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Eternal Path Trilogy Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Antonia Hodgson
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Quick Answer

Start Eternal Path Trilogy by Antonia Hodgson with "The Raven Scholar", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Eternal Path Trilogy series by Antonia Hodgson. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Raven Scholar"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The recommended approach for the wider multiverse series (in which the trilogy is presumably situated) is to start with the core stories, referred to as 'the big four.' Complex, wider-multiverse books like 'Moonbeam Roads' and the 'End of Time books' should be read later, though there is debate on exactly when the latter should be introduced."

Key Reddit Advice

Recommended starting points include 'the first Elric book' or the 'Eternal Champion.' Prioritize reading 'the big four' first, delaying books like 'Moonbeam Roads,' which draws heavily from the wider multiverse.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Eternal Path Trilogy conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Eternal Path Trilogy. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "The Raven Scholar" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Eternal Path Trilogy" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "The Raven Scholar"Explore all by Antonia Hodgson

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order1 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

The Raven Scholar

Pub: 2025★ 4.45

"A labyrinth of a book--vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps--with a deeply human heart at its center. It's thrilling, romantic, often tragic, and always funny; I'm obsessed." --Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of Starling House The Raven Scholar is a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy--in a stunning edition featuring French flaps and silver foiled cover effects! Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, the reign of Bersun the Brusque has come to an end. In the dizzying heat of midsummer, seven exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists compete to replace him. When one of them is murdered, it falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor's brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer and fight for the throne. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in. If she succeeds, we will win an empire. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won't let that happen. We are the Raven, and we are magnificent. ★ "Sharply written and intricately plotted. A masterclass in storytelling!" --Ann Leckie, Hugo Award-winning author of Ancillary Justice ★ "Fiendishly charming and clever, this is a book you absolutely must devour." --Tasha Suri, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne ★ "The Raven Scholar is as clever as its namesake--each beloved character, each twist and each turn, is a shiny new gift. It is magnificent." --C. L. Clark, author of The Unbroken ★ "Epic fantasy at its finest--fiendish political intrigue, the ultimate trial for the throne and a shocking crime at the center. Simply glorious!" --Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust ★ "Engrossing and unputdownable...my favorite read of the year. A conflagration of court intrigue, religious folktale, and characters with deliciously murky motivations, The Raven Scholar is a pure delight." --Bethany Jacobs, Philip K. Dick Award-winning author of These Burning Stars

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Eternal Path Trilogy series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Eternal Path Trilogy?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Raven Scholar" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Antonia Hodgson intended.

Can I read Eternal Path Trilogy books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Eternal Path Trilogy universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.