Where to Start Reading Alex Robins
Alex Robins has quickly made a name for himself in the indie epic fantasy community by crafting two distinct fictional settings. The first is his gritty, military-infused War of the Twelve universe, which also hosts the spin-off Mothers of Sorrow trilogy. The second is The Ruined Gods, a mythic fantasy series heavily inspired by Ancient Greek warfare and divine tragedy.
For the absolute best starting point, most readers should begin with The Broken Heart of Arelium, the first book in the War of the Twelve series. It serves as the perfect introduction to Robins's style: detailed military tactics, deep world-building, and mature, middle-aged protagonists who carry the physical and emotional scars of a lifetime of conflict. If you prefer high-stakes struggles involving fallen deities and phalanx combat, starting with Panacea (the first novel of The Ruined Gods) is an equally strong choice.
The War of the Twelve Universe
Set in a world where legendary warriors once sealed away ancient, subterranean threats, the War of the Twelve series blends gritty military action with awakening demi-god lore. The series should generally be read in publication order, with one minor chronological exception: the prequel short story, Praedora.
War of the Twelve Reading Order
- Praedora (Book 0.5): This prequel short story was released as a newsletter bonus. It follows the character Praedora as she is haunted by nightmares of sinister "greylings" and investigates a missing persons case that leads to a dark, life-changing discovery. While chronologically first, it is best read after Book 1 to better appreciate the lore.
- The Broken Heart of Arelium (Book 1 - 2021): The official entry point to the series. The plot centers on a war-torn land where long-slumbering demi-gods begin to awaken, threatening the fragile peace of the nine Baronies. It is highly praised for featuring a cast of mature, seasoned soldiers rather than the typical young-adult heroes.
- The Ashen Hand of Kessrin (Book 2 - 2021): Picking up directly after the events of the first book, this entry ramps up the military conflict and dives deeper into the political schemes of the Baronies.
- The Burning Tears of Morlak (Book 3 - 2021): The stakes escalate as the awakening forces threaten total annihilation, forcing the surviving heroes into desperate alliances and intense battles.
- The Obsidian Eyes of Klief (Book 4 - 2022): The epic conclusion to the main quadrology, resolving the conflict of the Twelve and the fate of the Baronies.
Mothers of Sorrow Trilogy
Set in the same universe as the War of the Twelve, the Mothers of Sorrow trilogy shifts its focus to a dark, atmospheric setting. While it shares the same world and lore, it is written as a self-contained story, meaning you do not need to have read the main War of the Twelve books to enjoy it.
Mothers of Sorrow Reading Order
- The City of Mist and Tears (Book 1 - 2024): This story takes place in Keselgraad, a massive mountain-city that serves as a sanctuary from the lethal, monster-infested Mists outside. Protected by the magical crystals of the Church of the Mother, the city faces doom when the crystals begin to fail. It follows the orphan Brachyura and Aldin Pine as they unravel the mystery.
- The City of Sun and Stars (Book 2 - 2025): The journey continues as the characters venture beyond the safe walls of the mountain-city, uncovering the dark truths behind the goddess and the origins of the Mists.
- The City of Grief and Pain (Book 3 - Expected late 2026): The scheduled conclusion to the trilogy, set to wrap up Brachyura's story and the ultimate fate of Keselgraad.
The Ruined Gods Series
If you prefer classical history mixed with fantasy, The Ruined Gods is Robins's take on Greek mythology. The story features shield-walls, generalship, and mortals interacting with flawed, dangerous deities. Like his other works, there is a prequel novella available alongside the main novels.
The Ruined Gods Reading Order
- Caduceus (Book 0.5 - 2023): A prequel novella focusing on Dexios, a general of the Thenean phalanx. Answering a plea for help from the city-state of Carenos, Dexios must confront a hidden, insidious threat. It is a fantastic introduction to the series' tactical combat.
- Panacea (Book 1 - 2022): The first full-length novel in the series. It introduces the main conflict where mortals and ruined gods clash, testing loyalty, strategy, and survival in a classical-era setting.
- Metanoia (Book 2 - 2023): The war intensifies as the machinations of the ruined deities pull more city-states into the fray, and Dexios faces increasingly impossible odds.
- Titanica (Book 3 - 2024): The third installment, continuing the epic clash of bronze-age armies and divine powers.
What to Know Before You Start
Alex Robins's novels are highly recommended for fans of authors like John Gwynne and David Gemmell. His battle scenes are grounded in authentic historical tactics, drawing on his own interest in military history. Furthermore, his transition from a tech startup entrepreneur in Nantes to a full-time author living in the castle-rich Loire Valley in France clearly influences the atmospheric, castle-heavy backdrops of his fantasy settings.