Books On Board

Chloe C. Peñaranda Books in Order

  • 8 Books
  • 2021 – 2025 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start with Chloe C. Peñaranda

For readers new to Chloe C. Peñaranda’s works, choosing where to start depends on your preferred flavor of romantic fantasy. Because her series are set in entirely distinct universes with no overlapping continuities, you can begin with either of her main fantasy series without worrying about spoilers or timeline confusion. The contemporary romance duet is also completely standalone.

If you love classic epic fantasy, found family, and structured magic systems reminiscent of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass, your best starting point is An Heir Comes to Rise. If you lean toward darker, gothic romantasy with high-stakes court intrigue, vampire-like dynamics, and star-crossed lovers, you should start with The Stars Are Dying, the opening book of the Nytefall Trilogy.

An Heir Comes to Rise: Series Reading Order

This is Peñaranda’s flagship high fantasy series. The narrative is strictly linear, following the journey of Faythe, a human orphan with a talent for swordplay, as she navigates a dangerous fae-dominated world. To fully experience the character development, political betrayals, and slow-burn romance, the books must be read in their exact publication order.

Although early outlines projected the saga to span seven books, the series officially concluded as a complete six-book saga with the release of the final volume in 2025. Here is the recommended reading path:

  1. An Heir Comes to Rise (2021) – Faythe's story begins in the fae-ruled kingdom of High Farrow, where she tries to keep her magic hidden while fighting to protect her loved ones.
  2. A Queen Comes to Power (2021) – The stakes escalate as Faythe enters the royal court, navigating dangerous fae politics and shifting alliances.
  3. A Throne from the Ashes (2022) – Faythe embraces her destiny while facing threats of war and testing the limits of her powers.
  4. A Clash of Three Courts (2022) – The conflict expands across kingdoms, forcing Faythe and her companions to make difficult sacrifices.
  5. A Sword from the Embers (2023) – The penultimate chapter builds the tension to a boiling point as ancient secrets are unearthed.
  6. A Flame of the Phoenix (2025) – The epic, action-packed conclusion that resolves Faythe's quest and the fate of the realm.

The Nytefall Trilogy: Series Reading Order

For readers who enjoy a darker, more gothic tone, the Nytefall Trilogy delivers a romantasy experience set in a world where the stars are fading and shadows rule. The series focuses on Astraea and the mysterious Caldris, blending themes of ancient lore, hidden identities, and intense passion. Like her debut series, this trilogy is best read in publication order:

  1. The Stars Are Dying (2023) – Astraea seeks to uncover her forgotten past in a world shrouded in darkness, leading her into the path of a dangerous protector.
  2. The Night Is Defying (2025) – Astraea and Caldris deal with the fallout of major revelations as they navigate the treacherous court of the vampires.
  3. The Dark Is Descending (2025) – The high-stakes conclusion to the trilogy, resolving the battle for the fate of their world.

Note that while the trilogy originally began as a self-published project, it was picked up by Bramble (an imprint of Tor Publishing Group). Readers looking to collect the physical editions should keep an eye on publisher differences, as Bramble released deluxe hardcovers for the series throughout 2024 and 2025.

Behind Darkness Duet: Contemporary Romance Order

Stepping away from epic fantasy worlds, Peñaranda has also written the Behind Darkness Duet. This is a contemporary romance series with bodyguard themes, focusing on the intense connection between Rhett Kaiser and Anastasia Kinsley. If you need a break from magic and fae, these books should be read in this order:

  1. Behind the Broken (February 2024)
  2. Inside the Wicked (May 2024)

What to Know Before You Start

If you are planning to read Peñaranda's fantasy books, keep the following guidance in mind:

  • No Crossovers: The worlds of An Heir Comes to Rise and Nytefall are currently separate. There is no shared universe or crossover reading order to manage. You can read one series in its entirety before picking up the other.
  • Completed Sagas: Both the An Heir Comes to Rise series and the Nytefall trilogy are fully completed, meaning you can binge-read the entire story from start to finish without waiting on cliffhangers.
  • Future Projects: Tor Bramble signed a three-book deal with Peñaranda for a brand-new romantic fantasy series titled The Arcanum Order. The first book, The Bloodfire Oath, is scheduled to launch in November 2026, marking her next major project.

Frequently Asked

Is the An Heir Comes to Rise series completed?

Yes. The series is fully completed as a six-book saga, concluding with the release of A Flame of the Phoenix in April 2025.

Are the Nytefall Trilogy and An Heir Comes to Rise set in the same world?

No, the two series are set in entirely different universes. You do not need to read one to understand the other, and you can read them in any order.

What is the best book to start with for Chloe C. Peñaranda?

If you prefer high fantasy, swordplay, and found family, start with An Heir Comes to Rise. If you prefer gothic romance, vampires, and dark magic, start with The Stars Are Dying.

Does Chloe C. Peñaranda write contemporary romance?

Yes, she is the author of the Behind Darkness Duet (consisting of Behind the Broken and Inside the Wicked), which is a contemporary bodyguard romance.

What is the author's next upcoming book series?

Her next project is a new romantic fantasy series with Tor Bramble called The Arcanum Order. The first book, The Bloodfire Oath, is scheduled for publication in November 2026.