The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal books in order

The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal is a three-book historical fantasy series by Diana L. Paxson co-written with Adrienne Martine-Barnes, retelling the Irish legends of the warrior Fionn mac Cumhal and the Fianna. The series ran from 1993 to 1995.
Series · Historical Fantasy · Celtic Fantasy · Mythology · Irish Legend

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Master of Earth and Water 1993 Diana L. Paxson Buy
2 The Shield Between the Worlds 1994 Diana L. Paxson Buy
3 Sword of Fire and Shadow 1995 Diana L. Paxson Buy

The three books — Master of Earth and Water, The Shield Between the Worlds, and Sword of Fire and Shadow — retell the cycle of Fionn mac Cumhal from his youth through his mature leadership of the Fianna. Paxson co-wrote the series with Adrielle Martine-Barnes, drawing on the original Irish texts and the broader Celtic mythological tradition.

The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal is less widely known than Paxson’s Avalon work but shares the same interest in bringing mythological source material to life through grounded, character-focused narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal series?

There are three books in the The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal series, published between 1993 and 1995.

What is the first book in the The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal series?

The first book in the The Chronicle of Fionn mac Cumhal series is Master of Earth and Water, published in 1993.

Who is Fionn mac Cumhal?

Fionn mac Cumhal (also spelled Finn McCool) is a legendary Irish warrior-hero, leader of the Fianna, a band of warrior-hunters. His story is one of the central cycles of Irish mythology, comparable in scope to the Arthurian legends in the British tradition.

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