Long paranormal series are some of the most loved books in steamy fiction, but they can be hard to get into. With ten, twenty or more books in a series, the first question is always the same: where do I start, and does the order matter?
For the series below, the order does matter. Each one builds a world with its own rules, and later books assume you know the characters and events from earlier ones. The safest approach is to start with book one in publication order.
Here is what to expect from five of the biggest series on this site, written by four authors with their own shelves: J. R. Ward, Laurell K. Hamilton, Jacqueline Carey and Laurann Dohner.
At a glance
| Series | Author | Start with | First published | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Dagger Brotherhood | J. R. Ward | Dark Lover | 2005 | Vampire warriors, one couple per book |
| Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter | Laurell K. Hamilton | Guilty Pleasures | 1993 | Urban fantasy that becomes increasingly erotic |
| Merry Gentry | Laurell K. Hamilton | A Kiss of Shadows | 2000 | Faerie princess turned private investigator |
| Kushiel’s Legacy | Jacqueline Carey | Kushiel’s Dart | 2001 | Historical fantasy with sensual themes |
| New Species | Laurann Dohner | Fury | 2011 | Science fiction romance, one couple per book |
J. R. Ward: the Black Dagger Brotherhood
The Black Dagger Brotherhood follows a band of vampire warriors who protect their race in the fictional city of Caldwell, New York. Each main book centres on one brother and his partner, while a larger storyline about the war with their enemies runs through the series.
Start with Dark Lover (2005), which follows Wrath, the reluctant king. The early order is:
- Dark Lover (2005)
- Lover Eternal (2006)
- Lover Awakened (2006)
- Lover Revealed (2007)
- Lover Unbound (2007)
- Lover Enshrined (2008)
- Lover Avenged (2009)
A prequel, Darius, came out in 2023, but most readers recommend starting with Dark Lover and reading the prequel later. The series has spin offs set in the same world, so check the series name on the listing before you buy.
Expect alpha heroes, a lot of brotherhood banter, a dramatic ongoing plot and open door scenes.
Laurell K. Hamilton: Anita Blake and Merry Gentry
Laurell K. Hamilton writes two long series, and they feel quite different.
Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter
The series begins with Guilty Pleasures (1993). Anita Blake is a necromancer and vampire executioner in an alternate St. Louis where vampires and other supernatural beings are legally recognised. The early books read like urban fantasy crime novels with romance in the background. As the series goes on, the relationships and the heat take up much more of the story. Many readers love that change; some prefer the early books. Either way, start at book one so the character relationships make sense.
Merry Gentry
The Merry Gentry series starts with A Kiss of Shadows (2000). Meredith Gentry is a princess of the Unseelie Court of faerie, hiding in Los Angeles as a private investigator. Compared with Anita Blake, the Merry Gentry books are erotic from the start, with court politics and faerie magic. The series ran to nine books as of late 2025.
Jacqueline Carey: Kushiel’s Legacy
Kushiel’s Legacy is a historical fantasy set mainly in Terre d’Ange, a land modelled on medieval Western Europe. It is closer to epic fantasy than to category romance: long books, detailed politics and intrigue, with sensual and kink themes woven into the story rather than at its centre.
The series is three trilogies, best read in order:
- Phèdre’s Trilogy: Kushiel’s Dart (2001), Kushiel’s Chosen (2002), Kushiel’s Avatar (2003).
- Imriel’s Trilogy: Kushiel’s Scion (2006), Kushiel’s Justice (2007), Kushiel’s Mercy (2008).
- Moirin’s Trilogy: Naamah’s Kiss (2009), Naamah’s Curse (2010), Naamah’s Blessing (2011).
Start with Kushiel’s Dart, narrated by Phèdre nó Delaunay. If you enjoy fantasy for the world as much as the heat, this is the series to try.
Laurann Dohner: New Species
New Species is science fiction romance. The heroes were created by a pharmaceutical company through genetic experiments and, after their rescue, have to build a life in a world that does not trust them. Each book focuses on one couple.
Start with Fury (2011). The early books, Fury, Slade, Valiant, Justice and Brawn, all came out in 2011, so there is plenty to read once you are hooked. Many books can be read as standalones, but reading in order lets you follow the community as it grows. Expect very high heat and protective heroes.
Tips for reading long series
- Check the number. Listings usually show the series name and book number; avoid starting with a later book by mistake.
- Look for box sets. Several ebooks bundled together are often cheaper than buying them one by one.
- Mind the spin offs. Big series often have companion series set in the same world.
- Expect change. Long series evolve, so the tone of book fifteen may differ from book one.
For a primer on subgenres, heat levels and tropes, see the guide to steamy romance, erotic romance and erotica, and for more vampires and shifters browse paranormal romance.
Quick checklist
- Start each series with book one in publication order.
- Check the series name and number on the listing.
- Decide whether you want romance first or fantasy first.
- Look for box sets to try a series cheaply.
- Note spin offs and prequels, and read them later.
Common questions
Do I need to read the Black Dagger Brotherhood in order?
Yes, if you can. Each book focuses on a new couple, but the overarching plot and the earlier couples carry through the series. Start with Dark Lover.
Is Anita Blake or Merry Gentry the better place to start with Laurell K. Hamilton?
If you like crime and urban fantasy with a slow build, start with Anita Blake and Guilty Pleasures. If you want the heat from the first book, start with Merry Gentry and A Kiss of Shadows.
Is Kushiel’s Dart a romance?
It is usually shelved as fantasy. There is a strong love story and sensual content, but the book is driven by politics, intrigue and Phèdre’s own story rather than a single romance arc.
