Where to Start Reading Astrid Scholte
Astrid Scholte has quickly established herself as a master of high-concept young adult fiction that blends fantasy world-building with gripping mystery plots. Because her bibliography consists of standalone novels and a single, self-contained duology, readers have plenty of flexibility in how they choose to explore her work.
If you are new to her writing, we recommend starting with her debut novel, Four Dead Queens. It perfectly showcases her signature style: a fast-paced murder mystery wrapped inside a unique fantasy setting with high stakes and a touch of romance. Alternatively, if you prefer a sci-fi setting with rich emotional depth, The Vanishing Deep is a phenomenal starting point. If you want to commit to a multi-book story arc, begin with League of Liars, the first book of her only duology.
Astrid Scholte Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read books in the order the author wrote them, following her publication timeline is a great way to watch her world-building and character work evolve. Here is the order in which her novels were released:
- Four Dead Queens (2019) – Standalone Novel
- The Vanishing Deep (2020) – Standalone Novel
- League of Liars (2022) – League of Liars Book 1
- Shadows of Truth (2024) – League of Liars Book 2
- Fallen Beauty (Expected November 3, 2026) – Standalone Romantasy Novel
The League of Liars Duology
Unlike her standalone works, the League of Liars books tell a continuous story that must be read in order. This series is often described as a magical courtroom drama meets a fantasy heist, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows.
League of Liars (2022)
The story takes place in a world where magic, known as edoma, is illegal and feared. Cayder Boudreau is an apprentice public defender who has personal reasons for wanting to see illegal magic users punished. However, his beliefs are tested when he is assigned to defend three teenagers accused of using magic to commit high-profile crimes, leading him to plan a jailbreak from the secure Vardean prison.
Shadows of Truth (2024)
Picking up immediately after the explosive events of the first book, this sequel follows Cayder and his companions as they flee from the authorities. As they venture beyond the veil, they must uncover the dark secrets behind their government's magic laws and find a way to expose the truth before they are captured.
The Standalone Novels
Scholte's standalone novels are completely self-contained, meaning you can read them at any time without worrying about cliffhangers or missing plot points.
Four Dead Queens (2019)
Set in the divided nation of Quadara, the story is split among four distinct quadrants, each ruled by a different queen representing the values of her region. When all four queens are murdered, a skilled thief named Keralie Corrington and a messenger named Varin find themselves reluctantly allied to investigate the assassinations and unravel a conspiracy that threatens the entire nation.
The Vanishing Deep (2020)
Set in a dystopian world where the land has been swallowed by the sea, the story focuses on Tempe, a young woman living on the water. In this world, the dead can be revived for exactly 24 hours at a high cost. Tempe saves up to revive her deceased sister, Elysea, hoping to get answers about the mysterious circumstances surrounding their parents' deaths.
Fallen Beauty (Expected November 2026)
This upcoming wintery romantasy introduces Thorelea Winyard, an eighteen-year-old prisoner forced to paint dead animals. When one of her paintings mysteriously comes to life, she is brought to a magical royal court where the rulers maintain their immortality through enchanted portraits. Thorelea strikes a dangerous deal with Prince Kelter, the court's only other mortal, to win her freedom.
What to Know Before You Start
Astrid Scholte's writing is heavily influenced by her background in the film and animation industries, where she spent over a decade working on major blockbusters like James Cameron's Avatar and Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin. This professional expertise translates into highly visual, cinematic prose that helps readers easily picture the settings, costumes, and action sequences.
Her books frequently deal with heavy themes like grief, family secrets, the cost of systemic control, and the blurry line between right and wrong. While the worlds are fantastical, the emotional stakes remain deeply grounded in the relationships between characters, especially sisters, allies, and reluctant partners.