Where to Start with Alex Aster
Alex Aster has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in modern fantasy. Depending on your age and reading preferences, you have two very different starting points. If you are a fan of high-stakes young adult fantasy, romance, and deadly competitions, your best starting point is Lightlark. However, if you prefer middle-grade adventures steeped in rich cultural mythology and classic quest elements, you should begin with Curse of the Night Witch. For readers interested in contemporary romance rather than fantasy, her standalone novel Summer in the City is the perfect choice.
The Lightlark Saga Reading Order
The Lightlark Saga is Alex Aster's signature young adult fantasy series, often described as a mix of The Hunger Games and legendary fairy tales. Set on a mysterious island that appears only once every century, six rulers compete in a deadly game to break their realms' centuries-old curses. Because the plot is highly serial, with massive cliffhangers and character developments, you must read these books in chronological order.
1. Lightlark (2022)
This is the book that launched Aster to global fame. We meet Isla Crown, the young ruler of Wildling, who must hide a dangerous secret while participating in the Centennial—a deadly game where one ruler must die to break the curses plaguing their lands.
2. Nightbane (2023)
The second book in the main series continues directly after the shocking events of the first novel. Isla Crown struggles to maintain her power and navigate her feelings while secrets of the past begin to unravel, threatening to tear her world apart.
3. Skyshade (2024)
In the third installment, the stakes rise even higher as Isla enters the dangerous realm of Skyshade. Dark alliances are formed, and the lore of the world expands, pushing Isla and her allies to their absolute limits.
4. Grim & Oro: Dueling Crowns Edition (2025)
Released in September 2025, this deluxe companion volume contains two complete novellas told from the perspectives of the two male leads, Grim and Oro. Readers are strongly advised to read this companion after finishing Skyshade and before starting Crowntide. Grim's novella reveals crucial backstory regarding his past and motivations, while Oro's novella dives deep into his internal conflict between his duty as king and his feelings for Isla.
5. Crowntide (2025)
Published in December 2025, this is the epic fourth main novel in the series. With Isla trapped and facing the powerful ancestor Lark, Grim and Oro must form an uneasy alliance to save her and decide the ultimate fate of their magic-infused world.
Emblem Island Series Reading Order
Before achieving breakout success in YA fantasy, Aster debuted with Emblem Island, a middle-grade series heavily inspired by Colombian folklore and the stories her grandmother told her as a child. In this world, everyone is born with a physical emblem on their skin that determines their destiny. The story follows Tor Luna, who tries to change his mark, only to receive a curse instead.
1. Curse of the Night Witch (2020)
This debut novel introduces Tor Luna and his friends as they embark on a dangerous quest across Emblem Island to find the legendary Night Witch—the only being powerful enough to undo Tor's cursed mark.
2. Curse of the Forgotten City (2021)
The adventure continues in this sequel, as Tor and his friends explore the underwater ruins of a legendary city, facing new monsters and testing the limits of their magic and friendship.
Standalone Novels
Summer in the City (2025)
Published in March 2025, this book represents a major departure for Aster. Moving away from young adult and middle-grade fantasy, Summer in the City is an adult contemporary romance. Set in New York City, it is entirely standalone and does not connect to the lore of Lightlark or Emblem Island.
What to Know Before You Start
When starting the Lightlark Saga, readers should be prepared for heavy romance elements, high drama, and frequent plot twists. It sits firmly within the "romantasy" subgenre. The magic system is based on different elemental and environmental realms, each with its own unique restrictions and powers. In contrast, the Emblem Island books are much lighter on romance, focusing heavily on friendship, destiny, and folklore-inspired monsters, making them perfect for younger fantasy readers.