The Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, the Dragon Mage Academy series should be read in order of publication. Because the plot follows a continuous storyline, jumping into the middle of the series will expose you to major spoilers regarding Princess Alba's secret identity and the overarching political conflicts of the Seven Kingdoms.
However, before you begin, there is an important universe connection to consider. Dragon Mage Academy is a direct spinoff of Cordelia Castel's earlier series, The Seven Kingdoms (also known as the Perrault Chronicles). The events of Dragon Mage Academy take place seventeen years after the conclusion of the original series. While Alba's story is self-contained and can be fully enjoyed on its own, reading The Seven Kingdoms first provides rich context for the world-building, the magic systems, and the returning characters who make cameo appearances.
Dragon Mage Academy Books in Order
All seven books in the main series were published in quick succession in 2019. Here is the complete reading order:
- Princess of Dragons (2019): Princess Alba flees an arranged marriage and disguises herself as a boy named Albert to enroll in the all-male Dragon Mage Academy. There, she forms a forbidden bond with Fyrian, a dragon accused of murdering a cadet.
- Poacher of Dragons (2019): Alba and Fyrian must track down stolen dragon eggs. If they fail, a devastating civil war will break out across the Seven Kingdoms.
- Plague of Dragons (2019): A deadly epidemic sweeps through the dragon population. Alba is forced to forge an uneasy alliance with a former enemy to find a cure before it is too late.
- Protector of Dragons (2019): Alba faces the threat of a loyalty elixir and another forced betrothal, testing her courage and forcing her to step up as a true leader.
- Prisoner of Dragons (2019): The stakes rise as Alba finds herself trapped, needing to rely on her mixed-heritage magic and the strength of her telepathic bond with Fyrian to survive.
- Pariah of Dragons (2019): Alba is forced to defend her place at the academy and her very survival as secrets about her heritage come to light, casting her out as an outcast.
- Patron of Dragons (2019): The thrilling conclusion to the series, where Alba must secure the future of the dragon riders and find her true place in the Seven Kingdoms.
Understanding the Seven Kingdoms Connection
If you want the complete picture of this fantasy universe, we highly recommend diving into The Seven Kingdoms series first. This series is a collection of action-packed fairy-tale retellings featuring strong heroines who take charge of their own destinies. The main series follows Cendrilla (Rilla Perrault) and other classic fairy-tale characters reimagined with a steampunk-fantasy twist.
Here is the reading order for the parent series, The Seven Kingdoms:
- Book 0.5: The Stepmother (Prequel Novella)
- Book 1: The Magestaff (also published as Cendrilla)
- Book 2: The Academy
- Book 3: The Witch-Hunt (also published as The Witches)
- Book 4: The Betrothal (also published as The Ogres)
- Book 5: The Usurper (also published as The Trolls)
- Book 6: The Banishment (also published as The Fairies)
- Book 7: The Kingdom (also published as The Elves)
- Book 8: The Frozen Heart
- Book 9: The Bluebird
By reading the original series first, you will better understand the heritage of Princess Alba, who is a quarter-ogre, quarter-fairy, and half-human. You will also appreciate the history of the Seven Kingdoms setting, which sets the stage for the academy's strict rules and the conflicts Alba faces.
What to Know Before You Start
A Fresh Take on Dragon Riding
Unlike traditional, serious fantasy series, Dragon Mage Academy blends the high-flying action of dragon riding with the fast-paced mystery of a detective novel. Many readers compare the tone to a magical, high-stakes mystery solving series, but with scales, magic, and a steampunk flare. Alba is a sassy, proactive protagonist who relies as much on her wits and sarcasm as she does on her magical abilities.
Heritage and Themes
Alba's mixed heritage is central to her character arc. Being part-ogre and part-fairy gives her a unique blend of physical strength and magical ability, but it also makes her an outsider in a royal family that prizes traditional bloodlines. The series deals heavily with themes of identity, defying gender norms, and embracing one's differences, all wrapped in a lighthearted and fast-paced adventure suitable for young adults and fantasy fans alike.