Can I read Clare Sager's series as standalones?

Yes. Each subseries (such as Beneath Black Sails or Shadows of the Tenebris Court ) features its own self-contained story arc and romance. However, reading them in order helps you spot minor character cameos and worldbuilding easter eggs.

Where does Slaying the Shifter Prince fit in the reading order?

It can be read as a standalone. However, because it takes place at the same time as A Kiss of Iron , many readers recommend reading it either right before or right after A Kiss of Iron .

What is the connection between Stolen Brides of the Fae and Bound by a Fae Bargain?

Stolen Threadwitch Bride was originally written for the multi-author Stolen Brides of the Fae project. Clare Sager later updated the book with more steam and grouped it with These Gentle Wolves to form the Bound by a Fae Bargain duet.

Is Counterfeit Contessa still available?

No, the original Counterfeit Contessa series is out of print. Clare Sager is currently rewriting and expanding it into a new series titled The Prince & the Thief , which begins with the prequel novella The Thief's Gambit .

What is the order of the Beneath Black Sails series?

The series begins with the prequel novella Across Dark Seas , followed by the four main novels: Beneath Black Sails , Against Dark Tides , Under Black Skies , and Through Dark Storms .

Clare Sager Books in Order

Where to Start with Clare Sager

Clare Sager has established herself as a key voice in romantic fantasy (romantasy), constructing an interconnected universe known to her readers as the Sabreverse. Filled with strong-willed heroines, morally grey characters, fae bargains, and high-stakes adventure, these books can be approached in several ways.

According to Sager, readers have two ideal entry points depending on their favorite tropes:

Option 1: King of Ravens (Best for Hades-and-Persephone / Labyrinth vibes). Start here if you want a self-contained, slower-burn fantasy romance focusing on the underworld and tricky fae.
Option 2: Shadows of the Tenebris Court (Best for Court Intrigue & Spicy Romance). Start with A Kiss of Iron if you prefer high-stakes espionage, shadow magic, and a deeply emotional, spicy enemies-to-lovers story.

The Three Recommended Reading Orders

Because the stories share character cameos, easter eggs, and history, there are three primary ways to explore the Sabreverse.

1. Clare's Recommended "Chaotic" Order (By Series)

The author recommends reading the books by series to capture the natural build-up of character introductions and narrative themes without jumping mid-series. Following this order ensures a smooth thematic flow:

Shadows of the Tenebris Court Trilogy:
1. A Kiss of Iron (2023)
2. A Touch of Poison (2023)
3. A Promise of Lies (2024)
Beneath Black Sails Quartet:
1. Across Dark Seas (2020, prequel novella)
2. Beneath Black Sails (2020)
3. Against Dark Tides (2020)
4. Under Black Skies (2021)
5. Through Dark Storms (2022)
King of Ravens Duology:
1. King of Ravens (2026)
2. Queen of Thorns (Expected 2027)
Bound by a Fae Bargain Duet:
1. Stolen Threadwitch Bride (originally 2021, revised 2023)
2. These Gentle Wolves (2023)
Standalone Sabreverse Novels:
1. Slaying the Shifter Prince (2023)

2. In-World Chronological Order

For readers who want to experience the events in the sequence they occur within the Sabreverse, the timeline changes slightly. Most notably, the events of the pirate romance Beneath Black Sails take place chronologically before the events of A Kiss of Iron, though characters from the former crossover into the latter.

Across Dark Seas
Beneath Black Sails
Against Dark Tides
Under Black Skies
Through Dark Storms
Stolen Threadwitch Bride
These Gentle Wolves
A Kiss of Iron / Slaying the Shifter Prince (These occur concurrently)
A Touch of Poison
A Promise of Lies
King of Ravens
Queen of Thorns

3. Pure Publication Order

If you want to read the books exactly as Clare Sager wrote them—experiencing the world's development in real-time—follow the release timeline. Note that Sager's earliest series, The Counterfeit Contessa (beginning with A Thief & a Gentlewoman), is currently being reworked into The Prince & the Thief series, starting with the prequel novella The Thief's Gambit.

Deep Dive into the Sabreverse Series

Shadows of the Tenebris Court

This series is Clare Sager's breakout romantasy trilogy. It follows Kat, a noblewoman forced into court espionage, and Bastian, a dangerous shadow-wielding fae lord. Filled with political intrigue, emotional depth, and a highly praised depiction of trauma-aware character healing, it represents the heart of the modern Sabreverse.

Beneath Black Sails

If you love high-seas adventure, pirates, and weather magic, this quartet is for you. It features Lady Vice, a weather-controlling sea witch, and Knigh Blackwood, a pirate hunter. Their steamy enemies-to-lovers arc forms a major pillar of the Sabreverse lore.

Bound by a Fae Bargain

Originally published as standalones in the multi-author series Stolen Brides of the Fae, these books have been revised, expanded, and republished by Sager as a cohesive duet. The story follows Ariadne, a threadwitch who weaves spells into fabric, and Lysander, the fae lord who steals her away as part of a ancient deal.

Slaying the Shifter Prince

Written for the multi-author collaborative project Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers, this is Sager's darkest standalone romance. Featuring a villainous shifter hero and forced proximity, it takes place concurrently with the events of A Kiss of Iron.