The Recommended Reading Order for the Griffen McCandles Series
If you want to dive into the vibrant, magical streets of New Orleans alongside a pair of secret dragons, following the Griffen McCandles series (also officially known as the Dragons or Dragon's Wild series) is straightforward. There is only one logical way to read this urban fantasy saga: in order of publication.
Because the overarching plot follows Griffen McCandles' journey from a clueless, card-playing con artist to a key figure in the underground dragon society, each book builds directly on the events, relationships, and political alliances of the previous one. Skipping ahead will lead to major spoilers regarding his sister Valerie, his business ventures, and the dragon faction wars in the Big Easy.
Publication and Chronological Order of Books
Here is the complete list of books in the Griffen McCandles series in both publication and chronological order. Since the timeline of the books flows linearly, they match perfectly:
- Dragons Wild (2008) – Written by Robert Asprin
- Dragons Luck (2009) – Written by Robert Asprin
- Dragons Deal (2010) – Written by Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye
- Robert Asprin's Dragons Run (2013) – Written by Jody Lynn Nye
Deep Dive: The Dragons Series Book-by-Book
Dragons Wild (2008)
The saga begins with Dragons Wild, introducing Griffen "Grifter" McCandles, a charming, low-stakes con artist and card sharp. Just after graduating college and expecting to step into his wealthy family's business, Griffen's world is turned upside down. His mysterious Uncle Malcolm reveals a long-hidden truth: Griffen and his sister Valerie are actually dragons. In Asprin's universe, dragons exist as a secret society of powerful, shapeshifting elites pulling the strings of human finance and power. Fleeing Uncle Malcolm's controlling grasp, Griffen and Valerie move to New Orleans to start an underground gambling business, only to find themselves targets of other draconic factions and "the George"—a legendary lineage of dragon slayers.
Dragons Luck (2009)
In the second book, Dragons Luck, Griffen has successfully carved out a niche running his French Quarter gambling operation. However, his rising profile attracts dangerous attention, and a bounty is placed on his head. To make matters more complicated, Halloween is fast approaching, and the ghost of a voodoo queen recruits Griffen to act as the neutral moderator for an upcoming supernatural conclave. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans' festive atmosphere, Griffen must balance voodoo spirits, hostile dragons, and romantic interests to survive.
Dragons Deal (2010)
Co-authored by Jody Lynn Nye using Asprin's notes, Dragons Deal ramps up both the humor and the high-stakes politics. Griffen is selected to be the king of the Krewe of Fafnir, a secret Mardi Gras krewe composed entirely of dragons. While Griffen enjoys the prestige, his rivals see Mardi Gras as the perfect opportunity to bankrupt his gambling empire and ruin his reputation. When a young dragon employee in his establishment is murdered, Griffen must solve the crime while dealing with the sudden disappearance of his sister Valerie and protecting Representative Penny Dunbar, a fellow dragon running for governor of Louisiana.
Robert Asprin's Dragons Run (2013)
Written entirely by Jody Lynn Nye, the final installment Dragons Run wraps up the major storylines of the series. Griffen is in a race against time as his pregnant sister Valerie has been kidnapped. At the same time, his enigmatic Uncle Malcolm returns to New Orleans for a meeting with someone who has supposedly been dead for nearly eighty years. With the governor's race heating up and Representative Penny Dunbar's safety in jeopardy, Griffen must navigate deep-seated family secrets and political conspiracies to secure his family's future.
The Authorship Transition: Robert Asprin and Jody Lynn Nye
Understanding the context behind the series helps explain the evolution of its tone. Robert Asprin, famous for his long-running MythAdventures and Phule's Company series, created the Griffen McCandles universe as a slightly more grounded, urban fantasy alternative to his classic slapstick comedies. However, Asprin unexpectedly passed away in May 2008, shortly before the first book was published. To ensure Asprin's final creative vision was realized, his long-time collaborator and close friend Jody Lynn Nye stepped in. Nye used Asprin's detailed notes, outlines, and character drafts to complete the remaining books, preserving the lighthearted humor and character voices that fans loved.
What to Know Before You Start: Setting & Lore
The setting is one of the most crucial elements of the series. Robert Asprin lived in New Orleans and loved the city deeply, which shines through in the vivid descriptions of the French Quarter, local cuisine, jazz bars, and the chaotic magic of Mardi Gras. Rather than being a simple backdrop, New Orleans functions as a central character, shaping the supernatural rules of the world.
In this universe, dragons do not fly around breathing fire over cities. Instead, they operate like a magical syndicate, hiding in human form and using their long lifespans to accumulate wealth and political influence. Another key piece of lore is "the George"—a title given to a hereditary line of dragon hunters tasked with keeping rogue dragons in check, a direct nod to the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. The series blends elements of a classic caper or heist novel with supernatural fantasy, making it perfect for fans of lighthearted urban mysteries.
Practical Reader Advice
Where is the Best Starting Point?
Readers should always start with Dragons Wild. The first book sets up the rules of the dragon society, explains how the magic system works in human-populated New Orleans, and establishes the sibling dynamic between Griffen and Valerie. Starting anywhere else will leave you confused about the character relationships and recurring threats.
Can These Books Be Read as Standalones?
While each book features a self-contained mystery or central conflict (such as moderating the conclave in book two or solving a murder during Mardi Gras in book three), they do not function well as standalones. The character growth, political hierarchy, and Valerie's pregnancy and kidnapping are continuous storylines that span multiple volumes.
Are There Any Spin-offs or Tie-ins?
Currently, the Griffen McCandles saga is limited to the four core novels. There are no side anthologies, short story collections, or crossover works in this specific universe. Unlike Asprin's massive MythAdventures series, the Dragons books form a tight, self-contained story arc.