The Recommended Reading Path for Ministry of Curiosities
For the best experience, readers should follow the series in its publication order. The main story is highly serialized, tracking the personal growth, unfolding secrets, and slow-burn romance of Charlie Holloway and Lincoln Fitzroy. Skipping books or reading them out of order will spoil major plot points and mystery resolutions. Start with the first novel, The Last Necromancer, and proceed sequentially through the ten books.
The Core Reading Order List
Below is the complete, recommended reading order for the main series books:
- The Last Necromancer (2015) - Introduces Charlotte 'Charlie' Holloway, who disguises herself as a boy in the slums of London until she is captured by Lincoln Fitzroy, leader of the secret Ministry of Curiosities.
- Her Majesty's Necromancer (2015) - Charlie begins adjusting to her new life at Lichfield Towers while investigating missing bodies and digging into Lincoln's highly guarded past.
- Beyond the Grave (2015) - The stakes escalate as supernatural murders draw the Ministry into deeper danger, testing Charlie's loyalties and her magical talents.
- Grave Expectations (2016) - Charlie and the Ministry face new supernatural threats as the secrets of London's occult underbelly become increasingly volatile.
- Ashes to Ashes (2016) - A crucial companion novella (Book 5) written entirely from Lincoln's point of view, showing his perspective during Charlie's absence.
- From the Ashes (2016) - Charlie returns to Lichfield Towers, rekindling her complex partnership and dynamic with Lincoln as they hunt a ruthless killer.
- Of Fate and Phantoms (2017) - New mysteries challenge the household, forcing the team to confront ghosts and illusions from their pasts.
- Veiled in Moonlight (2017) - Secrets regarding the origins of Charlie's powers and the true purpose of the Ministry begin to crystallize.
- Vow of Deception (2017) - Trust is tested to its limits as betrayal threatens to tear Lincoln and Charlie's close-knit circle apart.
- The Wisdom of Madness (2018) - The grand finale that wraps up the overarching storylines, Charlie's destiny, and her relationship with Lincoln.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
While the publication order and chronological order for the main novels are identical, there are two key pieces of side content that readers should be aware of when organizing their reading schedule:
The Role of "Ashes to Ashes" (Book 5)
Some readers wonder if they can skip Ashes to Ashes because it is a novella. However, it is highly recommended to read it in its designated spot between Grave Expectations and From the Ashes. Because it is told from Lincoln’s point of view, it bridges the emotional gap and explains critical events that occur while Charlie is away, making her return in Book 6 far more impactful.
The Crossover Novella: "Strange Horizons"
Strange Horizons is a special crossover novella that links C.J. Archer’s earlier Freak House series with the Ministry of Curiosities. Chronologically, it takes place before the events of The Last Necromancer and features Hannah and Jack Langley (from Freak House) interacting with a young Lincoln Fitzroy. While it provides fantastic backstory and context, you do not need to read it first. Most fans recommend reading it either before starting The Last Necromancer or after finishing the entire series as a nostalgic bonus.
The Larger C.J. Archer Universe Connections
C.J. Archer has written several historical fantasy series set in and around Victorian and Edwardian England. If you want to expand your reading beyond the Ministry, here is how the other series connect:
The Freak House Series
Set in the same universe, the Freak House series consists of three trilogies (nine books total). It takes place before Ministry of Curiosities. Reading it is not mandatory to enjoy Charlie's story, but it enriches the world-building and makes the crossover elements in the Strange Horizons novella much more satisfying.
Glass and Steele
Starting with The Watchmaker's Daughter, this massive 13-book series is also set in a Victorian-era London, but it operates in its own separate continuity. It features a different magic system centered around magic-infused watchmaking and historical mysteries. You can read this series completely independently of the Ministry of Curiosities.
The Glass Library
This spin-off/sequel series is set in the 1920s and follows the legacy of the magic introduced in the Glass and Steele books. Like its parent series, it does not directly intersect with the characters or plot of the Ministry of Curiosities, though it shares Archer's signature blend of historical detail and supernatural mystery.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, keep these practical tips in mind to maximize your reading enjoyment:
- It is a True Gaslamp Fantasy: The magic is subtle and atmospheric, focusing on necromancy, secret societies, and Victorian social structures rather than high-fantasy spellcasting.
- Slow-Burn Romance: The relationship between Charlie and Lincoln develops gradually over multiple books. Patience is rewarded with deep, character-driven romantic tension.
- Target Audience: The series is clean and accessible enough for young adults/teens, but offers enough political intrigue, mystery, and gothic atmosphere to satisfy adult readers.
- Co-Authorship: All books in the Ministry of Curiosities series are written solely by C.J. Archer.