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Nexus Chronicles Books in Order

12 Books
2009 – 2013 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Nexus Chronicles: The Recommended Reading Order

The Nexus Chronicles is a unique series of paranormal romance and contemporary fantasy stories written by Canadian author Viola Grace. Spanning 12 installments (including both full-length novellas and shorter side stories) published between 2009 and 2013, the series takes place in a magical modern neighborhood where suburban life blends with gargoyles, mermaids, and sirens. The overarching plot centers on Abby, a rare magical conduit known as a "Nexus," but the series also branches out to follow other colorful residents of the community.

Because the main narrative and the standalone character spin-offs are closely connected, the best way to read the series is in its publication order. This sequence introduces you to the world's mechanics step-by-step, showing how Abby's emerging magic ripples outward to affect the lives of the neighbors around her.

The Master Reading List

  1. Gnomes of Suburbia (2009) – Introduces Abby, a young artist who discovers she is a Nexus and accidentally brings her garden gnomes to life, and Xander, a guard sent to protect her.
  2. A Nexus Xmas (2010) – A holiday-themed novella focusing on Abby and Xander as they navigate their new relationship.
  3. Gargoyles in the Round (2010) – Abby attends a magical Summit where she faces trials, and her animated gargoyles cause a scene.
  4. Hotel Spectre (2010) – A spin-off story featuring Sophie, an animal talker who gets caught up in the supernatural environment.
  5. Pixies in the Park (2010) – Abby deals with chaotic, malicious magical gifts left in her neighborhood.
  6. Chubby is the Night (2010) – Centers on Max, a plus-sized human woman who is turned into a rare vampire-like "Abomination" after defending her cousin in an alley.
  7. Raven Dexter, Paranormal Midwife (2010) – A side story following Raven, a magic-null midwife who helps deliver supernatural babies.
  8. Impractical Magus (2010) – Follows Haily, who escapes her family's holiday plans on a cruise ship and gets entangled with a powerful magus.
  9. A Nexus Wedding (2011) – The culmination of Abby and Xander's romance, set at Hotel Spectre, featuring a chaotic wedding filled with missing rings and magical fistfights.
  10. Turning Night (2013) – A continuation of Max's story, checking in on her life and status five years after she became an Abomination.
  11. Hellebore's Holiday (2013) – Features Hellebore, a siren looking for a break from her singing duties who finds romance during her time off.
  12. Courting the Phoenix (2013) – The final book in the series, centering on Elly as she discovers her ultimate destiny.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

For the Nexus Chronicles, publication order and chronological order are virtually identical. Viola Grace wrote these stories in the sequence they occur. However, the series shifts perspective between Abby's main narrative and standalone companion works. If you prefer to focus solely on Abby's story first, you can read the "Abby Arc" separately, though you will miss the world-building details that set up the background events in the spin-offs.

The Abby Arc (Core Path)

  • Gnomes of Suburbia (Book 1)
  • A Nexus Xmas (Book 2)
  • Gargoyles in the Round (Book 3)
  • Pixies in the Park (Book 5)
  • A Nexus Wedding (Book 9)

By sticking to this core path, you follow Abby from her initial discovery of her Nexus powers to her wedding. After finishing her main storyline, you can dive into the companion novellas like Hotel Spectre, Chubby is the Night, and Raven Dexter, Paranormal Midwife to explore the broader community.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, here are a few things to keep in mind about Viola Grace's writing style and the world of the Nexus Chronicles:

  • Bite-Sized Stories: These books are short, fast-paced novellas (typically around 15,000 to 20,000 words). They are designed for quick, cozy reads rather than massive, epic fantasy commitments.
  • The Nexus Lore: In this universe, a Nexus is a rare magical generator born once every century. Usually, magical factions capture and exploit them, which leads to their early deaths. Abby is the first Nexus who manages to stay free, thanks to her neighborhood allies and the Oak Point Guard.
  • Steamy Romance: Each entry blends contemporary fantasy with lighthearted, steamy romance, focusing on different couples finding love amidst supernatural chaos.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Nexus Chronicles?

You should start with the first book, Gnomes of Suburbia. It establishes the rules of the magic system, introduces the main protagonist Abby, and sets up the community where the rest of the series takes place.

QCan the books in the Nexus Chronicles be read as standalones?

While some of the spin-off novellas like Hotel Spectre and Raven Dexter, Paranormal Midwife focus on new characters, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The overarching world-building and references to Abby's magic connect all the stories.

QWho is the main character of the Nexus Chronicles?

The core character is Abby, a young artist who discovers she is a Nexus. However, several books shift focus to other supernatural neighbors, such as Sophie, Max, and Hellebore.

QIs there a difference between the 9-book and 12-book lists?

Yes. Some retail listings only count the 9 primary novels, while the complete reading list includes the 3 holiday novellas and short stories (such as A Nexus Xmas, Hotel Spectre, and Hellebore's Holiday) for a total of 12 entries.

QAre the books in the Nexus Chronicles long novels?

No, these are fast-paced, shorter novellas. Most of them are around 15,000 to 20,000 words long, making them quick and light reads.