Where to Start with Andy Peloquin
If you are looking for gritty, fast-paced dark fantasy filled with morally grey assassins, cunning thieves, and heavy military tactics, Andy Peloquin is the author for you. Most of Peloquin's fantasy work takes place in the same interconnected world of Einan, featuring recurring characters, locations, and lore. However, because his series are closely woven together, diving in can feel intimidating.
To get the best experience, readers generally choose between two primary paths: the Chronological "Worldbuilding" Path (highly recommended for lore lovers) and the Darkblade Fast-Track Path (perfect for those who want to focus strictly on the main character, the Hunter of Voramis). Here is how they work.
Path 1: The Chronological "Worldbuilding" Path (Recommended)
This reading path takes you through the world of Einan in chronological order, allowing you to watch the lore expand and spot all the cross-series connections as they happen. It integrates his major series—The Silent Champions, Queen of Thieves, Darkblade, Heirs of Destiny, and Dragonblood Assassin—into a single seamless saga.
- The Silent Champions (Books 1–6): Start here for gritty military fantasy set on the continent of Oakhaven. It establishes the political stakes and magic system of the world.
- Queen of Thieves (Books 0.5–3): Next, follow the street-level thief Ilanna in the city of Praamis. The prequel novella Child of the Night Guild kicks off this gritty heist sequence.
- Traitors' Fate: Read this bridge novella next. It serves as a direct transition between Queen of Thieves Book 3 and Darkblade.
- Darkblade Series (Books 1–5): Dive into the first five books of the Hunter of Voramis's definitive story: Assassin, Protector, Slayer, Savior, and Deceiver.
- Heirs of Destiny (Books 0–5): Pause the main Darkblade storyline to read this young adult dark fantasy series starting with the prequel The Renegade Apprentice. It fills in vital puzzle pieces regarding the world's priesthoods and magical relics.
- Darkblade Series (Books 6–9): Finish the Hunter's saga with Awakener, Defender, Reckoner, and Voyager.
- Dragonblood Assassin Series (Books 1–4): Conclude your journey in Einan with this epic co-authored series (with Jaime Castle), starting with Black Talon, which features dragon-forged assassins and empire-level conflicts.
Path 2: The Darkblade Fast-Track Path
If you only want to follow the legendary assassin known as the Hunter of Voramis and his cursed, soul-drinking dagger, you can read the Darkblade series straight through from Book 1 (Assassin) to Book 9 (Voyager). While you will miss some of the surrounding political context from the spin-offs, the central narrative remains completely self-contained and highly satisfying.
Understanding the "Darkblade" Evolution: Three Versions of One Story
One of the most common points of confusion for new readers is the existence of three separate series names containing similar titles. Peloquin has heavily revised and expanded his flagship story over the years. You only need to read the latest version:
- Version 1: The Last Bucelarii (2015–2017) – The original indie trilogy starting with Blade of the Destroyer. (Obsolete/Out of Print)
- Version 2: Hero of Darkness (2015–2018) – The first major expansion and relaunch, starting with Darkblade Assassin. (Replaced by the final edition)
- Version 3: Darkblade (2021–2024) – The definitive, heavily expanded version starting with Assassin. The author completely overhauled the narrative, making it twice as long and significantly richer in worldbuilding. This is the only version you should purchase and read today.
Series-by-Series Breakdown
The Definitive Darkblade Series
Focusing on the Hunter of Voramis, this gritty epic fantasy series is the cornerstone of Peloquin's bibliography. It has completely replaced the older Hero of Darkness and Last Bucelarii series.
- Assassin (2021)
- Protector (2021)
- Slayer (2022)
- Savior (2022)
- Deceiver (2022)
- Awakener (2023)
- Defender (2023)
- Reckoner (2024)
- Voyager (2024)
Queen of Thieves Series
Set in the shadowy streets of Praamis, this grimdark series follows Ilanna as she climbs the ranks of the brutal Night Guild. It is a direct spin-off of the Darkblade series.
- Child of the Night Guild (2017)
- Thief of the Night Guild (2017)
- Queen of the Night Guild (2018)
- Traitors' Fate (2018)
The Silent Champions Series
A tactical, military fantasy series focusing on elite soldiers fighting desperate battles against overwhelming dark forces on the continent of Oakhaven.
- Shields in Shadow (2019)
- Battle for Peace (2019)
- Steel and Valor (2019)
- Courage to Sacrifice (2019)
- Ragged Heroes (2020)
- The Last March (2020)
Heirs of Destiny Series
This series features street-level heists, young adult elements, and class rebellion in a city ruled by a corrupt religious elite. It directly ties into the back half of the Darkblade saga.
- Trial of Stone (2019)
- Crucible of Fortune (2019)
- Storm of Chaos (2019)
- Secrets of Blood (2019)
- Ascension of Death (2019)
- The Renegade Apprentice (2019)
Dragonblood Assassin Series (Co-authored with Jaime Castle)
Set in a different part of the world of Einan, this high-octane series introduces dragon-forged assassins and epic-scale military combat.
- Black Talon (2023)
- Red Claw (2023)
- Silver Spines (2023)
- Golden Flames (2023)
Cerberus Series (Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk)
If you want a break from swords and sorcery, Peloquin's Cerberus series is a fast-paced cyberpunk military sci-fi saga. It follows Nolan Garrett, a high-tech government assassin, and is completely separate from the fantasy universe of Einan.
- Assassination Protocol (2020)
- Terminal Secrets (2020)
- Cyber Strike (2020)
- Paragon Slayer (2020)
- Vicious Justice (2020)
- Ghost Nemesis (2020)
- Shadow Killer (2020)
- Rebel Hunter (2020)
- Lethal Extraction (2020)
- Rampant Destruction (2021)
- Covert Incursion (2021)
- Imperial Commando (2021)
Collections and Standalones
Peloquin has published several short works and anthologies. The most notable is Different, Not Damaged (2017), a collection of six dark fantasy stories set in his fantasy world. These stories explore neurodiversity, trauma, and physical disabilities, demonstrating how traits often labeled as "weaknesses" or "damage" can serve as unique strengths in a harsh environment.