A.G. Marshall Books in Order

Where to Start with A.G. Marshall

If you are new to A.G. Marshall's clean romantic fantasy worlds, the best place to begin is with the Fairy Tale Adventures series, starting with Princess of Shadows. As her most popular and expansive series, it showcases her signature blend of witty banter, strong heroines who do not need saving, and subtle overarching magical lore. Reading this series in publication order allows you to follow the development of the shared universe, particularly the mysteries of the shadow world and the Society of Evangelina.

For readers who prefer epic fantasy quests with higher stakes and political intrigue, starting with the Salarian Chronicles (beginning with the prequel short story Alma and the Fairy followed by Rook and Shadow) is an excellent alternative. If you are looking for quick, lighthearted fairy tale updates, you can jump directly into the Once Upon a Short Story collections at any time.

Fairy Tale Adventures (Recommended Reading Order)

Although each book in this series focuses on a different classic fairy tale and a unique couple, they share a common world. Over the course of the novels, characters uncover a deeper plot involving a looming shadow threat and the secret organization known as the Society of Evangelina. To fully appreciate these background details, we recommend reading them in publication order:

• Princess of Shadows (2016) – A retelling of The Princess and the Pea mixed with elements of Sleeping Beauty. It introduces Lina, a military-trained princess who wakes from a century-long magic sleep and must pass a royal "Princess Test" to complete a secret mission.
• Princess of Secrets (2017) – A reimagining of The Frog Prince that follows a princess guarding dangerous political secrets.
• Princess of Mermaids (2019) – A fresh take on The Little Mermaid featuring Fiora, a half-mermaid princess navigating krakens, royal court dynamics, and dangerous magical secrets.
• Princess of Roses (2020) – A clean and humorous retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
• Princess of Mirrors (2023) – A clever spin on Cinderella that follows Gabriella as she guards magical family mirrors from a shadow world while dealing with her stepfamily and a prince who would rather herd goats.

Once Upon a Short Story Books

This collection consists of standalone fairy tale short stories that put unique, humorous, and heartwarming twists on classic narratives. They can be read in any order as light palates between the main novels, though many fans enjoy reading them in publication order. They have also been compiled into anthologies:

1. The Grandmother with Enormous Eyes (2019) – A twist on Little Red Riding Hood.
2. A Gown of Spider Silk (2019) – A magical retelling focusing on rare, woven elements.
3. The Bruised Princess (2019) – A short story focusing on royal resilience and magic.
4. The Dwarf Ring (2019) – A tale of bargains, rings, and ancient folklore.
5. The Curse of Gold (2019) – A creative spin on the dangers of greed and golden enchantments.
6. Swan Song (2019) – A short retelling inspired by the classical themes of Swan Lake.
7. The Princess and the Lamp (2020) – A magical reimagining of the classic genie story.
8. The Woman with the Spindle (2020) – A spin on the spinning wheel curses of folklore.
9. The Cat and His Servant (2021) – A charming retelling inspired by Puss in Boots.

The Salarian Chronicles

The Salarian Chronicles is A.G. Marshall's epic fantasy series. It features a larger focus on political intrigue, quests, and a mysterious salt curse threatening the kingdom of Salaria. For the complete narrative experience, read the short prequel story before diving into the novels:

• Alma and the Fairy (2015) – A companion short story that serves as a prequel to the main events of the chronicles.
• Rook and Shadow (2015) – Book 1. The story follows Princess Salara, the heir to the throne, who must team up with a mysterious thief known as "The Shadow" to save her kingdom.
• Lady Alma (2018) – Book 2. This sequel continues the adventure, resolving the conflicts and curses introduced in the first book.

The Villain's Ever After Collection (Multi-Author Collaboration)

It is important to note that A Villain's Ever After is a collaborative, multi-author series. The collection features twelve standalone stories written by different authors, each giving a classic fairy tale villain their own chance at a happily-ever-after. While the entire series was published in 2021, A.G. Marshall only wrote one book in this project:

• The Prince and the Sea Witch (2021) – Written by A.G. Marshall (Book 11 in the series). This is a standalone retelling of The Little Mermaid focusing on a outcast mermaid potion-maker named Briony who discovers a prince might not be as charming as he seems.

For context, the other entries in the multi-author series are written by separate authors and do not need to be read to enjoy Marshall's contribution:

1. Gothel and the Maiden Prince by W.R. Gingell
2. Carabosse and the Spindle Spell by Sylvia Mercedes
3. The Beast and the Enchantress by Camille Peters
4. The Sultan and the Storyteller by Lichelle Slater
5. Bluebeard and the Outlaw by Tara Grayce
6. The Stepsister and the Slipper by Nina Clare
7. The Goblin and the Dancer by Allison Tebo
8. Hansel and the Gingerbread Queen by Lea Doué
9. The Dark King and the Eternal Dance by Alesha Adamson
10. The Sorcerer and the Swan Princess by Lucy Tempest
11. The Baker and the Wolf by J.M. Stengl
12. The Prince and the Sea Witch by A.G. Marshall

Standalone and Co-Authored Works

A.G. Marshall has also ventured outside of classic fairy tale settings to co-author a contemporary romantic comedy:

• Leveled Up Love (2020) – Co-authored with popular GameLit writer Tao Wong. This standalone novel is a romantic comedy featuring Zack Moore, a gamer who is dragged into the real world by "DaEvo" (Dating Evolution), an augmented reality dating app that turns romance into a quest-filled video game.

What to Know Before You Start

A.G. Marshall's background as a professional pianist and music teacher heavily influences her writing. Her prose has a distinct rhythmic, melodic flow, and she often names characters or draws inspiration from classical compositions. Her books are widely appreciated in the young adult and clean fantasy communities for avoiding explicit content while delivering satisfying romance, high-stakes magical adventure, and lighthearted humor. Whether you start with her full-length novels or her quick short stories, you will find consistent worldbuilding and heroines who are active participants in their own fates.