🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About James L. Cambias
He became interested in astronomy and space from a young age. He got his degree in the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine from the University of Chicago, focusing on the Royal Society and Robert Hooke. James’ early writing focused on role-playing games, especially adventures and support material for Space 1989. In 1994, his first role playing book was published by Iron Crown Enterprises, and he has written or contributed to books for Hero Games, Last Unicorn Games, andSteve Jackson Games, including GURPS Mars, Star Trek: The Next Generation Role-Playing Game, GURPS Space, and Star Hero. He’s also one of the founders of Zygote Games, and co-designer of Bone Wars: The Game of Ruthless Paleontology, and Parasites Unleashed.
All Book Series by James L. Cambias
The Other Half of the Sky
Series opener · book 1 of 3 · published 2013 Anthology · Aliette de Bodard,Jack McDevitt,Nisi Shawl,Terry Boren,Vandana Singh,Ken Liu,Joan Slonczewski,Alexander Jablokov,Martha Wells,Cat Rambo,Melissa Scott,Athena Andreadis,Kay T. Holt,Sue Lange,Christine Lucas,Kelly Jennings,C.W. Johnson,Alex Dally McFarlane
To Shape the Dark
Book 2 of 3 · published 2016 Anthology · Aliette de Bodard,Gwyneth Jones,Jack McDevitt,Terry Boren,Vandana Singh,Melissa Scott,Shariann Lewitt,Anil Menon,Athena Andreadis,Kiini Ibura Salaam,Jacqueline Koyanagi,Eleni Tsami,Kristin Landon,Susan Lanigan,M. Fenn,Constance Cooper,C.W. Johnson
Retellings of the Inland Seas
Latest in the series · book 3 of 3 · published 2020
Revelations Cycle IV: Fall of the Malakim
Series opener · book 1 of 9 · published 1998
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction April 2000
Book 2 of 9 · published 2000
Fantasy & Science Fiction February 2008; Vol 114 No. 2
Book 4 of 9 · published 2008
Retellings of the Inland Seas
Latest in the series · book 9 of 9 · published 2020
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James L. Cambias?
He became interested in astronomy and space from a young age. He got his degree in the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine from the University of Chicago, focusing on the Royal Society and Robert Hooke. James’ early writing focused on role-playing games, especially adventures and support material for Space 1989.
Which James L. Cambias series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Billion Worlds series, the earliest of James L. Cambias's multi-book series: it opens with The Godel Operation (2021) and runs to 4 books across 2021–2026, ending with The Ishtar Deception (2026).
How many books has James L. Cambias written?
James L. Cambias has 23 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1998 and 2026. 7 of them belong to 2 named series — the largest being the Billion Worlds series with 4 books — and 16 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should James L. Cambias's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. James L. Cambias's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Billion Worlds (2021–2026, 4 books).
How are James L. Cambias's books organised into series?
This guide splits James L. Cambias's 23 books into 2 named series and 16 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Billion Worlds (4 books, 2021–2026); Feral Astrogators (3 books, 2013–2020).