Rukis
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Red Lantern - Chronology / Guide
🕑 Added 2023-09-17 19:57:27 +0000 UTCI tend to assume that my readership is so niche, that most folks are in the know about my books, the chronology, the setting, the characters, etc. And that's an incorrect assumption! We actually have quite a drove of newcomers to the series and I want the story as accessible as possible. This may also prove to be helpful to long-term readers, since there is a LOT here, and even I lose track of things (don't get me started on dates, that's a whole can of worms)
Starting off with the Basics-
Red Lantern is a Historical Fiction Anthropomorphic, Age of Sail series that vaguely floats around the 18th-19th century in terms of technology and general 'vibes'. It is not directly analogous to any real historical periods, people, cultures, or events, and that is by design. I find direct analogies to be less than useful in storytelling for me personally, and prone to leading readers to draw faulty conclusions and comparisons to the real-world. I.E. the whole 'predatory species are an analogy for this group of people' comparison which is so rife in anthro fiction, which I find distasteful for more reasons than I'd care to list. This is a world wherein hundreds of different and distinct intelligent humanoids evolved. Comparing it directly to the real world is a pointless exercise. I source my inspiration from my love of history, animals, and my own opinions and feelings on the world we all find ourselves in now, but that is unavoidable in any fiction. Nothing is completely original. If you are ever curious if I'm trying to make such and such point, please just feel free to talk to me. Most of my stances in my storytelling are not subtle though, and broadly things I think most furries will give a resounding 'hell yeah' to. Or at least I hope so. Similarly, if you find yourself taking issue with things the characters in my books profess or believe, please remember these are meant to be honest portrayals of people, with all of the mistakes and shitty behavior you'd expect from said people (except Tulimak, because he's just a huge anxious muffin and has never done anything wrong ever) These characters are not saying what I believe, or doing what I'd do. And you probably shouldn't emulate them either. Especially Grayson.
CHRONOLOGY. This is in historical order by year, NOT the recommended order for reading the series.
- Legacy Dawn (Book 1), Legacy Dusk (Book 2)
- Heretic
- Illicit Alliance
- Kindred North (Book 1), Kindred South (Book 2)
- Off the Beaten Path (Book 1), Lost on Dark Trails (Book 2), The Long Road Home (Book 3)
- Red Lantern - The Crimson Divine (Book 1), Red Lantern - Conviction (Book 2)
- HeartTheft (Still Premiering)
'Dubiously Canon' is a book of short stories that take place a multiple points in time. Recommended you read the novels associated with the characters first.
All of my books can be found over at FURPLANET
Commonly Asked Questions-
Q: 'I started with _______', have I read the books out of order?
A: Odds are, unless you read part 2 or 3 of a trilogy before part 1, no. ALL Red Lantern stories, including the Graphic Novel, are stand-alone stories. You can read them in any order and they are meant to be digested and enjoyed on their own. If you read more than one of the series, you will begin to see the stories interconnect and weave together, and you may catch call-backs, little easter eggs and character cameos from other books you know, but you (should) not get lost. The ONE exception to this are the collections of short stories, since they almost always build on a core story and core characters.
Q: Is this an adult series?
A: In every way conceivable, yes. I don't just mean intimacy, either. Red Lantern deals with adult concepts that children should not be reading without a parent's supervision, including some of the darkest histories of the world both present and past. These stories are meant to educate and inform, and talk about struggles that are often marginalized or unknown. Please read with care and if you're concerned about particular triggers, ask the community or ask me.
Q: Is this series gay?
A: Yeah I'm not kidding, this IS one of the main questions I get asked. Usually hesitantly, and hopefully. The short answer is yes, the longer answer is yes, of course. Red Lantern has many characters on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, as well as straight and cisgender characters. If you're just hoping for straight m/f stories, we've got that, the Off the Beaten Path series and Illicit Alliance feature a straight F lead and a straight M lead, respectively. But be aware, if you're intolerant or would rather not read about gay characters existing, period, you're probably in the wrong place. You cannot escape us in our own domain. Run while you can.
