Recs if you like Magic's Promise...

JK Rowling is a bigot who uses her platform to hurt transfolks and other marginalized groups (plus she literally just quoted Mein Kampf on the bird site). If you're still supporting her in 2025, don't bother talking to me.

Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books were hugely impactful to me as a teenager, and as such I have very specific ideas about the best order in which to read the first 26 books because of the way that they work together to tell a single cohesive story. 😅 If this is your first introduction to the country of Valdemar and the world of Velgarth, start at the top of the list and work your way down to the bottom. I have an explanation in the pinned comment, and feel free to ask any questions here!

books featured on the podcast Shelved By Genre

"I want to know about elfs. I want to know about dwarves. I want to know about: wizards. I want to know about: goblins. I want to know about: cyberpunks. I want to know about: rampant AI. I want to know about: Master Chief. I want to know about: gay wizards. Okay? Like that’s what I want to know about." - Cameron Kunzelman

A publication order list of Lackey’s Valdemar books because most of the lists I found online were in-world chronological order. Note that this list does not include anthologies and yet-to-be-published novels.

Earliest books are at the bottom of the list, and the most recent are at the top!