How to Read the Dante’s Circle Series
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Dante’s Circle series in chronological order. Because the books follow a close-knit group of seven friends who are simultaneously changed by a magical lightning strike, the overarching storyline, realm wars, and Conclave politics develop progressively from book to book. Reading them out of order will spoil major character transformations, alliances, and romantic resolution arcs.
Below is the recommended reading path for the entire series, including the key mid-series novella and the follow-up collection.
Dante’s Circle Reading Order
- Dust of My Wings (2012)
This is the book that starts it all. Lily Banner is a human chemist who accidentally comes into contact with a strange vial of angel dust. Soon after, she finds herself transformed into a brownie—a creature with diluted magical blood—and is targeted by dark forces. She cross paths with Shade Griffin, a warrior angel who must protect her and realize their fated bond amid the sparking realm wars.
- Her Warriors' Three Wishes (2013)
The second installment follows Jamie Bennett, who is transformed into a djinn after the fateful lightning strike. She finds herself transported to the hell realm and caught in a steamy, high-stakes triad romance with both Kellen, a demon, and Ronald, an angel. They must learn to trust each other to survive the political conflicts of their respective worlds.
- An Unlucky Moon (2013)
This book focuses on Becca, who has transformed into a leprechaun. Her path crosses with Connor, a powerful wolf shifter. Their fated bond challenges the hierarchy of the werewolf pack and tests whether a leprechaun's unique magic can find a true home among shifters.
- His Choice (2015) - Book 3.5
Often designated as Book 3.5, this essential novella bridges the early half of the series. It centers on Brandon, Sarah (a dragon shifter), and Tyler, offering a captivating triad romance that expands the lore of shifter politics and prepares readers for the next major phase of the series.
- Tangled Innocence (2014)
Book four centers on Nadie Morgan, one of the seven original friends. As she undergoes her own mystical transformation, she is drawn into a complex, passionate relationship with Jace Goodwin (a bear shifter) and Dante Bell (a dragon shifter). Together, they must navigate ancient supernatural laws and defend themselves from external threats.
- Fierce Enchantment (2015)
The fifth book follows Faith Sanders. After sacrificing her life to save her best friend, Faith is trapped in a magical slumber for a year. Upon awakening, she discovers she has transformed into a pixie. She must navigate her new identity and her intense fated bond with Levi Hughes, a powerful wizard who will stop at nothing to protect her.
- An Immortal's Song (2016)
Book six follows Amara Young, who has spent the last year caring for a dying friend and feels like the last of the group to find her true purpose. She finds herself caught in a triad bond between Tristan Archer, a Fae royal, and Seth Oceanus, a young merman. The three must fight together to overcome external dangers and accept their joint destiny.
- Prowled Darkness (2016)
The dramatic conclusion to the original seven friends' journey focuses on Eliana Sawyer. Having suffered deep heartbreak when Malik Ward, a lion shifter prince, walked away from her to honor royal laws, Eliana must face him again. Once Malik discovers the truth about her paranormal nature, he must fight to win her back while they face the ultimate threats to the realms.
- Dante's Circle Reborn (2020)
This collection of four novellas returns to the world of Dante's Circle to give readers updates on beloved secondary characters. It features the stories Fallen for Alphas (focusing on Liam and Alec), At Last Sight (focusing on Jonah), Blood's First Kiss (focusing on Calypso and Micha), and Reaper's Song (focusing on a newly appointed reaper and his soul mate Ashen).
What to Know Before You Start
Dante's Circle blends high-heat romance with urban fantasy and paranormal realm politics. The central premise revolves around seven human friends who gather at a bar named Dante's Circle, only to be struck by supernatural lightning. This event awakens dormant magical genes, transforming each of them into a distinct creature—ranging from pixies and brownies to djinn and dragons.
As you progress through the series, you will notice a strong emphasis on fated mates, found families, and polyamorous triads (often structured as MFM relationships). Carrie Ann Ryan integrates these romantic tropes with an overarching plot involving the Conclave, the governing body of the supernatural realms, and the conflicts that threaten to expose their hidden world to humanity.
Standalone vs. Serialized Reading
While each book features a self-contained romance with a happily-ever-after (or happily-for-now) for the central couple or triad, the background conflict with the Conclave and the realm wars develops continuously. For this reason, reading the series out of order is not recommended. If you skip around, you will miss crucial world-building details, character growth, and references to previous couples who frequently reappear as supporting characters in later books.