The Recommended Reading Order for Heart of the World
Col Buchanan’s Heart of the World is a linear, four-book epic fantasy series. Because the story follows a direct chronological path, the best and only way to experience the narrative is in publication order. Reading these books out of order will disrupt the overarching plot, character developments, and the ultimate fate of the besieged city-state of Bar-Khos.
- Farlander (2010)
- Stands a Shadow (2011)
- The Black Dream (2015)
- Fierce Gods (2017)
Breaking Down the Heart of the World Books
Farlander (2010)
The series begins with Farlander, introducing readers to the central duo of Nico, a young street urchin, and Ash, an aging Roshun assassin. The Roshun are a legendary order of killers bound by a strict code of vengeance—if you kill someone under their protection, they will hunt you down. As the tyrannical Mann Empire expands its territory, Nico becomes Ash's apprentice. Their personal journey becomes entangled in the empire's global conquest when they are tasked with a vendetta against the Holy Matriarch's son.
Stands a Shadow (2011)
Picking up where the debut left off, Stands a Shadow raises the stakes significantly. The focus shifts toward the impending siege of Bar-Khos, a free city standing as the last bastion against the unstoppable Mann Empire. Ash continues his quest for vengeance while Nico faces the grim realities of war, forcing both characters to make difficult sacrifices.
The Black Dream (2015)
After a four-year gap in publication, The Black Dream expands the scope of the world. This installment introduces new perspectives and darker themes. The Mann Empire's grip tightens, and the characters must navigate complex political intrigues and desperate battles to survive, showing the broader toll of the war across the Heart of the World.
Fierce Gods (2017)
The final volume of the main sequence, Fierce Gods, brings the conflict between the free peoples of Bar-Khos and the Mann Empire to its dramatic conclusion. The story wraps up the character arcs of Ash, Nico, and their allies as they face their final stand against the Holy Matriarch's forces.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Col Buchanan's work, here are a few key aspects of the series to keep in mind:
- Tone and Influence: The series features a dark, gritty atmosphere heavily inspired by David Gemmell's classic heroic fantasy, particularly Legend. It shares thematic elements with the grimdark works of authors like Joe Abercrombie, focusing on flawed, morally grey characters rather than pure heroes.
- A Low-Magic, Steampunk-Infused World: Unlike high-magic fantasies populated by elves and wizards, the Heart of the World setting features sparse magic. Instead, the technology level includes airships (zeppelins), gunpowder, and rifles alongside traditional swords.
- No Standalones: Each novel builds directly on the events of the previous one. It is highly recommended not to skip any books, as the overarching plot is continuous.