Q: 'I like this character, where can I read their story?'
A: Below is the most complete list of my more popular characters with the main stories they appear in. These characters will also pop up in other stories, but these are arguably their primary books. Characters like Luther and Grayson are absolute attention wh0res, if I listed everything they're in we'd be here all day and this is already too long XP
*Some minor spoilers for character appearances in novels ahead*
Luther Denholme - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (protagonist/antagonist), Heretic (origin story), Illicit Alliance (supporting)
Grayson Reed - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (supporting), Illicit Alliance (origin story), and makes a cameo in most other novels, worst offender here for sure
Amon - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (protagonist, origin story), Legacy Series (alluded to, does not make appearance)
Dhaval - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (protagonist, origin story)
Esha - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (supporting protagonist, origin story), Illicit Alliance (alluded to, does not make appearance)
Isolde - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (protagonist, origin story)
Rajne Immar - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (antagonist), Legacy Series (antagonist, origin story)
Lochan - Legacy Series (antagonist/protagonist, origin story)
Johannes Cuthbert - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (protagonist/antagonist), HeartTheft (supporting), Heretic (supporting), and most other novels Luther is in
Puquanah (Puck) - Off the Beaten Path Series (supporting protagonist)
Ransom - Off the Beaten Path Series (supporting protagonist)
Shivah - Off the Beaten Path Series (Protagonist), Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (supporting)
Grant Wickham - Off the Beaten Path Series (supporting), Kindred Series (supporting)
Tulimak Tawnahowac - Kindred Series (protagonist, origin story)
Finnegan Ambrose - Kindred Series (protagonist, origin story)
Lotus - Illicit Alliance (supporting protagonist)
Hadeon - Illicit Alliance (supporting protagonist)
Kadar - Legacy Series (protagonist, origin story)
Ahsan - Legacy Series (protagonist, origin story), Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (supporting)
Richard Heinrich Cross - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (supporting)
Delilah Denholme - Heretic (protagonist, origin story), Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (supporting)
Zakkra - Red Lantern Graphic Novel Series (protagonist/antagonist)
Darcy - HeartTheft (protagonist, origin story)
Isidor of Ebon Gables - HeartTheft (protagonist, origin story)
Please ask any other questions below, or if you think I can expand on this, let me know what else you'd like me to put here!
Comments
OR-69
Same request. I'd love to see the graphic and written novels in kindle form. Bad Dog Books has some of Rukis' work, but not the Red Lantern graphic novels. https://baddogbooks.com/?s=rukis&post_type=product&paged=1&post_type=product Amazon only has the Kyell Gold novels which Rukis illustrated. (also generally great reads, but not the same)
Buddel
Dumb question, but is there a way to get the full red lantern comics digitally? I've only seen their physical versions online
Alden
I am so glad you posted this!
Trejaan Cavelion
Also, don't forget to mention that The Red Lantern Universe is a place where humans never existed, but all carnivorous or omnivorous mammals (with a few exceptions) became sentient. There're still Dyres (dyre wolves), Wraith Lions (Sabretooths), and Ursark (cave bears) among others that aren't too good with the thinky stuff.
Rukis
You are a strong soul, starting with Legacy. My hat is officially off to you
Rukis
On it.
Rukis
I believe I ended up referencing it in Illicit Alliance, so it's technically canon at this point. Or it may have been one of the side stories... hm. Wish I could keep track of my own lore, golly!
Arron Foxx
Ahhh! So it's headcannon, but not actually written in a story. I dig it.
Edef
This is a handy guide! Would a short story guide be possible as well? The "All-side stories" download is great but it doesn't come with any info on who each story is about.
Rukis
*snerk* It's an olive jar, actually. It's a somewhat canonical (in that everyone has decided it is) event in which Grayson got really drunk and de-virginized a bottle of extra virgin olive oil.
