4HU Primer | Chris Kennedy Publishing (2024)

This page outlines all of the Four Horsem*n universe (4HU) books. For a suggested reading order, look here. Take your VOWS and join us on Facebook here.

Five years from now, Earth was first contacted by representatives of the Trade Guild of the Galactic Union. Sol had been scouted for some time by a hyperspace shunt-equipped scout ship of the Cartography Guild and classified as “Pre-Industrial.” By the date of first contact, the Buma were looking for an untapped source of revenue and one of their scout ships detected a deep space probe and guessed Humanity was ripe for a profitable first contact. They rolled the dice and paid for the Cartography Guild to install a stargate and initiated contact. What they got…wasn’t what they expected.

The Revelations Cycle

The first series of books in the 4HU, the Revelations Cycle, is complete and has twelve books out–four main story line novels, three standalone books that have been tied in (Peacemaker, Assassin, and Honor The Threat), a fourth standalone book (CASPer Alamo), a back story novel (Alpha Contracts), and three anthologies to help expand the universe. The Revelations Cycle stories are:

1. Cartwright’s Cavaliers main story line novel by Mark
2. Asbaran Solutions main story line novel by Chris
3. Winged Hussars main story line novel by Mark
4. The Golden Horde main story line novel by Chris
5. A Fistful of Credits anthology edited by Chris and Mark
6. Peacemaker main story line tie-in novel by Kevin Ikenberry
7. For a Few Credits More anthology edited by Chris and Mark
8. The Good, The Bad, And The Merc anthology edited by Chris and Mark
9. CASPer Alamo standalone novel by Eric S. Brown and Jason Brannon
10. Alpha Contracts the 4HU origin stories by Chris and Mark
11. Assassin main story line tie-in novel by Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf
12. Honor The Threat main story line tie-in novel by Kevin

Although these books are generally “stand-alone,” there is some crossover between them, and there is a story line building in the background, which the anthologies contribute to, as well. Generally, the first four books should be read in order, although the others can be read in whatever order you’d like. The anthologies give additional insight into events that are happening and background on some of the characters. Also, the Peacemaker stories (Peacemaker and Honor the Threat) and the Depik story (Assassin) are being tied into the next series (so you don’t want to skip them).

The Omega War

The main story line for the Revelations Cycle ends with The Golden Horde and resumes with the next series, the “The Omega War.” Earth has been invaded and the Horsem*n have fled! Find out what happens next in The Omega War novels:

1. A Fiery Sunset main story line novel by Chris and Mark
2. The Midnight Sun main story line novel by Tim C. Taylor
3. Dark Moon Arisen main story line novel by Chris and Mark
4. Stand or Fall main story line novel by Kevin Ikenberry
5. Sinclair’s Scorpions main story line novel by PP Corcoran
6. Dirty Deeds main story line novel by Mark Wandrey
7. When the Axe Falls main story line novel by Jon R. Osborne
8. A Pale Dawn main story line novel by Chris and Mark
9. Do No Harm main story line novel by Robert E. Hampson and Chris
10. Deathangel main story line novel by Kevin Ikenberry
11. Sons of the Lion main story line novel by Jason Cordova
12. Alabaster Noon main story line novel by Chris and Mark

If that isn’t enough, there is more we have mapped out to follow The Omega War (so settle in and enjoy; you will continue to get your fill!)

Jim Cartwright At Large

Want to know what happens to Jim Cartwright between “Cartwright’s Cavaliers” and “A Fiery Sunset?” Check out the “Jim Cartwright at Large” series of short stories. You can either read the serials (#1-5), or read “Jim Cartwright: Raknar Quest,” which is an omnibus edition of all five serials, plus two short stories from the anthologies, plus 8,000 new words. Better yet, read both!

1. Karma Upsilon 4
2. Valley of Loss
3. Empire of Machines
4. Eye of Minerva
5. Hunted

AND/OR

Jim Cartwright: Raknar Quest

Additionally, there are two prequel short stories that are available for joining the mailing on this site and on Mark’s website.

Four Horsem*n Tales

There will be some additional books added to this series, typically standalone books and anthologies to further expand the universe. So far there are fourteen books in the new Four Horsem*n Tales series:

1. Legend standalone novel by Christopher Woods
2. Weaver standalone novel by Kacey Ezell and Mark Wandrey
3. The Colchis Job standalone novel by Kal Spriggs
4. Tales from the Lyon’s Den anthology edited by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
5. When Eagles Dare standalone novel by Doug Dandridge
6. Luck is Not a Factor anthology edited by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
7. Free Bird Rising standalone novel by Ian J. Malone
8. Hope is Not a Strategy anthology edited by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
9. Hunter standalone novel by Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf
10. With Your Shield standalone novel by Chris Kennedy and Alex Rath
11. The Feeding of Sorrows standalone novel by Rob Howell
12. Spartan’s Specialists standalone novel by Alex Rath
13. Negotiation Depik anthology edited by Kacey Ezell and Marisa Wolf
14. Jim Cartwright: Raknar Quest omnibus version of the Mark Wandrey serials

Guild Wars

The main story line picks up with Storm Clouds, the first book in the Guild Wars series. The Guild Wars is complete at eighteen books.

