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Series · fantasy
Kelvin of Rud
The Kelvin of Rud series by Piers Anthony has 5 known books (5 published). It is best read in publication order, starting with Dragon's Gold (1987).
- Books
- 5 known books (5 novels)
- Published
- 5
- First published
- 1987
- Status
- completed
- Shelved under
- Fantasy
Start here: Dragon's Gold (1987)
— then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Dragon's Gold
Dragon's Gold opens the Kelvin of Rud series in 1987, introducing Kelvin Knight Hackleberry, an ordinary young man on the world of Rud who discovers a hoard of enchanted dragon's gold and a destiny tied to an ancient prophecy. It runs 282 pages, the first of Piers Anthony's collaborations with Robert E. Margroff. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dragon's Gold - Book 2:
Serpent's Silver
Serpent's Silver , published in 1988 at 320 pages, continues Kelvin's quest for Rud's magical artifacts, adding a new threat and piece of the kingdom's political landscape to the story begun in Dragon's Gold . Alternative text for cover: Cover of Serpent's Silver - Book 3:
Chimaera's Copper
Chimaera's Copper , the third book, appeared in 1990 at 320 pages -- matching Serpent's Silver exactly -- as Kelvin's growth from naive young man toward capable leader continues. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Chimaera's Copper - Book 4:
Orc's Opal
Orc's Opal , also published in 1990, is the fourth entry at 280 pages -- Anthony and Margroff released two Kelvin of Rud novels that single year. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Orc's Opal - Book 5:
Mouvar's Magic
Mouvar's Magic closes the five-book Kelvin of Rud series in 1992 at 310 pages, two years after the pair of 1990 releases, bringing Kelvin's rise from ordinary young man to capable hero to its conclusion. Alternative text for cover: Cover of Mouvar's Magic
Key facts about the Kelvin of Rud series
The Kelvin of Rud series has 5 books on our list. Since all 5 are out now, you can read the whole list today.
Start with Dragon's Gold, since it opens the publication order in 1987. Serpent's Silver is book 2, from 1988. Chimaera's Copper is book 3, from 1990.
Orc's Opal is book 4, from 1990. Mouvar's Magic is book 5, from 1992.
Each title links to its own page, while the list keeps them in date order. Each book page shows its dates and editions. Since the catalogue marks the series as complete, we list no next book.
The books came out between 1987 and 1992, while their length runs from 280 to 320 pages. That is a run of 5 years.
Piers Anthony has 143 books on our list. Additionally, they write Battle Circle, Of Man and Manta and Jason Striker, plus 11 more series. We shelve the books under fantasy.
About the Kelvin of Rud series
Kelvin Knight Hackleberry is an ordinary young man on the magical world of Rud who discovers he's destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy tied to a set of powerful magical artifacts — starting with a hoard of enchanted dragon's gold — that draws him into political conflict, sorcery, and a series of escalating quests to unite or save his fractured homeland. Co-written by Piers Anthony and Robert E. Margroff, the series builds a classic coming-of-age fantasy structure: an unassuming protagonist, a chosen-one prophecy, and a widening cast of allies and magical creatures, delivered in a lighter, more straightforwardly adventurous register than Anthony's more idea-driven solo work.
Published between 1987 and 1992, the five novels follow Kelvin's growth from a naive young man into a genuinely capable hero and leader, with each book adding a new artifact, threat, or piece of Rud's political landscape to the overall quest.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the Kelvin of Rud series?
Five novels, published between 1987 and 1992: Dragon's Gold, Serpent's Silver, Chimaera's Copper, Orc's Opal, and Mouvar's Magic.
Who wrote the Kelvin of Rud series?
Piers Anthony co-wrote it with Robert E. Margroff, with whom he also collaborated on earlier standalone novels.
What order should I read Kelvin of Rud in?
Publication order, starting with Dragon's Gold. It's one continuous quest story, with each book continuing directly from the last.
What is the premise of the Kelvin of Rud series?
An ordinary young man on the world of Rud discovers he's destined to fulfill a prophecy tied to a series of powerful magical artifacts, drawing him into political conflict and quests to save his homeland.
Is the Kelvin of Rud series finished?
The five novels verified here were published between 1987 and 1992. Some retailer listings reference further Kelvinverse material, but it wasn't independently confirmed across two verification sources, so it isn't catalogued here.
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