Beasts of the Briar
Reading Order.
Start Beasts of the Briar by Elizabeth Helen with "Bonded by Thorns", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The complete reading order for the Beasts of the Briar series by Elizabeth Helen. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.
Short Answer:
Start with "Bonded by Thorns"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The comments do not establish a series reading order for 'Beasts of the Briar' but offer overwhelming praise for the book, noting that the combination of author Tamsyn Muir's writing and Moira Quirk's narration is highly effective (described as a 'dream team' and '10/10'). Separately, the comments contain extensive discussion and specific recommendations/reviews for books featuring explicit Asexual (Ace) and Aromantic (Aro) representation."
No specific series reading order for 'Beasts of the Briar' is provided in these comments. However, based on the numerous glowing reviews, the primary recommendation is to listen to the audiobook version, highly rating Moira Quirk's narration.
At a Glance
- First Book:Bonded by Thorns
- Latest Book:Bonded by Thorns
- Timeline:2023 - 2023
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Beasts of the Briar conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Beasts of the Briar. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Bonded by Thorns" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "Beasts of the Briar" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
Prefer Listening?
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the Beasts of the Briar series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read Beasts of the Briar?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Bonded by Thorns" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Elizabeth Helen intended.
Can I read Beasts of the Briar books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the Beasts of the Briar universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.