The Recommended Reading Order for the Existence Trilogy
Abbi Glines is widely celebrated for her contemporary new adult romance series like Rosemary Beach and Sea Breeze, but she took a memorable detour into the paranormal genre with the Existence Trilogy. This YA series offers a unique twist on supernatural romance, replacing standard vampire or werewolf tropes with a love story centered on Death incarnate. To get the most out of Pagan Moore's journey and the cosmic battles surrounding her soul, you should read the books in their official publication order. This matches the chronological progression of the main plot, with the companion novella positioned perfectly to explain a secondary character's motives before the final climax.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- Existence (Book 1)
- Predestined (Book 2)
- Leif (Book 2.5 - Companion Novella)
- Ceaseless (Book 3)
The Core Books and Novella in Detail
Existence (Book 1)
Published in late 2011, Existence introduces us to Pagan Moore, a seventeen-year-old high school student who has spent her entire life seeing souls (ghosts) that others cannot. To keep her sanity, Pagan has a strict rule: ignore them and pretend they do not exist. This strategy fails when she encounters Dank Walker, a remarkably attractive, dark, and mysterious boy sitting on a desk in her classroom. Unlike the other souls, Dank notices her, speaks to her, and possesses a physical presence that leaves her breathless. Pagan quickly realizes that Dank is not a typical ghost; he is the Grim Reaper, Death himself. As their connection deepens, Pagan finds herself falling in love with a being who is forbidden to love her, setting off a chain reaction that threatens her very soul.
Predestined (Book 2)
Released in 2012, Predestined raises the stakes by introducing a major threat to Pagan and Dank's relationship. Pagan learns that her attraction to Dank violates the laws of the universe. In the cosmic design, Pagan has a predestined soulmate: Leif Montgomery, the popular and charming high school quarterback. However, Leif is not what he seems; he is soulless, a physical vessel created specifically to be Pagan's partner. As Pagan struggles to resist the natural pull toward Leif, Dank must navigate the boundaries of his existence to keep her safe. The supernatural lore expands in this installment, bringing in agents of heaven and hell who want to exploit Pagan's unique sight and restore the natural balance of life and death.
Leif (Book 2.5)
This companion novella is written entirely from the perspective of Leif Montgomery. It covers the timeline and major events of the first two books, but reveals what Leif was experiencing behind the scenes. Readers get to see his initial confusion, his growing attachment to Pagan, and the tragedy of being a created entity with a pre-programmed destiny yet lacking a traditional human soul. Reading this novella is essential for understanding Leif's actions and emotional state heading into the final book, turning him from a simple romantic obstacle into a complex, sympathetic character.
Ceaseless (Book 3)
The trilogy concludes with Ceaseless, which opens with a dramatic twist: Pagan has had her memory wiped of Dank Walker and the entire supernatural world to save her life. She is back to living a normal high school existence, believing she is in a relationship with Leif. Dank, devastated by her loss of memory but refusing to let her go, must find a way to make Pagan fall in love with him all over again without violating the cosmic rules that govern his role as Death. The final book brings the conflict between destiny, free will, and the power of love to a dramatic head, offering fans a satisfying conclusion to the supernatural saga.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Because the series is short and linear, there is little deviation between chronological and publication order. The only point of discussion is where to insert the novella Leif. Chronologically, the events of Leif take place alongside Existence and Predestined. However, reading it first is highly discouraged because it contains major spoilers regarding Leif's true nature, his soulless existence, and the cosmic rules of the universe that are only revealed late in Predestined. The best experience is to read Leif immediately after Predestined and before Ceaseless. This acts as a narrative bridge, giving you a fresh perspective on the love triangle before the memory-wipe plotline of the finale begins.
Practical Reading Guidance: Where to Start and Standalone Potential
If you are looking to start the Existence Trilogy, you must begin with the first novel, Existence. The books are not standalones; they form a continuous narrative arc with unresolved plot threads and cliffhangers that carry directly from one volume to the next. Skipping the novella is technically possible if you only want the primary plot, but most fans agree that Leif's perspective adds invaluable depth to the story and makes the character dynamics in Ceaseless far more impactful. The trilogy is a relatively quick read, with fast-paced writing and short lengths that allow paranormal romance enthusiasts to breeze through the entire series over a weekend.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone and Themes
Before diving in, readers should know that the Existence Trilogy is very much a product of the peak Young Adult paranormal romance era of the early 2010s. It features classic tropes of the time, including a brooding, protective supernatural love interest, an intense love triangle, and a high school setting mixed with epic, world-ending stakes. Abbi Glines infuses the story with a light Southern Gothic atmosphere, setting the events in a small Southern town that adds a distinct charm to the narrative. The series explores themes of choice versus pre-determined fate, the nature of human souls, and the sacrifices one is willing to make for love. While it does not feature the mature content found in Glines' later New Adult romance novels, it offers plenty of romantic tension and emotional drama suited for YA readers.