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Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Nora Roberts
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) by Nora Roberts with "Once Upon A Midnight", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Anthology novellas from the Once Upon series, featuring fairy tale retellings.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Once Upon A Midnight"

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

Medium Debate

"The overwhelming recommendation is to begin with the 'original trilogy': Sabriel, followed by Lirael, and then Abhorsen. While subsequent books exist (Goldenhand, Clariel, Terciel and Elinor), the original three are considered the tightest, most essential core of the series."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen (in that order). Clariel, a prequel, is widely considered the weakest and most disappointing entry and should be read last, if at all, as an optional extra.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) 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 Once Upon (Anthology Novellas). 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 "Once Upon A Midnight" 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 "Once Upon (Anthology Novellas)" 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 "Once Upon A Midnight"Explore all by Nora Roberts

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

Once Upon A Midnight

Pub: 2013Optional

AWARD-WINNING STORIES from USA TODAY bestselling author Carole Nelson Douglas, featuring mystery icons Sam Spade and Edgar Allan Poe. Interior illustrations designed by the author. Noir urban fantasy paranormal investigator Delilah Street and iconic contemporary feline sleuth Midnight Louie team up for a trio of tales, including one based on an Edgar Allan Poe story fragment found after his death. From Sam Spade's "black bird"--the priceless Maltese Falcon--to Poe's "The Raven," Louie and Delilah keep up with their noted detective forebears. Stories published previously in anthologies are collected here for the first time: "Bogieman" from Unusual Suspects; "Butterfly Kiss" from The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2; "The Riches That There Lie" from Poe's Lighthouse.

2

Once Upon A Dream

Pub: 2000

Plot details hidden until you finish "Once Upon A Midnight".

A modern woman finds herself drawn into a mystical realm and a timeless romance, forcing her to choose between the life she knew and a powerful, destined love.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) 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 Once Upon (Anthology Novellas)?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Once Upon A Midnight" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Nora Roberts intended.

Can I read Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) 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 Once Upon (Anthology Novellas) 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.