How to Read the Guardians Series in Order
Meljean Brook's Guardians is a completed paranormal romance and urban fantasy saga consisting of eight full-length novels and five novellas. While each novel centers on a different romantic couple, the series features a tightly woven, overarching narrative charting the battle against Lucifer and the politics of Caelum. For this reason, reading the series in chronological order is highly recommended to avoid major spoilers and fully appreciate the world-building.
The following list outlines the recommended reading order, incorporating all novels and novellas into the chronological timeline:
- "Falling for Anthony" (Novella, 2005) – Set in 1811 Regency England, this prequel serves as the chronological beginning of the series. Originally published in the anthology Hot Spell, it follows the novice Guardian Anthony and Charlotte as they navigate early Guardian lore.
- Demon Angel (Novel, 2007) – The first full-length novel and the ideal starting point for the modern-day storyline. It introduces Hugh, a Guardian knight, and Lilith, a half-demon bound to Lucifer, setting up the central conflict of the series.
- "Paradise" (Novella, 2007) – Chronologically numbered as #1.5 and originally published in the anthology Wild Thing. It follows the Guardian Selah and the vampire Lucas Marsden as they investigate a series of murders at a theatre in Oregon.
- Demon Moon (Novel, 2007) – The second novel focuses on Colin Ames-Beaumont, a vampire who must protect Savitri Murray, a human woman whose curiosity leads her directly into the path of demonic danger.
- Demon Night (Novel, 2008) – The third novel pairs the recovering human Charlie Newcomb with the Guardian Ethan McCabe, exploring themes of healing, trust, and community protection.
- "Thicker Than Blood" (Novella, 2008) – Chronologically numbered as #3.5 and featured in the anthology First Blood. This story centers on Annie Gallagher, a vampire enforcer, and Jack Harrington, an FBI agent, as they reunite during a rescue mission in Philadelphia.
- Demon Bound (Novel, 2008) – The fourth novel follows the Guardian Jake Hawkins and Alice Grey, a woman desperately seeking to escape a soul-binding bargain with a demon.
- Demon Forged (Novel, 2009) – The fifth novel explores the centuries-long history and unresolved tension between Alejandro, a Spanish nobleman turned Guardian, and Irena, one of the oldest and most powerful Guardians.
- "Blind Spot" (Novella, 2009) – Chronologically numbered as #5.5 and published in the anthology Must Love Hellhounds. It follows former CIA operative Maggie Wren and Geoffrey "Blake" Blake, who possesses dragon's blood, on a rescue mission.
- Demon Blood (Novel, 2010) – The sixth novel follows Deacon, a vampire seeking vengeance against the demons who deceived him, and Rosalia, a Guardian raised by a demon.
- Demon Marked (Novel, 2011) – The seventh novel centers on the revenge-driven Nicholas St. Croix and Ash, an amnesiac half-demon who bears a striking resemblance to his lost love.
- "Ascension" (Novella, 2011) – Chronologically numbered as #7.5 and published in the anthology Angels of Darkness. It features Marc Revoire (Icarus) and Radha, two Guardians investigating vampire disappearances.
- Guardian Demon (Novel, 2013) – The eighth and final novel serves as the epic conclusion to the overarching conflict, pairing Michael, the Doyen (leader) of the Guardians, with former detective Andromeda Taylor.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Fortunately for readers, the publication order of the Guardians series matches the chronological timeline almost perfectly. The only exception is the prequel novella, "Falling for Anthony". Because it is set in 1811 England, it serves as a historical prequel, whereas the rest of the series takes place in the modern day. Readers can safely choose to read Anthony's story first to understand the rules of the universe, or save it for later as a flashback after getting hooked by the contemporary action in Demon Angel.
The Core Lore: What to Know Before You Start
Meljean Brook's universe features a highly detailed mythological framework that distinguishes it from standard paranormal romance. In this world, ordinary humans who sacrifice their lives to save others can be transformed by the Doyen (the leader of the Guardians) into immortal protectors. These Guardians reside in the heavenly realm of Caelum and are gifted with unique supernatural powers, but they must undergo a hundred years of training as novices.
The Guardians protect humanity from two main threats: demons, who seek to harvest human souls and make binding bargains, and vampires (or nosferatu), whose souls have been destroyed. The series stands out for its morally complex characters, where angels are not always saintly, and vampires and demons often possess shades of humanity and redemption.
Subseries and Crossover Confusion
Because Meljean Brook frequently contributed to romance anthologies during the run of the Guardians series, some publication history can confuse new readers. In particular, the 2010 anthology Burning Up contains a novella by Brook titled "Here There Be Monsters". While this story is sometimes mistakenly listed alongside Guardians books due to its release timeline, it actually serves as the prequel to her steampunk romance series, The Iron Seas, and has no connection to the Guardians universe.
Practical Reading Advice
While the novels are technically standalone romances with complete resolutions for each couple, the progression of the war against Lucifer means that readers who jump around will encounter major spoilers. If you prefer to stick strictly to the novels, you can read books 1 through 8 in order and skip the novellas. However, the novellas like "Blind Spot" and "Ascension" flesh out key background characters and factions, making the overall experience far richer if read in the full 13-part chronological sequence.