Where Do I Start? - Archer's Aim

P. H. Solomon writes three fantasy series. Here is the reading order for each, so you know exactly where to begin.

Where to start

Start with Book 1: The Bow of Destiny. It is the first book of The Bow of Hart Saga, a Tolkien-esque epic quest fantasy, and the ebook is free on Amazon. It was named the 2016 Book of the Year by Fantasia Reviews.

Reading order

The Bow of Hart Saga (classic epic fantasy, complete series)

The Bow of Destiny (Book 1, free ebook)
An Arrow Against the Wind (Book 2)
The White Arrow (Book 3)

Bonus for subscribers: the free prequels Trading Knives (0.1) and What Is Needed (0.2). You do not need them to begin.

The Bow of Destiny reached the top 20 of Amazon’s overall Fantasy bestsellers in Nov-Dec 2016 and the top 10 in epic fantasy.

The Cursed Mage Case Files (gaslamp and steampunk detective fantasy)

The Order of the Dark Rose (Volume 1, the first book)
The Shadow of Daylight (Volume 2, coming soon, first draft about 50% done)

Prequel with backstory: The Changeling Incident (Volume 0.1). You can start with Volume 1, but you will not get all of the important backstory; for the full backstory, read The Changeling Incident first.

Doors of Fantasy (short fiction): start with The Black Bag, free on Amazon.

Who each series is for

If you like classic epic fantasy such as The Sword of Shannara and The Lord of the Rings, choose The Bow of Hart Saga. If you like a mash-up of classic Sherlock Holmes, The Dresden Files, and Harry Potter, choose The Cursed Mage Case Files.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start with P. H. Solomon’s books?

Start with Book 1, The Bow of Destiny, the first book of The Bow of Hart Saga. The ebook is free on Amazon, and it was named the 2016 Book of the Year by Fantasia Reviews. If you prefer a gaslamp detective fantasy, start with The Order of the Dark Rose (Volume 1), the first book of The Cursed Mage Case Files. The Changeling Incident (Volume 0.1) is a prequel that adds backstory; read it first if you want the full backstory.

In what order should I read The Bow of Hart Saga?

Read The Bow of Destiny (Book 1), then An Arrow Against the Wind (Book 2), then The White Arrow (Book 3). The two prequels, Trading Knives and What Is Needed, are free bonus stories and are not where new readers need to begin.

In what order should I read The Cursed Mage Case Files?

The first book is The Order of the Dark Rose (Volume 1), followed by The Shadow of Daylight (Volume 2, coming soon; the first draft is about 50% done). The Changeling Incident (Volume 0.1) is a prequel that adds backstory. You can start with Volume 1, but you will not get all of the important backstory; for the full backstory, read The Changeling Incident first.

Which books are free?

The ebook of The Bow of Destiny (Book 1 of The Bow of Hart Saga) and the short story The Black Bag (Doors of Fantasy Book 1) are free on Amazon. The prequel Trading Knives is free when you join the newsletter, and What Is Needed is a free ebook download.

Are the books available in print, audio, or Kindle Unlimited?

The Bow of Hart Saga books 1-3 are on Amazon as ebook, paperback, and hardcover, with audiobooks sold at most audio retailers, and they are free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. The Cursed Mage Case Files are on Amazon in ebook and paperback, and the full novels are free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Is The Shadow of Daylight out yet?

Not yet. The Shadow of Daylight, Volume 2 of The Cursed Mage Case Files, is coming soon; the first draft is about 50% done. There is no release date yet. Follow P. H. Solomon on Amazon, Substack, or Discord to hear the moment it is out.

The Bow of Hart Saga

Classic epic fantasy. Complete series.

The Bow of Destiny by P. H. Solomon, book cover

1. The Bow of Destiny (Book 1 · Fantasia Reviews 2016 Book of the Year)

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Uncertain what is real.

An Arrow Against the Wind by P. H. Solomon, book cover

2. An Arrow Against the Wind (Book 2 · Fantasia Reviews 2017 Book of the Year)

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Tossed like an arrow in the wind.

The White Arrow by P. H. Solomon, book cover

3. The White Arrow (Book 3)

Bound to prophecy, his destiny balanced on an arrow’s tip.

Optional backstory prequels (free for subscribers)

Trading Knives by P. H. Solomon, book cover

Trading Knives (Prequel 0.1)

Trading a knife costs a life. The offer of help may cost more.

What Is Needed by P. H. Solomon, book cover

What Is Needed (Prequel 0.2)

Betrayal festers within the Withling Order.

The Cursed Mage Case Files

Gaslamp / steampunk detective fantasy.

The Order of the Dark Rose by P. H. Solomon, book cover

1. The Order of the Dark Rose (Volume 1)

Meet Manny, an arch-mage who can handle anything. Unless he’s cursed, lost his job, and facing a hidden nemesis.

The Changeling Incident by P. H. Solomon, book cover

2. The Changeling Incident (Volume 0.1, Prequel)

Meet Manny, an arch-mage and a spy master with his hands full between his cheeky paramour, a mysterious smuggling ring, and an elusive source of political turmoil.