The Recommended Reading Order for Hot Bloods
The Hot Bloods series (often stylized as Hotbloods) is a continuous, sequential narrative. Unlike some expansive fantasy universes where you can jump around or read spin-offs in varying sequences, this saga must be read in the exact order of its publication. Bella Forrest fast-paced the release of these books between 2017 and 2018, crafting a single, unbroken storyline filled with cliffhangers, evolving relationships, and escalating galactic stakes.
Here is the recommended reading order for the complete eight-book series:
- Hotbloods (2017)
- Coldbloods (2017)
- Renegades (2018)
- Venturers (2018)
- Traitors (2018)
- Allies (2018)
- Invaders (2018)
- Stargazers (2018)
From a Texas Farm to a Galactic Empire: The Premise
The series begins as a seemingly typical paranormal romance. Riley, a college-bound teenager, is looking forward to one final summer of freedom and adventure with her two closest friends on a quiet Texas farm. However, their vacation is upended when a group of mysterious, alarmingly attractive neighbors moves in next door. Riley is quickly drawn to their enigmatic leader, Navan, who has a dark secret: his skin is ashen, and it burns to the touch in direct sunlight.
As Riley uncovers supernatural elements, including a giant wing hidden in a local creek and strange noises echoing through the night, she discovers that Navan and his companions are not traditional vampires, but rather a species of extraterrestrial origin. What starts as a localized paranormal mystery rapidly expands into a sprawling space opera. The characters travel to the alien planet of Vysanthe, getting caught in inter-queendom political conflicts, battling rebel factions, and searching for an immortality elixir that threatens the future of humanity itself.
Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. Hotbloods (2017)
The novel that introduces Riley and Navan. Riley's quiet summer on a Texas farm is shattered when she discovers Navan's non-human origins. As chemistry ignites between the two, Riley is drawn into a secret world of wings, shadows, and alien physiology. This book establishes the romance and the core mystery of the Hot Bloods.
2. Coldbloods (2017)
The stakes escalate as the action shifts from Earth to the galactic stage. Riley and Navan travel to the planet Vysanthe, where she must adapt to a hostile alien society. The political structures of the alien vampire courts are introduced, and Riley learns that survival requires navigating complex interstellar alliances.
3. Renegades (2018)
Riley and Navan find themselves aligned with rebel forces. As trust becomes a rare commodity, the romance is tested by betrayals and the looming threat of war. The world-building deepens, showing the desperate struggle of those living on the fringes of Vysanthe's society.
4. Venturers (2018)
The hunt for the legendary immortality elixir intensifies. Riley and Navan embark on a high-stakes expedition across dangerous alien territories, facing new supernatural threats and environmental hazards. This volume leans heavily into the science-fiction adventure elements of the series.
5. Traitors (2018)
Political intrigue takes center stage as spies and double agents threaten to dismantle the alliance Riley and Navan have fought to build. Trust is shattered, and the narrative drives toward a major confrontation that changes the power dynamics of the galaxy.
6. Allies (2018)
Unlikely partnerships are forged in the face of an existential threat. Riley must unite disparate factions, including former enemies, to prepare for a war that could destroy both Earth and Vysanthe. The character growth of the supporting cast is highlighted in this volume.
7. Invaders (2018)
War arrives in full force. The battle lines are drawn as powerful forces attempt to seize control of both planets. The pacing is relentless, featuring massive skirmishes, high-tech space battles, and personal duels that put the main characters' survival in jeopardy.
8. Stargazers (2018)
The epic conclusion to the Hot Bloods saga. This final installment wraps up the romantic arc between Riley and Navan, resolves the fate of the immortality elixir, and determines the future of the alliance between Earth and Vysanthe. It delivers a definitive end to the continuous storyline.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
Because the series was written and published in a rapid, episodic format, there is no difference between the chronological order of events and the publication order. The story begins on day one of Riley's summer vacation in Hotbloods and marches straight forward through the timeline to the climax in Stargazers. Readers should not attempt to read these books out of order or skip installments, as each book relies heavily on the cliffhangers and plot developments of the preceding novel.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, readers should keep a few details in mind:
- A Genre Mashup: While marketed heavily as paranormal romance, the series transforms into a science-fantasy adventure with spaceships, alien politics, and galactic lore after the first book.
- Binge-Worthy Pacing: Bella Forrest is famous for her fast-paced storytelling and cliffhangers. The books are relatively quick reads, designed to be consumed in rapid succession.
- Vampire Lore with a Twist: Instead of traditional gothic undead, the vampires in Hot Bloods are biological alien beings with wings, unique healing properties, and heat-sensitive skin.
- Standalone Universe: Although Bella Forrest is famous for her massive A Shade of Vampire series, Hot Bloods is a completely separate universe with its own rules, characters, and continuity. You do not need to read any of her other works to understand this series.