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series Reading Order

Book of Deacon Books in Order

13 Books
2010 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Path

For the best introduction to the world of Entwell and the Perpetual War, author Joseph R. Lallo recommends starting with the main trilogy. Reading the books in publication order allows you to discover the magic system, the lore, and the central conflict alongside Myranda Celeste and her dragon companion, Myn, before exploring character-specific prequels and side stories.

1. The Main Sequence

The core narrative follows Myranda's journey and the resolution of the centuries-long conflict. Read these novels in the following order:

  • The Book of Deacon (2010) – The starting novel where Myranda Celeste discovers a mysterious glowing device and is pulled into the Perpetual War.
  • The Great Convergence (2010) – The second installment, focusing on Myranda gathering the chosen heroes to fulfill the prophecy.
  • The Battle of Verril (2011) – The final battle of the original trilogy.
  • The D'Karon Apprentice (2015) – The direct sequel series starter set after the events of the original trilogy.
  • The Crescents (2017) – Continues the story of the next generation of heroes.
  • The Coin of Kenvard (2020) – Further expands the stakes and concludes major plot lines of the sequel sequence.

2. Sidequests, Novellas, and Prequels

Once you are familiar with the main story, you can expand your understanding of the universe with these side stories (or "sidequests"), many of which are compiled in the official anthologies:

  • The Rise of the Red Shadow (2013) – A full-length prequel novel detailing the origin story of Lain, the legendary assassin.
  • The Story of Sorrel (2016) – A prequel follow-up that details the early life of Sorrel.
  • Seeking the Shadow – A short story set directly between The Rise of the Red Shadow and The Book of Deacon.
  • Jade (2010) – A novella set after the events of the original trilogy, introducing the dragon Jade.
  • Entwell Origins: Ayna (2018) – Explores the backstory of the ancient wizard Ayna.
  • The Stump and the Spire (2018) – A short sidequest set in the Northern Forest.
  • The Adventures of Rustle and Eddy (2018) – A lighter, character-focused side story.
  • Halfax (2019) – A novella focusing on the legacy of the dragon Jade and the characters around her.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

If you prefer a chronological reading of the historical timeline, you would start with the prequels. However, this approach can spoil mystery elements of the main trilogy and may feel less cohesive as a starting point. Here is how the timeline aligns chronologically:

  1. The Rise of the Red Shadow (Prequel)
  2. The Story of Sorrel (Prequel)
  3. Seeking the Shadow (Short story)
  4. The Book of Deacon (Main Trilogy #1)
  5. The Great Convergence (Main Trilogy #2)
  6. The Battle of Verril (Main Trilogy #3)
  7. Jade (Novella)
  8. The D'Karon Apprentice (Sequel #1)
  9. The Crescents (Sequel #2)
  10. Halfax (Novella)
  11. The Coin of Kenvard (Sequel #3)

Other side stories, such as Entwell Origins: Ayna, occur far in the past or run parallel to the main timeline and can be read at any point after the original trilogy.

Where to Find Short Stories

Many of the shorter novellas and sidequests are collected in two official volumes:

  • The Book of Deacon Anthology (2015) – Includes Entwell Origins: Ayna, Jade, and other early short stories.
  • The Book of Deacon Anthology Volume 2 (2022) – Compiles stories released between 2015 and 2022, including Halfax and The Stump and the Spire.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best book to start with in the Book of Deacon series?

The best place to start is the very first novel, The Book of Deacon. It introduces Myranda, the magic system, and the Perpetual War, providing the necessary foundation for all other spin-offs and sequels.

QShould I read The Rise of the Red Shadow first?

Although The Rise of the Red Shadow is a prequel set chronologically before the main series, the author recommends reading the main trilogy first to avoid spoilers and enjoy the mystery surrounding Lain's character.

QWhere does the novella Jade fit in the reading order?

The novella Jade takes place immediately after the events of The Battle of Verril. It is best read after finishing the original trilogy and before starting The D'Karon Apprentice.

QAre the Book of Deacon side stories necessary to understand the main plot?

No, the side stories and novellas are optional "sidequests" that build out character backstories and world lore. You can enjoy the main narrative arcs by reading only the core novels.

QAre the short stories collected in books?

Yes. Most of the short stories and novellas are compiled in The Book of Deacon Anthology (2015) and The Book of Deacon Anthology Volume 2 (2022).

QHow many core novels make up the main storyline?

The main storyline consists of six primary novels: the original trilogy (The Book of Deacon, The Great Convergence, The Battle of Verril) and the sequel trilogy (The D'Karon Apprentice, The Crescents, The Coin of Kenvard).