Falling Kingdoms Books in Order

The Best Way to Read Falling Kingdoms

If you are dive into the world of Mytica, the best way to read the series is in publication order. Because the series features a highly serial story with massive cliffhangers, reading the main books out of order will ruin the major twists and character deaths. The main novels follow a single continuous storyline tracking the fates of Princess Cleo, Magnus, Lucia, and Jonas as they navigate political intrigue, war, and elemental magic.

For the complete experience including the novellas and the spin-off series, we recommend this hybrid publication order:

1. Falling Kingdoms (2012)
2. Rebel Spring (2013)
3. Gathering Darkness (2014)
4. Crimson Dagger (2016) — Prequel novella focused on Magnus. While set chronologically before Book 1, it is best appreciated here once you are already familiar with Magnus's complex personality.
5. Frozen Tides (2015)
6. A Book of Spirits and Thieves (2015) — Spin-off Book 1. Focuses on ancient Mytica and modern-day Toronto.
7. Crystal Storm (2016)
8. The Darkest Magic (2016) — Spin-off Book 2.
9. Obsidian Blade (2016) — Crossover novella featuring Magnus and Maddox from the spin-off series. Best read here to avoid spoilers.
10. Immortal Reign (2018) — The epic finale of the main series.

The Main Falling Kingdoms Novels in Detail

The core of the series is a six-book epic fantasy saga written by Morgan Rhodes (the pen name of Canadian author Michelle Rowen). The books should be read in the exact order of their release:

1. Falling Kingdoms (2012)

The saga begins by introducing Mytica, a land divided into three distinct kingdoms: opulent Auranos, impoverished Paelsia, and icy, severe Limeros. When a senseless murder breaks the fragile peace, it triggers a chain of events that will force four young people from different walks of life into a collision course. We meet Princess Cleo of Auranos, Jonas the Paelsian rebel, Lucia the adopted Limerian princess with dormant magic, and Magnus, the heir to the Limerian throne. This book lays the groundwork for the elemental magic system and the complex political rivalries that define the series.

2. Rebel Spring (2013)

Following the shocking events of the first book, Mytica is united under a single, ruthless ruler. Rebel forces gather in the shadows as Jonas tries to lead a revolution against the new regime. Princess Cleo is held hostage, forced to navigate the deadly politics of the Limerian court, while Magnus struggles to please his cruel father. Meanwhile, Lucia's power grows increasingly unstable. This installment ramps up the stakes, featuring shifting alliances and tragic betrayals.

3. Gathering Darkness (2014)

The search for the Kindred—four elemental crystals of immense power—becomes the central focus of Mytica's warring factions. As the kingdoms crumble under the weight of oppression, Cleo secretly searches for a way to reclaim her throne. Magnus is sent on a mission to secure the crystals, bringing him into direct conflict with Jonas and the rebels. Lucia is drawn deeper into the influence of ancient, mysterious watchers, leading to a climax that shifts the balance of power forever.

4. Frozen Tides (2015)

The consequences of the search for the Kindred come to fruition as ancient forces awaken. Mytica is no longer just fighting a civil war; it is now at the mercy of powerful magic that threatens to consume the land. Magnus and Cleo are forced into a complicated alliance of convenience, while Jonas struggles to keep his rebellion alive amidst mounting losses. Lucia makes a dangerous choice that could decide the fate of Mytica.

5. Crystal Storm (2016)

With the threat of the ancient deities looming large, Mytica is on the brink of total destruction. The main characters find themselves scattered, dealing with the aftermath of devastating betrayals. Alliances are tested like never before as enemies must work together to stand a chance against a common threat. The political intrigue reaches its peak as the characters scramble to secure the remaining crystals and protect those they love.

6. Immortal Reign (2018)

The epic conclusion to the Falling Kingdoms series. All the storylines, romance, and political maneuvers culminate in a final battle for the throne of Mytica. The surviving characters must make their ultimate sacrifices to save their world from the dark forces that seek to rewrite Mytica's history. It provides a definitive ending to the main character arcs and the war for the continent.

The Supplemental Novellas

Morgan Rhodes released two digital-only novellas that enrich the backstory and connect different eras of Mytica. They are not required to understand the main plot, but they offer great character depth:

• Crimson Dagger (2016): This is a prequel novella (often cataloged as Falling Kingdoms #0.1) that explores the childhood and early life of Prince Magnus. It shows his complex, troubled relationship with his father, King Gaius, and his sister Lucia before the war began. It is best read after Book 1 so you already understand Magnus's character.
• Obsidian Blade (2016): A unique crossover novella that brings together Prince Magnus from the main series and Maddox, a key character from the Spirits and Thieves spin-off series. Reading this between Books 5 and 6 provides a fun bridge that connects both corners of the Mytica universe.

The Spirits and Thieves Spin-Off Series

If you want more of the lore of Mytica, the Spirits and Thieves series is a official spin-off. Set hundreds of years before the events of Falling Kingdoms, it explores the ancient history of Mytica and the origins of its magic. Uniquely, the story alternates perspectives between ancient Mytica and modern-day Toronto, where a modern teen named Becca finds herself pulled into the ancient world through a magical book.

The published books in this series are:

• A Book of Spirits and Thieves (2015)
• The Darkest Magic (2016)

The planned third book, The Cursed Heir, was officially cancelled by the publisher due to low sales. However, in June 2023, Morgan Rhodes announced that she had regained the rights to the first two books and intends to write and publish the third book independently when her schedule allows, meaning fans may eventually get the conclusion to this spin-off saga.

What to Know Before You Start Reading

Before jumping into Mytica, there are a few practical details to keep in mind. First, the series is widely known as "Game of Thrones for teens." This is not just because of the political intrigue, but also because Rhodes is famously unapologetic about killing off major characters. Do not get too attached to everyone you meet in the early chapters.

Second, the story is told from multiple viewpoints. The chapters shift between Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus, along with occasional secondary perspectives. This structure allows you to see the conflict from all sides of the war, making it hard to categorize characters as purely good or evil. Finally, while the romantic elements are popular among fans, they develop slowly over several books amidst the chaos of war, rather than being the sole focus of the plot.