How to Read the Dragonheart Series in Order
Griff Hosker’s Dragonheart (often stylized as Dragon Heart) series is a sprawling, fast-paced historical adventure set in the chaotic, battle-torn landscape of 9th-century Britain. Because the series tracks the entire life of a single protagonist, the recommended reading path is the publication and chronological order. Reading the books sequentially allows you to experience Gareth's growth from a captive boy into a legendary warrior, Jarl, and dynasty builder.
Here is the complete chronological and publication reading order for the Dragonheart saga:
- Viking Slave (2013)
- Viking Warrior (2014)
- Viking Jarl (2014)
- Viking Kingdom (2014)
- Viking Wolf (2014)
- Viking War (2015)
- Viking Sword (2015)
- Viking Wrath (2015)
- Viking Raid (2015)
- Viking Legend (2015)
- Viking Vengeance (2015)
- Viking Dragon (2016)
- Viking Treasure (2016)
- Viking Blood (2017)
- Viking Weregeld (2017)
- Viking Storm (2017)
- Viking Shadow (2018)
- Viking Enemy (2018)
- Viking Witch (2018)
- Viking Warband (2018)
- Viking Legacy (2018)
- Viking Clan (2019)
- Viking Bravery (2019)
- The Vengeance Trail (2020)
The Life Stages of Dragon Heart
To help you digest this massive 24-book journey, Gareth's life can be divided into three distinct narrative arcs. Each stage represents a major evolution in his status, responsibilities, and the threats he faces.
The Rise of the Warrior (Books 1–6)
The series begins with Viking Slave, introducing us to a young Saxon boy named Crow. Captured during a brutal raid along the Northumbrian coast, he is enslaved, renamed Gareth, and taken to Norway. Under the guidance of his captor and mentor, Butar, Gareth learns the ways of the Norsemen, earns his freedom, and transitions into a formidable warrior. From battling renegade clans to establishing a power base on the Isle of Anglesey, this initial block of books focuses on survival, identity, and Gareth earning the title of "Dragon Heart."
The Reign of the Jarl (Books 7–16)
Having cemented his position, Gareth transitions from a lone warrior into a strategic leader. As a Jarl, he must secure his territory against rival Vikings, Saxons, and Hibernian raiders. During this middle arc, Hosker expands the scope of the world, sending Gareth on dangerous voyages across the Irish Sea, deep into the heart of Mercia, and out to the rugged islands of Scotland. Themes of political alliance, loyalty, and the difficult transition from pagan traditions to a changing world dominate these entries.
The Twilight Dynasty (Books 17–24)
In the final phase of the main series, an aging Gareth must secure his legacy. The focus shifts toward family dynamics and protecting the next generations of the "Clan of the Wolf" from new, cunning adversaries. Viking Bravery formally brings Gareth's personal story to a close, highlighting his legacy as a legendary patriarch. However, the story does not end there. The Vengeance Trail serves as a crucial epilogue that transitions the narrative away from Gareth to his descendants, specifically his great-grandson Sámr Ship Killer.
Understanding the Crossovers and Shared Universe
Griff Hosker is famous for weaving his historical series together, and the Dragonheart saga is the cornerstone of his early medieval universe. If you want to continue the adventure after finishing the main series, you can follow these direct connections:
The New World Series
The New World series serves as the direct narrative successor to Dragonheart. The Vengeance Trail is a unique bridge novel; it acts as the 24th and final book of the Dragonheart family line while also serving as the 5th installment of the New World series. It centers on Gareth's great-grandson, Sámr "Ship Killer," who leads a rescue mission to Norway to save his kidnapped family from the clutches of Uddulfr the Sly. Sámr and other key Dragonheart characters, like Ylva, play central roles in this series as they push further west across the seas.
The Norman Genesis Series
If you prefer to see how Gareth’s legacy influenced mainland Europe, the Norman Genesis series is set in the same universe. Starting with the novel Hrolf the Viking, the series features characters who originally served Jarl Dragonheart. It follows a band of Norsemen whose generations eventually establish the duchy of Normandy under Rollo, demonstrating how the ripples of Gareth’s life shape the broader history of Europe.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into your first shield wall with Gareth, here are a few practical tips to enhance your reading experience:
- First-Person Perspective: The entire series is written in the first person. This choice gives the books an intimate, immediate feel, making Gareth’s struggles with his dual Saxon-Viking identity highly personal.
- Indie Publishing Style: The series was published through Sword Books Ltd., the author's independent imprint. While readers love the rapid-fire action and historical accuracy, early editions can occasionally contain minor typographical and editing errors.
- Read Sequentially: These books are not designed to be read as standalones. Plot threads, characters, and political rivalries develop continuously over the course of the 24 books.
- Historical Grounding: Griff Hosker draws heavily on archaeological research, period-accurate ship designs, and real historical battles of the 9th century, blending fictional characters seamlessly into the historical tapestry of the British Isles.