Alison Goodman Books in Order

How to Navigate Alison Goodman’s Worlds

Whether you want to dive into a mythical, dragon-filled version of ancient China, hunt demons in Regency London, or join a pair of fiercely independent twin sisters solving crimes in high society, Alison Goodman has a world for you. The award-winning Australian author specializes in blending meticulous historical research with speculative fiction, high adventure, and strong-willed female leads who rebel against the constraints of their eras.

Since her series span completely different genres—from high fantasy to historical mysteries—there is no single timeline connecting them. You can read her series in any order you like, though you should read the individual books within each series in their proper sequence. Below is your ultimate guide to finding the best starting point and understanding the reading order of Alison Goodman's books.

The Best Starting Points

Depending on your favorite genres, here is where you should begin your journey:

• For High Fantasy Lovers: Start with Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. This duology is a masterful exploration of ancient dragon magic, imperial politics, and gender identity.
• For Fans of Supernatural Regency: Start with The Dark Days Club. If you ever wondered what would happen if Buffy the Vampire Slayer navigated the strict social rules of Jane Austen’s London, this is your answer.
• For Historical Mystery Fans: Start with The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies. It is a witty, feminist mystery series about two twin sisters in their early forties who refuse to conform to society's expectations.

1. The Eon Duology (YA High Fantasy)

This is the duology that put Goodman on the international bestseller lists. Inspired by Chinese mythology, Feng Shui, and traditional dragon lore, the story follows Eon, a sixteen-year-old girl who has spent years disguised as a boy to train as a Dragoneye apprentice. In this world, Dragoneyes are the only ones who can channel the energy of the twelve energy dragons, but women are strictly forbidden from practicing this magic.

Because these books were published under different names in different markets (such as Australia, the UK, and the US), the titles can be a bit confusing. Here is the correct chronological and publication order:

1. Eon (2008) – Also published as Eon: Dragoneye Reborn, The Two Pearls of Wisdom, or Eon: Rise of the Dragoneye.
2. Eona (2011) – Also published as Eona: The Last Dragoneye, The Necklace of the Gods, or Eona: Return of the Dragoneye.

Reader Advice: This is a continuous duology. You must read Eon before proceeding to Eona, as the second book picks up exactly where the first one's cliffhanger leaves off.

2. The Lady Helen Trilogy / The Dark Days Club (Regency Dark Fantasy)

Set in 1812 London, this trilogy blends the sparkling social season of Regency England with a dark, hidden world of demons known as the Deceivers. The protagonist, Lady Helen Wrexhall, is about to make her debut to society when she discovers she possesses the rare, supernatural abilities of a Reclaimer, making her the only defense against these parasitic creatures.

The recommended reading order is:

1. The Dark Days Club (2015)
2. Lusus Naturae (2016) – A companion novella (often numbered as Book 1.5).
3. The Dark Days Pact (2017)
4. The Dark Days Deceit (2018)

Reader Advice: While Lusus Naturae is a companion novella, it is highly recommended for fans of the series. It retells the critical events of Chapter 5 of the first book from the perspective of the mysterious Lord Carlston, shedding light on his complex motivations and feelings. You can read it immediately after finishing the first book or save it for the end of the trilogy.

3. The Ill-Mannered Ladies Series (Historical Mystery)

This series moves away from the fantasy genre, focusing instead on a witty, feminist historical mystery. The story stars twin sisters Lady Augusta and Lady Julia Colebrook, who are unmarried and, at age forty-two, considered "spinsters" by Regency society. Using their overlooked status to their advantage, they form a secret society to rescue women and children from abusive situations, leading them into dangerous cases of blackmail, espionage, and murder.

The books in this series should be read in order:

1. The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023)
2. The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin (2025)

Reader Advice: The series features ongoing character development and romantic subplots (particularly involving Augusta and the mysterious escaped convict Lord Evan), so it is best to read them in the order of publication.

4. Standalone Novels and Thrillers

Before launching her major series, Goodman published two standalone novels that show off her versatility across genres:

• Singing the Dogstar Blues (1998) – Goodman's debut novel is a young adult science fiction thriller set in a future Melbourne. It follows Joss, a rebel playing the blues on a futuristic clarinet, who is partnered with the first alien student to attend RMIT University. When time-travel assassins target them, they must unravel a conspiracy involving cloning and historical manipulation. It won the prestigious Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel.
• Killing the Rabbit / A New Kind of Death (2004) – Under its original title Killing the Rabbit (reissued as A New Kind of Death in 2007), this is a dark adult crime thriller. It features a writer's workshop that goes horribly wrong, leading to murder, and showcases a completely different, grittier side of Goodman's writing style.

5. Short Stories and Anthologies

For completionists, Goodman has contributed to several anthologies:

• "The Real Thing" – Featured in the 2006 young adult anthology Firebirds Rising, this is a standalone urban fantasy short story.
• "Relict" – Published in the 2021 charity anthology Relics, Wrecks and Ruins. Goodman describes this story as a "Regency space opera" (Bridgerton meets spaceships), set in an alternate-history Regency era where the British Empire utilizes advanced technology salvaged from crashed alien spacecraft.

What to Know Before You Start

Goodman is known for her extreme dedication to historical accuracy. When writing the Lady Helen trilogy and the Ill-Mannered Ladies series, she spent years researching Regency customs, fashion, politics, and even period-accurate slang. In fact, she completed a PhD focusing on the research and writing of the Regency era. This means that despite the fantastical or mysterious elements of her books, the historical backdrops are incredibly vivid and true to life. If you enjoy rich, immersive worldbuilding and historically accurate details, you will find her books particularly rewarding.