The Recommended Dana Swift Reading Path
If you are new to Dana Swift's work, the absolute best place to start is with her debut series, the Wickery Duology. Because this is a continuous story featuring the same characters and a linear narrative, the books must be read in publication order. Starting with the first book allows you to understand the intricate magic system, the royal politics, and the central romance before moving on to the darker stakes of the sequel.
Once you have finished the duology, you can transition directly to her standalone romantasy novel, When Dealing with Dragons. Because this standalone takes place in an entirely different universe with unique magic rules and a brand new cast, it can be read at any time without spoiling the events of the Wickery series.
The Wickery Duology (Publication and Chronological Order)
Dana Swift's debut series was originally planned as a trilogy but ultimately concluded as a tightly paced duology. Since the story follows a strict, continuous chronological timeline, both the publication order and the chronological order are identical. You should read them in the following order:
1. Cast in Firelight (2021)
This is where the story begins. The novel introduces readers to the world of Wickery, where magic is divided into nine distinct colors, each corresponding to a different deity. We follow two royal heirs: Adraa, the heir of Belwar, and Jatin, the heir of Naupure. The two have been betrothed in an arranged marriage since childhood, a political alliance meant to unite their powerful kingdoms. However, they haven't seen each other in years and have grown to view one another as rivals.
To escape the pressures of their royal duties and investigate a dangerous magical drug ring, both Adraa and Jatin adopt secret vigilante identities. Operating in the shadows under their aliases, they cross paths and are forced to work together. Neither realizes the true identity of the other, leading to a complex web of secret identities, rivals-to-lovers tension, and magical heists.
2. Bound by Firelight (2022)
Picking up immediately after the explosive climax of the first book, this sequel raises the stakes and takes a darker, more emotional turn. Adraa is falsely accused of causing a catastrophic magical eruption and is imprisoned in "the Dome," a high-security, magic-dampening prison. Separated from Jatin, she must fight for survival in a brutal environment where she cannot rely on her usual powers.
Meanwhile, Jatin is determined to rescue Adraa and clear her name. The sequel explores themes of guilt, grief, and resilience, balancing high-octane rescue missions with deep character development as Jatin and Adraa work to save their kingdoms from a looming threat.
A Fresh Universe: When Dealing with Dragons
Published on June 30, 2026, When Dealing with Dragons is a standalone young adult romantasy novel. It is completely disconnected from the Wickery series and introduces an entirely new magical world centered around dragon conservation and competitive racing.
The story follows Farren Walsh, a copper-crafter who works at her family's sanctuary for injured and abused dragons, dreaming of becoming a dragon veterinarian. Farren harbors a deep resentment for the wealthy elite who exploit dragons for profit and sport. Enter James Murphy, a silver-crafter classmate and rival who is forced to intern at the sanctuary. Competing for the same academic scholarship, the two must overcome their initial hostility when they discover a secret that threatens the safety of the dragons and their entire society.
What to Know Before You Start
Dana Swift's writing is highly influenced by her personal experiences. Before pursuing writing full-time, she competed as a saber fencer at the University of Texas at Austin. This background is heavily reflected in her books: the fight scenes are exceptionally detailed, utilizing realistic weapon physics, spatial awareness, and choreography that sets them apart from generic fantasy action sequences.
Additionally, the vibrant setting of Wickery incorporates rich South Asian-inspired elements, including naming conventions, fashion, and food, which were inspired by her husband's Indian heritage. For When Dealing with Dragons, Swift drew inspiration from her mother's recommendation to write a magical version of the classic veterinary show All Creatures Great and Small, and she based the personalities of the dragons on her own goldendoodle, Kala.