What is the recommended reading order for The Language of Spells series?

First-time readers should read the series in publication order: start with The Language of Spells , followed by The Secrets of Ghosts , and then read the prequel novella The Garden of Magic .

How many full-length novels are in the series?

There are two full-length novels in the series: The Language of Spells (2013) and The Secrets of Ghosts (2014).

Is The Language of Spells connected to Crow Investigations?

Yes, both series take place in the same fictional universe, but they feature different characters and settings with minimal crossover. They can be read completely independently.

Where is the series set?

The series is set in the fictional village of Pendleford , a quaint and mystical town where family secrets and subtle magic are woven into daily life.

What is the audiobook collection?

The audiobooks are bundled together as The Harper Witches Collection , which features The Language of Spells , The Secrets of Ghosts , and the prequel novella The Garden of Magic .

What is the short story The Art of Giving about?

It is a promotional short story focusing on the early days of Iris Harper, the original witch of the Harper family in Pendleford.

The Language of Spells Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, we highly recommend starting with the series' namesake novel, The Language of Spells. While there are prequels that take place earlier in the chronology, beginning with the first published novel allows you to discover the magic of Pendleford alongside Gwen Harper as she returns to her hometown. It establishes the town's lore, the Harper family dynamics, and the subtle, everyday magic system before diving into the past.

Option 1: Publication Order (Highly Recommended for First-Time Readers)

Starting with the publication order is the most natural way to experience the character growth and narrative flow of the Harper Witches series. Here is the order in which the books were released:

The Language of Spells (2013) – The debut novel that introduces Gwen Harper, her return to Pendleford, and her suppressed magical heritage.
The Secrets of Ghosts (2014) – The sequel set seven years later, focusing on Gwen’s niece Katie Harper as she develops her own magical powers.
The Garden of Magic (2015) – A prequel novella focusing on the past of Gwen's great-aunt, Iris Harper.
The Art of Giving (Mailing List Exclusive Story) – A promotional short story focusing on Iris Harper's earlier days, often offered to members of the author's mailing list.

Option 2: Chronological Order

If you are planning a re-read or prefer to see the timeline unfold from the very beginning, you can read the series chronologically. This path highlights the origins of the family's magical reputation in Pendleford before focusing on the younger generation:

The Art of Giving (Short Story) – Introduces the original Harper family witch, Iris Harper, in her younger days.
The Garden of Magic (Prequel Novella) – Explores Iris Harper's life as Pendleford's mistrusted hedgewitch.
The Language of Spells (Novel 1) – Follows Gwen Harper as she inherits Iris's cottage and confronts her heritage.
The Secrets of Ghosts (Novel 2) – Fast-forwards seven years to follow Gwen’s niece Katie Harper and her emerging powers.

Understanding the Books in the Series

The Language of Spells (2013)

The series begins with the titular novel, where Gwen Harper returns to the village of Pendleford after inheriting her great-aunt Iris’s cottage. Gwen has spent years trying to suppress her magical abilities and escape the town that once shunned her as a witch. Forced to face her heritage, Gwen must navigate family secrets, old spellbooks, and a rekindled romance with her ex-boyfriend, Cam Laing, while solving the mysteries left behind in the cottage.

The Secrets of Ghosts (2014)

Set seven years after the events of the first book, the focus shifts to Gwen's niece, Katie Harper. Gwen is now a respected figure in Pendleford, happily married to Cam, and acting as a mentor to Katie. When Katie begins to experience her own magical awakening and starts communicating with the dead, she must learn to control her powers before the village's secrets unravel. This novel expands on the family legacy and the consequences of embracing magical power.

The Garden of Magic (2015)

This prequel novella steps back in time to focus on Iris Harper, Gwen's great-aunt. Iris has lived in Pendleford for decades, operating as the local hedgewitch. Though the townsfolk are deeply suspicious of her, they still come to her in secret for potions and spells. As Iris senses her magic beginning to fade and her beloved garden turning hostile, she must confront unresolved memories of a past love.

The Art of Giving (Short Story)

This promotional short story serves as a quick introduction to the Pendleford universe and the character of Iris Harper. Because it is a short, mailing-list exclusive piece, it is not required reading to understand the main novels, but it offers sweet, cozy background details for dedicated fans.

The Cozy Magic of Pendleford

Sarah Painter’s magic system avoids standard high-fantasy tropes like wands, magical battles, and flashier spells. Instead, the magic in Pendleford is subtle, intuitive, and deeply tied to nature. It manifests as herbal remedies, potions, premonitions, and the ability to read the hidden histories of objects or speak to spirits. This soft magic approach, combined with the small-town setting, makes the series a perfect example of cozy magical realism, similar to the works of Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman.

A Shared Universe: Crow Investigations

For readers looking for more books by Sarah Painter, she has confirmed that her popular urban fantasy series, Crow Investigations, is set in the same fictional universe as The Language of Spells. However, the crossover between the two is minimal, with different settings (the gritty streets of London versus the village of Pendleford) and distinct casts of characters. The author has explicitly stated that readers can enjoy either series in whichever order they choose, as they are fully independent stories.