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series Reading Order

Children of the Red King Books in Order

11 Books
2 Reading orders
2002 – 2013 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order

To fully experience the magic of the Charlie Bone universe, we recommend reading the books in publication order. Starting with the original eight-novel series introduces you to the rules of magic, the Yewbeam family secrets, and the halls of Bloor's Academy before you dive into the historical backstories and spin-offs.

1. The Children of the Red King (The Charlie Bone Series)

This is the core series following Charlie Bone as he discovers his magical ability to hear voices in pictures and is sent to Bloor's Academy.

  • Midnight for Charlie Bone (2002)
  • Charlie Bone and the Time Twister (2003)
  • Charlie Bone and the Blue Boa (2004) – Published in the US as Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy.
  • Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors (2005)
  • Charlie Bone and the Hidden King (2006)
  • Charlie Bone and the Wilderness Wolf (2007) – Published in the US as Charlie Bone and the Beast.
  • Charlie Bone and the Shadow of Badlock (2008) – Published in the US as Charlie Bone and the Shadow.
  • Charlie Bone and the Red Knight (2009)

2. Chronicles of the Red King (Prequel Series)

Written after the main series, this prequel trilogy explores the ancient origin story of the Red King and his children. While chronologically first, reading these after the main series preserves the mystery of the original books.

  • The Secret Kingdom (2011)
  • The Stones of Ravenglass (2012)
  • Leopards' Gold (2013)

3. Charlie Bone Universe Spin-offs

Jenny Nimmo expanded the world with two standalone adventure novels focusing on characters from the main series. They should be read after completing the original eight books.

  • Henry and the Guardians of the Lost (2016) – Centers on Henry Yewbeam after he is cast into the future.
  • Gabriel and the Phantom Sleepers (2018) – Focuses on Gabriel Silk and his family's magical cloak.

Chronological vs. Publication Order

Although the Chronicles of the Red King series takes place centuries before Charlie Bone is born, reading it first is not recommended for newcomers. The prequels assume familiarity with the Red King's legacy and lore established in the main novels. Stick to the publication order for the best narrative flow.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Charlie Bone series?

You should start with the first book in the main series, Midnight for Charlie Bone (2002).

QWhat is the difference between The Blue Boa and The Invisible Boy?

They are the exact same book. The Blue Boa is the original UK title, while The Invisible Boy is the title used for the US edition.

QShould I read the Chronicles of the Red King prequels first?

No, it is highly recommended to read the prequel trilogy after completing the main eight Charlie Bone books, as they build heavily on the lore established in the main series.

QAre there spin-off books set in the same universe?

Yes, Jenny Nimmo wrote two standalone spin-off novels: Henry and the Guardians of the Lost (2016) and Gabriel and the Phantom Sleepers (2018), focusing on characters from the original series.

QIs there a movie or TV show adaptation of Charlie Bone?

In late 2023, Amazon MGM Studios ordered a pilot for a series adaptation produced by Thunder Road Films, though no release date has been set yet.