The Recommended Reading Paths for Dowser
Step into the magical world of the Dowser series, where cupcakes are spellbinding, and Vancouver pulses with supernatural secrets! Crafted by Canadian author Meghan Ciana Doidge, this urban fantasy saga follows Jade Godfrey, a half-witch baker with a knack for dowsing magic. With vampires, werewolves, and a dash of romance, Dowser serves up a delicious blend of mystery, action, and charm that keeps readers hungry for more. Because the series resides inside a much larger, interconnected world known as the Adept Universe, readers often wonder how to navigate the books without running into spoilers. Depending on how deeply you want to dive, there are two primary ways to approach the reading order.
The Jade-Only Path (Core Dowser Series)
If you prefer to focus exclusively on Jade Godfrey's story and her magical Vancouver bakery, you can follow the core Dowser books in their direct order of release. This path is straightforward and allows you to enjoy her character progression, her romantic interests, and her pastry creations without switching between different main characters. However, keep in mind that since the Adept Universe is highly serialized and features major crossovers, you will occasionally see references to external events and characters that are detailed in other series. The core Dowser list includes nine main novels and two key novellas/collections that sit between the major books.
The Adept Universe Master Reading Order
For the complete, spoiler-free experience, Meghan Ciana Doidge recommends an integrated chronological reading order. In this master path, you weave the first few Dowser books together with the Oracle series, the Reconstructionist series, and subsequent spin-offs like the Amplifier and Archivist books. Reading in this order prevents major plot twists in companion series from being spoiled when those characters cross over into Jade's life. If you want the full picture of the magical underbelly of Vancouver and beyond, checking out the integrated timeline is highly recommended.
The Dowser Books in Publication Order
The Dowser series kicked off in 2013 and has expanded over more than a decade. The local publication timeline maps out the books as follows:
- Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (2013): The book that started it all. Jade Godfrey's peaceful bakery life is shattered when she is accused of murder after a dead werewolf and a mysterious vampire appear.
- Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic (2013): Jade must deal with her foster sister Sienna's descent into dark magic, bringing blood-fueled chaos to Vancouver.
- Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic (2014): Jade brandishes a new sword to face her sister's relentless dark magic, trying to survive while craving chocolate.
- Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic (2015): The story expands as older, ancient elements of magic enter the picture, forcing Jade to look past Vancouver's borders.
- Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic (2015): Jade's dowsing abilities are tested as hidden magical items and long-forgotten secrets emerge.
- Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic (2016): High stakes and dangerous mythical beasts put Jade's bakery and her loved ones in extreme danger.
- Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (2018): Jade protects her circle from a homegrown Vancouver threat while building her business empire.
- Misfits, Gemstones, and Other Shattered Magic (2018): A turning point that deals with the emotional and physical fallout of the magical battles Jade has fought.
- Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things that Byte (2018): Set as Book 8.5, this is a compilation of three novellas from the perspectives of Mory, Rochelle, and Jasmine as they defend their home.
- Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (2018): The dramatic concluding chapter of the core nine-book narrative arc.
- Soulmates, Doorways, and Other Unruly Magic (2024): A special tenth-anniversary novella (Book 9.5) focusing on Jade, Kandy, and Kett dealing with unruly dimensional doorways and cupcakes.
Understanding the Interconnected Adept Universe
To fully appreciate how the spin-offs and companion series tie into the Dowser series, it helps to understand who the other key players are in Meghan Ciana Doidge's Adept Universe. Here are the major subseries that run parallel to Jade's adventures:
The Oracle Series
Centered on Rochelle, a powerful oracle, this series runs directly alongside the mid-sections of Dowser. If you are following the Master Reading Order, you should read Oracle Book 1 (I See Me) immediately after Dowser Book 3. Oracle Book 2 (I See You) fits perfectly between Dowser Book 5 and Dowser Book 6, while Oracle Book 3 (I See Us) should be read right after Dowser Book 6.
The Reconstructionist Series
This series stars Wisteria, a magic-user with the rare ability to reconstruct past magical events. The Reconstructionist books are crucial to read before diving into Dowser Book 7, as Wisteria's story directly sets up the events and characters that Jade interacts with in the latter portion of her own series. A key companion novella, The Graveyard Kiss, serves as Book 0.5 of the Reconstructionist series and should be read before starting Catching Echoes.
The Amplifier, Archivist, and Misfits Series
The Adept Universe continues to expand with the Amplifier series (starting with The Amplifier Protocol and Demons and DNA), the Archivist series, and the Misfits of the Adept Universe. These books continue the overarching meta-plot of the universe, bringing together characters from Dowser, Oracle, and Reconstructionist for massive crossover events. If you plan to read the tenth-anniversary novella Soulmates, Doorways, and Other Unruly Magic (2024), the author notes that you should ideally complete the Dowser series and the second book of the Archivist series first to avoid major spoilers.
What to Know Before You Start
Meghan Ciana Doidge's Adept Universe is highly praised for its unique urban fantasy magic systems. Jade's magic is dowsing—she can sense, locate, and read magical energies, which she channels into her trinkets and delicious baked goods. The Vancouver setting is also a character in itself, featuring local fashion nods like Fluevog shoes and iconic Pacific Northwest environments. While the early books feature lighthearted humor, baking, and cozy shop vibes, the stakes escalate significantly in later volumes. The series deals with deeper themes of loyalty, chosen family, and sacrifice, shifting into darker and more action-packed adult fantasy territory. Romance also plays an important role, with Jade navigating complex relationships with shapeshifters and vampires over the course of the story.
Where to Start & Practical Reader Advice
The absolute best place to start is the very first novel, Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1). Because of the complex, overarching continuity of the Adept Universe, these books cannot be read as standalones. Trying to jump into the middle of the series will leave you confused by the intricate web of alliances, character growth, and magical rules. If you find the massive list of novels and novellas intimidating, you can stick strictly to the primary Dowser novels (Books 1 through 9) first, but preparing yourself for a few minor gaps in knowledge regarding external characters will help you enjoy the ride.