How to Read the Dragon Emperor Series in Order
The Dragon Emperor series by Eric Vall is a staple of the progression fantasy and harem lit (HaremLit) genres. The story follows Evan, a former EMT who is transported to the magical world of Inati after putting on an ancient dragon mask. He transforms into a powerful black dragon and must navigate a world filled with dangerous miasma, rebuild a ruined city, and gather a harem of loyal companions.
Because the series is a continuous, linear narrative with a single protagonist, there are no complicated spin-offs, side stories, or prequels. The recommended reading order is strictly the chronological publication order. Reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points, character acquisitions, and power progressions.
Dragon Emperor Publication & Reading Order
Below is the complete list of books in the series, starting with Evan's arrival in Inati and concluding with the final battle in book 22:
- Dragon Emperor (2019) – Evan arrives in Inati, discovers his black dragon powers, and begins to rebuild the ruined city of Hatra while defending it against hordes of undead-like monsters.
- Dragon Emperor 2 (2019) – Evan solidifies his role as the heir of Hatra, begins to expand his influence, and adds new members to his growing harem.
- Dragon Emperor 3 (2019) – Evan faces the threats of the Green Glass Sect and continues to harness his draconic powers.
- Dragon Emperor 4 (2019) – The political stakes rise as Evan interacts with the surrounding kingdoms of Inati.
- Dragon Emperor 5 (2019) – Evan and the priestess Alyona campaign across the region of Rahma, confronting a powerful necromancer.
- Dragon Emperor 6 (2020) – Evan continues his quest to secure the legendary Noble Swords.
- Dragon Emperor 7 (2020) – The war against the miasma and corrupt sects intensifies.
- Dragon Emperor 8 (2020) – Evan acquires new magical items and allies to bolster Hatra's defenses.
- Dragon Emperor 9 (2020) – Exploration of new territories within Inati reveals deeper secrets about the ancient dragons.
- Dragon Emperor 10 (2020) – Evan faces off against powerful enemy generals who threaten his city.
- Dragon Emperor 11 (2020) – The scale of battles increases as Evan's dragon form grows more formidable.
- Dragon Emperor 12 (2020) – Evan navigates complex diplomatic relations with magical races.
- Dragon Emperor 13 (2020) – A focus on securing key choke points against demonic hordes.
- Dragon Emperor 14 (2020) – The search for the remaining Noble Swords takes Evan to dangerous uncharted lands.
- Dragon Emperor 15 (2021) – Evan's dragon abilities reach new heights as he unlocks ancient magic.
- Dragon Emperor 16 (2021) – Internal conflicts among the sects of Inati boil over into open war.
- Dragon Emperor 17 (2021) – Evan defends Hatra from its most devastating siege yet.
- Dragon Emperor 18 (2021) – Evan takes the offensive, marching his army directly into enemy territory.
- Dragon Emperor 19 (2021) – Alliances are tested as the final conflict with the dark forces approaches.
- Dragon Emperor 20 (2022) – Evan prepares his forces and harem for the ultimate confrontation.
- Dragon Emperor 21 (2022) – Evan wields the final Noble Sword, setting the stage for the climax.
- Dragon Emperor 22 (2022) – The final book in the series, bringing Evan's journey as the Dragon Emperor to a definitive conclusion.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
For the Dragon Emperor series, chronological order and publication order are exactly the same. Eric Vall wrote and published the series rapidly between 2019 and 2022, releasing books almost monthly. Because the narrative is linear and does not employ time travel, flashbacks that alter the timeline, or concurrent spin-offs, there is no alternative reading order. Readers should start with the first book and proceed numerically through to the end.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the world of Inati, there are several key elements of the series to keep in mind:
- Genre and Style: The series belongs to the Progression Fantasy and HaremLit subgenres. Expect a fast-paced narrative where the main character continuously grows stronger, defeats increasingly powerful foes, and builds a harem.
- Explicit Content: As is standard for Eric Vall's works, the series contains explicit romantic and sexual content involving the protagonist and his harem. It is intended for adult readers.
- Fast Release Pace: Eric Vall is known for his rapid-fire release schedule. The entire 22-book saga was written and released in a span of roughly three years. Because of this speed, the books are generally shorter and more episodic than traditional epic fantasy novels, making them quick, breezy reads.
- Audiobook Availability: The series is widely popular in audiobook format, often narrated by fan-favorites in the genre. If you prefer listening, the audiobooks follow the exact same numerical order.
What to Read Next
If you have finished all 22 books of the Dragon Emperor series and are looking for similar fantasy adventures, Eric Vall has written several other completed series that share similar progression and harem elements:
- Summoner: Another highly popular series by Eric Vall that blends portal fantasy, magic systems, and harem elements.
- Metal Mage: A completed progression fantasy series focusing on a protagonist who controls metal magic in a fantasy world.
- Dragon Conjurer: If you enjoyed the dragon elements of the series, this is another of Vall's series that heavily features draconic magic and companions.