What’s the best order to read the series?
Good question, and one I get a lot. The proper timeline for all the series would be The Castes and the OutCastes followed by William Wilde and then Instrument of Omens. The Eternal Ephemera comes last and well after the others.
But the truth is that you actually don’t have to read any other series in order to enjoy the one you happen to pick up first. So, if you happen to start with William Wilde, you don’t have to back read anything else that I’ve written to appreciate that series.
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I have just finished Bonds of Truth….WOW!!!! I cannot wait until book 5 hits. Is there a place to post questions that might have spoilers in it? I do not want to ruin anything for newer readers.
Also, I have read all of Castes and the OutCastes and Instruments of Omens, and I am now going to start William Wilde. Are the stories connected?
So glad you enjoyed Bonds! That’s wonderful to hear. William Wilde is definitely related to the Anchored Worlds. You’ll even run across Jessira in the first chapter and a certain feline toward the back end of book one. Rukh shows up in book 2, and stopping him and Jessira from taking over the series was a hard task. Also, the first book is likely to feel YA, and that’s on purpose. I wrote it for my then teenage sons.
To ask questions that have spoilers, the best option is to just email me.
Davis
Yes this is such a great series/world! I’m listening to William Wilde now as I go through the series, I finished the the casts and the outcasts first way back when, and now I’ve listened to the latest “bonds of truth” instruments of omen audible. It feels like I should read them in tandem to get the best of it without any spoilers ahead? Like finish book four of William Wilde then wait? For book five of instruments of omen? And now there is another series ahhhhhhh lol. So much good reading just a little confused on it all but in such a good way :).
Hi John,
So, so happy you have liked the books/series. The series can be confusing, can’t they? But in terms of what to read, I would start with Castes and the OutCastes first, then William Wilde, then Instrument of Omens, and finally Eternal Ephemera. There really isn’t any spoilers in book 5 of William Wilde for Instrument of Omens, book 5. It will just reiterate how much Cinder and Anya seem to dislike one another, but it’s not really the truth.
Davis
I love the series so far though I started in the wrong place which can be typical (thanks in store book displays). There are quirks that make me roll my eyes, aka the pop culture references, yet I still find them endearing. Some of these are for other readers, recaps which I tend to speed through, and I can accept that. Both of these things bring a story to life and make them human; alive on their own.
I wish I had I found them at the initial release, but lets say I was not in the place for my life. Like I mentioned, again thanks to a store display back home in North Carolina, I started another series in an off place. I began with “A Testament to Steel.” I’m delving into the next book, at the moment. An author from my home state caught my eye as much as the series. It seems rare and improbable.
A note that I find enjoyable in all writings, the reading level is approachable, but still allows me to grow. Now and then, there’s a new word to devour and intrigue my mind. Since I am on Kindle I can look up the few gems and sometimes hear them when connected to audio on my phone verses the tablet. I miss the tactile and other sensory aspects of paper. This book though has been an excellent toe in the water on the reader, and given me the gift back of avidly reading interesting content. Thank you.
Hi Kelly,
First, thank you for giving the books a chance. Second, I’m always thrilled when the books resonate with someone and brought them joy. And there is no wrong place to start any of the series. While all the series are interlinked, they are individual enough that you don’t need to read any of the others to enjoy the one you are reading.
Davis
Hey Davis,
Do you have anything in the works for turning your 3 series of books into an Anime or possibly movie/TV series? With non anime I’d just be worried they Eragon your series and ruin it lol. But it would be super awesome to see them on a screen! All 3 are incredible and have quickly risen to be my favorites along with the Old Kingdom books from Garth Nix!
I found your books by accident on audible and read Castes and Outcastes first. Then not knowing started instruments of omens and was like “why would this guy use the same words and “God” in more than one series?!” Then my mind was blown realizing they’re all linked! After I finished that series waiting for the new book, I realized there was the William Wilde series and just finished those! Looking forward to the new book!
To have any of my books turned into an anime or TV series would be a dream come true. Right now, there isn’t any movement on that front, but if I could choose, I’d love to see a live action TV show that’s faithful to the story. I’d also be afraid they’d Eragon it or the showrunner would mess with the plot and characters. And if it wasn’t a live action show, I’d want an animated series like Arcane. The look and feel of that show is beautiful.
And I love that you discovered the books are linked. Usually someone will read Instrument of Omens, wonder about those dreams Cinder and Anya keep having, and then realize later on that I’m referencing events from the earlier series.
Davis
Well hopefully that happens! Netflix and Amazon have been picking up all kinds of stuff that have good stories! I couldn’t believe they actually did The Wheel of Time! With the effects they have these days, live action of course would be great. But you’d need the get someone on board to have a production like Harry Potter, LOTR or even something like The Wheel of Time. I feel like that’s the only way it would work! Arcane was a fantastic show, waiting on season 2! The way that show was done was pretty awesome, so I have to agree your books would fit that well. The nice thing about an anime is they can really make all the magic and other stuff work so easily, that’s the only reason I’d say that route is great for these kinds of stories.
Thanks for the response! Looking forward to the final part of Cinder and Anyas story!
When can readers expect the release of the final installment in the Instrument of Omens series?
Hi Shane,
Right now, I’m working on book 3 of Eternal Ephemera. After finishing book 2, I just had too many ideas for book 3 to let the series rest. After that will come book 5 of Instrument of Omens, and if it’s going well, book 6 as well.
Davis
Do you have any plans to continue expanding the universe after finishing the Eternal Ephemera and Instrument of Omens series?
Hi Ben,
If you mean more worlds, not at the moment, but that might change. You never know. If you mean an expansion of prior series, then yes. There was always a plan to write a sequel series to Castes and the OutCastes and explain the nature of Shet’s daughter and also why Rukh and Jessira decided to journey to Earth. There would also be a large addition to William Wilde, basically what happened after, the restoration of Arylyn, and how… Oops. Can’t say much more than that, lol.
I also wrote a book about Landon Wilde and how he ended up with Aia for a short time. It’s rough, but it’s complete. Maybe one day, I’ll share it.
Davis
I love these books. I just finished Castes and Outcastes and have listened to all of Instruments of Omens. I feel like I’m missing a chunk. What series is the whole earth part and other worlds covered in? Don’t want to give anything more detail for those that haven’t read/listened yet.
Hi Laura,
There is a missing piece, and it’s the William Wilde series. It starts out as very much YA in the first two books and then becomes epic fantasy for the last three books. I won’t say much more than that, but I hope you enjoy it!
Davis
I’m halfway thru the first book and enjoying it. Thanks for answering my question. Thanks for sharing your stories and your talent.