The Ultimate Imdalind Reading Guide
Rebecca Ethington's Imdalind series is a sprawling, high-stakes young adult paranormal fantasy saga that has captured the hearts of romance and adventure fans alike since its debut in 2012. At its core, the series centers on Joclyn Despain, a young woman whose mysterious, dragon-shaped scar makes her the focus of an ancient magical prophecy. Thrust into a hidden world of elemental magic, immortals, and dangerous conflicts, Joclyn must navigate her evolving powers, complicated romances, and a war that threatens to consume both the magical and human realms.
With multiple paths to experience the narrative—including the original series, a chronological remastered edition, and a spin-off academy series—knowing where to start can be daunting. Below is the ultimate reading guide to help you navigate the magical universe of Imdalind.
How to Read the Imdalind Series: Two Different Paths
Readers can approach the main story of Imdalind in two distinct ways: the original publication order or the restructured, expanded chronological timeline known as the Imdalind Ruby Collection.
Path 1: The Original Publication Order
Reading in the original publication order allows you to experience the story exactly as it was released. Initially conceived as a shorter series concluding with Crown of Cinders in 2016, Rebecca Ethington later expanded the story with three additional volumes to fully conclude Joclyn's journey.
- Kiss of Fire (2012) – Joclyn Despain discovers her dragon-like scar holds the key to a dangerous magic world.
- Eyes of Ember (2013) – Joclyn hides from her pursuers as she struggles to control her growing powers.
- Scorched Treachery (2013) – The perspective shifts to Wyn and Ilyan, unveiling deep betrayals that reshape the war.
- Soul of Flame (2014) – Emotional and magical stakes rise as Joclyn fights to protect those she loves.
- Burnt Devotion (2015) – The conflict intensifies as loyalties are tested and ancient magic threatens to tear the characters apart.
- Brand of Betrayal (2015) – Secrets are revealed and battle lines are drawn as the dark forces close in.
- Dawn of Ash (2016) – The characters grapple with the devastating consequences of war as they search for hope.
- Crown of Cinders (2016) – The initial climax of the series, where ancient prophecies and sacrifices culminate.
- Spark of Vengeance (2021) – The continuation of the saga, picking up the threads of the surviving characters as new threats emerge.
- Flare of Villainy (2021) – Dark magic and political intrigue within the magical enclaves reach a boiling point.
- Final Inferno (2022) – The epic, final conclusion to Joclyn and Ilyan's story arc.
Path 2: The Imdalind Ruby Collection (Recommended for New Readers)
If you want a more streamlined and cohesive narrative, Rebecca Ethington released the Imdalind Ruby Collection. This collection is a remastered version of the original series that interlaces the individual books into a single, unified chronological timeline. It removes redundant scenes, adds new character points of view (POVs), and inserts over 200,000 words of brand-new content to expand the lore.
The Ruby Collection is divided into three comprehensive volumes:
- Volume One – Contains the events and timeline of Kiss of Fire, Eyes of Ember, and Scorched Treachery.
- Volume Two – Covers the timeline of Soul of Flame, Burnt Devotion, Brand of Betrayal, and Dawn of Ash.
- Volume Three – Integrates and concludes the story with the events of Crown of Cinders, Spark of Vengeance, Flare of Villainy, and Final Inferno.
The Imdalind Academy Spin-Off Series
For readers who want to remain in the universe after finishing Joclyn's story, Ethington wrote Imdalind Academy. This spin-off is set 200 years after the events of the main series, following a new cast of characters—including Rowan and Gemma—as they navigate the trials of the Academy and the deadly test known as the Gauntlet. It should be read after completing either the main series or the Ruby Collection to avoid spoilers and to fully appreciate the world-building references.
- The Gauntlet (2019)
- Rogue Royalty (2019)
- Broken Renegade (2021)
- Reluctant Seer (2022)
What to Know Before You Start
The Imdalind series is best known for its rich elemental magic system, slow-burn paranormal romance, and emotional character development. While the early books have a classic YA paranormal romance feel, the story matures significantly in later volumes, transitioning into a dark, action-packed fantasy war. If you prefer a faster-paced narrative without overlapping timelines or repetitive scenes from different POVs, starting with the Ruby Collection is highly recommended by the author and longtime fans.