Where to Begin: Recommended Starting Paths
Bruce Sentar has established himself as one of the most prolific and popular authors in the progression fantasy and HaremLit genres. Because almost all of his series are set in separate worlds with their own magic systems, you don't have to follow a single chronological line from book one of his career to the present. Instead, readers can select a starting point based on their preferred genre sub-type.
Option A: The Blockbuster Route (Dungeon Diving)
If you want to start with the series most frequently recommended by the fanbase, begin with Dungeon Diving 101. This progression fantasy series blends classic dungeon crawling, academy-style training, and LitRPG progression. The series follows a young adventurer climbing the ranks, and it features some of Sentar's most polished pacing and engaging team dynamics.
Option B: The Urban Fantasy Route (Dragon's Justice)
If you prefer paranormal romance, secret societies, and urban fantasy, start with Dragon's Justice. This completed nine-book series follows Zach, a young man who discovers he is a rare dragon-shifter and is suddenly thrust into the complex politics of the supernatural underbelly. It is fast-paced, action-heavy, and offers a complete, satisfying narrative arc.
Option C: The Classic Multiverse Route (Legendary Rule)
For readers who love discovering easter eggs and interconnected cosmere-style world-building, starting with his debut series is the way to go. Begin with Legendary Rule: Book One. Reading this early trilogy lays the groundwork for the subtle multiversal crossovers that pop up in his subsequent cultivation series.
The Interconnected "Manaverse"
While Sentar designed his series to be enjoyed independently, three of his early works share explicit links and character crossovers that fans refer to as the "Manaverse" or shared multiverse. If you want to experience the maximum payoff of these connections, you should read them in this order:
- Legendary Rule (Books 1-3): Bruce Sentar's debut LitRPG series introduces the foundational concepts of virtual worlds, mana manipulation, and cross-dimensional travel.
- The First Immortal (Books 1-4): A cultivation saga beginning with Dao Divinity. The epilogue of the final book, Dao Destruction, features a direct crossover event that links back to the characters and events of Legendary Rule.
- A Mage's Cultivation (Books 1-6): Beginning with Mana Master, this series takes place in the same universe but is set hundreds of years after the events of the previous series, acting as an indirect sequel with shared lore and persistent magical rules.
After completing these three series, the multiversal connections in his later works become much looser. Sentar has noted that while he initially intended to bind all his series tightly together, he chose to dial back the direct crossovers to ensure new readers wouldn't feel forced to read dozens of back-logged books to understand a new release.
Breakdown of Major Standalone Series
Beyond the core Manaverse, Bruce Sentar has written several standalone series that require no prior knowledge to enjoy. Here is what to expect from each:
Ard's Oath
An ongoing portal fantasy (isekai) series beginning with Magic's Mantle. It follows a protagonist transported to a high-fantasy realm where he must navigate complex noble houses and master a unique magical system. This series stands out for its lighter, humorous tone and focus on tactical political maneuverings.
Saving Supervillains
A completed five-book superhero series that subverts classic comic book tropes. The story features an overpowered protagonist trying to live a quiet life while accidentally collecting a group of reformable supervillains. It is highly praised for its character development and unique spin on superhero society.
Returner's Defiance
A time-travel regression story where the main character, Bran, sends his soul back in time to two years before a devastating demon invasion. Armed with future knowledge, he must rapidly cultivate power and build alliances to prevent the apocalypse. It is perfect for fans of progression fantasy who love smart, prepared protagonists.
Escaping Gravity
Sentar's foray into space opera and sci-fi. It follows a reincarnated engineer navigating starship management, tactical space battles, and crew relationships in a futuristic galaxy. It is currently ongoing.
Bruce Sentar Series in Publication Order
If you prefer to read everything in the exact order the author wrote and published them, follow this chronological list of series and books:
Legendary Rule Books
- Legendary Rule: Book One (2019)
- Legendary Rule: Book Two (2020)
- Legendary Rule: Book Three (2021)
A Mage's Cultivation Books
- Mana Master (2020)
- Mana Beast (2021)
- Mana Immortal (2021)
- Immortal Mana (2021)
- Immortal Blood (2022)
- Immortal Family (2022)
First Immortal Books
- Dao Divinity (2021)
- Dao Dominion (2021)
- Dao Disciple (2022)
- Dao Destruction (2022)
Dragon's Justice Books
- Dragon's Justice (2021)
- Dragon's Justice 2 (2021)
- Dragon's Justice 3 (2022)
- Dragon's Justice 4 (2022)
- Dragon's Justice 5 (2022)
- Dragon's Justice 6 (2022)
- Dragon's Justice 7 (2023)
- Dragon's Justice 8 (2023)
- Dragon's Justice 9 (2023)
Saving Supervillains Books
- Saving Supervillains (2022)
- Saving Supervillains 2 (2022)
- Saving Supervillains 3 (2022)
- Saving Supervillains 4 (2023)
- Saving Supervillains 5 (2023)
Dungeon Diving Books
- Dungeon Diving 101 (2023)
- Dungeon Diving 102 (2023)
- Dungeon Diving 103 (2023)
- Dungeon Diving 104 (2023)
- Dungeon Diving 201 (2024)
- Dungeon Diving 202 (2024)
Ard's Oath Books
- Magic's Mantle (2023)
- Noble Bearings (2023)
- Frigid Magic (2024)
- Drums of War (2024)
Returner's Defiance Books
- Returner's Defiance (2024)
- Returner's Defiance 2 (2024)
What to Know Before You Start
Bruce Sentar's books are firmly rooted in the HaremLit subgenre, meaning relationships between the protagonist and multiple partners form a core pillar of the narrative. Unlike many stories in the genre, Sentar is widely praised for avoiding "instant-love" tropes, opting instead to let romantic relationships develop gradually over several books alongside the main plot. His worlds heavily incorporate Eastern Xianxia progression fantasy, where characters must actively meditate, gather mana or qi, and breakthrough tiers of power to overcome threats.