Books On Board

The City Between Books in Order

  • 12 Books
  • 2018 – 2022 Published

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Reading order
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How to Read The City Between Series

For the best reading experience, you should follow the publication order of W.R. Gingell's series. Because the overarching plotline, character growth, and complex found-family relationships build directly from one book to the next, reading them out of order will spoil major mysteries. While the main series is comprised of ten core novels, there are critical companion novellas that fit chronologically between specific volumes.

Recommended Reading Order

  1. Between Jobs (Book 1, 2018) – The essential starting point. Pet, a snarky human teenager squatting in her deceased parents' home, becomes the unlikely housemate and 'human pet' to two fae lords and a vampire.
  2. Between Shifts (Book 2, 2018) – Pet is dragged into another investigation, this time involving a lycanthrope-related murder at a local shopping mall.
  3. All the Different Shades of Blue (Novella, 2019) – Read after Book 2 or Book 3. This story details JinYeong's perspective and his early days with Pet, adding valuable character context. It is collected in the Between Friends anthology.
  4. Between Floors (Book 3, 2019) – The mystery deepens as Pet pushes the boundaries of the magical 'Between' realm and gets a local detective involved in supernatural business.
  5. Between Frames (Book 4, 2019) – The relationships between Pet and her roommates continue to evolve as they tackle a new magical case.
  6. Cloudy With a Chance of Dropbears (Novella, 2019) – Read after Book 4 or Book 5. A fun Tasmanian-flavored side-story featuring Pet and the fae dealing with supernatural pests. Also collected in Between Friends.
  7. Between Homes (Book 5, 2019) – Pet's situation shifts as the dangers of the Behindkind kingdom begin knocking closer to home.
  8. Between Walls (Book 6, 2020) – Often overlooked in basic online lists, this is the official sixth novel in the series and is crucial for the overarching plot.
  9. Between Cases (Book 7, 2020) – Staking out new threats, Pet has to balance her human fragility against increasingly dangerous supernatural politics.
  10. Between Decisions (Book 8, 2021) – The emotional and physical stakes ramp up as Pet faces decisions that could alter her bond with her housemates forever.
  11. Between Family (Book 9, 2021) – Deep revelations about family history and the nature of the Behindkind push the narrative toward its climax.
  12. Between Kings (Book 10, 2021) – The final core novel that ties up Pet's main story arc, resolving the major conflicts and relationships.
  13. Between Friends (Collection, 2022) – A comprehensive anthology that compiles the key companion novellas (All the Different Shades of Blue and Cloudy With a Chance of Dropbears) along with new short stories and supplemental material.

What to Know Before You Start

Set against the backdrop of Hobart, Tasmania, The City Between blends authentic Australian slang and atmosphere with a dark, magical underworld. Gingell's writing is highly praised for being "clean" urban fantasy—meaning there is no explicit content—yet it remains gritty, featuring complex, morally grey characters, slow-burn romantic tension, and dark murder mysteries.

Central to the series is the concept of the Behindkind: unpredictable, dangerous fae creatures who do not operate on human logic. Pet's dynamic with her three supernatural housemates—the cold fae lords Zero and Athelas, and the petulant Korean vampire JinYeong—forms the emotional core of the series. They begin as dangerous threats and slowly evolve into a fiercely protective found family.

Spin-offs and the Behindkind Universe

Once you finish Pet's story in Hobart, you don't have to leave the universe behind. W.R. Gingell has expanded the setting with interconnected spin-off series that feature returning characters and concepts:

The Worlds Behind (Complete Series)

This five-book spin-off series takes place several years after the events of The City Between. Shifting the setting to Seoul, South Korea, it focuses on the fae steward Athelas as he seeks redemption. The series is complete and includes:

  • A Whisker Behind (2023)
  • Behind Closed Doors (2023)
  • Wet Behind the Ears (2023)
  • Behind the Curtain (2023)
  • No Man Left Behind (2024)

Shattered World (Ongoing Series)

Set in Melbourne, Australia, this spin-off series follows Viv, the manager of a magical Tea House populated by fae residents. It is recommended to read these after finishing the main series. The books include:

  • Splintered Mind
  • Splintered Life
  • Splintered Sight
  • Splintered Path (2026)
  • Splintered Loyalty (Forthcoming)

Frequently Asked

What is the recommended starting point for The City Between series?

You should start reading the series with the first novel, Between Jobs. The books follow a continuous story arc, making it highly recommended to read them in publication order.

Do I need to read the companion novellas?

While the main plot is understandable without them, the novellas All the Different Shades of Blue and Cloudy With a Chance of Dropbears are highly recommended as they introduce character details and inside jokes referenced in later novels. They are collected in the anthology Between Friends.

What is the correct order of the spin-off series?

It is best to read the main 10 books of The City Between first. Afterward, you can read the Seoul-set spin-off The Worlds Behind (beginning with A Whisker Behind) followed by the Melbourne-set Shattered World series (beginning with Splintered Mind).

Is the romance explicit in the series?

No. The series is known as a "clean" urban fantasy, featuring a very slow-burn relationship dynamic with no explicit content, focusing instead on character development, banter, and found-family themes.

Is The City Between series complete?

Yes. The main storyline centering on the protagonist Pet is complete and wraps up in the tenth novel, Between Kings, along with the companion anthology Between Friends.

Where is the series set?

The main series is set in Hobart, Tasmania, which influences the story's atmospheric tone, local slang, and humor.