The Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read The War of Lost Hearts in a hybrid publication order. While the prequel novella, Ashen Son, chronologically takes place before the first book, reading it first can spoil certain mysteries and character developments. Instead, diving into the main trilogy first establishes the world and characters perfectly.
Here is the recommended reading order:
- Daughter of No Worlds (Book 1) – Published in 2020. This is the ideal starting point. It introduces Tisaanah, her quest for freedom, and her grumpy magic mentor, Maxantarius.
- Ashen Son (Prequel Novella) – Released in parts starting around 2021. Read this after Book 1. It details the tragic backstory of Maxantarius during his youth and explains his rise and fall.
- Children of Fallen Gods (Book 2) – Published in 2021. The stakes rise as the war intensifies and ancient powers begin to wake.
- Mother of Death and Dawn (Book 3) – Published in 2022. The dramatic, emotional conclusion to Tisaanah and Max’s story.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
If you prefer to read strictly in the order the books were released, you can follow the publication timeline. Historically, the prequel novella was published alongside the release of the second book, though it can be read at any point after the first book without disrupting the main narrative arc.
Strict Publication Order
- Daughter of No Worlds (2020)
- Children of Fallen Gods (2021)
- Ashen Son (Novella, 2021/2022)
- Mother of Death and Dawn (2022)
Strict Chronological Order
- Ashen Son (Prequel Novella) – Tells the story of young Maxantarius years before he meets Tisaanah.
- Daughter of No Worlds (Book 1)
- Children of Fallen Gods (Book 2)
- Mother of Death and Dawn (Book 3)
Why Chronological is Not Recommended for First-Time Readers: Ashen Son is an unfinished prequel that was primarily released as bonus material for newsletter subscribers. Starting with it might feel disjointed, and the story functions much better as an emotional flashback after you have already grown attached to Maxantarius in the first novel.
The Core Novels of the Trilogy
The heart of the series is a complete, three-part story following Tisaanah and Maxantarius in a high-stakes world of magic, politics, and war.
Daughter of No Worlds (Book 1)
Tisaanah is a magically gifted former slave who escapes her captors with a single goal: to buy the freedom of the people she left behind. To do this, she must join the Orders, a powerful organization of magic Wielders. She is sent to train under Maxantarius, a legendary, reclusive sorcerer who has turned his back on the world. Their relationship evolves from reluctant teacher and student to allies as the threat of war looms over their nation.
Children of Fallen Gods (Book 2)
The war has arrived, and the battles grow deadlier. Tisaanah and Max must navigate political corruption, military alliances, and a mysterious, dangerous ancient entity known as Reshaye. The emotional toll of their choices begins to strain their bond, forcing them to decide what they are willing to sacrifice for victory.
Mother of Death and Dawn (Book 3)
The epic finale resolves the fate of Ara, Tisaanah, Max, and the surrounding kingdoms. Ancient gods, devastating losses, and final standoffs culminate in a heart-wrenching yet satisfying ending. The trilogy wraps up completely, leaving no loose ends for the main characters.
Understanding the Novella: Ashen Son
Ashen Son focuses entirely on a young Maxantarius "Max" Farlione. Long before he became a cynical recluse living in a swamp, he was a rising military star in Ara. The story outlines his time competing for the prestigious title of Arch Commandant, the leader of Ara’s magic-wielding forces. It highlights the brutal reality of war and the compromises he made that eventually shattered his spirit.
Readers should note that Ashen Son is technically an unfinished work. Carissa Broadbent originally released only the first part of this prequel as a newsletter bonus. While it is highly valued by fans for the depth it adds to Max’s character, it is not required reading to understand the main plot of the trilogy.
Lost Connections: The Valtain Preludes
Many readers wonder if there are other books in the same universe. Carissa Broadbent has confirmed that her early self-published series, The Valtain Preludes, is set in the same world as The War of Lost Hearts, taking place hundreds of years before Tisaanah’s time.
This duology includes:
- A Palace Fractured (2017)
- A Crown in Shadows (2017)
However, these books are currently out of print and unavailable. The author has stated that they are early works she is no longer fully satisfied with, and she has no active plans to re-release them without significant revisions. You do not need to seek them out to enjoy the main trilogy.
Connections to Crowns of Nyaxia
Although Carissa Broadbent has achieved massive success with her vampire fantasy series, Crowns of Nyaxia (beginning with The Serpent and the Wings of Night), the two series are set in entirely different worlds. There are no crossovers, shared characters, or plot connections between The War of Lost Hearts and the Crowns of Nyaxia universe.