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Shadows of the Apt · Adrian Tchaikovsky
Shadows of the Apt books in order
There are 10 books in Shadows of the Apt. The latest, Seal of the Worm, came out in 2014, and Adrian Tchaikovsky hasn't announced another one yet.
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Release information last checked 26 October 2026.
Shadows of the Apt books in order
2008Book 1Empire in Black and Gold
2009Book 2Dragonfly Falling
2009Book 3Blood of the Mantis
2010Book 4Salute the Dark
2010Book 5The Scarab Path
2011Book 6The Sea Watch
2011Book 7Heirs of the Blade
2012Book 8The Air War
2013Book 9War Master's Gate
2014Book 10Seal of the Worm
Companion stories
2016CompanionSpoils of War
2017CompanionA Time for Grief
2018CompanionFor Love of Distant Shores
2018CompanionThe Scent of Tears
What Shadows of the Apt is about
From the description of Empire in Black and Gold, the first book.
The Lowlands’ city states have lived in peace for decades, hailed as bastions of civilization. Yet that peace is about to end. A distant empire has been conquering neighbours with highly trained soldiers and sophisticated combat techniques. And the city states are its desirable new prize. Only the ageing Stenwold Maker – spymaster, artificer and statesman – foresees the threat, as the empires’ armies march ever closer. So it falls upon his shoulders to open the eyes of the cities’ leaders. He sees that war will sweep through their lands, destroying everything in its path. But to warn his people, he must stay alive.
Shadows of the Apt at a glance
- Author
- Adrian Tchaikovsky
- Books published
- 10
- Companion stories
- 4
- Still to come
- None announced yet
- First book published
- 2008
Questions readers ask
Is there going to be another Shadows of the Apt book?
Adrian Tchaikovsky hasn't announced one yet. If a new Shadows of the Apt book is announced, AuthorPing will let you know.
How many books are in Shadows of the Apt?
10 books have been published in Shadows of the Apt so far, plus 4 companion stories.
What order should I read Shadows of the Apt in?
Read the main books in order: 1. Empire in Black and Gold, 2. Dragonfly Falling, 3. Blood of the Mantis, 4. Salute the Dark, 5. The Scarab Path, 6. The Sea Watch, 7. Heirs of the Blade, 8. The Air War, 9. War Master's Gate, 10. Seal of the Worm. The 4 companions can be read alongside them.
Is Shadows of the Apt finished?
Adrian Tchaikovsky hasn't announced another Shadows of the Apt book, so it may be finished. Series do come back, though, and AuthorPing will let you know if a new one is announced.
How will I know when the next Shadows of the Apt book is announced?
Follow Shadows of the Apt 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.
More from Adrian Tchaikovsky
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Coming very soon to iPhone and Android.