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Gods of the Game Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Ana Huang
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Gods of the Game by Ana Huang with "The Striker", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Gods of the Game series by Ana Huang. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Striker"

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.

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Community Consensus

Low Debate

"There is a strong consensus to read the foundational novels first: Chronicles (1-3) followed by Legends. After this core sequence, the reader should move to Dragons of Summer Flame, followed by the Chaos War books. Later series (Preludes, Dwarven Nations) are considered low priority, and War of Souls is noted for massive retconning."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with Chronicles 1-3, then jump immediately to Legends, and finish the core arc with Dragons of Summer Flame.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Gods of the Game 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 Gods of the Game. 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 "The Striker" 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.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Gods of the Game" 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.

Start with "The Striker"Explore all by Ana Huang

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order2 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

The Striker

Pub: 2024★ 3.76

**This stunning DELUXE EDITION is only available while supplies last and features lithofoil and spot gloss on the cover and a full color exclusive tip-in art piece.** The first in a brand new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ana Huang. She's the only woman he wants...and the only one he can't have. Asher Donovan is a living legend--the darling of the Premier League, the (arguably) greatest footballer in the world. But his reckless antics and recent team transfer have caused much controversy, and when his feud with his rival-turned-teammate costs them a championship, they're forced to "bond" during off-season cross-training. Surviving the summer shouldn't be hard...until Asher meets their new trainer. She's beautiful, talented, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't take his mind off her. The only problem? She's his rival's sister--and completely off limits. *** Scarlett DuBois is a former prima ballerina whose career was cut short by a tragic accident. Now a teacher at a prestigious dance academy but still haunted by the ghosts of her past, the last thing she wants is to spend the summer cross-training Asher Donovan, of all people. She swore she would never date a footballer, but when her brother leaves town for an emergency, she finds herself thrown into dangerously close proximity with the gorgeous, charming striker. Training, she can deal with. But falling in love? That's out of the question--especially when he's the only person with the power to break her heart.

2

THE DEFENDER

Pub: 2025★ 3.95

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Striker".

The second book in the Gods of the Game series. A professional athlete and the coach’s daughter, who is a sports nutritionist, share a flat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Gods of the Game 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 Gods of the Game?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Striker" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Ana Huang intended.

Can I read Gods of the Game 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 Gods of the Game 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.