Christopher Mitchell Books in Order

The Core Entry Points: Where Should You Start?

With dozens of books set in the same shared universe, tackling Christopher Mitchell’s sprawling Magelands saga can seem like a monumental task. Fortunately, the author has built his universe with clear entry points in mind. You have two main pathways depending on what kind of reader you are.

Path 1: The Chronological Journey (Epic First)

If you want to experience the evolution of the world, characters, and politics from the ground up, start with the main series: The Magelands Epic. While there are prequel stories (the Magelands Origins), the author recommends starting with From the Ashes, which introduces the core world elements, mages, and dragons that anchor the entire narrative. Following this path, you will read the Epic series, move on to the Eternal Siege, and finally step into the Dominion series.

Path 2: The Fast-Paced Action Entry (Eternal Siege First)

If you prefer immediate, high-stakes action with a focus on gladiatorial battles, gods, and a city under constant warfare, you can start directly with The Magelands Eternal Siege series, beginning with The Mortal Blade. This series takes place in a different part of the world and acts as a self-contained story for its first half, meaning you don't need any prior knowledge of the Epic series. Eventually, characters and lore from the original books cross over, making it a highly rewarding experience when you see the connections fall into place.

The Magelands Universe in Reading Order

For the complete experience, reading the subseries in sequence is highly recommended. Here is the breakdown of the books within each collection, organized by publication order and narrative flow.

1. The Magelands Epic

This is the foundation of the entire saga. It sets up the political landscape, the complex magic system, and the central conflict between the mages, the ordinary humans, and the dragons. The story begins in the aftermath of a devastating war and tracks the rebuilding and eventual clashes of empires.

1. From The Ashes (2018)
2. The Queen's Executioner (2019)
3. The Severed City (2019)
4. Needs of the Empire (2019)
5. Sacrifice (2019)
6. Fragile Empire (2020)
7. Storm Mage (2020)
8. Soulwitch Rises (2020)
9. Renegade Gods (2020)

2. The Magelands Origins

These prequel novellas explore the backstories of key characters before the events of the main series. While they can be read first, they are best enjoyed after you have read at least the first few books of the Epic series, as they add deep context to the personal histories of major players like Daphne Holdfast.

• Retreat of the Kell (2020)
• The Trials of Daphne Holdfast (2020)

3. The Magelands Eternal Siege

This massive, action-heavy sequence shifting the focus to a city trapped in a perpetual war. Gods and demigods clash, champions rise, and the stakes grow exponentially. While Divine Retribution is a prequel novella, it is typically read as part of the deeper progression of this subseries.

1. The Mortal Blade (2020)
2. The Dragon's Blade (2020)
3. The Prince's Blade (2020)
4. Falls of Iron (2021)
5. Paths of Fire (2021)
6. Gates of Ruin (2021)
7. City of Salve (2021)
8. Red City (2021)
9. City Ascendant (2021)
10. Dragon Eyre Badblood (2022)
11. Divine Retribution (2022)
12. Dragon Eyre Ashfall (2022)
13. Dragon Eyre Blackrose (2022)
14. Dreams of Kell (2022)
15. God Restrainer (2022)
16. Holdfast Imperium (2023)
17. World's End (2023)

4. The Magelands Dominion (Magelands Empire)

Set after the epic conclusion of the Eternal Siege, the Dominion series (often referenced under the broader Magelands Empire banner) shifts focus to the Star Continent. It introduces fresh characters and conflict while maintaining the rich lore of the previous books, acting as a continuation of the overarching saga.

1. Serpent Dominion (2023)
2. Demon Witch (2023)
3. Death Seer (2023)
4. Blood Burden (2023)
5. Kin Strife (2024)
6. Tempest's Edge (2024)
7. Creator of Worlds (2024)
8. Palace of the Almighty (2024)

Stepping Outside the Magelands: Masters and Makers

In addition to his massive primary universe, Christopher Mitchell has launched a brand-new fantasy series set in an entirely different world. Masters and Makers explores the political fallout, intrigue, and survival of a collapsing empire where the former magical aristocracy is hunted down. This is an excellent starting point for readers who want to experience Mitchell’s character-driven fantasy without committing to the massive multi-series continuity of the Magelands.

• Fall Seldom Kings (2024)

What to Know Before You Start

Christopher Mitchell is a highly prolific indie author who writes and publishes at an incredible pace, often releasing several books a year. This means you will rarely have to wait long for the next installment. His style is heavily influenced by classical Greek tragedy, character-driven struggles, and the rugged, atmospheric landscapes of his home country, Scotland. While the books are tightly plotted, they maintain a friendly, accessible, and fast-paced tone that makes them highly bingeable for fans of epic fantasy.

For those interested in his earlier work, Mitchell also contributed a short story titled "Cultists" to the 2014 game developer anthology, Side Stories: Short Fiction by Game Developers, drawing on his professional background in the gaming industry.