Reader FAQ
Short answers to the questions readers ask most. New here? Start with Barrow King, book one of The Realms.
Which C.M. Carney book should I read first?
Read Barrow King first. It is book one of The Realms and the starting point for most readers. If you would rather begin with cultivation-style progression fantasy, start with Awakened, book one of The Quintessence: Crucible. There is more guidance on the reading order page.
What order should I read The Realms?
Follow the numbered order below, which is the same order shown on the reading order page.
- 1. Barrow King
- 1.5. Dead Must Die (novella) Read after Barrow King.
- 2. The Lost City
- 3. Killing Time
- 4. Scourge of Souls
- 5. The Forsaken God
- 6. Chaos Rising
- 7. Ravaged Land
- 8. Doom Vault
- 9. Source Forge — Coming Soon
Where does Dead Must Die fit?
Dead Must Die is a novella of The Realms at reading-order position 1.5. Read it after Barrow King. It sits between Barrow King and The Lost City, and is separate from the numbered main-series novels.
Is The Realms complete?
No. The Realms is an ongoing series. Current status: 8 published novels · 1 novella · Book 9 coming soon. See the series page for every title.
Is Source Forge available?
No. Source Forge, Book 9 of The Realms, is not available yet. It is not published and it is not currently available through Kindle Unlimited.
When will Source Forge be released?
No release date has been announced. Subscribe for the official release announcement.
Is The Quintessence complete?
No. The Quintessence: Crucible has two published novels, Awakened and Blighted. A third book, Regenesis, is planned and has not been published. Current status: 2 published novels · Book 3 planned · Currently on hiatus.
Is The Quintessence currently on hiatus?
Yes. The series is on hiatus. More books are planned for a later date, and no return date has been announced. No release date has been announced. Subscribe for the official release announcement.
Where can I find the official reading order?
The official reading order is on the reading order page. It lists every book by position, including where the Dead Must Die novella belongs.
How can I receive release announcements?
Join the readers list. New releases go out to subscribers first. Announcements are also posted to the news page.
Can I buy C.M. Carney audiobooks directly?
Where a direct edition exists, yes. Direct purchases are handled in the C.M. Carney shop, and any book with a direct audiobook shows a "Buy Direct From the Author" button on its page under the Audiobook tab. Books without that button are not currently sold direct.
Where can I find audiobook samples?
Samples play on the book's own page, under the Audiobook tab. These books currently have a sample: Barrow King, Dead Must Die, The Lost City, Killing Time, Scourge of Souls, The Forsaken God, Chaos Rising, Ravaged Land, Doom Vault.