Brandon Mull Books in Order

Where to Start with Brandon Mull's Books

For readers diving into Brandon Mull's extensive bibliography, deciding where to start can be intimidating. Mull's stories spans multiple distinct worlds, though some share subtle connections. The best place to start is with the series that launched his career: Fablehaven. It introduces his signature blend of hidden magical sanctuaries, high stakes, and family-driven adventure. Once you complete Fablehaven, you can transition directly into its sequel series, Dragonwatch.

Alternatively, if you prefer portal fantasy with a slightly older tone and a more structured magic system, start with the Beyonders trilogy. Reading Beyonders first is highly recommended if you plan to read the Five Kingdoms series later, as key characters and elements from Beyonders cross over into the Five Kingdoms multiverse.

The Fablehaven & Dragonwatch Saga

This is Brandon Mull's flagship universe. The story is continuous, meaning you must read the original Fablehaven series before starting Dragonwatch. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points and character arcs.

Fablehaven Series (Publication and Chronological Order)

Follow Kendra and Seth Sorenson as they discover their grandparents' estate is a secret sanctuary for mythical creatures. The books should be read in strict publication order:

1. Fablehaven (2006) – The siblings first arrive at the sanctuary and learn of its hidden dangers.
2. Rise of the Evening Star (2007) – Kendra and Seth must protect the sanctuary from the Society of the Evening Star.
3. Grip of the Shadow Plague (2008) – A strange plague infects the sanctuary, turning light creatures into shadows.
4. Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (2009) – The search for hidden artifacts leads the characters to Wyrmroost, a dangerous sanctuary for dragons.
5. Keys to the Demon Prison (2010) – The epic conclusion to the original series as the characters fight to prevent the opening of Zzyzx.

Dragonwatch Series (The Direct Sequel)

Dragonwatch pick up where Fablehaven left off. With the treaty holding the dragons in check beginning to fail, Kendra and Seth are called upon to become caretakers of a new dragon sanctuary. The core series consists of five main novels, accompanied by a prequel origin story:

• Legend of the Dragon Slayer (2021) – Optional Prequel. An illustrated origin story detailing the legend of Konrad, the very first dragon slayer. While published towards the end of the Dragonwatch series, it can be read as a standalone backstory or after completing the main series.
• Dragonwatch (2017) – Book 1. Kendra and Seth are tasked with maintaining control over Wyrmroost.
• Wrath of the Dragon King (2018) – Book 2. The dragon rebellion gains momentum.
• Master of the Phantom Isle (2019) – Book 3. The conflict expands to a new sanctuary in the sky.
• Champion of the Titan Games (2020) – Book 4. Seth loses his memory, and Kendra must fight in gladiatorial games.
• Return of the Dragon Slayers (2021) – Book 5. The final confrontation to decide the fate of the dragons and the sanctuaries.

Additionally, fans can explore companion books like the Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven (2015) and The Official Fablehaven Cookbook (2023) for lore and thematic recipes.

The Beyonders & Five Kingdoms Shared Multiverse

While Beyonders and Five Kingdoms are set in different realms, they are connected through Mull's broader multiverse concept. They share cosmic entities called Torivors and features direct character crossovers.

Beyonders Trilogy

This portal fantasy follows teenagers Jason and Rachel as they are transported to Lyrian, a world ruled by the wizard emperor Maldor. They must band together to find a magical syllable that can defeat him:

1. A World Without Heroes (2011)
2. Seeds of Rebellion (2012)
3. Chasing the Prophecy (2013)

Five Kingdoms Series

This series follows Cole Randolph, a boy who goes to a haunted house on Halloween and ends up pulled into the Outskirts—a world between worlds consisting of five distinct kingdoms. It is highly recommended to read this after the Beyonders trilogy because major Beyonders characters, including Ferrin the Displacer and Drake of the Amar Kabal, play critical roles in the fourth book:

1. Sky Raiders (2014)
2. Rogue Knight (2014)
3. Crystal Keepers (2015)
4. Death Weavers (2016) – Crossover Point. This volume features the direct crossover with characters from Beyonders in the Echolands.
5. Time Jumpers (2018)

Other Series, Standalones, and Collaborations

The Candy Shop War

A fun, urban fantasy series about a group of kids who discover a candy shop owner who makes sweets that grant magical powers. The series consists of three books:

1. The Candy Shop War (2007)
2. Arcade Catastrophe (2012)
3. Carnival Quest (2023)

Spirit Animals

Spirit Animals is a collaborative multi-author series set in the world of Erdas, where children undergo a ritual to bond with a spirit animal. Brandon Mull outlined the broader world and wrote the first main book, as well as several collections:

• Wild Born (2013) – Book 1 of the main series, written by Brandon Mull.
• Tales of the Great Beasts (2014) – A collection detailing the historical protectors of Erdas.
• Tales of the Fallen Beasts (2016) – A collection focusing on the ancient conflicts of the world.

Pingo Picture Books

For younger readers, Mull has written picture books focusing on the adventures of a boy and his imaginary friend, Pingo:

• Pingo (2009)
• Pingo and the Playground Bully (2012)
• Smarter Than a Monster (2019)