Dragoneer’s Saga Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the most seamless narrative experience, readers should follow the chronological order of the series. While the core saga spans six main novels, a prequel novella and a vital short story collection are essential to fully understanding the character arcs and world-building. Here is the recommended reading sequence:

1. The First Dragoneer (2010) – This prequel novella introduces the origins of dragon-riding and serves as the perfect historical foundation.
2. The Royal Dragoneers (2010) – The official Book 1 of the main series, introducing Jenka, Zahrellion, and their dragon companions.
3. Cold Hearted Son of a Witch (2011) – Book 2, which follows the Dragoneers as they embark on a dangerous quest to save a poisoned prince.
4. The Confliction (2011) – Book 3, concluding the initial 'Confliction Cycle' of the saga with high-stakes battles.
5. Crimzon and Clover: Short Story Collection 1 (2013) – A crucial collection of stories featuring the orphaned dragon Crimzathrion and the warrior Clover. Read this before Book 4, as these characters merge into the main saga.
6. The Emerald Rider (2013) – Book 4, which begins the 'Royalty Cycle' and brings the worlds of the Dragoneers and Crimzon & Clover together.
7. Rise of the Dragon King (2014) – Book 5, expanding the scope of the world as the characters travel and trade with the Old World.
8. Blood and Royalty (2014) – Book 6, the action-packed finale that brings the entire saga to an epic resolution.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the primary novels, publication order and chronological order are identical. The only minor deviation involves the prequel, The First Dragoneer, and the tie-in collection, Crimzon and Clover. Although The First Dragoneer was published in the same year as the first novel, it takes place generations earlier. Readers can choose between two main paths:

• Chronological Path (Recommended): Start with The First Dragoneer. This establishes the lore, the mechanics of dragon bonding, and the ancient history of Egod, making the events of The Royal Dragoneers feel richer and more grounded.
• Publication Path: Start directly with The Royal Dragoneers to jump straight into Jenka's story, and treat The First Dragoneer as a flashback story later.

The Crucial Role of Crimzon & Clover

A common mistake for new readers is skipping the companion stories. The characters Crimzon (a dragon) and Clover (a warrior) are introduced in their own spin-off short story series. M.R. Mathias has explicitly stated that these stories should be read before proceeding to the later novels in the Dragoneer's Saga. Because Crimzon and Clover join the main cast in The Emerald Rider, skipping their introductory adventures makes their sudden appearance in Book 4 feel abrupt and leaves readers missing key emotional context.

Connecting to the World of Egod

The Dragoneer’s Saga is not an isolated story; it is a central pillar of M.R. Mathias's massive shared universe known as the World of Egod, which spans over 30 books. The author recommends reading the entire universe in a specific sequence to maintain the continuity of long-lived characters, magical systems, and historical events:

1. Perpetual Fantastica (4-book collection)
2. The Wardstone Trilogy (3 books)
3. The Crimzon and Clover Short Story Series
4. Dragoneer Saga (Split into the Confliction Cycle and Royalty Cycle)
5. The Legend of Vanx Malic (Complete collection)
6. Devious Arcana (Trilogies 1 & 2)

While it is not strictly necessary to read the other Egod series to enjoy the Dragoneers, starting with The Wardstone Trilogy offers excellent foundation lore, while fans of the Dragoneers will find many rewarding connections in the bardic adventures of The Legend of Vanx Malic.

What to Know Before You Start

The Dragoneer’s Saga blends classical high fantasy tropes with a modern, fast-paced young adult tone. The dragons in Egod are not mindless beasts or simple mounts; they are intelligent, highly communicative characters with their own distinct personalities and deep, empathetic bonds with their riders. The series is highly serialized, meaning books cannot be read as standalones. M.R. Mathias wrote much of the early series in longhand during his incarceration, pouring his passion for fantasy and resilience into the page, which translates to a story deeply rooted in themes of perseverance, unbreakable friendships, and triumph over adversity.