The Recommended Reading Order for The Broken Kingdoms
For the best reading experience, you should read The Broken Kingdoms in its official narrative sequence. The series is structured into distinct character and kingdom-focused arcs. Reading them in this order ensures that you follow the world-building progression, character crossovers, and the overarching political rebellion without running into major spoilers.
Here is the recommended reading path for the main series:
- Curse of Shadows and Thorns (2021) – Northern Kingdom Arc (Elise & Valen)
- Court of Ice and Ash (2021) – Northern Kingdom Arc (Elise & Valen)
- Crown of Blood and Ruin (2022) – Northern Kingdom Arc Finale (Elise & Valen)
- Night of Masks and Knives (2022) – Eastern Kingdom Arc (Malin & Kase)
- Game of Hate and Lies (2022) – Eastern Kingdom Arc (Malin & Kase)
- Dance of Kings and Thieves (2022) – Eastern Kingdom Arc Finale (Malin & Kase)
- Den of Blades and Briars (2023) – Southern Kingdom Arc (Ari & Saga)
- Reign of Stars and Fire (2023) – Southern Kingdom Arc Finale (Ari & Saga)
- Song of Sorrows and Fate (2023) – Western Kingdom Arc & Series Finale (Calista & the Mad King)
Understanding the Kingdom Arcs
L.J. Andrews structured her nine-book epic into four distinct subseries, which makes the massive world much easier to digest. Each subseries shifts the spotlight to a new couple in a different kingdom, though characters from previous arcs regularly cross over as the overarching story of rebellion builds.
The Northern Kingdom Arc (Books 1–3)
The saga begins in the icy north, focusing on Princess Elise Lysander and the mysterious, cursed fae prince Valen Ferus (initially known under the alias Legion Grey). This arc is a dark, Norse-inspired reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, dealing with a kingdom under the rule of a tyrannical king, hidden magical heritages, and a rebellion that set the entire series in motion.
The Eastern Kingdom Arc (Books 4–6)
The story transitions to the gritty Eastern Kingdom, centering on Malin Strom, a memory thief, and her childhood sweetheart turned ruthless guild leader, Kase (known as the Nightrender). This arc leans heavily into Cinderella and Phantom of the Opera motifs, blending street-level heist dynamics with dark magical secrets.
The Southern Kingdom Arc (Books 7–8)
The setting shifts to the fae-dominated Southern Kingdom (or Fae Isles), following the relationship between the illusion-weaving rebel leader Ari Sekundär and the fierce Saga. Taking inspiration from The Swan Princess, this duology ramps up the magical stakes as an ancient darkness threatens to put the fae to sleep.
The Western Kingdom Arc & Series Finale (Book 9)
The final book, Song of Sorrows and Fate, centers on Calista, a storyteller who can manipulate the threads of fate, and the enigmatic Mad King. It wraps up all the plotlines, bringing characters from all four kingdoms together to confront the final threat.
The Catalog Discrepancy: Is Crown of Blood and Ruin Book 3 or Book 6?
If you are browsing online book stores, library catalogs, or database listings, you might notice a confusing mismatch. Some platforms list the Eastern Kingdom books (Night of Masks and Knives, Game of Hate and Lies, and Dance of Kings and Thieves) as Books 3, 4, and 5, while pushing the Northern Kingdom finale (Crown of Blood and Ruin) down to Book 6.
This is a cataloging error. Crown of Blood and Ruin was published in January 2022, right after Court of Ice and Ash, and it serves as the direct narrative conclusion to Elise and Valen's trilogy. Reading the Eastern Kingdom books before finishing Elise and Valen's story will ruin the suspense of the Northern rebellion and create massive timeline confusion. Always read Crown of Blood and Ruin third.
Novellas and Companion Stories
In addition to the nine main novels, L.J. Andrews has written supplemental stories that expand the lore of the universe. While they are not strictly necessary to enjoy the main storyline, they offer great context for die-hard fans:
- These Cruel Vows (often listed as Book 0.5): A prequel novella that offers additional background lore on the world and early conflicts.
- These Wicked Crowns (often listed as Book 6.5): A companion novella that bridges the gap between the Eastern and Southern Kingdom arcs.
- Fated Bones: A companion novella that expands on the characters Ari and Saga, showing details of their journey outside the main novels.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into The Broken Kingdoms, there are a few key details that will help you set your expectations:
- Viking and Norse Influence: The world is heavily inspired by Scandinavian heritage, featuring Norse mythology, runes, fae islands, and Viking-like clans.
- Magic Systems: The magic is primarily divided into Fury (physical, elemental, and combat-focused magic) and Mesmer (manipulation of minds, illusions, and memories).
- Romance Spice Level: While the first book begins as a slow-burn fantasy romance, the spice level increases significantly starting in Book 2, making the series best suited for readers aged 17+.
- The Ever Seas Spin-Off: After completing the main series, you can transition into The Ever Seas (beginning with the prequel When Fate is Cruel and Book 1, The Ever King). This spin-off follows the next generation of characters in the same world. While it can be read independently, you will get the most enjoyment by completing The Broken Kingdoms first to understand the parents' backstories.