Rukis
I considered including that but the list is already so long, and I just can't mention every single appearance. I was on hour 2 of working on this thing XP
KiskaBeaust
Yeah, it's quite the list! I love seeing how all the worlds begin to intertwine with each other!
helioleo
Thanks for this! As someone who recently discovered the Red Lantern series, I'm already smitten with all the characters and the world that you have created. I've only finished Legacy and the graphic novels so far, and instantly had to order the rest! I'm glad to know many of the characters make appearances in your other works - especially Luther and Grayson, those two have caught my interest for their aura of intrigue in the graphic novel and I can't wait to start Heretic and Illicit Alliance when my books arrive.
helioleo
Agreed! I just got into Red Lantern recently and started with the Legacy books, and they were incredible (and now I am emotionally spent). Can’t wait to see Ahsan again!
Tom Noyb
Ok, so now I know what books to order. Thanks. BTW, I don't know about Grayson. His unwillingness to be held back by shame, ability to positively engage with others, utter loyalty to friends, and willingness to explore himself are all worthy traits. Given my personality, I think he would be the most profitable for me to meet.
Trejaan Cavelion
Tuli is purest cinnamon
Trejaan Cavelion
(except Tulimak, because he's just a huge anxious muffin and has never done anything wrong ever) Can confirm
CookieFloof
This series is probably what ended up making me a furry a very long time ago. I still remember finding the Red Lantern comic and then reading Heretic on FA. I used to read Of the Beaten Path on my phone while riding the train to and from school, getting excited every time a new chapter was released on FA. It got me through some difficult times back then. So I just want to say thank you for creating this amazing universe, and still continuing to expand on it after so many years, each new book is better than the last.
Arron Foxx
*queue choir music* Thank you so much for posting this! I've read a lot of your stuff as it has come out and snatched up every side story I could find. The only thing I've heard mentioned in chats that I haven't come across in a story yet is.... 'the pickle jar incident'
Trejaan Cavelion
Cross is also mentioned in Heretic (Luther spends his first years on the Cerberus aiding him).
Doug Kelly
I also have to ask because I’m curious — was there any specific inspiration (other than the obvious) behind the Nontawlik language? (Partly because I’m interested in languages — and it seems like there’s *some* structure, but I don’t know how developed of a structure it was within the story’s universe.)
Doug Kelly
I’d honestly love to hear more of his story at some point. There may not be much to tell, but curious nonetheless.
Rukis
Yeah, I couldn't include everyone or the list would've been SUPER long XP
Rhett
I don’t know if it’s important but Mikhail also is mentioned in Kindred and Heretic right?
Rukis
He did! I wasn't able to list everything, but I can add that
Rukis
I've been pretty open about his upcoming appearance in HeartTheft, if that's what you mean. I thought that cat was outta the bag there XP I'll post a warning tho
KiskaBeaust
Didn't Grant also make a small appearance in Kindred?
Pravvus
I started with OTBP on a whim, and fell in love with all the books, which now I own. Something about her writing style really immerses me.
Aleu H
No questions but as someone who's halfway through Kindred and has yet to touch the Red Lantern comic, I'm so glad that Ahsan is a supporting character. The ending of Legacy left me in shambles so it's nice to know I'll eventually get to see him again.
DiezlWolf
Right on :D
Doug Kelly
OK, I just about died laughing at your summary of Tulimak being a huge, anxious muffin… that’s so hilariously fitting (and who wouldn’t love him). And even some of the characters like Grayson who probably aren’t the most moral people, they still have some admirable qualities. But, I think that each of these characters are so relatable because they *are* flawed in some way. It certainly keeps the storytelling interesting, at least!
Tyla
*Nods* That's the basics of how to read this series alright. Maybe get into the rough locations of the books? How Amuresca/Carvecia/Mataa are roughly equivalent to Europe/the US/India, etc. It took me...far too long at the time to realize that Off the Beaten Path was a western hemisphere story lol
HumorusRodent
Rukis I think you should put a spoiler for the appearance list. I noticed an appearance by someone who has yet to come up.
