James Paul Czajkowski, better known by his pen name James Rollins, is the author behind countless bestselling mystery, thriller, and action-adventure novels.
And if you’re a fantasy fan, you might also know him by his other pseudonym, James Clemens.
Whatever name he writes in, this prolific, genre-spanning author has captivated readers around the globe. His fast-paced, action-packed reads have been translated into more than forty languages and sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making him one of the most beloved fiction writers alive today.
James Rollins Books in Reading Order
In this post, I’ll give you a full list of every book that James Paul Czajkowski has ever published, both as James Rollins and James Clemens.
But before we begin, let’s find out a little more about the author and his life’s work.
Who is James Rollins?
Born in 1961 as James Paul Czajkowski, James Rollins grew up in a large Roman Catholic family in a blue-collar suburb of Chicago.
As a child, he was captivated by the sci-fiction stories of H.G Wells and Jules Verne and idolized classic pulp magazine heroes such as Doc Savage, The Shadow, and The Avenger.
These iconic characters and tales of adventure inspired him to follow in the footsteps of his literary idols, and he knew from an early age that he’d become a writer one day.
But Rollins had another fascination outside of the world of heroes and villains; he loved animals. So, after leaving school, he headed to the University of Missouri to study veterinary medicine.
After graduating, he set up a successful practice in Sacramento, California, and for the next fifteen years, he dedicated himself to helping sick and injured animals.
Yet, although his career was rewarding, the long hours at his busy clinic didn’t leave much time to explore his passion for writing. He’d scribble down ideas whenever he could and often work on manuscripts during his lunch hour amidst a chorus of barking dogs and meowing cats.
But eventually, after impressing the judges of the Maui Writers’ Conference in Hawaii in 1998, he got his first big break with his debut novel Wit’ch Fire, under the pen name James Clemens.
From then on, there was no stopping him, and he eventually earned enough money from his books to step down from his veterinary practice and dedicate himself to writing full time.
In the years that followed, Rollins became an internationally recognized bestselling author, and even today, his glittering writing career shows no signs of slowing down.
But even as one of the most celebrated authors in America, he still sets aside time to help animals.
“Once a week, I spend about eight hours spaying and neutering trapped feral cats for the Sacramento Council of Cats,” he explained in an interview with St Louis Magazine. “All I do with my veterinary degree now is remove genitalia.”
So far in his career as an author, Rollins has published more than thirty-five novels spanning multiple smash-hit series.
And recently, he delighted readers by announcing the start of a brand new series, MoonFall Saga, with book one, The Starless Crown, hitting the shelves in January this year.
The Complete List of James Rollins Books in Reading Order
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Banned and the Banished Books (as James Clemens) | • Publication date: January 1, 1999 • Print length: 484 pages | Check Price |
 | The Sigma Force Books (as James Rollins) | • Publication date: June 29, 2004 • Print length: 464 pages | Check Price |
 | The Godslayer Chronicles (as James Clemens) | • Publication date: July 5, 2005 • Print length: 480 pages | Check Price |
 | The Jake Ransom Books (as James Rollins) | • Publication date: April 28, 2009 • Print length: 416 pages | Check Price |
 | The Sanguines Books (As James Rollins, with Rebecca Cantrell) | • Publication date: October 30, 2012 • Print length: 64 pages | Check Price |
 | The Tucker Wayne Books (as James Rollins, with Grant Blackwood) | • Publication date: May 13, 2014 • Print length: 400 pages | Check Price |
 | The Moon Fall Books (as James Rollins) | • Publication date: January 4, 2022 • Print length: 560 pages | Check Price |
 | Standalone Novels | • Publication date: March 9, 2010 • Print length: 432 pages | Check Price |
So, now that you know a little more about this multifaceted author, let’s explore his large and varied bibliography.
Below, I’ll list everything that James Rollins has published in his 20+ year career, starting with his debut series in the late 90s, through to his brand new release.
The Banned and the Banished Books (as James Clemens)
This five-installment fantasy saga was Rollins’s debut series, published under his alternative pen name, James Clemens.
It follows a young girl named Elena, who lives an ordinary life on the family farm until she discovers her true identity as the reincarnation of a powerful, ancient sorceress.
The Banned and the Banished Publication and Reading Order
There are five books in the series, which are best read in the order they were published.
The Sigma Force Books (as James Rollins)
Rollins’s second major series left the fantasy genre behind in favor of rip-roaring, high-action thrillers.
