Where to Begin Your Journey Into the Savage Series
With dozens of historical romances in the collection, deciding where to start Cassie Edwards’ Savage series can feel as vast and intimidating as the 19th-century American frontier. Fortunately, the series is built around standalone romances. Each book follows a unique couple, a specific Native American tribe (such as the Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Lakota, or Choctaw), and a self-contained plot. This format gives readers immense freedom in how they approach the series.
For the most satisfying experience, the recommended starting point is the very first novel, Savage Illusion (1993). This book sets the signature tone of the series, introducing readers to the vivid landscapes, high-stakes cultural conflicts, and high-heat passion that defined Edwards’ formula. Starting here allows you to appreciate how the series grew in scope, style, and setting over nearly two decades.
However, because the books do not share a continuous storyline, you can also select your reading order based on historical setting or tribal background. If you prefer to jump around, you can choose any book that catches your interest without worrying about missing crucial backstory or spoilers from previous volumes.
The Complete Publication Order of the Savage Books
For readers who want to follow the author’s progression, reading in publication order is the most logical route. Cassie Edwards wrote and published these books between 1993 and 2011, establishing her as one of the most prolific romance authors of her era. Below is the complete order of the main Savage books based on their original release years:
- Savage Illusion (1993)
- Savage Spirit (1994)
- Savage Secrets (1995)
- Savage Shadows (1996)
- Savage Passions (1996)
- Savage Longings (1997)
- Savage Tears (1997)
- Savage Heat (1998)
- Savage Wonder (1998)
- Savage Joy (1999)
- Savage Fires (1999)
- Savage Grace (2000)
- Savage Devotion (2000)
- Savage Thunder (2001)
- Savage Honor (2001)
- Savage Moon (2002)
- Savage Love (2002)
- Savage Destiny (2003)
- Savage Embers (2003)
- Savage Hero (2003)
- Savage Trust (2004)
- Savage Hope (2004)
- Savage Courage (2005)
- Savage Vision (2005)
- Savage Tempest (2006)
- Savage Arrow (2006)
- Savage Beloved (2006)
- Savage Quest (2007)
- Savage Intrigue (2007)
- Savage Storm (2007)
- Savage Touch (2007)
- Savage Glory (2007)
- Savage Wind (2007)
- Savage Abandon (2008)
- Savage Wrongs (2008)
- Savage Lies (2008)
- Savage Flames (2008)
- Savage Sun (2009)
- Savage Dawn (2009)
- Savage Skies (2011)
Understanding Title Variations and Related Series
Navigating Cassie Edwards’ books can sometimes get confusing due to duplicate titles, publisher repackaging, and sister series. If you are searching for physical or digital copies, keeping these overlaps in mind will save you time and money.
The Wild Arizona Alternate Titles
Several books in the Savage series list are actually alternate titles or digital re-releases of books from Edwards’ Wild Arizona series. In these cases, the content of the books is identical, but the titles were changed to fit the successful 'Savage' branding. Examples include:
- Wild Ecstasy is also published as Savage Wrongs.
- Wild Rapture is also published as Savage Touch.
- Wild Embrace is also published as Savage Wind.
- Wild Desire is also published as Savage Storm.
- Wild Abandon is also published as Savage Lies.
Sister Series: Chippewa and Savage Secrets
In addition to the main Savage line, Cassie Edwards wrote other multi-book series with very similar themes and titles. These are separate series and should not be confused with the main Savage chronology:
- Chippewa Series: A 5-book series focusing specifically on the Chippewa tribe, containing titles such as Savage Obsession, Savage Innocence, and Savage Heart.
- Savage Secrets Series: A 12-book series containing titles like Savage Surrender, Savage Eden, and Savage Splendor.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Savage books, readers should be aware of the style, cultural context, and history that surround them. Edwards’ books are classic 'bodice-rippers' of the 1990s and early 2000s, characterized by highly dramatized plots, intense melodrama, and explicit, sensual romance. They capture a specific era in historical romance publishing.
Because the books were written during this period, portrayals of Native American history and culture are heavily romanticized. Although Edwards frequently cited her Cheyenne heritage and efforts at tribal research, modern readers often note that the depictions rely on historical tropes and creative liberties rather than strict anthropological accuracy.
Additionally, the series was impacted by a major controversy in 2008. The popular romance blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books discovered that Edwards had copied extensive passages describing wildlife, plants, and tribal customs directly from non-fiction reference books without credit. The resulting plagiarism scandal led her publisher, Signet, to drop her. Following the release of Savage Dawn in 2009, Edwards retired from writing, though a final manuscript, Savage Skies, was eventually published in 2011. Due to these events, many books in the series are now out of print, making used bookstores and online secondary marketplaces the best way to track down physical copies.