Where to Start…

We’ll start at the beginning, I suppose, until, after a few martinis, we meander our way to the end. Or, so I plagiarise myself. The Rick Rawes novels released so far share one common thread – they exist in the same world. But the same way that every person’s life is a unique experience, so too are the different threads of the worlds. A lil’ old lady can be lighting a candle in quiet contemplation in a church, while a go-go dancer shakes his groove thing on a glittery stage – both can exist, without concerning the other. It’s the same with stories.

So where to begin very much depends on whether you’re looking for a particular experience, or want to take it all in (sorry, went a bit Kenneth Williams then, didn’t I?). If you want queer-led, hopeful and fantastical? I’d say start with Avalon of the New Knights Saga. If you want moody, psychological horror then maybe take a gander at Insomniac instead – even if they are in the same New Knights continuity, they don’t have to be viewed that way.

Or maybe you want something more challenging? Something which pushes the limits of what it means to be good or evil – so I’d say go for the Heroes & Demons series. Or want some nostalgic YA vibes? Hit up a few of the ’til the End of the World novellas.

What follows is a suggestion, a recommended reading order and then a chronological one – updated for this year’s big releases. Even within that, if a particular series, or saga or thread, takes your fancy more – let it guide you. The most important thing of all, is have fun!

Recommended Order (Release)

For me, I’d say have a go at release order. You’ll approach these stories like I did, and don’t worry too much about the little easter eggs and crossover points. You don’t need them to enjoy a good story (if I say so myself). This would make the order:

Click Here to See Written List

• Heroes & Demons (19th June, 2017 – Book 1 of the Heroes & Demons series)
• Avalon (23rd February, 2018 – Book 1 of the Avalon series, within The First Oath of the New Knights saga)
• Proud Marys (7th July, 2018 – the Rest of the Rainbow collection of standalone novels)
• Insomniac (19th March, 2019 – Book 1 of the Insomniac series, within The First Oath of the New Knights saga)
• Hope & Fury (4th September, 2019 – Book 2 of the Heroes & Demons series)
• Avalon: Faerie Tales (22nd October, 2024 – Book 2 of the Avalon series, within The First Oath of the New Knights saga)
• Fire & Water (3rd July, 2025 – Book 3 of the Heroes & Demons series)
• Bastet (31st October, 2025 – Book 1 of the Bastet series, within The First Oath of the New Knights saga)
• ’til the End of the World: New in Town – Year One · Volume I (releasing 29th May, 2026 – Book 1 of the ’til the End of the World series)
• Sinners & Saints (releasing 3rd July, 2026 – Book 4 of the Heroes & Demons series)
• Echo (releasing 10th October, 2026 – Book 1 of the Echo series, within The First Oath of the New Knights Saga)

Alternative / Re-Reading Order

Another suggestion is chronological. The stories are a sprawling web of interconnections, and while some of the emotional resonance may change – that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily for the worse. Which is why I’d suggest reading the books by their time/setting in chronological order as a way of experiencing them differently if wanting a re-read experience. Or you could start this way, different strokes, y’know. You do you.

Click Here to See Written List

• Bastet (Part 1 set 3000 – or 3100 BCE Ancient Egypt; Part 2 continues in 1923 London and Cairo)
• ’til the End of the World: New in Town – Year One · Volume I (Episodes I to V spanning September & October 2005)
• Proud Marys (Begins August 2017 and lasts one year, ending around August 2018)
• Avalon (Begins July 2018 and ends in August 2018)
• Insomniac (Begins September 2018 spanning a few days)
• Avalon: Faerie Tales (Begins in September 2019, a year after the events of Avalon)
• Echo (upcoming novel, set Winter 2019)
• Heroes & Demons (Prologue in Summer 2023, the majority takes place in Summer 2024)
• Hope & Fury (Begins in Summer 2026, two years following Heroes & Demons)
• Fire & Water (Prologue in Summer 2026, begins in Summer 2027, one year following Hope & Fury)
• Sinners & Saints (Prologue in Summer 2027, begins in Spring 2032, five years after the events of Fire & Water)

What Next?

As you can see, the timelines and orders are open-ended. I’m not done. Nowhere near. There are so many projects on the horizon that to think of them is overwhelming, but as with all things we’ll start small and go from there. So if you feel a bit daunted, hopefully this has helped – and you should know, I got you. And I’ll keep updating this page as we go – although you could always subscribe to the newsletter for free updates?

This year there’s a few releases. The individual episodes of ’til the End of the World available monthly on the series page in beta form. The two collections Volume I and Volume II coming May and Late 2026 respectively. Sinners & Saints coming July 2026, and Echo to follow in October 2026.

And next year? Well, 2027 will be my 10th year of my indie publishing journey – so it’s going to be a big one. The end of Heroes & Demons, the crossover event of the New Knights’ First Oath and the big season finale of ’til the End of the World Year One. Prepare for celebrations, surprises and shenanigans.

And after that?

Well, you didn’t think I’d stop at 10 years did you?