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Half-Orcs Books in Order

8 Books
2010 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for The Half-Orcs

David Dalglish’s Half-Orcs series is a dark, character-driven fantasy that centers on the trials of the half-blood brothers Harruq and Qurrah Tun. Navigating paths of necromancy, redemption, and cosmic conflict in the world of Dezrel, the series has grown from a self-published success story into a sprawling fantasy universe. For the most direct route through Harruq and Qurrah’s journey, readers should follow the core series in publication order.

The Core Half-Orcs Series Order

  1. The Weight of Blood (2010): Introduces the half-orc brothers Harruq, a warrior seeking a better path, and Qurrah, a necromancer descending into darkness, as they are drawn into the service of a dark prophet.
  2. The Cost of Betrayal (2010): The brothers' bond is tested to its limits by tragedy, shifting loyalties, and the introduction of the Eschaton mercenaries.
  3. The Death of Promises (2010): Escalates the conflict with epic battles and divine schemes as the warring gods of Dezrel manipulate the mortal realm.
  4. The Shadows of Grace (2010): Follows the emotional and physical fallout of the previous novels as the remaining allies struggle to pick up the pieces of their broken world.
  5. A Sliver of Redemption (2011): Brings major character arcs to a head as Harruq faces his ultimate quest for atonement against the shadow of his brother.
  6. The Prison of Angels (2012): Explores the legacy of the wars, diving into new divine threats and political shifts across the continent.
  7. The King of the Vile (2015): A darker, wider-scope entry that pushes characters into morally grey territory to combat rising demonic influences.
  8. The King of the Fallen (2020): Further expands the lore of Dezrel, bringing mature themes, complex new allies, and high-stakes magical warfare.
  9. Legacy of the Watcher (2024): The ninth book returns to key characters, focusing on Erin Felhorn, the daughter of the Watcher of Veldaren, alongside the return of the legendary "Godslayer" Harruq Tun.

The Overarching Dezrel Universe Timeline

The world of Dezrel spans several interconnected series. While each series is designed to stand independently, characters frequently cross over, and events in one series directly influence the status quo of another. If you want to experience the complete history of the world chronologically, David Dalglish suggests reading the series in this order:

1. The Breaking World Series (Prequel)

Co-authored with Robert J. Duperre, this trilogy is set centuries before the events of the main series. It details the arrival of humanity in Dezrel, the origin of the conflict between the twin gods Karak and Ashhur, and the historic wars that shaped the magic system of the world. Reading this first provides immense context for the religious struggles in the main books.

  • Dawn of Swords (2014)
  • Wrath of Lions (2014)
  • Blood of Gods (2014)

2. The Shadowdance Series

Shadowdance follows Haern, the legendary assassin known as the Watcher of Veldaren. This series blends street-level thieves' guild politics with high fantasy. Haern becomes a vital character in the later Half-Orcs books, so understanding his origins and the evolution of Veldaren adds massive depth to his appearances elsewhere.

  • A Dance of Cloaks (2013)
  • A Dance of Blades (2013)
  • A Dance of Mirrors (2013)
  • A Dance of Shadows (2014)
  • A Dance of Ghosts (2014)
  • A Dance of Chaos (2015)

3. The Paladins Series

Set alongside and slightly before some of the later Half-Orcs events, this four-book series focuses on Jerico and Darius, holy warriors representing the clashing faiths of Dezrel. It offers a closer look at the divine magic of Ashhur and the heavy toll of fighting for peace in a brutal world.

  • Night of Wolves (2011)
  • Clash of Faiths (2011)
  • The Old Ways (2014)
  • The Broken Pieces (2015)

4. The Half-Orcs Series

The flagship series sits at the chronological culmination of the Dezrel setting, resolving the long-running arcs of the brother gods, the fate of Veldaren, and the legacy of the Watcher. Legacy of the Watcher (Book 9) directly bridges the aftermath of the Shadowdance series and the Half-Orcs narrative.

What to Know Before You Start

David Dalglish’s writing is heavily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and the classic heroic fantasy of R.A. Salvatore. Readers should expect fast-paced combat, detailed magical mechanics, and a gritty, sometimes gory tone. Despite the epic scale of divine conflicts, the core of the story remains deeply personal, focusing on family bonds, redemption, and the tragedy of characters forced to fight those they love.

While the author confirms that the books do not require chronological reading to be understood, starting with the first half-orcs book, The Weight of Blood, or the first Shadowdance book, A Dance of Cloaks, is widely considered the best experience. Reading the books purely in chronological order (starting with the prequel trilogy) is interesting but can make the tone shifts more jarring as Dalglish's writing style matured significantly between his early self-published work in 2010 and his later co-authored novels.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting point for the Half-Orcs series?

The recommended starting point is The Weight of Blood, which is the first book of the core series and introduces the central characters Harruq and Qurrah Tun.

QCan the Half-Orcs books be read as standalones?

While the author designed individual series within Dezrel to stand on their own, the core Half-Orcs books follow a continuous story arc and should be read in sequence.

QHow does the Shadowdance series connect to the Half-Orcs?

The protagonist of Shadowdance, Haern (the Watcher), is a major supporting character in the later Half-Orcs books, and his daughter Erin is the focus of Book 9, Legacy of the Watcher.

QIs Legacy of the Watcher part of the Half-Orcs series?

Yes, Legacy of the Watcher (published in 2024) is officially the ninth book in the Half-Orcs series, resolving storylines involving both Harruq Tun and the descendants of the Watcher.

QWhat is the chronological order of the entire Dezrel universe?

Chronologically, the universe should be read as The Breaking World trilogy first, followed by the Shadowdance series, The Paladins series, and finally The Half-Orcs series.