The Recommended Nava Katz Reading Order
If you want to experience Nava Katz's transformation from a sarcastic Vancouverite to a kickass slayer, the best way to read the series is in chronological order. This path allows you to follow the main overarching narrative of the Brotherhood of David and Nava's slow-burn romance with Rohan Mitra, while seamlessly weaving in the companion short stories at their exact chronological insertion points.
Here is the recommended reading path for the Nava Katz series:
- The Unlikeable Demon Hunter (Book 1)
- Slay (Book 1.5 — Rohan's POV short story)
- Sting (Book 2)
- Crush (Book 2.5 — Drio's POV short story)
- Need (Book 3)
- Seize (Book 3.5 — Rohan's POV short story)
- Crave (Book 4)
- Lick (Book 4.5 — Rohan's POV short story)
- Fall (Book 5)
- Burn (Book 6)
- Leonie Hendricks: Demon P.I. (Book 7 / Spin-off)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the core novels, the publication order matches the chronological progression of Nava's story. However, Deborah Wilde wrote several companion short stories that are told from the perspectives of the male characters. While these stories were published as a collective bundle later on, they fit directly between the early novels. Reading them in their chronological order is highly recommended to get a deeper look at the internal conflicts of the men in Nava's life.
Publication Order of the Main Novels
- The Unlikeable Demon Hunter (2017)
- Sting (2017)
- Need (2017)
- Crave (2018)
- Fall (2018)
- Burn (2019)
- Leonie Hendricks: Demon P.I. (2019)
What to Know Before You Start
The Nava Katz series (also known as The Unlikeable Demon Hunter series) is a fast-paced urban fantasy filled with Jewish mythology, heavy snark, and spicy enemies-to-lovers romance. The story takes place in a modern world where the Brotherhood of David—a male-dominated, secret society of slayers—keeps demon threats at bay. Nava accidentally hijacks her twin brother Ari's magical induction, becoming the first female slayer in the Brotherhood's history.
While the first six books follow Nava's main story arc, the seventh book, Leonie Hendricks: Demon P.I., shifts focus to Nava's half-demon best friend, Leonie. Although Leonie's book is designed as a standalone mystery, reading it after the main six books is essential because it builds upon the events and character dynamics established in the main series.
Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown
1. The Unlikeable Demon Hunter
The book that started it all. Nava Katz is a snarky Vancouver native who has spent her life running from responsibility. When she accidentally takes the place of her twin brother Ari in a magical ritual, she inherits the electric, demon-slaying magic intended for him. Forced into the Brotherhood of David, she is paired with Rohan Mitra, a brooding former rock star turned trainer. Nava must learn to survive demon attacks and internal politics while clashing with her new mentor.
1.5. Slay (Short Story)
This companion piece is written from Rohan's perspective. It takes place immediately after the events of the first book and follows Rohan on a dangerous mission involving a serpent demon. It provides crucial insight into Rohan's internal struggles and his developing feelings for Nava.
2. Sting
In this second installment, Nava is sent to Prague. Her mission is to unmask a demonic movie star who is using charm and magic to manipulate the public. As Nava navigates the supernatural elite, her relationship with Rohan grows more complicated, and she continues to face pushback from the conservative members of the Brotherhood.
2.5. Crush (Short Story)
Told from the perspective of Drio, a key supporting character in the series. It features a high-stakes mission tracking down a child-eating demon, giving readers a closer look at Drio's character and his place within the slayer hierarchy.
3. Need
Nava returns to her home turf of Vancouver to track down a demonic serial killer who is targeting magical beings. This time, she is working alongside her twin brother Ari. The case forces Nava to confront the corruption festering inside the Brotherhood of David itself, raising the stakes for everyone she cares about.
3.5. Seize (Short Story)
Another short story written from Rohan's perspective. The plot revolves around a cursed diamond and a dangerous heist, shedding light on Rohan's history and his protective instincts toward Nava.
4. Crave
As the magical tensions escalate, Nava finds herself dealing with new threats and rising steamy tensions with Rohan. The mysteries of the Brotherhood's origin begin to unravel, forcing Nava to make difficult choices about where her loyalties truly lie.
4.5. Lick (Short Story)
The final short story in the companion collection, once again written from Rohan's point of view. It bridges the gap between the events of Crave and the high-stakes conflict that begins in Fall.
5. Fall
The penultimate chapter in Nava's main arc. With the Brotherhood on the brink of collapse and demonic forces closing in, Nava and her allies must go on the run. The romance, action, and stakes reach a boiling point as Nava prepares for the ultimate confrontation.
6. Burn
This is the explosive conclusion to Nava's personal story arc. Nava faces off against the ultimate demonic threats and decides the future of the Brotherhood of David. It ties up the major plot threads of Nava's journey, her romance with Rohan, and her relationship with her family.
7. Leonie Hendricks: Demon P.I.
A spin-off standalone that serves as the seventh book in the series. The focus shifts to Nava's best friend, Leonie Hendricks, a half-demon private investigator. Leonie struggles with her non-human goblin heritage while taking on supernatural cases in Vancouver. When a ghost from her past reappears, she is forced to solve a dangerous mystery that threatens her freedom. It is highly recommended to read this after finishing Burn, as it features cameos and references to the main series' conclusion.
Practical Reading Advice
Can the books be read as standalones? The short answer is no. The main six books of the Nava Katz series form a continuous, serialized story where the character arcs and plots carry directly from one book to the next. You must start with The Unlikeable Demon Hunter to understand the world and characters.
However, the short stories (1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5) can be skipped if you only want the main plot. They are excellent companion pieces that add flavor and male-perspective insights, but they are not strictly mandatory to understand the main storyline. Leonie Hendricks: Demon P.I. functions well as a standalone mystery, but readers will get much more enjoyment out of it if they are already familiar with Leonie's history from the main series.