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series Reading Order

Bardic Voices Books in Order

5 Books
1991 – 1997 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best experience, we recommend reading the Bardic Voices series in publication order. This sequence follows the natural chronological progression of the world, introduces you to the core rules of Alanda’s music-based magic, and gradually expands the political and social conflicts of the Twenty Kingdoms.

  1. The Lark and the Wren (1991) – Starts the saga by introducing Rune, a tavern fiddler who defies the sexist restrictions of the official Bardic Guild to join the rogue Free Bards.
  2. The Robin & the Kestrel (1993) – Follows the gypsy bard Robin and the fugitive prince Kestrel as they work together to thwart a conspiracy aimed at outlawing music entirely.
  3. A Cast of Corbies (1994) – Co-authored with Josepha Sherman. This book is officially designated as a Bardic Choices novel, but it acts as a crucial mid-series installment following the Free Bards as they clash with the oppressive Church.
  4. The Eagle & the Nightingales (1995) – Focuses on the gypsy bard Nightingale and her non-human partner T’fyrr, a birdman, as they investigate a king's inaction against the rising threat of the Church.
  5. Four & Twenty Blackbirds (1997) – A darker standalone murder mystery that pivots to a police-procedural style, following constable Tal Rufen rather than a bard.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately, the chronological order matches the publication order. The main point of variation for readers is A Cast of Corbies. Because it was published under the spin-off banner Bardic Choices, some older lists skip it. However, it takes place directly between the events of The Robin & the Kestrel and The Eagle & the Nightingales, referencing returning characters and advancing the overall plot. We strongly suggest keeping it in the third slot.

Meanwhile, Four & Twenty Blackbirds is technically a standalone novel set in the same universe. It features minor character cameos (such as the Justiciar Mage Ardis) but does not require any knowledge of the first four books. You can safely read it first, last, or skip it entirely if you are only interested in the musical storylines.

The Core World of Alanda

In the world of Alanda, music is more than entertainment—it is a conduit for magical spells. The series highlights the struggle of the Free Bards, who use their artistry to preserve liberty, against both the rigid Guild and the hostile, puritanical Church. Lackey's personal background as a folk music lyricist shines through in the rich, authentic descriptions of instruments, compositions, and the life of traveling musicians.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Bardic Voices series?

You should start with the first book, The Lark and the Wren. It introduces the main setting of Alanda, the rules of musical magic, and the concept of the Free Bards.

QIs A Cast of Corbies required reading for Bardic Voices?

While A Cast of Corbies was published under the Bardic Choices spin-off label, it fits chronologically as the third book. It is highly recommended because it directly continues the series' overarching plot against the oppressive Church.

QCan Four & Twenty Blackbirds be read as a standalone?

Yes. Four & Twenty Blackbirds shifts focus away from bards to follow a constable named Tal Rufen solving a series of magical murders. It contains only minor cameos from previous books and functions perfectly as a standalone fantasy mystery.

QWho co-authored A Cast of Corbies with Mercedes Lackey?

The novel was co-authored by the late fantasy writer and folklorist Josepha Sherman, who brought her expertise in folklore and myth to the collaboration.

QIs the world of Alanda connected to Valdemar?

No. The world of Alanda is a completely separate universe from Mercedes Lackey's famous Valdemar setting, featuring its own distinct magic system based on music and a Renaissance Europe aesthetic.