Where to Start Reading Charlene Hartnady
Charlene Hartnady is a USA Today bestselling author who has built an extensive, highly interconnected paranormal romance multiverse. Spanning over 50 books, her stories feature alpha vampires, protective shifters, royal dragons, demons, and fae. Because many of her series share the same world and characters, diving in can feel overwhelming.
For the best reading experience, readers generally split her works into two major entry points: the Vampire and Shifter Core Universe and the Dragon Universe. If you want to follow the world-building from the very beginning, start with Chosen by the Vampire Kings. If you prefer scaly, fire-breathing heroes, you can jump straight to Royal Dragon, the first book in The Bride Hunt series.
The Core Supernatural Universe
This is the foundational block of Hartnady's shared universe, where vampires, shifters, and elves navigate fated matches and political alliances. While the romances in each book focus on a different couple, the overarching plot carries over, making publication order the recommended path.
The Chosen Series
The Chosen is the perfect starting point. It introduces the "choosing ceremony" where human women are selected to mate with powerful supernatural leaders to preserve their species.
- Chosen by the Vampire Kings (2015)
- Stolen by the Alpha Wolf (2015)
- Mated to the Vampire Kings (2015) — Note: Originally released as a novella, this is best read between books 2 and 3 to follow the main character arcs.
- Unlikely Mates (2016)
- Awakened by the Vampire Prince (2016)
- Wolf Whisperer (2016)
- Wanted By The Elven King (2017)
The Program Series
The Program is a direct spin-off of The Chosen. To save the vampire race, a dating program is established where human women date vampire males. While it features a new main cast, characters from The Chosen make frequent appearances.
- A Mate for York (2015)
- A Mate for Gideon (2015)
- A Mate for Lazarus (2016)
- A Mate for Griffin (2016)
- A Mate for Lance (2016)
- A Mate for Kai (2016)
- A Mate for Titan (2017)
Shifter Night Series
Set in the town of Sweetwater, this trilogy focuses on shifters who visit the local town on Saturday nights to blow off steam and search for their fated mates. It runs parallel to the events of the core universe.
- Untethered (2017)
- Unbound (2017)
- Unchained (2018)
The Feral Series
This series introduces "The Feral," a powerful, ancient species whose females have died out. They are forced to look outside their kind for mates, expanding the lore of the core world.
- Hunger Awakened (2018)
- Power Awakened (2018)
- Hate Awakened (2019)
- Hope Awakened (2021)
The Interconnected Dragon Universe
Hartnady's dragon shifter series are set in the same shared world but focus on different elemental dragon tribes. Read them in this order to fully appreciate the tribal politics and shifting alliances.
The Bride Hunt Series
This series serves as the bridge between the vampire/shifter world and the dragon shifter realm, making it the ideal starting point for dragon lovers.
- Royal Dragon (2016)
- Water Dragon (2016)
- Dragon King (2016)
- Lightning Dragon (2017)
- Forbidden Dragon (2017)
- Dragon Prince (2017)
Water Dragons Series
Following the events of The Bride Hunt, this series dives deep into the watery depths to follow the specific struggles and romances of the water dragon tribe.
- Dragon Hunt (2018)
- Captured Dragon (2018)
- Blood Dragon (2018)
- Dragon Betrayal (2019)
Earth Dragons Series
Focusing on the subterranean and land-dwelling earth dragon shifters, this series continues the elemental dragon saga.
- Dragon Guard (2019)
- Savage Dragon (2019)
- Dragon Whelps (2019)
- Slave Dragon (2019)
- Feral Dragon (2019)
- Doctor Dragon (2019)
The Dragon Demigods Series
This massive subseries raises the stakes by introducing powerful demigod dragons who control various natural forces.
- Lord of Fire (2020)
- Lord of Hell (2020)
- Little Lords (2020)
- Lord of Life (2020)
- Lord of Rain (2020)
- Lord of Destiny (2020)
- Lord of Chaos (2020)
- Lord of Tears (2021)
- Lord of Death (2021)
Air Dragons Series
This series elevates the action to the skies, focusing on the swift and proud air dragon shifters.
- Dragon Heat (2021)
- Dragon Hunter (2021)
- Dragon Avalanche (2021)
- Dragon Overlord (2022)
- Dragon Cyclone (2022)
- Dragon Typhoon (2022)
Dragon Tributes Series
The newest addition to the dragon realm, this series details the fiery, passionate dynamics of human tributes sent to the dragon lords.
- Riding Through Fire (2023)
- Taming the Fire (2023)
- Heart of the Fire (2023)
- Consumed by Fire (2024)
- Red Fire (2024)
Co-Authored Universes
Hartnady has collaborated with author B.E. Brouillard on several fantasy romance series that feature darker tones and complex royal politics.
The Queen Universes
This fantasy romance story is split into two sequential series. You must read the Demon Queen trilogy before moving on to the Fae Queen duet to understand the continuous storyline.
- Cursed (2022)
- Condemned (2022)
- Crowned (2022)
- Guilt (2023)
- Glamor (2023)
Exiled By The Pack Series
This wolf shifter series centers on shifters who have been cast out of their packs, forcing them to survive on the fringes of society while searching for love.
- Scarred Wolf (2021)
- Wild Wolf (2021)
- Lone Wolf (2022)
- Wolf Rivals (2022)
Standalone and Independent Series
If you are looking for standalone entry points that do not require any prior reading, Hartnady offers two excellent series that operate independently from the main multiverse.
Beast King Brides Series
This fantasy romance series focuses on the brutal beast kings and the human brides who tame them. It is entirely standalone.
- Thirst (2022)
- Ruin (2022)
- Fire (2022)
- Rage (2022)
- Ice (2023)
- Ashes (2023)
The Lost Kings Series
This dark, thrilling series follows hidden paranormal rulers claiming their mates. Note that while only the initial two books are listed in standard databases, the series has since expanded with further titles.
- A Drop of Blood (2023)
- A Lick of Flame (2024)