Where to Start Reading Emily Lloyd-Jones
Because Emily Lloyd-Jones frequently writes standalone novels that share settings or themes rather than traditional multi-book series, readers have plenty of flexibility in choosing where to begin. Your starting point depends entirely on what genre you enjoy most:
- For YA Fantasy & Mythology Fans: Start with The Bone Houses. This standalone novel is Lloyd-Jones's breakout hit and perfectly demonstrates her ability to blend Welsh folklore with rich, atmospheric world-building, found families, and strong themes of grief and disability.
- For Sci-Fi & Superpower Fans: Start with Illusive. Her debut novel introduces a near-future setting where a virus vaccine gives a small percentage of the population unique abilities, leading to a high-stakes superhero heist plot.
- For Middle Grade Readers: Start with Unseen Magic. This is a cozy, slightly spooky fantasy series set in a town hidden among Northern California's redwoods where magic is real but has a cost.
The Welsh Mythology Universe (Companion Standalones)
Three of Lloyd-Jones's most famous Young Adult novels are set in the same fantasy world heavily inspired by Welsh mythology. Although they share a universe, they are standalone stories featuring entirely different characters, regions, and conflicts.
Publication Order
Many readers prefer to experience this world as the author built it. The publication order is:
- The Bone Houses (2019) – Follows a gravedigger and a mapmaker fighting undead "bone houses" to break a curse.
- The Drowned Woods (2022) – A magical heist story centered around a water-wielder seeking revenge.
- The Wild Huntress (2024) – A multi-POV fantasy reimagining the folklore of the Wild Hunt.
Chronological Order & Timeline Caveats
If you prefer a chronological flow, you can change the order slightly. The Drowned Woods takes place centuries before the events of The Bone Houses. While there is no direct crossover of characters, reading chronologically can offer a deeper understanding of the history of magic in the land. The chronological order is:
- The Drowned Woods
- The Bone Houses
- The Wild Huntress
However, the author and publisher explicitly treat these as companion novels rather than a trilogy, meaning you will not lose any essential context if you read them out of order.
The Illusive Series Reading Order
Unlike her fantasy standalone companion novels, the Illusive series features a continuous narrative following a group of super-powered criminals navigating a high-stakes underworld. To follow this story, you should read the books in order of publication:
- Illusive (2014)
- Murder on the Disoriented Express (2015) – A companion digital novella (Book 1.5) that bridges the two main novels.
- Deceptive (2015)
The Unseen Magic Series Reading Order
For younger readers, the Unseen Magic series is a Middle Grade urban fantasy duology. These books should be read in chronological order as they follow the main character Finley's growth and her adventures in the magical town of Aldermere:
- Unseen Magic (2022)
- Unspoken Magic (2023)
Standalone Novels
If you want completely self-contained reads that do not connect to any other series, Emily Lloyd-Jones has written several standalone books spanning different genres:
- The Hearts We Sold (2017) – A contemporary YA paranormal fantasy about a girl who trades her heart to a demon to escape her abusive family.
- Augusta Pine Does Not Exist (2026) – A near-future sci-fi thriller following a teenage spy using biometric tech and hacking skills to save hostages in a high-stakes reverse heist.
What to Know Before You Start
Emily Lloyd-Jones's stories are known for their respectful, nuanced representation of disability and mental health. For instance, The Bone Houses features a protagonist with chronic pain, while Unseen Magic addresses childhood anxiety. Her narratives frequently explore themes of agency, chosen family, and the price of magic, meaning you can expect stories that are both deeply emotional and highly atmospheric.