Books On Board

Shadowdance Books in Order

  • 7 Books
  • 2010 – 2015 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start Reading Shadowdance

For readers diving into David Dalglish's gritty world of assassins, thieves, and vigilante justice, the best place to start is with the first published novel, A Dance of Cloaks. While there is a prequel novella collection titled Cloak and Spider (often numbered as Book 0.5), it was published later and is best appreciated once you have already established a connection with the characters and the corrupt city of Veldaren.

Starting with A Dance of Cloaks introduces you directly to the protagonist, Aaron Felhorn, and the core conflict of his youth: his training under his ruthless father, Thren, and his ultimate decision to rebel against the criminal empire he was born to inherit. Beginning here preserves the mystery of Aaron's transformation into the vigilante known as Haern the Watcher and ensures the narrative beats land exactly as the author intended.

The Shadowdance Publication Order

If you want to read the series in the order the books were released, follow this list. This sequence matches the natural evolution of David Dalglish's writing style and the development of the Dezrel setting. Note that Book 3 was originally self-published under a different name before being renamed for its mainstream release.

  • A Dance of Cloaks (Book 1) – Published in 2010. Introduces Aaron Felhorn, his father Thren, and the warring guilds of Veldaren.
  • A Dance of Blades (Book 2) – Published in 2011. Aaron adopts the persona of Haern the Watcher, fighting a lonely war on Veldaren's streets.
  • A Dance of Mirrors (Book 3) – Published in 2011. Originally titled A Dance of Death, this book follows Haern south as he faces a copycat vigilante.
  • Cloak and Spider (Book 0.5 / Prequel Novella) – Published in 2013. A collection of short stories detailing Thren Felhorn's rise to power and Aaron's early training.
  • A Dance of Shadows (Book 4) – Published in 2014. The start of the second major arc, dealing with the aftermath of the guild wars and new threats to the city.
  • A Dance of Ghosts (Book 5) – Published in 2014. Haern is forced to confront old ghosts and new political machinations.
  • A Dance of Chaos (Book 6) – Published in 2015. The explosive finale of the Shadowdance saga, where Veldaren's fate is decided.

Chronological Order and the Wider Dezrel Universe

All of David Dalglish's early fantasy series are set in the shared world of Dezrel. This includes The Breaking World (co-authored with Robert J. Duperre), The Paladins, The Half-Orcs, and Shadowdance. While the author explicitly states that you do not need to read these other series to understand Shadowdance, they share characters, historical events, and thematic elements.

If you want to follow the timeline of the world chronologically based on the "Year of Man" (IA) calendar provided by the author, the books align in a fascinating way. Most notably, the events of The Paladins take place during the gap between the first and second halves of the Shadowdance series, and The Half-Orcs runs concurrently with the later Shadowdance books.

Dezrel World Chronology

  1. The Breaking World Trilogy (Dawn of Swords, Wrath of Lions, Blood of Gods) – Set in 1–95 IA. This historical prequel series depicts the war of the gods Karak and Ashhur and the arrival of humanity.
  2. Cloak and Spider (Shadowdance Book 0.5) – Set in 554–579 IA.
  3. A Dance of Cloaks (Shadowdance Book 1) – Set in 579 IA.
  4. A Dance of Blades (Shadowdance Book 2) – Set in 584 IA.
  5. A Dance of Mirrors (Shadowdance Book 3) – Set in 586 IA.
  6. The Paladins Series (Night of Wolves, Clash of Faiths, The Old Ways, The Broken Pieces) – Set in 587–588 IA. These books follow the holy warriors of Dezrel.
  7. A Dance of Shadows, A Dance of Ghosts, and A Dance of Chaos (Shadowdance Books 4–6) – Set in 589 IA.
  8. The Half-Orcs Series (Books 1–9) – Starting with The Weight of Blood in 589 IA, this series runs parallel to the end of Shadowdance and extends up to 600 IA.

If you plan to read all of Dalglish's work in Dezrel, the author recommends reading them series-by-series rather than jumping chronologically between books. The recommended series order is: The Breaking World, Shadowdance, The Paladins, and finally The Half-Orcs.

The Legacy of Haern the Watcher in The Half-Orcs

One of the most exciting aspects of the Dezrel universe is how characters cross over between series. Haern the Watcher actually makes his very first appearance in The Cost of Betrayal, which is the second book of The Half-Orcs series. His partnership with the assassin Zusa and his battles against the Ash Guild are central to both series.

Furthermore, the legacy of the Watcher extends far beyond the final pages of A Dance of Chaos. In 2024, Dalglish released The Legacy of the Watcher, the ninth book in the Half-Orcs series, which focuses on the grown child of Haern and Zusa. Reading both series will give you the complete picture of Haern's life, his battles, and his lasting legacy in Dezrel.

Understanding the Self-Published vs. Orbit Books Editions

When looking for physical or digital copies of the Shadowdance books, you will likely encounter references to two different versions. Dalglish originally self-published the first three books (A Dance of Cloaks, A Dance of Blades, and A Dance of Death) between 2010 and 2011. In 2013, Orbit Books acquired the series and worked with Dalglish to heavily revise them before re-releasing the entire saga.

The Orbit Books editions are the definitive versions and are highly recommended. Dalglish tightened the prose, corrected timeline issues where chapters felt chronologically disjointed, and adjusted character introductions (such as moving Alyssa's introduction to improve pacing). The most obvious change is that the third book was renamed from A Dance of Death to A Dance of Mirrors. Always look for the Orbit Books covers to ensure you are getting the most polished reading experience.

What to Know Before You Start

Shadowdance is a fast-paced, action-oriented dark fantasy series. Dalglish was heavily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and the classic dark elf tales of R.A. Salvatore. While the series deals with grimdark themes like guild corruption, brutal assassinations, and moral ambiguity, it maintains a core of hope. Unlike pure grimdark, Haern's story is ultimately a quest for justice and redemption, making it a perfect fit for fans of Brent Weeks' Night Angel trilogy or Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting book for the Shadowdance series?

You should start with A Dance of Cloaks (Book 1). Although the prequel collection Cloak and Spider takes place chronologically earlier, it is best read after you are already familiar with the main characters and the setting.

Are A Dance of Death and A Dance of Mirrors the same book?

Yes. A Dance of Death was the original self-published title for the third book. When Orbit Books republished the series, David Dalglish revised the text and renamed it to A Dance of Mirrors.

Do I need to read David Dalglish's other series to understand Shadowdance?

No. Shadowdance stands completely on its own. While it shares the world of Dezrel and has crossover characters with The Half-Orcs and The Paladins, you can read it as a self-contained story.

How does Shadowdance connect to The Half-Orcs?

Both series take place in the world of Dezrel. Haern the Watcher, the main character of Shadowdance, also plays a major role in The Half-Orcs series starting in Book 2, The Cost of Betrayal, and the story of his legacy continues in the 2024 novel The Legacy of the Watcher.

Who co-authored the prequel series The Breaking World?

David Dalglish co-authored the three prequel novels of The Breaking World with author Robert J. Duperre.

What order should I read all the Dezrel books in?

The author recommends reading the series in the following order: The Breaking World, Shadowdance, The Paladins, and finally The Half-Orcs.