Books On Board
series Reading Order

Bite Back Books in Order

9 Books
2012 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best experience, we recommend reading the Bite Back series in chronological order. This path allows you to see Amber Farrell's transformation and the complex politics of the Athanate unfold naturally. If you follow this order, integrate the spin-off novellas where they fit best in the timeline:

  1. Raw Deal (2013) — Prequel novella (#0.5)
  2. Sleight of Hand (2012) — Book 1
  3. Hidden Trump (2012) — Book 2
  4. Wild Card (2014) — Book 3
  5. Cool Hand (2016) — Book 4
  6. Angel Stakes (2016) — Book 5
  7. The Biting Cold (2016) — Bite Back: Outsiders #1 (#5.1)
  8. Winter's Kiss (2017) — Bite Back: Outsiders #2 (#5.2)
  9. Change of Regime (2017) — Companion novella (#5.5)
  10. Inside Straight (2019) — Book 6
  11. Queen of Diamonds (2021) — Book 7
  12. Snake Eyes (2024) — Book 8

Where Should You Start?

New readers have two great options to kick off their journey into the Athanate world:

  • Sleight of Hand (Book 1): This is the recommended entry point. Reading in publication order lets you discover the shadowy paranormal underworld of Denver alongside Amber as she uncovers it herself.
  • Raw Deal (Prequel Novella): Start here if you prefer a chronological path. This shorter story covers Amber's military background and the immediate aftermath of the bite that begins her transformation.

Understanding the Subseries and Spin-Offs

The world of Bite Back extends beyond Amber Farrell's main narrative. Understanding how the companion pieces fit will enhance your reading experience:

Bite Back: Outsiders (Diazoun)

This subseries features The Biting Cold and Winter's Kiss. It shifts focus to Dr. Amanda Lloyd, a psychiatrist caught between human criminals and the paranormal world. The author recommends reading these after Book 5, Angel Stakes, before transitioning to Book 6.

Companion Novellas

Other Athanate stories include Change of Regime, which details the underworld power struggles in New York, and Enzili, a historical novella set in the 1790s. Note that Enzili has been temporarily de-listed by the author for updates and revisions.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start the Bite Back series?

We recommend starting with Sleight of Hand (Book 1) to experience the world of the Athanate alongside Amber Farrell, or Raw Deal (Book 0.5) if you want her full military backstory first.

QWhat is the correct reading order for the Bite Back: Outsiders subseries?

The Outsiders subseries consists of two novellas: The Biting Cold followed by Winter's Kiss. They should ideally be read after Book 5, Angel Stakes.

QAre the Bite Back novellas necessary to understand the main plot?

No, they are not strictly necessary, but they enrich the lore. Novellas like Change of Regime and the Outsiders stories provide crucial depth to the political conflicts of the Athanate universe.

QWhat is the status of the novella Enzili?

Enzili is a historical novella set in the 1790s. The author, Mark Henwick, has temporarily de-listed it to make revisions before a planned re-release.

QIs the Bite Back series finished?

No, the series is ongoing. Book 8, Snake Eyes, was published in 2024, and the author is actively working on Book 9.

QWho is the main protagonist of the Bite Back series?

The main protagonist is Amber Farrell, an ex-Special Forces soldier turned private investigator who is slowly transforming into a vampire-like Athanate.