Actually, figuring out the reading order for 'The Last King' series can be a bit of a puzzle because there are multiple entry points depending on which books you count. I've seen the main series listed as 'The Last King', 'The Last Queen', and 'The Last Prince' in that order.
But then, there's a whole prequel duology about the founder that a lot of fans recommend reading after the first book. It sets up the mythology, but you'd get major spoilers for the main trilogy's big reveals if you started there.
Some online lists also include a standalone called 'The Last King's Shadow' that slots in between books one and two chronologically. It's not strictly necessary for the main plot, but it adds fantastic depth to a side character. I’d say the safest bet is publication order, which seems to be the original trilogy first, then the prequels, then the interstitial novellas.
Trying to do it purely chronologically kind of ruins the narrative tension the author built.
Honestly, I'd recommend just the trilogy for a satisfying story. The later prequels and spin-offs feel like supplemental material for superfans. The reading order is clearly numbered on the covers of the main three. Everything else is optional deep lore that can be read in any order afterward if you really crave more of that world. Don't get bogged down in complicated charts.
This always sparks debate in the fan groups. My two cents: if you're the type of reader who loves unraveling a mystery alongside the protagonist, stick to publication order. The big twist in book two about the king's ancestry hits so much harder when you haven't already read the prequel's detailed account. The prequels are written with the assumption you know how the main trilogy ends; they're filled with little ironic nods and foreshadowing that only work if you have that prior knowledge. Reading them first turns clever dramatic irony into boring exposition. I made that mistake and regret it—the prequels felt flat because I didn't have the emotional context from the original three books.
Just read them in the order they were published, seriously. I tried jumping around based on a timeline I found on a wiki, and it was a mess. The emotional payoff in 'The Last Queen' relies on you not knowing the specific history detailed in the prequel 'The Last King's Legacy'. Starting with that prequel robbed the main trilogy of its mystery for me. The publication order is: 'The Last King', 'The Last Queen', 'The Last Prince'. Then you can go back for the prequels 'The Last King's Legacy' and 'The Last King's Oath' if you want more worldbuilding. Anything else is overcomplicating a perfectly good series.
I think the reading order is pretty straightforward: start with 'The Last King', then 'The Last Queen', then 'The Last Prince'. That's the core trilogy. After that, you can explore the two prequel novels if you're still invested. They're good, but not essential to the main story's conclusion. Some people argue about where to place the novella 'The Last King's Shadow', but it's a side story best enjoyed after you're already familiar with the characters from the first book.
2026-06-28 15:11:22
10
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
Rise of a Queen - Book 2
Jwgstout
9.8
50.9K
Book 2
Two years after the death of her mate, Lamia has returned to MacTire and built herself an empire. A war is coming, one that threatens all the kingdoms. she needs to work with all kingdoms to defeat the evil that threatens to change the way of life for shifters and mankind alike.
When she crosses paths with the ruthless and cold King of the bears, who is holding her beloved father prisoner, she finds herself challenging him for her father’s life.
There’s just one problem. Lamia isn’t a fan of bear shifters and he’s her second chance mate. With no other choice she makes a deal with the ruthless king, she is dead set on rejecting, but first she has to survive the storm that’s coming.
Mathias Artos, the unforgiving and cold blooded King of the bears and ruler of Lonely City, a place where the scourge of the realm come to find respite, fortune and misguided happiness, was never destined to find another mate.
He wasn’t interested in taking a chosen queen; he preferred his harem of women.
Until, the Moon Goddess sent him a she-wolf he didn’t want her nor need. Or so he thought.
When an old ally of the bear-shifters helps them discover who they really are, can they work together to take on the powerful man who is behind the army that is sweeping the realm and wiping out whole packs?
When past and present collide Lamia and Mathias are forced to work together to unite all shifters in a bid to defeat the evil that is coming for them.
Can Lamia and Mathias survive each other and work together to bring down a common enemy, or will their pride get in the way becoming their downfall.
***This is the third book in the series***
I lost the girl, the love of my life.
I lost my family.
Now I’m lost.
I thought after the war for Riocht, life would get back to normal.
I was so very, very wrong.
Kellen, now King of the werewolves, thought after Lamia and Mathias claimed the throne and became the King and Queen of shifters, life would go on as normal. That he would rule his kingdom and search for his own mate and live happily ever after.
There was still so much to do. He still hadn’t completely taken control of his position as King, leaving his father’s Beta and Delta in charge. Kingdoms and packs still needed to be repaired; he still needed to be officially crowned.
And he still needed to grieve the death of his parents.
Kellen wakes up to find himself on a boat, going to Goddess knows where and the last thing he remembers is saying goodbye to Lamia and heading home with Mike.
When he finds himself in a strange land, sold to a bloody thirsty Alpha and his deranged Luna, for their packs entertainment, his title, means nothing. A man who cares only for three things; the games, the money, and blood; the more shed the better.
