The Recommended Reading Path for Other Worlds
When approaching the short stories of Jonathan Moeller, readers generally face a choice between two formats: tracking down the original 12 individual novellas and short stories published between 2011 and 2013 under the series title Otherworlds, or picking up the consolidated 2021 anthology titled Other Worlds: A Fantasy & Science Fiction Collection. Because the original standalone digital stories are largely out of print or consolidated, we highly recommend starting with the 2021 Other Worlds anthology. It compiles 23 of Moeller's tales, including many of the original 12 stories, making it the most accessible entry point.
For readers who prefer to experience the stories as they were originally released, following the publication order of the individual digital releases is the most logical route. This lets you see the gradual evolution of Moeller's short-form style and his experimentation with blending sword-and-sorcery with modern urban fantasy.
Publication Order of the Original Otherworlds Books
Between 2011 and 2013, Moeller released a series of dark fantasy and paranormal novellas under the Otherworlds banner. While these were initially sold as standalone titles, they are now primarily enjoyed as part of omnibus editions or compiled collections. Below is the complete publication order of the original twelve stories:
- The Devil's Agent (2011) – The story that initiated the series, introducing readers to Moeller's shorter, fast-paced dark fantasy themes.
- Mirrored Knight (2013) – A cross-genre adventure featuring the knight Carradan, who pursues a dangerous demon all the way to modern-day Chicago.
- The King of Tears Unnumbered (2013) – A dive into high fantasy elements and ancient magical curses.
- Sacrifices (2013) – A short story focusing on the moral compromises made in the face of demonic threats.
- Tournament of Thieves (2013) – A lighter, action-packed heist story highlighting clever rogues and fantasy trickery.
- Threefold Gift (2013) – Another fantasy tale detailing the unexpected costs of magical power.
- Inexorable (2013) – A story detailing relentless magical pursuits and ancient combat.
- Blood Artists (2013) – A critical entry that directly ties into the broader mythos of Moeller's major series.
- Driven (2013) – A paranormal thriller that bridges the gap between different realms.
- Dragons' Wrath (2013) – A tale dealing with the destructive power of dragons and ancient rivalries.
- Knights' Quest (2013) – Following honorable warriors battling insurmountable magical odds.
- Bound to the Eye (2013) – The final original release in this specific format, wrapping up the digital short story run.
What to Know Before You Start: Anthology vs. Individual Releases
In 2021, Jonathan Moeller published Other Worlds: A Fantasy & Science Fiction Collection. This anthology features 23 stories, offering a blend of sword-and-sorcery, urban fantasy, and science fiction. It is important to know that the 2021 collection acts as a retrospective playground. It includes classic high fantasy stories like The Knight's Tale (where a knight searches for his wife kidnapped by elves) and crossover urban fantasy tales like Silver Drive (featuring a dragon hiding in modern Chicago). It also dips into science fiction with stories like Rail Gun, which details a telepath uncovering a corrupt government conspiracy.
Because these tales span multiple fictional universes, you do not need prior knowledge of Moeller's work to enjoy them. However, experienced readers will appreciate the subtle nods to his larger sagas.
Tie-Ins and Connections to Larger Series
Several stories under the Otherworlds umbrella serve as direct companion pieces or spin-offs to Jonathan Moeller's mainline epic fantasy series. Most notably, the stories Blood Artists (2013) and Bound to the Eye (2013) feature Caina Amalas, the deadly assassin protagonist of Moeller's popular series The Ghosts and Ghost Exile. These stories are also included in the Exile of the Ghosts short story collection, serving as valuable side-adventures for completionist fans of Caina's story arc.
Additionally, characters like the demon-haunted warrior Mazael Cravenlock from the Demonsouled series make appearances or have thematic connections to the dark, monster-slaying elements of the anthology. Reading these stories gives fans a deeper look into the lore of the worlds of Frostborn and Demonsouled without needing to commit to a multi-volume epic.
Practical Reading Advice
If you are a newcomer to Jonathan Moeller's work, the 2021 Other Worlds anthology is a fantastic standalone experience. It showcases his writing style—which balances the pulp energy of Robert E. Howard with the modern pacing of Jim Butcher—in digestible, bite-sized portions. If you are already a fan of The Ghosts or Frostborn, you can read the tie-in stories (like Blood Artists and Bound to the Eye) alongside their respective series or save them for a fun revisit later. Since the majority of these stories are self-contained, there is very little risk of spoiling major plotlines of the main novels, making them highly flexible additions to your reading list.