Where to Start Reading Emily Blackwood
Emily Blackwood has built a loyal following in the young adult and new adult fantasy romance (romantasy) communities. Because her series are self-contained and set in distinct fantasy universes, you do not need to read her entire bibliography in a single chronological sequence. Instead, the best way to dive into her work is by choosing a starting point based on the subgenre and tropes you enjoy most:
- For Fae and Epic Trials: Start with House of Lies and Sorrow, the first book in the five-part Fae of Rewyth series. This completed saga is her most popular work, featuring political intrigue, fake marriages, and deadly trials.
- For Dark Academy and Vampires/Monsters: Start with Wings So Wicked, the opening volume of the Golden City series. This series offers a darker, gothic tone with deep-seated rivalries.
- For Classical Romantasy Beginnings: Start with her debut novel, All the Crown’s Shadows, which kicks off The Wicked Flames Saga. It is a great introduction to her writing style and classic fantasy quest setups.
- For Paranormal Romance and Deals with Demons: Start with Demons and Darlings, the first installment of the Demons Duet, which delivers a fast-paced urban/paranormal romance.
- For Forced Bonds and Dark Magic: Start with Beg the Night, the opening book of her ongoing Mystics of Ashora series.
The Wicked Flames Saga (Completed Trilogy)
As Emily Blackwood’s debut project, The Wicked Flames Saga is a classic young adult fantasy trilogy centering on Ruby, a fierce and defiant heroine who must navigate internal demons and external political threats. The story is rich in action, high-stakes magic, and budding romance. It is best read in strict publication order:
- All the Crown's Shadows (2020)
- All the Crown's Embers (2021)
- All the Crown's Ashes (2022)
Fae of Rewyth Series (Completed 5-Book Series)
The Fae of Rewyth series is Blackwood's breakout hit. If you love stories featuring the fae, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, fake marriage arrangements, and survival tournaments, this is the series to read. The series is fully completed, meaning you can binge-read the entire story arc from start to finish without waiting for cliffhangers:
- House of Lies and Sorrow (2022)
- Prince of Sins and Shadows (2022)
- War of Wrath and Ruin (2022)
- Trials of Saints and Glory (2023)
- Queen of Fae and Fortune (2023)
Golden City Series (Completed Trilogy)
The Golden City series leans heavily into dark fantasy and romantasy, featuring academic settings, deadly rivalries, and royal secrets. The first two books follow a tight duet structure, while the third book shifts focus to expand the universe with new lead characters:
- Wings So Wicked (2024) – The main duet part one.
- Blood So Brutal (2024) – The main duet part two.
- Crown So Cruel (2025) – A companion novel/spin-off following the characters Jessiah and Rummy as they investigate threats in Scarlata.
Demons Duet (Completed Duet)
The Demons Duet is a short, fast-paced paranormal romance series. It features a darker tone with contractual deals, dangerous monsters, and high-tension romance. Since it is a continuous duet, the books must be read in order:
- Demons and Darlings (2023)
- Deals and Daggers (2024)
Mystics of Ashora Series (Ongoing)
The Mystics of Ashora series is Blackwood's latest foray into dark romantasy. It revolves around powerful mystics, forced bonds, and heavy emotional conflict, starting with the characters Sinner and Athena. The reading order follows the release sequence:
- Beg the Night (2025)
- Curse the Heart (2026)
- Bleed the Vow (Upcoming / Fall 2026)
Emily Blackwood’s Complete Publication Order
For readers who want to experience Emily Blackwood's evolution as a writer, reading her books in chronological release order is a fantastic option. Here is the chronological list of her releases, including her short fiction contributions:
- All the Crown’s Shadows (2020)
- All the Crown’s Embers (2021)
- All the Crown’s Ashes (2022)
- House of Lies and Sorrow (2022)
- Prince of Sins and Shadows (2022)
- War of Wrath and Ruin (2022)
- Out of the Cauldron: A Fall Fantasy Collection (2023) – A Halloween-themed fantasy anthology featuring a short story contribution by Emily Blackwood.
- Trials of Saints and Glory (2023)
- Queen of Fae and Fortune (2023)
- Demons and Darlings (2023)
- Deals and Daggers (2024)
- Wings So Wicked (2024)
- Blood So Brutal (2024)
- Crown So Cruel (2025)
- Beg the Night (2025)
- Curse the Heart (2026)
- Bleed the Vow (Upcoming / Fall 2026)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Emily Blackwood's books, there are a few practical elements to keep in mind. First, she is a proud self-published indie author. She works closely with her community on social media (especially Instagram and TikTok @authoremilyblackwood) and frequently hosts special edition book sales on her official storefront, Blackwood Books. Second, if you prefer listening to your books, many of her titles—specifically the Fae of Rewyth and Mystics of Ashora series—have been produced as high-quality audiobooks by Podium Entertainment. Finally, keep an eye on content warnings: while her early work leans toward traditional Young Adult fantasy, her newer series (particularly the Golden City, the Demons Duet, and Mystics of Ashora) feature more mature themes, darker romance elements, and higher spice levels suitable for New Adult readers.