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Welcome, New Reader

Not Sure Where
to Begin?

Six series. 25 books. One question everyone asks: "Which one first?" This page exists to answer that. Whether you want epic magic systems, dark political intrigue, laugh-out-loud fantasy comedy, or something in between — there is a right starting point for you.

Scroll to explore all six series

Which One Are You?

The right starting point depends on who you are as a reader. Pick your path — both lead to something worth your time.

Path A — The Ambitious Epic

I've read Sanderson, Abercrombie, or Rothfuss. I want something that meets me there.

You want genuine scope. A magic system with real rules. Combat with real consequences. Villains who believe completely in what they're doing — which makes them terrifying. And a protagonist who earns every inch of ground.

If you loved The Way of Kings, The Blade Itself, or The Name of the Wind — this is for you.
The Blade of Hylon Series
Starting with Sword of Sacrifice — Book 1 of 4 — $2.99
Path B — The Accessible Entry

I'm newer to epic fantasy, or I want something that pulls me in immediately.

You want a magic system with clear rules, characters you can root for from page one, and a complete world that doesn't require homework. This is the series that converts skeptics.

The Runic Series
Starting with Runic Awakening — Book 1 of 6 — $2.99

What Kind of Fantasy Are You After?

Every series is worth reading. But your first one should match the kind of story that keeps you up past midnight. Pick the description that sounds most like you.

I want a magic system I can actually understand

You love when magic has rules — costs, limitations, internal logic that holds up. You notice when writers cheat. You want to feel like you could solve the puzzle yourself if you had all the pieces.

⚔️

I want ambitious epic fantasy — the kind Sanderson or Abercrombie readers finish and immediately want more of

You want genuine scope. Real consequences in combat. A world-building payoff that rewards patience. Characters who are morally complex, not morally convenient. If Joe Abercrombie is your benchmark for grit and Brandon Sanderson is your benchmark for craft, this is the series built for you.

I want high stakes and moral ambiguity

You prefer fantasy that doesn't pull its punches. Dark choices, complex factions, characters who might be wrong about everything they believe. You're not here for tidy resolutions.

🎨

I want magic tied to creativity and craft

You're drawn to stories where the magic flows from something personal — art, music, design, creation. Worlds where power is not just fought for but made. Something original in the system.

🧙

I want to laugh and still feel the stakes

You're tired of fantasy that takes itself too seriously, but you've been burned by comedy that abandons the plot. You want both: actual wit, actual story, and characters who earn your investment.

🎭

I want mystery layered into the world-building

You like not knowing who to trust. Hidden histories, unreliable narrators, secrets embedded in the setting itself. Fantasy as investigation — every chapter revealing more questions than answers.

Start with: The Masks of Eternity Series

All Six Series at a Glance

The Runic Series

The Runic Series

A world where ancient runes encode the power to build - or destroy - the world. Tight logic, high stakes, character-driven pacing.

PG-13 Explore → 6 books
Buy Book 1 — $2.99
The Blade of Hylon Series

The Blade of Hylon Series

An epic fantasy coming-of-age story where the kingdoms of Man have enslaved the gods, using their divine flesh to create weapons and armor of extraordinary power. One god must break free to save the others!

★ Start Here PG-13 Explore → 3 books
Buy Book 1 — $2.99
The Fate of Legends Series

The Fate of Legends Series

Dark political fantasy where the lines between hero and villain are not just blurred — they're actively contested. Rated R for content and moral complexity.

Dark Fantasy Rated R Explore → 3 books
Buy Book 1 — $2.99
The Magic of Havenwood Series

The Magic of Havenwood Series

A magic school story unlike the ones you've read. Power here flows through art, design, and creative mastery — and the secrets embedded in the curriculum run deeper than any student suspects.

Artistic Magic PG-13 Explore → 4 books
Buy Book 1 — $2.99
The Magic of Magic Series

The Magic of Magic Series

Fantasy that earns its laughs without sacrificing its stakes. A protagonist whose relationship with magic is genuinely absurd — and genuinely dangerous. Rated R for language and adult comedy.

Fantasy Comedy Rated R Explore → 3 books
Buy Book 1 — $2.99
The Masks of Eternity Series

The Masks of Eternity Series

Mystery embedded in world-building. A world where identity is power, the past is contested, and the protagonist is not certain what — or who — they are trying to uncover.

Mystery Fantasy PG-13 Explore → 2 books
Buy Now — $2.99

Do the Series Connect?

Each series takes place in its own unique universe — meaning each world has consistent history, geography, and lore. You do not need to read them in any particular sequence.

Start wherever the story calls to you. Every series is designed to be a complete entry point. No prior reading is assumed, no critical context will be missing. If you want to read them in publication order, start with the Runic Series — but if you want to start with Clayton's most ambitious work, start with the Blade of Hylon series.

What Readers Who Started Here Say

★★★★★

"I picked up Runic Awakening not expecting much. Three series later, I haven't stopped. Clayton writes the kind of fantasy where you care about the people, not just the magic."

— Goodreads Review Runic Series
★★★★★

"What sets Clayton apart is that everything feels earned. The magic has rules. The fights have consequences. The world keeps going even when the characters aren't in it. That's rare."

— Verified Amazon Review Blade of Hylon
★★★★★

"I've been following this author since the first Runic book. Every series he starts, I finish. That's the highest compliment I know how to give."

— Goodreads Review Full Catalog