The Aura Numbering System
...how to keep track of the "Barbarians of the Storm" reading order
The question I get the most from people after they’ve read Dan the Destructor is “What’s the reading order of all the books?” My simple answer has always been that the books are meant to be read in the order of release. However, to make that easier to follow, I’ve come up with a chart and a new numbering system for all releases, not just the “saga” books.
The books that have been previously numbered with “Book I”, “Book II”, etc. are the saga books. They are the main plot thread. However, between them have been other releases. So far, there is an anthology and a side quest book with a second anthology currently being written. So, it is understandable that this has caused confusion. It’s also made some want to skip the unnumbered books deeming them not as important.
To get the full experience, you need them all. There are many things in the non-saga books that greatly enrich the overall story, especially in regards to history, general lore, and the development of key characters.
While Eyes in All Shadows is technically an anthology of prequel tales, it should be read between Book II and Book III. Why? Well, it has a lot of new things in it that you will want to know before going into Book III.
But why not read it first, since it is first chronologically?
The reason why I wouldn’t do that is because some of the big reveals in the book will spoil some details in Book I and Book II. As I write, I reveal things as I mean to. This is why the best order to read them in is the order of release. Especially, if you want the full experience and don’t want spoilers.
I don’t write and publish a book unless it adds something vital to the series. So, if you really enjoy the series, don’t skip over these books just to follow the main saga. Plus, these books aren’t that long and as most of the reviews state, a lot happens in them and they pack quite the punch. Why miss out? Also, they’re cheaper than going to a modern mediocre blockbuster movie and provide you with more hours of actual fun. They’re really the best bang for your buck.
Anyway, this new numbering system I am referring to as the Aura system, because I needed to name it something to differentiate it from the saga numbering. Also, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I borrowed the concept from Nine Inch Nails, who themselves, borrowed it from Depeche Mode. But like NIN, who has a half dozen albums, they also have a lot more releases between singles, remix albums, live albums, and other things. So the Aura system is patterned after NIN’s Halo numbers.
So to help, I have created a chart (see below). It’s pretty simple, but I hope it helps people know what to read next. Granted, if you are all caught up and keep buying and reading each new book as they come out, you’ll be fine.
In the future, when I get ready to publish the next book, I will put the Aura numbers on all the books’ covers. I’m not sure where yet, as the space on the spines are limited. Maybe the back, maybe a corner on the front… I’ll figure it out.
