R.A. MacAvoy

Author Information
R.A. MacAvoy's Latest Book

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  • Bibliography:
    16 Books (3 Series)
  • First Book:
    December 1983
  • Latest Book:
    January 2018
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About the Author

Roberta Ann (R. A.) MacAvoy is a fantasy and science fiction author in the United States. Several of her books draw on Celtic or Taoist themes. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 1984. R. A. MacAvoy was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Francis and Helen MacAvoy. She attended Case Western Reserve University and received a B.A. in 1971. She worked from 1975 to 1978 as an assistant to the financial aid officer of Columbia College of Columbia University and from 1978 to 1982 as a computer programmer at SRI International before turning to full-time writing in 1982. She married Ronald Allen Cain in 1978.

Full Series List in Order

The Black Dragon

1 - Tea with the Black Dragon (Dec-1983)
2 - Twisting the Rope (Oct-1986)

Damiano Trilogy

1 - Damiano (Apr-1984)
2 - Damiano's Lute (Apr-1984)
3 - Raphael (1986)

Lens of the World

1 - Lens of the World (1990)
2 - King of the Dead (1991)
3 - The Belly of the Wolf (Jan-1994)

Book List in Order: 16 titles

  • Tea with the Black Dragon

    The Black Dragon - 1

    R. A. MacAvoy's Tea with the Black Dragon is the tale of a woman named Martha MacNamara -- brought west to San Francisco by her daughter's disappearance -- and of the man who changed her life: a mysterious Asian gentleman named Mayland Long who riske...

  • Damiano

    Damiano Trilogy - 1

    Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Our hero is Damiano Dalstrego. He is a wizard’s son, an alchemist, and the heir to dark magics. Bu...

  • Damiano's Lute

    Damiano Trilogy - 2

    This novel is a sequel to Damiano . Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Our hero is Damiano Dalstrego. He is a wizard's son, an alchemist an...

  • The Book of Kells

    A majestic novel of a young artist who opens a portal in time to the turbulent age of tenth-century Ireland. THE BOOK OF KELLS is a grand tale of rousing adventures and miraculous wonders--a haunting tale of love and faith so strong it conquered time...

  • Raphael

    Damiano Trilogy - 3

    The haunting conclusion of a magnificent fantasy trilogy, which began with Damiano and continued with Damiano's Lute. "MacAvoy is undeniably a writer to watch for " - Anne McCaffrey Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance th...

  • Twisting the Rope

    The Black Dragon - 2

    If you were among the many readers who lost their hearts to R.A. MacAvoy's remarkable first novel Tea with the Black Dragon, you are invited to rejoin Mayland Long and Martha Macnamara in an astonishing new adventure filled with music, mystery, and m...

  • The Grey Horse

    From a time when Ireland strained against the reins of English rule, comes a saga lush with enchantment. It begins of an afternoon when the wind blows wet from Galway Bay and a magnificent grey stallion appears in the Irish town of Carraroe. With the...

  • The Third Eagle: Lessons Along a Minor String

  • Lens of the World

    Lens of the World - 1

    Harken to the tale of Nazhuret--a dwarfish outcast of unknown parentage. His is a remarkable story of grand adventure and unlikely rewards of fevered dreams and outlandish knowledge gained through mental and physical torment at the able hands of Powl...



  • King of the Dead

    Lens of the World - 2

    Herein continues the tale of Nazhuret--dwarflike lens grinder and reluctant noble who relinquished his honored place at the royal court for a life of humble poverty. But the peace he craves is not to be. A vicious attack by paid assassins has set the...

  • The Belly of the Wolf

    Lens of the World - 3

    Outcast orphan and royal advisor -- philosopher warrior and mystic scientist--throughout his long, event-filled life Nazhuret has wished no more than to distance himself from the bloody intrigue of nations. But now, in the twilight of his years, Dest...

  • The Third Eagle

    When the warrior Wanbli came of age, he cast his lot among the stars and left the world where he'd been born. Left it, he thought, forever. His odyssey led him to one ship, then another, and to another still. It brought him face to face with the far-...

  • In Between

    Ewen Young is just another up and coming young artist leaving one of his art shows when he is accosted by three Chinese thugs. After he fends them off, they leave him with a message: tell your uncle Jimmy Young we were here and we could have done muc...

  • Death and Resurrection

    • The award-winning writer of Tea With the Black Dragon and other acclaimed novels returns to fantasy with the intriguing story of Chinese-American artist Ewen Young who gains the ability to travel between the worlds of life and death. This un...

  • Albatross

    A sci-fantasy about a man unjustly accused and his romance with the investigator tasked with bringing him to justice is “creative” and unexpected” (Kirkus Reviews).   Rob MacAulay has followed the flight of seabirds all his life, as well a...

  • Shimmer

    • / Dark Fantasy
    • Buy

    Mistaken and absolved refugee, Dr. Rob MacAulay, struggles to control his tendency to “flinch” as he works to harness the physics of the universe and juggles his relationship with his husband, teaching, researching, headstrong horses, the neighbo...

Award-Winning Books by R.A. MacAvoy

Tea with the Black Dragon
1984 Locus Award -- First Novel


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

R.A. MacAvoy has published 16 books.

R.A. MacAvoy does not have a new book coming out soon. The latest book, Shimmer, was published in January 2018.

The first book by R.A. MacAvoy, Tea with the Black Dragon, was published in December 1983.

Yes. R.A. MacAvoy has 3 series.
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