Where to Start with Adalyn Grace
For readers new to Adalyn Grace, her books are divided into distinct universes, making it easy to choose your starting point based on your preferred subgenre. If you love dark, atmospheric gothic mysteries with personified forces and romantic tension, you should start with Belladonna. If you prefer high-seas adventures, unique elemental magic systems, and pirate crew dynamics, start with All the Stars and Teeth.
Because her two current series are set in entirely separate fictional worlds, you can read either series first. However, within each series, it is essential to read the books in strict publication order, as they follow continuous character arcs and overarching mysteries that build directly upon previous installments.
The Belladonna Series Reading Order
This series is a lush, gothic fantasy romance centering on characters who can interact with personified entities of Death and Fate. It is set in a Victorian-esque world filled with grand manors, secret societies, and dangerous secrets.
- Belladonna (2022): Introduces nineteen-year-old Signa Farrow, an orphan who has spent her life moving between guardians who all meet untimely deaths. She discovers she is immune to poison and can see spirits, including the enigmatic figure of Death. When she is sent to live at the Hawthorne family's Thorn Grove estate, she must team up with Death to solve the murder of her cousin, Lillian.
- Foxglove (2023): Following the events of the first book, a new murder mystery unfolds at Thorn Grove. This installment introduces Fate, the brother of Death, who is determined to claim Signa for himself. The stakes rise as Signa and her cousin Blythe must navigate the deadly games of these immortal personifications to save their family.
- Wisteria (2024): The third novel shifts focus significantly toward the perspective of Blythe Hawthorne and her complex relationship with Aris, the personification of Fate. It deepens the lore of the world, explores the boundaries of Life and Death, and brings the central mysteries of the first three books to a dramatic head.
- Holly (2025): A holiday-themed, fully illustrated companion novella. It takes place after the events of Wisteria and focuses on a festive, cozy mystery within the estate. While it is technically book 4 (or 3.5), it is best read after finishing the core trilogy to avoid spoilers.
Chronological and Narrative Caveats for Belladonna
While the first two books primarily follow Signa's perspective and her relationship with Death, the third book, Wisteria, transitions to focus on Blythe Hawthorne and Fate. Readers should not skip Foxglove before reading Wisteria, as the character developments, particularly surrounding Blythe's curse and Fate's motivations, are set up extensively in the second book. Holly is a lighter, companion piece that serves as an epilogue to the trilogy's intense narrative arc.
All the Stars and Teeth Duology Reading Order
Adalyn Grace's debut duology is a high-fantasy adventure set in the archipelago kingdom of Visidia. The magic system is based on seven distinct types of magic distributed across different islands, and the plot features sea monsters, rebellious pirates, and royal politics.
- All the Stars and Teeth (2020): Follows Princess Amora Montara, who must master soul magic to secure her place as heir to the throne. When her demonstration goes wrong, she is forced to flee her home. She strikes a deal with a mysterious pirate, Bastian, to sail across the islands of Visidia, defeat a rising rebellion, and prove her worth as queen.
- All the Tides of Fate (2021): Picks up in the aftermath of the first book's climax. Amora is now queen but faces the heavy burden of her new crown, a devastating loss, and a dangerous curse that threatens her kingdom. She must travel Visidia once more to repair the magic of her realm and save her people.
Reading Guide for Visidia
Unlike some fantasy worlds that feature sprawling spin-offs, the Visidia story is entirely contained within this duology. There are no side stories or companion novellas. The narrative moves directly from the first book to the second, so they should be read sequentially without any gaps.
What to Know Before You Start
Adalyn Grace began her career writing Young Adult (YA) fantasy, meaning both All the Stars and Teeth and the Belladonna series are targeted at teens and older readers, featuring themes of identity, coming of age, and emotional growth alongside high-stakes romance. However, her books contain mature themes—such as murder, dark magic, grief, and toxicity—which have also made them massive crossover hits with adult fantasy readers.
Her writing style is heavily influenced by her background in live theater and animation, resulting in highly visual world-building and cinematic pacing. The author has also announced a transition into Adult Fantasy with her upcoming releases, which will feature older characters and more mature themes.
Upcoming Releases and Future Projects
Adalyn Grace is set to release her adult fantasy debut, The Wretched Divine, on September 22, 2026. This novel marks the beginning of a new series focusing on a long-standing war between angels and demons. The story follows Aurelie Chantelune, a knight who seeks to end the conflict by forging forbidden, competing soulbonds with both an angel and a demon. This book will be a standalone entry point for readers interested in her newer, adult-oriented fantasy style.