Recommended Reading Order
The Saga of the De Magela Family, which was later retitled and republished as The Princess Maura Tales, is a continuous epic fantasy sequence written by Abigail Keam. Because the books follow a tight chronological story arc with heavy character development and ongoing plotlines, you must read them in their publication order to follow Princess Maura's journey properly.
Here is the recommended reading order for the series:
- Wall of Doom (2013)
- Wall of Peril (2013)
- Wall of Glory (2013)
- Wall of Conquest (2014)
- Wall of Victory (2018)
Detailed Breakdown of the Books
1. Wall of Doom (2013)
The saga begins with Wall of Doom, which introduces Princess Maura, the sheltered and pampered daughter of Queen Abisola and Consort Iasos. When her peaceful, agrarian homeland of Hasan Daeg is threatened by the expansionist Bhuttanian Empire led by the warlord Zoar, Maura's life changes forever. She is sent to live with and be trained by the Dinii—a mysterious, bird-like people who teach her the ways of a warrior. As she trains to save her kingdom, she finds herself torn between her royal duty and her heart when she falls in love with Dorak, who is the son of her enemy, Zoar.
2. Wall of Peril (2013)
In the second book, Maura has stepped up as the ruler of Hasan Daeg, but the conflict with the Bhuttanian Empire intensifies. She is captured by Aga Dorak, who intends to marry her to cement his own political power and consolidate control. Maura is faced with a harrowing dilemma: try to win the heart of her captor to influence him, or plan a dangerous escape to fulfill her destiny and free her people from oppression.
3. Wall of Glory (2013)
The third installment finds Princess Maura as a fugitive Empress on the run. Having escaped the imperial palace at a devastating cost, she must navigate the wilderness while evading Dorak's pursuing soldiers. Maura struggles with deeply conflicting emotions: she is drawn to Dorak's courage and culture, yet terrified by his ruthless ambition and capacity for cruelty. Meanwhile, she must find a way to save her country from destruction.
4. Wall of Conquest (2014)
Following a massive confrontation with the dark wizard Zedek, Maura discovers that both Dorak and Gitar (the Empress of the bird-like Dinii) have mysteriously vanished. Although many believe them to be dead, Maura refuses to accept this. Determined to secure the throne of the Bhuttanian Empire for her unborn child, she marches to the capital to confront Dorak's first wife, Jezra, and stop a brewing civil war.
5. Wall of Victory (2018)
The final chapter of the saga sees Maura leading the forces of Hasan Daeg and Bhuttan. To secure final peace, she must capture the rebel stronghold of Bhuttani, which is held by the traitor Mikkotto and the vengeful Jezra. At the same time, she discovers that Dorak and Gitar are trapped in another dimension alongside the evil Black Cacodemon. Maura sends an unlikely rescue team consisting of her spymaster KiKu, the scribe Timon, and a streetwise youth named Akela to save them, leading to a climactic final battle for the empire.
What to Know Before You Start
Abigail Keam is widely recognized for her cozy mysteries, such as the Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series and the Mona Moon Mystery Series, but this series represents her venture into high fantasy. Before diving in, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Continuous Narrative: This is not an anthology series. Each book pick up right where the previous one left off, meaning they cannot be read as standalones.
- World-Building: The setting blends classic sword-and-sorcery tropes with unique species, such as the bird-like Dinii, and complex political factions like the Bhuttanian Empire.
- Genre Blend: The series strongly highlights romantic elements and political intrigue alongside traditional fantasy action. Expect a heavy focus on the complex, stormy relationship between Maura and Dorak.