The Recommended Reading Order
Toby Clements’ Kingmaker series is a linear, chronological narrative that tracks the turbulent lives of two ordinary outcasts during the Wars of the Roses. Because each book directly builds on the events, character developments, and secrets of the previous one, you should read them in order of publication.
- Winter Pilgrims (2014)
- Broken Faith (2015)
- Divided Souls (2016)
- Kingdom Come (2017)
An Overview of the Novels
1. Winter Pilgrims (2014)
The saga begins in the freezing winter of 1460 at a remote priory. Thomas, a young monk, and Katherine, a young nun, are forced to flee into the harsh world after a violent assault by outlaws. To survive the dangerous highways and avoid a relentless pursuit by the corrupt local lord Giles Riven, Katherine disguises herself as a boy named Kit. As the Houses of York and Lancaster clash, the two companions are drawn into the civil war. The book culminates in the horrific, blood-soaked Battle of Towton in 1461, widely regarded as one of the brutal turning points of English history.
2. Broken Faith (2015)
In the aftermath of the devastating clash at Towton, Thomas and Katherine find themselves separated in a country broken by war. Katherine, still maintaining her male disguise, seeks safety and work at a remote estate while hiding a deep past, whereas Thomas struggles with memory loss and the profound psychological trauma of the battlefield. When they finally reunite, they find themselves in possession of a dangerous secret—a document that both sides of the conflict would kill to obtain.
3. Divided Souls (2016)
By 1469, the fragile peace established under the Yorkist King Edward IV is beginning to unravel as the Earl of Warwick—the legendary "Kingmaker"—turns against his former ally. Although Thomas and Katherine try to lead a quiet life away from the strife, old enemies resurface and force them back onto the road. Surrounded by escalating riots, betrayal, and shifting allegiances, they must fight to protect their family and their secrets.
4. Kingdom Come (2017)
The epic conclusion of the series brings the conflict to its violent climax in 1471. With the Earl of Warwick launching a full-scale rebellion to restore the Lancastrian King Henry VI, England is plunged into absolute chaos. Thomas and Katherine are caught in the crossfire once again as their long-guarded secrets are exposed. The narrative carries them from the flatlands of Lincolnshire across the Channel to the Continent, and finally back to the decisive, bloody clashes at the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury.
What to Know Before You Start
Unlike many historical fiction series that focus exclusively on kings, queens, and noble commanders, Kingmaker focuses on the common people. Thomas and Katherine are ordinary folk who must navigate the fallout of decisions made by distant lords. Author Toby Clements, a former literary editor and journalist, brought incredible detail to the series through hands-on research—including learning medieval leather tanning and longbow archery. This translates into a raw, highly realistic reading experience where the weather, the mud, the stench, and the sheer physicality of medieval warfare are front and center. Fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden will find themselves right at home.