Order of Book Series
0

C.J. Cherryh Books in Order

C.J. Cherryh has written 105 books, published between 1976 and 2024. The first book is Brothers of Earth (1976) and the newest is Alliance Unbound (2024). Publication order is the reading order below.

C.J. Cherryh is the pen name of Carolyn Janice Cherry.

Books
105
Published
1976–2024
Confirmed
104 of 105 titles
Pages on record
26,057 in 81 of 105 books
Reading time
434–651 hours

Reading time is an estimate, not a recorded figure: 26,057 pages at 300 words a page, read at 200–300 words a minute, covering the 81 of 105 titles with a page count on record.

See all 105 books in order Printable C.J. Cherryh checklist
Photo of C.J. Cherryh, author

C.J. Cherryh is the pen name of Carolyn Janice Cherry, an American writer of speculative fiction born September 1, 1942. The silent h came at the prompting of editor Donald A. Wollheim, who judged that Cherry read like the name of a romance writer. Downbelow Station (1981) and Cyteen (1988), both set in the Alliance-Union universe, each won the Hugo Award, and the Foreigner series sits alongside them among Cherryh's notable work. The catalogue holds 105 books from Brothers of Earth (1976) to Alliance Unbound (2024). Worldbuilding grounded in research across history, language, psychology and archeology is what Cherryh is known for.

How many C.J. Cherryh books are there?

C.J. Cherryh has 105 books, released between 1976 and 2024. They include 17 separate series.

C.J. Cherryh Books in Publication Order

The table lists all 105 C.J. Cherryh books in the order they were published, with the release year, the page count where one is on record, and how many independent book listings confirm each title. Catalogue data as of September 2026.

  1. Cover of Gate of Ivrel by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Morgaine Cycle (1976)
  2. Cover of Kesrith by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Faded Sun series (1978)
  3. Cover of Shon'jir by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the Faded Sun series (1978)
  4. Cover of Serpent's Reach by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Alliance-Union series (1980)
  5. Cover of Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Alliance-Union: Company Wars series (1981)
  6. Cover of Sunfall by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the C.J. Cherryh Short Story series (1981)
  7. Cover of The Pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Chanur series (1981)
  8. Cover of Merchanter's Luck by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the Alliance-Union: Company Wars series (1982)
  9. Cover of The Dreaming Tree by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Arafel series (1983)
  10. Cover of The Tree of Swords and Jewels by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the Arafel series (1983)
  11. Cover of Chanur's Venture by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the Chanur series (1984)
  12. Cover of Voyager in Night by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the Age of Exploration series (1984)
  13. Cover of The Scapegoat (in Alien Stars) by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the C.J. Cherryh Short Stories/Novellas series (1985)
  14. Cover of Cuckoo's Egg by C.J. Cherryh, book 3 of the Age of Exploration series (1985)
  15. Cover of The Kif Strike Back by C.J. Cherryh, book 3 of the Chanur series (1985)
  16. Cover of The Blood of Ten Chiefs by C.J. Cherryh, book 1 of the Blood Of Ten Chiefs series (1986)
  17. Cover of Heroes in Hell, book 2 of the Heroes in Hell series (1986)
  18. Cover of Visible Light by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the C.J. Cherryh Short Story series (1986)
  19. Cover of The Gates of Hell by C.J. Cherryh, book 3 of the Heroes in Hell series (1986)
  20. Cover of Festival Moon by C.J. Cherryh, book 2 of the Merovingen Nights series (1987)
  21. Cover of Fever Season by C.J. Cherryh, book 3 of the Merovingen Nights series (1987)
  22. Cover of Masters in Hell by C.J. Cherryh, book 4 of the Heroes in Hell series (1987)
  23. Cover of Crusaders in Hell, book 6 of the Heroes in Hell series (1987)
  24. Cover of Legions of Hell by C.J. Cherryh, book 7 of the Heroes in Hell series (1987)
  1. 1
    Brothers of EarthHanan Rebellion #11976 · 288 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1976288
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  2. 2
    Gate of IvrelMorgaine Cycle #11976 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19761
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  3. 3
    Hunter of WorldsHanan Rebellion #21977 · 256 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1977256
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  4. 4
    KesrithFaded Sun #11978 · 252 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978252
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  5. 5
    Shon'jirFaded Sun #21978 · 253 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978253
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  6. 6
    Well of ShiuanMorgaine Cycle #21978 · 253 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1978253
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  7. 7
    HestiaC.J. Cherryh Standalone Novels #11979 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19791
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  8. 8
    Fires of AzerothMorgaine Cycle #31979 · confirmed 3/4
    1979–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  9. 9
    KutathFaded Sun #31979 · confirmed 3/4
    1979–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  10. 10
    Serpent's ReachAlliance-Union #11980 · 288 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1980288
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  11. 11
    Downbelow StationAlliance-Union: Company Wars #11981 · 526 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1981526
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  12. 12
    EaldwoodC.J. Cherryh Short Stories/Novellas #11981 · confirmed 3/4
    1981–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  13. 13
    SunfallC.J. Cherryh Short Story #11981 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19811
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  14. 14
    The Pride of ChanurChanur #11981 · 223 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1981223
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  15. 15
    Wave Without a ShoreC.J. Cherryh Standalone Novels #21981 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19811
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  16. 16
    Port EternityAge of Exploration #11982 · 192 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1982192
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  17. 17
    Merchanter's LuckAlliance-Union: Company Wars #21982 · 448 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1982448
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  18. 18
    The Dreaming TreeArafel #11983 · 464 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1983464
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  19. 19
    Forty Thousand in GehennaAlliance-Union #21983 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19831
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  20. 20
    The Tree of Swords and JewelsArafel #21983 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19831
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  21. 21
    Chanur's VentureChanur #21984 · 320 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1984320
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  22. 22
    Voyager in NightAge of Exploration #21984 · confirmed 3/4
    1984–
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  23. 23
    Angel with the SwordMerovingen Nights #11985 · 295 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1985295
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  24. 24
    The Scapegoat (in Alien Stars)C.J. Cherryh Short Stories/Novellas #21985 · 254 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1985254
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  25. 25
    Cuckoo's EggAge of Exploration #31985 · 320 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1985320
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  26. 26
    The Kif Strike BackChanur #31985 · 301 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1985301
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  27. 27
    The Blood of Ten ChiefsBlood Of Ten Chiefs #11986 · 320 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986320
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  28. 28
    Heroes in HellHeroes in Hell #21986 · 274 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986274
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  29. 29
    Visible LightC.J. Cherryh Short Story #21986 · 1 pages · confirmed 3/4
    19861
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK
  30. 30
    The Gates of HellHeroes in Hell #31986 · 282 pages · confirmed 3/4
    1986282
    Buy at Amazon USAmazon UK

