The Recommended Sianim Reading Order
Before Patricia Briggs became a household name in urban fantasy with her Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series, she began her publishing career in the realms of classic high fantasy. The Sianim series, spanning four novels published between 1993 and 2010, is set in a shared medieval-style world where magic is real, mercenaries govern through espionage, and strong-willed women navigate complex political and romantic landscapes.
Unlike many sprawling fantasy series, Sianim does not follow a single continuous storyline across all four books. Instead, it is a collection of stories focusing on different protagonists in the same universe. However, because one book is a direct sequel to another, reading them in random order can disrupt the narrative flow. The most popular and recommended way to read the Sianim series is the Chronological Order, which keeps the two interconnected novels together.
1. Chronological Reading Order (Recommended Path)
The chronological order arranges the books based on the internal timeline of the Sianim universe. This is the preferred reading order for most fans because it groups the Aralorn duology consecutively, allowing you to follow her character arc and relationship with Wolf without a decade-long gap in the narrative.
- Masques (Originally published in 1993, revised in 2010) – The series begins by introducing Aralorn, a shapeshifting mercenary who left her noble heritage behind. She is sent to spy on the charismatic and dangerous sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi. Along the way, she teams up with Wolf, a silent and mysterious companion. Together, they get swept into a rebellion to stop the ae'Magi's plot of mental coercion and absolute control.
- Wolfsbane (Published in 2010) – Serving as the direct sequel to Masques, this book picks up Aralorn and Wolf's story. When Aralorn returns home after her father's passing, she finds a magical plague threatening her family's lands. This installment dives much deeper into Wolf's history, his true identity, and the growing bond between the two lead characters.
- Steal the Dragon (Published in 1995) – This book shifts focus to a new protagonist, Rialla, a former slave who has trained as a spy for Sianim. Sent to the territory of Darran, she must protect a reformist noble who is trying to abolish slavery, all while dodging deadly magical conspiracies. Rialla's journey is heavily strategy-driven, often described by fans as a high-stakes chess match of political intrigue.
- When Demons Walk (Published in 1998) – The final chronological book introduces Sham, a sorceress-thief masquerading as a noble's mistress. In the city of Southwood, she is hired to hunt down a demonic force targeting the local elite. It features a unique blend of mystery, demonology, and low-level street magic.
2. Publication Reading Order
If you prefer to see the author's writing style and worldbuilding evolve naturally, you may choose to read the books in the order they were written and published. However, keep in mind that this splits the Aralorn storyline, as the sequel was written and published twelve years after the third book.
- Masques (1993)
- Steal the Dragon (1995)
- When Demons Walk (1998)
- Wolfsbane (2010)
Reading in this order highlights Patricia Briggs' growth as a writer. The massive twelve-year publication gap between When Demons Walk and Wolfsbane occurred because Briggs shifted her focus to urban fantasy, establishing her bestseller status before returning to tie up the loose ends of her debut characters.
What to Know Before You Start Sianim
To get the most out of your journey into the world of Sianim, it helps to understand the history of the series' publication and its connection to the rest of Briggs' bibliography.
The Evolution and Revision of Masques
As Patricia Briggs' very first novel, the original 1993 edition of Masques suffered from limited distribution and minor editorial hurdles. When Briggs finally returned to write the sequel, Wolfsbane, in 2010, she revised and polished Masques to ensure the two books aligned seamlessly. While she preserved the overall plot and youthful charm of her debut work, the revised 2010 edition offers a smoother reading experience. If you are tracking down physical copies, look for the 2010 reissue. Both Masques and Wolfsbane are also sold together in a single omnibus edition titled Shifter's Wolf, which is highly recommended for readers looking to tackle the Aralorn duology in one go.
Are the Books Standalones?
Yes and no. Steal the Dragon and When Demons Walk are completely standalone novels. They feature different main characters, take place in different locations within the Sianim universe, and resolve their central plotlines entirely within their own pages. However, Wolfsbane is not a standalone. It relies heavily on the worldbuilding, character dynamics, and plot events established in Masques. Reading Wolfsbane first will spoil major twists from the first book and leave you confused about the central characters' history.
Tone and Maturity
While the Sianim books contain classic fantasy elements like magic, mercenaries, and romance, they also touch on darker themes. Throughout the books, Briggs explores the horrors of slavery, abuse, and mental violation (often depicted through magical mind control used by the villains). Sianim is an espionage-heavy setting, meaning the heroines must rely on their wits, spycraft, and resilience to survive, rather than just physical strength or flashy magic.
Is Sianim Connected to the Mercy Thompson Universe?
No. Sianim is a completely separate medieval high-fantasy setting. It has no canonical connection to Patricia Briggs' popular urban fantasy series, Mercy Thompson or Alpha & Omega. However, fans of those series will find many familiar elements, such as Briggs' signature focus on shapeshifters, strong-willed female leads, and deeply emotional romantic relationships built on mutual respect.