The Recommended Reading Order
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend starting with the original Vampirates series in its publication order, inserting the companion novella, Dead Deep, exactly where it fits chronologically. Although the prequel series, Pirate Academy, takes place five years earlier, it was written later and benefits greatly from the world-building established in the original series.
Here is the ultimate recommended reading path for the entire Vampirates universe:
- Demons of the Ocean (Book 1)
- Dead Deep (Novella - Book 1.5)
- Tide of Terror (Book 2)
- Blood Captain (Book 3)
- Black Heart (Book 4)
- Empire of Night (Book 5)
- Immortal War (Book 6)
- Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck (Prequel Book 1)
- Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea (Prequel Book 2)
- Pirate Academy: Sword Echoes (Prequel Book 3)
Publication Order vs. Chronological Timeline
The universe divided by author Justin Somper spans two main eras. The original Vampirates books are set starting in the year 2512, following rising oceans that have brought about a new golden age of piracy. In contrast, the newer Pirate Academy series is set five years earlier in the year 2507. Reading chronologically would mean starting with Pirate Academy, but starting with the original series is highly recommended for newcomers because the mysteries of the Vampirates and the rules of the high seas are introduced alongside the protagonists, twins Connor and Grace Tempest.
The companion novella Dead Deep was published in 2007 for World Book Day. Chronologically, it sits perfectly between the events of Demons of the Ocean and Tide of Terror, making it book 1.5. Reading it out of order won't break the story, but reading it in its proper chronological place helps introduce characters like Kally before they reappear later in the main series.
The Main Vampirates Novels
Demons of the Ocean (2005)
The saga begins in 2512 with twins Connor and Grace Tempest, who are orphaned after their father’s death in Crescent Moon Bay. Refusing to be sent to an orphanage, they set sail on their father's old boat, only for a sudden, violent storm to destroy it. Connor is rescued by the crew of The Diablo, a traditional pirate ship captained by the colorful Molucco Wrathe, where he begins training as a swordsman. Grace is rescued by the mysterious Lorcan Furey and taken aboard the Nocturne, a silent ship populated by Vampirates—vampires who sail the seas. The twins spend the book trying to survive their respective environments and find a way back to each other.
Dead Deep (2007 novella)
Set during a rare break from their duties aboard The Diablo, Connor Tempest, Bart Pearce, and Jez Stukeley decide to test their limits. They meet the crew of another ship, The Lorelei, and embark on a dangerous freediving challenge beneath the ocean's surface. However, they soon discover that the deep ocean holds secrets and dangers they are unprepared for. This novella introduces Kally, a character who plays a key role later in Empire of Night.
Tide of Terror (2006)
Reunited but changed by their experiences, the twins face new paths. Connor continues his pirate training but is haunted by his sister's experiences. Grace, still deeply connected to the Vampirates, struggles to adjust to life back in the mortal world. As threat levels rise on the seas, the twins find themselves drawn back into conflict, testing their loyalty to their new crews and to each other.
Blood Captain (2007)
Grace's ties to the Vampirates grow stronger as she resides at sanctuary, while Connor faces mounting pressure on The Diablo. Meanwhile, the rogue Vampirate Sidorio rebels against the peaceful rules of the Vampirate Captain, threating the delicate balance between the living and the undead. Connor is forced to make difficult decisions that will shape his destiny as a pirate.
Black Heart (2009)
The alliance between the Pirates and the Vampirates is pushed to its absolute limit. Sidorio continues to gather forces, establishing a renegade faction of bloodthirsty Vampirates. As the threat of all-out war looms, Connor and Grace must navigate political intrigue, pirate academies, and betrayal from those they trusted most.
Empire of Night (2010)
With Sidorio’s power growing, the oceans become increasingly dangerous. The Vampirate captain and his allies attempt to maintain order, but the renegade Vampirates launch coordinated attacks. Grace must delve deeper into the secrets of the Vampirates to find a way to stop the impending disaster, while Connor rallies his pirate allies for the fights ahead.
Immortal War (2011)
The epic conclusion to the six-book arc sees the oceans engulfed in war. The Alliance of Pirates and Vampirates faces off against Sidorio's forces in a battle that will determine the future of the world. Connor and Grace find their journeys coming full circle, making ultimate sacrifices to bring peace to the 26th-century oceans.
The Pirate Academy Companion Series
In 2024, Justin Somper expanded his universe with the Pirate Academy series. Set in 2507, five years before Connor and Grace shipwreck, these middle-grade novels follow a new generation of recruits training at the prestigious Pirate Academy under Headcaptain John Kuo. Familiar faces from the original series, including Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock, appear as younger cadets, offering fans delightful backstory and world-building details.
New Kid on Deck (2024)
Introduces the rigorous, high-energy environment of the Pirate Academy. We follow Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock during their early days of training as they learn the rules of navigation, swordplay, and pirate history while uncovering strange occurrences around the academy grounds.
Missing at Sea (2024)
The adventures continue as the young cadets are sent on their first real-world training missions. When a fellow cadet goes missing under mysterious circumstances during an offshore exercise, Jacoby, Jasmine, and their friends must put their training to the test to rescue their classmate.
Sword Echoes (2025)
As competition intensifies at the Academy, the cadets face their toughest exams yet. However, ancient rivalries and secrets hidden within the Academy walls threaten to disrupt the school. Jacoby and Jasmine must rely on their skills and teamwork to protect the future of the Academy.
What to Know Before You Start
The Vampirates series is a unique mashup of genres, blending historical pirate aesthetic with dark gothic fantasy, all set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world. While the premise features vampires, the horror elements are written to be thrilling rather than terrifying, making the main series perfect for readers aged 8 to 12. The books are tightly serialized, meaning they should not be read as standalones; the plot threads and character arcs carry directly from one novel to the next. The newer Pirate Academy books are written for a slightly younger audience, focusing heavily on school dynamics and adventure, but they share the same rich lore and exciting combat sequences that fans of the original series love.