Jon Cronshaw – The King of Nobledark
Author of epic fantasy with heart, grit, and moral weight. Where hope bleeds, but never dies.
Finished Three of Swords, made progress on Guild of Assassins Book 4, and started the second Dungeon Crawler Carl. A busy and productive week of writing and reading.
This week, I wrapped up Three of Swords (The Ravenglass Chronicles, Part 24)and moved straight onto writing a few chapters of Guild of Assassins Book 4.
It’s been great shifting gears between projects while keeping the momentum going.
On the reading front, I’ve jumped into the second Dungeon Crawler Carl book, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride so far. Safe to say, the series has me hooked.
A productive week all round—on the page and off it.
This week, I wrote a new Soren short story for Patreon, set in the Guild of Assassins universe, and talk about managing SAD and winding down for the Christmas break.
This week, I wrote a new Soren short story set in the Guild of Assassins universe, exclusively for Patreon supporters.
It’s always great to return to Soren’s world and explore new corners of the guild.
I also talk about struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and how I’m starting to wind down for the Christmas break to rest and reset before the new year.
Not sure whether to start with Dawn of Assassins or Guild of Assassins? This reading guide breaks down the differences between the two series—from tone and themes to timeline and characters—so you can choose the perfect entry point.
Which Series Should You Read First—Dawn of Assassins or Guild of Assassins?
If you’re looking to dive into the assassin-filled corners of the Ravenglass Universe, you might be wondering where to begin: Dawn of Assassins or Guild of Assassins?
The answer is simple—you can start with either.
Both series stand alone and can be read in any order.
It really comes down to what kind of story you want to read first.
Let’s break it down.
If you prefer to read books in the order they were published, start with Dawn of Assassins.
This was the first series released and introduces you to the world through the eyes of Fedor and Lev—street-smart thieves who find themselves dragged into a world of blades and blood by the brutal assassin Soren.
If you’d rather follow the story in chronological order, begin with Guild of Assassins.
This series explores Soren’s tragic backstory—how a sculptor’s apprentice seeking justice for his father’s murder slowly loses himself in the shadows of the Guild.
This is the heart of the choice.
Each series has its own distinct flavour:
Whichever path you take, both series lead you deep into the shadows of the Ravenglass Universe—and neither promises an easy way out.
👉 Get Guild Assassin free at joncronshaw.com/guildassassin.
Explore the Ravenglass Universe by Jon Cronshaw—an epic fantasy world of royal intrigue, rebellion, and wyvern magic. Discover the reading order, series connections, and where to start in this complete guide for new and returning readers.
The Ravenglass Universe is an epic, interconnected fantasy world created by British author Jon Cronshaw.
Rich in history, political intrigue, personal drama, and wyvern magic, the universe spans over a thousand years of in-world history and multiple series.
While each series can be read on its own, they all connect through recurring characters, families, relics, and one mysterious wyvern: Witz.
Whether you’re drawn to royal succession drama, grimdark warfare, coming-of-age fantasy, or brutal assassin tales, there’s no wrong place to begin—just start with book one of whichever series catches your eye.
Here’s a breakdown of the four major eras and how the stories fit together.
Themes: Dynastic power struggles, royal succession, the early role of wyverns in politics
📘 The Ravenglass Throne
Begin with Book 1: Shattered Kingdom
A sweeping royal fantasy told in serial format, The Ravenglass Throne follows three sisters—Irmin, Adelinde, and Elana—each trained in a different discipline: war, knowledge, and diplomacy. After the king’s sudden assassination without naming an heir, the sisters must navigate court politics, hidden conspiracies, and the secrets surrounding the powerful material known as ravenglass.
🐉 Wyvern Rider (Patreon exclusive)
A coming-of-age story about a girl who forms a close bond with a rescued wyvern. Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to learn more.
Themes: Imperial conquest, resistance, legacy, the cost of civilisation
📗 Ravenglass Legends
Begin with Book 1: The Fall of Wolfsbane
Set during the rise of the Ostreich Empire, this series charts the bloody conquest and political transformation of Wiete. The story centres on Ragnar and Maja Wolfsbane—siblings caught on opposite sides of history. Ragnar is taken in by the empire and raised to lead, while Maja must survive on the outside and spark a rebellion.
⚔️ Prequel novellas (Patreon exclusives):
High Empire Era (Years 500–700)
Themes: Prophecy, identity, rebellion, and divine power
📕 The Ravenglass Chronicles
Begin with Book 1: The Magician
Prequel: The Fool (free via joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary)
Set at the height of the Ostreich Empire, The Ravenglass Chronicles follows Princess Kathryn Ostehild (Kat), a young woman whose life is shattered when she’s chosen by the gods to fulfil a prophecy that will shake the Empire to its core. With the weight of divine power on her shoulders and the machinations of the court closing in, Kat must forge her own path—one that defies expectation, tradition, and fate itself.
This 22-part fantasy saga is structured around the Major Arcana of the Tarot, with each instalment reflecting a new stage in Kat’s journey—from The Magician through The Tower and finally The World. As the Empire teeters between stagnation and upheaval, Kat’s rise from sheltered princess to revolutionary icon reveals the cost of power—and what it means to claim your destiny.
Collected in a single omnibus edition and available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook, The Ravenglass Chronicles delivers a sweeping tale of transformation, sacrifice, and the fight to reclaim your voice in a world that demands silence.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Epic fantasy at its best.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Kat’s journey is raw, real, and utterly gripping.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A unique, beautifully structured fantasy saga.”
Perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Kristin Cashore, and Tarot-inspired fantasy, The Ravenglass Chronicles blends political intrigue, symbolic depth, and emotional stakes into one unforgettable saga.
✨ Additional stories (Patreon exclusives):
Themes: Collapse, legacy, revenge, and shadow warfare
🗡 Guild of Assassins
Begin with Book 1: Guild of Assassins
The Empire has fractured. As old colonies fight for independence and imperial cities turn inward, the Assassins’ Guild rises. This dark fantasy series follows Soren, a sculptor’s apprentice whose quest for vengeance leads him into the heart of the most feared organisation in the world.
Soren’s Guild years are explored in a growing number of Patreon-exclusive short stories.
🦴 Dawn of Assassins
Begin with Book 1: Dawn of Assassins
Set in the same era, this companion series explores Soren’s legacy from another angle. A gang of young thieves is drawn into the world of contract killing, political sabotage, and moral compromise.
🔪 Prequel novellas:
A hidden thread binding the Ravenglass Universe
Across centuries, a single character weaves in and out of history: Witz, the black wyvern. At times advisor, at others manipulator or even deceiver. His motivations remain unclear—but his influence is undeniable.
All series titled Ravenglass (Throne, Legends, Chronicles) feature Witz in key roles. His story emerges slowly, and readers can piece together his true nature by reading across the full universe.
You can start with any series—just begin with Book 1 in that series. Here’s a simple breakdown depending on your reading preferences:
And if you’re a completionist or looking for bonus content, join the Patreon for exclusive novellas and short stories that expand the lore and deepen character arcs.
📚 Download your free starter library at joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary.
🎧 Listen to Jon’s writing updates and lore on his weekly author diary podcast.
🔥 Support and unlock exclusive stories at Patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.
The Ravenglass Universe is yours to discover—one era, one legend, one blade at a time.
