Where to Start with the Jane True Series
For anyone dipping their toes into Nicole Peeler's vibrant urban fantasy world (affectionately dubbed the "Truniverse" by fans), the best starting point is undisputedly the first novel, Tempest Rising. Unlike some episodic fantasy series where books can be read as standalones, the Jane True saga is deeply character-driven. Jane's personal growth, the evolution of her magical selkie powers, her complex romantic relationships, and the overarching supernatural conflicts build sequentially from one book to the next.
Starting anywhere else will leave you spoiled on major plot points, particularly regarding Jane's family history, her relationships with Ryu and Anyan, and the shifting power dynamics of the supernatural conclave.
Jane True Core Series in Publication Order
The core narrative of Jane True spans six main novels published between 2009 and 2013. Following the publication order ensures you experience Jane's evolution from a self-conscious town outcast to an empowered defender of her community exactly as the author intended.
1. Tempest Rising (2009)
We meet Jane True as a 26-year-old bookstore clerk living in the small coastal town of Rockabill, Maine. Marked by a tragic past and viewed as an oddball by the locals, Jane's life changes forever during one of her nightly ocean swims when she discovers a brutally murdered body. This grim event forces Jane into the hidden world of the supernatural, revealing that she is actually a halfling—half-human and half-selkie (a mythological seal-shapeshifter). As she assists the supernatural authorities in solving the murder, she begins to find a sense of belonging she has never known before.
2. Tracking the Tempest (2010)
With her supernatural heritage out in the open, Jane must learn to navigate her new reality. She begins dating Ryu, a handsome and sophisticated vampire, while trying to master her newly discovered magical abilities. The peace doesn't last long, however, as a series of mysterious, magic-fueled arsons threaten Rockabill. Jane is dragged into the investigation, forcing her to confront the darker, more violent sides of the supernatural community.
3. Tempest's Legacy (2010)
The stakes become deeply personal in this third installment. As Jane continues to develop her selkie powers, she must confront the painful legacy of her mother, who abandoned her years ago. When secrets from her mother's past resurface, Jane is forced to hunt down the entity responsible for her mother's death. This book marks a major emotional turning point for Jane as she transitions from surviving the supernatural world to actively claiming her place within it.
4. Eye of the Tempest (2011)
Jane is summoned away from the relative safety of Rockabill to Boston, the regional capital of the supernatural administration. Thrown into a den of high-stakes supernatural politics, Jane must defend herself and her friends against manipulative power brokers. As her relationship dynamics shift and she faces deadly trials, Jane's unique powers are tested like never before, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with.
5. Tempest's Fury (2012)
Returning to Maine doesn't bring Jane the peace she hopes for. The supernatural conflicts that have been simmering throughout the series begin to boil over. Ancient grudges and new threats target Jane's friends and loved ones, raising the danger to an all-time high. Jane is forced to make difficult alliances and rely on her wits and power to prevent Rockabill from being torn apart.
6. Tempest Reborn (2013)
The final book in the main six-novel arc brings Jane's story to an epic conclusion. Jane must face the ultimate threats to both her hometown and the wider supernatural world. Blending high-stakes action with emotional resolution, this novel wraps up Jane's transition from a lonely misfit to a fully realized, powerful protector of the Truniverse.
The Truniverse Novellas and Short Stories
In addition to the six main novels, Nicole Peeler wrote several companion novellas and short stories that enrich the world. While some feature Jane directly, others expand on secondary characters.
Something Wikkid This Way Comes (2012)
This standalone novella takes place in the same universe but shifts the focus away from Jane to a trio of halfling women who run "Triptych," a private investigation agency specializing in supernatural cleanups. When a human priest asks them to investigate disappearing students at a Catholic school, the trio goes undercover. Chronological placement: This story is best read as Book 4.5, slotting between Eye of the Tempest and Tempest's Fury, though it can also be enjoyed as a standalone spin-off after finishing the main series.
The Inside Man (2013)
Originally published in the urban fantasy anthology Carniepunk, this short story features characters from the main series dealing with supernatural trouble in a carnival setting. Chronological placement: Read this after Tempest Reborn (Book 6).
The Hound of Bar Harborville (2014)
A fun, romantic short story told from the perspective of Anyan, Jane's partner. It follows the couple on a much-needed romantic getaway to Bar Harbor, which is predictably interrupted by supernatural mischief. Chronological placement: Read this after the main series.
The Ryu Morgue (2014)
This companion short story focuses heavily on Ryu, Jane's vampire ex-boyfriend, giving readers a deeper look into his character and history. Chronological placement: Read after the main series.
Basic Incubus (2015)
The final published short story in the Truniverse, offering a playful, post-series look at the lives of the characters. Chronological placement: Read last to conclude your journey through Rockabill.
The Spin-Off Novel: Jinn and Juice (2014)
In 2014, Nicole Peeler launched a spin-off novel set in the same Truniverse, titled Jinn and Juice. Rather than Maine, the story is set in the "steel-soaked" magical landscape of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It stars Leila, a thousand-year-old jinni (genie) cursed to servitude, and Ozan Sawyer, a Magi capable of binding jinn. While it shares the same supernatural world and rules as the Jane True series, it features a completely new cast of characters and can be read independently of Jane's story.
What to Know Before You Start
Nicole Peeler's books are known for their distinct tone, blending fast-paced mysteries with quirky, laugh-out-loud humor. Unlike more traditional, gritty urban fantasy, the Jane True series leans into the absurdity of mythological creatures living in modern society—complete with grocery-bagging spirits and healing dogs. The series is also highly praised for its sex-positive attitude, safe-sex advocacy, and inclusive cast of characters, including LGBT+ representation. Jane's relatability and humor earned her the 2013 RT Reviewers Choice Award for Urban Fantasy Protagonist.
Chronological Reading Order Checklist
- Tempest Rising (2009)
- Tracking the Tempest (2010)
- Tempest's Legacy (2010/2011)
- Eye of the Tempest (2011)
- Something Wikkid This Way Comes (2012) [Novella]
- Tempest's Fury (2012)
- Tempest Reborn (2013)
- The Inside Man (2013) [Short Story in Carniepunk]
- The Hound of Bar Harborville (2014) [Short Story]
- The Ryu Morgue (2014) [Short Story]
- Basic Incubus (2015) [Short Story]
- Jinn and Juice (2014) [Spin-off Novel]