Where to Start Reading Alexandra Rowland
Because most of Alexandra Rowland's novels are either standalones or part of small, self-contained subseries, you do not need to read them in a strict chronological or publication order. Instead, the best place to start depends entirely on what kind of story you are in the mood for:
- For Lush Romance and Drama: Start with A Taste of Gold and Iron. This standalone novel is an Ottoman-inspired fantasy romance focusing on prince-bodyguard dynamics, courtly intrigue, and a slow-burn relationship. It is Rowland's most popular entry point and requires zero background knowledge.
- For Political Intrigue and Storytelling: Start with A Conspiracy of Truths. This is Rowland's debut novel and the beginning of the Tales of the Chants. It features an elderly storyteller who must save his own life from a jail cell using nothing but rumors, myths, and lies.
- For Chaotic Comedic Adventure: Start with Running Close to the Wind. If you love stories like Our Flag Means Death, this queer pirate comedy is a lighthearted, fast-paced standalone romp filled with chaotic intelligence agents, accidental thefts, and high-seas antics.
The Tales of the Chants Series
This series centers around the Chants—an order of itinerant, nameless storytellers who wander the land gathering and spreading tales. The books are set in different parts of the world and focus on the immense power (and danger) of narratives.
- A Conspiracy of Truths (2018): Set in the cold, northern nation of Nuryevet. A grumpy storyteller is arrested under suspicion of espionage and witchcraft, and must scheme his way out of execution.
- Over All the Earth (2022): A companion novella that takes place in a remote village near a ravine where a god dwells, exploring how a visiting storyteller alters a young man's perspective on the world.
- A Choir of Lies (2019): Set in the mercantile city-state of Heyrland, which is modeled after early modern Holland. It follows Ysry, the former apprentice of the first book's protagonist, as a local tulip-mania financial crisis threatens to destroy the city.
The Mahisti Dynasty (A Taste of Gold and Iron)
This series is set in the luxurious Gold Court of the Mahst Empire, blending deep world-building with intense character relationships.
- A Taste of Gold and Iron (2022): The core novel following Prince Kadou and his newly appointed bodyguard Evemer as they investigate a counterfeiting conspiracy that threatens the kingdom.
- Tadek and the Princess (2024): A prequel/backstory novella (often numbered as Book 1.5) that explores the street-urchin origins of the elite bodyguard Tadek Hasira and his deep loyalty to the late Crown Princess Mihrişah.
The Seven Gods Universe
The Seven Gods books focus on localized deities, religious dedications, and intimate, character-driven struggles in regions influenced by these gods.
- Some by Virtue Fall (2022): A novella centered on rival theater troupes in the country of Oakhaven, where stage drama and political retaliation collide.
- The Lights of Ystrac's Wood (2022): A novella (numbered as Book 1.5) following a dedicate of Ystrac and a priest of Talesyn who must brave a terrifying, magic-infused forest.
- Yield Under Great Persuasion (2024): A cozy, second-chance fantasy romance about Tam Becket and Lord Lyford, exploring divine favors and personal forgiveness.
Standalone Novels and Companion Works
For readers who want to experience the broader world of Mithalgeard (the Chantiverse) without committing to any specific continuation:
- Running Close to the Wind (2024): A standalone pirate comedy following Avra Helvaçi, a former intelligence officer running from his past with a highly sought-after secret.
- The King is Dead, Long Live the King (2022): A standalone fantasy short story examining the grim political costs of shifting rulers.
- Finding Faeries (2020): A unique urban fantasy field guide that explores how mythical creatures survive and adapt to modern environmental issues.