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series Reading Order

Chicagoland Vampires Books in Order

19 Books
2009 – 2018 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Chronological Reading Order

To experience the full journey of Merit and Ethan, the best path is to follow the timeline chronologically. Because the companion novellas contain important character updates and world-building shifts, inserting them at their chronological points is highly recommended. Here is the complete list of Chicagoland Vampires books in chronological reading order:

  1. Some Girls Bite (Book 1)
  2. Friday Night Bites (Book 2)
  3. Twice Bitten (Book 3)
  4. Hard Bitten (Book 4)
  5. Drink Deep (Book 5)
  6. Biting Cold (Book 6)
  7. House Rules (Book 7)
  8. Biting Bad (Book 8)
  9. High Stakes (Novella - originally published in the Kicking It anthology)
  10. Howling for You (Novella - collected in Midnight Bites)
  11. Wild Things (Book 9)
  12. Blood Games (Book 10)
  13. Lucky Break (Novella - collected in Midnight Bites)
  14. Dark Debt (Book 11)
  15. Midnight Marked (Book 12)
  16. Phantom Kiss (Novella)
  17. Blade Bound (Book 13)
  18. Slaying It (Novella)

Crucial Reading Guidance: Publication vs. Chronological

The chronological order is very similar to the publication order, as Chloe Neill generally released her novellas in between the novels. The only minor nuance involves the collection Midnight Bites (2015), which gathers the novellas "Howling for You" and "Lucky Break". Rather than reading the anthology all at once, you will get the best narrative flow by reading the individual stories at their respective places in the timeline outlined above.

For readers who want a straightforward experience without chasing down anthologies, sticking to the numbered novels (Books 1 to 13) is perfectly fine. The main plot wraps up beautifully in the final novel, Blade Bound.

The Next Generation: Heirs of Chicagoland Spin-off

If you're not ready to leave the Windy City behind, the story continues with the spin-off series, Heirs of Chicagoland. This series focuses on Elisa Sullivan, the only born vampire in existence and daughter of Merit and Ethan, as she confronts new threats. To read this follow-up series, follow this order:

  1. Wild Hunger (Book 1)
  2. Wicked Hour (Book 2)
  3. Shadowed Steel (Book 3)
  4. Silverspell (Novella 3.5 - found in the Heroic Hearts anthology)
  5. Devouring Darkness (Book 4)
  6. Cold Curses (Book 5)

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading Chicagoland Vampires?

You should start with the very first novel, Some Girls Bite. It introduces the protagonist Merit and establishes the political structure of the vampire Houses.

QAre the novellas mandatory to understand the main story?

No, they are not mandatory. The core narrative of Merit and Ethan is fully contained in the 13 main novels. However, the novellas add rich backstory for secondary characters and extra romance.

QWhat is Midnight Bites?

Midnight Bites is a companion collection that compiles two key Chicagoland Vampires novellas: Howling for You (focusing on shifter Jeff Christopher) and Lucky Break (focusing on Merit and Ethan).

QHow does Heirs of Chicagoland relate to the main series?

It is a direct spin-off series focusing on Elisa Sullivan, the daughter of Merit and Ethan. It takes place years after the events of Blade Bound and features many returning characters.

QIs the Chicagoland Vampires series complete?

Yes, the main series is complete. The story of Merit and Ethan concludes in Blade Bound, though their legacy continues in the spin-off series Heirs of Chicagoland.

QWho is the author of Chicagoland Vampires?

The series is written entirely by Chloe Neill, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.