Books On Board

Lily Harper Books in Order

  • 13 Books
  • 2013 – 2023 Published

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How to Read the Lily Harper Series

The Lily Harper series, written by New York Times bestselling author H.P. Mallory, is a witty, fast-paced urban fantasy series with strong paranormal romance elements. The story follows Lily Harper, a young woman whose life ends abruptly in a car accident, only for her to find herself drafted into AfterLife Enterprises as a soul retriever. To avoid a century in limbo, Lily must enter the Underground City—a hellish realm inspired by Dante’s Inferno—and retrieve lost souls.

Because the series follows a tight, continuous chronological storyline with evolving relationships and overarching stakes, it is highly recommended to read the books in their publication order. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers regarding Lily's romantic prospects, her growing supernatural powers, and the fate of the Underground City.

Lily Harper Books in Publication and Chronological Order

The main series consists of twelve full-length novels and one companion novella (The Bladesmith), spanning from 2013 to 2023. Here is the complete reading path:

  1. Better Off Dead (2013) – Lily dies in a car crash and accepts a position as a soul retriever. She is introduced to her crude guardian angel, Bill, and her enigmatic, brooding Druid trainer, Tallis Black.
  2. The Underground City (2014) – Lily tackles new soul-retrieving missions in the prison and sewer aqueducts of the afterlife, while Alaire, the dangerous master of the Underground City, begins to take a personal interest in her.
  3. To Hell and Back (2014) – As Lily faces increasingly dangerous demonic entities, she begins to uncover the dark, centuries-old secrets that Tallis has been keeping from her.
  4. Persephone (2015) – The romantic tension between Lily and Tallis intensifies, but Lily must navigate new supernatural threats and political maneuvering from Alaire.
  5. The Bladesmith (2016) – A companion novella told entirely from the point of view of Tallis Black. It takes place during the events surrounding book four and five, providing deep insight into Tallis's internal battle with the "Viking Demon" inside him and his feelings for Lily.
  6. Rebirth (2019) – After a publishing hiatus, Mallory revived the series with this installment, which raises the stakes for Lily's survival and her role in the afterlife.
  7. No Going Back (2019) – Lily finds herself dealing with the consequences of her choices, pushing her relationships with both Bill and Tallis to their limits.
  8. Devil in Disguise (2020) – New factions and enemies emerge in the Underground City, forcing Lily to rely on her wits and expanding abilities.
  9. Mark of the Beast (2020) – Lily confronts powerful biblical and mythological threats as the series marches toward its ultimate conflict.
  10. Daylight Fading (2020) – The boundaries between the living world and the Underground City become increasingly fragile.
  11. Lords of Illusion (2021) – Lily must decipher who is ally and who is enemy in a web of supernatural deceit.
  12. Fire Down Below (2021) – The penultimate conflicts ignite, setting the stage for the final war for control of the afterlife.
  13. The Final Battle (2023) – The epic, action-packed conclusion to Lily's journey as a soul retriever.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the Underground City, readers should know that H.P. Mallory's portrayal of the afterlife is highly irreverent, comedic, and action-oriented. The setting draws heavily from historical and mythological frameworks, placing modern, sarcastic characters into a grim, dark environment. The series is best known for its witty banter—largely driven by Lily's crass, womanizing guardian angel, Bill—and a slow-burn romance with Tallis Black, a 2,000-year-old Celtic Druid and bladesmith.

While Mallory is also famous for her other urban fantasy series, such as the Dulcie O'Neil series and the Jolie Wilkins series, the Lily Harper books take place in their own self-contained universe. There are no official crossovers or spin-offs that require you to read Mallory’s other works to understand Lily’s story.

The Significance of The Bladesmith

While The Bladesmith is technically a novella rather than a full novel, it is not a skippable side-story. Because it offers the only perspective from Tallis Black, it bridges crucial emotional gaps between Persephone and Rebirth. Reading it in its designated spot as Book 5 is highly recommended for fans who want to understand the depth of Tallis's character and his perspective on his relationship with Lily.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading the Lily Harper series?

You should start with the first novel, Better Off Dead. The series has a continuous, serialized plot, making the first book the only logical entry point.

Can the Lily Harper books be read as standalones?

No. Each book builds directly on the cliffhangers and character developments of the previous installment. They should be read in chronological order.

Is the Lily Harper series completed?

Yes, the series is complete. The 13th book, The Final Battle, was published in 2023 and wraps up Lily's story.

Do I need to read the novella The Bladesmith?

While it is a novella, it is highly recommended. It is written from Tallis's perspective and explains his internal struggles, which are essential to the romance plotline going into Rebirth.

Are there crossovers with H.P. Mallory's other books?

No. Although Mallory has written other popular paranormal series like Dulcie O'Neil and Jolie Wilkins, the Lily Harper series is stand-alone and has no official crossovers.