Can the books in The New Druids series be read as standalones?

No. The series follows a continuous, chronological story arc tracking Will Arbor's life. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers and confusion regarding the political and magical systems.

What do the titles of the books mean?

The titles are Irish/Gaelic words that represent parts of a tree: Duilleog means leaf, Craobh means branch, Stoc means stalk or trunk, Freamhaigh means root, and Cill Darae refers to the church of the oak.

Has Donald D. Allan written any other series?

No, he is currently focused exclusively on The New Druids . He has, however, worked on a standalone science fiction project involving ancient nanobots.

Is the New Druids series complete?

Not yet. There are five published books, and the author is writing the sixth and final volume, titled Gaea , to conclude the story.

Where should I start reading Donald D. Allan's books?

You should start with the first book in the series, Duilleog , published in 2015.

Donald D. Allan Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

If you are dive into the immersive world created by Donald D. Allan, the path forward is straightforward. The author's work consists of a single, highly continuous epic fantasy saga: The New Druids. Because the series follows a strict linear narrative tracking the life and magical education of protagonist Will Arbor, the publication order is identical to the chronological order. Reading the books out of sequence is not recommended, as each volume builds directly on the political intrigue, world-building, and character growth of the previous installments.

Duilleog (2015)
Craobh (2016)
Stoc (2017)
Freamhaigh (2018)
Cill Darae (2019)
Gaea (Work in progress / Upcoming finale)

An Inside Look at The New Druids Books

Donald D. Allan's series is set in the fictional realm of Belkin, a land torn apart by civil war and dominated by the corrupt Church of the New Order, which has systematically hunted down and eradicated the ancient druids. The narrative follows Will Arbor, a young man who discovers his dormant druidic abilities and must learn to master them to restore balance to a fracturing world. The titles themselves are a nod to Allan's love of Celtic lore, with each name representing a part of a tree in Irish/Gaelic, symbolizing the growth of both the protagonist and the druidic rebellion.

1. Duilleog (2015)

The series begins with Duilleog (which translates from Irish as "leaf"). In this debut novel, readers are introduced to Will Arbor as he discovers his latent magical connection to nature in a world where such powers are outlawed. As civil war looms and the corrupt religious authority tightens its grip, Will must flee into the wilderness to survive. The book was highly praised for its rich world-building and won the 2016 Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Award for Fantasy/Other Worlds.

2. Craobh (2016)

The second volume, Craobh ("branch"), expands the scope of the conflict. Will begins to understand the true depth of his powers and the heavy responsibility that comes with them. As he tries to find allies, the political landscape of Belkin becomes increasingly dangerous, mirroring the complexity of classic epic fantasy. This installment earned a bronze medal at the 2017 Global eBook Awards.

3. Stoc (2017)

In Stoc ("stalk", "trunk", or "stem"), the core structure of the rebellion begins to solidify. Will moves from a target on the run to a central figure capable of standing against the Church of the New Order. The stakes are raised as the ecological and political balance of the realm reaches a tipping point. The novel won a Gold medal in the Global eBook Awards.

4. Freamhaigh (2018)

The fourth book, Freamhaigh ("root"), delves deeper into the ancient history of Belkin and the magical origins of the druids. Will must uncover the deepest secrets of the land to combat the rising darkness, leading to dramatic confrontations and personal sacrifices. This volume also claimed a Gold medal at the Global eBook Awards.

5. Cill Darae (2019)

The fifth book, Cill Darae (referencing the "church of the oak" or "priest"), showcases the climax of the war against the corrupt church. Will's powers are tested to their absolute limits as he steps fully into his role as a spiritual and military leader. The book was recognized with a Gold medal at the 2020 Global eBook Awards.

6. Gaea (Upcoming)

The upcoming sixth and final installment, Gaea (representing the earth itself), is planned to conclude the epic saga of Will Arbor. Allan has shared that this finale is intended to be a massive volume spanning at least 150,000 words to resolve all the intricate storylines and bring a satisfying resolution to the conflict between humanity, nature, and corruption.

What to Know Before You Start

Donald D. Allan's background as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy specializing in information warfare brings a unique level of tactical realism and political complexity to his writing. While the pacing is deliberate and slower than standard action-fantasy, the deep focus on nature, harmony, and the philosophical conflict between greed and balance offers a rewarding experience for fans of classic, immersive high fantasy.

Although the author is primarily known for this epic fantasy sequence, he has also explored science fiction concepts, notably working on a separate project focusing on ancient nanobots, demonstrating his broad interest in both technological and mythological storytelling.