How to Read the Vampire Assassin League Series
The Vampire Assassin League (VAL) series by Jackie Ivie is a highly prolific paranormal romance saga centering on an elite, secretive organization of vampire killers whose official motto is "We Kill for Profit." Despite their cold professional calling, these lethal immortals frequently find their eternal existences disrupted when they encounter their fated human or supernatural mates. The series blends historical romance elements—ranging from ancient warriors and medieval knights to Victorian vamps—with modern settings and witty, fast-paced action.
Because the series consists of shorter novellas rather than full-length novels, they have been published and packaged in two distinct formats: as 34 individual numbered novellas, and as 14 regional themed compilation volumes (referred to as "2-Packs"). You can choose the reading path that fits your preference.
Option 1: The Novella Publication Order
Reading the novellas in their original publication order is the most straightforward way to experience the series. This allows you to witness the gradual development of the league's lore and enjoy recurring cameo appearances from major figures, such as the enigmatic league leader Akron, in the order they were written. Here is the chronological list of all 34 individual novellas:
- Knight After Night (2011) - Introduces Scottish vampire Thoran MacKettryck and Jolie Pritchard.
- Be Still My Heart (2011)
- Dearly Beloved (2011) - Features reclusive vampire Dominick Miklos St. Guis and Courtney Dwyer.
- We Are Gathered (2011)
- Together to Join (2012)
- This Man and Woman (2012) - Follows French assassin Jean Pierre de Margolis and warrior Takaiya.
- Forever As One (2012)
- Should There Be (2012)
- Anyone Here (2012) - Focuses on Victorian vampire Cassandra Braun and Jacob Walsh.
- With Just Cause (2013)
- Why These Two (2013)
- Cannot Unite (2013)
- Let Them Speak (2013)
- Now or Forever (2013)
- Hold Their Peace (2013)
- Do You Take (2014)
- This Vampire As (2014) - Pairs medieval knight Wystan Ryn de Crecy with modern cop Rachel.
- A Forever Mate (2014)
- To Have (2014)
- And To Hold (2014)
- To Love (2014)
- To Honor (2014)
- And To Cherish (2015)
- For Richer (2015)
- And Richer (2015)
- Forsaking (2015)
- All Others (2015)
- As Long As (2015)
- You Both (2016)
- Exist (2016)
- When It Comes (2016)
- Time To Die (2016)
- Be Not Like (2017) - Features Eska and Paul Henry.
- Those Whose Hearts (2018)
Option 2: The Themed Regional Collections (2-Packs)
Many readers discover the Vampire Assassin League through its thematic regional collections. These compilations pack two novellas together based on a shared regional, cultural, or historical flavor (such as Slavic vamps, French romance, or Highland clans). If you prefer purchasing or reading these bundled editions, follow the order of their release:
- Vampire Assassin League, Nordic (2013) - Contains Dearly Beloved (Book 3) and Forever As One (Book 7).
- Vampire Assassin League, British (2013) - Contains This Vampire As (Book 17) and Anyone Here (Book 9).
- Vampire Assassin League, Medieval (2013) - Contains We Are Gathered (Book 4) and Why These Two (Book 11).
- Vampire Assassin League, French (2013) - Contains Together to Join (Book 5) and This Man and Woman (Book 6).
- Vampire Assassin League, Slavic (2013) - Contains Be Still My Heart (Book 2) and Cannot Unite (Book 12).
- Vampire Assassin League, Southern (2013) - Contains With Just Cause (Book 10) and Let Them Speak (Book 13).
- Vampire Assassin League, Spanish (2014) - Contains Should There Be (Book 8) and Do You Take (Book 16).
- Vampire Assassin League, Aegean Sea (2014) - Contains Now or Forever (Book 14) and Hold Their Peace (Book 15).
- Vampire Assassin League, Highland (2014) - Contains Knight After Night (Book 1) and To Love (Book 21).
- Vampire Assassin League, Barbarian (2014) - Contains A Forever Mate (Book 18) and To Have (Book 19).
- Vampire Assassin League, Asian (2014) - Contains And To Hold (Book 20) and To Honor (Book 22).
- Vampire Assassin League, Nobility (2015) - Contains And To Cherish (Book 23) and For Richer (Book 24).
- Vampire Assassin League, The Fallen (2015) - Contains And Richer (Book 25) and Forsaking (Book 26).
- Vampire Assassin League, Temple (2016) - Contains All Others (Book 27) and As Long As (Book 28).
Note that the later novellas (Books 29 through 34) were not compiled into these themed regional 2-Packs, and must be acquired as individual releases. Additionally, Jackie Ivie published a massive ten-novella omnibus titled Commitment in 2016 for readers wanting a larger bundle.
Practical Reader Advice and Starting Points
Are you wondering where to begin? The absolute best place to start is the very first novella, Knight After Night (which is also bundled inside the Highland regional pack). It lays down the basic ground rules of the assassin league, establishes the dryly humorous tone of the world, and introduces characters who reappear throughout the series.
Because each novella focuses on a different couple finding their fated mate, they can technically be read as standalones. However, the overarching lore, the nature of the League, and the role of the league's leader, Akron, develop continuously. Reading the books out of order may result in mild spoilers regarding which assassins have successfully found their mates and retired or changed their roles within the organization.
Tie-Ins, Spin-Offs, and Co-Authored Work to Avoid Confusing
If you are exploring Jackie Ivie's bibliography, you might encounter the title Highland Hunger (2011). While this is a paranormal romance anthology featuring a story written by Jackie Ivie alongside authors Hannah Howell and Michele Sinclair, it belongs to the McNachton Vampires universe and is completely unrelated to the Vampire Assassin League. Keep these two vampire series separate when tracking down your reads!
For fans who finish the Vampire Assassin League and want to explore more of Jackie Ivie's fast-paced romantic fantasy style, look into her other short-fiction series like the sci-fi romance series Portals of Time (beginning with Penetrate) or her urban fantasy/paranormal series Chronicles of the Hunter (beginning with The Hunted).