Christopher Ruocchio’s Shadows Upon Time, the seventh and final Sun Eater novel, is now available in U.S. paperback. The new edition, released by DAW on October 20, 2026, includes a preview of his next novel, The Smoke of Sacrifice.
The Smoke of Sacrifice begins the Doomsong Saga, a new epic fantasy trilogy about a cursed royal family. The preview includes roughly half of the novel’s opening chapter.
Which paperback includes the preview?
In his October 22 video update, Ruocchio says the excerpt is at the back of the U.S. DAW paperback. He describes it as about half of the first chapter, so readers should expect a short sample of the novel’s opening.
The publisher’s paperback listing also confirms the teaser. He is less certain about the U.K. paperback, saying he does not believe it includes the excerpt. If the excerpt is the reason you want a copy, the U.S. DAW paperback is the confirmed version to look for.
What the Doomsong Saga is about
Doomsong is Ruocchio’s next epic fantasy trilogy. According to DAW’s announcement, it follows a prince and princess whose mother has murdered their father. The siblings must avenge him while dealing with a curse passed down through their family and the wrath of ancient furies.
DAW describes a dark, pagan world inspired by the Mediterranean of the late Bronze Age. Ruocchio is moving into high fantasy after the spacefaring empires and alien war of Sun Eater.
If you remember the title The Godstained House, that was how DAW originally announced the opening novel in November 2025. The book is now called The Smoke of Sacrifice. The announcement also named Jaime Jones as the artist for the series.
The Smoke of Sacrifice is still being written
Ruocchio says he is about 75% through the first draft and expects to finish it around January 2027. He plans to complete one more story for Sins of the Sun Eater before returning to the novel.
DAW’s original announcement gave Doomsong a 2027 publication window. Ruocchio’s October update does not give a specific release date, and the January target is for finishing the draft. The cover is further along: he says it is already finished and should be revealed early next year.
Where to go next with Sun Eater
Shadows Upon Time first came out in hardcover in November 2025 and concludes the seven-book main series. If you are new to Ruocchio, start with Empire of Silence. It introduces Hadrian as a young nobleman trying to escape the future his father has chosen for him, long before he becomes the figure looking back on his life and humanity’s war with the Cielcin.
You can follow the seven novels straight through. The novellas and short-story collections are optional, and our Sun Eater reading guide explains where they fit if you want to read them along the way.
For readers who have finished the finale, Songs of the Sun Eater is due on November 24, 2026. The collection brings together thirteen tales and adds The End of History, a new novelette set after Shadows Upon Time. Save that one until you have finished the main series.
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