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series Reading Order

Mage Errant Books in Order

8 Books
2018 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Mage Errant

For the best experience, the Mage Errant series should be read in publication order. Because the narrative follows a continuous arc of magical growth, found family bonds, and escalating stakes, skipping books or reading them out of sequence is not recommended. The main story begins with Hugh of Emblin entering Skyhold Academy and concludes with an epic multi-world conflict.

Here is the recommended reading path for the main series:

  1. Into the Labyrinth (2018)
  2. Jewel of the Endless Erg (2019)
  3. A Traitor in Skyhold (2019)
  4. The Lost City of Ithos (2020)
  5. The Siege of Skyhold (2021)
  6. Tongue Eater (2022)
  7. The Last Echo of the Lord of Bells (2023)

When to Read the Short Stories

In addition to the seven main novels, John Bierce published a companion collection, The Gorgon Incident and Other Stories (2024). This anthology contains twenty-four short stories spanning roughly five centuries of history on the world of Anastis. Although the author designed these stories to be accessible to newcomers, they contain deep lore, historical background (such as the fall of the Ithonian Empire), and character insights that are far more rewarding if you read them after completing the main seven-book series.

The Aetheriad Multiverse: Connections and Spin-Offs

The world of Anastis is only one part of a larger cosmic setting known as the Aetheriad (formerly referred to as the Aetherverse). All of John Bierce’s books are set within this shared multiverse and operate under the same fundamental natural laws of magic and aether flow.

The Wrack

Published in 2020, The Wrack is a standalone epidemiological fantasy novel set on Iopis, a world plagued by a devastating disease. While it has an entirely separate cast of characters and a different narrative tone, it shares subtle links to the main series, such as the appearance of the interdimensional merchant guild known as the Radhan. You can read The Wrack at any point, though reading it before or alongside the later Mage Errant books adds neat context to the multiversal travel elements.

More Gods Than Stars

This is John Bierce's newer series set within the same multiverse, beginning with The City That Would Eat the World. It features its own self-contained plot and magic systems, making it suitable to read after you finish the main adventures of Hugh and his friends.

What to Know Before You Start

  • Progression Fantasy and Hard Magic: The series belongs to the "progression fantasy" subgenre. Characters systematically train, research, and design new spells to grow their personal reserves. Magic is built around affinities (like fire, wind, dreams, or steel), operating under ecological and geological rules.
  • Character Focus and Found Family: At its heart, the series is a coming-of-age story centered on a close-knit group of misfit apprentices. It has been highly praised for its natural representation of diverse identities, including neurodivergent characters and varying sexual orientations.
  • No Ordering Disagreements: Unlike series with complicated prequels or timeline jumps, the community and the author are in complete agreement: start with Book 1, Into the Labyrinth, and read straight through to Book 7.

Frequently Asked

QCan I read Mage Errant books as standalones?

No. The series follows a continuous storyline with major character development and plot progression. You must read them in order starting with Into the Labyrinth.

QWhere does The Wrack fit into the reading order?

The Wrack is a standalone novel set in the same Aetheriad multiverse. It can be read at any time, but reading it before Tongue Eater will help you recognize some shared world-building elements.

QWhen should I read The Gorgon Incident and Other Stories?

It is best read after Book 7 (The Last Echo of the Lord of Bells). While the stories span centuries of history, they are most enjoyable once you already understand the lore of Anastis.

QIs the Mage Errant series completed?

Yes, the main story arc of Hugh and his friends is complete. The final book, The Last Echo of the Lord of Bells, was released in 2023.

QWhat is the Aetheriad?

The Aetheriad is the overarching fantasy multiverse connecting John Bierce's works, allowing characters, lore, and organizations to occasionally cross paths between different worlds.