Hellequin Chronicles Books in Order

Where to Start in the Hellequin Universe

Entering the Hellequin Universe for the first time can feel a bit daunting. Author Steve McHugh has built a massive, interconnected fantasy landscape spanning multiple subseries, standalone stories, and prequel novellas. While the world includes distinct trilogies and spin-offs, they all share a singular history and continuous timeline. For the best experience, readers are highly recommended to follow the main storylines in publication order.

Starting with the first published book ensures you learn about the magic systems, the political landscape of Avalon, and the protagonist's lost history exactly as the author intended. Jumping ahead or reading chronologically can spoil major plot twists, character deaths, and the mystery surrounding Nate Garrett's amnesia.

The Core Reading Order (Recommended)

For the optimal reading experience, you should read the primary series in the order they were written. This path is divided into three distinct segments, followed by the latest universe releases and standalone prequels. Here is the recommended sequence:

Phase 1: The Hellequin Chronicles

This is the flagship series that started it all, introducing Nate Garrett (Hellequin), a powerful sorcerer who begins the saga with no memory of his past 1,600 years of life. The main series consists of seven novels:

• Crimes Against Magic (2012) – The debut novel where Nate Garrett protects a young girl and starts piecing together his history through flashbacks to 15th-century France.
• Born of Hatred (2012) – Nate travels to Montana and confronts a serial killer with dark magical ties, with flashbacks exploring late 19th-century history.
• With Silent Screams (2014) – A friend's murder leads Nate into a conspiracy that threatens the supernatural underworld of London.
• Prison of Hope (2015) – The conflict shifts to the magical realm of Avalon as old enemies and powerful allies prepare for war.
• Lies Ripped Open (2015) – Nate's quest for identity takes him deep into the secrets of the magical ruling council.
• Promise of Wrath (2016) – With war Looming, Nate must gather allies across realms to face a devastating threat.
• Scorched Shadows (2017) – The epic, explosive finale to Nate's original seven-book arc. Shortlisted for the Gemmell Award.

Phase 2: The Avalon Chronicles

Set immediately after the events of Scorched Shadows, this trilogy shifts focus to several key supporting characters from the Hellequin Chronicles as they deal with the fallout of the war. It is crucial to read this trilogy before moving on to the next main Nate Garrett story, as it sets up the new status quo of the world.

• A Glimmer of Hope (2018)
• A Flicker of Steel (2018)
• A Thunder of War (2018)

Phase 3: The Rebellion Chronicles

Nate Garrett returns as the lead protagonist in this trilogy, which continues the overarching narrative arc established in the Avalon Chronicles and finishes the long-term conflict of the universe.

• Sorcery Reborn (2019)
• Death Unleashed (2020)
• Horsemen's War (2020)

Chronological / Narrative Story Order (With Novellas)

If you prefer a strict narrative timeline that incorporates all the side novellas and short stories, McHugh's universe expands to include prequel content and bridging tales. Here is how the books fit together chronologically:

1. Small Time Vengeance (Short Story / Book 0.5) – A prequel story taking place immediately before the events of the first book.
2. Crimes Against Magic (Book 1)
3. Born of Hatred (Book 2)
4. Infamous Reign (Novella / Book 2.5) – A historical adventure bridging Books 2 and 3, following Nate in the late 19th century.
5. With Silent Screams (Book 3)
6. Prison of Hope (Book 4)
7. Lies Ripped Open (Book 5)
8. Promise of Wrath (Book 6)
9. Frozen Rage (Novella / Book 6.5) – Set in the frozen realm of Dreich, Nate and Tommy must solve a werewolf-werelion wedding murder mystery. Takes place between Books 6 and 7.
10. Scorched Shadows (Book 7)
11. Hunted (Novella / Book 7.5) – Centers on the hybrid character Remy Roax in North Dakota, serving as a bridge between the Hellequin Chronicles and the Avalon Chronicles.
12. A Glimmer of Hope (Avalon Chronicles Book 1)
13. A Flicker of Steel (Avalon Chronicles Book 2)
14. A Thunder of War (Avalon Chronicles Book 3)
15. Sorcery Reborn (Rebellion Chronicles Book 1)
16. Death Unleashed (Rebellion Chronicles Book 2)
17. Horsemen's War (Rebellion Chronicles Book 3)
18. No Gods, Only Monsters (Antiquity Chronicles Book 1, 2022) – A prequel novel focusing on the Roman goddess Diana set centuries before the main series. While it takes place first chronologically, it is best read after finishing the core chronicles.
19. Undying (Novella, 2024) – Nate and his allies investigate a decades-old murder mystery in Wales.
20. The King of Avalon (Novella, 2024) – Follows Mordred as he establishes himself as a king and faces new threats.

For readers who want to read the novellas physically, the 2025 release Hellequin Chronicles: Novellas and Short Stories: Collection 1 collects Infamous Reign, Frozen Rage, and Hunted in a single volume, along with extra backstory content.

What to Know Before You Start

Steve McHugh's Hellequin Universe is heavily inspired by classical mythology, folklore, and historical events. In this world, figures from Greek, Roman, Norse, and Arthurian myths—such as Zeus, Odin, Hades, and Merlin—are not fictional gods, but incredibly powerful sorcerers governed by a magical ruling body known as Avalon. The magic system is gritty and physical, and the series frequently moves back and forth in time, using historical flashbacks to contextualize modern conflicts. The tone is reminiscent of dark urban fantasy classics like The Dresden Files, blending detective noir elements with epic high-stakes battle magic. Be prepared for a story that grows from a street-level investigation into an all-out war across realms.