The Recommended Reading Order
If you want to experience the overarching universe of Shadow Quest as the author intended, the best way is to follow the publication order. While each book is written as a standalone romance featuring a complete happily-ever-after (HEA), the backdrop of galactic politics, demon factions, and character cameos builds on previous books. Once you finish the core series, you can seamlessly jump into the spin-off series, Dragon Lords, which is set in the same universe.
Here is the recommended reading path to get the absolute most out of this steamy sci-fi romance world:
- The Demon's Possession (Shadow Quest Book 1)
- The Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2)
- The Demon's Retribution (Shadow Quest Book 3)
- Demon Untamed (Shadow Quest Book 4)
- Racing Hearts (Shadow Quest Novella)
- Tempting the Dragon King (Dragon Lords Book 1)
- Seduced by the Dragon Lord (Dragon Lords Book 2)
- Stealing the Dragon’s Heart (Dragon Lords Book 3)
- Taken by the Dragon Prince (Dragon Lords Book 4)
The Core Shadow Quest Series
The core series was published between 2011 and 2013 and established Kiersten Fay as a master of blending paranormal romance tropes with high-stakes space opera. Here is what to expect from each installment:
The Demon's Possession (2011)
The series opens with the story of Analia, a young woman fleeing a brutal captor, who stows away on a spaceship. The ship is captained by Sebastian, a powerful, brooding demon mercenary with a guarded heart. As they traverse the stars, they must fight their mutual mistrust—and their sizzling chemistry—before her past catches up with them.
The Demon Slave (2011)
This second book centers on Marik, a scarred demon warrior, and Nadua, a Faieara princess hiding on a freezing, desolate planet. Trapped in a dangerous game of survival and political maneuvering, they find themselves bound by a fated connection that neither of them can deny.
The Demon's Retribution (2012)
Winner of the 2012 Gravetells Favorite Story award, this book follows Kyra, a royal heir desperate to save her people, and Cale, a battle-hardened demon commander seeking vengeance for his past. Their explosive dynamic and fated bond help decide the fate of their warring worlds.
Demon Untamed (2013)
The final full-length novel of the core series focuses on Sonya, a fiery and independent heroine, and Ethan, a powerful demon warrior. It delivers a passionate, emotionally charged story that rounds out the core plotlines established in the earlier novels.
Racing Hearts (2013)
Originally featured in The Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance, this short story focuses on Prya, a woman who joins the crew of a racing ship entering a high-stakes galactic space race. While it works as a standalone sci-fi adventure, it adds extra depth and color to the broader universe.
The Spin-Off: Dragon Lords
For readers who cannot get enough of Kiersten Fay's sci-fi romance style, the Dragon Lords series serves as an official spin-off. Set in the same universe, it focuses on powerful dragon shifters and features fun cameos from the characters of the original Shadow Quest books. The series includes:
- Tempting the Dragon King (2020)
- Seduced by the Dragon Lord (2021)
- Stealing the Dragon’s Heart (2021)
- Taken by the Dragon Prince (2022)
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive headfirst into the series, here are a few practical tips to enhance your reading experience:
- Standalone Romance: Every book in both series focuses on a different couple and ends with a satisfying happily-ever-after. You can technically read them out of order, but you will enjoy the character crossovers and overarching galactic lore much more if you start at the beginning.
- Fated Mates with a Twist: Fay makes heavy use of the popular "fated mates" trope, but she avoids making the romance feel too easy. Expect plenty of initial tension, secrets, and slow-burn chemistry.
- Genre Blend: The series is perfect for readers who like the alpha-male heroics of paranormal romance (like demons, dragons, and witches) but want them set in a futuristic, spaceship-traveling universe rather than modern-day Earth.