C.J. Cherryh series and characters in order

Each character linked below has its own reading-order page.

C.J. Cherryh books grouped by series

Each title below is a row in the publication-order table above. A group whose heading is a link has its own reading-order page; the other groups have no page of their own on this site.

Foreigner in order

24 books
  1. 1. Foreigner
  2. 2. Invader
  3. 3. Inheritor
  4. 4. Precursor
  5. 5. Defender
  6. 6. Explorer
  7. 7. Destroyer
  8. 8. Pretender
  9. 9. Deliverer
  10. 10. Conspirator
  11. 11. Deceiver
  12. 12. Betrayer
  13. and 12 more in the table above

C.J. Cherryh Standalone Novels

8 books

8 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Merovingen Nights in order

8 books
  1. 1. Angel with the Sword
  2. 2. Festival Moon
  3. 3. Fever Season
  4. 4. Troubled Waters
  5. 5. Smuggler's Gold
  6. 6. Divine Right
  7. 7. Flood Tide
  8. 8. Endgame

Alliance-Union: Company Wars in order

7 books
  1. 1. Downbelow Station
  2. 2. Merchanter's Luck
  3. 3. Rimrunners
  4. 4. Heavy Time
  5. 5. Hellburner
  6. 6. Tripoint
  7. 7. Finity's End

Heroes in Hell in order

7 books
  1. 2. Heroes in Hell
  2. 3. The Gates of Hell
  3. 4. Masters in Hell
  4. 5. Kings in Hell
  5. 6. Crusaders in Hell
  6. 7. Legions of Hell
  7. 11. Prophets in Hell

Chanur in order

5 books
  1. 1. The Pride of Chanur
  2. 2. Chanur's Venture
  3. 3. The Kif Strike Back
  4. 4. Chanur's Homecoming
  5. 5. Chanur's Legacy

