valente,N.K. Jemisin,K. Tempest Bradford,Na'amen Gobert Tilahun,Joan Haran,Laura Quilter,Laurie J. Marks,K. Joyce Tsai,Tom LaFarge,Kate Schaefer,Rosalyn Berne,Susan Simensky Bietila,Jacqueline A. Gross,Chris Nakashima Brown,M.J. Hardman).
- What order should I read Yoon Ha Lee's books?
- We recommend reading Yoon Ha Lee's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Yoon Ha Lee still writing new books?
- Yes, Yoon Ha Lee has 5 ongoing series: Anthologies, Moonstorm, Short Stories/Novellas, Standalone Novels, The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror.