Where to Start Reading Christine Lynn Herman
Christine Lynn Herman (who also publishes under the pen name C.L. Herman) has crafted several spellbinding fantasy worlds. Because her series do not cross over into the same universe, you have plenty of freedom when choosing your starting point. Here is how to decide where to begin:
- For small-town gothic horror and monsters: Start with her solo debut duology, beginning with The Devouring Gray. It features an atmospheric, creepy town surrounded by a magical forest and a group of teens uncovering dark family legacies.
- For high-stakes, competitive magic tournaments: Start with the All of Us Villains duology, co-authored with Amanda Foody. Often pitched as 'The Hunger Games with magic,' this series focuses on morally gray characters fighting to the death for control of the world's remaining magic.
- For a standalone ghost story: Dive into The Drowning Summer, a coastal tale that blends ghosts, a historic murder mystery, and a sweet sapphic romance.
- For epic, seasonal fantasy: Pick up A Fate So Cold, the first book in a duology co-authored with Amanda Foody about rival Chosen ones fighting a cataclysmic winter.
The Devouring Gray Duology
Set in the eerie, isolated town of Four Paths in upstate New York, this duology blends gothic atmosphere with contemporary YA themes. The town is protected from a dark, interdimensional monster residing in the Gray by the descendants of its four founding families, each of whom possesses unique and volatile magical abilities. The books must be read in publication order:
- The Devouring Gray (2019) – Introduces Violet Saunders as she moves to Four Paths after her sister's death and discovers her family's hidden legacy. She must align with three other founding teens to protect the town.
- The Deck of Omens (2020) – The direct sequel and conclusion to the duology, focusing on the corruption of the town's magic, a mysterious sickness, and the heavy toll of generational trauma.
All of Us Villains Duology
Co-authored with Amanda Foody, this duology takes place in the town of Ilvernath. Under the light of a blood moon, a secret tournament is held every generation. Seven families each send a teenage champion to fight to the death. The sole survivor wins exclusive rights to high magic for their family. This duology is written from multiple perspectives and must be read in order:
- All of Us Villains (2021) – Establishes the tournament, the competitors (including the infamous Alistair Lowe and the ambitious Isobel Macaslan), and the sudden publication of a tell-all book that exposes the tournament to the modern world.
- All of Our Demise (2022) – The epic conclusion where the remaining champions must decide whether to play by the rules of the lethal game or try to break the tournament's curse forever.
The Alderland Duology
Also co-authored with Amanda Foody, this series takes readers to the world of Alderland, where a fragile summer is threatened by a brutal six-week Winter that brings destruction. Prophecy dictates that two Chosen ones are destined to fight each other, but they may have to work together to save their world instead. Read them in this order:
- A Fate So Cold (2025) – Follows Domenic Barrow and Ellery Caldwell as they navigate rival prophecies, deadly magic, and an impending cataclysm.
- A Destiny So Cruel (2026) – The concluding book of the duology, wrapping up the Alderland storyline.
Standalone Novels
If you prefer a self-contained story without the commitment of a duology, Herman has published a standalone work:
- The Drowning Summer (2022) – Set in the coastal town of Lily Harbor, this story follows Evelyn, a medium who doesn't believe in ghosts, and Mina, who is desperate to contact her mother's spirit. Together, they investigate a historic murder and navigate their growing feelings for one another.
What to Know Before You Start
Herman's stories are deeply character-driven and deal heavily with emotional themes. Readers should expect explorations of grief, trauma, and complex family relationships. Her books also feature prominent queer representation and diverse casts. Because each duology is completely self-contained, there is no overall chronological reading order to worry about—simply pick the premise that calls to you most and read that duology from book one to book two.