Where to Start with Brigid Kemmerer
If you are new to Brigid Kemmerer's catalog, your best starting point depends on your favorite genre. For readers who love lush, character-driven fantasy, the clear starting point is A Curse So Dark and Lonely, the first book in the Cursebreakers trilogy. If you prefer contemporary young adult fiction centered around heavy emotional themes and romance, begin with Letters to the Lost.
The Emberfall Universe (Cursebreakers & Spin-offs)
The Emberfall saga is Brigid Kemmerer's most famous fantasy setting. It begins with the Cursebreakers trilogy—a gritty, modern reimagining of Beauty and the Beast—and continues with the Forging Silver Into Stars spin-off trilogy, set four years later in the same world.
The Cursebreakers Trilogy
This trilogy must be read in strict publication order, as the events of each book lead directly into the next, shifting perspectives along the way.
- A Curse So Dark and Lonely (2019): Introduces Harper, a girl from Washington, D.C. who is pulled into the magical world of Emberfall, and Prince Rhen, who is cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year.
- A Heart So Fierce and Broken (2020): Shifts focus to Grey, the prince's former commander, as he tries to stay hidden while rumors of an heir to the throne grow.
- A Vow So Bold and Deadly (2021): Concludes the original conflict as Emberfall and Syhl Shallow prepare for a war that could tear them both apart.
Forging Silver Into Stars Trilogy
While this spin-off series introduces a new cast of main characters—like Callyn and Jax—it also prominently features returning characters like Tycho. The author has noted that it can technically be read on its own, but it is highly recommended to read the Cursebreakers trilogy first. The spin-off contains major spoilers for the end of the original trilogy and relies heavily on the political layout established in those books.
- Forging Silver into Stars (2022)
- Carving Shadows into Gold (2025)
- Sparking Fire Out of Fate (2026)
The Defy the Night Trilogy
This is a standalone high fantasy trilogy unrelated to the Cursebreakers universe. It blends a kingdom plagued by a deadly virus, Robin Hood-style outlaws, and intense political intrigue. Read these books in order:
- Defy the Night (2021)
- Defend the Dawn (2022)
- Destroy the Day (2024)
The Elemental Series
The Elemental series is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy series focusing on the Merrick brothers, who can manipulate the elements. This series includes several novellas that take place between the main volumes. While you can read just the main numbered novels, reading the companion novellas in chronological order offers a richer view of the characters' backstories.
Recommended Chronological Order:
- Elemental (Novella #0.5) (2012)
- Storm (Book #1) (2012)
- Fearless (Novella #1.5) (2012)
- Spark (Book #2) (2012)
- Breathless (Novella #2.5) (2013)
- Spirit (Book #3) (2013)
- Secret (Book #4) (2014)
- Sacrifice (Book #5) (2014)
Note: Some readers prefer to read the prequel novella Elemental (#0.5) after Storm to avoid minor details that are more satisfying to discover as mysteries in the first book, but starting with it is also common. For the novella Breathless (#2.5), although it is chronologically set right after Spark, some fans suggest reading it after Spirit to better bridge the transition into Secret.
Contemporary YA Novels
Kemmerer's contemporary novels deal with grief, trauma, and connection. While they are separate from her fantasy books, some are connected to each other.
The Letters to the Lost Duology
These two books are companion novels set in the same world. They share characters (such as Rev Fletcher, who is a secondary character in the first book and the lead character in the second), but each tells a complete, self-contained story.
- Letters to the Lost (2017)
- More Than We Can Tell (2018)
Standalone Contemporary Works
- Thicker Than Water (2015): A YA thriller focused on family secrets and murder accusations.
- Call It What You Want (2019): A standalone romance dealing with the fallout of school and family scandals. Fun fact: Pre-orders of this book came with a crossover short story featuring characters from the Letters to the Lost series.