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Magic City Chronicles Books in Order

8 Books
2021 Published
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Reading order

The Magic City Chronicles Recommended Reading Order

The Magic City Chronicles, co-authored by T.R. Cameron, Martha Carr, and Michael Anderle, follows a strictly linear narrative. Unlike the broader Oriceran Universe it is nested in, you do not need to jump between series to follow the core story of Ruby Achera. The publication order is the absolute best way to experience the saga from start to finish.

Here is the recommended reading order for the main series:

  1. A Defender Rises (2021) – Ruby returns to Magic City for summer break, only for her family’s Mist Casino to become ground zero in a turf war. She must embrace her hidden magical heritage to survive.
  2. A Magical Alliance (2021) – As threats escalate, Ruby is forced to build alliances with shapeshifters, archers, and unexpected agents to protect the casino.
  3. A Flush of Diamonds (2021) – Ruby takes the fight to the city's corrupt underworld, dealing with high-stakes magical gambles and dangerous syndicates.
  4. Showdown in Magic City (2021) – With the city on the brink of chaos, Ruby faces her most direct confrontations yet against the criminal syndicate leaders.
  5. A Hunt in Magic City (2021) – The tables turn as Ruby and her allies become the hunters, tracking down dark forces threatening the delicate balance between mortals and magicals.
  6. Law and Disorder (2022) – The arrival of federal authorities and law enforcement complicates Ruby's operations, forcing her to navigate both magical threats and legal blockades.
  7. Darkness Ascends in Magic City (2022) – A ancient, dark artifact embedded in Ruby's arm begins to exert dangerous influence, raising the stakes to a personal level.
  8. All or Nothing in Magic City (2022) – The explosive finale where Ruby must risk everything, including the casino and her own soul, to defeat Gabriel 'The Nightmare' Sloane and secure the city's future.

Understanding the Oriceran Universe Connection

The Magic City Chronicles does not exist in a vacuum. It is a key piece of the Oriceran Universe, a massive collaborative urban fantasy project created by Michael Anderle and Martha Carr. Oriceran is populated by multiple interconnected series by different authors, featuring overlapping characters, organizations, and history.

For readers of the Magic City Chronicles, the most important connection is to the Federal Agents of Magic series. Diana Sheen, the magic-wielding FBI agent who stars in that series, crosses over into Magic City to assist Ruby in her fight against Gabriel Sloane. If you want to see these events from both sides of the coin, reading both series will give you a much richer perspective on the Oriceran underworld.

How to Expand Your Reading

  • Federal Agents of Magic: This 8-book series starts with Magic Ops and features Diana Sheen. It provides critical context on the federal magical task forces that eventually arrive in Magic City.
  • Rogue Agents of Magic: A direct sequel series to Federal Agents of Magic that follows Diana and her team as they operate outside the law.
  • The Leira Chronicles: Starting with Waking Magic, this is the foundational series of the Oriceran Universe. It is highly recommended if you want to understand the origins of the setting's magic system and lore.

What to Know Before You Start

Magic City is the supernatural equivalent of Las Vegas—a glittering playground of casinos, neon lights, and high stakes, but run by vampires, shapeshifters, and sorcerers. Ruby Achera is not your typical urban fantasy protagonist; she begins the series as a college student returning home to work at her family's casino (The Mist Casino), wanting nothing to do with the magical underworld. Her progression from a reluctant protector to a powerhouse combatant is the heart of the series.

The series is fast-paced, heavy on martial arts and magical technology, and relies on a lighthearted, snarky tone. The dialogue is snappy, and the plot moves quickly from one confrontation to the next, making it an excellent weekend binge read. While you can read the series completely on its own, having some familiarity with the Oriceran Universe will help you appreciate the cameos and Easter eggs scattered throughout.

Frequently Asked

QCan Magic City Chronicles be read as a standalone series?

Yes. While the series is part of the larger Oriceran Universe, Ruby Achera's story is self-contained. You can start with A Defender Rises and read through to the end without needing to read any other Oriceran series.

QWho are the authors behind the Magic City Chronicles?

The series is a collaborative effort between urban fantasy authors T.R. Cameron, Martha Carr, and Michael Anderle.

QWhich Oriceran series should I read alongside Magic City Chronicles?

The closest connection is to the Federal Agents of Magic series. FBI Agent Diana Sheen and her team cross over into Ruby's story, so reading both series offers a fuller view of the universe.

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Oriceran Universe?

If you want to start at the very beginning of the universe, read The Leira Chronicles (beginning with Waking Magic) or the prequel short story Quest for Magic.

QIs there a boxed set available for Magic City Chronicles?

Yes. The entire eight-book run of the Magic City Chronicles is available as a complete digital boxed set, making it easy to read the entire story in order.