Fangborn Books In Order

Publication Order of Fangborn Books

The American author Dana Cameron is a highly regarded archaeologist who is currently at the forefront of her field. Not only that, but she is also an equally well regarded novelist of urban fantasy novels, many of which contain expansive and vibrant worlds and universes. Creating characters that are engaging and entertaining, she draws the reader in, providing them with an intelligent and witty take on the genre. Using her knowledge as an archaeologist, Dana Cameron has created the series ‘Fangborn’, which also incorporates elements of urban fantasy into it. Set in a world of vampires and werewolves, it sees the archaeologist Zoe Miller trying to make sense of it all and solve the mysteries at hand. With secrets herself, Zoe Miller is also coming to terms with who she is as well, and what her legacy truly is too.

Running for three novels between 2013 and 2015, this was a series that managed to capture the essence of the urban fantasy well. With a collection of short-stories and spin-offs as well, it’s a wide and expansive universe with a lot of life and potential in it. The characters are enduring, and Cameron’s knowledge of archaeology lends itself well to the series, allowing an even greater degree of accuracy.

Seven Kinds of Hell

Brought out through the 47North publishing house, this was to be the novel that started the ongoing Fangborn series. Released in 2013 on the 12th of March, this allowed readers to step into a whole new world, giving a radically different perspective on the urban fantasy genre. Setting up the characters and the initial premise, it introduces its leading protagonist, as well as establishing both the style and the tone of the novels.

With an exciting and exhilarating premise, Cameron takes a number of tropes from the urban fantasy genre and makes them work for her. Clearly understanding what it is that she is working with, she ensures that the characters and their goals seem plausible at all times. Using her in-depth knowledge of archaeology too, she manages to give it a greater level of realism too, bringing out the story underneath. The character of Zoe Miller is also a well crafted one, as Cameron incorporates her own knowledge of archaeology into her leading protagonist. Resourceful as she is resilient, she builds a compelling portrait of someone dealing with their destiny and facing the truth behind the lies. Given a distinctive arc to progress through for the forthcoming novels, it manages to create an interesting and intelligent character that’s easy to relate to. Set in America initially, this is brought out onto a wider stage as the action progresses over the course of the novel. Allowing it to unfold at a rapid yet easy to follow pace, Cameron makes the most of her environments and locations throughout the book. Lending it a stylistic sense of atmosphere and ambiance, it manages to capture a real sense of what the genre is really about, making it work in the process.

Following the abduction of her cousin, Zoe Miller must face up to a secret that’s been haunting her for some time now. Working as an archaeologist, she finds that she may not be completely human, as she might have some werewolf blood in her ancestry. Learning about her destiny as a ‘Fangborn’, she finds that she’s part of a secret race of beings, something which will help her get her cousin back from the violent Russian kidnapper. Will she save her cousin? Can she come to terms with her destiny? What will become of her as she faces seven kinds of Hell?

Pack of Strays

Released through the 47North publishing label once again, this was to be the direct sequel to the first novel. Carrying on from the previous title, it was published in 2014 on the 8th of April to much acclaim, as it offered an exciting addition to the franchise. With many of the characters already introduced, it set about further developing the premise itself and building upon it for the novels to follow.

Whilst the characters and the premise has already been firmly established, Cameron sets about further developing it this time. Fleshing out a lot of her core themes and ideas, she manages to really get to heart of what it is that she is trying to say here. An articulate writer with a strong voice and a very unique tone, she is able to convey her ideas with a minimum of effort and fuss. Returning once again are her characters, specifically Zoe Miller who is now firmly established due to the first novel. Developing her even further, Cameron manages to bring out the humanity in her depiction, giving her a real sense of purpose this time round. The supporting cast are also firmly grounded too, bringing out the leading protagonist and her plight throughout the novel. Moving at a faster pace than the previous book, Cameron steps up the action allowing it to really flow, whilst simultaneously enabling the reader to become well and truly invested in it all.

Already learning that she is a ‘Fangborn’ in the previous novel, Zoe Miller must now travel further down the path that is her destiny. Now out to stop a politician from revealing the truth about the Fangborn to the public at large, she finds that she and her friends really have their work cut out for them. Not only that, but she is also having visions as well, along with learning and discovering new abilities, as she finds herself changing. Will she be able to stop their existence from being revealed? Can she come to terms with who she is? What will become of the pack of strays?

The Fangborn Series

Fantasy, especially urban fantasy, is something that Cameron does extremely well, and this series is no exception to the rule. Infusing her love and knowledge of archaeology with the genre of fantasy, she’s built a highly reputable and equally engaging franchise. This goes some way towards explaining why her novels are beloved by so many, with more and more fans discovering her work everyday.