The Recommended Reading Order for Fallen Angels
To fully appreciate the high-stakes cosmic war between Heaven and Hell, you should read the Fallen Angels series in its original publication order. The overall story is highly serialized, tracking Jim Heron's ongoing mission to salvage the souls of seven individuals. Skipping books will leave you lost regarding the overarching lore, the characters' development, and the escalating conflict between angelic forces and the demonic Devina.
- Covet (2009) – Introducing Jim Heron, wealthy businessman Vin diPietro, and the beginning of the seven-soul contest.
- Crave (2010) – Following black-ops soldier Isaac Rothe on the run as he faces his personal crossroads.
- Envy (2011) – Centering on homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr. and his struggle against his dark family legacy.
- Rapture (2012) – Focusing on the journalist Mels Carmichael and the amnesiac Matthias, whose past is tied to Jim Heron.
- Possession (2013) – Following Cait Douglass as she is caught in a love triangle between Duke Phillips and his twin brother G.B.
- Immortal (2014) – The series finale that brings Jim Heron’s mission, his relationship with Sissy, and the ultimate fate of humanity to a dramatic conclusion.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the Fallen Angels series, the publication order and the chronological order are identical. Because the cosmic game progresses continuously through each book, reading them in the order they were published is the only logical path. The background narrative detailing Jim Heron’s training, his alliance with fellow fallen angels Adrian and Eddie, and his battles with the demon Devina builds directly from one book to the next.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) Connection and Crossovers
One of the biggest questions readers ask is how Fallen Angels connects to J.R. Ward's flagship series, the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Both series are set in the gritty streets of Caldwell, New York, and share a common universe, but they focus on different aspects of the supernatural world.
Do You Need to Read Fallen Angels for BDB?
Strictly speaking, the Fallen Angels series is a standalone spin-off. You do not need to read it to understand the core romance and military plots of the main Black Dagger Brotherhood books. However, reading it adds incredible depth to the later BDB books.
Key Crossovers and Cameos
- Devina's Transition: The primary demon antagonist of Fallen Angels, Devina (the "devil in the blue dress"), eventually crosses over into the main Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She becomes a major antagonist for the vampires, starting around The Thief (BDB Book 16) and playing a massive role in Lover Arisen (BDB Book 20).
- Lassiter: The fan-favorite fallen angel Lassiter from BDB shares history, celestial mechanics, and intense rivalry with characters and concepts introduced in the Fallen Angels universe.
- Brotherhood Cameos: Because both series take place in Caldwell, you will spot brief appearances and mentions of the Brothers, setting details, and shared local landmarks.
Parallel Publication Reading Order
If you want to experience the Caldwell universe exactly as it was published, you can interweave the two series like this:
- BDB #7: Lover Avenged (2009) → FA #1: Covet (2009)
- BDB #8: Lover Mine (2010) → FA #2: Crave (2010)
- BDB #9: Lover Unleashed (2011) → FA #3: Envy (2011)
- BDB #10: Lover Reborn (2012) → FA #4: Rapture (2012)
- BDB #11: Lover at Last (2013) → FA #5: Possession (2013)
- BDB #12: The King (2014) → FA #6: Immortal (2014)
What to Know Before You Start
Fallen Angels differs from the Black Dagger Brotherhood in several key ways. While BDB focuses heavily on vampire society, biological lore, and brotherhood dynamics, Fallen Angels is built on a framework of Christian mythology, angels, demons, and the concept of the seven deadly sins. The tone is grittier, darker, and deals with heavy moral gray areas, trauma, and redemption. Each book focuses on a specific soul's crossroads, but the romance is woven into a wider, more complex battle of good versus evil.