First Empire books in order

Q: "How many books are in the First Empire series?"

"There are eight books in the First Empire series, published between 2016 and 2020."

Q: "What is the first book in the First Empire series?"

"The first book in the First Empire series is Age of Myth, published in 2016."

Q: "Do I need to read the Riyria books before Legends of the First Empire?"

"No. Legends of the First Empire is set thousands of years before the Riyria Chronicles and Riyria Revelations, so it works as a standalone series. Reading Riyria first may add some context, but the First Empire books were designed to be accessible on their own."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Age of Myth	2016	Legends of the First Empire	Buy
2	Little Wren and the Big Forest	2016	Legends of the First Empire	N/A
3	Age of Swords	2017	Legends of the First Empire	Buy
4	Age of War	2018	Legends of the First Empire	Buy
5	Age of Legend	2019	Legends of the First Empire	Buy
6	Pile of Bones	2019	Legends of the First Empire	Buy
7	Age of Death	2020	Legends of the First Empire	Buy
8	Age of Empyre	2020	Legends of the First Empire	Buy

The First Empire series spans eight books that chronicle the birth of a civilization. The main saga follows a group of humans who rise up against the Fhrey, an immortal race that has ruled over them for centuries. Michael J. Sullivan structures the six core novels around “ages” — Myth, Swords, War, Legend, Death, and Empyre — each marking a stage in the conflict.

The series also includes Little Wren and the Big Forest and Pile of Bones, shorter companion stories that expand the world. Published between 2016 and 2020, the complete sequence builds from a single act of defiance to an epic conflict that reshapes the world and creates the legends referenced in Sullivan’s other fantasy series.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the First Empire series?

There are eight books in the First Empire series, published between 2016 and 2020.

What is the first book in the First Empire series?

The first book in the First Empire series is Age of Myth, published in 2016.

Do I need to read the Riyria books before Legends of the First Empire?

No. Legends of the First Empire is set thousands of years before the Riyria Chronicles and Riyria Revelations, so it works as a standalone series. Reading Riyria first may add some context, but the First Empire books were designed to be accessible on their own.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order