Where to Start with Debra Dunbar’s Books
If you are new to Debra Dunbar's universe, the best entryway is undoubtedly the Imp Series. This is her flagship urban fantasy series featuring Samantha Martin, a mischievous imp living among humans in Maryland. While there is a prequel novella simply titled Imp, most readers recommend starting with the first full-length novel, A Demon Bound (2012). This book establishes the rules of the universe, Sam's unique voice, and her complicated relationships with angels and other demons. Starting with the first novel instead of the prequel allows readers to experience the mystery of Sam's nature alongside the characters she encounters before diving into her backstory.
Once you are hooked, you have a choice: you can stick strictly to the main books following Sam, or you can follow the official Imp World Timeline, which weaves in several spin-off series, novellas, and standalones that share characters, events, and settings. For the most immersive experience, following the chronological timeline is highly recommended, as it prevents spoilers and adds depth to secondary characters who later take center stage in their own series. It also helps trace the shifts in supernatural politics that affect all series in this shared universe.
What to Know Before You Start: The Imp Universe Mechanics
Before diving into the Imp series, it helps to understand the unique lore Debra Dunbar has built. In this universe, Earth sits between two opposing realms: Heaven and Hel (spelled with one "l"). Angels and demons are not cartoonish figures of pure good and evil; instead, they represent different ideologies and energies. Angels are obsessed with order, rules, and purity, often appearing cold and ruthless in their pursuit of cleanliness. Demons, on the other hand, represent chaos, freedom, and base desires. Imps are low-level demons who usually stay in Hel, but Sam has chosen to make a home on Earth because she prefers human luxuries like fast food, television, and indoor plumbing.
As the series progresses, the scope expands from simple local mischief to cosmic politics. The balance of power between the Overlord of Hel and the ruling angels of Heaven is constantly shifting, and Sam repeatedly finds herself in the center of conflicts she would rather avoid. Understanding this dynamic is crucial because it explains why spin-offs like the Half-Breed series or the Northern Wolves series are so impacted by what happens in the main Imp books.
The Master Imp World Chronological Reading Order
Debra Dunbar’s main universe, known as the Imp World, contains several overlapping sub-series: the core Imp series, Half-Breed, Northern Wolves, and the dystopian California Demon. To read everything in the exact order the events occur, follow this comprehensive chronological path:
- Imp (Prequel Novella) - The origin story showing how Sam first came to Earth and established her identity.
- A Suburban Summoning (Short Story) - A fun, quick read about Sam dealing with an amateur human summoner.
- A Demon Bound (Imp #1) - The official start of the series where Sam is forced into a contract with an angel.
- Satan's Sword (Imp #2) - Sam is drawn deeper into demonic politics when a legendary sword goes missing.
- No Man's Land (Jaq and Kelly's Story – Imp World Standalone) - A standalone novel focusing on a werewolf and an elf.
- Elven Blood (Imp #3) - Sam travels to the elven realm, expanding the world-building.
- Devil's Paw (Imp #4) - Deals with the fallout of the elven conflict and escalating angel tensions.
- Imp Forsaken (Imp #5) - Sam faces major consequences from both Heaven and Hel for her past decisions.
- Stolen Souls (Nyalla's Story – Imp World Standalone) - Focuses on Nyalla, a demon who has to navigate Earth's dangers.
- Demons of Desire (Half-Breed #1) - Introduces Amber Lowry and the half-breed story arc.
- Angels of Chaos (Imp #6) - The war between Heaven and Hel escalates to a fever pitch.
- Three Wishes (Dar's Story – Imp World Standalone) - A side story highlighting the djinn and their magic.
- Sins of the Flesh (Half-Breed #2) - Amber continues her journey to master her succubus side.
- Kingdom of Lies (Imp #7) - Sam deals with the structural changes in Hel's hierarchy.
- The Naughty List (Short Story) - A lighthearted holiday-themed short story.
- Northern Lights (Rafi's Story – Imp World Standalone) - Explores the northern shifters and their culture.
- Juneau to Kenai (Northern Wolves #1) - The official start of the werewolf and elven crossover series.
- Exodus (Imp #8) - A major turning point in the series with high stakes for Earth and Hel.
- Liberation (Short Story focusing on Nyalla) - A brief interlude following Nyalla's quest for freedom.
- Cornucopia (Half-Breed #3) - Amber's struggles intensify as more hunters discover her existence.
- RumpelIMPskin (Short Story) - A fairytale retelling with an irreverent Imp twist.
- Far from Center (Gabe's Story – Imp World Standalone) - Explores Gabriel's perspective within the wider conflict.
- Unholy Pleasures (Half-Breed #4) - Danger hits closer to home for Amber and her allies.
- Rogue (Northern Wolves #2) - Shifter politics heat up in the northern territories.
- Winter Fae (Northern Wolves #3) - Introduces the fae and their complex courts.
- Bad Seed (Northern Wolves #4) - The dramatic conclusion to the Northern Wolves arc.
- City of Lust (Half-Breed #5) - The final book in Amber's journey to secure her freedom.
