V. E. SCHWAB
WHERE TO START
Heads up, buttercups!
I know I’ve written a lot of books, and it can be daunting, choosing where to start, so I’ve made a handy little guide, based on your reading tastes. But just know, there’s no right or wrong order. Every book is a different door into the house, and you are always welcome to explore.
For fans of of Lyrical, Lush Standalones
Why: Sweeping, atmospheric, and emotional—perfect if you love timeless prose and unforgettable characters.
Deep Cut: Gallant, with its gothic manor and haunted secrets.
For the Fans of Epic, High-Stakes Fantasy
Start with: A Darker Shade of Magic (the first book in the Shades of Magic trilogy)
Why: Parallel Londons, swashbuckling adventure, and a cast of characters you’ll want to follow anywhere.
Continue with: A Gathering of Shadows and A Conjuring of Light (to finish out the Shades trilogy). Then begin The Fragile Threads of Power (a new series continuing in the Shades Universe).
Deep cut: The Steel Prince comic series (a comic book prequel to the Shades of Magic trilogy)
For Fans of Villains, Antiheroes, and Monsters
Why: Dark, fast-paced, and morally complex. These stories dive into rivalries, obsession, and the blurry line between human and monster, perfect if you like characters who walk the edge between good and evil.
Start with: Vicious (the first book in the Villains trilogy) or This Savage Song (the first book in the Monsters of Verity duology)
Continue with: Vengeful (the next book in the Villains trilogy), and Our Dark Duet (the final book of the Monsters of Verity duology).
Deep Cut: The Dark Vault
For Fans of Ghost Stories and Dark Original Fairytales
Start with: The Near Witch (my debut novel), Gallant, or City of Ghosts (the first book in the Cassidy Blake trilogy)
Why: Haunting, eerie, and enchanted. These stories weave ghosts, gothic manors, and dark folktales into chilling adventures, perfect if you love chills wrapped in wonder.
Continue with: Tunnel of Bones and Bridge of Souls (books 2 and 3 in the Cassidy Blake trilogy)
