Books On Board

The Unaltered Books in Order

  • 7 Books
  • 2011 – 2021 Published

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

Reading order
1 of 1 reading orders shown

How to Read The Unaltered Series in Order

If you love fast-paced young adult urban fantasy filled with superhero-style action, secret societies, and high stakes, Lorena Angell's The Unaltered is a series you won't want to miss. The story follows Calli Courtnae, a teenage track star whose record-breaking sprint reveals her superhuman speed and thrusts her into a hidden world of powered individuals, ancient clans, and mystical cosmic diamonds.

Because the series follows a strict, continuous narrative arc, the recommended reading order is the publication order. Reading these books out of order will spoil major plot points and make the complex web of espionage and power dynamics difficult to follow. Here is the recommended path through the series:

  1. A Diamond in My Pocket (2011) – The adventure begins when sixteen-year-old Calli Courtnae runs a world-record sprint, exposing her speed. Whisked away to a secret facility in Montana, she learns she is a superhuman Runner. She must protect a mystical diamond that grants cosmic powers from evil clans and a government agency looking to exploit them.
  2. A Diamond in My Heart (2012) – Calli continues to master her new capabilities while navigating escalating threats. In addition to protecting the cosmic diamond, she must deal with a time-rewinding teen who is convinced they are destined to be together.
  3. The Diamond of Freedom (2013) – Calli faces a fight for survival when a power-neutralizing stone prevents her from healing from life-threatening injuries. Alongside her love interest, Chris, she must track down a rogue Diamond Bearer named Freedom and stop General Harding's weapon designed to eradicate powered humans.
  4. The Diamond Bearer's Secret (2015) – In this installment, Calli discovers that her trials have been training her for a much larger cosmic purpose. She faces skepticism from the elder members of the Diamond Bearers and must also stop a leak when an anonymous blog begins exposing their secrets to the public.
  5. The Diamond Bearers' Destiny (2017) – Calli and Chris take the fight directly to General Harding's facility to dismantle his anti-power experiments. However, Harding has his own dark plans: he aims to rip the diamond directly from Calli's heart to become an all-powerful Bearer himself.
  6. The Diamond Bearers' Rising (2018) – Tensions mount as Calli is tasked with rescuing imprisoned scientists. The mission leads to the discovery of a new man-made substance that strips Diamond Bearers of their powers, forcing Calli to challenge the ancient rules that govern their society.
  7. The Diamond Bearer's Ring (2021) – The stakes reach an all-time high when Calli is captured by Max Corvus and the mysterious Bureau. Left stranded, she must use all her wits and speed to navigate a dangerous web of captivity and escape.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Unlike some urban fantasy series that feature sprawling spin-offs, prequels, or companion novellas, The Unaltered has a clean and straightforward timeline. The chronological order of events aligns perfectly with the publication order listed above. The narrative flows directly from book to book, following Calli's growth from a bewildered high school track runner into a fully realized leader of the Diamond Bearers.

One minor point of confusion for new readers is the chronological gap between some of the publication dates (specifically the gap between The Diamond of Freedom in 2013, The Diamond Bearer's Secret in 2015, and The Diamond Bearers' Destiny in 2017). The author released Destiny after Secret, even though the titles might sound out of sequence. Stick to the publication order to ensure you experience the narrative as the author intended.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Calli's adventures, here are a few key details to keep in mind to enhance your reading experience:

  • No Standalones: You cannot read these books as standalone novels. Each book picks up right where the previous one left off, building on the lore, character relationships, and the central conflict.
  • The Core Storyline: While the series is currently seven books long, the first four books (often sold together in a digital box set) represent the initial core arc of Calli and Chris's journey against General Harding.
  • The Series Finale (Book 8): Lorena Angell originally planned for the series to span ten books. However, she has announced that the series will conclude with Book 8, which will wrap up Calli and Chris's main storyline. As of now, Book 8 is in development but does not have a set release date.
  • Hollywood Interest: The series was optioned for a film adaptation, highlighting the cinematic, fast-paced action of Angell's writing.

Practical Reader Advice

For the best experience, start with A Diamond in My Pocket. Ensure you have the next couple of books lined up, as the cliffhangers at the end of each installment can be intense. The series is highly accessible for young adults and older readers alike, balancing clean romance, superpowers, and thrilling espionage. Keep an eye out for updates on the final book by signing up for the author's official newsletter to see how Calli's story ultimately wraps up.

Frequently Asked

Where should I start reading The Unaltered series?

You should start with the first book, A Diamond in My Pocket. Because the series follows a single continuous storyline, starting anywhere else will result in major spoilers and confusion.

Can the books in The Unaltered series be read as standalones?

No. The Unaltered is a serialized story where each book picks up immediately after the events of the previous one. They must be read in sequence to understand the plot.

How many books are there in The Unaltered series?

There are currently seven published books in the main series, with an eighth and final installment planned to conclude the story of Calli and Chris.

Is there a difference between the publication and chronological order?

No, the chronological storyline matches the publication order exactly. Read the books in the order they were released, starting with A Diamond in My Pocket and ending with The Diamond Bearer's Ring.

Are there any spin-offs or prequels to The Unaltered?

Currently, there are no published spin-offs, prequels, or companion novels. The author has focused entirely on the main chronological series, though she has expressed interest in potential spin-offs after Book 8 concludes the main arc.

Who is the main character in the series?

The main character is Calli Courtnae, a teenage track runner who discovers she has superhuman speed and is chosen as a Diamond Bearer to protect a mystical power-granting diamond.