1. Storm Clouds main story line novel by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
2. Between Two Worlds main story line novel by Chris Kennedy and Alex Rath
3. Endless Night main story line novel by Tim C. Taylor
4. An Axe To Grind main story line novel by Jon R. Osborne
5. The Dark Before the Light main story line novel by Tim C. Taylor
6. Daughter of the Pride main story line novel by Jason Cordova
7. Gale Force main story line novel by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
8. One Minute to Midnight main story line novel by Tim C. Taylor and Chris Kennedy
9. Night Song main story line novel by Mark Wandrey and Marisa Wolf
10. Sword of Minerva main story line novel by Mark Wandrey
11. Eye of the Storm main story line novel by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
12. The Street Survivors main story line novel by Ian J. Malone and Chris Kennedy
13. And Break it Not main story line novel by Hampson/Medlock
14. Cartwright’s Cavaliers: Descent main story line novel by Mark Wandrey and Kacey Ezell
15. Three Steps to Oblivion main story line novel by Ian J. Malone and Chris Kennedy
16. Ally main story line novel by Marisa Wolf and Kacey Ezell
17. Tempest Rage main story line novel by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
18. As My Witnesses main storyline novel by Sandra L. Medlock and Casey Moores

Rise Of The Peacemakers

In parallel with the “Guild Wars” books (and what else is to come), is the new series, “Rise of the Peacemakers.” This series broadens the visibility of the Peacemaker Guild by exploring its capabilities and limitations through a connected story line that follows the events that occur after the first four Peacemaker novels. Several authors will be writing in this line.

1. Redacted Affairs RotP novel by Kevin Ikenberry and Kevin Steverson
2. Fields of Fire RotP novel by Kevin Ikenberry
3. Set the Terms RotP anthology edited by Mia Kleve and Kevin Ikenberry
4. These Things We Do RotP novel by Casey Moores
5. Prodigal Son RotP novel by Matt Novotny and Mark Stallings
6. Redacted Vice RotP novel by Kevin Ikenberry and Kevin Steverson
7. Chasing Hell RotP novel by Peter J. Aldin
8. Mess With The Bull RotP novel by Casey Moores
9. Unshackled RotP novel by Casey Moores and Jaime Ibson
10. Harbinger RotP novel by Kevin Ikenberry
11. Redacted Weapon RotP novel by Kevin Ikenberry and Kevin Stevenson

The Phoenix Initiative

The main storyline continues with “The Phoenix Initiative.” After ascending to the Speakership of the Mercenary Guild, Nigel Shirazi declared the “Phoenix Initiative” in order to rebuild Merc Guild forces while there was a pause in operations against the Kahraman and Synthetic Intelligences. Several authors will be writing in this line.

1. The Lyon’s Pride main storyline novel by Chris Kennedy and Marisa Wolf
2. World Enders main storyline novel by Chris Kennedy and Marisa Wolf
3. On A Cloudy Day main storyline novel by Kevin Ikenberry and Jason Cordova
4. The Misfits main storyline novel by Kevin Ikenberry and Jason Cordova
5. Companion To Darkness main storyline novel by Casey Moores
6. First Missions anthology edited by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey
7. BRASS main storyline novel by William S. Frisbee, Jr.
8. Gunpowder Geishas main storyline novel by Carolyn Kay
9. Winged Hussars: Andromeda main storyline novel by Mark Wandrey
10. Thicker Than Water main storyline novel by Michael Morton
11. Foiled Ambitions main storyline novel by John M. Olsen

Four Horsem*n Sagas

There will also be more novels that provide background information and help expand the universe. This series is the Four Horsem*n Sagas. This series is ongoing, with a number of authors writing in this line.

1. Gunboat Diplomacy standalone novel by Jason Cordova and Jamie Ibson
2. Enforcer standalone novel by Kevin Ikenberry and Quincy J. Allen
3. Daskada, The Legend standalone novel by Christopher Woods
4. The Gates of Hell: More Tales from the Lyon’s Den anthology edited by Kennedy/Wandrey
5. High Mountain Hunters standalone novel by William Alan Webb
6. The Ravening of Wolves standalone novel by Rob Howell
7. In the Wings anthology edited by Kennedy/Wandrey
8. The Executioners standalone novel by Jason Cordova and Matt Novotny
9. To Have and to Holdstandalone novel by Zane Voss
10. Defenders Rise standalone novel by Mike Jack Stoumbos

The Frontiers

Finally, there is the new YA series, The Frontiers. You won’t want to miss them, as there’s some good info in them! They are:

1. Black and White standalone novel by Mark Wandrey
2. Scholarship standalone novel by David Alan Jones
3. Bjorn standalone novel by Jon R. Osborne
4. Blood in the Water standalone novel by Mark Wandrey