The Recommended Starting Point
For readers diving into Donovan Cook's gritty, action-packed historical adventures, the best place to start is with his debut novel, Son of Anger, which begins the acclaimed Ormstunga Saga. This series established Cook's signature style: combining intensive historical research with fast-paced combat and subtle threads of Norse mythology. If you prefer to trace the historical timeline chronologically from the earliest setting, you can alternatively begin with Woden's Spear, the first book of The First Kingdom series set in the mid-5th century.
The First Kingdom Series (Chronological Order: 1)
Set during the turbulent mid-5th century (beginning in AD 449), this series shifts focus to the Anglo-Saxon invasion of post-Roman Britannia. It follows Octa, a young Saxon warrior seeking redemption after a moment of battle cowardice brings shame to his family name. His quest to retrieve the legendary spear of Woden forces him to sail for the crumbling shores of Britain alongside historical figures Hengist and Horsa.
- Woden's Spear (2025)
- Woden's Storm (2025)
- Woden's Vengeance (2026)
- Woden's War (2026)
The Charlemagne's Cross Series (Chronological Order: 2)
Beginning in AD 853, this series captures the high-stakes cultural and spiritual clash between the Frankish Christian empire and the pagan Norse kingdoms. The narrative centers on Charles, a young Christian boy fleeing Francia after the murder of his father, Torkel. Charles travels to Denmark to seek the protection of his legendary grandfather, Jarl Sven "the Boar" of Ribe. In the process, he is forced to adapt to the brutal reality of the shield wall and the strange gods of his ancestors.
- Odin's Betrayal (2023)
- Loki's Deceit (2023)
- Thor's Revenge (2024)
- Valhalla's Fury (2024)
The Ormstunga Saga (Chronological Order: 3)
This is Cook's flagship Viking series, set during the legendary 9th century. It introduces readers to Ulf Bjørnson (later known as the Bear-Slayer), a fierce warrior seeking bloody vengeance against those who slaughtered his family. Along his journey, Ulf crosses paths with iconic legendary figures like Ragnar Lothbrok and King Horik of Denmark, all while fighting under the shadow of a dark, rumored family curse.
- Son of Anger (2020)
- Raid of the Wolves (2021)
- Chaos of the Gods (2022)
- The Bear Slayer (2025)
- Fury of the King (2026)
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Because Donovan Cook's series do not share character crossovers, you can safely read them in either order. However, reading them chronologically provides an interesting look at the progression of the early medieval world:
Chronological Order
- The First Kingdom Series (Set starting in AD 449, exploring the Saxon migrations to Britannia)
- Charlemagne's Cross Series (Set starting in AD 853, following the Frankish and Danish conflict)
- The Ormstunga Saga (Set in the late 9th century during the peak of the Viking Age and the era of Ragnar Lothbrok)
Publication Order
Reading in publication order allows you to experience Cook's development as a writer. He began with the self-contained opening trilogy of the Ormstunga Saga, expanded his historical scope with Charlemagne's Cross through publisher Boldwood Books, and then moved to the earlier migration period with The First Kingdom.
What to Know Before You Start
Donovan Cook is frequently compared to giants of the genre like Bernard Cornwell and Giles Kristian. His writing is intensely research-driven, utilizing primary translations of Icelandic sagas and early medieval documents to ground his settings. While the books are standalone by series, you should definitely read the books within each individual series in their proper numerical order, as they follow continuous character arcs and multi-year narrative campaigns.