Books On Board

Star-Crossed Books in Order

  • 9 Books
  • 2011 – 2014 Published

Amazon links here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reading order
1 of 1 reading orders shown

The Recommended Reading Order for Star-Crossed

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read Rachel Higginson's Star-Crossed series in its publication order. The series begins as a serialized story focusing on a single heroine, Eden Matthews, before branching out into companion novels that follow other key characters in the same world. Reading them in order ensures you follow the chronological progression of the Immortal war and understand the character dynamics as they develop.

  1. Reckless Magic (2011)
  2. Hopeless Magic (2011)
  3. Fearless Magic (2011)
  4. Endless Magic (2012)
  5. The Reluctant King (2012)
  6. The Relentless Warrior (2014)
  7. Breathless Magic (2014)
  8. Fateful Magic (2014)
  9. The Redeemable Prince (2014)

Understanding the Story Arcs: Core Saga vs. Companions

The Star-Crossed series is essentially split into two distinct halves: the core tetralogy and the companion sequels. Understanding this division helps readers manage their expectations regarding the series' structure and shifting points of view.

The Eden and Kiran Tetralogy (Books 1 to 4)

The first four books—Reckless Magic, Hopeless Magic, Fearless Magic, and Endless Magic—form the main narrative arc of Eden Matthews. Eden starts as a sixteen-year-old girl sent to a last-chance boarding school, Kingsley, only to discover that she is an Immortal with rare, untamed abilities. Her story is defined by her forbidden romance with Kiran Kendrick, the crown prince of the Immortals, and her sudden immersion into a deadly, magic-fueled war. This arc wraps up the primary conflict concerning Eden's identity and the threat of the oppressive Immortal King.

The Expanded Universe Companions (Books 5 to 9)

After the resolution of Eden's main arc in book four, the series expands its scope. The subsequent books transition to the perspectives of secondary characters, exploring their romances and personal battles while the overarching world deals with the aftermath of the war and new threats.

  • The Reluctant King (Book 5): Shifting focus to Avalon St. Andrews, Eden's twin brother, who struggles with the heavy crown of leadership and finds an unexpected match in Amelia Cartier.
  • The Relentless Warrior (Book 6): Focuses on Jericho Bentley, Eden's ex-boyfriend and Avalon's best friend. He teams up with Olivia Taylor, a human altered by dark experiments, to find a cure for her and her sister.
  • Breathless Magic (Book 7 / Novella 6.5): A novella that returns to the original couple, Eden and Kiran. Now married and expecting a child, they must protect their kingdom when the resurrected villain Dmitri Terletov resurfaces.
  • Fateful Magic (Book 8): Delves into the romance and backstory of Lilly Mason and Talbott Angelo, two key background characters from the earlier books who are finally preparing for their wedding.
  • The Redeemable Prince (Book 9): Focuses on Seraphina Van Curen and Sebastian Cartier, former soulmates turned bitter enemies, who must forge an alliance to defeat Dmitri Terletov once and for all.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Star-Crossed, it helps to understand its genre roots. Written during the height of the young adult paranormal romance boom of the early 2010s, it shares thematic DNA with popular series of that era, blending high-stakes magical warfare with intense, emotional romance. The world features a hidden society of Immortals, royal hierarchy, magical citadels, and ancient bloodlines. While the initial books focus heavily on typical YA boarding-school and forbidden-romance tropes, the series matures as the characters grow up, eventually handling themes of political leadership, grief, sacrifice, and redemption in the later novels.

Reading Order Nuances and Caveats

While the publication order is the safest path, some readers debate the placement of the novella Breathless Magic. Although published after The Relentless Warrior, some readers prefer to read it immediately after The Reluctant King or even right after Endless Magic to keep the focus on Eden and Kiran. However, because it features references to the broader changes in the kingdom and the ongoing threat of Dmitri Terletov, reading it in its published spot (as Book 7, or between Books 6 and 8) is highly recommended to avoid minor spoilers regarding the political state of the Immortal realm.

Frequently Asked

Can the books in the Star-Crossed series be read as standalones?

No, they should not be read as standalones. The first four books form a continuous, serialized story about Eden Matthews, and the later books rely heavily on the world-building, political changes, and character relationships established in the earlier volumes.

Who is the main protagonist of the Star-Crossed series?

Eden Matthews is the main protagonist of the first four books and the novella Breathless Magic. The other novels in the series shift focus to different protagonists, including her twin brother Avalon, Jericho, Lilly, and Seraphina.

Where does the novella Breathless Magic fit in the reading order?

Breathless Magic is officially the seventh book in the series. It is best read after The Relentless Warrior (Book 6) and before Fateful Magic (Book 8), as it features the return of the villain Dmitri Terletov, which sets up the events of the final books.

Are there any spin-off series in the Star-Crossed universe?

No, there are no official spin-off series. Books like The Reluctant King and The Redeemable Prince are sometimes referred to by fans as spin-offs because they follow different main characters, but they are numbered and cataloged as part of the main 9-book Star-Crossed series.

How does the tone of the series change in the later books?

The series begins as a classic young adult urban fantasy set in a boarding school environment with heavy romantic angst. As the characters age, the narrative transitions into high fantasy, focusing on royal intrigue, leadership, warfare, and more mature relationship dynamics.