Dragon Age has grown into one of the most iconic franchises in the fantasy genre, helping to define the RPG genre. The Bioware IP has sold millions of copies, with the story being one of the most beloved parts of the franchise.
If you’re new to Dragon Age and want to dive into the story, where’s the best place to start? For many fans, jumping into the books can help give a background and understanding of the setting without spoiling much of the main game. Here are our favorite novels based in the Dragon Age universe.
Dragon Age: Asunder
Magic, Intrigue, and Murder
If you’re looking for a dive into intrigue and magic, Asunder is the best novel to start with. This novel focuses on the mage Rhys in his journey to free himself of suspicion of murder.
For fans who love reading about themagic in a universe, Asunder is one of the best Dragon Age novels you can find. This story focuses on a mage named Rhys who’s working to investigate a murder and discover who’s responsible.
The greatest threat Rhys is facing is that, according to everyone else, Rhys is guilty of the crime under investigation. The mage is on a magic-filled race against the clock to prove their innocence and solve the crime.
Dragon Age: Last Flight
Featuring flying beasts, blood magic, and questions of lineage
Released in 2014, Last Flight focuses on a young elf named Valya and her predecessor, Isseya. For fans of flying beasts, demon-slaying, and blood magic, Last Flight is one of the best books you can find.
Last Flight is an excellent entry to the franchise by some metrics, but by others, you might want to hold off on this book. The world can feel overwhelming in this one, introducing different magic systems and more.
Through that introduction, you’ll follow Valya and Isseya in a quest that highlights the Grey Wardens and fleshes out Thedas deeper than other entries. If you’re a fan of gothic blood magic, this is an excellent choice.
Dragon Age: The Masked Empire
For all fans of political maneuvering
Game of Thrones fans will adore this book due to its focus on political intrigue and moves for the throne. This novel follows Empress Celene through her tricks and schemes to maintain her throne and keep her empire in one piece.
If you’re afan of political intrigueand the mechanisms of Court, then The Masked Empire will likely become your favorite book overnight. This story is a favorite among fans that like stories like Game of Thrones.
Heavily featuring Empress Celene, the story focuses on her attempts to maintain her throne. Using political tricks, schemes, and deception, she works to keep her empire together in a story that’s as much a political thriller as it is fantasy.
Dragon Age: Hard in Hightown
Noir-style crime drama, murder, and fantasy
For fans of a noir, crime-filled story, Hard in Hightown is a perfect starting point. Hard in Hightown features a noir drama storyline as Donnen Brennokovic investigates a grisly murder, with all the fantasy you love from Dragon Age.
Political intrigue and blood magic are both great, but what if you prefer your fantasy to stick closer to reality? Hard in Hightown is a great midpoint for fans who don’t want their fantasy novels to be purely focused on fantasy elements.
The story features Donnen Brennokovic, an investigator in a grisly murder. We’ll avoid saying too much, so you don’t have the mystery ruined, but this is a standalone story! It’s agreat entry pointsince you won’t need any previous knowledge.
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights
Perfect for newcomers to the franchise
Looking to start with your Dragon Age reading list but don’t want to commit to an entire novel? The Tevinter Nights collection brings together an anthology of short stories for you to dive into without having to dedicate too much team to each story.
Not everyone wants to sit down with a full-sized novel and spend time reading through it. For some people, it’s better to knock a story out quickly and move onto the next. If this is your mindset, then Tevinter Nights is the perfect choice.
Tevinter Nights takes the form of an anthology of short stories. These are ideal if you’re new to the franchise and aren’t sure where to start, as they’ll jump you right into the heat of the world!
Dragon Age: The Calling
The return of the Grey Wardens
Taking place before the events of Origins, Dragon Age: The Calling focuses on the Grey Wardens. Through this novel, you’ll experience King Maric’s struggle to keep order while weighing the consequences of defeating a corrupted ally.
For fans of the Grey Wardens or fans of Origins, Dragon Age: The Calling is an excellent place to start. This story will focus on the Grey Wardens and takes place before Origins, helping to set up the story you’ll find there. As with several others, this is a story full of intrigue, twists, and plenty of other things we don’t want to spoil for you - so we’ll keep this short!
FAQ
Are The Dragon Age Novels Important To The Plot?
Yes and no! The novels will contain much of the lore. You don’t need to read them to understand the games.
Can I Play The Games Without Reading The Books?
Yes! Some of the novels intersect with or expand on the game lore. Others are standalone stories set in the same universe.
Where Can I Find Dragon Age Novels?
Always check your local bookstore first! Our favored vendors are Amazon and Walmart for their ease of availability and low prices.
