Which Monster Hunter International Short Stories Fit Between The Main Books?

Wait, are we counting the stories in 'The Monster Hunter Files' anthology? Because that’s a mixed bag. Some are by Correia and fit into the timeline, others are by guest authors and might be considered semi-canon or just 'for fun.' The Correia-penned ones there are the key ones: 'The Devil’s Lair,' 'Cleveland Rocked,' and 'Swords of Exodus.'

There’s also a short called 'Bubba Shackleford’s Professional Monster Killers: Dog Days' which is a prequel about, you guessed it, Bubba. It’s more of an origin story for the legend. It doesn’t fit 'between' books per se, as it’s set decades earlier, but it’s a fun read that adds context to the MHI universe’s history. So the true 'between the books' shorts are really just a handful. The rest are prequels or parallel stories.

Most people just dive into the novels, but the short stories add so much texture. 'The MHI Christmas Party' is perfect after the first book—it’s pure character comedy and team bonding, a nice breather before the heavy stuff in 'Vendetta.' 'The Devil’s Lair' is a dark, tense mission that directly leads into the opening crisis of 'Alpha.' Skipping it would make a certain character's appearance and motivations in 'Alpha' feel a bit abrupt.

'Cleveland Rocked' is a solid epilogue to 'Alpha,' dealing with the bureaucratic and monstrous mess left behind. The 'Bubba Shackleford' stories are scattered prequels, fun but not essential for the main arc. If you're a completionist, hunt down 'The Monster Hunter Files' for a bunch of side tales, but know they vary in quality and canonicity. Honestly, the main through-line by Correia himself is what matters for following Owen's story.

Wait, I need to correct myself. 'Alive Day' is another short story, found in the 'Target Rich Environment: Volume 1' collection. It’s set after 'Nemesis,' I believe. So the list of core shorts is actually a bit longer: Christmas Party, Devil’s Lair, Cleveland Rocked, Swords of Exodus, Alive Day. And the Bubba prequels. So there are more than people initially remember.

'Alive Day' deals with the psychological aftermath of a hunter’s near-death experience. It’s a more somber, character-driven piece. So the range of tones in the shorts is even wider than I thought. They’re not all action-comedy. Some, like this one, delve into the real cost of the job. It’s another layer. Finding all these scattered shorts is like a treasure hunt.

They’re quick reads, most of them. You can finish one in a sitting. That’s another reason to just sprinkle them in where they fit. Don’t treat it as a homework assignment. Finish 'Monster Hunter International,' think 'I want more of these people,' and then jump into 'The MHI Christmas Party.' It’s the natural next step. Then dive into 'Vendetta.' When you finish that and need more context for what comes next, 'The Devil’s Lair' is waiting.

It’s organic. Let your curiosity guide you. If you finish a novel and aren’t itching for more world-building, just move on to the next big book. The shorts will always be there later if you change your mind. They’re bonuses, not barriers. I think some fans overcomplicate it by treating it like a rigid syllabus. It’s supposed to be fun.

I’ve got a soft spot for 'Swords of Exodus.' It feels like a classic D&D dungeon crawl adapted to the MHI setting. The team is sent on a specific retrieval mission in a hostile environment, and everything goes sideways. It’s tight, focused, and has some great monster design. It doesn’t tie directly into the main plot of 'Legion' or 'Nemesis,' but it’s a fantastic example of a standard MHI operation at its best.

It probably fits chronologically after 'Legion,' during a period of relative calm before the next big crisis. It’s the kind of story that shows why MHI is the best in the business, relying on skill, preparation, and teamwork rather than just Owen’s unique... attributes. It’s a solid team story where everyone gets a moment.