Arthur Slade Books in Order

Recommended Reading Pathways: Where to Start with Arthur Slade

Because Arthur Slade writes across widely different genres—from dark steampunk and high fantasy to urban vampire comedy and Norse horror—your best entry point depends entirely on what kind of story you are in the mood for. Here are the three most recommended starting paths for new readers:

Path 1: The Steampunk Entry Point (Most Popular)

If you love historical fantasy, gadgetry, secret societies, and shape-shifting spies, start with The Hunchback Assignments (also published under the series title Mission Clockwork). This is widely considered Slade's masterpiece and offers a brilliant introduction to his world-building and character-driven adventure style. It begins with the self-titled novel, The Hunchback Assignments.

Path 2: The Epic Fantasy Entry Point

For readers who want fast-paced, episodic fantasy filled with dragons, assassins, and dry humor, start with the Dragon Assassin series. Carmen's adventures with her dragon companion, Brax, are serialized in quick, action-packed installments that read like a single epic saga. Start with Twin Fury and follow the numbering straight through.

Path 3: The Standalone / Historical Fiction Entry Point

If you prefer a self-contained, award-winning story with deep atmosphere, start with Dust (2001). Set during the 1930s Dust Bowl, this chilling standalone novel blends folklore, mystery, and horror, earning the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature and showcasing Slade's ability to craft eerie, emotional narratives.

The Hunchback Assignments / Mission Clockwork Series Order

Modo is a shape-shifting hunchback trained by a mysterious mentor to serve as a spy in Victorian London. The series has gone through a few rebrands—originally published as The Hunchback Assignments, it has also been released as Modo: Mission Clockwork or simply Mission Clockwork. Some editions of the first book are also titled Hyde's Children. To avoid confusion, follow this order:

1. The Hunchback Assignments (also published as Hyde's Children or Mission Clockwork 1) (2009)
2. The Dark Deeps (also published as Mission Clockwork 2) (2010)
3. Empire of Ruins (also published as Mission Clockwork 3) (2011)
4. Island of Doom (also published as Mission Clockwork 4) (2012)

For fans who want to dive deeper into Modo's world, there is a graphic novel tie-in illustrated by Christopher Steininger called Modo: Ember's End (2014). It is best read after completing the main four novels, as it follows Modo and his fellow spy Octavia Milkweed to a strange town where gunpowder does not work.

Dragon Assassin & I, Brax Series Order

The Dragon Assassin series follows Carmen, an assassin-in-training who forms an unlikely alliance with a snarky dragon named Brax. The series was written and published as a serialized adventure. The proper reading order is the publication order:

1. Twin Fury (2019)
2. Shadow Hunter (2019)
3. Dark Wings (2019)
4. Bitterwaters (2019)
5. Elder Magic (2019)
6. Royal Blood (2019)
7. Hidden Powers (2020)
8. Burning Empire (2020)
9. Old Enemies (2021)
10. Downfall (2021)
11. The Golden Spear (2022)
12. Deathwings (2022)

In 2024, Slade returned to this universe with a spin-off series focusing on the perspective of the fan-favorite dragon, Brax. The first book in this continuation is titled A Battle Divine (published under the series banner I, Brax). You should read the original 12-part Dragon Assassin series before beginning I, Brax.

Amber Fang (Librarian. Assassin. Vampire.) Series Order

If you prefer a lighter, comedic, and action-heavy urban fantasy, the Amber Fang series is the perfect choice. It follows a librarian who happens to be a vampire with a strict moral code: she only eats murderers who feel no remorse. This trilogy is straightforward and should be read in publication order:

1. The Hunted (2016)
2. Betrayal (2017)
3. Revenge (2018)

Northern Frights Series Order

This is Arthur Slade's debut series, blending Norse mythology with chilling modern-day supernatural terrors. The books should be read in order of release:

1. Draugr (1998)
2. The Haunting of Drang Island (1998)
3. The Loki Wolf (2000)

Canadian Chills Series Order

This spooky middle-grade series follows characters encountering paranormal mysteries in Canada. Read them in this order:

1. Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (2002)
2. Ghost Hotel (2004)
3. The Invasion of the IQ Snatchers (2007)

Standalone Novels & Short Story Collections

Beyond his series, Arthur Slade has written several notable standalones that can be enjoyed in any order. The most prominent is Dust, but others span genres from war historical fiction (Megiddo's Shadow) to science fiction and contemporary YA:

• Dust (2001) – Dark historical fantasy/horror set in the 1930s.
• Tribes (2002) – A contemporary YA look at high school life.
• Megiddo's Shadow (2006) – Historical fiction set during WWI.
• Jolted (2008) – A quirky story about science, lightning, and teenage life.
• Flickers (2018) – A mystery thriller set in early Hollywood.
• Crimson (2018) – Dark fantasy.
• Death by Airship (2019) – A steampunk murder mystery.
• Mr. Universe (2021) – A story about family and bodybuilding.

For short fiction, you can check out Monsterology (2005) and Villainology (2007), which offer fun, illustrated lookups at monsters and history's worst characters, or the short story collection Shades (2011).

What to Know Before You Start

Arthur Slade's books are known for their fast pacing and accessibility, making them excellent choices for both reluctant teen readers and adults looking for quick, imaginative escapes. While his series do not cross over directly with one another, there are distinct style matches. The steampunk aesthetic of The Hunchback Assignments pairs wonderfully with the standalone Death by Airship. If you enjoy the dark fantasy elements of Dragon Assassin, you will likely appreciate the Norse mythological horrors of the Northern Frights series.