Where to Start with the Promethean Age
Elizabeth Bear’s Promethean Age series is a brilliant fusion of modern urban fantasy, historical fiction, and rich folklore. It presents a world where the magical courts of Faerie and a secretive cabal of human wizards, known as the Prometheus Club, have engaged in a shadow war spanning centuries. Because the series spans multiple eras—ranging from the Elizabethan court to modern-day New York City and Las Vegas—readers often wonder where they should begin their journey.
You have two main pathways to choose from: the Publication Order (which we highly recommend) or the Chronological Order. Below, we break down both options so you can choose the reading path that best matches your style.
Promethean Age Recommended Reading Orders
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended)
Reading in publication order is the most natural way to experience the series. Elizabeth Bear introduces the rules of her magical universe, the nature of Faerie, and the stakes of the conflict in the contemporary books before diving into the historical backstory. If you read them as they were published, the reveals and references in the historical prequels will land with much greater impact.
Option 2: Chronological Order
If you are a fan of historical fantasy and want to see the timeline unfold linearly from the Elizabethan era to the modern day, the chronological order is a viable alternative. This path allows you to follow the legendary playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare before witnessing the modern-day fallout of their actions.
- Ink and Steel (2008) (Set in the late 16th century)
- Hell and Earth (2008) (Set in the late 16th/early 17th century)
- Blood and Iron (2006) (Set in modern New York City)
- Whiskey and Water (2007) (Set seven years after Blood and Iron)
- One-Eyed Jack (2014) (Set in modern Las Vegas)
Understanding the Subseries and Duologies
The Promethean Age is not a single linear story, but rather a shared universe made up of distinct narrative blocks. Understanding these subseries helps clarify how the books connect to one another.
The Modern Duology
The series begins in the modern era with Blood and Iron and its direct sequel, Whiskey and Water. These books focus on the magical underbelly of New York City. The plot centers on Seeker, a changeling bound to the Queen of the Fae, and Matthew Szczegielniak, a mortal mage belonging to the Prometheus Club. Together, they get caught up in a desperate hunt for a new 'Merlin'—a human of immense, raw magical talent who could tip the balance of power. Whiskey and Water picks up seven years later, exploring the heavy costs of that conflict, the interference of Hell, and the fragile peace between mortals and the Fae.
The Stratford Man Duology (The Historical Prequels)
Comprising Ink and Steel and Hell and Earth, this duology takes readers back to Elizabethan England. It is a historical fantasy that reimagines Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare as rival writers who are also secret agents caught in the machinations of the Faerie Queen and the Prometheus Club. When Marlowe is supposedly murdered in a tavern brawl, he is actually rescued and conscripted into the service of Faerie, while Shakespeare is brought into the Prometheus Club to defend England against magical threats. These books are tightly plotted and should be read together as a single continuous story.
The Las Vegas Standalone
The fifth book, One-Eyed Jack, is a standalone novel that returns to the modern day but moves the setting to Las Vegas. Instead of focusing on the Prometheus Club, this book explores the concept of genii loci—the spiritual personifications of cities. The protagonist is the One-Eyed Jack, the avatar of Las Vegas, who must navigate a territory war with the spirits of Los Angeles while trying to find his missing partner, the Suicide King. It is a stylistically distinct book that expands the universe in an exciting new direction.
What to Know Before You Start Reading
Before you dive in, it helps to understand a few core elements of Bear's worldbuilding:
- The Prometheus Club vs. The Fae: Human mages in this universe use science, intellect, and cold iron to bind magic to their will. The Fae, on the other hand, are beings of raw nature, blood, and poetry. The clash between these two philosophies forms the backbone of the series.
- The Power of Words: Throughout the series, language, theater, and poetry hold literal magical power. This is why writers like Shakespeare and Marlowe are so crucial to the setting's balance of power.
- A Mature, Inclusive Tone: The series deals with complex themes of loyalty, trauma, and identity. Whiskey and Water was nominated for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award, highlighting the series' thoughtful representation of LGBTQ+ characters.