There are five entry points into the Legends of Tivara, listed here chronologically on the world’s timeline:
Thorn of the Night Blossom is Part 1 of the Scions of the Black Lotus series. It is shorter, serialized fiction, which takes place 10 years before the core stories. It follows Jie when the half-elf spy is a courtesan-in training in the elite Floating World. It’s darker in tone compared to the others.
Prelude to Insurrection also stars Jie, which you can either BUY or DOWNLOAD via Bookfunnel. It is a prequel to any of the core series, though it directly sets up:
Songs of Insurrection, Book 1 of the Dragon Songs Saga. It follows Kaiya, an awkward princess with the perfect voice to evoke the lost magic of Dragon Songs. In a secondary arc, Jie uncovers a conspiracy. It’s Heroic, Coming-of-Age fantasy.
Masters of Deception, Book 1 of the Dragonstones Chronicles, explores the pyramids and forms of magic in Tivara. On a mission to root out a traitor, Jie meets with a Diviner, Sorceress, and Paladin. Even though they all have sometimes-conflicting agendas, they must work together to protect a dragonstone. Lots of magic.
Crown of the Sundered Empire, Book 1 of Heirs to the Sundered Empire. It follows the conflict between the Bovyans, a race of men descended from the mortal son of the Sun God, and they Eldaeri, the Sun God’s Chosen People. Of course, Jie figures prominently in it. It’s a combination of Military Fantasy and Coming-of-Age Fantasy.
My Recommended Reading Order
If you don’t have a particular preference with sub-genre, here’s the way I recommend following the stories:
Prelude to Insurrection
Songs of Insurrection
Masters of Deception
Crown of the Sundered Empire
Orchestra of Treacheries
Dances of Deception
Symphony of Fates
Thorn of the Night Blossoms
White Sheep of the Family
Wretches of the Trench
Temptress of Fate
Last Heir of the North
Last Bloom of the Jade Lotus
