Where to Start Reading Bella Forrest
With over 170 books in her bibliography, finding a starting point in Bella Forrest's catalog depends entirely on your preferred flavor of speculative fiction. For the ultimate, classic Bella Forrest experience, start with the blockbuster vampire romance series A Shade of Vampire (Book 1: A Shade of Vampire). If you prefer urban magic, wizards, and magical academies, begin with the Harley Merlin series (Book 1: Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven). For fans of dystopian science fiction and high-stakes survival, the best gateway is The Gender Game (Book 1: The Gender Game).
We highly recommend reading all of Forrest's series in their strict publication order. Because these series are written as continuous serialized narratives, jump-in points within a series are virtually non-existent without spoiling prior storylines. Reading order is particularly critical for the interconnected spin-offs in her vampire universe.
A Shade of Vampire: The 92-Book Mega-Saga
Spanning 92 main books, A Shade of Vampire is a colossal achievement in self-published paranormal romance. The series is divided by fans and official material into distinct character arcs, often referred to as "seasons" or generations. While the plot moves through different protagonists, they all relate to the central Novak family and their struggles to protect "The Shade," a hidden sanctuary island.
The Core Reading Arcs
- Derek and Sofia's Story (Books 1 to 7): The essential foundation of the entire saga. It follows the human Sofia Claremont after she is kidnapped to The Shade and meets the vampire prince Derek Novak. This arc ends with a definitive conclusion to their initial story, making it a perfect "trial run" for readers who are not ready to commit to all 92 books.
- Rose and Caleb's Story (Books 8 to 16): This second generation arc shifts the spotlight to Derek and Sofia's daughter, Rose Novak, and her romance with Caleb Achilles, introducing new supernatural elements like the desert oasis and new factions of hunters.
- The New Hero/Ben and River's Arc (Books 17 to 24): Shifts the narrative to Derek and Sofia's son, Ben Novak, as he ventures into new, dangerous realms.
- A Clan of Novaks (Books 25 to 92): From Book 25 onward, the series transitions into a multi-perspective ensemble saga focusing on the extended Novak family and their allies across various magical worlds. It features distinct sub-arcs focusing on different threats (such as Dragons, Ogres, Black Witches, and Jinns) before concluding in Book 92, A Dawn of Worlds.
Spin-offs and Side Stories
Bella Forrest expanded the lore of The Shade through two key parallel companion series. While they can be read independently, fans recommend integrating them to get the full picture of the universe's timeline:
- A Shade of Kiev (3 Books): Set concurrently with the main series around Book 8. It focuses on the redemption arc of Kiev Novalic. It is best read immediately after Book 8 or Book 9 of the main series.
- A Shade of Dragon (3 Books): Focuses on the dragon-shifter character and provides deeper world-building. Read this alongside the third arc of the main series (around Book 16 or 17).
The Harley Merlin Universe
If you prefer contemporary fantasy, the Harley Merlin books offer a fast-paced journey through a hidden magical society. The series spans 20 books and is divided into three distinct character perspectives that share a continuous storyline.
Harley's Arc (Books 1 to 9)
The series begins with Harley Merlin, a young rogue empath who discovers she belongs to a hidden world of magical Covens. She must learn to control her powers while confronting a dark threat linked to her family. The first arc runs from Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1) through Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9).
Finch's Arc (Books 10 to 17)
The focus shifts to Finch Merlin, Harley's half-brother, beginning with Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10) and ending with Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary (Book 17). This arc expands the world's lore, exploring hidden kingdoms and magical curses.
Persie's Arc (Books 18 to 20)
The final phase of the series follows Persie Merlin, starting in Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18) and wrapping up with Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20). Note that some databases list a 21st book, Persie Merlin and the Dying Song, though it remains a rare or unreleased entry in some digital storefronts.
The Gender Game & Dystopian Realities
Forrest's venture into young adult dystopian fiction has been highly successful, particularly through two key series:
The Gender Game (7 Books)
Set in a world divided strictly by gender—the patriarchal country of Matrus and the matriarchal country of Patrus—this series follows Violet Bates as she is sent on a dangerous undercover mission. The series is complete and must be read in order from The Gender Game to The Gender End.
The Girl Who Dared (7 Books)
A sci-fi dystopian saga set in a city where human emotions are heavily monitored and regulated. It follows Lyla Night as she rebels against the controlling system. Read this series sequentially from The Girl Who Dared to Think through The Girl Who Dared to Fight.
Other Paranormal & Dark Fantasy Series
Beyond her flagship franchises, Bella Forrest has written several shorter series that explore darker, more action-packed themes:
- Darklight (8 Books): A urban vampire series following a girl named Dorian who finds herself caught in a war between vampires and humans in a gothic world. Read from Darklight through Darkwilds.
- Hotbloods (8 Books): Set in a world where vampires and humans are forced to coexist under strict laws, focusing on a human-vampire partnership. Read from Hotbloods to Stargazers.
- The Child Thief (6 Books): A dark thriller series focusing on a mystery involving a serial kidnapper. Read from The Child Thief to Zero Hour.
- Love That Endures (3 Books): A spin-off romance series that wraps up specific characters' romantic subplots. Read from A Love that Endures to A Love that Endures 3.
What to Know Before You Start
Bella Forrest is a highly prolific self-published author who released books at an incredibly rapid pace during the height of her writing output. Because of this, her series are heavily serialized, ending on frequent cliffhangers that lead directly into the next book. The tone of her work is highly dramatic, fast-paced, and heavy on romance and twists. For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read each series as a continuous marathon, as the details of the complex networks of characters and realms can easily be forgotten over long breaks.