Where to Start Ethan Gage's Adventures
If you want to experience the full narrative arc of Ethan Gage, you should start at the very beginning with Napoleon's Pyramids (2007). While each novel features a self-contained archaeological mystery and can technically be enjoyed as a standalone adventure, the series is built around a continuous narrative. Reading the books in order allows you to follow Ethan's personal evolution from a reckless, gambling American rogue into a devoted husband and father, while also witnessing the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte's empire in real-time.
Ethan Gage Books in Publication and Chronological Order
Fortunately for readers, the publication order of the Ethan Gage series matches its internal chronological order. Author William Dietrich structured the series to follow the progression of the Napoleonic Wars step-by-step. Below is the complete order of the books with their historical contexts and plot setups:
1. Napoleon's Pyramids (2007)
Set in 1798, this is the book that introduces us to Ethan Gage, an American adventurer and former apprentice to Benjamin Franklin living in Paris. After winning a mysterious, ancient Egyptian medallion in a high-stakes card game, Ethan is framed for murder. He escapes by joining Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt, hoping to unlock the archaeological secrets of the pyramids while dodging cutthroats and French intelligence agents.
2. The Rosetta Key (2008)
Picking up directly after the events of the first book, this 1799 adventure follows Ethan across the Holy Land, including the Siege of Acre. Ethan is on a quest to find the legendary Book of Thoth—a mythical scroll rumored to hold the secrets of life and ultimate power. Along the way, he must navigate the shifting loyalties of the French and British empires while trying to rescue his love, the brilliant priestess Astiza.
3. The Dakota Cipher (2009)
Set around 1800 to 1801, Ethan flees Europe after a scandalous affair with Napoleon's sister, Pauline. Recruited by the diplomat Talleyrand and sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson, Ethan travels to the untamed American frontier. Joined by a Norse-obsessed companion, Magnus Bloodhammer, Ethan hunts for a legendary Norse artifact—the hammer of Thor—supposedly brought to North America long before Christopher Columbus.
4. The Barbary Pirates (2010)
Set in 1802, the action moves back to the Mediterranean. Ethan finds himself in Venice, Paris, and Tripoli, racing against his nemesis Aurora Somerset and the sinister Egyptian Rite. The prize is the Mirror of Archimedes, an ancient super-weapon capable of burning enemy fleets. Ethan must secure the weapon to maintain the global balance of power and rescue Astiza and the young son he never knew he had.
5. The Emerald Storm (2012)
In this fifth installment, Ethan is kidnapped and dragged to the Caribbean during the height of the Haitian Revolution. Forced into a plot to rescue the revolutionary leader Toussaint L'Ouverture, Ethan and his family navigate dangerous waters. The search for a lost Aztec treasure becomes their only hope for securing their retirement and freedom from colonial authorities.
6. The Barbed Crown (2013)
Ethan returns to Europe driven by a desire for revenge against Napoleon Bonaparte, who has threatened his family. In a plot to disrupt Napoleon's self-coronation as Emperor of the French, Ethan attempts to replace the imperial crown with a relic believed to be the Crown of Thorns. When the plan goes awry, Ethan flees to England and becomes swept up in the historic naval clash at the Battle of Trafalgar.
7. The Three Emperors (2014)
The story moves to Central Europe during the War of the Third Coalition in 1805. To rescue his imprisoned family from a ruthless Austrian mystic and an alchemist in Prague, Ethan embarks on a quest to find the "Brazen Head"—a legendary medieval automaton rumored to predict the future. The adventure culminates at the historic Battle of Austerlitz.
8. The Trojan Icon (2016)
The final book in the saga takes Ethan and Astiza from the Imperial Court of St. Petersburg to Constantinople. They are recruited to steal historical Polish swords, which pulls them into a conspiracy surrounding an ancient Trojan relic. This relic is rumored to grant invincibility to empires, making it the ultimate prize for a desperate Napoleon preparing for his invasion of Russia.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of Ethan Gage's adventures:
- The Tone: The books are frequently compared to a 19th-century Indiana Jones. Expect a mix of meticulous historical research, quick-witted humor, roguish charm, and supernatural-tinged archaeological mysteries.
- The Companion Work: William Dietrich also wrote a non-fiction companion booklet titled Napoleon's Rules: Life and Career Lessons from Bonaparte, which offers a fun, historical look at Napoleon's leadership style and serves as a great supplement to the historical background of the novels.
- Real Historical Figures: Dietrich's background as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist shines in his historical accuracy. Ethan interacts with major historical figures, including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte, Talleyrand, and Admiral Horatio Nelson.