How to Read the Dragon Guard of Drakkaris Series
If you are ready to dive into the world of Drakkaris, the easiest and most satisfying way to experience the series is in its original publication order. Because the narrative timeline moves forward chronologically, the publication order and chronological order are identical. Reading the books in sequence ensures that you understand the overarching plot regarding the toxic bloodlines of the metallic dragons, their adjustment to Earth customs, and their battle against external shifter enemies.
Dragon Guard of Drakkaris in Publication and Chronological Order
To follow the progressive story of the Drakkaris royal guard as they search for mates on Earth, read the books in this sequence:
- Lead Dragon (2017): This book introduces the premise of the series. Lead is the honorable captain of the royal guard, sent to Earth on a critical mission. His metallic blood is poisoning him, and his time is running out. When he crosses paths with Brittany, a human woman caught in the crossfire of a dangerous shifter war, his protective instincts kick in. The book establishes the core lore of Drakkaris and the necessity of human mates to neutralize the toxic elemental bloodlines.
- Cadmium Dragon (2017): The second book shifts the tone to a lighter, sweet, and humorous romance. It follows Cadmium, a charming and slightly innocent dragon shifter who becomes fascinated by human technology and customs. He falls for Casey, a delivery courier who has guarded her heart against commitment. Cadmium uses online shopping and playful snowball fights to break down her defenses, making this a fan-favorite cozy read.
- Arsenic Dragon (2018): Taking a slightly darker turn, this installment focuses on Arsenic, the royal guard's lethal assassin. Possessing a highly toxic elemental makeup, Arsenic believes he is too dangerous to ever have a mate. However, when he rescues Farrah, a human woman recovering from severe trauma, he discovers a gentle side to his nature. The story focuses heavily on healing, patience, and mutual trust.
- Zinc Dragon (2018): This book raises the stakes of the overarching plot. Zinc is not just a guard but a royal prince and future king of Drakkaris. Weakened and captured by hostile shifters, Zinc is near death when he meets Leanne, a fellow prisoner. Together, they plot a daring escape. Leanne's willingness to bind herself to the dying prince changes the destiny of both Drakkaris and Earth.
- Cobalt Dragon (2018): Playing on the popular "opposites attract" trope, this book pairs Cobalt, the intellectual, bookish researcher of the dragon guards, with Sylvie, a fierce and highly athletic human MMA fighter. While Cobalt prefers solving problems with his mind, Sylvie is used to fighting her way through life. Their dynamic is full of playful banter and action.
- Chromium Dragon (2018): The final book brings the series to a dramatic close. Chromium is the last unmated guard, secretly spending his nights acting as a vigilante in the human city. He meets Helen, a kind-hearted local restaurant owner, and steps in to protect her when danger comes to her doorstep. As Chromium tries to keep his secret double life hidden from his fellow guards, he must also protect Helen from threats in her own past.
Connections to the Broader Terry Bolryder Shifter Universe
While the Dragon Guard of Drakkaris stands perfectly well as a self-contained six-book series, it actually exists within a massive, interconnected shifter universe created by Terry Bolryder. If you want to experience the complete lore and see how these metallic dragons fit into the grander scheme, fans and chronological guides recommend reading her series in a specific order.
The overarching dragon shifter reading sequence is as follows:
- Awakened Dragons
- Rent-A-Dragon
- Date-A-Dragon
- Awakened Sea Dragons
- Dragon Guard of Drakkaris
- Nightmare Dragons
- Frozen Dragons
If you are a completionist, starting at the very beginning with Awakened Dragons will give you the deepest appreciation for how shifter society functions on Earth. However, if you are strictly interested in the metallic element theme, you can jump straight into Lead Dragon without feeling lost.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Before cracking open the first book, here are a few core concepts that define the Dragon Guard of Drakkaris universe:
- The Drakkaris Threat: Drakkaris is a distant realm where dragon shifters rule. However, the royal guard faces a devastating genetic crisis: their metallic bloodlines (themed around elements like lead, cadmium, and arsenic) are toxic. Over time, this buildup poisons them from the inside out.
- The Human Cure: The only cure for this metallic toxicity is finding a fated human mate. Mating with a human neutralizes the poison, saving their lives and ensuring the survival of their species. This creates a high-stakes, romantic "fated mates" trope across all six stories.
- The Tone: Expect a blend of steamy paranormal romance, protective alpha heroes, lighthearted humor (mostly stemming from dragons trying to understand modern human customs, online shopping, and snow), and action-packed battles against rival wolf shifters.
- Standalone Viability: Each book features a distinct couple and wraps up with a satisfying Happily Ever After (HEA). You will not be left on a cliffhanger regarding the main romance of any individual book, though the background plot of saving the guard develops with each installment.
Practical Reader Guidance & Starting Points
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend starting with Lead Dragon. It establishes the rules of Drakkaris, the stakes of the toxic bloodlines, and introduces the primary setting where the dragon guards reside on Earth.
If you prefer to sample books based on specific tropes rather than reading in order, here are the standout starting points:
- For a Sweet, Cozy Romance: Start with Cadmium Dragon. The interaction between the innocent, charming dragon and the courier Casey is filled with lighthearted, romantic moments that highlight the author's trademark humor.
- For a Hurt-Comfort Story: Jump into Arsenic Dragon. Arsenic's protective nature and Farrah's path to healing from past trauma make it one of the most emotionally resonant books in the series.
- For a Strong Female Lead: Try Cobalt Dragon, where a nerdy shifter meets an MMA fighter who can hold her own in any physical confrontation.