Cordelia Castel Books in Order

How to Read Cordelia Castel’s Books: Recommended Reading Path

Cordelia Castel has crafted two distinct literary universes: a rich, interconnected high fantasy world filled with fairy tale retellings and dragons, and a thrilling, standalone dystopian sci-fi world. For readers trying to figure out where to begin, the choice comes down to your favorite genre:

• If you love fairy tales with a modern, action-packed twist: Start with the Perrault Chronicles / The Seven Kingdoms series. Begin with The Magestaff (originally published as Cendrilla) to follow Rilla's escape from the murderous Lord Bluebeard and her journey through a magical empire.
• If you want high-stakes, dystopian tournament games: Jump straight into The Princess Trials. This series is completely separate from her fantasy world and reads like a blend of The Selection and The Hunger Games.
• If you love dragons and academy settings: You can start with the Dragon Mage Academy series. While it is set in the same universe as the Seven Kingdoms, it follows a new generation of characters and can be read independently, though reading the Seven Kingdoms first provides richer context.

The Seven Kingdoms (The Perrault Chronicles)

This is Castel’s flagship fantasy series. It reimagines classic fairy tales—particularly Cinderella—with an empowering, warrior-focused spin. The protagonist, Cendrilla "Rilla" Perrault, uses her wits and a magical staff to survive dangerous trials, evil stepmothers, and hostile kingdoms.

The Cendrilla and Magestaff Rebranding Explained

Many readers get confused searching for both Cendrilla and The Magestaff. They are actually the same book! Castel originally published the debut novel as Cendrilla in 2017. In 2018, she revised, significantly expanded, and renamed the novel to The Magestaff to serve as the official first volume of the expanded Seven Kingdoms saga. If you are starting the series today, look for The Magestaff.

The Seven Kingdoms Reading Order

Because this series follows a continuous, chronological story arc, it is highly recommended to read the books in order. While some readers treat the prequel novella The Stepmother as Book 0.5 and read it first, we recommend starting with Book 1 to experience Rilla’s introduction as the author intended. The publication order for the main series is as follows:

1. The Magestaff (2018) – Also known as Cendrilla
2. The Academy (2018)
3. The Witch-Hunt (2018) – Also published under the title The Witches
4. The Betrothal (2018) – Also published under the title The Ogres
5. The Usurper (2018) – Also published under the title The Trolls
6. The Banishment (2018) – Also published under the title The Fairies
7. The Stepmother (2018) – A prequel story focusing on the villain's origins, which can also be read first as Book 0.5
8. The Kingdom (2018) – Also published under the title The Elves
9. The Frozen Heart (2018)
10. The Bluebird (2018)

Dragon Mage Academy

Set in the same magical universe as the Seven Kingdoms, the Dragon Mage Academy series introduces readers to Princess Alba, a fierce heroine who forms a powerful bond with a dragon. This seven-book series shifts the focus to dragon-riding, magic schools, and political rebellion. It takes place after the events of Rilla's story, representing the next generation of the world's history.

Dragon Mage Academy Reading Order

This series should be read in strict chronological order:

1. Princess of Dragons (2019)
2. Poacher of Dragons (2019)
3. Plague of Dragons (2019)
4. Protector of Dragons (2019)
5. Prisoner of Dragons (2019)
6. Pariah of Dragons (2019)
7. Patron of Dragons (2019)

Dreamer of Dragons

A companion dragon fantasy duology that shares the same magical, adventurous tone of Castel's main fantasy world. The reading order is straightforward:

1. The Dragonet (2020)
2. The Rapier (2020)

The Princess Trials

If you prefer dystopian sci-fi over high fantasy, this is Castel's most popular alternative series. Set in a rigid, stratified future society, the story follows Zea Mace, a young woman from the lowest class who enters a deadly competition to win the heart of the prince—while secretly working to overthrow the oppressive regime. The series is fast-paced, romantic, and packed with survival challenges.

The Princess Trials Reading Order

Follow the chronological sequence of Zea's trials, games, and rebellions:

1. The Princess Trials (2020)
2. The Princess Games (2020)
3. The Princess Crown (2020)
4. The Princess Purge (2021)
5. The Princess Strike (2022)

What to Know Before You Start

Castel's fantasy books are heavily interconnected through shared world-building. For example, The Princesses collection of novellas introduces side characters who appear later at the magic academy, meaning seasoned fans often recommend reading them before diving into Book 2 (The Academy). The transition from the fairy-tale focus of the Seven Kingdoms to the dragon-bond focus of the Dragon Mage Academy highlights Castel's evolution as a writer, making the publication order the most satisfying path for fans of world-building.