Who is Emily Raymond's primary writing collaborator?

Nearly all of Emily Raymond's published novels are co-authored with the bestselling author James Patterson .

Do I need to read the Witch & Wizard series in order?

Yes. Witch & Wizard is a continuous fantasy story. You should read books 1 through 4 before reading the final book, The Lost , which was co-authored by Emily Raymond.

Are Expelled and The Injustice the same book?

Yes, Expelled was published under the alternative title The Injustice in some markets, but the text and story are identical.

What is the recommended reading order for Emily Raymond's standalone books?

Because they are completely standalone stories, you can read them in any order . Starting with First Love (for romance) or The Girl in the Castle (for mystery) is highly recommended.

Does Emily Raymond have any graphic novels?

Yes. She co-wrote the YA graphic novel The Runaway's Diary (2022) with James Patterson, illustrated by Valeria Wicker .

What is Emma on Fire about?

Published in 2025, Emma on Fire is a psychological YA thriller about a teenager dealing with personal grief and climate anxiety who plans a dramatic school protest.

Emily Raymond Books in Order

Where to Start with Emily Raymond

If you are new to Emily Raymond's books, deciding where to begin depends heavily on your preferred genre. As a prolific co-author alongside James Patterson, Raymond has written romance, dystopian sci-fi, fantasy, and psychological thrillers. Here are the best entry points:

For Romance Lovers: Start with First Love (2013). This emotional road-trip novel is a favorite among YA romance fans.
For Suspense and Mystery Fans: Start with The Girl in the Castle (2022) or the more recent Emma on Fire (2025). These books offer tense, psychological journeys with deep character studies.
For Sci-Fi and Fantasy Enthusiasts: Dive into Humans, Bow Down (2017) or Sophia, Princess Among Beasts (2019) for imaginative world-building.

Witch & Wizard Series Reading Order

Emily Raymond joined James Patterson's popular fantasy series, Witch & Wizard, to co-write its fifth and final main installment. Because this series follows a continuous narrative arc about siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood fighting a totalitarian regime, you should not read Raymond's contribution as a standalone. Instead, follow the publication order of the main series:

Witch & Wizard (2009) - co-authored with Gabrielle Charbonnet
The Gift (2010) - co-authored with Ned Rust
The Fire (2011) - co-authored with Jill Dembowski
The Kiss (2013) - co-authored with Jill Dembowski
The Lost (2014) - co-authored with Emily Raymond

In The Lost, the Allgood siblings face their final trials as the city of Central Metropolis falls into chaos. Raymond's influence is felt through the emotional stakes and character-focused wrap-up of the series.

Emily Raymond's Standalone Novels (Chronological Publication Order)

Aside from her contribution to the Witch & Wizard series, the vast majority of Emily Raymond's bibliography consists of standalone novels co-authored with James Patterson. These can be read in any order, but reading them in publication order allows you to see how her collaborative style has evolved over more than a decade.

First Love (2013)

Co-authored with James Patterson, this YA contemporary romance follows Axi Moore, a good girl who decides to break the rules for once. She convinces her best friend (and secret crush) Robinson to run away with her on a wild, cross-country road trip. What starts as a fun adventure turns into an emotionally intense journey as secrets are revealed. It is a highly recommended starting point for readers who enjoy heartfelt, tear-jerking romances.

Humans, Bow Down (2017)

Switching gears to dystopian science fiction, Raymond and Patterson present a world where the Great War is over, and humanity lost. Now, intelligent robots rule the Earth, and the remaining humans are subjugated. The story follows a rebellious young woman named Six, who stumbles upon a secret that could alter the balance of power between species. This is a fast-paced thriller perfect for fans of action-heavy sci-fi.

Expelled / The Injustice (2017)

This YA mystery-thriller follows Theo Foster, a teenager whose life is turned upside down when a photoshopped image ruins his reputation, leading to his expulsion. Determined to clear his name, Theo begins investigating the source of the leak, uncovering a dark web of school secrets and betrayals. The book was published as Expelled in some regions and The Injustice in others, but they are the exact same book.

Sophia, Princess Among Beasts (2019)

A YA fantasy novel that reimagines classic fairy tales. Sophia is a princess of a fragile kingdom surrounded by dangerous, beast-filled woods. When her kingdom is threatened, she must venture into the wild and ally herself with the very creatures she was taught to fear. It is a standalone fantasy that showcases Raymond's ability to build lush, magical settings.

The Girl in the Castle (2022)

This psychological YA thriller tells the dual story of Hannah Dory. In the present day, Hannah is residing in a psychiatric facility, diagnosed with severe delusions. However, Hannah claims she is actually time-traveling back to the year 1347, where she is a peasant girl trying to save her sister from starvation. An abnormal psychology student named Jordan tries to help her, leading to a suspenseful investigation into the nature of reality and trauma.

Raised by Wolves (2024)

Set in Kokanee Creek, Idaho, this suspense thriller begins with the discovery of two feral teenagers, Kai and Holo, who communicate only in grunts and howls and claim to have been raised by a pack of wolves. When the FBI gets involved, the town realizes there is a much larger, darker conspiracy surrounding the teens' origins. It is a gripping mystery that blends wilderness survival elements with psychological suspense.

Emma on Fire (2025)

One of the latest collaborations between Patterson and Raymond, this emotionally raw YA thriller follows seventeen-year-old Emma Caroline Blake. Coping with deep personal grief after the loss of her mother and sister, Emma becomes consumed by environmental anxiety and climate change. Her plans for a dramatic public protest at her elite academy spark a tense narrative about youth activism, social media, and mental health.

Short Stories, Novellas, and Graphic Novels

If you want a shorter read or a different format, Raymond has also contributed to Patterson's shorter works and graphic novels:

Little Black Dress (2016): A fast-paced suspense novella published under the BookShots imprint. It follows a magazine editor whose life takes a dark turn after she buys a daring black dress.
Two from the Heart (2017): An anthology containing two heartwarming stories. Raymond co-authored this collection, which focuses on the power of personal storytelling and human connection.
The Runaway's Diary (2022): A YA graphic novel illustrated by Valeria Wicker. It tells the story of Eleanor, a fifteen-year-old who runs away to Seattle to find her estranged sister, exploring themes of sisterhood and self-discovery.

What to Know Before You Start

When diving into Emily Raymond's bibliography, the most important context to keep in mind is her collaborative relationship with James Patterson. While Patterson is famous for his short chapters and plot-driven pacing, Raymond's input is widely credited with bringing deeper emotional stakes, realistic teenage dialogue, and character complexity to their young adult and romance titles. Except for the fifth book of the Witch & Wizard series, you can pick up any of her standalone novels based on the summary that interests you most without worrying about complex reading orders or cliffhangers.