A.W. Exley Books in Order

Where to Start Reading A.W. Exley

If you are new to A.W. Exley's imaginative worlds, the best place to begin your journey is with her signature steampunk series, the Artifact Hunters. Starting with Nefertiti's Heart, this series perfectly showcases Exley's trademark style: a meticulous blend of authentic history, rich Egyptology, clockwork machinery, and slow-burn romance. For readers who prefer gaslamp gothic fairy tales with a dark twist, the Serenity House series, beginning with Ella, the Slayer, offers an excellent alternative starting point.

The Artifact Hunters Series

Set in an alternate, mechanical-powered Victorian London, the Artifact Hunters series follows the headstrong Cara Devon as she unravels mysteries surrounding ancient relics and mechanical oddities. The core story progresses chronologically, but Exley also wrote several companion novellas (labeled with ".5") that expand on secondary characters and global settings. While you can read the main novels on their own, inserting the novellas in their designated positions provides the richest experience.

Recommended Reading Order for Artifact Hunters

1. Nefertiti's Heart (2013) – Book 1. Cara Devon is drawn into a deadly investigation involving a cursed diamond and a mysterious serial killer.
2. Hatshepsut's Collar (2013) – Book 2. Cara continues her hunt for dangerous antiquities, this time involving a collar linked to Egyptian myth.
3. The Unicorn's Tail (2014) – Book 2.5. A companion novella focusing on key secondary characters in the Artifact Hunters universe.
4. Nero's Fiddle (2014) – Book 3. The stakes rise as Cara faces threats connected to the infamous musical relic of ancient Rome.
5. Paniha's Taniwha (2016) – Book 3.5. A fascinating detour focusing on Loki, the airship pilot, set in an alternate, Māori-ruled New Zealand (Aotearoa).
6. Moseh's Staff (2015) – Book 4. Cara deals with the dangerous powers of a legendary biblical staff. Note that while this was published in 2015, chronologically and structurally it is designated as Book 4, fitting after the events of Nero's Fiddle.
7. Nessy's Locket (2018) – Book 5. The search for the elusive Nessy leads to new steam-powered discoveries and dangers.
8. The Seer's Eye (2019) – Book 5.5. A novella that bridges the final gap in the narrative arc.
9. Rahotep's Last Breath (2020) – Book 6. The thrilling conclusion to Cara Devon's main storyline.

The Queen's Blade Series

Set in the 1830s, this trilogy introduces readers to Allie Donovan, a commoner who finds herself navigating the dangerous political waters and strict social hierarchies of St. Matthew's Academy. Despite the similarity between the names "Allie Donovan" and "Cara Devon," these series are separate storylines set in different corners of historical fantasy. The Queen's Blade books should be read in publication order:

• Obsidian Eyes (2014) – Book 1
• Opaque Lies (2020) – Book 2
• Oubliette Lost (2021) – Book 3

The Serenity House Series

For readers who enjoy gaslamp fantasy with dark, gothic vibes, Serenity House delivers a thrilling Edwardian reimagining of classic fairy tales. In this world, a zombie-like plague threatens humanity, and the heroines must fight back. The reading order here has a slight nuance: Henry, the Gaoler is a prequel novella that can be read first, though some readers prefer starting with Ella, the Slayer to dive straight into the main action.

• Henry, the Gaoler (2016) – Book 0.5. A prequel novella setting up the atmosphere of Serenity House.
• Ella, the Slayer (2015) – Book 1. A kick-ass, Edwardian-era reimagining of Cinderella battling the undead.
• Alice, the Player (2016) – Book 2. A dark twist on Alice in Wonderland.
• Vincent, the Tailor (2017) – Book 3.5. A companion novella providing deeper context into the supporting characters.
• Rory, the Sleeper (2017) – Book 3 (often cataloged as Book 4). A creative spin on the Sleeping Beauty tale.

The Silent Wings Trilogy

Silent Wings moves away from heavy steampunk mechanics and focuses on gentle paranormal romance in Victorian England. The story revolves around a family of Elementals and a long-standing historical feud. This trilogy should be read in order:

1. Dawn's Promise (2018)
2. Day's Patience (2018)
3. Dusk's Revenge (2019)

Tales from Darjee

A two-book epic fantasy duology featuring pirates, sea monsters, and desperate alliances. This series is lighter on history and heavier on mythical creatures, centering on a man with the unique ability to summon a kraken. Read them in order:

• Heart of the Kraken (2015) – Book 1
• Alise (2019) – Book 2

What to Know Before You Start

A.W. Exley's writing is highly praised for its strong, self-reliant heroines and rich historical world-building. While her series are separate, they share a signature appreciation for Victorian fashion, Egyptology, and ancient myths. Because many of her series rely on ongoing character development and overarching romantic subplots, we highly recommend reading the books in their numbered chronological order rather than jumping around as standalones.