Meet Happenstance
Start with Happenstance Found before continuing to Dragon Games and The End of Time.
Book Series · 3 Books
The Books of Umber Books
In order from Happenstance Found to The End of Time.
A boy called Happenstance wakes underground without a past and is rescued by the brilliant, unpredictable explorer Lord Umber. Their expeditions reveal a world of monsters, inventions, political enemies, and clues to Hap's identity that become more consequential with every journey.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Books of Umber
Read Happenstance Found, Dragon Games, and The End of Time in numbered order. Hap's identity, Umber's secrets, and the kingdom's conflicts form a single trilogy that reaches its conclusion in book three.
Sources: Simon & Schuster's official series page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
These adventures include monsters, assassination attempts, imprisonment, warfare, and characters in mortal danger. Wonder and humor remain important, but the trilogy grows darker as Hap uncovers the cost of magic and the threats surrounding Umber.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
The first mystery begins with Hap's awakening and establishes every relationship that follows.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1597
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
Happenstance Found
A boy with no memory must uncover his identity while evading a deadly assassin in a magical world.
352 pages· 68,145 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Happenstance wakes in a cave, memory erased, and is whisked away by the enigmatic Umber and his companions. In the vibrant city of Kurahaven, Hap discovers Umber's extraordinary life but remains haunted by his own forgotten past. As he joins Umber on perilous missions, Hap realizes powerful enemies lurk within the kingdom, and a relentless assassin is closing in. With danger at every turn, Hap must unravel the mystery of his identity and why Umber has chosen him. Can he find answers before it's too late, or will the shadows of his past consume him?
In reading order
The Books of Umber Series
3 books · Published 2009–2011
#1
Sale price
$1597
Happenstance Found
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
A boy with no memory must uncover his identity while evading a deadly assassin in a magical world.
#2
Sale price
$1697
Dragon Games
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010
A boy with no memory joins a perilous quest in a land of dragons and secrets.
#3
Sale price
$858
The End of Time
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011
Time is running out as a new enemy threatens the kingdom.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Books of Umber series?
There are 3 books in the Books of Umber series. It began with Happenstance Found in 2009, and the newest book, The End of Time, was published in 2011.
What order should you read the Books of Umber books in?
Start with Happenstance Found and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
What ages are the Books of Umber books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring The Books of Umber to life.
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