How to Read the Summoner School Series
For readers diving into the portal fantasy universe of Summoner School, the recommended reading path is simple and linear: read the books in publication order. Author Eric Vall writes fast-paced, serialized fantasy where each installment picks up exactly where the previous one left off. Skipping a book or reading out of order will cause you to miss key character introductions, magical upgrades, and crucial plot developments in the war across the nine realms.
The series follows a single, continuous narrative arc focusing on Andrew, a normal human who is suddenly thrust into a magical academy. The series began in 2022 and concluded with its eighth volume in late 2023.
The Summoner School Reading Order
- Summoner School (2022)
- Summoner School 2 (2022)
- Summoner School 3 (2022)
- Summoner School 4 (2023)
- Summoner School 5 (2023)
- Summoner School 6 (2023)
- Summoner School 7 (2023)
- Summoner School 8 (2023)
What to Know Before You Start
Before you crack open the first page, it is helpful to understand what kind of series Summoner School is. Eric Vall is one of the most prolific authors in the HaremLit (Harem Literature) and GameLit/LitRPG subgenres. This means the series is specifically written for adult readers and features a combination of high-stakes magical action, power progression (where the protagonist continually grows stronger), and explicit romantic relationships with multiple magical women.
Andrew, the protagonist, starts as an ordinary guy working a regular job on Earth. His life changes forever when he inherits a mysterious amulet from his grandmother. The amulet transports him to a separate, magical dimension consisting of nine interconnected realms. Here, he finds himself enrolled as a freshman at the prestigious Magia Schola, an academy dedicated to training battle mages who summon and control powerful mythical beasts. Over the course of the eight books, Andrew must learn to harness his unique summoning abilities, survive rival student factions, defeat shadow creatures, and stop a rogue faction of technomages from tearing reality apart.
Distinguishing Eric Vall's Summoning Series
New readers frequently run into confusion due to similar titles and authors. Here are the key distinctions to keep in mind so you don't buy the wrong book:
- Summoner School vs. Summoner (both by Eric Vall): Vall is also the creator of a massive, long-running fantasy series simply titled Summoner. That series features a protagonist named Gryff, takes place in a completely different world, and spans over 22 books. Summoner School is a separate, self-contained eight-book story focusing on Andrew.
- Unrelated "Summoner" Series: There is another popular fantasy series called the Summoner Trilogy written by Taran Matharu (beginning with The Novice). This is a young adult (YA) fantasy series following a protagonist named Fletcher and is completely unrelated to Eric Vall's adult HaremLit series.
Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Summoner School (2022)
In the opening novel, Andrew discovers his grandmother's magical amulet and is pulled from Earth into a dangerous new dimension. Thrust into Magia Schola, he learns he has a rare aptitude for summoning. He must quickly adapt to a cutthroat student environment, capture his first magical beasts to fight on his behalf, and navigate his first encounters with the academy's beautiful magical residents, including a tsundere elf and a bubbly dryad.
2. Summoner School 2 (2022)
With his freshman year underway, Andrew's reputation grows. He is no longer just a target for bullies; he is a threat to the established power dynamics of the academy. As conflict brews between competing magical factions, Andrew is forced into higher-stakes arena battles, proving his tactical brilliance and cementing his relationships with his growing circle of allies.
3. Summoner School 3 (2022)
The overarching plot deepens as shadow creatures begin to infiltrate the realms, threatening the school itself. Andrew must look beyond the standard curriculum to survive, uncovering mysteries surrounding his grandmother's past and the true origins of his amulet. This volume introduces technomages, blending high fantasy elements with advanced magical technology.
4. Summoner School 4 (2023)
Andrew transitions from a student trying to survive to a leader coordinating defenses. The war between the magical factions escalates, and Andrew must travel outside the school grounds to capture stronger, primordial beasts. His harem grows as he forms deep bonds with new companions who assist him in managing his growing responsibilities.
5. Summoner School 5 (2023)
As the threat of shadow magic looms larger, Andrew travels across the nine realms to secure critical alliances. The progression elements ramp up significantly in this volume, with Andrew unlocking tier-level summoning abilities that allow him to control multiple high-ranking creatures at once during major battlefield skirmishes.
6. Summoner School 6 (2023)
The forces of evil mount a coordinated assault. Andrew and his companions must defend Magia Schola from a siege. This volume balances intense action sequences with quieter, slice-of-life romantic moments, showing how Andrew's relationships have evolved from simple infatuations into a unified, supportive family unit.
7. Summoner School 7 (2023)
With the final conflict drawing near, Andrew seeks out the ultimate beasts of the nine realms. The narrative shifts toward high-fantasy warfare as the technomages prepare their final play, threatening to dissolve the boundaries between realms.
8. Summoner School 8 (2023)
The series finale. The technomages have uncovered a way to raise the dead, threatening the destruction of all existence. Andrew must call upon every beast he has summoned, every alliance he has forged, and the full power of his amulet to lead the final battle and secure a future for his companions and the realms.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Because Eric Vall wrote and published the series in a strict linear fashion, there are no prequel novels, spin-offs, or side-story anthologies to worry about. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly. The narrative is continuous, meaning that starting anywhere other than Book 1 will lead to confusion regarding Andrew's magical progression and his relationship dynamics.
Practical Reading Advice
For the best reading experience, consider these tips:
- Standalone Readability: None of the books are standalones. They all end on minor hooks or direct continuations, so they should be read as one long, serialized story.
- Audiobook Formats: The series is highly popular in audiobook format, produced by the Audiobook Guild. The audiobooks feature dual narration by Alyssa Poon and Evan Jordan, which many fans recommend for bringing the diverse cast of characters to life.
- Completed Status: The series is fully completed. Readers do not have to worry about long hiatuses or unfinished plotlines, making it a great choice for binge-reading.