Fortress in order

5 books
  1. 1. Fortress in the Eye of Time
  2. 2. Fortress of Eagles
  3. 3. Fortress of Owls
  4. 4. Fortress of Dragons
  5. 5. Fortress of Ice

Morgaine Cycle in order

4 books
  1. 1. Gate of Ivrel
  2. 2. Well of Shiuan
  3. 3. Fires of Azeroth
  4. 4. Exile's Gate

Alliance-Union: Cyteen in order

4 books
  1. 1. The Betrayal
  2. 2. The Rebirth
  3. 3. The Vindication
  4. 4. Regenesis

Faded Sun books in order

3 books by C.J. Cherryh
  1. 1. Kesrith
  2. 2. Shon'jir
  3. 3. Kutath

C.J. Cherryh Short Stories/Novellas

3 books

3 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

C.J. Cherryh Short Story

3 books

3 titles published under this heading without a numbered place in a series.

Age of Exploration in order

3 books
  1. 1. Port Eternity
  2. 2. Voyager in Night
  3. 3. Cuckoo's Egg

Sword of Knowledge in order

3 books
  1. 1. A Dirge for Sabis
  2. 2. Wizard Spawn
  3. 3. Reap the Whirlwind

Rusalka in order

3 books
  1. 1. Rusalka
  2. 2. Chernevog
  3. 3. Yvgenie

Hanan Rebellion in order

2 books
  1. 1. Brothers of Earth
  2. 2. Hunter of Worlds

Alliance-Union books in order

2 books by C.J. Cherryh
  1. 1. Serpent's Reach
  2. 2. Forty Thousand in Gehenna

Arafel in order

2 books
  1. 1. The Dreaming Tree
  2. 2. The Tree of Swords and Jewels

Blood Of Ten Chiefs in order

2 books
  1. 1. The Blood of Ten Chiefs
  2. 2. Wolfsong

Finisterre in order

2 books
  1. 1. Rider at the Gate
  2. 2. Cloud's Rider

Gene Wars in order

2 books
  1. 1. Hammerfall
  2. 2. Forge of Heaven

Hinder Stars in order

2 books
  1. 1. Alliance Rising
  2. 2. Alliance Unbound

Thieves' World in order

1 book
  1. 17. Enemies of Fortune

Do you have to read C.J. Cherryh books in order?

You only need to read C.J. Cherryh books in order within each series: the books listed here span 17 separate series, and each series has its own publication order.

Where to start with C.J. Cherryh

Start with the first book of the C.J. Cherryh series you want to read: Alliance-Union starts with Kesrith (1978) and Faded Sun starts with Kesrith (1978). The earliest catalogued title overall is Brothers of Earth (1976).

What is the newest C.J. Cherryh book?

Alliance Unbound (2024) is the newest C.J. Cherryh book released so far.

Is there a new C.J. Cherryh book coming?

No next C.J. Cherryh book is announced in the catalogue, which is a gap in the listings it merges rather than a sign that the run has ended.

Awards C.J. Cherryh has won

Wikidata records 7 awards and 58 nominations for C.J. Cherryh. The most recent 12 are listed here. Each row states whether the title won or was shortlisted, and the year the award was given.

  • Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award2016Won
  • Hugo Award for Best Novel1989Wonfor Cyteen
  • Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel1989Wonfor Cyteen
  • Edward E. Smith Memorial Award1988Won
  • Hugo Award for Best Novel1982Wonfor Downbelow Station
  • Hugo Award for Best Short Story1979Wonfor Cassandra
  • Astounding Award for Best New Writer1977Won
  • Dragon Award for Best Science Fiction Novel2025Shortlistedfor Alliance Unbound
  • Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel2019Shortlistedfor Emergence
  • Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel2017Shortlistedfor Visitor
  • Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel2016Shortlistedfor Tracker
  • Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel2014Shortlistedfor Protector

C.J. Cherryh at a glance

Still publishing
C.J. Cherryh published a book as recently as 2024.
Release pace
C.J. Cherryh books have appeared more than one a year on average.
Length
26,057 pages across the 81 of 105 books with a recorded length, a median of 320 pages each.
Busiest decade
Most C.J. Cherryh books, 45 of 105, were published in the 1980s.

What the C.J. Cherryh books are about

94 of the 105 C.J. Cherryh books carry subject tags in Open Library's catalogue. The subjects below are the ones that recur across them, most frequent first: science fiction is tagged on 60 of 94. The subjects are cataloguers’ headings, not a plot summary.