Claire C. Riley Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading Claire C. Riley?

Claire C. Riley is a versatile author who seamlessly hops between genres, from post-apocalyptic zombie horror to dark mafia romance and gritty motorcycle club (MC) thrillers. Because her books span multiple distinct universes, your ideal starting point depends entirely on what genre you want to explore first:

• For Post-Apocalyptic Horror: Start with Odium I, the book that launched her bestselling Dead Saga series. It is the perfect introduction to her gritty survivalist storytelling and emotional depth.
• For Motorcycle Club Romance: Start with Shooter (Ride or Die #1), which kicks off her Devil’s Highwaymen MC world.
• For Dark Mafia Romance: Start with Deviant Prince, the first book in the Bratva Mafia Twins duet.
• For a Quick Standalone Thriller: Pick up Beautiful Victim, a twisty psychological romance that showcases her ability to build intense, obsessive characters in a self-contained story.

The Dead Saga (Odium Series) Reading Order

Also known as the Odium series, The Dead Saga is Claire C. Riley's flagship post-apocalyptic horror series. It follows Nina, a tough-as-nails survivor navigating a world infested with the undead. While there are prequel stories and side novellas, the best way to read the series is in the combined chronological and publication order to avoid spoilers and appreciate Nina's complete character arc.

Here is the recommended reading path for The Dead Saga:

1. Odium I (2013) – The core novel that introduces Nina and the collapse of society.
2. Odium 1.5: Nina (2013) – A companion novella that fleshes out Nina’s background.
3. Odium II (2014) – The second main installment, continuing the struggle for survival.
4. Odium 2.5: Solitary (2014) – A bridge novella exploring characters in isolation.
5. Odium III (2015) – The third main novel.
6. Odium 0.5: Nina's Story / Origins (2015) – A prequel novella detailing Nina's early life before the apocalypse. While chronologically first, it is best read after Book III to give readers a deeper appreciation of her character.
7. Odium IV (2016) – The fourth major book.
8. Odium V (2017) – The fifth major book.
9. Odium VI (2018) – The sixth major book.
10. Odium VII (2020) – The seventh major book.
11. Odium Bites (2023) – A collection of short companion stories that expand the universe and character perspectives.

The Devil's Highwaymen Universe

For readers who prefer steamy, high-octane romance mixed with outlaw motorcycle club grit, Riley’s Devil's Highwaymen universe is the perfect choice. This universe is divided into two main subseries and a companion duet. They can be read independently, but reading the main MC series before the Nomads series provides the best continuity.

Devil's Highwaymen MC (Ride or Die Series)

This subseries focuses on the home chapter of the Devil's Highwaymen MC. It contains three books:

1. Ride or Die #1: Shooter (2017) – Follows Jesse and Laney.
2. Ride or Die #2: Casa (2017) – Follows Casa and Harlow.
3. Tame his Beast: Part One & Part Two (2020) – A dark romance duet featuring characters tied to the outlaw club. Note: Gauge is sometimes listed as Book 3 in promotional club materials, but the main story arc centers on these core entries.

Devil's Highwaymen: The Nomads Series

This series follows the nomadic branch of the club, focusing on rougher, wandering members who operate outside the main chapter:

1. Crank (2018)
2. Sketch (2019)
3. Battle (2019)
4. Fighter (2019)

Co-Authored Post-Apocalyptic Series

Riley has teamed up with other notable romance and horror authors to create collaborative post-apocalyptic worlds that combine their respective strengths.

Thicker Than Blood Series (with Madeline Sheehan)

Co-authored with Madeline Sheehan, this series centers on two women, Leisel and Evelyn, trying to survive in a brutal, ravaged world. It is highly emotional and dark, blending romance with grim survival. The trilogy should be read in order:

1. Thicker Than Blood (2015)
2. Beneath Blood and Bone (2015)
3. The Blood that Binds (2021)

Red Eye Series (with Eli Constant)

Co-authored with Eli Constant, this is a serialized, fast-paced zombie thriller designed like a television series. It follows two strangers, Rose and Sam, whose overnight flight becomes a nightmare when passengers begin transforming. Read them in episodic order:

• Red Eye: Season One (Episodes 1–4, published in 2019)
• Red Eye: Season Two (Episodes 1–4, published in 2020)
• Red Eye: Season Three (Episodes 1–4, published in 2020)

Mafia Romance and Other Series

If you want to step away from the post-apocalyptic wastelands and motorcycle clubs, Riley has several other series to offer:

The Bratva Mafia Twins (with Ellie Meadows)

This dark mafia romance duet centers on the Vasiliev twins and is part of the Born to Darkness collection. You must read them in order:

1. Deviant Prince (2021) – Follows Alexander Vasiliev and Marisha Zolotov.
2. Twisted Princess (2021) – Follows Katya Vasiliev and Nikolai Markov.

Limerence Series

Riley's debut series is a dark paranormal romance duology that follows the obsession of its main characters:

1. Limerence (2013)
2. Limerence 2 (2014)

The Elite Seven (Multi-Author Series)

The Elite Seven is a collaborative project where seven different authors wrote a book themed after one of the seven deadly sins. Claire C. Riley wrote the third book, Wrath. While the books are standalone romances, you can read them in the official order if you wish to read the full series: Lust (Ker Dukey), Pride (J.D. Hollyfield), Wrath (Claire C. Riley), Envy (M.N. Forgy), Greed (Amo Jones), Gluttony (K. Webster), and Sloth (Giana Darling).

What to Know Before You Start

Claire C. Riley’s books are known for their dark themes, high stakes, and intense emotional journeys. Before diving into her work, keep in mind that her post-apocalyptic novels (such as The Dead Saga and Thicker Than Blood) feature explicit violence, horror elements, and survival themes that do not shy away from the brutality of a ruined world. Her romance novels, particularly the MC and mafia books, feature alpha-male leads and complex, sometimes toxic relationship dynamics that fit firmly into the dark romance subgenre.