Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
If you are new to Emily A. Duncan's work, the best and only logical starting point is her bestselling debut novel, Wicked Saints. This book launches the Something Dark and Holy trilogy, a serialized young adult fantasy saga that must be read in strict publication and chronological order. The narrative is heavily continuous, meaning you cannot read the sequels as standalones without completely losing the thread of the plot, character arcs, and intricate magic systems.
Because Duncan has not written any prequels, companion novellas, or spin-offs set in this universe, the reading order is incredibly straightforward. You will follow the characters through a single, unbroken chronological timeline from their introduction to the trilogy's final pages.
Something Dark and Holy Trilogy in Reading Order
Below is the complete breakdown of the trilogy in its recommended reading order, which aligns perfectly with the publication history:
1. Wicked Saints (2019)
The series begins with Wicked Saints, introducing readers to a century-long holy war between the highly religious nation of Kalyazin and the godless, blood-magic-wielding empire of Tranavia. The story centers on Nadezhda (Nadya) Lapteva, a refugee cleric who is the only remaining person capable of hearing and channeling the power of the pantheon's gods. When her hidden monastery is attacked by the Tranavians, she escapes and crosses paths with Malachiasz Czechowicz, a mysterious boy with a monstrous past, and Serefin Meleski, the crown prince and general of Tranavia. Together, this unlikely trio navigates alliances, betrayal, and a plot to assassinate the Tranavian king.
2. Ruthless Gods (2020)
Picking up directly after the world-altering cliffhanger of the first book, Ruthless Gods shifts the series from traditional gothic fantasy into the realm of cosmic horror. As Nadya, Malachiasz, and Serefin grapple with the consequences of their actions, they discover that the gods they worship—or fear—are far more dangerous than they ever imagined. The book delves deeper into the psychological toll of the war, body horror, and the toxic, intoxicating bonds between the main characters as a dark magic spreads across the land.
3. Blessed Monsters (2021)
The final chapter of the trilogy, Blessed Monsters, wraps up the main storyline. With the world fractured and the gods actively encroaching on the mortal realm, the remaining characters must unite to prevent total annihilation. This conclusion focuses heavily on character growth, sacrifice, and the ultimate cost of power, bringing the conflicts between Kalyazin and Tranavia to a definitive, blood-soaked resolution.
Early Works and Anthologies
Before launching her debut novel, Emily A. Duncan contributed to an independent anthology project. While it is not connected to her main fantasy trilogy, it offers a fascinating look at her early writing style:
Crows on Heartstrings (2016)
Duncan is a featured contributor in Crows on Heartstrings: An Anthology of Doomed Love Stories. Her short story, titled "A Bullet for Death's Rifle," fits perfectly into the anthology's central theme of tragic, dark, and supernatural relationships. Because this was an independent, limited-run anthology, copies can be difficult to track down today, and reading it is entirely optional for fans of her main trilogy.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone, Magic, and Mythology
To fully appreciate Duncan's books, it helps to understand the unique elements that define her fictional world:
- Slavic Folklore Influence: The setting of Kalyazin is heavily inspired by Eastern European folklore, Russian Orthodox aesthetics, and traditional Slavic myths. You will encounter familiar mythological creatures, winter landscapes, and a pantheon of gods that behave like fickle, demanding patrons.
- The Magic Systems: The magic in the series is split along national lines. Kalyazi magic is divine and based on prayer and channeling specific deities. Tranavian magic, by contrast, is blood magic (divination and spellcasting done by drawing runes on paper and activating them with self-inflicted wounds).
- Gothic and Cosmic Horror Tone: While marketed as Young Adult fantasy, the series features intense gothic horror elements. Readers should prepare for descriptive body horror, psychological instability, dark themes of self-harm related to magic, and morally grey characters who routinely cross ethical boundaries.
Future Projects
Following the completion of the Something Dark and Holy trilogy in 2021, Emily A. Duncan has teased ideas for upcoming projects. Among these is a gothic, structurally complex novel focusing on twins, which she has described in interviews as a crossover style of "YA House of Leaves meets Gormenghast." As of 2026, no official release dates or publisher announcements have been made for a new novel, making her trilogy the core of her published bibliography.