Barb Hendee Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Barb Hendee

If you are new to Barb Hendee’s work, your starting point depends on whether you want an epic dark fantasy saga or a lighter, solo adventure. Here are the best ways to begin:

• The Noble Dead Saga (Co-authored with J.C. Hendee): Start with Dhampir (2003). This is her most famous work and serves as the gateway to a massive 14-book epic. It is best read in strict publication order.
• The Mist-Torn Witches: Start with The Mist-Torn Witches (2013). This is a solo-authored fantasy mystery series, perfect for readers who prefer a mix of crime-solving, psychic visions, and a focused cast of characters.
• Dark Glass Series: Start with Through a Dark Glass (2018). A fantasy-romance series dealing with fate, choice, and magical mirrors, ideal if you enjoy character-driven romance in a high fantasy setting.
• Vampire Memories: Start with Blood Memories (originally published in 1999, revised in 2008). This is a contemporary urban fantasy series set in the Pacific Northwest and London, focusing on a reluctant vampire seeking a safe haven.

The Noble Dead Saga Reading Order

Co-authored with her husband, J.C. Hendee, the Noble Dead Saga is a sweeping dark fantasy epic that blends vampire horror with medieval high fantasy. The story follows Magiere, a half-vampire dhampir who hunts the undead, Leesil, her half-elf companion, and their intelligent elven hound, Chap. The main saga is divided into three distinct phases, or subseries, which should be read in chronological and publication order.

Series 1 (Phase 1)

The first phase introduces the core characters, setting up the hunt for the "Noble Dead" and uncovering Magiere's dark origin story. Read these books in this order:

1. Dhampir (2003) - Magiere and Leesil run a fake vampire-hunting con until they run into real undead.
2. Thief of Lives (2004) - The duo travels to Leesil's homeland, diving deeper into his painful past as an assassin.
3. Sister of the Dead (2005) - Wynn Hyrat, a young scholar, joins the team as they head to the city of Bela to research ancient texts.
4. Traitor to the Blood (2006) - The group faces off against Leesil's mother's captors in the elven territories.
5. Rebel Fay (2007) - Wynn and Chap embark on a perilous journey into the realms of the Fay.
6. Child of a Dead God (2008) - The final book of the first phase resolves major plotlines while setting the stage for the wider world.

Series 2 (Phase 2)

The second phase shifts the focus slightly, expanding the roles of secondary characters and introducing new viewpoints across the continent. Read these books in order:

1. In Shade and Shadow (2009) - Wynn Hyrat searches for lost texts in the castle of a vampire lord.
2. Through Stone and Sea (2009) - The narrative moves to the dwarven city of Kel'An'Bar, exploring underground secrets.
3. Of Truth and Beasts (2010) - Characters converge as the truth behind the ancient scrolls begins to surface.

Series 3 (Phase 3)

The final phase brings the overarching narrative of the ancient enemy and the ultimate fate of the world to a dramatic conclusion. Read these books in order:

1. Between Their Worlds (2012) - Wynn is pursued by dark forces as she tries to protect the secrets she uncovered.
2. The Dog in the Dark (2012) - Focuses on Chap and the canine companions as they protect the scholars.
3. A Wind in the Night (2014) - The threat of the ancient enemy intensifies, forcing the group to make difficult alliances.
4. First and Last Sorcerer (2015) - Unveils the origin of the magical forces shaping the world.
5. The Night Voice (2016) - The epic conclusion to the entire 14-book saga.

Noble Dead Saga Spin-Offs and Companion Works

To fully experience the world of the Noble Dead, you can explore several spin-offs and short story sequences co-authored by the Hendees. These are not required to understand the main plot, but they enrich the lore:

• The Dead Seekers (2017): A companion novel set in the dark reaches of the eastern continent. It follows Tris Vishal, a man born dead who can banish restless spirits, and Mari Kaleja, a shapeshifter. It functions as a standalone adventure in the same world.
• Homeward Sequence: A series of connected e-short stories focusing on Jan and Julianna. These include Homeward, I: The Game Piece (2012), Homeward, II: The Feral Path (2012), Homeward, III: The Sapphire (2012), and Homeward. TNDS (2014), which compiles them.
• Tales of Misbelief Sequence: A sequence of stories featuring Elena and Cooper, exploring themes of magic and deception. These stories (including The Forgotten Lord, The Forgotten Mistress, and The Forgotten Village) were compiled in the omnibus volume Forgotten in 2017.

Vampire Memories Series

Written solely by Barb Hendee, the Vampire Memories series is a contemporary urban fantasy that takes place in our modern world, specifically around Seattle, Portland, and London. It follows Eleisha Clevon, a vampire turned in the 19th century who tries to create a peaceful sanctuary for others like her while hiding from ancient hunters. The reading order is straightforward:

1. Blood Memories (1999 / 2008) - Originally published independently in 1999, then revised and re-released by Roc Books in 2008 to officially launch the series.
2. Hunting Memories (2009)
3. Memories of Envy (2010)
4. In Memories We Fear (2011)
5. Ghosts of Memories (2012)

The Mist-Torn Witches Series

In this solo-authored fantasy-mystery series, Barb Hendee tells the story of Celine and Amelie, two sisters with psychic abilities who can see the past and future through mist and blood. They are forced to solve crimes and navigate political intrigue for a local duchess. Read them in this order:

1. The Mist-Torn Witches (2013)
2. Witches in Red (2014)
3. Witches With the Enemy (2015)
4. To Kill a Kettle Witch (2016)

Dark Glass Series

The Dark Glass series is a four-book fantasy-romance saga set in a medieval fantasy realm. Each book follows a different young woman who encounters a mysterious mirror (the Dark Glass) that offers her a choice of destinies, changing the course of her life and romance. While the books feature different protagonists, they share a thematic link and are best read in order:

1. Through a Dark Glass (2018)
2. A Choice of Crowns (2018)
3. A Girl of White Winter (2018)
4. A Choice of Secrets (2018)

Standalone Books and Duologies

Outside of her major series, Barb Hendee has written smaller-scale projects:

• Alone With... Duology: A romantic suspense duology set in a historical-fantasy backdrop, consisting of Alone with a Soldier (2016) and Alone with a Thief (2016).
• The Hunters' Girl (2020): A standalone urban fantasy novel focusing on a young woman trained to hunt rogue paranormal creatures.