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The Anatomy Duology Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Dana Schwartz
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Quick Answer

Start The Anatomy Duology by Dana Schwartz with "Anatomy: A Love Story", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the The Anatomy Duology series by Dana Schwartz. 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 "Anatomy: A Love Story"

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 comments analyze two major, distinct reading orders for interconnected series. For the 'Clocktaur War'/'Saint of Steel' adjacent books, the recommended order is sequential to fully appreciate character references, though the books are technically standalones. For the 'House War'/'Hunters Duology' books, there is disagreement, with one major argument favoring the Hunters Duology first to provide necessary context, and a counter-argument preferring House War first for better investment."

Key Reddit Advice

For the Paladin/Swordheart/Clocktaur books, the best order to understand all references is: Clockwork Boys (Clocktaur War) > Swordheart > Saint of Steel (Paladin books). For the House War books, the most frequently cited advice to avoid missing key plot pieces is to read the Hunter's Duology first, followed by the first three House War books.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Anatomy Duology 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 The Anatomy Duology. 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 "Anatomy: A Love Story" 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 "The Anatomy Duology" 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 "Anatomy: A Love Story"Explore all by Dana Schwartz

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 Order1 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.
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1

Anatomy: A Love Story

Pub: 2022★ 3.84

*INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**INSTANT #1 INDIE BESTSELLER**INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER**A REESE'S YA BOOK CLUB PICK*"Schwartz's magical novel is at once gripping and tender, and the intricate plot is engrossing as the reader tries to solve the mystery. She doesn't miss a beat in either the characterization or action, scattering clues with a delicate, precise hand. This is, in the end, the story of the anatomy of the human heart." - Booklist (starred review)Dana Schwartz’s Anatomy: A Love Story is a gothic tale full of mystery and romance.Hazel Sinnett is a lady who wants to be a surgeon more than she wants to marry.Jack Currer is a resurrection man who’s just trying to survive in a city where it’s too easy to die.When the two of them have a chance encounter outside the Edinburgh Anatomist’s Society, Hazel thinks nothing of it at first. But after she gets kicked out of renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham’s lectures for being the wrong gender, she realizes that her new acquaintance might be more helpful than she first thought. Because Hazel has made a deal with Dr. Beecham: if she can pass the medical examination on her own, Beecham will allow her to continue her medical career. Without official lessons, though, Hazel will need more than just her books—she’ll need corpses to study.Lucky that she’s made the acquaintance of someone who digs them up for a living.But Jack has his own problems: strange men have been seen skulking around cemeteries, his friends are disappearing off the streets, and the dreaded Roman Fever, which wiped out thousands a few years ago, is back with a vengeance. Nobody important cares—until Hazel.Now, Hazel and Jack must work together to uncover the secrets buried not just in unmarked graves, but in the very heart of Edinburgh society.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the The Anatomy Duology 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 The Anatomy Duology?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Anatomy: A Love Story" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Dana Schwartz intended.

Can I read The Anatomy Duology 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 The Anatomy Duology 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.