What is the recommended reading order for Song of the Shattered Sands?

It is highly recommended to start with the first novel, Twelve Kings in Sharakhai , and proceed through the main books in publication order. The novellas can be read as companions or skipped without losing the main plot thread.

Do I need to read the novellas to understand the main series?

No, the six main novels form a complete and self-contained story. The novellas, such as Of Sand and Malice Made , provide extra backstory and character depth but are not required to follow the primary narrative.

Is the Song of the Shattered Sands series completed?

Yes, the main story arc of the series is complete. The sixth and final novel, A Desert Torn Asunder , was published in 2021 and brings Çeda's struggle against the Twelve Kings to a definitive close.

Who is the main protagonist of the series?

The story primarily follows Çeda , a skilled pit fighter and runner in Sharakhai who seeks to avenge her mother's death and overthrow the immortal kings of the city.

Where does the prequel novella 'Of Sand and Malice Made' fit?

Chronologically, it takes place shortly before Twelve Kings in Sharakhai . However, most readers prefer reading it after the first novel to better appreciate the characters and setting.

What is the setting and tone of the books?

The series is set in a vibrant, Silk Road-inspired desert environment featuring sandships, ancient magic, and gladiatorial pits. It blends high-stakes political intrigue with classic epic fantasy action.

Song of the Shattered Sands Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Song of the Shattered Sands

If you are looking to plunge into the Great Shangazi Desert and explore the legendary city of Sharakhai, the absolute best starting point is the first main novel, Twelve Kings in Sharakhai. While Bradley P. Beaulieu has written several prequel novellas and short stories, beginning with the first novel is strongly recommended. Starting here allows you to discover the complex mysteries of the city, the true nature of the Twelve Kings, and the secrets of the protagonist, Çeda, exactly as the author intended.

For readers who want to experience the full depth of the world, including all of the side stories, there are two main paths: the Publication Order (which matches how the series was released and paces the mystery perfectly) and the Chronological Order (which places the history and side stories in the exact order they occur in the timeline).

The Song of the Shattered Sands Reading Orders

1. Publication Order

Following the publication order is the easiest way to read the series without spoiling any major plot points. The novellas are interspersed between the main novels as supplementary material:

Twelve Kings in Sharakhai (Book 1) – 2015
Of Sand and Malice Made (Novella / Book 0.5) – 2016
With Blood Upon the Sand (Book 2) – 2017
In the Village Where Brightwine Flows (Novella) – 2017
The Doors at Dusk and Dawn (Novella) – 2017
The Tattered Prince and the Demon Veiled (Novella) – 2017
A Veil of Spears (Book 3) – 2018
Beneath the Twisted Trees (Book 4) – 2019
A Wasteland of My God's Own Making (Novella) – 2019
The Flight of the Whisper King (Novella) – 2020
When Jackals Storm the Walls (Book 5) – 2020
A Desert Torn Asunder (Book 6) – 2021

2. Chronological Reading Order

If you prefer to read the history of the world in order, this timeline shows where the novellas fall in relation to the main books. Note that some prequels are set decades before the main series:

The Doors at Dusk and Dawn (Decades before Book 1)
A Wasteland of My God's Own Making (Backstory of Djaga Akoyo, set before Book 1)
Of Sand and Malice Made (Set shortly before Book 1)
Twelve Kings in Sharakhai (Book 1)
The Tattered Prince and the Demon Veiled (Follow-up to Of Sand and Malice Made, set around Book 1)
With Blood Upon the Sand (Book 2)
In the Village Where Brightwine Flows (Set during/after Book 2)
A Veil of Spears (Book 3)
Beneath the Twisted Trees (Book 4)
The Flight of the Whisper King (Set between Book 4 and Book 5)
When Jackals Storm the Walls (Book 5)
A Desert Torn Asunder (Book 6)

Deep Dive: The Six Main Novels

Twelve Kings in Sharakhai (2015)

We meet Çeda, a street-smart pit fighter in the desert city of Sharakhai. She is driven by a quest for vengeance against the Twelve Kings, the immortal rulers who executed her mother. A chance encounter with the asirim, the terrifying, cursed guardians of the kings, reveals secrets about her past and ignites her path of rebellion.

With Blood Upon the Sand (2017)

Following the dramatic events of the first book, Çeda joins the Blade Maidens, the elite female guard of the Twelve Kings. Working from within the palace, she must navigate deadly politics, avoid discovery, and find a way to break the dark pact that grants the kings their immortality.

A Veil of Spears (2018)

The rebellion spreads beyond Sharakhai. As the neighboring kingdoms prepare for war against the Twelve Kings, Çeda is caught in the middle of a conflict that could reduce the entire desert to ashes. She must seek out new allies in the vast sands while trying to save the city she calls home.

Beneath the Twisted Trees (2019)

The struggle intensifies as the dark history of the desert is revealed. Çeda's journey leads her deeper into the magic of the Shangazi Desert, where ancient gods, forgotten spirits, and old alliances threaten to change the balance of power forever.

When Jackals Storm the Walls (2020)

The outer kingdoms launch their assault on Sharakhai, and the city is plunged into siege. With the Kings fighting for their survival and the rebel factions splintering, Çeda has to make difficult choices to protect her people and secure the city's future.

A Desert Torn Asunder (2021)

The thrilling conclusion to the epic saga. The final confrontation between the remaining Kings, the invading armies, and Çeda's rebels takes place. The dark truth behind the creation of the Kings is fully revealed, and the future of Sharakhai is decided in a clash of magic and steel.

The Novellas and Shorter Fiction

While the main novels carry the primary plot, the novellas add rich texture to the world. Of Sand and Malice Made is a prequel that showcases a younger Çeda dealing with a chaotic creature known as an ehrekh. The Tattered Prince and the Demon Veiled continues the story of Brama and the ehrekh Rümayesh. In the Village Where Brightwine Flows explores the past of the apothecary Dardzada. The Doors at Dusk and Dawn takes readers back decades before the main series, focusing on a legendary horse race. A Wasteland of My God's Own Making reveals the backstory of Djaga Akoyo, Çeda's mentor in the pits, and The Flight of the Whisper King provides a bridging story between Books 4 and 5.

What to Know Before You Start

Unlike traditional Eurocentric medieval fantasy, the Song of the Shattered Sands is heavily inspired by Silk Road and Middle Eastern cultures. This influences everything from the geography (vast deserts, bustling trade hubs, oasis villages) to the technology (ships that sail across the sand dunes on wooden runners) and the magic system. The magic is soft, ancient, and deeply connected to blood pacts, gods, and desert spirits. The main character, Çeda, is a refreshing protagonist: physically formidable, highly pragmatic, yet emotionally driven by loyalty to her friends and memory of her mother. The books feature complex politics and slow-burn mysteries, making the series best suited for fans who enjoy immersive world-building alongside action-packed plots.