Books On Board
series Reading Order

Black Dagger Legacy Books in Order

4 Books
2015 – 2019 Published
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Reading order
01
Blood Kiss
Blood Kiss
2015
Amazon
02
Blood Vow
Blood Vow
2016
Amazon
03
Blood Fury
Blood Fury
2018
Amazon
04
Blood Truth
Blood Truth
2019
Amazon

Recommended Reading Order

While the four novels in the Black Dagger Legacy series focus on the recruits of the training program, their storylines run parallel to the main Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) series. Reading them standalone is possible, but we highly recommend the integrated chronological order to avoid major spoilers and keep up with the overall lore of the vampire society.

Integrated Chronological Order

To experience the story as it unfolds in Caldwell, insert the Legacy books into the main series as follows:

  • Read The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood #13)
  • Read Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy #1)
  • Read The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14)
  • Read Blood Vow (Black Dagger Legacy #2)
  • Read The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood #15)
  • Read Blood Fury (Black Dagger Legacy #3)
  • Read The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood #16)
  • Read The Savior (Black Dagger Brotherhood #17)
  • Read Blood Truth (Black Dagger Legacy #4)

Black Dagger Legacy Publication Order

If you prefer to focus exclusively on the recruits and the training program before catching up on the main saga, follow the series in its direct publication order:

  1. Blood Kiss (2015) — Introduces Paradise and Craeg as they join the training program.
  2. Blood Vow (2016) — Follows Elise and Axe, featuring a parallel plot with the main series' Rhage.
  3. Blood Fury (2018) — Centers on the fiery relationship between Peyton and Novo.
  4. Blood Truth (2019) — Follows Boone and Heloise as they solve a murder mystery within the training center.

Connecting the Spin-Offs

The Black Dagger Legacy series is not the only branch of the BDB universe. J.R. Ward has also released the Prison Camp spin-off series (beginning with The Jackal) and the Lair of the Wolven series, both of which expand on characters and lore encountered in the training center and the main books. For the ultimate BDB experience, keep an eye on how these subseries cross paths with the main line.

Frequently Asked

QHow does Black Dagger Legacy relate to the main Black Dagger Brotherhood series?

Black Dagger Legacy is a direct spin-off focusing on new recruits in the Brotherhood's training center. It features cameos and parallel plotlines involving main characters like Rhage, Butch, and Zsadist.

QDo I need to read the main Black Dagger Brotherhood series first?

Yes, it is highly recommended to read at least through The Shadows (BDB #13) before starting Blood Kiss, as the spin-off relies heavily on the established lore, politics, and character relationships of the main series.

QAre there more than four books in the Black Dagger Legacy series?

No, the series is complete with four novels: Blood Kiss, Blood Vow, Blood Fury, and Blood Truth.

QWho are the main couples in the Black Dagger Legacy books?

The central couples are Paradise and Craeg (Blood Kiss), Elise and Axe (Blood Vow), Novo and Peyton (Blood Fury), and Heloise and Boone (Blood Truth).

QWhere can I find other spin-offs in J.R. Ward's vampire universe?

You can check out the Prison Camp series (starting with The Jackal) and the Lair of the Wolven series (starting with Claimed), which also expand the Black Dagger universe.