Delilah S Dawson Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Delilah S. Dawson

Delilah S. Dawson is a master of blending genres, shifting effortlessly between steampunk romance, gritty Weird West fantasy, dystopian YA, and official media tie-ins. Because her work spans multiple independent universes, your starting point depends entirely on your favorite genre:

• For Steampunk, Romance, and Vampires: Start with Wicked as They Come, the first book in her breakout Blud series.
• For Gritty Fantasy and Weird West: Start with Wake of Vultures (written under her pen name, Lila Bowen), which kicks off the dark, inclusive, and highly acclaimed Shadow series.
• For Sci-Fi and Media Tie-ins: Start with Star Wars: Phasma, a brilliant character study that serves as an excellent entry point into the galaxy far, far away.
• For Satirical Fantasy: Start with Kill the Farm Boy, co-authored with Kevin Hearne, which lovingly skewers classic fantasy tropes.

The Blud Series Reading Order

Set in the Victorian-esque, steampunk world of Sangland, the Blud series features "Bludmen" (vampire-like beings), carnivals, and high-stakes adventure. The main novels should be read in publication order, with the companion novellas inserted between them to enrich the world-building.

Recommended Blud Reading Order:

1. Wicked as They Come (2012) – Book 1
2. The Mysterious Madam Morpho (2012) – Novella 1.5
3. The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance (2013) – Novella 1.6
4. Wicked as She Wants (2013) – Book 2 (Winner of the RT Steampunk Book of the Year)
5. The Damsel and the Daggerman (2014) – Novella 2.5
6. Wicked After Midnight (2014) – Book 3
7. The Three Lives of Lydia (2014) – Short story (Originally published in the Carniepunk anthology, this can be read as a standalone prequel or alongside Book 3)
8. Wicked Ever After (2015) – Book 4

The Shadow Series (Writing as Lila Bowen)

Writing under the pseudonym Lila Bowen, Dawson crafted a brilliant "Weird West" series following Rhett Walker as he hunts monsters, confronts dark magic, and explores his own identity in an alternate, magical version of the American West. The series is highly serialized and must be read in publication order.

The Shadow Reading Order:

1. Wake of Vultures (2015) – Book 1 (Winner of the RT Fantasy Book of the Year)
2. Conspiracy of Ravens (2016) – Book 2
3. Malice of Crows (2017) – Book 3
4. Treason of Hawks (2018) – Book 4

Bonus Tie-in: In 2019, Dawson contributed the novella Grist of Bees (again writing as Lila Bowen) to the anthology Death & Honey. This story features Rhett Walker and is set in the same universe, making it a perfect epilogue to read after finishing Treason of Hawks.

The Tales of Pell (Co-Authored with Kevin Hearne)

If you love Terry Pratchett or Monty Python, this comedic fantasy trilogy is a must-read. Co-authored with Kevin Hearne, these books subvert traditional fantasy tropes with plenty of puns, talking animals, and cheese-obsessed dark lords.

Tales of Pell Order:

1. Kill the Farm Boy (2018)
2. No Country for Old Gnomes (2019)
3. The Princess Beard (2019)

Note: While these books are set in the same shared world and contain some recurring characters, each book features a distinct cast and can technically be enjoyed as a standalone story.

Star Wars Canon Novels

Dawson has written some of the most acclaimed character-focused novels in modern Star Wars canon. Her novels are heavily character-driven and integrate seamlessly into the broader timeline.

The Recommended Star Wars Path:

1. Phasma (2017) – This novel details the harsh survivalist origins of Captain Phasma on her home planet of Parnassos. It is the definitive backstory for the character.
2. Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire (2019) – This novel acts as a direct sequel to Phasma, following Resistance spy Vi Moradi (introduced in Phasma) as she builds a secret base on the remote planet of Batuu.
3. Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade (2023) – A standalone novel centering on Iskat Akaris, a Jedi survivor of Order 66 who joins the Imperial Inquisitorius. This book can be read completely independently of her other Star Wars works.

Short Story Tie-in: Dawson also wrote the e-novella The Perfect Weapon (2015), which focuses on the mercenary Bazine Netal and takes place shortly before the events of The Force Awakens.

Minecraft: Mob Squad Trilogy

For middle-grade readers or gaming fans, Dawson penned the official Mob Squad trilogy. Unlike the larger Minecraft library, which features books by many different authors, Dawson's trilogy forms a single, contiguous story following a group of misfit kids who venture into the wild to protect their town.

Mob Squad Reading Order:

1. Minecraft: Mob Squad (2021)
2. Minecraft: Mob Squad: Never Say Nether (2022)
3. Minecraft: Mob Squad: Don't Fear the Creeper (2022)

Dystopian YA: The Hit Duology

Before writing her acclaimed standalone horror novels, Dawson published a gritty, near-future YA dystopian duology about a world where the government uses registered assassins to collect debts.

Hit Reading Order:

1. Hit (2015)
2. Strike (2016)

Standalone Thrillers, Horror, and Fantasy

For readers who want a complete story without committing to a series, Dawson has published several standout standalones ranging from Southern Gothic YA to post-apocalyptic adult horror.

• Servants of the Storm (2014) – A creepy, atmospheric YA Southern Gothic fantasy set in hurricane-ravaged Louisiana.
• Mine (2021) – A chilling middle-grade horror novel about a haunted house.
• Camp Scare (2022) – A middle-grade suspense thriller dealing with summer camp urban legends and bullying.
• The Violence (2022) – An adult dystopian thriller about a pandemic that causes victims to break out into fits of extreme violence.
• Mirrorverse: Pure of Heart (2023) – A multi-author tie-in novel set in the Disney Mirrorverse.
• Midnight at the Houdini (2023) – A fast-paced YA urban fantasy set over the course of a single night in a magical hotel (Winner of the 2024 Dragon Award).
• Bloom (2023) – A dark, visceral horror novella exploring toxic relationships and cannibalistic magic.
• Guillotine (2024) – A tense adult survival horror novel set in a remote forest.
• It Will Only Hurt for a Moment (2024) – A gripping YA horror-thriller about family secrets and ghosts.

A Note on Collaborative Works and Shared Universes

When searching for Delilah S. Dawson's bibliography, you may encounter extensive lists for massive shared-world franchises like Minecraft, Star Wars, or Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. It is important to know that Dawson has only contributed specific titles to these properties. For example, she did not write the entire Iron Druid Chronicles; rather, she contributed individual novellas to anthologies like Death & Honey and Canines and Cocktails alongside other writers. For the best reading experience, focus on the specific series guides outlined above.