The Recommended Reading Path
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the publication order of the Drake Chronicles. Even though some novellas and prequels are set chronologically earlier in the timeline, reading them in the order they were published allows you to experience the world-building, vampire lore, and character introductions exactly as author Alyxandra Harvey intended. Starting with the first published novel, Hearts at Stake, provides the essential groundwork for understanding the complex politics of the Drake family and the Helios-Ra hunters, which prevents potential spoilers that appear in the prequels.
Publication Order of Drake Chronicles Books
Here is the list of the Drake Chronicles books in the order they were originally published. This sequence seamlessly weaves the main novels with the companion novellas and guides that expand on the secondary characters and historical background of the universe:
- Hearts at Stake (2009) – The novel that starts it all, introducing Solange Drake's sixteen-year transformation. (Also published in some regions under the title My Love Lies Bleeding).
- Blood Feud (2010) – The second main novel, focusing on Logan Drake and Isabeau St. Croix amidst rising clan tensions.
- Out for Blood (2010) – The third main novel, centering on vampire hunter Hunter Wild and Quinn Drake at the Helios-Ra Academy.
- Bleeding Hearts (2011) – The fourth main novel, which follows Connor Drake and his relationship with Penelope.
- A Killer First Date (2012) – A sweet and funny novella (#3.5) focusing on a double date involving Nicholas, Lucy, Quinn, and Hunter.
- A Field Guide to Vampires (2012) – An entertaining companion guide (#4.5) annotated by Lucy Hamilton, offering a breakdown of vampire lore and survival tips.
- Blood Moon (2012) – The fifth main novel, where Solange is kidnapped and the battle for the vampire throne reaches a boiling point.
- Corsets and Crossbows (2012) – A prequel novella (#0.1) set in 1816, following Hunter's ancestor Rosalind Wild as she attempts to prove herself to the Helios-Ra society.
- Blood Prophecy (2012) – The sixth and final main novel, bringing Solange's battle against an ancient spirit to an epic conclusion.
- A Tithe of Blood and Ashes (2014) – A follow-up novella (#6.4) set after the events of Blood Prophecy, offering closure for Lucy and Connor.
- Sweet Tooth (2020) – A comprehensive anthology that collects the previously published novellas, including Corsets and Crossbows, A Killer First Date, and A Tithe of Blood and Ashes, making it a convenient package for collectors.
Chronological Order of Drake Chronicles Books
For readers embarking on a reread or those who prefer to experience the timeline historically, the chronological order arranges the story from the early 19th-century beginnings of the Helios-Ra hunters down to the aftermath of the final vampire wars:
- Corsets and Crossbows (Set in 1816; prequel novella)
- Hearts at Stake (Main Novel 1)
- Blood Feud (Main Novel 2)
- Out for Blood (Main Novel 3)
- Bleeding Hearts (Main Novel 4)
- A Killer First Date (Novella set after book 3)
- A Field Guide to Vampires (Companion guide set after book 4)
- Blood Moon (Main Novel 5)
- Blood Prophecy (Main Novel 6)
- A Tithe of Blood and Ashes (Novella set after the finale)
- Sweet Tooth (Anthology compiling all the historical and side novellas)
Detailed Breakdown of the Novels and Novellas
Hearts at Stake (My Love Lies Bleeding)
This opening novel establishes the core premise of the series in the atmospheric town of Violet Hill. Solange Drake is a rare anomaly: the only female vampire born in eight centuries. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, she undergoes the dangerous transformation into a full vampire, making her the prime target of the power-hungry Vampire Queen. The story alternates perspectives between Solange's human best friend, Lucy Hamilton, and Solange's brother, Nicholas Drake, setting up a dual romance and a battle for Solange's survival.
Blood Feud
The second novel shifts the spotlight to Logan Drake and Isabeau St. Croix. Isabeau belongs to the Hounds, a vampire clan known for their magical abilities and connection to the moon. Having survived a century locked in a tomb, Isabeau seeks revenge against the royal vampires who betrayed her. When her path crosses with Logan, they must navigate a fragile alliance amidst an impending civil war in the vampire underworld.
Out for Blood
The third installment introduces Hunter Wild, a student at the prestigious Helios-Ra Academy, a secret society dedicated to hunting vampires. Hunter's loyalties are tested when she falls for Quinn Drake, a vampire who challenges everything she has been taught. Together, they must uncover a conspiracy within the academy itself, blending forbidden romance with intense training sequences.
Bleeding Hearts
Connor Drake, the diplomat of the family, takes center stage in the fourth book. He is tasked with protecting Penelope, a human girl who inadvertently stumbles into the dangerous sphere of vampire politics. As Connor works to keep Penelope safe, they must outrun rival clans while resisting their growing attraction to one another.
A Killer First Date
This lighthearted novella provides a pleasant break from the high-stakes political intrigue. It follows a disastrous and amusing double date with Nicholas, Lucy, Quinn, and Hunter, giving readers a closer look at the normal domestic lives of the characters when they are not fighting for survival.
A Field Guide to Vampires: Annotated by Lucy Hamilton
This companion guide is written from the perspective of Lucy Hamilton. It acts as an in-universe manual detailing vampire physiology, clan hierarchies, strengths, weaknesses, and survival tactics, all interspersed with Lucy's witty handwritten notes and observations.
Blood Moon
In the fifth book, the stakes are raised significantly. The vampire crown is up for grabs, and Solange is kidnapped by a faction desperate to control the throne. Lucy and the Drake brothers must embark on a rescue mission during a rare celestial event that amplifies vampire powers.
Corsets and Crossbows
Set in Regency-era England in 1816, this prequel novella is told through a series of letters and diary entries. It follows Rosalind Wild, an early member of the Helios-Ra society, who must choose between conforming to societal expectations or picking up a crossbow to defend her family against rogue vampires.
Blood Prophecy
The sixth novel serves as the epic conclusion to the primary story arc. An ancient vampire spirit possesses Solange, threatening to destroy both the Drake family and the fragile peace between humans and vampires. The entire cast must unite to save Solange and decide the future of the vampire monarchy.
A Tithe of Blood and Ashes
Set after the dramatic events of the final novel, this novella centers on Lucy Hamilton and Connor Drake. It explores the emotional fallout of the war and provides closure for several romantic threads and political alliances left open after the fall of the old vampire regime.
Sweet Tooth
Released in 2020, this anthology serves as the ultimate collection for Drake Chronicles fans. It brings together several previously hard-to-find novellas, including Corsets and Crossbows, The Lost Girls, and A Tithe of Blood and Ashes, alongside other shorter vignettes from the series.
What to Know Before You Start
Alyxandra Harvey's vampires are distinct from traditional Gothic monsters or purely brooding figures. They live in a complex society divided into distinct clans, such as the magical Hounds, the royal Drakes, and the feral Hel-Blar. The series stands out for its witty, banter-heavy dialogue, strong female protagonists who actively participate in their own rescue, and a strong emphasis on familial loyalty. While the books feature romance, the core of the series is the tight-knit Drake family unit and their human allies working together to survive supernatural politics.