Third Soul Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For readers diving into the dark, spellbinding world of the Third Soul series, the path forward is straightforward. Jonathan Moeller wrote the series in a direct chronological sequence that perfectly matches the publication order. To experience the unfolding magic, political intrigue, and character development as the author intended, you should read the books in the order they were released.

Here is the recommended reading order for the main novels:

1. The Testing (2011)
2. The Assassins (2011)
3. The Blood Shaman (2011)
4. The High Demon (2011)
5. The Burning Child (2012)
6. The Outlaw Adept (2013)
7. The Black Paladin (2013)
8. The Tomb of Baligant (2013)

Understanding the Two Story Arcs

While the series consists of eight individual novellas, it is structurally divided into two distinct story arcs. Understanding these arcs helps readers prepare for the shift in character focus and narrative scale that occurs halfway through the saga.

Arc 1: The Rachaelis & Corthain Storyline (Books 1–5)

The first five books center on the city of Araspan and follow Rachaelis Morulan, a young Initiate of the Conclave—a powerful and secretive order of mages. Rachaelis faces brutal trials where failure results in the loss of her soul. Along the way, she crosses paths with Corthain Kalarien, a retired outlaw mercenary turned wealthy lord who is celebrated for saving nations but remains hunted by old adversaries. This initial arc focuses heavily on Rachaelis's magical education, urban survival, and the dark threats lurking within the city's hierarchy.

Arc 2: The Marsile & Raelum Storyline (Books 6–8)

Starting with The Outlaw Adept, the series shifts its setting and introduces new protagonists to deal with a broader threat to the realm. The primary antagonist of this arc is Marsile, a rogue Adept who attacks the Conclave and steals forbidden grimoires in a bid to resurrect a devastating force from a long-lost empire. To counter this threat, the narrative introduces Raelum, a demonborn knight and Paladin of the Silver Order, alongside the skilled Adept Carandis Marken. This block of books transitions the series from localized wizard trials and urban intrigue into a high-stakes, epic battle against ancient, world-threatening evils.

Book-by-Book Guide

1. The Testing (2011)

The saga begins with Rachaelis Morulan facing the final, brutal test of the Conclave. To become a full Adept, she must survive trials that weed out the weak. Meanwhile, Corthain Kalarien finds himself drawn into her orbit as ancient dangers stir.

2. The Assassins (2011)

After surviving her initial trials, Rachaelis finds herself target number one for a network of shadowy assassins. Rather than executing her, these killers have orders to capture her alive, forcing Rachaelis and Corthain to uncover the mastermind behind the bounty.

3. The Blood Shaman (2011)

The magic system's darker side takes center stage as Rachaelis is hunted by a corrupt blood shaman. This dark priest intends to use her magical affinity as a conduit to summon and host a powerful demon, raising the stakes of survival for the protagonists.

4. The High Demon (2011)

The conflict in Araspan reaches a boiling point when a high demon threatens the city. Rachaelis and Corthain must rely on strict cooperation and absolute trust to defeat an entity far beyond their individual magical and physical capabilities.

5. The Burning Child (2012)

The concluding chapter of the first arc deals with the aftermath of the high demon's threat. Rachaelis faces a devastating magical curse that threatens to destroy her from within, wrapping up her personal journey of survival and setting the stage for the Conclave's wider vulnerabilities.

6. The Outlaw Adept (2013)

The second arc begins as Marsile betrays the Conclave, stealing forbidden books of power. The story pivots to follow Carandis Marken and the paladin Raelum as they attempt to track down the outlaw mage before he can unleash an ancient historical horror.

7. The Black Paladin (2013)

Focusing heavily on Raelum’s heritage as a demonborn knight, this installment explores his internal struggles and duty to the Silver Order. He must stand against renegade spellcasters who seek to exploit his unique nature.

8. The Tomb of Baligant (2013)

The grand finale of the series sees Raelum, Carandis, and their allies converging on the Tomb of Baligant. They must stop Marsile from completing his ritual and resurrecting the ancient empire's ultimate weapon, bringing the overarching conflict to a definitive close.

Omnibus Collections

For readers who prefer compiled editions, Jonathan Moeller collected the series into two omnibus volumes. These editions are widely available on digital storefronts and match the chronological split of the story arcs:

• The Third Soul Omnibus One: Collects books 1 through 5 (The Testing, The Assassins, The Blood Shaman, The High Demon, and The Burning Child).
• The Third Soul Omnibus Two: Collects books 6 through 8 (The Outlaw Adept, The Black Paladin, and The Tomb of Baligant).

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, readers should keep a few practical points in mind. First, the books are written in a fast-paced, novella-style format. Unlike massive doorstopper fantasy novels, Moeller's Third Soul entries are concise, action-focused, and designed to be read quickly. Second, the series heavily emphasizes teamwork and collaborative combat rather than the typical 'chosen one' trope, making the interactions between the mages, mercenaries, and paladins highly dynamic. Finally, while Moeller is famous for huge, interconnected worlds in his other sagas (like Frostborn or Demonsouled), the Third Soul series is entirely self-contained. There are no crossovers, required spin-offs, or co-authored additions to track, making it an excellent, low-commitment entry point for his bibliography.