Books On Board

Outlaw Chronicles Books in Order

  • 26 Books
  • 2009 – 2020 Published

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Reading order
2 of 2 reading orders shown

Where to Start Reading the Outlaw Chronicles

For readers looking to dive into Angus Donald’s gritty, sword-clashing reimagining of the Robin Hood legend, there are two primary entry paths. The author himself recommends starting with the first published novel, Outlaw (2009). This book introduces young Alan Dale, a desperate thief caught stealing beef who is taken in by Robin Hood’s gang in Sherwood Forest. It sets the foundational tone, establishing the complex, gangster-like nature of Robin Hood and introducing the key historical figures, high stakes, and brutal realities of 12th-century England.

Alternatively, readers who want a strictly chronological progression can start with the prequel short story, The Rise of Robin Hood, which is set in 1180—eight years before the events of the first novel. However, starting with the main novel Outlaw remains the most popular and natural path to experience Alan Dale's growth and the world's deep lore.

The Outlaw Chronicles Reading Orders

Option 1: Chronological Order (Story Timeline)

If you prefer to follow the characters and historical events exactly as they unfold in medieval history, this is the order to follow. This timeline incorporates all the main novels, the self-published additions, and the digital-only short stories:

  • The Rise of Robin Hood (Short Story) – Set in 1180, this prequel explores Robin’s early years and the origin of his rebellion.
  • Outlaw (Novel, Book 1) – Set in 1188, Alan Dale is introduced to Robin’s ruthless Sherwood gang.
  • Holy Warrior (Novel, Book 2) – Set in 1190, following the gang as they join Richard the Lionheart on the Third Crusade.
  • The Hostility of Hanno (Short Story) – Set in July 1191, a side story featuring the crusade.
  • Robin Hood and the Caliph's Gold (Novel, Book 9) – Set in October 1191, where the outlaws take to the Mediterranean seas in search of plunder.
  • Robin Hood and the Castle of Bones (Novel, Book 10) – Set in May 1192, featuring a dangerous rescue mission in Europe.
  • The Betrayal of Father Tuck (Short Story) – Set in September 1192, providing backstory on the classic friar.
  • King's Man (Novel, Book 3) – Set in September 1192, centering on the rescue of the captive King Richard.
  • Warlord (Novel, Book 4) – Set in 1194, as England teeters on the edge of civil war.
  • Grail Knight (Novel, Book 5) – Set in 1200, following Alan Dale's crusade in southern France.
  • The Iron Castle (Novel, Book 6) – Set in 1203, detailing the brutal siege of Chateau Gaillard.
  • Robin Hood and the Heretic Prince (Novel, Book 11) – Set in 1209, following the group as mercenaries caught up in the Albigensian Crusade.
  • The King's Assassin (Novel, Book 7) – Set in 1215, leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta.
  • The Death of Robin Hood (Novel, Book 8) – Set in 1216, bringing the original main narrative arc to its dramatic conclusion.

    • Option 2: Publication Order

    Reading the series in publication order allows you to follow how Angus Donald originally developed the characters and expanded the universe. The self-published middle novels (*Robin Hood and the Caliph's Gold* and *Robin Hood and the Castle of Bones*) were written later but fit neatly backward into the earlier chronological timeline.

    1. Outlaw (2009)
    2. Holy Warrior (2010)
    3. King's Man (2011)
    4. Warlord (2012)
    5. The Rise of Robin Hood (Short story, 2013)
    6. The Betrayal of Father Tuck (Short story, 2013)
    7. The Hostility of Hanno (Short story, 2013)
    8. Grail Knight (2013)
    9. The Iron Castle (2014)
    10. The King's Assassin (2015)
    11. The Death of Robin Hood (2016)
    12. Robin Hood and the Caliph's Gold (2020)
    13. Robin Hood and the Castle of Bones (2020)
    14. Robin Hood and the Heretic Prince (2025)

    What to Know Before You Start

    Angus Donald’s Robin Hood is not the lighthearted, romantic hero of traditional folklore. He is depicted as a gritty, calculating, and often terrifying medieval godfather figure. The story is told through the eyes of his young lieutenant, Alan Dale, who matures from an insecure runaway into a hardened warrior and knight. The series is praised for its historical accuracy, blending legendary characters with real history, such as the Third Crusade, the Magna Carta, and the Albigensian Crusade. The author has also indicated plans for a final twelfth novel, tentatively titled Robin Hood and the Holy Grail, to conclude the expanded series saga.

    Frequently Asked

    What is the recommended starting point for the Outlaw Chronicles?

    While you can start with the prequel short story The Rise of Robin Hood, it is highly recommended to start with the first novel, Outlaw, to best experience the introduction to Alan Dale and Robin Hood's world.

    Are the books in the Outlaw Chronicles standalones?

    Each novel is written to be a complete story that can be read on its own, but the overarching character growth of Alan Dale and the historic progression of medieval England make reading them in chronological order much more rewarding.

    Who is the main protagonist of the Outlaw Chronicles?

    The story is narrated by Alan Dale, who begins as a young thief running from the law and becomes Robin Hood's loyal lieutenant and, eventually, a knight.

    Where do the self-published 2020 novels fit chronologically?

    Robin Hood and the Caliph's Gold and Robin Hood and the Castle of Bones take place in 1191 and 1192 respectively, placing them chronologically between the novels Holy Warrior and King's Man.

    Is the Outlaw Chronicles series finished?

    The original publisher-backed arc finished with The Death of Robin Hood in 2016. However, Angus Donald has since self-published additional novels, and he plans to release a final book titled Robin Hood and the Holy Grail to close the series.