Diana Pharaoh Francis Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Diana Pharaoh Francis

Diana Pharaoh Francis writes across several subgenres of speculative fiction, meaning your ideal starting point depends entirely on what flavor of fantasy you enjoy most. Because all of her series are set in distinct universes, you can start with any of the main entry points below without worrying about spoilers or overlapping continuity.

For Urban Fantasy Fans: Diamond City Magic

If you love fast-paced urban fantasy with tough-as-nails heroines, magic-sniffing hounds, and noir undertones, start with Trace of Magic, the first book in the Diamond City Magic series. This completed series features Riley Hollis, a tracker who can see and follow the trace of magic, navigating a dangerous underworld of criminals, magical factions, and a very grumpy shadow-hound.

For Epic Fantasy Devotees: The Path Trilogy

If you prefer sweeping world-building, magical animal bonds, and high-stakes political intrigue in a secondary world, start with Path of Fate. This Mary Roberts Rinehart Award-nominated trilogy is her debut work and remains a fan-favorite introduction to her epic fantasy storytelling. It follows Reisil, a healer bonded to a magical goshawk, as she is forced to abandon her quiet life to prevent a devastating war.

For Cozy Paranormal Mystery Lovers: Everyday Disasters

If you want a lighter, snarky, cozy-adjacent paranormal mystery, start with Putting the Fun in Funeral. This series stars Bailey, a woman whose life is a magnet for weird occurrences, ghosts, and bizarre mysteries. It offers a fun, fast-paced contrast to the author's darker urban fantasy series.

The Path Books (Reisil Trilogy)

First published in 2003, the Path books make up a cohesive trilogy set in the land of Kodu Riik. The story follows a strict chronological order, tracing Reisil's growth from a reluctant healer into a powerful figure of destiny. Because of the deep character development and continuous plot, these books must be read in publication order:

1. Path of Fate (2003)
2. Path of Honor (2004)
3. Path of Blood (2006)

Crosspointe Chronicles

Set in a maritime world where magic is bound to dark waters and political alliances are forged on the high seas, the Crosspointe Chronicles combines epic adventure with mystery. The narrative centers on Lucy Trenton, a customs inspector with a dangerous magical secret, as she faces conspiracy and corruption. Read them in order of release:

1. The Cipher (2007)
2. The Black Ship (2008)
3. The Turning Tide (2009)
4. The Hollow Crown (2010)

Horngate Witches Series

This gritty urban fantasy series features Max Song, a deadly warrior and guardian caught in a war between magical factions, shadow lords, and the coven of the Horngate witches. Note that the author has announced plans for reissuing these books, but the reading order remains unchanged:

1. Bitter Night (2009)
2. Crimson Wind (2010)
3. Shadow City (2011)
4. Blood Winter (2012)

Diamond City Magic Series

Set in a city built on the ruins of magical disasters where magic is traded like a street drug, the Diamond City Magic series follows Riley Hollis. Unlike some urban fantasy sagas that drag on indefinitely, this is a fully completed five-book arc:

1. Trace of Magic (2014)
2. Edge of Dreams (2015)
3. Whisper of Shadows (2016)
4. Shades of Memory (2017)
5. Scatter of Light (2022)

Everyday Disasters Series

This lighter paranormal series stars Bailey, a woman whose life is constantly disrupted by bizarre, supernatural disasters. In addition to the standalone novels, the second entry, Putting the Chic in Psychic, was originally published as a novella in the Dirty Deeds 2 anthology before receiving a wider standalone release. The correct reading order is:

1. Putting the Fun in Funeral (2018)
2. Putting the Chic in Psychic (2023 / originally published in 2022)
3. Putting the Ice in Nice (2023)

Mission: Magic Series (Mal Jade)

The Mission: Magic series features Mallory "Mal" Jade, a former magical assassin turned fixer who takes on high-risk jobs in a snarky, action-packed urban fantasy setting. Important Note: The author has retitled all three entries in this series for recent editions. The third book, The Giant Riot (originally titled The Pixie Job), was first published in the 2021 urban fantasy anthology Dirty Deeds. The series should be read as follows:

1. The Incubus Trap (originally published as The Incubus Job in 2016)
2. The Elf Deception (originally published as The Elf Job in 2021)
3. The Giant Riot (originally published as The Pixie Job in the Dirty Deeds anthology in 2021)

Magicfall Series

Set in Portland after "Magicfall"—a cataclysmic event where magic flooded the earth and the supernatural declared war on humanity—this dark urban fantasy series features Kayla Reese. Kayla is a former detective turned "witchkin" scavenger who must navigate the ruins of her city to solve magical crimes. Currently, this series consists of one novel:

• The Witchkin Murders (2019)

Standalone Novels & Anthologies

For readers looking for quick, self-contained stories, Francis has also published standalone fiction and contributed to multi-author collections:

• Til Death (Standalone paranormal romance)
• Hunger Pains (Standalone fantasy)
• Dirty Deeds (2021 - Features The Pixie Job, later retitled The Giant Riot)
• Dirty Deeds 2 (2022 - Features Putting the Chic in Psychic)

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into Diana Pharaoh Francis's bibliography, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Watch the Titles: Because several of her books have been self-published or reissued by different press lines, they have undergone title changes. Double-check your purchases of the Mission: Magic series to ensure you don't accidentally buy the same story twice under different names (e.g., The Incubus Job vs. The Incubus Trap).
• Tonal Shift: Do not expect the same tone across all series. The Everyday Disasters series is a lighthearted romp, whereas the Horngate Witches is a dark, gritty, and often brutal urban fantasy. The Path books offer classic, rich high fantasy world-building.
• Status of Series: The Diamond City Magic and Path series are complete. Other series, such as Everyday Disasters, Mission: Magic, and Magicfall, remain open-ended, though their individual books resolve their primary plot lines.