Wicked Trilogy Books in Order

How to Read the Wicked Series

Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Wicked Trilogy is a fan-favorite New Adult paranormal romance series that transports readers into a dark, fae-infested version of New Orleans. To fully appreciate the character arcs, world-building, and high-stakes romantic conflict, it is essential to read the books in a specific order.

The series is divided into two distinct parts: the core trilogy, which follows the main characters Ivy Morgan and Ren Owens, and a spin-off trilogy (commonly referred to as the Summer King series), which focuses on Brighton Jussier and the Fae Prince, Caden. Because the spin-off trilogy takes place after the events of the main series and contains major spoilers for the original books, you should always read the core trilogy first.

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, follow the combined chronological and publication order, starting with Ivy and Ren's journey before diving into Brighton and Caden's spin-off story:

1. Wicked (2014) – Main Novel (Ivy & Ren)
2. Torn (2016) – Main Novel (Ivy & Ren)
3. Brave (2017) – Main Novel (Ivy & Ren)
4. The Prince (2018) – Spin-off Novella / Book 3.5 (Brighton & Caden)
5. The King (2019) – Spin-off Novella / Book 3.6 (Brighton & Caden)
6. The Queen (2020) – Spin-off Novella / Book 3.7 (Brighton & Caden)

Understanding the Core Wicked Trilogy

The first three novels form the primary narrative arc of the series, introducing readers to the secret war fought in the shadows of the French Quarter:

• Wicked (2014): The story introduces Ivy Morgan, a 22-year-old college student in New Orleans who leads a double life as a member of the Order—a secret society dedicated to hunting and locking away malevolent, life-draining fae. Having lost almost everyone she ever loved to the fae, Ivy keeps her guard up. Everything changes when she meets Ren Owens, a lethal, devastatingly handsome new hunter in town. As they team up to investigate a dangerous new threat, an intense and forbidden attraction builds between them.
• Torn (2016): Picking up where the first book's shocking revelations left off, Ivy must deal with the fallout of betrayal and the shattering of everything she thought she knew about the Order and her own identity. The stakes rise as a looming apocalypse threatens New Orleans, forcing Ivy and Ren to make desperate choices to protect their world and each other.
• Brave (2017): The epic conclusion to Ivy and Ren's story. Ivy faces her ultimate destiny as the war between the Order and the fae reaches a boiling point. The book delivers a high-octane blend of action, heartbreak, and romantic resolution.

The Summer King Spin-off Series

Once you finish the main trilogy, the narrative continues with a trilogy of novellas (originally published as part of the 1001 Dark Nights series) that center on Brighton Jussier and Caden:

• The Prince (2018): Set after the events of Brave, this story elevates Brighton Jussier, a human member of the Order who was a secondary character in the main books, to the spotlight. After surviving a brutal attack, Brighton finds herself in a forced, uneasy alliance with Caden, the powerful Summer Land prince who is driven by vengeance. Their tension-filled dynamic quickly evolves into a passionate, dangerous romance.
• The King (2019): As Caden fights to secure his place and protect his people, his bond with Brighton deepens. The two must navigate political intrigue in the fae realm and dangerous enemies who want to see them fall.
• The Queen (2020): The final installment of the spin-off, bringing Brighton and Caden's rocky journey to its dramatic, romantic conclusion as they fight for their future and the safety of both the human and fae worlds.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you pick up the first book, here are a few practical tips and details to keep in mind:

• Tone and Maturity Level: The Wicked series is firmly categorized as New Adult paranormal romance. It features mature themes, graphic violence, gritty action, and highly explicit, steamy romance scenes. It is intended for older readers than Armentrout’s Young Adult works like the Lux series.
• The New Orleans Setting: Armentrout uses the atmospheric, historic, and haunted backdrop of New Orleans to ground the story. From the busy streets of the French Quarter to hidden underground lairs, the city plays an active role in setting the moody, supernatural tone.
• Standalones vs. Continuity: None of the books in either trilogy should be read as standalones. The main trilogy is a continuous storyline following Ivy, and the novellas form a cohesive three-part arc for Brighton. Reading them out of order will result in major plot spoilers.
• Fan-Favorite Tink: No guide to the Wicked series is complete without mentioning Tink, Ivy's lovable, pop-culture-obsessed brownie companion. Tink's obsession with Amazon Prime, sugary treats, and humorous banter provides excellent comic relief against the series' darker themes.
• On-Screen Adaptations: For fans who want to see the characters brought to life, the streaming service Passionflix has adapted the first two books. The movie adaptation of Wicked was released on May 27, 2021, starring Anna Maiche as Ivy and Liam Hall as Ren. The sequel, Torn, was subsequently released on October 27, 2022.