Where to Start with C.J. Redwine's Books
C.J. Redwine has crafted several distinct fantasy and science fiction universes, meaning your starting point depends entirely on what flavor of young adult fiction you prefer. If you love dark, romantic fairy tale retellings, start with The Shadow Queen, the first book in the Ravenspire series. If you prefer gritty, post-apocalyptic dystopian survival with strong romantic stakes, begin with Defiance. For readers who enjoy intense political intrigue, deadly court battles, and a duology structure, start with Rise of the Vicious Princess.
The Defiance Trilogy (The Courier's Daughter)
The Defiance trilogy is set in a brutal post-apocalyptic world where the city-state of Baalboden is ruled by a ruthless Commander. The story follows Rachel Adams, a skilled survivor, and Logan McEntire, her protector and tech-savvy companion, as they rebel against a tyrannical regime and face deadly beasts lurking outside the city walls. While the trilogy should be read in strict publication order, there is also a prequel novella to consider.
- Defiance (2012): Introduces Rachel, Logan, and the oppressive city of Baalboden. Following her father's disappearance, Rachel is forced to become a ward of the city, leading to a dangerous alliance with Logan.
- Deception (2013): The stakes escalate as Rachel and Logan escape Baalboden and search for survivors, only to discover that the Commander's reach and the threat of the monstrous Cursed are far greater than they imagined.
- Deliverance (2014): The final book in the trilogy. Rachel and Logan must unite warring factions, face their ultimate trials, and attempt to reclaim their freedom once and for all.
- Outcast (2014) – Novella #0.5: A digital-exclusive prequel novella that details the backstory of Quinn Runningbrook, a key supporting character in the series. While chronologically first, it is best read after finishing the first novel, Defiance, to appreciate the world-building, or as a standalone prequel before diving in.
The Ravenspire Series
The Ravenspire series is a collection of dark fairy tale retellings set in adjoining kingdoms. Unlike traditional series, these books are standalone companion novels. They feature completely different protagonists, distinct magical systems, and individual romantic storylines. C.J. Redwine has noted that because they take place in the same universe but in different kingdoms, they can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order allows you to appreciate the subtle geographical connections and world-building depth.
- The Shadow Queen (2016): A dark reimagining of Snow White. It follows Lorelai Diederich, a crown princess of Ravenspire who is forced into hiding. Armed with one of the last remnants of light magic, she must take down her wicked stepmother, Queen Irina, who has seized the throne.
- The Wish Granter (2017): A spin on Rumpelstiltskin. Set in the neighboring kingdom of Sundra, it tells the story of Princess Ari Glaze and a clever street thief named Sebastian who must outsmart a manipulative, wish-granting fae named Alistair.
- The Traitor Prince (2018): A retelling of The Prince and the Pauper. Set in the kingdom of Belldera, it features Crown Prince Jarek, who is thrown into a deadly prison camp after an imposter takes his place. To reclaim his throne, he must team up with a fierce fighter named Arianna.
- The Blood Spell (2019): A reimagining of Cinderella. Set in the kingdom of Balavata, the story follows Blue de Sade, an alchemist who is forced into a deadly game of survival and magic when her father is murdered, partnering with the crown prince to stop a blood-magic threat.
Rise of the Vicious Princess Duology
This high-stakes YA fantasy duology focuses on political intrigue, military conflict, and a heavy dose of romance. Unlike Ravenspire, this is a continuous story centering on Princess Charis Willowthorn, who must transition from a sheltered royal to a ruthless military leader to save her war-torn kingdom of Cardinia from invading forces.
- Rise of the Vicious Princess (2022): Charis must fight to protect her home when her father is assassinated and enemies threaten to conquer Cardinia. To survive, she must forge an alliance with a mysterious prisoner of war.
- Return of the Vengeful Queen (2024): The conclusion to the duology. Charis fights to reclaim her throne, outmaneuver political rivals, and secure a lasting future for her people.
Standalones, Anthologies, and Writing Guides
Beyond her main fantasy series, C.J. Redwine has published works in other formats, including sci-fi thrillers, creative writing guides, and holiday anthologies.
- Query (2012): A non-fiction instructional guide for aspiring authors. It details the process of formatting, writing, and pitching query letters to literary agents and publishers.
- Mistletoe & Magic (2018): A holiday-themed YA anthology containing Redwine's short story "The Uninvited Guest" alongside contributions from other authors.
- The Disappearance of Emily Downs (2021): An Audible Original middle-grade sci-fi thriller about a group of kids searching for a classmate who vanished under mysterious circumstances.
- Meet Me at Midnight (2023): A fantasy anthology co-edited by C.J. Redwine and Mary Weber, featuring contributions from 36 YA authors centered around the magic and danger of the midnight hour.
What to Know Before You Start
When starting your journey through C.J. Redwine's books, keep these helpful reading tips in mind:
- The Standalone Nature of Ravenspire: Do not feel pressured to read the Ravenspire books in a specific order. If you are a massive fan of Rumpelstiltskin, you can start directly with The Wish Granter without feeling lost, as each book resolves its own plot.
- Tone Shift: The Defiance series has a gritty, post-apocalyptic tone akin to The Hunger Games combined with fantasy, while Ravenspire leans heavily into traditional high-fantasy magic and romance. Rise of the Vicious Princess focuses more on court politics, warfare, and military strategy.