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Path to Ascendancy

Path to Ascendancy · Ian C. Esslemont

When is the next Path to Ascendancy book coming out?

Ian C. Esslemont has announced another Path to Ascendancy book but no release date yet.

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Release information last checked 13 November 2026.

Path to Ascendancy books in order

  1. Dancer's Lament
    Book 1
    Dancer's Lament
    2016
  2. Deadhouse Landing
    Book 2
    Deadhouse Landing
    2017
  3. Forge of the High Mage
    Book 4
    Forge of the High Mage
    2020
  4. Book 5
    Book 5 (title not announced yet)
    Coming

What Path to Ascendancy is about

From the description of Dancer's Lament, the first book.

For ages warfare has crippled the continent as minor city states, baronies, and principates fought in an endless round of hostilities. Only the alliance of the rival Tali and Quon cities could field the resources to mount a hegemony from coast to coast-- and thus become known as Quon Taili. It is a generation since the collapse of this dynasty and regional powers are once more rousing themselves. Into this arena of renewed border wars come two youths to the powerful central city state that is LiHeng. One is named Dorin, and he comes determined to prove himself the most skilled assassin of his age; he is chasing the other youth-- a Dal Hon mage who has proven himself annoyingly difficult to kill. Li Heng has been guided and warded for centuries by the powerful sorceress known as the Protectress and she allows no rivals. She and her cabal of five mage servants were enough to repel the Quon Tali Iron Legions-- what could two youths hope to accomplish under their stifling rule? Yet under the new and ambitious King Chulalorn the Third, Itko Kan is on the march from the south. He sends his own assassin servants, the Nightblades, against the city, and there are hints that he also commands inhuman forces out of legend. While above all, shadows swirl oddly about Li Heng, and monstrous slathering beasts seem to appear from nowhere to run howling through the street. It is a time of chaos and upheaval, and in chaos, as the young Dal Hon mage would say, there is opportunity.

Path to Ascendancy at a glance

Author
Ian C. Esslemont
Books published
3
Still to come
1
First book published
2016

Questions readers ask

When is the next Path to Ascendancy book coming out?

Ian C. Esslemont has announced another Path to Ascendancy book but no release date yet.

How many books are in Path to Ascendancy?

3 books have been published in Path to Ascendancy so far, and one more is on the way.

What order should I read Path to Ascendancy in?

Read the main books in order: 1. Dancer's Lament, 2. Deadhouse Landing, 3. Forge of the High Mage, 4. Book 5 (title not announced yet).

Is Path to Ascendancy finished?

No. Another Path to Ascendancy book has been announced, but it doesn't have a release date yet.

How will I know when the next Path to Ascendancy book is announced?

Follow Path to Ascendancy in AuthorPing, a free app for iPhone and Android. AuthorPing notifies you when a series or author you love has a new book coming out and shows a countdown to every release.

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