The Recommended Reading Order for Madison Avery
For the best experience, readers should follow Madison Avery's journey in its chronological sequence. Because the prequel novella sets up the exact events of Madison's death and her acquisition of the amulet, reading it first provides crucial context. However, if you prefer starting with full-length novels, beginning with the first book is also a perfectly viable option.
Chronological Reading Order
This is the recommended reading path if you want to experience Madison's story from the very beginning of her fateful prom night:
- "Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper" (Novella, 2007) – Published in the Prom Nights from Hell anthology.
- Once Dead, Twice Shy (Book 1, 2009)
- Early to Death, Early to Rise (Book 2, 2010)
- Something Deadly This Way Comes (Book 3, 2011)
Publication Reading Order
If you prefer following the release schedule, the publication order is almost identical to the chronological order since the prequel novella was published first:
- "Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper" (July 2007 in the Prom Nights from Hell anthology)
- Once Dead, Twice Shy (May 2009)
- Early to Death, Early to Rise (May 2010)
- Something Deadly This Way Comes (May 2011)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order: Where to Start?
Unlike some expansive urban fantasy series with sprawling timelines, the Madison Avery series is relatively straightforward. There is minimal divergence between the publication and chronological orders. The only decision readers need to make is whether to start with the prequel novella, "Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper," or dive straight into the first novel, Once Dead, Twice Shy.
We highly recommend starting with the prequel novella. It documents Madison's prom night, her tragic encounter with a dark reaper, and the split-second decision that leaves her with a reaper's amulet. This amulet is what allows her to maintain a physical illusion of her body. If you skip this novella, you will start Once Dead, Twice Shy with Madison already dead, holding the amulet, and trying to reconstruct the events of her murder. While the first novel does a good job of catching readers up, starting with the novella makes the emotional transition much smoother.
Breaking Down the Madison Avery Series
The Prequel: "Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper" (2007)
Madison Avery is just a normal teenager looking forward to her prom night. However, her night takes a fatal turn when she is targeted by a dark reaper. Rather than going quietly into the afterlife, Madison manages to steal the reaper's amulet, escaping her final fate but finding herself caught between the mortal world and the supernatural realm. This story was originally published in 2007 as part of the YA paranormal anthology Prom Nights from Hell, which also featured contributions from Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle, and Michele Jaffe.
Book 1: Once Dead, Twice Shy (2009)
Picking up after the events of her death, Madison is living as a ghost with a physical form, thanks to the stolen amulet. She is forced to adapt to a world she never knew existed, one populated by light and dark amulets, reapers, and seraphim. As she struggles to figure out who killed her and why, she finds herself under the protection of Barnaby, a guardian angel, and makes an ally out of a light reaper named Josh. Madison's stubborn refusal to accept her fate begins to disrupt the cosmic balance of the universe.
Book 2: Early to Death, Early to Rise (2010)
Having claimed the role of a dark timekeeper, Madison is now responsible for guiding lost souls and leading a group of rogue angels who challenge the rigid, predetermined rules of heaven. This book expands the series' mythology, introducing more complex political factions among the supernatural entities. Madison must balance her duties in the afterlife with her lingering desires for a normal teenage existence, all while facing threats from the dark reapers who want their amulet back.
Book 3: Something Deadly This Way Comes (2011)
In the final chapter of the trilogy, the conflict between fate and free will reaches a tipping point. Madison faces her greatest challenge yet as she is forced to decide between reclaiming her old, normal human life or embracing her cosmic responsibility as a leader in the afterlife. The stakes are raised as she works to prevent a war among the angels and reapers that could destroy the balance of both worlds, bringing her journey to a definitive and action-packed conclusion.
What to Know Before You Start
The Madison Avery series is written under the pen name Kim Harrison, which is a pseudonym used by author Dawn Cook. While Harrison is internationally famous for her bestselling Hollows series (featuring witch Rachel Morgan), readers should adjust their expectations before diving into Madison Avery. This series was specifically written for the Young Adult (YA) market, meaning it features teenage protagonists, coming-of-age themes, and a lighter, faster-paced tone than the gritty, adult urban fantasy found in The Hollows.
Furthermore, because the series centers on angels, reapers, and the afterlife, it tackles heavy themes of morality, destiny, and the value of personal choice. Madison is a classic YA protagonist: snarky, determined, occasionally impulsive, but deeply loyal to her friends. The romance in the series is a slow-burn subplot that complements the main supernatural mystery rather than dominating it.
Spin-offs, Co-authors, and Universe Connections
The Madison Avery trilogy is a self-contained story and does not feature any official spin-offs or direct sequel series. Unlike many urban fantasy universes where authors cross over characters between series, Madison Avery operates in a completely distinct universe from Kim Harrison's Hollows series or her Peri Reed thrillers. There are no shared characters or crossover events.
Additionally, while the prequel story appeared in a co-authored anthology (Prom Nights from Hell) alongside major YA authors of the era, the novels themselves were written entirely by Harrison alone. If you finish the trilogy and want more of Harrison's signature writing style, her urban fantasy catalog is the best place to head next, even if the settings are entirely separate.