Alex Kahler Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

Because Alex Kahler writes across several genres, age groups, and pen names, there is no single chronological path that connects all of his books. Instead, your best starting point depends entirely on the type of story you want to read. We recommend choosing one of the following starting points based on your preferences:

• For Dark, Atmospheric Fantasy & Circus Magic: Start with The Immortal Circus (2012). This is Kahler's breakout trilogy that blends urban fantasy, fairy courts, and circus arts.
• For Queer Post-Apocalyptic YA Fantasy: Start with Runebinder (2017). This series features high-stakes elemental magic, diverse LGBTQ+ representation, and intense action.
• For Middle-Grade Horror & Spooky Thrills: Start with The Collector (2018), written under his pseudonym K.R. Alexander. It is perfect for readers who enjoy creepy dolls, haunted houses, and campfire-style scares.
• For Gothic Adult Romance & Dark Fantasy: Start with Stitcher (2026), written under his newer pen name, Tobias J. Rooke.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, it is helpful to understand the author's primary writing identities. Alex Kahler writes under three distinct names, each targeting a specific audience and tone:

• Alex Kahler / A.R. Kahler: This is his main name for Young Adult and Adult fantasy. These books feature deeper world-building, romantic subplots, and strong LGBTQ+ themes.
• K.R. Alexander: The pseudonym used for middle-grade horror published by Scholastic. These books are fast-paced, highly accessible, and designed to give younger readers a good scare. Almost all of these are standalones or short, self-contained series.
• Tobias J. Rooke: A newer pen name dedicated to adult fantasy and queer dark romance, starting with his novel Stitcher.

Series in Detail and Reading Orders

1. The Immortal Circus Series

Set against a backdrop of contortionists, aerialists, and dark magic, this urban fantasy trilogy follows Vivienne, a talented circus performer who discovers she is bound to a world of ancient fae conflicts. Because Kahler himself trained as a circus aerialist, the setting feels incredibly vivid and authentic. You should read this trilogy in strict publication order:

1. The Immortal Circus (2012)
2. The Immortal Circus: Act Two (2013)
3. The Immortal Circus: Final Act (2014)

2. The Runebinder Chronicles

This post-apocalyptic fantasy series takes place in a world shattered by monsters known as Howls and ruled by cruel necromancers. The story follows Aidan, a young man who can channel the power of the runes. The series is celebrated for its fast-paced action and prominent queer romance. In addition to the main novels, there is a companion novella focusing on the character Tenn. The recommended reading order is:

1. Runebinder (2017)
2. Tenn (2018) – A companion novella that can be read before or after book one, though reading it second provides excellent character depth before moving on.
3. Runebreaker (2018)
4. Runemaker (2019)

3. The Pale Queen Trilogy

An urban fantasy series that leans into gothic and winter-themed aesthetics, following a protagonist named Claire. The books should be read in order of publication:

1. Pale Queen Rising (2015)
2. Cold Dream Dawning (2016)
3. Black Ice Burning (2016)

4. The Ravenborn Series

A YA fantasy duology filled with magic and mystery. Read these in order:

1. Shades of Darkness (2016)
2. Echoes of Memory (2017)

5. The Hunted Series

An early post-apocalyptic project featuring magic-wielding Hunters. While the series did not expand as widely as others, it remains a cult favorite for fans of his early work:

1. Jarrett (2014) – A prequel novella / short story.
2. Martyr (2014) – The main novel.

6. The K.R. Alexander Middle-Grade Horror Universe

Writing as K.R. Alexander, Kahler has published a massive list of creepy books for middle-grade readers. While most are standalone stories, a few are grouped into series. Here is how to navigate them:

The Collector Series

This series centers around creepy, haunted dolls and the children who must stop them. Read them in order:

1. The Collector (2018)
2. The Collected (2020)

The Fear Zone Series

A spooky series where children's worst fears come to life inside a haunted house. Read them in order:

1. The Fear Zone (2019)
2. The Fear Zone 2 (2020)

The Scare Me / Follow Me Branding

These books are marketed similarly and share a matching aesthetic, but they are standalone horror stories that can be read in any order:

• Scare Me (2020)
• Bury Me (2020)
• Haunt Me (2020)
• Follow Me (2020)

Popular K.R. Alexander Standalones

These books have no continuity connections and can be read at any time:

• Gallowgate (2023)
• Vacancy (2021)
• The Undrowned (2022)
• Escape (2023)
• Darkroom (2022)
• Last Laugh (2024)

7. Standalones, Novellas, and Other Works

If you want to sample Kahler's work outside of his major series, check out these standalone releases and short fiction:

• A Child of Wight (2013) – A standalone fantasy short story.
• Love Is in the Air (2015) – Published under the multi-author 'Flirt' contemporary romance imprint.
• The Word (2016) – A fantasy short story.
• Playing Wicked (2020) – A dark standalone fantasy novel.