Now that The Second Stone is being published next month, and three books in this six-book series will be out, readers might reasonably ask if they need to start with Sordaneon, the first book.

The answer is No.

Fans of the series can argue that Sordaneon should be read first. Dorilian is such a strong main character and his arc—his birthright, the Rill, his possible destiny—drive the first two books powerfully. But Dorilian's story is not the lone entry point. In fact, The Second Stone not onl...