How to Read the Red Queen Series: The Recommended Order
For most readers, the best way to experience the Red Queen universe is to follow the publication order with novellas integrated. Starting with the main novel prevents spoilers, builds the tension naturally, and introduces you to the class-divided world through the eyes of Mare Barrow before diving into the backstories of secondary characters.
Here is the recommended path for first-time readers:
- Red Queen (2015) — The essential starting point. This is where we meet Mare Barrow, a Red thief who discovers she has Silver-like abilities, forcing her into the heart of the royal court.
- Cruel Crown (2016) or its individual novellas:
- Queen Song — A prequel focusing on Queen Coriane, Cal's mother. Reading it here gives you a tragic look at the Silver court's history without spoiling the mystery of the first book.
- Steel Scars — A prequel tracking Captain Diana Farley as she expands the Scarlet Guard rebellion. This bridges the gap between the first and second novels.
- Glass Sword (2016) — The second main novel, where Mare seeks out others like her (Newbloods) to build an army.
- King's Cage (2017) — The third main novel, focusing on political imprisonment, court schemes, and the escalating civil war.
- War Storm (2018) — The final main novel of the core tetralogy, concluding the battle for the throne of Norta.
- Broken Throne (2019) — The final companion collection. You should only read this after finishing War Storm because it contains stories set after the main series' conclusion, along with extra lore, maps, and character journals.
The Publication Order of Red Queen Books
If you want to read the books exactly as they hit the shelves, this is the order to follow. Reading them this way allows you to take breaks from the main narrative and explore the world-building as the author released it:
- Red Queen (February 2015)
- Queen Song (Digital Novella — September 2015)
- Steel Scars (Digital Novella — January 2016)
- Cruel Crown (Print Novella Collection — January 2016)
- Glass Sword (February 2016)
- King's Cage (February 2017)
- War Storm (May 2018)
- Broken Throne (Collection — May 2019)
The Chronological Order of Red Queen Books
If you are planning a reread or want to trace the timeline from its earliest historical points, you can read the books chronologically. However, starting with the prequels is not recommended for beginners because they assume a familiarity with the world's terminology and can dilute the impact of Mare's discoveries in the first book.
- Queen Song (Prequel novella set during the reign of King Tiberias VI)
- Steel Scars (Prequel novella tracking the early days of the Scarlet Guard)
- Red Queen (The main series begins)
- Glass Sword (Picks up immediately after the events of the first book)
- King's Cage (The aftermath of the battle at the end of Glass Sword)
- War Storm (The climax of the rebellion)
- World Behind / Iron Heart / Fire Light / Fare Well (Post-series novellas and stories found inside Broken Throne)
Understanding the Novellas and Collections
The companion pieces are highly valued by fans because they expand on lore that the main books only touch upon. Knowing what is inside each collection helps you decide if they are worth your time:
Cruel Crown (2016)
This is a physical compilation containing two previously digital-only novellas: Queen Song and Steel Scars. If you purchase the later collection, Broken Throne, you do not need to buy Cruel Crown separately, as both stories are included in the final book.
Broken Throne (2019)
This is the ultimate companion book for the series. It is a mix of previously published novellas, brand-new stories, and historical archives. Inside, you will find:
- Queen Song & Steel Scars (The two original prequels).
- World Behind — A new novella following Ashe Caradan and Lyrisa, two characters trying to escape the war.
- Iron Heart — A novella focusing on the relationship between Evangeline Samos and Elane Haven after the war.
- Fire Light — A story centering on Mare and Cal as they navigate their future after the final battle.
- Fare Well — A poignant closing scene featuring Cal and Maven.
- Bonus materials — Complete family trees, maps, flags, timeline of the Calamities, and Julian Jacos's historical notes.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Victoria Aveyard's world, it is helpful to keep a few things in mind to set your expectations:
- The Caste System: The world is strictly divided by blood color. Silver-blooded elites possess diverse, god-like superpowers (such as telekinesis, mind control, and pyrokinesis) and rule the land. Red-blooded commoners have no powers, live in poverty, and are drafted to fight the Silvers' endless wars.
- A Blend of Genres: The series starts with strong dystopian vibes reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Divergent, but quickly shifts into a complex court-politics fantasy similar to Game of Thrones, combined with the superhero dynamics of X-Men.
- Morally Gray Characters: Very few characters in this series are purely good or purely evil. Mare Barrow makes highly controversial decisions, and the villains are given deep, tragic backstories that will make you question where your loyalties lie.
- Romance is Secondary to Rebellion: While romantic relationships play a key role in driving the characters' motivations, the core plot revolves around war, systemic inequality, and the fight for freedom.