A Chronological Guide to the 'Wings of Fire' novel series
Tui T. Sutherland's Wings of Fire has captivated readers with its intricate world populated entirely by dragons. Set on the continents of Pyrrhia and Pantala, the series is a sprawling epic of war, prophecy, prejudice, and the journey of young dragons discovering their place in a complex and often dangerous world.
This guide organizes the entire published saga into its proper in-universe chronological order, incorporating the main arcs, the historical Legends, and the character-focused Winglets.
The Ancient History
The foundational events taking place ~2,000 years before the main series.
Legends: DarkstalkerPublished: 2016 | Graphic Novel: 2025
Set approximately 2,000 years before the events of the main series, this pivotal origin story lays the foundation for the entire Wings of Fire universe. It chronicles the tragic rise and fall of Darkstalker, the most powerful animus dragon in history, through three distinct perspectives: Darkstalker himself, who believes his immense power can fix the world; Clearsight, a seer tormented by visions of a dark future she desperately tries to prevent; and Fathom, a SeaWing prince traumatized by his own magic. The narrative details the creation of the Dreamvisitors, the massacre of the IceWing royal family, and the enchantment of the scroll that holds Darkstalker's soul. It culminates in a heartbreaking betrayal where Clearsight tricks Darkstalker into an eternal sleep beneath Agate Mountain to save the world from his growing megalomania, exploring themes of absolute power, the heavy burden of prophecy, and the tragic nature of "heroism" when devoid of morality.
Winglets: RunawayPublished: 2016
Taking place immediately after the events of *Darkstalker*, this narrative focuses on the immediate fallout of the ancient conflict, specifically the forbidden romance between Prince Arctic of the IceWings and Foeslayer of the NightWings. It depicts their flight from the Ice Kingdom, a pivotal moment that shattered the peace between the tribes. Arctic uses his animus magic to escape, inadvertently killing IceWing pursuers and stripping away his own soul in the process. This act cements the eternal hatred between the NightWings and IceWings, a conflict that echoes thousands of years later into the main timeline, highlighting the destructive consequences of defying tradition and how small decisions can spark centuries of war.
Prelude to War
Events leading up to and occurring during the War of SandWing Succession.
Winglets: DeserterPublished: 2016
Set six years prior to the first book, this story is told through the eyes of Six-Claws, a loyal SandWing general who witnesses the disintegration of the SandWing kingdom following the death of Queen Oasis. Initially a dedicated supporter of Burn, Six-Claws slowly realizes the depth of her cruelty and madness as the war drags on, particularly highlighting Burn's obsession with her "weirdling tower" and her disregard for soldier lives. Six-Claws eventually makes the fateful decision to desert the army to protect his dragonet, leading him to the Scorpion Den - a move that sets up the political landscape for the main series while exploring loyalty to state versus loyalty to conscience.
Winglets: AssassinPublished: 2015
Occurring during the War of SandWing Succession, this story explores the training and early career of Deathbringer, the NightWing assassin. Raised to be a cold-blooded killer for the glory of his tribe, Deathbringer faces a crisis of conscience during a high-stakes mission to assassinate a SeaWing commander. He outsmarts two rival factions but ultimately makes a choice that deviates from his orders, showing his first sparks of independent morality. This backstory explains his unmatched combat skills and his unique, arrogant-yet-protective personality seen later when he meets Glory, focusing on themes of nature versus nurture and finding one's own moral compass in a society that demands blind obedience.
Arc One: The Dragonet Prophecy
The destiny of the five dragonets to end the twenty-year war.
Legends: DragonslayerPublished: 2020
Running parallel to the events of Arc 1, this novel dramatically shifts perspective to the humans (scavengers) of Pyrrhia. We follow Ivy, Leaf, and Wren - three humans whose lives are intertwined with the dragons' war. Wren, in particular, forms a bond with a rejected SkyWing named Sky, learning to speak the dragon language. The book reveals the human side of Queen Oasis's death (it wasn't just a mindless theft) and shows key scenes from the first five books - like the arena battle in the Sky Kingdom and the oasis encounter - from the ground level. It fundamentally changes the lore by proving humans are sentient and capable of communicating with dragons, emphasizing inter-species empathy and the danger of underestimating "lesser" creatures.
1. The Dragonet ProphecyPublished: 2012 | Graphic Novel: 2018
The saga begins with Clay, the MudWing "bigwings" who struggles with the belief that he is born a killer. The five dragonets - Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Starflight, and Sunny - escape their cave to find their families, only to be captured by Queen Scarlet of the SkyWings. The narrative introduces Peril, the firescales dragon, and features the brutal gladiator battles in the SkyWing arena leading to the dragonets' dramatic escape. Clay eventually visits the MudWing kingdom only to be rejected by his mother, learning that his "destiny" does not define his family - his friends do. The story deals heavily with free will versus prophecy and defining one's own identity.
