Where to Begin Your D.L. Harrison Journey
With more than 100 books spanning urban fantasy, GameLit, and science fiction, D.L. Harrison is incredibly prolific. For new readers, the sheer volume of series can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Harrison's catalog is organized into distinct universes and standalone series, making it easy to choose your starting path depending on your favorite genre tropes.
If you love classic urban fantasy with a superhero twist, the best starting point is Banished, the first book in the Katrina Baker series. It features a fast-paced, high-stakes story of a telekinetic 'super' banished to a fantasy world. If you prefer elemental magic systems and hidden supernatural societies, begin with Just a Psychic?, which kicks off the Power of Air series and the broader Elemental Universe.
What to Know Before You Start
Harrison's books are known for fast-paced action, clear and direct prose, and satisfying progression fantasy elements. While most series are self-contained, Harrison has constructed a few shared universes where reading order matters. Specifically, the Elemental Universe links several series together. In contrast, the sci-fi series and standalone fantasy entries occupy separate worlds entirely. Harrison self-publishes rapidly, meaning series are typically completed in tight windows, minimizing long waits between installments.
The Shared Elemental Universe Reading Order
Harrison's most famous connected setting is the shared elemental magic universe. While each subseries focuses on a different magic user and has its own self-contained narrative arc, they take place in the same world. To avoid spoilers regarding the evolution of the world, magical laws, and recurring background details, readers should follow the publication order of these interconnected series.
1. Power of Air (5 Books)
This series introduces Ben, a young man who discovers his psychic and elemental abilities on his twenty-first birthday. He is thrust into a hidden world populated by elemental sorcerers, witches, and werewolves. Read them in this order:
- Just a Psychic? (2013)
- Trouble with Werewolves (2016)
- Witch's Woes (2016)
- Sorcerer: Betrayal (2016)
- Elemental (2016)
2. Spirit Sorceress (4 Books)
Running alongside and expanding the concepts of the elemental world, this subseries delves into necromancy, vampire alliances, and cosmic judgments. Read them in this order:
- Spirit Sorceress (2016)
- Lion's Claw (2016)
- Sorcerous Rogue (2017)
- Spirit Judgement (2017)
3. Water Sorceress (3 Books)
This trilogy focuses on the challenges of water-based elemental magic, curses, and crossing dangerous lines. Read them in this order:
- Cursed: Water Sorceress (2020)
- Sorceress (2020)
- Crossing the Line (2020)
4. Earth Sorcerer (3 Books)
Rounding out the elemental cycle, this trilogy explores the heavy responsibilities of earth magic and redemption. Read them in this order:
- Redemption (2021)
- Spirit Crucible (2021)
- Exposure Risk (2021)
The Origins of Supers Universe
For fans of superhero fiction, the Origins of Supers series offers an interesting structure. Each book is a standalone origin story focusing on a completely different superpowered individual. Because the stories are independent, you can technically read them in any order. However, the world-building, public perception of 'supers,' and the overall timeline progress chronologically across the books. The recommended reading order is the publication order:
- Death's Mistress (2021)
- Lady Aegis (2021)
- Wraith (2021)
- Judgement (2023)
- Swift Radiance (2023)
- Spatial Distortion (2023)
- Ethereal (2023)
- Magician (2023)
- Stellar Frost (2023)
Standalone Series and Portals
Harrison's other fantasy series are self-contained, meaning you can dive into them without worrying about external continuity. Each has its own rules, settings, and character dynamics.
Katrina Baker Books
A five-book portal fantasy where a telekinetic superhero is banished to a realm of elves, goblins, and ancient gods.
- Banished (2017)
- Elven Blight (2017)
- Goblin Queen (2017)
- Dwarven Steel (2018)
- Lady of Trelin (2018)
Necromancer's Blight
A darker fantasy series following a protagonist dealing with the curses and betrayals associated with necromancy.
- Foretold: Necromancer's Blight (2017)
- Revealed (2017)
- Betrayed (2018)
- Fulfilled (2018)
Rune Mystic
An intricate progression fantasy trilogy focusing on rune-based crafting and spellcasting.
- Runic Apprentice (2020)
- Rune Mage (2020)
- Rune Mystic (2020)
Other Notable Fantasy Series
- Celia Winters: A witch-focused trilogy starting with Witch's Moon (2015).
- Evolution Online: A GameLit series beginning with Protectors (2018) and concluding with Cleansing Fire (2019).
- Ink Sorceress: A four-book epic fantasy starting with Disgraced (2022).
- Radiant Fae: A trilogy starting with Umbra Rising (2022).
- The Lilith Chronicles: A dark fantasy trilogy starting with Awakened (2019).
- Seer's Gift: A magic-infused mystery trilogy starting with Foresworn Magic (2021).
Science Fiction and Space Opera Series
Harrison is equally active in science fiction, writing space operas, military sci-fi, and technomagic adventures. Like the fantasy books, these series are standalone and should be read in publication order within their respective series.
Technomancer Books
Blending futuristic tech with magical mage abilities, this series follows the path of a Tech Mage through space.
- Tech Mage (2019)
- Astraeus Station (2019)
- The Grays (2019)
- Fallen Empire (2020)
- Intergalactic Union (2020)
- Infinite Exploration (2020)
Alicia Jones Books
A sci-fi series focused on first contact, galactic diplomacy, and galactic storms.
- First Contact (2016)
- Interstellar Incident (2016)
- New Frontier (2016)
- Enigma (2016)
- Galactic Storm (2017)
- Minerva (2017)
Other Sci-Fi Series
- Rise of the Empyrean Empire: A space exploration saga starting with Scout Ship (2017) and ending with From the Ashes (2018).
- Escort Class Starship: A space adventure focusing on an AI starship, starting with A.I. Ship Cassiopeia (2022).
- Union of Stars: A military sci-fi trilogy starting with Humanity's Champion (2022).
- Star Sorceress: A magic-in-space series starting with Fleet Mage Academy (2024).
Connected Standalones
Though Harrison has written very few single books, the two standalone novels, The Formerly Dark Mage (2014) and The Rise of a Dark Mage (2017), are set in the same universe. Harrison advises reading The Formerly Dark Mage first, as it sets up the world-building and lore that informs the events of the second novel.