- Queen of the Damned (Imp #9) - Sam must embrace her authority in Hel to protect those she loves.
- Penance (Uriel's Story – Imp World Standalone) - Follows the angel Uriel as he seeks redemption.
- The Morning Star (Imp #10) - Lucifer's presence looms large as Sam faces the ultimate challenge.
- Down The Chimney (Imp Christmas Novella) - A fun holiday story featuring Sam's chaotic family.
- With This Ring (Imp #11) - A monumental book focusing on Sam's personal life and future commitments.
- California Demon (California Demon #1) - Shifts the setting to LA and introduces Eden Alvaro.
- Sinners on Sunset (California Demon #2) - Eden fights to maintain her position in the city's underbelly.
- Ventura Hellway (California Demon #3) - Gritty action and new alliances in New Hell.
- The Devil Went Down to Glendale (California Demon #4) - Eden faces her most powerful demonic adversary yet.
- Route 666 (California Demon #5) - The conclusion to Eden's search for security and power.
- A Crown of Imp and Bone (Imp #12 / Book 13) - The epic continuation and capstone of Sam's storyline.
Understanding the Imp World Spin-offs
While the chronological list might seem daunting, it becomes much easier to navigate once you understand what each sub-series brings to the table:
The Half-Breed Series
This five-book series follows Amber Lowry, a young woman who discovers she is a rare half-succubus, half-elf hybrid. Amber struggles to control her succubus instincts, which require her to drain sexual energy, while evading deadly bounty hunters. Characters from the main Imp series frequently cameo here, making it a natural extension of the universe.
The Northern Wolves Series
Shifting focus to shifters, elves, and fae, this four-book series explores the wilderness. The first book, Juneau to Kenai, introduces Dustin, a werewolf running for his life who stumbles into an elven sanctuary. Each book in this series is written from the first-person perspective of a different protagonist, broadening the scope of the Imp World.
The California Demon Series
Set in a demon-plagued, dystopian version of Los Angeles known as "New Hell," this series follows Eden Alvaro. Eden is a licensed "Vulture" who salvages magical items from the scenes of violent demon clashes. When her sister is kidnapped by mercenaries, she must team up with Bishop, a dangerous fixer, to get her back. While set in the same universe, it has a darker, grittier tone compared to Sam's lighthearted, chaotic antics in Maryland.
Accidental Witches Series
Though also set in the same general universe, the Accidental Witches series is largely independent of the main Imp World Timeline. It is a cozy paranormal romance series featuring Cassandra Perkins and her family of witches in a town filled with trolls, harpies, and other magical creatures. The series begins with Brimstone and Broomsticks and is best read in simple publication order:
- Brimstone and Broomsticks (2018)
- Warmongers and Wands (2019)
- Death and Divination (2019)
- Hell and Hexes (2019)
- Minions and Magic (2019)
- Fiends and Familiars (2020)
- Devils and the Dead (2021)
Debra Dunbar's Independent Series
Outside of the Imp universe, Debra Dunbar has written two other popular urban fantasy and historical fantasy series. These do not cross over with Sam's world and can be read completely independently.
The Templar Series
Set in Baltimore, this series follows Solaria "Aria" Ainsworth, an un-oathed Templar who rejects her family's knighthood obligations. Unable to find normal work, Aria takes a job protecting a local vampire family, dragging her into the city's dangerous supernatural underworld. The series runs for six novels and one prequel novella:
- Ship of the Dead (Prequel Novella #0.5)
- Dead Rising (Book 1)
- Last Breath (Book 2)
- Bare Bones (Book 3)
- Famine's Feast (Book 4)
- Royal Blood (Book 5)
- Dark Crossroads (Book 6)
The White Lightning Series
Co-authored with J.P. Sloan, this is a historical fantasy series set in 1920s Baltimore during the height of Prohibition. In this alternate history, organized crime families employ "pinchers"—mages who can manipulate time or create illusions—as their ultimate weapons. The story follows Hattie Malloy, an illusionist moonrunner, and Vincent Calendo, a time-pinching mob enforcer. Read the series in order:
- Wooden Nickels (2018)
- Bum's Rush (2018)
- Clip Joint (2018)
- Jake Walk (2018)
- Trouble Boys (2019)
Practical Reading Advice and Caveats
When deciding how to tackle Debra Dunbar’s books, keep these recommendations in mind:
- Can you read them as standalones? While individual books tell self-contained story arcs, the character progression, overarching political changes in Hel and Heaven, and repeating cast members make the Imp series and its direct spin-offs highly serialized. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers.
- Publication vs. Chronological: The author’s official timeline is chronological, which is the safest way to enjoy the spin-offs like Half-Breed and Northern Wolves without getting confused about when characters died, changed alliances, or moved. However, if you find jumping between different protagonists jarring, you can read the core Imp series first (Books 1 to 12) and then go back to read the spin-offs.
- Witches and Templars: Keep in mind that Accidental Witches and The Templar are distinct from Sam's story. If you want cozy mystery vibes, go with Accidental Witches. If you prefer gritty sword-and-shield combat, start with The Templar.