Books On Board

Lords of the Underworld Books in Order

  • 22 Books
  • 2008 – 2020 Published

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Reading order
2 of 2 reading orders shown

Where to Start Reading Lords of the Underworld

If you want to step into the dangerous, mythical, and steamy world of the Lords of the Underworld, you should start with the first full-length novel, The Darkest Night (2008). While the prequel novella, The Darkest Fire, takes place chronologically before the events of the first book, starting with the main novel is widely recommended by fans and the author alike. The Darkest Night does a masterful job of introducing the core mythology, the curse of Pandora’s Box, and the high-stakes conflict of the immortal warriors living in their Budapest fortress.

Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended. Gena Showalter weaves an intricate, overarching plot involving the gods, hunters, angels, and demons that progresses continuously from book to book. Skipping around or skipping the crucial novellas can lead to confusion regarding character alliances, relationship statuses, and major plot developments in the war between heaven and hell.

Lords of the Underworld Recommended Reading Order

Below is the complete reading list for Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series, including the main novels, essential novellas, and the official non-fiction companion. Novellas are marked with decimal numbers to indicate their ideal placement within the story's continuity.

  • The Darkest Fire (Book 0.5 / 2008): A prequel novella focusing on Geryon, the guardian of the Gates of Hell, and Kadence, the goddess of Oppression.
  • The Darkest Night (Book 1 / 2008): The core story begins with Maddox, keeper of Violence, and his intense connection with Ashlyn Darrow, a mortal who can hear voices of the past.
  • The Darkest Kiss (Book 2 / 2008): Lucien, host to Death, faces off against Anya, the wild and chaotic goddess of Anarchy.
  • The Darkest Pleasure (Book 3 / 2008): Reyes, host to Pain, struggles with his forbidden attraction to Danika Ford.
  • The Darkest Prison (Book 3.5 / 2009): A novella featuring Atlas, the Titan god of Strength, and Nike, the goddess of Victory.
  • The Darkest Whisper (Book 4 / 2009): Sabin, keeper of Doubt, meets Gwen, a timid harpy who holds the key to his redemption.
  • The Darkest Angel (Book 4.5 / 2010): A novella centered on the warrior angel Lysander and Bianka, a fierce harpy. This story serves as a bridge to the Angels of the Dark spin-off.
  • The Darkest Facts (Companion / 2010): A non-fiction guide providing character profiles, deleted scenes, interviews, and deep-dive lore about the Lords of the Underworld universe.
  • The Darkest Passion (Book 5 / 2010): Aeron, keeper of Wrath, finds himself drawn to Olivia, an angel sent to destroy him.
  • The Darkest Lie (Book 6 / 2010): Gideon, host to Lies, must navigate a dangerous game of deception with Scarlet, a keeper of demons.
  • The Darkest Secret (Book 7 / 2011): Amun, keeper of Secrets, meets Haidee, a hunter who knows how to break his silence.
  • The Darkest Surrender (Book 8 / 2011): Strider, keeper of Defeat, meets Kaia the Disagreeable, a harpy who refuses to lose.
  • The Darkest Seduction (Book 9 / 2012): Paris, host to Promiscuity, searches for his true mate, Sienna Lafayette.
  • The Darkest Craving (Book 10 / 2013): Kane, host to Disaster, fights his destructive instincts for Josephina Aisling.
  • The Darkest Touch (Book 11 / 2014): Torin, host to Disease, must avoid physical contact, but he meets his match in Keeleycael, the Queen of the Unseen.
  • The Darkest Torment (Book 12 / 2016): Baden, resurrected and hosting a new demon, seeks vengeance alongside dog trainer Katarina Joelle.
  • The Darkest Promise (Book 13 / 2017): Cameo, host to Misery, finds hope in Lazarus the Cruel, a warlord from another realm.
  • The Darkest Warrior (Book 14 / 2018): Puck, a beastly prince, goes to extreme lengths to protect Gillian Shaw.
  • The Darkest Captive (Book 14.5 / 2018): A novella focusing on the warrior Galen and Legion, a demoness with multiple personalities.
  • The Darkest Assassin (Book 14.8 / 2019): A novella featuring Fox and Bjorn, exploring the boundaries of their loyalty and desires.
  • The Darkest King (Book 15 / 2020): William the Ever-Aberrant, a favorite recurring character, finally gets his story alongside Sunday Lane.
  • The Darkest Destiny (Book 16 / 2021): The story of Kelly and Vi, concluding a major arc of the primary series.

Connecting the Spin-off Series

Gena Showalter has created two distinct spin-off series set in the same shared universe. Reading them in conjunction with the main series enhances the overall world-building, as characters frequently cross over.

Angels of the Dark

This trilogy focuses on the "Sent Ones," the elite warrior angels who protect humanity and interact directly with the Lords of the Underworld. You should read this spin-off series after finishing The Darkest Seduction (Book 9) and before starting The Darkest Craving (Book 10) to maintain character timeline continuity.

  • Wicked Nights (Book 1 / 2012): Follows Zacharel and Annabelle.
  • Beauty Awakened (Book 2 / 2013): Follows Koldo and Nicola.
  • Burning Dawn (Book 3 / 2014): Follows Thane and Elin.

Rise of the Warlords

Launched in 2021, this series continues the mythology of the Lords of the Underworld world, shifting the focus to a group of lethal warlords. This series should be read after completing The Darkest Destiny (Book 16).

  • The Warlord (Book 1 / 2021): Bridges the two groups through Taliyah Skyhawk and Roc.
  • The Immortal (Book 2 / 2022): Follows Halo and Ophelia.
  • The Phantom (Book 3 / 2023): Follows Roux and Blythe.
  • The Wrath (Book 4 / 2024): Follows Rath and Anya.

Chronological Caveats & Practical Reading Advice

While the publication order is the safest bet for first-time readers, those who want to read chronologically can place the prequel novella The Darkest Fire first. However, doing so might make the initial world-building in The Darkest Night feel slightly repetitive.

Another common point of discussion is the placement of the novellas. Novellas like The Darkest Angel are not optional side stories; they introduce key characters (like Lysander) who become major players in the subsequent novels and the Angels of the Dark spin-off. To avoid missing critical context about the overall war against the Hunters, ensure you do not skip these shorter releases.

Frequently Asked

What is the best starting point for the Lords of the Underworld series?

The best starting point is The Darkest Night (Book 1). While the prequel novella The Darkest Fire takes place earlier chronologically, starting with Book 1 provides the best introduction to the series' mythology and main characters.

Can the Lords of the Underworld books be read as standalones?

Each book features a central romance that resolves by the end, but the overall plot, character growth, and mythology progress continuously. It is highly recommended to read them in order to avoid spoilers and confusion.

Where does the Angels of the Dark spin-off fit in the reading order?

The Angels of the Dark trilogy should be read after The Darkest Seduction (Book 9) and before The Darkest Craving (Book 10) to maintain timeline continuity for the crossover characters.

Are the novellas required reading for the series?

Yes, novellas like The Darkest Angel and The Darkest Captive contain critical plot developments and introduce characters who play major roles in the main books and spin-offs.

When should I read the Rise of the Warlords series?

You should read the Rise of the Warlords spin-off series after completing the main Lords of the Underworld books, starting with The Warlord following The Darkest Destiny.