Eskkar Saga Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path for the Eskkar Saga

If you are stepping into the sun-drenched, dangerous world of Bronze Age Mesopotamia for the first time, your best option is to follow the publication order of the main novels before diving into the prequels and side adventures. This sequence preserves the mystery of the characters' origins and allows you to experience the tension of building humanity's first walled city exactly as author Sam Barone intended.

Here is the recommended reading path for first-time readers:

1. Dawn of Empire (2006) – The perfect starting point where the saga begins.
2. Empire Rising (2007) – Continuation of Eskkar and Trella's struggle to secure Akkad.
3. Quest for Honour (also published as Conflict of Empires) (2010) – The war with rival city-states.
4. Eskkar & Trella: The Beginning (2012) – The prequel novel that fleshes out the duo's early lives.
5. Battle for Empire (2012) – Escalating the conflict against the mighty Elamite Empire.
6. Clash of Empires (2013) – The epic climax of the main storyline.

Once you finish the main saga, you can read the Eskkar & Bracca (Rogue Warriors) novellas to see the wild mercenary adventures of Eskkar's youth.

The Complete Publication Order

Sam Barone developed the Eskkar Saga over a span of nearly a decade. The publication history is straightforward, but readers should watch out for title variations between regional editions. Below is the complete publication order of the main novels and the companion series:

The Main Eskkar Saga Novels

• Dawn of Empire (2006): Introduces readers to Eskkar, a fearsome barbarian outcast, and Trella, a brilliant slave girl. Together, they must organize the defense of the village of Orak against invading hordes, constructing the world's first walled city.
• Empire Rising (2007): Following the success at Orak, Eskkar and Trella work to forge a unified city-state, Akkad. However, they must contend with internal political treachery, trade route disruptions, and external threats.
• Quest for Honour / Conflict of Empires (2010): Note: These are two titles for the exact same book. Originally published in the United Kingdom as Conflict of Empires, it was released in other markets under the title Quest for Honour. The plot follows Akkad's rising tensions and eventual war with the powerful, hostile city-state of Sumer.
• Eskkar & Trella: The Beginning (2012): A full-length prequel novel that takes readers back in time. It details Eskkar's origins as a mercenary and his fateful meeting with Trella, providing rich backstory for their relationship.
• Battle for Empire (2012): The stakes reach a fever pitch as the fledgling kingdom of Akkad faces its greatest threat yet: the invading army of the massive Elamite Empire.
• Clash of Empires (2013): The final main novel in the saga, detailing the ultimate collision of regional superpowers and the consolidation of Eskkar and Trella's legacy.

The Eskkar & Bracca (Rogue Warriors) Novellas

In addition to the main novels, Sam Barone published two shorter works focusing on Eskkar's early life before he ever met Trella. These stories feature Bracca, a clever Sumerian thief, and follow their exploits as mercenary swords-for-hire:

• Rogue Warriors 1 (2013)
• Rogue Warriors 2 (2014)

Chronological Reading Order

If you have already read the series once and are planning a re-read, or if you prefer to follow the characters' timeline linearly from the very beginning of their lives, you can choose the chronological reading order. This order places the prequel novel and the mercenary side-stories first:

1. Eskkar & Trella: The Beginning (Prequel novel covering how they met)
2. Rogue Warriors 1 (Novella detailing Eskkar's mercenary days with Bracca)
3. Rogue Warriors 2 (Novella continuing Eskkar and Bracca's adventures)
4. Dawn of Empire (The original book where the city-building begins)
5. Empire Rising (The consolidation of Akkad)
6. Quest for Honour / Conflict of Empires (The Sumerian war)
7. Battle for Empire (The invasion of the Elamites)
8. Clash of Empires (The final battle for the empire)

Chronological vs. Publication Order: Which Should You Choose?

Deciding between publication order and chronological order changes how you experience the story. For most readers, publication order is highly recommended for several reasons:

• Dramatic Tension: Starting with Dawn of Empire puts you in the middle of a desperate, high-stakes defense. The world feels vast and dangerous, and the bond between Eskkar and Trella is forged in fire. Starting with the prequel, Eskkar & Trella: The Beginning, can lessen the dramatic impact of their initial introduction.
• Narrative Flow: The later novels, Battle for Empire and Clash of Empires, reference details established in the prequel. Reading the prequel right before these books (in publication order) keeps those details fresh in your mind.
• Format Shift: The Rogue Warriors stories are shorter, fast-paced novellas that focus on skirmishes and thievery rather than the grand military strategies and city-building of the main novels. Slipping them in chronologically before Dawn of Empire might feel jarring due to the shift in tone and scope.

What to Know Before You Start

The Eskkar Saga stands out in the historical fiction genre due to its unique setting. While many authors focus on Rome, the Middle Ages, or the Vikings, Sam Barone chose the cradle of civilization: Bronze Age Mesopotamia around 3150 BCE. The series is heavily grounded in the transition of human society from nomadic tribes to settled agricultural communities.

Key highlights of the series' tone and style include:

• Technological Evolution: Barone meticulously details the early days of warfare and technology. Readers see the evolution of compound bows, early bronze metallurgy, agricultural tactics, and the engineering behind the world's very first defensive brick walls.
• A Partnership of Equals: While Eskkar brings raw combat skill and barbarian leadership, Trella is the intellectual core of the alliance. Her strategic mind, administrative talent, and emotional resilience make her the true co-founder of the empire.
• Gritty Realism: Reminiscent of Bernard Cornwell’s historical epics, the series does not shy away from the brutality, disease, and political betrayal of the ancient world. However, it balances this with a strong, central romance and themes of human progress.
• Historical Accuracy: Barone conducted extensive research to capture the geography, climate, and daily life of the Fertile Crescent. However, some minor anachronisms (such as later-era coinage and names) are introduced to keep the narrative readable and engaging for modern audiences.

Award-Winning Success and the Author's Inspiration

Sam Barone came to writing later in life, starting his second career as a novelist after retiring from a long career in software development in 1999. His deep passion for the Bronze Age and the dawn of written history led him to construct the world of Eskkar and Trella. The series was met with critical success in historical fiction circles, with both Dawn of Empire and Conflict of Empires winning first place in the prestigious Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest. Readers and critics alike have praised Barone for his ability to turn dry archaeological facts about the Fertile Crescent into a living, breathing saga of survival and triumph.