Belladonna
Reading Order.
Start Belladonna by Adalyn Grace with "BELLADONNA", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The complete reading order for the Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace. 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 "BELLADONNA"
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 are divided into multiple discussions, predominantly focusing on two unrelated reading topics: a highly praised list of New Zealand Science Fiction/Fantasy (SFF) authors (compiled by u/atlacoya) and an SFF release list for August 2023. There is a secondary, highly critical debate surrounding an analysis that equates the 'lone-hero' archetype in movies like Predator and Die Hard with toxic masculinity, suggesting the analysis lacks media literacy."
For New Zealand SFF, start with Helen Lowe's 'The Heir of Night' (The Wall of Night Book One), which is highly recommended. For anticipated August 2023 releases, prioritize 'Cassiel's Servant' (Jacqueline Carey, read after Kushiel's Dart) and 'Labyrinth’s Heart' (the final book in the Mask of Mirrors trilogy).
At a Glance
- First Book:BELLADONNA
- Latest Book:BELLADONNA
- Timeline:2022 - 2022
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Belladonna 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 Belladonna. 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 "BELLADONNA" 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 "Belladonna" 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
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Is it okay to skip books in the Belladonna 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 Belladonna?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "BELLADONNA" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Adalyn Grace intended.
Can I read Belladonna 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 Belladonna 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.