Donald Wigboldy Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Donald Wigboldy

Donald Wigboldy has crafted a diverse collection of indie fantasy novels, ranging from sprawling epic sword-and-sorcery worlds to gritty urban streets infested with vampires. Because his bibliography spans several distinct universes and standalones, your starting point depends entirely on what flavor of fantasy you prefer:

• For Epic High Fantasy: Start with The High King (2011) or Battle Mage (2011). Both are set in the Tales of Alus universe. While The High King lays down the foundational history and geopolitical landscape of the world, Battle Mage introduces Sebastian, the underdog protagonist who became the face of the franchise.
• For Gritty Urban Fantasy: Start with Voran the Night Guardian (2011). Set in modern-day Chicago, it is a faster-paced supernatural detective style of story that follows a half-human protector caught in the crossfire between vampires and werewolves.
• For a Quick, Self-Contained Adventure: Pick up The Mermaid's Chest (2012), a lighter fantasy standalone focusing on cursed girls searching for a cure.

Tales of Alus: Publication Order

The Tales of Alus is Wigboldy’s flagship series. It features a vast world of high stakes, powerful wizards, and strategic battle magic. Although the series contains sub-arcs (most notably the Blood Mage/Battle Mage stories following Sebastian), they share a shared universe and chronological progression. The safest and most rewarding way to read the series is in order of publication:

1. The High King (2011) – Introduces the magical continent of Alus and the looming threat of the Dark Emperor.
2. The Emperor's Shadow War (2011) – Expands the conflict as the magical factions brace for a shadow war.
3. Battle Mage (2011) – Introduces Sebastian, a trainee wizard with low raw power who must rely on physical combat and clever low-level spellcasting.
4. Winter’s Edge (2013) – Follows Sebastian into colder, harsher climates where he competes in a dangerous grand wizard tournament.
5. The King (2013) – Follows the political fallout and rising tensions among the ruling classes of Alus.
6. Dragon Mage (2014) – Focuses on the legendary dragon-bonding magic of the northern lands.
7. The Dark Mage (2014) – Explores the forbidden, dark side of wizardry.
8. A Hero’s Welcome (2014) – Depicts the return of veteran fighters to a home that is no longer safe.
9. Forging New Steel (2015) – Covers the rebuilding of defenses and the arrival of new warriors.
10. White Hall (2015) – Showcases the high-stakes training grounds where elite magical scholars study.
11. Winds of Change (2015) – Marks a major shift in alliances across the Alus realms.
12. Battle Mage Visions (2016) – Offers deeper glimpses into Sebastian’s destiny and past.
13. The Unexpected Heir (2016) – Deals with dynastic lines and the battle for royal lineage.
14. Battle Mage Bonds (2017) – Focuses on the close, hard-won alliances formed between soldiers and mages.
15. Battle Mage Broken Empire (2017) – A high-stakes climax that tests the survival of the realm.
16. The Caves of Time (2018) – Introduces temporal anomalies and deep history to wrap up major loose threads.

Slave to Magic (Alus Spin-Off Series)

Set in the same fantasy universe as the Tales of Alus, the Slave to Magic duology offers a focused perspective on those who hunt magic users. This spin-off can be read either after completing the main Alus series or as a standalone companion. It follows Peter, a dedicated wizard hunter, whose life changes when he captures Aurora, an untrained "wilder" wizard.

• Slaves to Magic (2017)
• The Hunter's Path (2017)

Vorans and Vampires Series

If you prefer urban fantasy over traditional castles and dragons, this gritty duology is Wigboldy’s take on the supernatural underworld. It centers around Nick Steel, a member of the "Voran" race—supernatural protectors tasked with maintaining the balance between humans, vampires, and shape-shifters on the streets of Chicago.

• Voran the Night Guardian (2011)
• Standing Before Monsters (2014)

Other Series and Standalone Novels

Aside from his major series, Wigboldy has branched out into other genres, including science fiction and LitRPG-adjacent adventures:

The Smart Alec Series

• Smart Alec in the Dark Lands (2019) – A portal-style fantasy following a clever protagonist using their wits in a hostile magical dimension.

Standalone Novels

• The Mermaid's Chest (2012) – A classic fantasy adventure featuring cursed maidens and naval journeys.
• Technomancer: Beyond the Nebula (2016) – A sci-fi venture blending futuristic space opera with magical elements.
• Choose Your Class (2019) – A fantasy adventure that plays on classic gaming tropes and class choices.

What to Know Before You Start

Wigboldy’s writing is heavily inspired by classical mythology and superhero comic books. This influence shows in his fast-paced, action-oriented pacing and highly structured magic systems. Because his books are independently published, they carry a distinct indie charm, prioritizing creative world-building and underdog heroes over overly dense, flowery prose. When reading the Tales of Alus, keep in mind that while Sebastian’s "Battle Mage" story arc is the most famous element, the overarching plotline involving the Dark Emperor moves forward across the non-Sebastian titles as well, making the full publication order the best way to get the complete picture.