Alyxandra Harvey Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?

Alyxandra Harvey is a versatile Canadian author whose bibliography spans two distinct flavors: paranormal young adult fantasy packed with snarky banter, and witty Regency-era historical romances. Because her books cover different genres and worlds, your starting point depends entirely on what you like to read:

• For Vampire and YA Urban Fantasy Fans: Start with Hearts at Stake (originally published in some markets as My Love Lies Bleeding). This is the first book in The Drake Chronicles, her most famous series. It functions like a supernatural Buffy the Vampire Slayer filled with family loyalty, romance, and vampire hunters.
• For Witchcraft and Regency Gothic Fans: Start with A Breath of Frost (also known as The Secret Witch). This is the opening installment of The Lovegrove Legacy, a trilogy that blends historical Regency settings with family magic, dark covens, and elegant ballrooms.
• For Classic Regency Romance Fans (No Magic): Start with either How to Marry an Earl (from The Cinderella Society) or The Duchess Games (from the Dainty Devils series). These books are pure historical romance published by Dragonblade Publishing, focusing on clever, independent women navigating the marriage mart and criminal conspiracies.

The Drake Chronicles: Publication vs. Chronological Order

The Drake Chronicles follows the aristocratic Drake family, a rare lineage of born vampires who must navigate dangerous politics, ancient prophecies, and the hostile vampire-hunting organization known as the Helios-Ra Society. The series is comprised of six main novels, several companion novellas, and character guidebooks. Readers can choose between publication order or chronological order.

Publication Order

Reading in publication order is highly recommended for first-time readers, as the novellas were written to flesh out background lore after the main conflicts were established. In this order, you will read the books as follows:

1. Hearts at Stake (2009) (Also published as My Love Lies Bleeding)
2. Blood Feud (2010)
3. Out for Blood (2010)
4. Bleeding Hearts (2011)
5. A Killer First Date (2012) (Novella, Book 3.5)
6. A Field Guide to Vampires (2012) (Companion Guide, Book 4.5)
7. Blood Moon (2012)
8. Corsets and Crossbows (2012) (Prequel Novella, Book 0.1)
9. Blood Prophecy (2012)
10. The Longest Night (2013) (Novella, Book 5.5)
11. A Tithe of Blood and Ashes (2014) (Novella, Book 6.5)
12. Sweet Tooth (2020) (Short story)

Chronological Order

For a chronological read-through, the prequel novella Corsets and Crossbows is moved to the very beginning. This story takes place in 1816 and follows Rosalind Wild, a fierce ancestor of the modern Wild family, as she attempts to prove herself to the Helios-Ra Society. Additionally, the shorter novellas are slotted directly into their timeline positions:

1. Corsets and Crossbows (Prequel)
2. Hearts at Stake
3. Blood Feud
4. Out for Blood
5. A Killer First Date (Focuses on Nicholas and Lucy's first date during the events of the main series)
6. Bleeding Hearts
7. A Field Guide to Vampires (Lucy Hamilton's annotated guide to the vampire world)
8. Blood Moon
9. Blood Prophecy
10. The Longest Night
11. A Tithe of Blood and Ashes
12. Sweet Tooth

The Lovegrove Legacy (The Witches of London)

This historical fantasy trilogy is set in an alternate Regency London where magic exists in the shadows. The series follows three cousins—Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope Lovegrove—who inherit ancient witchcraft abilities. They must balance high-society etiquette, courtship, and dangerous battles against dark magical threats.

Readers should note that this series was published under two different titles depending on the region. The series is known both as The Lovegrove Legacy and The Witches of London. The reading order is simple and chronological:

1. A Breath of Frost (Also published as The Secret Witch)
2. Whisper the Dead (Also published as The Whisper Witch)
3. The Bone Witch (Also self-published under the title In a House Made of Bones and Teeth)

While the first two books were published as full-length novels by Walker Books, the final installment was self-published by Harvey as a novella to wrap up the storyline after the publisher cancelled the physical release. Despite its shorter format, it provides the resolution fans of the cousins need.

The Historical Romance Societies

In addition to her fantasy works, Alyxandra Harvey has authored several Regency romance series that feature no paranormal elements, but are filled with her signature witty banter and strong-willed heroines. These series are published by Dragonblade Publishing.

The Cinderella Society

This series centers around the matchmaking and romantic adventures of young women during the Regency era, beginning with those who value intelligence and independence over social status. The recommended order is:

1. How to Marry an Earl (2022)
2. How to Marry a Duke (2022)
3. How to Marry a Viscount (2023)

The Dainty Devils

Focusing on a group of daring women who operate outside the strict laws and restrictions of Regency high society, these novels feature thrilling elements of crime, heists, and justice. The books are:

1. The Duchess Games (2023)
2. The Countess Caper (2023)
3. The Husband Heist (2024)

The Spinster Society

This series follows a secret group of wallflowers who use their invisible status at ballrooms to gather intelligence, expose fortune hunters, and protect vulnerable women. The books are:

1. The Scandalous Spinster (2024)
2. A Deal with the Devil (2025)
3. Seduced by a Scoundrel (2025)

Standalone Novels and Collections

For readers looking for quick, self-contained stories, Alyxandra Harvey has written several standalones that range from gothic ghost stories to fairytale retellings:

• Waking (2006) and Broken (2008): Harvey's earliest novels, offering dark, atmospheric YA fairytale reinterpretations.
• Haunting Violet (2011): A historical gothic mystery set in Victorian England. The story follows Violet, a fake medium's daughter who discovers she can actually communicate with ghosts, leading her to investigate a dark murder mystery.
• Stolen Away (2011): A YA fantasy involving fairy mythology and abductions.
• Red (2015): A modern paranormal story following Kia, a teenager with fire-manipulating abilities, set in a secretive estate.
• Green Jack (2017) and Lizzie & Darcy (2017): Short stories showcasing Harvey's versatility in folklore and classic adaptations.
• Hex (2018): A YA urban fantasy standalone featuring witches and curses.
• City of Seeds and Thorns (2020): A fantasy standalone featuring lush, original worldbuilding.

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into Alyxandra Harvey's works, it is helpful to keep a few things in mind. First, keep an eye out for regional title changes. Her books are frequently published under different names in the US/Canada and the UK/Australia (e.g., Hearts at Stake vs. My Love Lies Bleeding). Second, while her series are cohesive, the individual novels in both The Drake Chronicles and the historical romance series often shift perspectives. Each book usually features a different couple or character as the central focus while advancing the overarching plot. Finally, her fantasy novels rely heavily on dry humor, family loyalty, and subverting traditional supernatural tropes, making them appeal to fans of witty, character-driven fiction.