Dhonielle Clayton Books in Order

Where to Start with Dhonielle Clayton

Dhonielle Clayton is a master of building rich, immersive fantasy worlds and fast-paced contemporary dramas. Because her work spans multiple distinct universes and target audiences, the best starting point depends entirely on what kind of story you are looking for:

• For Dazzling YA Dystopian Fantasy: Start with The Belles. This trilogy is Clayton's signature solo work, introducing a lush but dark world where beauty is the ultimate currency.
• For Middle-Grade Magic School Fans: Start with The Marvellers (first in the Conjureverse series). It is perfect for fans of magical academies, featuring global mythology and a school floating in the clouds.
• For Juicy, Drama-Filled Contemporary Thrillers: Start with Tiny Pretty Things, co-authored with Sona Charaipotra. It is a high-stakes ballet drama packed with rivalry and secrets (which also inspired a Netflix series).

The Belles Series Reading Order

Set in the opulent but deeply flawed world of Orléans, this Young Adult fantasy series follows Camellia Beauregard, a Belle who controls the physical appearance of the population. The series should be read strictly in order of publication, as it follows a single continuous storyline:

1. The Belles (2018)
2. The Everlasting Rose (2019)
3. The Beauty Trials (2023)

Reading Advice: Do not skip the final book, The Beauty Trials. While the original duology wrapped up major plotlines, the third book shifts perspective to Edelweiss and provides the definitive resolution to the political struggles of Orléans.

The Conjureverse (The Marvellers) Reading Order

Clayton's middle-grade debut takes readers to the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the sky where students from all over the world gather. This series is known as the Conjureverse and follows young Ella Durand. Read them in this order:

1. The Marvellers (2022)
2. The Memory Thieves (2023)
3. The Deadly Fates (2025)

What to Know: A fourth installment, tentatively titled The Paragon Games, is anticipated for release in 2026. The series relies on heavy world-building and character progression, so reading them in order is essential to understand the evolving magical system and the growing dangers facing the school.

Tiny Pretty Things Duology

Co-authored with Sona Charaipotra, this YA contemporary duology is often described as Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars. It focuses on the cutthroat world of elite ballet students at Manhattan's Conservatory School. The correct order is:

1. Tiny Pretty Things (2015)
2. Shiny Broken Pieces (2016)

Note: The series was adapted into a single-season Netflix drama in 2020. While the TV show captures the catty, dramatic essence, it diverges significantly from the books, making both worth checking out independently.

Multi-Author Collaborations: Blackout and Whiteout

Clayton teamed up with five other blockbuster YA authors—Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon—to write two unique, interconnected novels celebrating Black teen love. They are companion books, and while they can be read as standalones, publication order is recommended:

1. Blackout (2021) – Six interlinked stories unfolding in New York City during a major summer power outage.
2. Whiteout (2022) – A cohesive winter romance novel set during an unexpected Atlanta snowstorm.

The Mirror Series: Shattered Midnight

The Mirror is a collaborative, multi-generational fairy-tale quartet published by Disney, where each book is penned by a different author. Clayton wrote the second volume. The full series order is:

1. Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao (2020)
2. Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton (2021)
3. Fractured Path by J.C. Cervantes (2022)
4. Splintered Magic by L.L. McKinney (2023)

Reading Advice: Clayton's book, Shattered Midnight, is set in 1920s jazz-age New Orleans and follows Zora Broussard. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone historical fantasy, reading the books in order allows you to fully trace the lineage of the family curse and the recurring mystery of the magic mirror.

Standalone Novels and the "Queens" Database Mystery

Clayton has written and co-written standalone YA thrillers that offer great self-contained stories. However, there is a common point of confusion in online retail and review databases:

• The Rumor Game (2022) – Co-authored with Sona Charaipotra, this social thriller is set at an elite Washington, D.C. prep school. It is a true standalone and a must-read for fans of contemporary drama.
• Queens (Listed as 2021) – Caution: Many reading databases list a standalone book titled "Queens" by Dhonielle Clayton. This book does not actually exist. It is a metadata error likely caused by confusion over themes from The Belles or other royalty-focused books she has blurbed. You can safely skip this search!

Anthologies and CAKE Literary

Outside of her novels, Clayton is a major advocate for diverse publishing. She co-founded the book packaging company CAKE Literary and is a key figure in the We Need Diverse Books organization. She has edited and contributed to several hit YA anthologies, including A Universe of Wishes (2020), Vampires Never Get Old (2020), and Faeries Never Lie (2024). These collections are excellent entry points for readers looking to discover new fantasy voices alongside Clayton's short stories.