Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?
For readers looking to dive into the fantasy worlds of Emily R. King, the best starting point is her award-winning debut series, The Hundredth Queen. Beginning with The Hundredth Queen (2017) allows you to experience the author's worldbuilding and character-driven storytelling at its foundational level. This series showcases her signature style: fierce female protagonists, rich mythological influences, and romantic subplots woven through epic conflicts.
For readers who prefer time-bending adventures and steampunk elements, starting with The Evermore Chronicles (beginning with Before the Broken Star) is a fantastic alternative. Finally, if you are a fan of Greek mythological retellings, the Wings of Fury duology offers a high-stakes, female-centric rebellion against the Titans that is both fast-paced and self-contained. Since none of these series share characters or settings, you can read the series in any order you choose, but you must read the books within each series sequentially.
Emily R. King's Complete Publication Order
Emily R. King’s books follow a straightforward publication schedule. Because her books belong to three distinct, linear sagas, reading them in publication order aligns perfectly with their chronological events. Here is the complete list of her novels:
- The Hundredth Queen (2017)
- The Fire Queen (2017)
- The Rogue Queen (2018)
- The Warrior Queen (2018)
- Before the Broken Star (2019)
- Into the Hourglass (2019)
- Everafter Song (2019)
- Wings of Fury (2021)
- Crown of Cinders (2021)
Deep Dive into the Sagas
The Hundredth Queen Series
This four-book epic is set in the Tarachand Empire, a lush world heavily inspired by Sumerian and ancient Middle Eastern mythology. It follows Kalinda, a young orphan raised in a sisterhood who is unexpectedly chosen to become the hundredth wife—and queen—of the tyrant Rajah Tarek. To survive, Kalinda must hide her forbidden fire-wielding abilities and navigate a lethal tournament against the Rajah's other wives, all while falling for her guard, Captain Deven Naik. The series progresses as follows:
- The Hundredth Queen (2017): Introduces Kalinda's struggle for survival in the palace, her forbidden romance with Deven, and the discovery of her magical heritage.
- The Fire Queen (2017): Kalinda travels to a neighboring land to seek an alliance, facing new magical threats, political intrigue, and tests of loyalty.
- The Rogue Queen (2018): The conflict escalates into a larger war, shifting the narrative to a broader scale with high stakes and fast-paced action.
- The Warrior Queen (2018): The epic conclusion to Kalinda's journey, resolving the war and cementing her role as a leader.
The Evermore Chronicles
For readers who enjoy steampunk mechanics mixed with high fantasy, this trilogy centers on Everley Donovan, a young woman with a mechanical clockwork heart. After her family is murdered, she is left for dead, only to be saved by her clockmaker uncle who inserts the clockwork mechanism into her chest. Years later, when the man who ordered her family's death resurfaces, Everley embarks on a quest across seven distinct, magical worlds to seek justice and stop an immortal threat.
- Before the Broken Star (2019): Sets up Everley's quest, her clockwork heart, and the initial journey into the portal worlds.
- Into the Hourglass (2019): Expands the mythology of the portal worlds and increases the personal stakes for Everley and her companions.
- Everafter Song (2019): Resolves the overarching threat of the immortal prince and concludes Everley's mechanical and emotional journey.
Wings of Fury Duology
This duology is a feminist retelling of Greek mythology, set during the era of the Titans. It follows Althea Lambros, a woman determined to save her sisters from the tyrannical rule of Cronus, the "God of Gods." When she encounters a hidden son of Cronus—a boy god destined for greatness—they forge a dangerous alliance to overthrow the Titans and change the cosmos forever.
- Wings of Fury (2021): Details Althea's rebellion, the bond between the sisters, and the sparks of rebellion against Titan rule.
- Crown of Cinders (2021): The final confrontation that determines the fate of humanity and the gods, resolving the conflict between the Titans and the rising Olympians.
What to Know Before You Start
Emily R. King's novels are written primarily for a Young Adult (YA) and New Adult audience, offering a mix of fantasy, romance, and mythology. Her books feature strong, resilient female characters who fight against patriarchal oppression, making them highly appealing to fans of Sabaa Tahir, Kristin Cashore, and Sarah J. Maas. While the romance is central to the plot in many of her books (especially The Hundredth Queen), the primary themes remain focused on sisterhood, agency, rebellion, and self-discovery.
It is important to note that within each individual series, the books follow a tight, linear narrative. Reading them out of order is not recommended as it will spoil major plot points and make the progression difficult to follow. However, because the three series are completely independent of one another, you can read the trilogies and duology in any order you choose.