Where to Start Reading A. Trae McMaken
For most readers, the best entry point into A. Trae McMaken's work is The Crippled King, the first volume in his signature fantasy series, The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak. If you prefer middle-grade adventures with a lighter tone, start with After the Wish Dragon, the first book of the After Adventures. For readers interested in folklore, music, and memoirs of rural life, his non-fiction memoir Rosin for Breath offers a wonderful look into his life as a traveling fiddler.
The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak Reading Order
McMaken’s most popular and substantial work is The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak, a gritty, low-magic fantasy series that focuses on dwarven survival, ancient honor, and regional politics. Unlike typical high-fantasy depictions of dwarves, McMaken portrays them as resilient underdogs and complex survivors. The books should be read in publication order to follow the overlapping arcs of the characters and the changing dynamics of the Mountain of Ice-Cloak:
- The Crippled King (2022) – Introduces Naen, a lonely dwarven prospector who rallies outcasts against vengeful kings.
- The Mouth of Fire (2023) – Follows Prince Firehelm and a quest against the monstrous ürsi scourge.
- The Second Gate (2023) – Delves into rebellion, trade networks, and smuggling within the mountain.
- Bones of Stone (2023) – A grueling journey mixing survival, conflict, and a touch of romance.
- The Mine Lord (2024) – A standalone-style novel focusing on Yorvig, a mining captain dealing with betrayal.
- Jackal of the Waste (2024) – A companion story that expands the world beyond the primary mines.
The After Adventures Reading Order
Written for younger readers, this charming fantasy series follows two boys named Rivien and Wydd on their quests. They are quick, delightful reads that stand in contrast to the darker tone of the dwarven series. Read them in order:
- After the Wish Dragon (2022)
- After Endok (2022)
Standalone Novels and Novellas
If you are looking for self-contained stories, McMaken has written both a middle-grade standalone and a historical-tinged fantasy novella:
- Those Who Dwell (2020) – A middle-grade fantasy novel featuring squirrel-riders and "little people."
- Tale of the Timberlostla (2022) – A fantasy novella exploring the wilderness.
Non-Fiction and Memoirs
Beyond fantasy, McMaken is a celebrated old-time fiddler and folklorist. His non-fiction works reflect his life as a traditional musician and the changing landscapes of the Great Lakes region:
- Rosin for Breath (2012) – A memoir detailing his experiences as a traveling storyteller and fiddler.
- The Puttygut (2018) – A look at the fading rural life of China Township, Michigan, and the Great Lakes borderland.