While Lamia and Mike search for him on the wrong continent Kellen is thrust into the Gladiator games. Kellen fights for his survival and the lives of many, including one beautiful girl who has captured his heart and has been promised to another as their chosen mate.
Can Kellen survive the Gladiator games when the odds are stacked against him, save the people and claim the mate the moon goddess promised him?
**This is book 3 in The Delta's Daughter series**
If you don't find your mate by the age of 17, you will be forced into slavery. Your fate is decided by The Alpha King. My name is Brinley James, I'm 17 and due to rejection: I am mate-less, or I should say... Slave No. 508.
-----
THIS IS THE ALPHA KINGS SLAVE rewrite
BOOK TWO, THE ALPHA KING'S CURSED MATE
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THE REWRITE UPDATE DATES WILL BE POSTED SOON
UPDATES WILL BE ON MONDAYS FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS
WARNING
MAY BE SPELLING ERRORS BUT REST ASSURE I WILL FIX THEM.
The story that began in Vampire Witch and continued in Vampire Queen, of Casey Merker's love for two vampire brothers, finally comes to a close. More trials await Casey as she battles the New World Order to regain peace in her kingdom, gains more knowledge and abilities in the magic department, eliminates some enemies and makes friends with others and finally marries the vampire of her dreams while looking forward to living in a world of peace and harmony. KINGS & QUEENS IS THE FINAL BOOK OF THE VAMPIRE QUEENS TRILOGY
Rise of the Bloodstone King
This is the fifth and final book of the Bloodstone series. It can be read as a standalone but will have cross-over characters from the other books.
***
What happens when your dreams are taken from you unexpectedly, and you are thrown into a life you never anticipated?
Told to now claim a crown only offered to you because of a life that ended to save it.
Damon Bloodstone is the one person who can understand that loss more than anyone.
From being the Captain of the Royal Guards to now only months away from becoming King. Damon must embark on one final journey before accepting his new fate—a new weight for him to carry.
Find a mate and bring home a Queen to stand by his side.
With a world filled with more friends than foes. One realm has an enemy he never saw coming.
Alaric Thorn was just a blacksmith in the 12th century—a husband, a father, a simple man.
Until the day everything was taken from him.
His wife murdered.
His daughters stolen.
And he himself slaughtered, powerless to protect the people he loved.
But death did not end his story.
Dragged into a supernatural realm after dying, Alaric made a desperate bargain:
power in exchange for completing a mission in the future.
A mission he did not understand.
He returned to Earth centuries later—only to realize his revenge no longer existed.
Four hundred years had passed.
His family long gone.
Their killer long dead.
And Alaric… could no longer die.
Cursed with immortality, he wandered through ages and empires, trying every possible way to end his life—failing each time. All he wanted was to go back in time and fix what he had lost.
But when he finally stepped into a time machine, fate betrayed him again.
Instead of the past…
Alaric was thrown into another realm entirely—a brutal world crawling with monsters, ancient races, and system-like powers. Here, strength must be earned through blood, each battle pushing him closer to awakening his true potential.
In this realm, he is no longer just a wanderer.
He is a rising lord.
A conqueror.
A man destined to build an empire strong enough to challenge a king—
a king who bears the same name as the monster who destroyed his life on Earth.
As Alaric fights beasts, defeats tyrants, and gathers allies and armies, he discovers the truth behind the mission he accepted centuries ago:
To reclaim his fate…
To break his immortal curse…
To rewrite the destiny stolen from him…
He must rise as the Immortal King.
The true master of the Dark Realm he was fated to rule.
The Last King series totally sucked me in from the first page! From what I've gathered digging through fan forums and author interviews, there are currently five books in the main series. The first one, 'The Last King', sets up this gritty fantasy world with political intrigue that reminded me of 'Game of Thrones' but with its own unique flavor. Then it just keeps expanding with 'The Exiled Queen', 'The Shadow Throne', 'The Burning Land', and 'The Eternal Empire'. Each book adds layers to the mythology while keeping that breakneck pacing.
What's cool is that some fans argue there are technically seven books if you count the two prequel novellas, but most bookstores shelve them separately. I binge-read the whole series last winter, and that fifth main installment left me emotionally wrecked in the best way possible. The way the author wraps up character arcs feels earned after all that buildup.
The Last King series is one of those epic fantasy sagas that just sticks with you. The first book, 'The Burning White', sets the stage with its rich world-building and complex characters. Then comes 'The Black Prism', which dives deeper into the magic system and political intrigue. 'The Blinding Knife' ramps up the tension, and 'The Broken Eye' takes things in a darker direction. The final installment, 'The Blood Mirror', ties everything together in a way that's both satisfying and heartbreaking.
What I love about this series is how Brent Weeks manages to keep the stakes high throughout. Each book builds on the last, and the character arcs are so well-developed. If you're into fantasy with deep lore and moral complexity, this is a must-read.