Can I read Hera before Rex Rising?

Yes, Hera is chronologically a prequel, but it is recommended to read Rex Rising first . This helps you understand the world's rules and structure before diving into the perspective of the Gultur race in the prequel.

Are the Boreal and John Grey books standalones?

No, the Boreal and John Grey books are serialized episodes that form a continuous story. They should be read in numerical order starting with The Encounter .

Is Azure part of a longer series?

While listed as the first book in the Drowning In You series, Azure is a fully self-contained novel with no cliffhangers, and no sequel has been released.

What genre are Chrystalla Thoma's books?

Her books range from dystopian science fiction and biological YA fantasy ( Elei's Chronicles ) to urban fantasy ( Boreal and John Grey ) and paranormal romance ( Azure ).

Where does the name Boreal and John Grey come from?

In the series, Boreal refers to the secret paranormal investigation bureau where the protagonist works, while John Grey is a key figure tied to the dimensional mysteries.

Chrystalla Thoma Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Chrystalla Thoma

If you are new to Chrystalla Thoma's work, the absolute best starting point depends on your favorite genre:

For Dystopian Sci-Fi Fans: Start with Rex Rising, the first novel in Elei's Chronicles. This is her most famous work, plunging you straight into a world where parasites mutate humanity and trigger high-stakes political intrigue.
For Urban Fantasy Fans: Start with The Encounter, the first episode of the Boreal and John Grey series. It features a secret paranormal bureau, dimensional gates, elves, and dangerous dark spirits.
For Romance & Mythology Fans: Start with Azure (a standalone paranormal romance set in Crete) or Dioscuri (a young adult novella retelling the Greek myth of Castor and Pollux).

Elei's Chronicles: Recommended Reading Order

Set in a dystopian future where parasites alter the human body to create distinct, hierarchical races, Elei's Chronicles blends fast-paced action with deep biological sci-fi elements. The series features full novels alongside crucial prequel and interlude novellas.

The Recommended Order

We recommend reading the series in a slightly modified publication order. Reading the prequel Hera after the first book preserves the mystery of the Gultur race and provides better context for the events in the rest of the series:

Rex Rising (Book 1)
Hera (Prequel Novella / Book 0.5)
Rex Cresting (Book 2)
Mantis (Interlude Novella / Book 2.5)
Rex Equilibrium (Book 3)
Rex Aftermath (Book 4)

Chronological Reading Order

If you prefer to read the events in strict chronological order, place the prequel first, though be prepared for minor spoilers regarding the world-building details introduced in the main series:

Hera (Prequel)
Rex Rising (Book 1)
Rex Cresting (Book 2)
Mantis (Interlude)
Rex Equilibrium (Book 3)
Rex Aftermath (Book 4)

Why the Prequels and Interludes Matter

Hera: This novella focuses on Hera, a member of the elite Gultur race. Her belief system is shaken when she meets a "lesser mortal." It explains the culture of the antagonists before they fully clash with the protagonists in the main books.
Mantis: This interlude bridges the gap between Rex Cresting and Rex Equilibrium. It shows how the character Mantis joined the resistance movement and met Kalaes, which is essential to understanding his motivations in the later books.

Boreal and John Grey: A Serialized Urban Fantasy

The Boreal and John Grey series is a serialized urban fantasy following Ella Benson, an agent of a secret bureau that protects our world from paranormal threats. Ella must stop elves and dangerous "Shades" from crossing over through dimensional gates, eventually teaming up with a mysterious partner named Finn.

Because this series was written and released as a continuous serial, it must be read in strict order. Many readers choose to purchase the complete boxset/omnibus versions, but if you are tracking down the individual episodes, here is the order they follow:

Season 1 Episodes

The Encounter (2013)
The Gate (2013)
The Dragon (2013)
The Dream (2013)
The Truth (2013)
Disguises (2013)
The Threads (2013)

Season 2 Episodes

The Snare (2014)
The Warp (2014)
Illusions (2014)
The Loop (2014)
The Weave (2014)
Evasions (2014)

Other Works and Standalones

Drowning In You Series

Though designated as the first book in the Drowning In You series, Azure (2013) functions as a complete standalone paranormal romance. The story takes place on the sunny island of Crete, where a college student seeking an escape meets Kai, a mysterious man bound by an ancient curse.

Standalone Novellas & Short Fiction

Thoma has also published several stand-alone novellas and short stories, which can be read in any order:

Dioscuri (2011) – A novella that offers a creative young adult reimagining of the classic Greek myth of Castor and Pollux.
Dreamwater (2011) – A fantasy/paranormal story focusing on magic and elemental spirits.
The Unfinished Boy (2012) – A speculative short story.
Dreamdancer (2013) – A companion fantasy short story.

What to Know Before You Start

Chrystalla Thoma's writing is heavily influenced by her global background (having lived in France, Germany, England, and Costa Rica) and her Greek Cypriot roots. You will notice that her fantasy works often feature Mediterranean settings, mythology, and themes of displacement. Additionally, she is known for writing highly resilient, flawed heroes—several of whom navigate their worlds with physical disabilities or scars, adding a unique level of grit and realism to her speculative fiction.