Amanda Foody Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Amanda Foody’s Books

Amanda Foody has successfully bridged the gap between dark, high-stakes young adult fantasy and whimsical, animal-bonding middle-grade adventures. Because her series occupy completely different age demographics, worlds, and tones, the best place to start depends entirely on what kind of story you are looking for.

If you want dark, gritty YA fantasy: Start with Ace of Shades, the first book in the Shadow Game trilogy. It is a fantastic introduction to her ability to build complex magic systems, street-smart characters, and immersive cityscapes filled with con artists and casino syndicates.

If you want a cozy, whimsical adventure: Start with The Accidental Apprentice, which kicks off her middle-grade Wilderlore series. Reminiscent of Pokémon, it features a young boy who accidentally bonds with a legendary magical beast and must navigate a school of magic and biology.

If you want a brutal, competitive magical tournament: Start with All of Us Villains, a duology co-written with C.L. Herman. It tells the story of seven families in a remote town who must send their children to fight to the death in a tournament for control of the world's remaining high magic.

Amanda Foody Books in Publication Order

Reading Amanda Foody’s books in publication order shows her growth as a writer and allows you to alternate between her intense young adult worlds and her lighter middle-grade series. Because none of her series share the same universe, publication order is not strictly necessary for continuity, but it remains a highly enjoyable way to experience her catalog.

• Daughter of the Burning City (2017)
• Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game Book 1) (2018)
• King of Fools (The Shadow Game Book 2) (2019)
• Queen of Volts (The Shadow Game Book 3) (2020)
• All of Us Villains (All of Us Villains Book 1) (2021)
• The Accidental Apprentice (Wilderlore Book 1) (2021)
• All of Our Demise (All of Us Villains Book 2) (2022)
• The Weeping Tide (Wilderlore Book 2) (2022)
• The Ever Storms (Wilderlore Book 3) (2023)
• The Night Compass (Wilderlore Book 4) (2024)
• A Fate So Cold (Fate So Cold Book 1) (2025)
• The Traitor's Gambit (Wilderlore Book 5) (2026)
• A Destiny So Cruel (Fate So Cold Book 2) (Expected late 2026)

The Shadow Game Trilogy (Young Adult)

Set in New Reynes—a dazzling, dangerous city known as the City of Sin—this series is a dark urban fantasy that blends gangster politics, unique magical talents called "blood talents," and high-stakes card games. The story begins when Enne Salta, a young lady searching for her missing mother, enters New Reynes and is forced to align with Levi Glaisyer, a charismatic con man and gang lord. Over the course of the trilogy, Enne shifts from a sheltered girl into a ruthless player in the city's criminal underworld.

1. Ace of Shades (2018) – Enne arrives in New Reynes with only a name and a set of coordinates, finding herself thrust into a dangerous street game of cards and street lords.
2. King of Fools (2019) – Levi and Enne must navigate the shifting power structures of the city as new threats emerge and the cost of keeping their secrets rises.
3. Queen of Volts (2020) – The explosive conclusion of the trilogy, where alliances are shattered and Enne and Levi must play the final, deadliest game to determine the fate of New Reynes.

The Wilderlore Series (Middle-Grade)

In the whimsical world of Wilderlore, people bond with magical beasts, obtaining unique abilities while studying the ecology of their fantastical environment. The series follows Barclay Lighthart, a young boy who hates beasts and wants nothing more than a quiet life as a mushroom farmer. His plans are ruined when he accidentally bonds with a legendary beast called a Windhorn. To survive, Barclay must leave his village and join the Lore Keepers, a group of apprentices learning to bond with and care for magical creatures. Amanda Foody has planned this series to span seven books, with each installment focusing on a different region and type of beast.

1. The Accidental Apprentice (2021) – Barclay accidentally bonds with a Windhorn and must leave his home town of Dullshire to find a way to break the bond, only to find a new calling.
2. The Weeping Tide (2022) – Barclay and his friends travel to the Seaweed Provinces to help a town facing the wrath of a legendary sea beast.
3. The Ever Storms (2023) – Barclay visits the desert region of the Alpenglow Peaks, where he must navigate extreme weather, beast-poachers, and dangerous new magic.
4. The Night Compass (2024) – Set in the frozen tundra, Barclay and the Keepers go on a search for a legendary companion beast that holds the key to a ancient map.
5. The Traitor's Gambit (2026) – Barclay faces his biggest challenge yet as political schemes and betrayals threaten the Lore Keepers from within.

The All of Us Villains Duology (Young Adult)

Co-authored with C.L. Herman, this dark fantasy duology is often described as The Hunger Games meets magic. In the remote city of Ilvernath, high magic is scarce. Every generation, when the Blood Moon rises, seven families must choose a teenager to participate in a secret, brutal tournament to the death. The winning family gains exclusive control of the remaining high magic for the next generation. The story is told through multiple perspectives, showing how the teenagers grapple with the legacy of their families, the media circus surrounding the tournament, and their own desire to survive.

1. All of Us Villains (2021) – A tell-all book exposes the secret tournament to the public, forcing the seven champions to navigate new rules and unprecedented scrutiny as the games begin.
2. All of Our Demise (2022) – The champions are forced to decide whether to continue playing by the rules of their families or work together to break the curse of the tournament once and for all.

The A Fate So Cold Duology (Young Adult)

Following the massive success of their first collaboration, Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman teamed up again for the Fate So Cold duology. This series brings readers into a frozen, gothic fantasy landscape filled with ancient curses, prophecies, and high-stakes romantic tension.

1. A Fate So Cold (2025) – Introduces the icy Kingdom of Oakhaven and the intricate prophecy binding the main characters as they attempt to survive a harsh winter and court intrigue.
2. A Destiny So Cruel (Expected late 2026) – The dramatic conclusion to the duology, resolving the fate of the kingdom and the ultimate choices of its protagonists.

Standalone Novels

Before writing her famous series, Amanda Foody debuted with a standalone book that remains a fan favorite for its unique magic system and atmospheric setting.

• Daughter of the Burning City (2017) – Sorina is a sixteen-year-old illusionist who runs the Gomorrah Festival, a traveling carnival of debauchery and wonders. Unlike other illusionists, Sorina's illusions are physical, breathing creatures she considers her family. But when one of her creations is murdered, Sorina must hunt down the killer in a world where her own sanity is called into question.

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into Amanda Foody's library, keep in mind that her books are strictly separated by target audience. While young adult readers can easily enjoy the middle-grade charm of the Wilderlore series, middle-grade readers might find the violence, gambling themes, and dark elements of the Shadow Game and All of Us Villains inappropriate. There are no crossover events or shared universes between her distinct series, meaning you can finish one series completely before moving on to another without missing any key lore.