Elemental Masters Books in Order

Where to Start Reading the Elemental Masters Series

Mercedes Lackey’s Elemental Masters series is a sprawling, magical alternate history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this world, secret societies of magicians wield power over the four classical elements—fire, water, air, and earth—while classic fairy tales are reimagined with historical grit and empowered protagonists. Because the majority of the novels are standalone retellings, you do not need to follow a single strict reading path. However, there are three primary ways to approach the series depending on your reading style.

Option 1: The Publication Order (Recommended)

Reading the books in the order they were written is the simplest and most natural way to experience the world. This approach allows you to watch the magic system organic expand from localized, independent stories into a larger, interconnected universe with recurring characters and organizations. You’ll start with The Fire Rose (1995), which serves as a foundational prototype set in San Francisco, and progress through to the latest releases set in Europe and the Americas.

Option 2: Starting with the Standalones

If you want to test the waters without committing to a larger continuity, you can start with the most acclaimed standalone retellings. The Serpent's Shadow (a Snow White retelling set in Edwardian London featuring a biracial doctor battling dark forces) and Phoenix and Ashes (a Cinderella reimagining set against the somber backdrop of World War I) are widely considered the strongest entry points. They showcase Lackey's ability to blend historical realism with satisfying magical systems.

Option 3: The Nan and Sarah Chronological Path

If you prefer a character-driven sequence with a continuous narrative arc, you should follow the subseries centered on Nan Killian and Sarah Lyon-White. This arc begins with the prequel novel The Wizard of London, which details their training under Lord Alderscroft at a magical school in Victorian England. This path leads directly into their adventures as psychic investigators, eventually crossing over with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the later novels.

Publication Order of Elemental Masters Books

Here is the complete publication sequence of the novels and anthologies, along with the classic fairy tales and folklore that inspired them:

• The Fire Rose (1995) – Inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Set in San Francisco, this novel introduces the concepts of elemental magic.
• Grey (1997) – A short story set in the series universe.
• Grey's Ghost (1999) – A short story that provides early background for the series' Victorian-era lore.
• The Serpent's Shadow (2001) – Inspired by Snow White. Set in Edwardian London, featuring Indian mythology and fire magic.
• The Gates of Sleep (2002) – Inspired by Sleeping Beauty. Follows Marina, a water mage, in Edwardian England.
• Phoenix and Ashes (2004) – Inspired by Cinderella. A dark, atmospheric retelling set during the height of the Great War.
• The Wizard of London (2005) – Inspired by The Snow Queen. A Victorian prequel that introduces the core characters Nan Killian and Sarah Lyon-White.
• Reserved for the Cat (2007) – Inspired by Puss in Boots. Set in the colorful world of Victorian and Edwardian theater.
• Unnatural Issue (2011) – Inspired by Donkeyskin (Allerleirauh). A darker tale featuring earth magic and necromancy.
• Home from the Sea (2012) – Inspired by Selkie (seal folk) mythology. Set in a remote Welsh fishing village.
• Elemental Magic (2012) – The first official anthology featuring short stories set in the universe by Lackey and other authors.
• Elementary (2013) – The second official anthology of short stories.
• Steadfast (2013) – Inspired by The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Set in Brighton's circus and magic show communities.
• Blood Red (2014) – Inspired by Red Riding Hood. Set in the mysterious Black Forest of Germany.
• From a High Tower (2015) – Inspired by Rapunzel. A direct sequel to the events of Blood Red.
• A Study in Sable (2016) – Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes canon and various folklore elements. Marks the official start of the Holmes crossovers.
• A Scandal in Battersea (2017) – Continues the Sherlock Holmes crossover adventures with Nan and Sarah.
• The Bartered Brides (2018) – The third installment in the Sherlock Holmes crossover sequence.
• The Case of the Spellbound Child (2019) – Further adventures of Nan, Sarah, and the Holmesian investigators.
• Jolene (2020) – Inspired by the Russian tale The Queen of the Copper Mountain. Set in the coal country of early 20th-century Tennessee.
• The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley (2021) – Inspired by the opera Der Freischütz and the historical figure Annie Oakley, set in the American West.
• Miss Amelia's List (2024) – A turn-of-the-century tale exploring relationships, property, and elemental magic.
• The Cyprian (2025) – Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's The Wild Swans. Set in the historic spa town of Bath.

Chronological Order and Subseries Breakdowns

While reading in publication order is highly recommended, understanding how the books group together can help you decide what to pick up next. The series can be split into three distinct categories: Standalones, the Germany Duology, and the Nan & Sarah Investigation Arc.

1. The Standalones

These books tell complete, self-contained stories. While they share the same magical universe and rules, they feature unique casts of characters and distinct geographical settings. You can read these in any order you choose: The Fire Rose, The Serpent's Shadow, The Gates of Sleep, Phoenix and Ashes, Reserved for the Cat, Unnatural Issue, Steadfast, Jolene, The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley, Miss Amelia's List, and The Cyprian.

2. The Germany Duology

Unlike the standard standalone novels, these two books must be read sequentially. The story begins in Blood Red, which details a young huntress's battle against dark magic in the Black Forest, and concludes in From a High Tower, which serves as a direct continuation and reimagines Rapunzel's tower escape through the lens of elemental defense.

3. The Nan & Sarah / Sherlock Holmes Arc

This is the most complex sequence in the series. It tracks the growth of Nan Killian and Sarah Lyon-White from young students into powerful mediums who consult for the legendary Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. To follow their story lines properly, read them in this order:

1. The Wizard of London (Introduces the girls and their training at Harton School)
2. Home from the Sea (Nan and Sarah assist with a Selkie crisis in Wales)
3. A Study in Sable (The duo teams up with the Watsons in a psychic mystery)
4. A Scandal in Battersea (A continuation of their consulting cases)
5. The Bartered Brides (Further magical investigation in London)
6. The Case of the Spellbound Child (The team investigates a mystery in the English countryside)

What to Know Before You Start

Mercedes Lackey’s magic system is highly structured. Magic is divided into the four elements: Fire (often destructive but cleansing), Water (healing and illusion), Earth (growth and structural defense), and Air (weather manipulation and telepathy). Master-level mages are rare, and their spells are bounded by real-world physics and the historical context of the Edwardian era. You will see historical events, such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the horrors of World War I, reinterpreted through the actions of rogue mages and heroic defenders. This blend of meticulously researched history with classic fairy-tale structure gives the series its uniquely cozy yet dramatic atmosphere.