The Recommended Reading Path for The Vampire Journals
For the best reading experience, The Vampire Journals should be read in publication order. Because the narrative is highly serial and relies on building upon previous events, starting anywhere other than the first book will leave readers confused. The series is divided into two distinct story arcs: the Caitlin Paine saga (Books 1–8) and the Scarlet Paine saga (Books 9–12), which is also widely known as the Vampire Legacy spin-off series.
Caitlin's Journey: The Core Arc (Books 1 to 8)
The series begins with Caitlin Paine, an ordinary eighteen-year-old uprooted from her comfortable life to attend a tough high school in New York City. She begins to experience terrifying, superhuman transformations—insane strength, acute sensitivity to light, and an overwhelming craving for blood. Drawn into a hidden vampire coven war, she meets Caleb, a mysterious vampire, and Jonah, a human classmate, setting off a classic young adult love triangle. The first eight books chronicle Caitlin's efforts to find her father, discover her true heritage, and locate a mythical vampire sword that can prevent an all-out supernatural war. This arc wraps up decisively in Found, where Caitlin makes a life-changing sacrifice.
Scarlet's Journey: The Vampire Legacy (Books 9 to 12)
Beginning with Resurrected (Book 9), the focus shifts to Caitlin's daughter, Scarlet Paine. In this secondary arc, Caitlin has returned to a normal human life with no memory of her vampire past, but she possesses a mysterious journal detailing her old adventures. When sixteen-year-old Scarlet starts undergoing the exact same physical transformations her mother did centuries ago, the family's supernatural legacy resurfaces. This four-book sequence follows Scarlet as she struggles to control her powers, attends high school, and uncovers the truths hidden within her mother's journal.
The Complete Reading Order
Here is the list of all books in the series in their recommended reading order, including publication years:
- Turned (Book 1) (2011) – The book that started it all. Caitlin Paine moves to New York, undergoes her vampire transformation, and meets Caleb.
- Loved (Book 2) (2011) – Caitlin and Caleb go on a quest for the mythical vampire sword to prevent a coven war.
- Betrayed (Book 3) (2011) – Caitlin wakes up on a hidden island coven, grappling with new powers and trust issues.
- Destined (Book 4) (2011) – Caitlin travels back in time to medieval Florence, Italy, blending history with her quest for identity.
- Desired (Book 5) (2011) – The historical travel continues to Paris in the eighteenth century, as Caitlin searches for clues about her lineage.
- Betrothed (Book 6) (2011) – Caitlin is pulled into Victorian London, facing high society and dangerous vampire secrets.
- Vowed (Book 7) (2011/2012) – Caitlin travels to ancient Rome on her quest, encountering the roots of vampire lore.
- Found (Book 8) (2012) – Caitlin finally tracks down her father, returns to the present day, and makes the ultimate choice to become human again.
- Resurrected (Book 9 / Vampire Legacy Book 1) (2012) – The story shifts to Caitlin's daughter Scarlet in present-day New York as her vampire legacy awakens.
- Craved (Book 10 / Vampire Legacy Book 2) (2012) – Scarlet battles to control her powers while trying to maintain a normal teenage life.
- Fated (Book 11 / Vampire Legacy Book 3) (2014) – Scarlet uncovers more secrets from her mother's past and faces new supernatural threats.
- Obsessed (Book 12 / Vampire Legacy Book 4) (2016) – The final chapter in Scarlet's journey, tying up the legacy of the Paine family.
Chronological Caveats and the Time Travel Elements
A unique aspect of The Vampire Journals is its heavy use of time travel. Starting in Book 4 (Destined), Caitlin travels through several historical eras, including Renaissance Italy, 18th-century France, Victorian England, and ancient Rome. Because of this, some readers wonder if they should construct a chronological order based on the historical settings.
However, trying to read the books chronologically based on their historical eras is not recommended. Caitlin's personal character development, her memories, and the overarching plot surrounding the search for the mythical sword and her father progress in a linear fashion. Reading out of order would ruin the continuity of the frame story. Stick strictly to the numbered publication order.
What About the Alternate Ending of Turned?
In 2014, Morgan Rice released Alternate Ending of Turned. This is a short, 3,500-word companion piece that reimagines the ending of the very first book from the perspective of Jonah, Caitlin's human love interest. Because it represents an alternate timeline, it does not fit cleanly into the main continuity. Readers should treat it as an optional piece of fan service. The best time to read it is either immediately after finishing Turned (to see the alternate path before committing to the main sequel) or after finishing the entire series as a bonus feature.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into The Vampire Journals, there are a few things to keep in mind. Morgan Rice's writing style is incredibly fast-paced, filled with dramatic cliffhangers and highly emotional conflicts. The series wears its influences proudly, echoing elements of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and L.J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries, making it a perfect fit for fans of classic young adult paranormal romance.
Additionally, because Morgan Rice is an indie publishing powerhouse who releases books at an extremely rapid rate, readers occasionally note formatting and editing inconsistencies in early self-published editions. However, the first book, Turned, is consistently available as a free download across most major ebook retailers, making it very easy to test out the series and see if the style appeals to you before purchasing the sequels. No co-authored books exist for this series, as all titles are written solely by Morgan Rice.