Can the books in The Twisted Kingdoms be read as standalones?

No. Books 1 through 6 follow a continuous story arc focusing on Tempest and Pyre. They must be read in order. The Healer (Book 7) is a companion novella focusing on different characters, but it still contains major spoilers for the main series and should be read last.

Which fairytales are retold in The Twisted Kingdoms?

The series features gender-swapped and dark twists on classic tales: The Hunt and The Heir draw from Snow White ; The Beast adapts Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk ; The Hood reimagines Robin Hood and Mulan ; and The Wolf retells Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella .

Is The Twisted Kingdoms complete?

Yes. The main storyline concerning Tempest and Pyre concludes in the sixth book, The Wolf . The companion novella, The Healer , was released in late 2024 to wrap up the stories of supporting characters Nyx and Briggs.

Who is the main love interest in the series?

Tempest's primary love interest is the Jester (also known as Pyre) , a deadly and charismatic shapeshifter. Their relationship is a central focus of the first six books.

What is the reading order for Frost Kay's series?

The order is: The Hunt , The Rook , The Heir , The Beast , The Hood , The Wolf , and finally the novella The Healer .

The Twisted Kingdoms Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for The Twisted Kingdoms

For the best reading experience, you should read The Twisted Kingdoms in its publication order. The main series follows a continuous, chronological storyline centered on the protagonist, Tempest, as she navigates political intrigue, dangerous court magic, and her evolving relationship with the Jester (Pyre). Reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points, character deaths, and political shifts in the realm. The seventh installment is a companion novella focusing on side characters Nyx and Briggs, which is best read after completing the main hexalogy.

Here is the recommended reading path for the series:

The Hunt (Book 1) – Published in 2020
The Rook (Book 2) – Published in 2020
The Heir (Book 3) – Published in 2021
The Beast (Book 4) – Published in 2021
The Hood (Book 5) – Published in 2022
The Wolf (Book 6) – Published in 2023
The Healer (Book 7 / Novella) – Published in 2024

Deconstructing the Books: Themes and Fairytale Inspirations

Frost Kay's series stands out in the young adult fantasy landscape by blending gritty dystopian stakes with dark, gender-swapped fairytale retellings. While the overarching narrative is an original fantasy epic, each installment draws flavor and thematic structure from classic folklore.

The Hunt (Book 1)

Published in 2020, The Hunt introduces readers to Tempest, an orphaned young woman who has clawed her way up to become the first female Hound—an elite, ruthless assassin serving a corrupt crown. Her mission is to hunt down and capture the Jester, a dangerous shapeshifter. The book serves as a dark twist on Snow White and the Huntsman, setting up the enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the high-stakes political conflict that drives the rest of the series.

The Rook (Book 2)

Released shortly after the debut in 2020, The Rook follows Tempest as she joins the king's council. Tasked with infiltrating the Jester's mysterious Dark Court, she finds herself caught between her duties to the crown and her growing feelings for her target. This installment deepens the world-building, exploring the magical courts and the gray morality of the kingdoms.

The Heir (Book 3)

In 2021's The Heir, the stakes escalate as Tempest is betrothed to a depraved king. She is forced to play a deadly game of chess among the royal elite, choosing between her survival and the safety of the kingdom as war looms on the horizon. This book draws further inspiration from the Snow White mythos, focusing on poisonous royal dynamics and hidden identities.

The Beast (Book 4)

Also published in 2021, The Beast shifts its fairytale focus, weaving in elements of Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk. The narrative expands the physical scope of the world, introducing new magical creatures, giants, and deep-seated secrets about the origins of the kingdom's curse.

The Hood (Book 5)

Released in 2022, The Hood blends the legends of Robin Hood and Mulan. Tempest takes on a rebellion-focused role, leading a band of outlaws and fighters against tyrannical forces. The book features high-octane battle sequences, guerrilla warfare, and a deep dive into the sacrifices required to build a revolution.

The Wolf (Book 6)

Published in 2023, The Wolf serves as the epic conclusion to Tempest's primary story arc. Drawing inspiration from Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, the book wraps up the war against the corrupt crown and resolves the long-running romantic tension between Tempest and Pyre, bringing their character journeys to a dramatic close.

The Healer (Book 7)

Released in late 2024, The Healer is a companion romance novella that shifts focus away from Tempest. Instead, it follows Nyx, a healer who has spent years trying to help the commander Briggs overcome his traumatic past. When Briggs keeps her at arm's length, Nyx decides to walk away, forcing Briggs to confront his demons. This story is a second-chance, rejected-mates romance that provides closure to fan-favorite supporting characters.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Frost Kay's universe, there are a few stylistic and structural elements readers should keep in mind:

Continuous Storyline: Books 1 through 6 are not standalones. They form one continuous narrative arc following Tempest. You must read them in order to understand the plot.
Dark Romance and Slow Burn: The relationship between Tempest and Pyre is a true slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance. The series features heavy romantic tension, banter, and morally gray characters.
Crossover Elements: The series features mafia-like power structures within a fantasy setting, combining high fantasy elements (dragons, fae, shapeshifters) with gritty, street-level stakes.