Get the Books2. The Lost HeirPublished: 2013 | Graphic Novel: 2019
Focusing on Tsunami the SeaWing, the story moves to the undersea kingdom where she expects a royal welcome but finds a paranoid court living in fear. Her mother, Queen Coral, is obsessively protective because her female heirs have been murdered for years. Tsunami must navigate palace intrigue, a mysterious assassin, and the scheming Whirlpool. Key events include the discovery of the enchanted Orca statue that kills the heirs and the attack on the Summer Palace by the SkyWings. Through these trials, Tsunami realizes that being a leader requires more than just barking orders - it requires listening and sacrifice, highlighting the corruption of leadership and the pressure of royal expectations.
3. The Hidden KingdomPublished: 2013 | Graphic Novel: 2019
Glory the RainWing, constantly dismissed as "lazy" by the other tribes, leads the group to the Rainforest where they find the RainWings are indeed pacifists, but they are also disappearing. Glory decides to take charge, challenging the current queens for the throne to save her tribe. The narrative details the royal challenge contests, the discovery of the NightWing tunnel, and Glory becoming the first Queen of the RainWings. She proves that RainWings are not weak, possessing a deadly magical venom, and the story focuses on overcoming prejudice and the value of underestimated traits like camouflage and stillness.
4. The Dark SecretPublished: 2013 | Graphic Novel: 2020
Starflight the NightWing is kidnapped to his tribe's volcanic island, where he discovers they are not the all-powerful mystery they claim to be, but are starving, powerless, and desperate enough to invade the rainforest to survive. Starflight must find his courage to betray his own tribe to save his friends. Major revelations include the Dragonet Prophecy being manufactured by Morrowseer, the experimentation on RainWings, and the discovery of King Darkstalker's scroll. The book culminates in the volcanic eruption where Starflight is permanently blinded while saving the others, emphasizing intellectual bravery versus physical bravery and choosing what is right over blood loyalty.
5. The Brightest NightPublished: 2014 | Graphic Novel: 2021
Sunny, the SandWing/NightWing hybrid often treated as the baby of the group, takes center stage as the first arc concludes. Shattered by the news that the prophecy is fake, she is kidnapped and taken to the Scorpion Den, where she meets her mother, Thorn. Sunny decides to end the war her own way - not by magic, but by uniting the tribes. The story features the discovery of her father Stonemover, the gathering at the SandWing Stronghold, the death of the three rival sisters, and the choosing of Thorn as the new SandWing Queen via the Eye of Onyx. It is a story about making your own destiny, the power of empathy, and how small dragons can change the world without violence.
Winglets: PrisonersPublished: 2015
Set between the first and second arcs, this story is told through a series of letters and interactions involving Fierceteeth (Starflight's sister) in the SandWing prison. She plots with a SandWing named Saguaro to escape, revealing the deep resentment Fierceteeth holds for not being the "chosen" NightWing. This narrative sets up the release of key antagonists that will plague the heroes in the second arc, exploring themes of entitlement, jealousy, and the lingering seeds of rebellion after a war ends.
Arc Two: The Jade Mountain Prophecy
The re-emergence of Darkstalker and the dangers of animus magic.
6. Moon RisingPublished: 2014 | Graphic Novel: 2022
Moonwatcher, a NightWing, enters Jade Mountain Academy, a school designed to foster peace. She hides her secret powers of mind-reading and prophecy, fearful of being ostracized, but begins hearing a voice in her head - Darkstalker - who claims to be a misunderstood victim. The story covers the explosion in the history cave that kills two students, Moon's formation of the "Jade Winglet" with Winter, Qibli, Kinkajou, and Turtle, and the delivery of the ominous Jade Mountain Prophecy. Themes include the burden of secrets, the difficulty of trust in a diverse society, and the seduction of a friendly voice that offers power and understanding.
Get the Books7. Winter TurningPublished: 2015 | Graphic Novel: 2023
Winter the IceWing struggles with his tribe's rigid hierarchy and his hatred for NightWings. He flees the school to find his brother Hailstorm, who has been missing for years, but his friends refuse to let him go alone, forcing him to confront his prejudices. Their journey takes them to the rainforest and the Ice Kingdom, leading to the discovery that Hailstorm was enchanted to be a SkyWing named Pyrite. The climax involves the "Diamond Trial" where Winter refuses to kill his brother, breaking centuries of IceWing tradition. The narrative critiques indoctrination versus personal experience and the courage required to break the cycle of generational trauma.
8. Escaping PerilPublished: 2015 | Graphic Novel: 2024
Peril the SkyWing is obsessed with Clay, believing he is the only one who can make her "good." When Queen Scarlet returns to threaten the school, Peril sets out to kill her, falling under the influence of her father, Chameleon, and a spell that removes her firescales but strips her identity. Key events include Peril inadvertently releasing Darkstalker from his mountain prison by burning his scroll and the final death of Queen Scarlet. Ultimately, Peril realizes that she doesn't need Clay to be a good person - she can choose it for herself - emphasizing self-worth and the realization that being a "monster" is a choice, not a biological imperative.
