Where to Start with Audrey Grey
Audrey Grey has established herself as a prominent voice in young adult fantasy, dystopian sci-fi, and Fae romance. Because her series are set in entirely different universes, you do not need to follow a single overarching chronological order for her entire catalog. Instead, the best way to read her work is to choose a series that fits your preferred subgenre and read it from start to finish. Here is a quick guide to help you decide where to begin:
- For Epic High Fantasy & Fae Magic: Start with the Kingdom of Runes series, beginning with Oath Taker. This is her most popular and expansive fantasy work.
- For Dark Academy & Fae Romance: Start with the Evermore Academy trilogy, beginning with Winter. It is perfect for fans of trial-based magical schools and enemies-to-lovers tropes.
- For Dystopian Sci-Fi & Rebellion: Start with the Shadow Fall trilogy, beginning with the award-winning Shadow Fall.
- For Space Opera & Fairy Tale Retellings: Pick up her standalone co-authored novel, Our Dark Stars.
1. Kingdom of Runes Saga
The Kingdom of Runes is Audrey Grey's signature epic fantasy series. It follows Haven Ashwood, a young woman with forbidden magic who must navigate a treacherous world of Fae courts, runic magic, and a brewing war against the sinister Shade Queen. The series is celebrated for its deep world-building, high stakes, and intense enemies-to-lovers romance.
Publication and Recommended Reading Order
The books must be read in order due to a continuous, serialized plot:
- Oath Taker (2019)
- Curse Breaker (2019)
- King Maker (2020)
- Light Singer (2020)
The Status of the Series Finale: Dark Bringer
Readers should note a major caveat before starting this series: the saga is currently incomplete. The fifth book, titled Dark Bringer, was planned as the series finale but has been postponed indefinitely by the author to ensure she can deliver the best possible conclusion. Because the fourth book, Light Singer, ends on a massive cliffhanger, you may want to proceed with this in mind if you prefer fully completed series.
2. Evermore Academy Series
For readers who love the Fae, dark magical schools, and deadly trials, Evermore Academy is the ideal entry point. The story follows a human protagonist named Summer Solstice who is forced to attend a magical academy ruled by the cruel and beautiful Fae. She finds herself caught in the crosshairs of the Winter Prince, Valen, leading to a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic filled with elemental magic and political intrigue.
Publication and Recommended Reading Order
This series is a completed trilogy, meaning you can read it from start to finish without waiting for a conclusion:
- Winter (2019)
- Spring (2020)
- Summer (2021)
Despite the academy being organized around seasonal courts, there is no fourth book titled "Autumn" in the series. The storyline wraps up fully in Summer.
3. Shadow Fall Trilogy
Before writing about Fae courts and runes, Audrey Grey debuted with a gritty, dystopian YA fantasy world. The Shadow Fall trilogy is set in a dark, apocalyptic future where an asteroid threatens the planet and a corrupt empire rules the survivors. The protagonist, Maia Graystone, is a rebel fighter trying to survive and protect those she loves. The debut novel won a Moonbeam Children's Award, launching Grey's career.
Publication and Recommended Reading Order
This trilogy is fully completed and should be read in chronological order:
- Shadow Fall (2016)
- Shadow Rise (2017)
- Shadow Ruin (2020)
4. Standalone Novels & Novellas
Outside of her major fantasy series, Audrey Grey has published standalone projects and shorter works that explore different genres:
- Our Dark Stars (2018): Co-authored with Krystal Wade, this standalone novel is a futuristic, sci-fi reimagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, featuring a space-faring setting, lost empires, and an enemies-to-lovers romance.
- Sky of Fire and Ash (2017): A standalone dystopian fantasy novella co-authored with Julie Hall. It follows Fallon, a genetically engineered "Firewalker" trained to hunt and kill dragons (Drakoni). It was originally published in multi-author anthologies.