The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, readers should follow the series in its publication order. The main novels trace a continuous, escalating storyline that follows Lana Harvey's evolution from a reluctant, slacker reaper to a major player in Limbo City's afterlife politics. Skipping ahead will spoil major plot points and character deaths.
Here is the recommended reading path for the entire 'Lanaverse':
- Graveyard Shift (Book 1)
- Pocket Full of Posies (Book 2)
- For the Birds (Book 3)
- Psychopomp (Book 4)
- Death Wish (Book 5)
- Season's Reapings (Book 5.5 - Holiday Short Story)
- Ghost Market (Book 6)
- Hellfire and Brimstone (Book 7)
- Limbo City Lights (Book 8 - Short Story Collection)
- Life After Death (Return to Limbo City Book 1)
- Shadow of Death (Return to Limbo City Book 2)
- Tree of Death (Return to Limbo City Book 3)
- To the Death (Return to Limbo City Book 4)
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
While the main novels follow a strictly linear chronological timeline, the short stories in the collection Limbo City Lights (Book 8) jump all over the timeline. Specifically, the prequel story 'Pre-Mortem' is set in the 1700s, while 'Post-Mortem' is set in the far future of the 2300s. Despite their chronological placements, it is highly recommended to read them after finishing the main seven novels. Reading them out of order can disrupt the narrative flow and spoil elements of Lana's character development and the shifting power structures of Limbo City.
Additionally, Season's Reapings can be read either immediately after Death Wish (where it fits chronologically as Book 5.5) or as part of the Limbo City Lights collection later. Reading it in its chronological slot provides a fun, low-stakes holiday break between the high-stakes novels.
The Main Series: Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc.
The main series consists of seven novels and one comprehensive anthology that anchor the world of Limbo City. These books establish the rules of the afterlife, introducing a modern bureaucracy where gods and demons from every major mythology coexist.
Graveyard Shift (2009)
The book that started it all. Lana Harvey is an eighth-generation reaper who prefers hanging out at the Purgatory Lounge with her archangel buddy Gabriel over harvesting souls. Her slacker lifestyle is turned upside down when a sudden promotion thrusts her into the middle of a celestial conspiracy that threatens the balance of Eternity.
Pocket Full of Posies (2012)
Now leading the newly formed Posy Unit, Lana has to clean up a supernatural mess. When rebel demons threaten Limbo City and the Egyptian god Horus starts blackmailling her, Lana must decide who she can trust while navigating the complex web of afterlife politics.
For the Birds (2013)
Lana finds herself juggling a messy love life and increasingly dangerous reaper assignments. When the underbelly of Limbo City becomes too dangerous to ignore, she is forced to make alliances with some of the afterlife's shiftier deities.
Psychopomp (2014)
The tone turns darker as the war for Eternity heats up. Lana is forced to confront heartbreak and a mysterious rebel general who wants to overthrow the Afterlife Council. Her choices in this book set the stage for the dramatic final trilogy.
Death Wish (2015)
With Limbo City on the brink of civil war, Lana must step up to prevent total chaos. The boundaries between the different mythological realms begin to blur, forcing Lana to rely on her found family to survive.
Ghost Market (2016)
Dealing with the aftermath of massive political shifts, Lana investigates an illegal black market dealing in human souls. This entry expands the world-building, showing the gritty economic underbelly of the afterlife.
Hellfire and Brimstone (2016)
The epic conclusion to the original seven-book arc. Lana faces her toughest challenge yet as the battle for the Throne of Eternity reaches its climax, permanently reshaping the landscape of Limbo City.
Limbo City Lights (2017)
This collection compiles six short stories set in the Lanaverse. It includes previously published stories like 'Dearly Departed', 'Hair of the Hellhound', and 'Season's Reapings', along with new tales like the historical 'Pre-Mortem', the futuristic 'Post-Mortem', and a special crossover story.
The Spin-Off: Return to Limbo City
Following the events of Hellfire and Brimstone, the spin-off series Return to Limbo City picks up the story. It explores how Lana and her allies navigate the new status quo after the collapse of the old Afterlife Council.
- Life After Death (2021): Lana adjusts to a new role and a rapidly changing Limbo City.
- Shadow of Death (2022): Old enemies resurface to challenge the fragile peace.
- Tree of Death (2022): Lana travels to the outer mythological realms to secure allies.
- To the Death (2022): A high-stakes showdown that secures the future of the new afterlife hierarchy.
Tie-Ins, Crossovers, and Companions
The Lanaverse features a unique crossover story titled 'Death or Something Like It', which is co-authored with Kory M. Shrum and crosses over with Shrum's Dying for a Living urban fantasy series. This story is conveniently included in the Limbo City Lights anthology.
For readers who want to dive deeper into the visual aspects of the world, Angela Roquet collaborated with illustrator Christi Wells to create The Illustrated Guide to Limbo City. This companion guide features maps, character designs, and background lore on the various pantheons residing in Limbo City. It can be read at any point in the series, though it is best enjoyed after Book 2 once the main cast is established.
What to Know Before You Start
Angela Roquet was heavily inspired by classic urban fantasy tropes and television shows like Dead Like Me. The series blends dark humor, paranormal romance, and extensive mythological world-building. Rather than focusing on a single pantheon, the series is known for its kitchen-sink approach to mythology, where Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Judeo-Christian figures all work in the same bureaucratic office building. The tone remains light and snarky, but the stakes grow progressively higher with each installment.