Where to Start with The Dragon Mage
The best place to start is with the first book in the main series, Bad Luck Charlie. This novel introduces Charlie Gault, an ordinary space-shuttle engineer whose life is turned upside down when a wormhole accident strands him in a galaxy where magic rules and technology is virtually useless. Reading the books in their publication order is highly recommended, as Charlie’s journey forms a continuous story arc where he grows from a desperate captive into a legendary figure.
The Dragon Mage Reading Order (Publication Order)
The main series consists of twelve books. Scott Baron published the first nine books in rapid succession in 2019, followed by the final three books between 2021 and 2022 to complete the saga:
- Bad Luck Charlie (2019) – Charlie is stranded in a magic-powered galaxy and enslaved by alien gladiator masters.
- Space Pirate Charlie (2019) – Forced to adapt, Charlie joins a crew of cosmic rogues.
- Dragon King Charlie (2019) – Charlie faces unexpected leadership and gains a powerful dragon ally.
- Magic Man Charlie (2019) – Charlie begins to master the arcane arts to survive.
- Star Fighter Charlie (2019) – The scale tips toward space opera as cosmic battles escalate.
- Portal Thief Charlie (2019) – Portals and dimension-hopping add new dangers to the journey.
- Rebel Mage Charlie (2019) – The fight against oppressive regimes intensifies, introducing the first major crossover threads.
- Warp Speed Charlie (2019) – Fast-paced space travel meets high stakes and magical hazards.
- Checkmate Charlie (2019) – Strategic maneuvers and old enemies collide in a massive confrontation.
- Castaway Charlie (2021) – Left isolated, Charlie must rebuild his resources from scratch.
- Wild Card Charlie (2022) – Unpredictable elements and key allies alter the course of the galaxy.
- End Game Charlie (2022) – The epic, action-packed conclusion to Charlie’s long journey home.
Understanding the Crossover: The Clockwork Chimera
While you can read The Dragon Mage on its own, it is part of a larger literary universe known to fans as the Charlieverse. The most significant connection is with Baron's five-book sci-fi series, The Clockwork Chimera. The protagonist of that series, Daisy, and her crew cross paths with Charlie, with their storylines intersecting directly around Rebel Mage Charlie (Book 7) and continuing through the end of the series.
To fully appreciate the cameos, jokes, and character dynamics when these worlds collide, many readers recommend reading The Clockwork Chimera series before diving into the later books of The Dragon Mage. The reading order for Daisy's storyline is:
- Daisy's Run (2018)
- Pushing Daisy (2018)
- Daisy's Gambit (2018)
- Chasing Daisy (2019)
- Daisy's War (2019)
Other Companion Series in the Charlieverse
For completionists who want to explore every corner of this shared universe, Scott Baron has written several companion series that expand the lore and feature recurring characters:
Space Assassins
A five-book dark-humor space opera series focusing on lethal operatives in the same galaxy. It works well as a prequel flavor to the wider universe. The books are:
- The Interstellar Slayer (2020)
- The Vespus Blade (2020)
- The Ghalian Code (2020)
- Death From the Shadows (2020)
- Hozark's Revenge (2020)
The Book of Bawb
This four-book series follows the origin and adventures of Bob (Bawb), a fan-favorite character from the main series. It features crossovers with characters from Space Assassins and directly links to the main lore:
- Assassins' Academy (2020)
- Assassin's Apprentice (2021)
- Assassin: Rise of the Geist (2021)
- Assassin: Dragon Mage (2021)
Warp Riders
A six-book high-octane space adventure set in the same shared universe, carrying the signature blend of technology and magic:
- Deep Space Boogie (2020)
- Belly of the Beast (2020)
- Rise of the Forgotten (2020)
- Pandora's Menagerie (2020)
- Engines of Chaos (2021)
- The Seeds of Damocles (2021)
What to Know Before You Start
Scott Baron’s writing is fast-paced, highly dialogue-driven, and relies heavily on situational humor. The tone resembles a mix of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and space-opera fantasy. Because the books are relatively short and flow directly into one another, think of each series as a serialized season of an adventure television show rather than standalone novels. Keep an eye out for recurring easter eggs and minor characters who bridge the gaps between the engineering-fantasy of Charlie and the cybernetic struggles of Daisy.