Where to Start Reading Chloe Neill
For most readers, the best entry point into Chloe Neill's bibliography is Some Girls Bite, the first book in her massive 13-volume Chicagoland Vampires series. This is her signature work, introducing readers to the witty, sword-wielding protagonist Merit and a richly detailed urban fantasy version of Chicago. Reading this series first is highly recommended, especially because it lays the essential lore and character foundations for the sequel spinoff series, Heirs of Chicagoland.
However, if you are looking for a complete, post-apocalyptic urban fantasy with a gritty edge and romance, the four-book Devil's Isle series (starting with The Veil) is a great alternative. For younger readers or those who love magical boarding school tropes, the Dark Elite trilogy (starting with Firespell) offers a fun Young Adult adventure. If you prefer maritime historical fantasy, you can hop right into the Captain Kit Brightling books, which are separate from her modern supernatural universes.
The Chicagoland Vampires & Heirs of Chicagoland Universe
The Chicagoland universe is Neill's most expansive creation. It is divided into the original series (focusing on Merit) and the sequel series (focusing on her daughter, Elisa Sullivan). To experience the timeline properly, you should read the main novels and their companion novellas in chronological order. Below is the complete reading path.
Chicagoland Vampires: Chronological Reading Order
- Some Girls Bite (Book 1)
- Friday Night Bites (Book 2)
- Twice Bitten (Book 3)
- Hard Bitten (Book 4)
- Drink Deep (Book 5)
- Biting Cold (Book 6)
- House Rules (Book 7)
- Biting Bad (Book 8)
- High Stakes (Book 8.A / Novella 8.5) — A companion story focusing on secondary characters Luc and Lindsey.
- Howling For You (Book 8.B / Novella 8.8) — Follows the shapeshifter Jeff and Fallon Keene. (Also available in the digital/audio compilation Midnight Bites).
- Wild Things (Book 9)
- Blood Games (Book 10)
- Lucky Break (Book 10.5) — A novella centering on Merit and Ethan's interrupted vacation. (Also compiled in Midnight Bites).
- Dark Debt (Book 11)
- Midnight Marked (Book 12)
- Phantom Kiss (Book 12.5) — A short story following Merit and Ethan.
- Blade Bound (Book 13)
- Slaying It (Book 13.5) — The final novella wrapping up Merit and Ethan's story.
Heirs of Chicagoland: Chronological Reading Order
Set generationally after the events of Blade Bound, this series follows Merit and Ethan's daughter, Elisa Sullivan, as she navigates the supernatural treaties and threats of a changed Chicago.
- Wild Hunger (Book 1)
- Wicked Hour (Book 2)
- Shadowed Steel (Book 3)
- Silverspell (Book 3.5) — A short story featured in the Heroic Hearts anthology.
- Devouring Darkness (Book 4)
- Cold Curses (Book 5)
Other Worlds and Standalone Series
Devil's Isle Series
Set in New Orleans after a catastrophic event where the boundary between the human world and the magical world broke. This is a complete four-book arc and does not tie into the Chicagoland series.
- The Veil (2015)
- The Sight (2016)
- The Hunt (2017)
- The Beyond (2019)
The Dark Elite Trilogy
A Young Adult urban fantasy series about magical teens at a Chicago prep school who fight dark magical forces. While it is set in Chicago, it is entirely separate from the vampire houses of the Chicagoland books.
- Firespell (2010)
- Hexbound (2011)
- Charmfall (2012)
Captain Kit Brightling Series
An alternate Napoleonic-era maritime fantasy series combining sailing adventures, magic, and political maneuvers.
- The Bright and Breaking Sea (2020)
- A Swift and Savage Tide (2021)
Souls Burn Brightest Series
Neill's newest fantasy romance series set in an evocative magical world.
- Ember Eternal (Book 1, 2025)
- Silver Dahlia, Golden King (Book 1.5) — A novella featured in The Hopeless Romantic's Guide to Enchantment.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order Caveats
While the chronological order includes several novellas, readers often wonder if they are absolutely required. The good news is that the core 13 Chicagoland Vampires novels function perfectly on their own without the short stories. The novellas (such as High Stakes and Lucky Break) provide fun side missions and focus on fan-favorite supporting couples, but they do not introduce critical plot points needed to follow the main storyline. If you are reading on a budget or prefer to stick to full-length novels, you can safely skip the novellas and read Books 1 through 13 in publication order.
The major warning for new readers is starting with the spinoff series, Heirs of Chicagoland. While Elisa Sullivan's story is technically a new entry point, it details the direct outcome of characters, relationships, and house alliances from the end of the original series. Reading the spinoff first will spoil major twists and character fates of the original 13 books. We strongly recommend finishing the original series first.
What to Know Before You Start
Chloe Neill's books are known for their quick pacing, sharp banter, and strong sense of place. Chicago and New Orleans are not just backdrops; they feel like living characters in the stories. Merit's famous love for Chicago deep-dish pizza and local culture adds a fun, grounded touch to the supernatural action. If you enjoy urban fantasies with strong female leads, political intrigue, and slow-burn romances, you will feel right at home in her worlds.