How to Read Cameron Jace's Grimm Diaries and Prequels
Cameron Jace's expansive universe is a dark, imaginative playground where the fairy tales we grew up with are revealed to be elaborate lies. This gothic world consists of two distinct sequences: The Grimm Diaries Prequels (a series of 24 short, epistolary snapshots and diary entries) and the main series, The Grimm Diaries (full-length novels). With so many short stories floating around, deciding how to dive in can feel like navigating a foggy Dreamworld. Fortunately, two clear reading orders will help you find your footing.
Path 1: The Core Starter Order (Recommended)
If you want to understand the lore and concepts before diving into the longer novels, the best way is to start with the first few prequels. The first six prequels establish the rules of the Dreamworld, introduce key characters, and set the mysterious tone of the series. Here is the recommended starter path:
- Snow White Blood Red (Prequel #1) - Introduces the tragic truth behind the Evil Queen.
- Ashes to Ashes and Cinder to Cinder (Prequel #2) - Establishes the role of Alice Grimm and the Dreamhunters.
- Beauty Never Dies (Prequel #3) - Features a dark twist on Peter Pan.
- Ladle Rat Rotten Hut (Prequel #4) - Reimagines Little Red Riding Hood and introduces the unique "Anguish Language."
- Mary Mary Quite Contrary (Prequel #5) - A creepy folklore horror snapshot.
- Blood Apples (Prequel #6) - Deepens the mystery of the poison apple and Prince Charming.
- Snow White Sorrow (The Grimm Diaries Book 1) - The official start of the main series.
After finishing the first book of the main series, you can either continue with the main novels or intersperse the remaining 18 prequel books at your leisure to get more character background.
Path 2: The Chronological & Publication Release Order
For purists who want to see the universe develop exactly as Cameron Jace wrote it, reading the prequels in their publication order is the most straightforward path. Because the prequels are short, they can be read quickly as companion stories. Below are the complete publication lists for both series.
The Complete Grimm Diaries Prequels List
Published between 2012 and 2013, these 24 books are written as personal diary entries by immortal characters who wake up every century to record their truths. They function as a puzzle, with each book adding a tiny piece to the larger cosmic conflict:
- Snow White Blood Red (2012)
- Ashes to Ashes and Cinder to Cinder (2012)
- Beauty Never Dies (2012)
- Ladle Rat Rotten Hut (2012)
- Mary Mary Quite Contrary (2012)
- Blood Apples (2012)
- Once Beauty Twice Beast (2013)
- Moon and Madly (2013)
- Rumpelstein (2013)
- Jawigi (2013)
- Happy Valentine's Slay (2013)
- Tooth & Nail & Fairy Tale (2013)
- Ember in the Wind (2013)
- Jar of Hearts (2013)
- Snow White Black Swan (2013)
- The Pumpkin Piper (2013)
- Prince of Puppets (2013)
- The Sleeping Swan (2013)
- Friday the 13th (2013)
- The Fisherman's Son (2013)
- Lady Bluebeard (2013)
- Thirteen Years of Snow (2013)
- Sun, Moon & Sorrow (2013)
- Spindle Spindle Little Star (2013)
The Main Grimm Diaries Series
If you prefer standard novel formats with a cohesive narrative, the main series is where the central plot of the Dreamhunters unfolds. Unlike the episodic snapshots of the prequels, these books follow a traditional story structure:
- Snow White Sorrow (2013)
- Cinderella Dressed in Ashes (2013)
- Blood, Milk & Chocolate - Part 1 (2015)
- Blood, Milk & Chocolate - Part 2 (2016)
What to Know Before You Start: Lore and Tone
Before you dive into this twisted fairy tale retelling, there are a few unique elements of Jace's universe you should know:
The Concept of the Dreamworld and Dreamhunters
In this universe, the fairy tale characters we know (like Snow White, Cinderella, and Rapunzel) are actual historical immortals trapped in a shifting Dreamworld. Normal humans cannot perceive them, but a rare lineage of humans called Dreamhunters has the ability to enter their dreams. The Dreamhunters discover that the stories written by the Brothers Grimm were actually a cover-up to hide a cosmic conflict. The diary entries in the prequel books represent the immortals waking up to write down their real, unvarnished memories.
Indie Roots and Quirky Narrative Style
Cameron Jace self-published this series, allowing him the creative freedom to combine folklore, classical mythology, and modern pop-culture references in a chaotic, fast-paced style. The books are written in a conversational, raw tone, fitting the premise of diary entries. Because of their indie nature, readers should expect a few typos or formatting quirks, but fans find that this raw, unedited feel actually enhances the authenticity of the diaries.
Reading Advice and Common Caveats
Are the prequels mandatory? Strictly speaking, no. You can start with the main series novel Snow White Sorrow and follow the main characters without reading all 24 prequels. However, skipping the prequels means you will miss out on the rich world-building, the origin stories of secondary characters, and the fun, puzzle-like clues that explain why the fairy tales are twisted. If 24 prequels feel overwhelming, simply read the first six as a warm-up, dive into the main series, and return to the others whenever you want to spend more time in Jace's dark, dream-filled universe.