Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
For readers diving into E.M. Snow's dark academy universe, the absolute best starting point is the Angelview Academy trilogy. Because her two primary series are set in the exact same universe and share major spoilers, reading them in publication order is critical to preserving the twists and character arcs. Reading the spin-off series first will spoil major outcomes and endings from the original trilogy.
We recommend following this chronological path to experience the drama as it unfolded:
- Angelview Academy Trilogy (Read books 1–3 in order: Saint, Malice, and Eden). This introduces you to the core power dynamics, the town of Angelview, and the legendary rivalry between Saint Angelle and Mallory.
- Thornwood Prep Series (Read Crown of Thorns followed by Crown of Roses). This series shifts the focus to the powerful Townsend family, but features direct character crossovers and spoilers for the Angelview Academy cast.
- Bitter Taste Anthology (Optional). Read this 2021 dark romance anthology to enjoy E.M. Snow's short story contribution set in her signature style.
Series by Series: E.M. Snow's Complete Books in Order
1. Angelview Academy Trilogy
The complete Angelview Academy trilogy is a dark, mature high school bully romance set in a posh, exclusive California prep school. The series follows Mallory, a scholarship student determined to keep her head down, who immediately clashes with Saint Angelle—the cruel, manipulative, and untouchable "god" of the academy. Their enemies-to-lovers story is a continuous arc spanning three full-length novels:
- Saint (2020) – Mallory enters Angelview Academy and becomes the target of Saint Angelle's calculated bullying and mind games.
- Malice (2020) – The power struggle intensifies as deep-seated secrets, betrayal, and mutual obsession push both characters to their limits.
- Eden (2020) – The final chapter brings the high-stakes drama, secrets, and dangerous mysteries to a chaotic, thrilling conclusion.
2. Thornwood Prep Series
Set in the same dark, elite universe, the Thornwood Prep series centers on the Townsend family. It stars Phoenix Townsend, a cold-hearted and calculating heir who rules over the merged Thornwood Prep campus. When the heroine, Joss, is forced to strike a three-month bargain with Phoenix to protect her brother, she becomes trapped in his web of power and revenge.
- Crown of Thorns (2021) – Joss enters a tense, high-conflict agreement with the cruel campus king, Phoenix Townsend, setting off a dangerous enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
- Crown of Roses (2021) – The bargain reaches its final days, but as external threats close in and the emotional stakes escalate, Phoenix refuses to let Joss go.
- Broken Crown (Unpublished / Indefinite Hiatus) – The projected third book meant to wrap up Joss and Phoenix's story. Read the crucial caveats section below for details on its current status.
3. Collaborative Anthologies
- Bitter Taste (2021) – E.M. Snow contributed to this multi-author New Adult dark romance sample collection, which showcases stories of enemies-to-lovers, bully romance, and dark themes.
Shared Universe Connections and Character Crossovers
Although Angelview Academy and Thornwood Prep focus on different couples, they are heavily interconnected. The events of Thornwood Prep take place shortly after the conclusion of the Angelview Academy trilogy. Saint Angelle and Mallory make guest appearances in the Thornwood Prep books, and their ultimate fate is discussed openly. If you read Crown of Thorns first, you will immediately learn the resolution of the mystery and the relationship status of the main characters from Saint, Malice, and Eden. To keep the suspense alive, always finish the Angelview Academy trilogy before starting Thornwood Prep.
Crucial Status Update: The "Broken Crown" Mystery and Author Hiatus
Before you begin the Thornwood Prep series, there is a major caveat you must know: the story is currently unfinished. Crown of Roses ends on a significant cliffhanger, with the final resolution planned for the third book, Broken Crown. However, despite being announced and briefly listed on various database sites with placeholders, Broken Crown was never released and has been delisted by major retailers.
Since late 2021, E.M. Snow has gone on an indefinite hiatus. Her official website (emsnowromance.com) and social media channels (including her Facebook and Instagram accounts) have been deactivated or taken down. There has been no official statement regarding her retirement, but she has remained entirely inactive. As a result, the Thornwood Prep series remains incomplete, and readers should prepare themselves for an unresolved cliffhanger at the end of book two.
What to Know Before You Start E.M. Snow's Novels
E.M. Snow's books belong to the dark New Adult high school romance genre, which means they feature highly mature themes. Readers should expect heavy bullying, toxic relationship dynamics, intense steam, and manipulative characters. Mallory and Joss are fierce, resilient protagonists, but they are matched against extremely flawed, anti-hero love interests like Saint and Phoenix. If you enjoy fast-paced pacing, high-society drama akin to a dramatic teen soap opera, and high-tension enemies-to-lovers arcs, E.M. Snow is a perfect match. However, readers sensitive to bullying themes or unfinished series should exercise caution before diving in.