The Sigma Force books follow an elite team of ex-special forces agents drafted to work for the US Defense Department. Each agent is highly trained in a unique scientific field, and together, they combine their expertise to form a covert group of ‘killer scientists’ to save the planet from otherwise certain destruction.
The Sigma Force Books in Publication and Reading Order
There are sixteen major works in the Sigma Force series, plus seven short stories and novellas that complement the main story arcs.
While the novellas aren’t essential to understanding the main plot, they do follow the continuation of the books. So, if you want to include them in your reading journey, I’ve inserted them into the chronological reading order below.
- Sandstorm (2004)
- Map of Bones (2005)
- Black Order (2006)
- The Judas Strain (2007)
- The Last Oracle (2008)
- The Doomsday Key (2009)
- The Devil Colony (2010)
- Bloodline (2012)
- The Eye of God (2013)
- The 6th Extinction (2014)
- The Bone Labyrinth (2015)
- The Seventh Plague (2016)
- The Demon Crown (2017)
- Crucible (2018)
- The Last Odyssey (2020)
- Kingdom of Bones (2022)
The Godslayer Chronicles (as James Clemens)
In 2005, Rollins resurrected his pseudonym James Clemens to pen this two-book fantasy series set in the fictional world of Nine Lands.
Guided by a hundred deities, the people of Nine Lands have lived in harmony for millennia. But all that changes when the goddess Meeryn is killed.
Now it falls to the only witness, the falsely accused Tylar de Noche, to find the perpetrator and claim his innocence. But as he hunts for the truth, he discovers something inconceivable about the nature of his world and those who rule it.
The Godslayer Chronicles in Reading and Publication Order
There are just two books in the Godslayer series, and they’re designed to be read in the publication order listed below.
The Jake Ransom Books (as James Rollins)
This middle-grade thriller series follows the adventures of Jake Ransom, the son of a pair of archeologists who vanished without a trace three years ago.
The only clues to his parent’s whereabouts are two halves of an ancient coin, and together with his sister Kady, Jake must unravel the secrets behind the coin and discover the truth behind their disappearance.
The Jake Ransom Books in Publication and Reading Order
There are two books in the Jake Ransom series, and they’re best read in the publication order listed below.
The Sanguines Books (As James Rollins, with Rebecca Cantrell)
From 2012 to 2015, James Rollins collaborated with fellow author Rebecca Cantrell to write a collection of fantasy thriller novels known as the Sanguines series.
The books follow the exploits of archaeologist Dr. Erin Granger, military forensic expert Sergeant Jordan Stone, and Vatican priest Father Rhun Korza as they work together to save the earth for a cataclysmic event that could spell the end of humankind.
The Sanguines Books in Publication and Reading Order
There are three major novels and two short stories in the Sanguines series, which are best read in the publication order listed below.
The Tucker Wayne Books (as James Rollins, with Grant Blackwood)
In 2014, Rollins teamed up with Grant Blackwood, the bestselling author behind the Briggs Tanner books, to pen this two-part military thriller series starring Captain Tucker Wayne and his canine-cop companion.
The Tucker Wayne Books in Publication and Reading Order
There are just two books in this series, and it’s best to read them in the publication order listed below.
The Moon Fall Books (as James Rollins)
Earlier this year, Rollins delighted his fans by publishing the debut novel of a brand-new series, Moon Fall.
This captivating adventure story brings together an assortment of fascinating characters on a mission to save the world from an impending apocalypse.
So far, The Starless Crown (2022) is the only book in the series, but Rollins has promised readers a total of four installments in the Moon Fall saga, so watch this space.
Standalone Novels
Along with his popular book series, James Rollins has also written six standalone works, which I’ve listed in publication order below.
- Subterranean (1999)
- Excavation (2000)
- Deep Fathom (2001)
- Amazonia (2002)
- Ice Hunt (2003)
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Short Stories
James Rollins has penned various short stories and novellas, and in 2020, many were collected into the anthology, Unrestricted Access: New and Classic Short Fiction.
This book contains a total of twelve quick reads, including several stories from the Sigma Force series and some brand new, never before published tales.
Also Read: The Complete List of Joanne Fluke Books in Reading Order
Conclusion
Veterinarian James Rollins didn’t start writing novels until later in life. But even so, in the decades since he became an author, he’s penned a huge number of smash-hit series and standalone novels.
Which is your favorite James Rollins book? Let me know in the comments below!