9. Talons of PowerPublished: 2016 | Graphic Novel: 2026
Turtle the SeaWing animus has hidden his power his whole life to avoid attention. Now, with Darkstalker charming every dragon in Pyrrhia and essentially taking over the NightWing tribe, Turtle must step up, enchanting items to protect his friends' souls from Darkstalker's magic. The story details the discovery that Anemone has been corrupted by Darkstalker, the battle at the lost NightWing city, and Turtle's battle with Anemone. Darkstalker eventually captures Turtle and strips him of his magic, leaving him powerless in a cell. This entry explores the responsibility of power, the danger of apathy ("hiding in your shell"), and the quiet heroism of protecting others from the shadows.
10. Darkness of DragonsPublished: 2017
Qibli the SandWing is the only non-magical dragon left to save the world. Feeling inadequate compared to his magical friends, he uses his supreme intelligence to organize the resistance. He delves into the Scorpion Den to dismantle his grandfather Vulture's crime ring before facing Darkstalker. The climax features a magical sandstorm war between IceWings and NightWings, Qibli refusing Darkstalker's offer of animus magic, and the clever defeat of Darkstalker not by force, but by using an enchanted strawberry to turn him into a young, innocent dragonet named Peacemaker. Themes include intelligence versus brute force, the temptation of power, and the idea that the best way to defeat an enemy is to remove their desire to fight.
Arc Three: The Lost Continent Prophecy
The discovery of Pantala and the fight against the Othermind.
11. The Lost ContinentPublished: 2018
On the continent of Pantala, tribes live under the strict totalitarian rule of the HiveWings. Blue, a rule-following SilkWing, finds his life shattered when his sister Luna goes through metamorphosis and becomes a "Flamesilk." They become fugitives, hunted by the Hive. Blue meets Cricket (a HiveWing) and Sundew (a LeafWing), discovering that the "extinct" LeafWings are actually alive in the Poison Jungle and realizing that Queen Wasp is mind-controlling her subjects. Blue undergoes his own metamorphosis at the end, but Luna is blown away by a storm toward Pyrrhia, setting up the conflict between continents. Themes include life under fascism, the realization that the law is not always moral, and peaceful resistance versus violent revolution.
Get the Books12. The Hive QueenPublished: 2018
Cricket the HiveWing is immune to Queen Wasp's mind control and desperate to know why. The team infiltrates the Wasp Hive to destroy the mind-control source. Cricket uncovers the history of the Book of Clearsight and realizes Wasp has been rewriting history to maintain power. Key events include the discovery that Queen Wasp controls dragons by injecting them with a plant toxin (Breath of Evil), the raid on the flamesilk cavern to free the prisoners, and the burning down of the Bloodworm Hive. The narrative focuses on the importance of questioning history and propaganda, the thirst for knowledge, and breaking away from the sins of one's parents.
13. The Poison JunglePublished: 2019
Sundew brings her friends to the Poison Jungle, home of the militant LeafWings who plan to wipe out the HiveWings. However, they discover an even older threat: the "Othermind," a sentient plant consciousness that wants to consume all dragon life. Sundew meets the "SapWing" pacifist faction and encounters the ancient, possessed dragon Hawthorn, leading to the revelation that the Breath of Evil is a collective mind. The book ends with the Othermind taking control of almost everyone in Pantala, forcing the survivors to flee across the ocean to Pyrrhia. Themes include anger as fuel versus anger as poison, the futility of endless revenge, and the ecological horror of nature fighting back.
14. The Dangerous GiftPublished: 2021
Snowfall, the young and paranoid queen of the IceWings, is terrified that she is too weak to lead. When the Pantalan refugees arrive, she initially wants to kick them out. However, she wears a magic ring ("The Gift of Vision") that forces her to experience the lives of other dragons - and even a human - radically expanding her empathy. She eventually destroys the Great Ice Cliff that isolated her kingdom for centuries, symbolically and literally opening her tribe to the world, and agrees to help the Pantalans fight the Othermind. The story champions radical empathy, critiques the toxicity of isolationism, and redefines strength as the ability to ask for help.
15. The Flames of HopePublished: 2022
Luna the SilkWing returns to Pantala to save the world, only to be captured and plugged into the root system of the Othermind (The Breath of Evil). There, she meets "Freedom" (Lizard), a dragonet who has been trapped in the mind-space for 5,000 years, and the human "Cottonmouth" who controls the plant. The story reveals the deep lore of the Scorching (the ancient war between humans and dragons) and details Luna convincing Freedom to turn against Cottonmouth. They sever the connection, destroying the Othermind forever. The series ends with the unification of the two continents and a new era of peace, emphasizing empathy for the unlovable and the power of connection over control.
Future Releases & Companions
What lies ahead for the world of Wings of Fire.
A Guide to the Dragon WorldPublished: 2023
Written from the perspective of Starflight and other scholars, this lore book compiles the history, biology, and culture of all ten dragon tribes. It fills in gaps from the main series, offers new short stories, and serves as a definitive encyclopedia for the universe post-Arc 3, providing a comprehensive look at the world building that sustains the saga.
Arc 4: The Hybrid PrinceExpected: 2026
While details remain scarce, Tui T. Sutherland has confirmed a fourth arc is in development. Theories suggest it may focus on the new generation of dragonets raised in the peaceful, unified world, potentially dealing with the challenges of a society where tribe barriers are dissolving and hybrids are becoming common.
