Elves On The Road Books In Order

Publication Order of Diana Tregarde Books

Publication Order of Bedlam's Bard Books

Publication Order of SERRAted Edge Books

Publication Order of Doubled Edge Books

Writing fantasy novels the American novelist Mercedes Lackey is well known for finely crafting intricate and in-depth worlds. These are as much beloved by her as they are by her many readers worldwide; a passion which clearly shines through on each and every page. Creating a number of series and long-running franchises, she has been able to make a name for herself as a writer with a vast imagination. A series that perfectly fits within this particular category is that of her ongoing ‘Elves on the Road’ series of novels. Setting up a franchise essentially with a number of other fantasy authors, she has been able to build an entire universe consisting of a number of series’. These have all been collected under the ‘Elves of the Road’ title, as they effectively combine them all together.

Over time, this franchise has collected for series so far, which includes that of the ‘Diane Tregarde’ books, the ‘Bedlam’s Bard’ books, the ‘Serrated Edge’ novels and the ‘Doubled Edge’ titles. These four series are what make up the overall ‘Elves on the Road’ franchise, many of them being co-authored by various other fantasy writers. Showing a flair for this particular brand of fantasy, she has effectively built an entire universe by herself, one which fans continue to gravitate towards still to this very day.

Burning Water

First brought out in 1989 this was later brought out through the Tor Books publishing label to much acclaim. Not only setting up the ‘Elves on the Road’ collection of books, it would also set-up the ‘Diane Tregarde’ series of novels too. Establishing the entire world, it would also work at introducing the character for the first time too, allowing her to come into her own as the series progressed.

Set in a fantastical world, this takes the themes traditionally found within high-fantasy as a genre, and transforms them into something else. Providing characters that are both believable and heroic in equal measure, this sets them all up, along with the world that they inhabit. Working with ‘Elves’ as its primary concept, it also adheres to what’s understood about them as mythical creature found in literature. The characters themselves are also well drawn here too, as they come alive off of the page, providing an insight into what’s to come. Diane Tregarde herself is obviously the most prominent of the story, as the narrative follows her throughout. Then there’s secondary characters such as Mark Valdez who manages to provide a juxtaposition for Tregarde’s personality as they both play off of each other. The world itself is also well drawn, as an alternative view and perspective of Dallas is brought to life for the reader. Looking at it from another side, it see the world from Tregarde’s view, as it allows the reader to slowly immerse themselves within it. It almost becomes a character in its own right, allowing it to ultimately take on a life all of its very own within the story.

With a number of cattle mutilations occurring, Mark Valdez is a Dallas Police Detective who also happens to be a psychic, as he may know what’s actually going on. The only issue is that he may need some help, as he can’t hope in stopping them alone, as he seeks out the assistance of none other than the witch and romance novelist Diane Tregarde. Given the title of ‘Guardian’ she has been tasked with protecting the world against all manner of evil, this time being a serial killer who may actually be an Aztec god. Will they be able to catch the god? What will happen between Valdez and Tregarde? How will they cope with the burning water?

Children of the Night

Originally published in 1990, this was brought out just one year after the first, as it continued on directly from the previous title. There were some spin-off shorter stories though, many of which also further elaborate on the larger grand narrative overall. Also released through the Tor publishing label later on too, this would further elaborate on the characters initially set-up in the first book.

Similar to the previous book, this takes many of the themes and ideas, and takes them forwards, allowing them to progress as a whole. With concepts of how fantasy should traditionally operate and how it should work on the page, this once again takes things to a whole new level. Giving the characters a sense of immediacy within the narrative, it gives them equal footing, whilst never sacrificing one for the other. Whilst there is a whole variety of new secondary characters, Tregarde is brought back to the foreground for the entire action. With a whole variety of new characters, it’s easy to become invested in them, with the reader having already become in Tregarde by this point. Set in a more rock and roll landscape, this sees a somewhat different tone to before, whilst also remaining true to the original.

The rock band Wanderlust are all set to hit the big-time, as they’re dealing with the high-life and exciting parties. Dave is feeling worse for wears though, as the rock and roll lifestyle has started to take its toll on him, especially since a strange man by the name of Jeffries turned up and seemed to gain a hold over his band mates. This then leads to Diana stepping up as she must face up to Jeffries, as she is the sworn protector of the innocent, but it seems that there’s another protector; an attractive vampire by the name of Andre Le Brel. Can they work together? Will they defeat Jeffries? What will become of the children of the night?

The Elves on the Road Series

Achieving what she set out to do, this is the ideal escapist fantasy series from Mercedes Lackey; a writer at the forefront of her particular genre. Working as excellent examples of their genre, they really manage to work on a basic level, drawing the reader in and keeping them there. With fans still discovering her work to this very day, the legacy of the series will continue to live on for quite some to come.