The Recommended Reading Order for Thrice Cursed Mage
For readers diving into the gritty, action-packed world of Mac Brennan, the path forward is straightforward. Because the series follows a continuous, chronological story arc with recurring characters, stakes that escalate with every installment, and the slow unraveling of Mac's mysterious past, you should read the books in their official publication order. The main sequence consists of seven primary books and one companion short story that fits perfectly near the end of the run.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- Cursed (Book 1) - Published in 2016
- Marked (Book 2) - Published in 2016
- Burned (Book 3) - Published in 2016
- Seized (Book 4) - Published in 2016
- Claimed (Book 5) - Published in 2016
- Hellbound (Book 6) - Published in 2016
- The Bull Demon King (Book 6.5 / Short Story) - Published in 2016
- Doomed (Book 7) - Published in 2017
Breaking Down the Mac Brennan Saga
1. Cursed (Book 1)
The journey begins with Cursed, where readers are introduced to Mac Brennan under less-than-ideal circumstances: waking up in a dumpster with zero memory of who he is and a right arm that is pitch-black, covered in glowing red tattoos, and capable of channeling destructive hellfire. When he stumbles out to rescue a woman from a violent death cult, he is pulled headfirst into a dangerous supernatural underworld where demons, vampires, and werewolves are very real—and many of them want him dead.
2. Marked (Book 2)
With a little more understanding of his volatile capabilities, Mac faces a deeply personal threat in Marked. His sister and nephew are kidnapped by a dangerous killer named Pierce Ambrose. To get them back, Mac has to navigate a web of supernatural politics and form a tenuous alliance with Ricky, a fierce alpha werewolf who brings both raw combat power and plenty of banter to the table.
3. Burned (Book 3)
The pace matches its title as Mac finds himself surviving a plane crash and immediately facing off against a fresh onslaught of demonic forces in Burned. As the danger to his family grows, the Faustian deal that gave him his demonic arm begins to demand a higher price, forcing him to rely on his dark abilities while trying to maintain his humanity.
4. Seized (Book 4)
In Seized, the consequences of Mac's magical choices catch up to him. He must deal with the escalating complexity of his powers and the factions vying for control over him. The episodic structure shifts into a larger, more urgent overarching conflict as the mystery of his identity becomes clearer and more dangerous.
5. Claimed (Book 5)
The supernatural threats push Mac to his absolute limits in Claimed. With enemies closing in from all sides and his relationships with his supernatural allies tested, Mac has to make hard choices about who to trust and how far he is willing to go to protect the people he has sworn to safeguard.
6. Hellbound (Book 6)
Serving as a high-stakes turning point in the series, Hellbound delivers non-stop action as Mac is forced to confront the true nature of the entities that hold his contract. The book sets up the final stages of his battle against the dark forces controlling his destiny.
7. The Bull Demon King (Book 6.5)
Originally published as part of the Full Metal Magic anthology, this companion short story is officially designated by J.A. Cipriano as Book 6.5. The story follows Mac and his werewolf girlfriend, Ricky, taking a brief detour to the Texas State Fair. Naturally, things go sideways when they cross paths with the legendary Chinese mythological figure, the Bull Demon King. While it is a fun, self-contained side adventure, reading it after Hellbound keeps you perfectly aligned with the character dynamics leading into the final book.
8. Doomed (Book 7)
Published in 2017, Doomed continues Mac's story as the seventh full-length novel in the series. It brings the core conflicts regarding Mac's Faustian bargain and his struggle against the underworld to a head, providing fans of the series with the high-octane conclusion they have been building toward.
What to Know Before You Start
If you are a fan of traditional, slow-burn urban fantasy, you should adjust your expectations before jumping into J.A. Cipriano's work. The Thrice Cursed Mage series is structured much like a fast-paced, episodic television show. The focus is on relentless action, snappy dialogue, dark humor, and geeky pop culture references (ranging from Gremlins to classic action films) rather than slow, dense world-building.
Readers who enjoy the snarky, magic-using detective vibe of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files will find a lot to like here, though Mac Brennan is a significantly more chaotic antihero who operates with a darker edge. While some reviews note that the character development is secondary to the breakneck pacing, it remains a highly bingeable, fun ride for anyone looking for a quick and entertaining escape.