Paul J. Bennett Books In Order

Publication Order of Chronicles of Cyric Books

Publication Order of Heir To The Crown Books

Publication Order of Frozen Flame Books

Publication Order of Power Ascending Books

Paul J. Bennett is a bestselling and award-winning fantasy fiction author from Canada. He was born in Maidstone, England but his family migrated to Canada settling in Ontario in 1967 when he was six years old. He discovered his interest in models when he was a teen when he chanced upon a hobby store. This interest soon turned into a lifelong love for adventure, history and everything military. He soon outgrew the passion for models but his love for the military remained and he would later join the Canadian Air Force, following in the footsteps of his father that had served in the British Royal Navy.

Bennett soon discovered Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson’s “Dungeons and Dragons” and he became intrigued by their ability to create new worlds. Taking the book home, it opened a new world where he found adventure and new friends from a new dimension. He shortly made friends that were interested in fantasy and science fiction when he joined the role-playing club in college. It was also in college that he met Carol the sister to one of his friends that would later become his wife. His passion for role-playing games and creating a multitude of worlds only grew as he got older. After years of writing adventures and creating new worlds, he had a ton of games with storylines and notes he kept in binders. When he turned thirty, he began creating his own role-playing systems with many of his friends willing participants. He then revamped these systems adding in new settings such as World War II, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic and Science Fiction elements.

Paul had always kept all the notes he made from his role-playing games and adventures and hence he had a very easy time when he decided to write a novel. He had previously tried his hand at writing a novel and had more than twenty abandoned manuscripts. However, when he set his heart on writing his debut novel he was determined to finish given that he loved the world in which Servant of the Crown was set. Bennett wrote his manuscript like a TV show with an overarching plot, twelve episodes and precise points where he would inject the characters. As such, much of his debut novel almost wrote itself as he knew the motivations of the characters and what he needed to do to move the story forward. He had the novel published by Amazon Digital Services in 2017 and he was off to the races. Things were a little different for his second novel as he did not have the back story and none of it had been in the role-playing sessions. Writing in a different style from the debut, he immersed his readers into his characters and the story rather than just recounting what happened. It was from the second novel that he got his epiphany and decided that he would from then on use his gaming world as the skeleton for his series into which he would plug in major plot points rather than retelling his other adventures as he had done before. He published the second novel “Sword of the Crown” in 2018 which opened the floodgates. Paul now has three series in the “Heir to the Crown,” “Frozen Flame” and “Chronicles of Cyric” series.

Paul J. Bennett’s “Servant of the Crown” tells the story of Gerald, whose world is torn apart and the only thing that saves him from destruction is his unquestioned loyalty to the Baron of Bodden. He had been a soldier for years and while he had never wanted anything to do with politics, his singular act of self-sacrifice sees him thrust into that world. Gerald always knew what an immoral and unethical world it was, but having been cut off from everything he knows, he is nothing but a pawn to the higher-ups. He had been banished with nothing and now has nothing to fight for except finding a new purpose. But then a chance meeting with another man who is in the same quandary as he uncovers shocking secrets that forces him to become a guardian. He is now battling all evil including the Black Hand, Bandits, and the king all of whom are a threat to the realm. His adventure is just but the beginning as he has to deal with secrets and memories from the past that still have a huge influence on his future. Full of compelling characters and gripping fight scenes, it is a great story of a soldier that will not give up.

In “Sword of the Crown,” the second novel of the “Heir to the Crown” series by Paul Bennett, an invading army just crossed into Merceria. The man on whose shoulders is the responsibility for defeat or victory is an heir to the crown who has never led an army into war before. Luckily for the kingdom, Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam steps up to the plate. She has looked forward to a moment such as this ever since she was first trained in swordsmanship, to the relentless quest to become a knight, to the day she earned her spurs and saved the king’s life. She is now ready to march with and protect the untried prince as they embark on an adventure that will have them battle enemies all round who engage them in desperate battles. Failure may not only mean losing her life but taking down the kingdom which would have no one to lead its armies. Full of mysterious prophecies, dangerous enemies, and epic battle scenes it is an action-packed medieval story of a knight that will give all she has for her homeland.

Bennett’s third novel “Heart of the Crown” is the story of Alric, a man that always had a dream of saving his princess by defeating a dragon to become a hero. But since he is a prince, he could not attain such a dream until Mercerian Emissaries come in with a demand that they are given a royal escort. Since Alric is not next in line to the throne or even close, he is the perfect man to take up the job. He has lived all his life in ease and comfort and this is going to be a huge shock. His tranquil life is suddenly upended as his job as protector of the dignitaries means that he has to be with them in all manner of terrain and situations that cause a lot of grief. From defending the life of a prince, to fighting unknown but vicious creatures, he comes to learn that becoming the hero that he always wanted to be is not easy and could be very dangerous. No matter the shape the mission takes, his life will be changed forever. Full of diplomatic disasters, courtly intrigue, and contests of skill it is the tale of a prince who desires greatness without taking into account the cost of it.

3 Responses to “Paul J. Bennett”

1. Ray: 10 months ago

   I just discovered Heir to the Crown/ Servant of the Crown. I have really enjoyed it. Much easier to read than the “Wheel of Time”(which I never finished). I am looking forward to the next in this series. BTW I am 79 and loving it.

   Reply
2. Marie G. Bagley: 3 years ago

   I would ask you please, should all of the books be read by published dates or by specific series by released dates? Or otherwise? I have read several already and I am beyond excited about having so many more to find such satisfying total delight. Being 72 years old, I can hardly believe my good fortune in discovering Mr. Paul J. Bennett! Thank you. M

   Reply
   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     Most people suggest reading in publication order. I’d go through the Heir to the Crown series first.

     Reply