The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, the Frith Chronicles should be read in publication order. Because the series follows a linear, continuous coming-of-age story centered on the protagonist, Volke Savan, reading the books chronologically is identical to reading them as they were published. The only minor variation involves the companion anthology, Arcanist Fables, which can be read either as Book 5.5 or saved for after the main storyline.
Volke Savan starts as a humble gravedigger who dreams of bonding with a mythical creature to become a legendary arcanist. Throughout the main eight-novel sequence, his journey escalates from local guild mysteries to high-seas pirate battles, magical plagues, and an all-out war involving god-like arcanists. Skipping or shifting the order of the main novels will disrupt this tightly knit character development and overarching plot progression.
Frith Chronicles in Publication and Chronological Order
Below is the complete list of the Frith Chronicles books. Following this sequence guarantees you will experience Volke’s growth, the evolving magic system, and the stakes of the world exactly as the author intended.
- Knightmare Arcanist (2019): The story begins here. Volke Savan bonds with a shadowy knightmare creature, uncovering dark secrets about his childhood hero and earning a spot in the prestigious Frith Guild.
- Dread Pirate Arcanist (2019): Volke and his sister Illia take to the high seas to confront the notorious pirate Calisto, blending swashbuckling pirate adventure with the series' signature creature-bonding magic.
- Coliseum Arcanist (2020): The action moves to grand magical tournaments, where Volke competes against other arcanists while navigating rising political tensions and dangerous rivalries.
- Plague Arcanist (2020): A deadly magical plague sweeps through the land. Volke and his allies must race against time to find a cure, testing their loyalties and endurance.
- World Serpent Arcanist (2020): The stakes reach epic proportions as Volke travels to a desert maze to find a legendary artificer, encountering god-like mystical entities along the way.
- Arcanist Fables (2021) [Book 5.5]: A companion anthology of short stories told from the perspectives of side characters, including Illia Savan and Master Elias. It is best read right after World Serpent Arcanist or after the main series.
- Warlord Arcanist (2021): The threat of global war looms. Volke faces massive challenges as alliances are tested and the enemy prepares a devastating assault.
- Master Arcanist (2022): As the magical conflict escalates, Volke and his companions must push their bonds with their eldrin to their absolute limits to combat the rise of god-level arcanists.
- Grandmaster Arcanist (2023): The action-packed finale to the Frith Chronicles saga, resolving Volke’s journey and the fate of the arcanist world.
The Expanded Universe: Spin-offs and Sequels
Shami Stovall has expanded her arcanist universe beyond Volke Savan’s story. Once you finish the core eight books, you can explore two distinct spin-off series set in the same shared world.
The Astra Academy Series (Academy Arcanist)
Set approximately 70 to 80 years after the events of the Frith Chronicles, the Astra Academy series (often referred to as the Academy Arcanist series) shifts the focus to a new generation of magic users. The protagonist, Gray Lexly, is a candlemaker's son who travels to the prestigious Astra Academy and becomes a mimic arcanist. While the series introduces a fresh cast and a new setting, it relies heavily on the lore, history, and magic rules established in the original series. Reading the Frith Chronicles first is highly recommended.
- Academy Arcanist (2022)
- Mimic Arcanist (2023)
- Abyssal Arcanist (2023)
- Death Lord Arcanist (2024)
- Labyrinth Arcanist (2025)
The Kirin Arcanist Trilogy (The Crown Tournament)
Co-authored by Shami Stovall and Ryan Tang, this trilogy takes place in the same universe and follows Amir Rosewood, a kirin arcanist, as he enters the dangerous and high-stakes Crown Tournament. It offers a self-contained story that can be read independently, though having a background in the arcanist universe enhances the experience.
- The Crown Tournament (2023)
- The Crown Tournament 2 (2024)
- Crown Tournament 3 (2025)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Frith Chronicles, it helps to understand the unique elements that make this universe special:
- The Creature-Bonding Magic System: Arcanists gain their powers by bonding with mystical creatures known as eldrin. These bonds grant specific elemental or magical abilities—such as fire and healing from a phoenix, storm powers from a leviathan, or shadow magic from a knightmare. The longer and deeper the bond, the stronger the arcanist's abilities become.
- Flintlock Fantasy Setting: The world blends classic high fantasy elements with airships, firearms, guilds, and swashbuckling maritime settings, creating a fast-paced and adventurous environment.
- Tone and Themes: Heavily inspired by creature-collecting stories like Pokémon and classic fantasy like the Dragonriders of Pern, the series focuses heavily on found family, friendship, overcoming grief, and perseverance. Shami Stovall’s personal resilience following family loss shines through the emotional core of the characters.