This is a question I’m asked fairly frequently at signings. It mainly comes from people who are new to my books, or who just discovered there are books that follow on from the Black Magician Trilogy. You can find the answer under the Books menu on this site, but to make it easier to work out I’ve written this post.
And the answer is… there isn’t one single order to stick to. To get the most out of my books, you should probably read the ones within a trilogy in the right order. Otherwise, the only recommendation I’d give is that you read the Black Magician Trilogy before its sequel, the Traitor Spy Trilogy.
The Black Magician Trilogy consists of:
The Magicians’ Guild
The Novice
The High Lord
The Traitor Spy Trilogy consists of:
The Ambassador’s Mission
The Rogue (due May 5th 2011)
The Traitor Queen (not yet released)
The Magician’s Apprentice also relates to this world.
It is a stand alone prequel to the Black Magician Trilogy, set six hundred or so years earlier. You don’t have to read it first, you don’t have to read it between the trilogies, or after. It can be read at any point and not spoil the plot of books you read later.
The Age of the Five is set in a different world. It consists of:
Priestess of the White
Last of the Wilds
Voice of the Gods
These books are longer and are aimed at an older readership. There’s no reason a more sophisticated young reader would have any problems reading them, however. The books are considered to bridge the adult to young adult market because the main characters are mostly older than teenagers and there are one or two (not overly described) sex scenes.
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You can find back cover blurbs and the first chapter of all currently released books under the Books menu above. But do remember that reading the blurbs and extracts of later books in a series can spoil the plots of earlier books. If you haven’t read a series, just read the first book’s blurb and chapter.
When in doubt – use the order they are written!
Hai Trudi,
Great idea for a post, I find it quite easy to follow the order of your books but I can see how a newcomer could benefit from it.
I also wanted to say that after just finishing ‘The Ambassador’s Mission’ I am so excited to read ‘The Rogue’! ‘The Ambassador’s Mission’ has probably been my favourite book so far. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy reading about the new characters as much as those in previous books, but I was wrong. They each have their own distinct personality and I am so excited to follow more of Lorkin, Tyvara and Anyi’s journey’s (as well as Dannyl’s after his last conversation!!) wherever they lead!
Of course I also can’t wait to see where Cery and Sonea’s paths go next as well. One thing I do know is that I will be following intently come May 5th!
Finally, Thank You for writing these books in the first place. They truly have transported me to vivid and amazing worlds which I will never tire of reading about!
I wish you all the best in the future in health, fortune and happiness.
Michael
Well I cam across The Magician’s Apprentice in the library first so followed that with the Black Magician Trilogy. I loved all of them. I might make a start on the Traitor Spy Trilogy and then read Age of the Five whilst waiting for book 3. Any idea when that will be published? It’ll be a long wait!!!!
Actually, I believe that reading ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’ before the ‘Black Magicians Trilogy’ could kinda spoil the fun because the reader would get to know a whole lotta more about Sachaka, black magic, the basic historical outline and the Trilogy would be much less surprising and more predictable.
I think you really should consider that an advice for modifying this post. After reading all your books multiple times I’m still very happy that I started with the trilogy, not the prequel and I strongly believe that an opposite order takes a liitle charm off your books and the story itself.
Anyways, that’s a really good idea for a post because I also experienced some doubts when I set off on a journey with some authors and didn’t know where to start – with the book first written, with the prequels or what. Maybe this should appear in the menu under ‘The Books’ category? The post will be gone in the archives after some time and it should be easily available as it is a pretty worthy piece of advice for your future readers and potencial fans
Regards.
So. I read the books in this order the black magician trilogy, then the magicians apprentice, and after about 24 hours of straight reading i just finished the second book in the traitor spy trilogy 15 minute ago. It worked great for me. I can’t wait for the 3rd book! Wish it was already out. Keep up the good work!
I’ve just finished The High Lord and cane across this post to find out where to go next! I’m gutted that [spoiler removed] but I’m looking forward to who I’m going to meet next! Thank you so very much for these wonderful books, I’m totally captivated by them.