If you’ve just stumbled into the world of post-Shift Atlanta, you’re probably staring at a list of book titles and feeling like a necromancer who just lost control of their vampire. It’s messy. Between the main novels, the novellas tucked into random anthologies, and the spin-offs that are actually mandatory homework, the Kate Daniels series reading order is a literal minefield.
Honestly, I’ve seen so many people just pick up Magic Bites and then hop straight to the next numbered book, only to get to book ten and realize they missed a massive chunk of character development that happened in a "side story." Don't do that to yourself.
The thing about Ilona Andrews (the husband-and-wife duo writing under one name) is that they don’t really do "filler." If there’s a novella about a side character, you can bet your last gold crown that those characters will show up in the main series and save Kate’s neck three books later. If you don't know who they are, the emotional payoff just... thuds.
Why Chronological Order is the Only Way to Fly
You’ll see some purists argue for publication order. They’re wrong. Sorta.
In this universe, magic and technology fight for dominance in "waves." When the magic is up, cars stall and guns fail, but you can throw a fireball. When the tech is up, your phone works but your protective charms are basically just cheap jewelry. Because the world-building is so dense, reading chronologically helps you track the slow burn of the overarching plot.
The Early Days: Setting the Stage
Basically, you want to start before the first book. I know that sounds weird, but trust me.
- A Questionable Client (Short Story): This is in the Small Magics anthology. It’s the first time Kate meets Saiman. It’s short, punchy, and gives you a much better feel for Kate before you dive into the first novel.
- Magic Bites: This is Book 1. It’s a bit rough. The authors admit it. Kate is prickly, the world is confusing, and the writing hasn't quite hit its stride yet. Stick with it.
- Magic Burns: Book 2. Things start to get good here.
- Magic Strikes: Book 3. This is where the series usually "clicks" for people.
The First Major Detour: Magic Mourns
After Book 3, you hit your first mandatory side-quest. Magic Mourns is a novella featuring Andrea (Kate’s best friend) and Raphael. If you skip this, Andrea’s relationship arc in the later books will feel like it came out of nowhere.
- Magic Bleeds (Book 4)
- Magic Dreams (Novella): Jim and Dali’s first story.
- Magic Slays (Book 5)
- Magic Tests (Novella): This features Julie, Kate’s ward. It’s in Small Magics.
- Magic Gifts (Novella): A Kate and Curran story.
The "Gunmetal Magic" Confusion
This is where the Kate Daniels series reading order gets really tricky. Gunmetal Magic is a full-length novel, but it’s technically "Book 5.5." It follows Andrea, not Kate.
Some people skip it because they want more Kate. Huge mistake. Huge. Gunmetal Magic introduces major plot points regarding the Order and the shapeshifter Pack that Kate deals with for the rest of the series. Plus, Andrea is a total badass with a sniper rifle. What’s not to love?
Moving Toward the Finale
- Magic Rises (Book 6)
- Magic Steals (Novella): More Jim and Dali.
- Magic Breaks (Book 7)
- Magic Shifts (Book 8)
- Magic Stars (Novella): This is Derek and Julie. It’s actually quite important for the sequel series Blood Heir.
- Magic Binds (Book 9)
Stop! Read "Iron and Magic" Before the End
I cannot stress this enough. Before you touch Book 10, you must read Iron and Magic.
It’s the first book in the Iron Covenant spin-off series, focusing on Hugh d’Ambray. Now, if you’ve been reading the series, you probably hate Hugh. He’s the villain. He’s awful. But this book is a masterpiece of a redemption arc (or at least a "making him human" arc).
More importantly, the events of Iron and Magic happen right before Magic Triumphs (Book 10). If you go straight into Book 10 without it, a certain major alliance will make zero sense. You’ll be sitting there wondering why everyone isn't stabbing each other.
Finishing the Main Arc
- Magic Triumphs (Book 10): The "finale" of the original Kate/Roland story.
- Sanctuary (Novella): A Roman story that bridges the gap between the old life and the new one.
The Wilmington Years and the Future of the Series
So, you finished Book 10. You're sad. You want more. Luckily, the authors didn't stop. They moved Kate and her family to Wilmington to try (and fail) to have a quiet life.
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As of 2026, the "Wilmington Years" have become the new core of the series.
- Magic Tides
- Magic Claims
- Magic Overload (The 2026 release): This continues the "weekly serial" style the authors have been playing with on their blog before moving to full publication.
Then there’s the Aurelia Ryder series, starting with Blood Heir. This takes place eight years after the events of Magic Triumphs. It follows Julie (now going by Aurelia) as she returns to Atlanta. Don't read this until you've finished everything else. It’s spoiler city.
The Cheat Sheet for 2026 Readers
If you want the "No Spoilers, Just Tell Me What to Buy" list, here it is in the exact order you should read them:
- A Questionable Client (Short Story)
- Magic Bites
- Magic Burns
- Magic Strikes
- Magic Mourns (Novella)
- Magic Bleeds
- Magic Dreams (Novella)
- Magic Slays
- Magic Tests (Novella)
- Magic Gifts (Novella)
- Gunmetal Magic (Andrea’s Book)
- Magic Rises
- Magic Steals (Novella)
- Magic Breaks
- Magic Shifts
- Magic Stars (Novella)
- Magic Binds
- Iron and Magic (Hugh’s Book - MANDATORY)
- Magic Triumphs
- Sanctuary (Novella)
- Magic Tides
- Magic Claims
- Blood Heir (Aurelia Ryder Book 1)
Actionable Steps for New Readers
First off, don't buy every book at once. The tone of the series shifts significantly around book three. If you find Magic Bites a little too "grimdark" or Kate too abrasive, give it until the end of Magic Burns.
Second, check out the authors' website (Ilona-Andrews.com). They are incredibly active and often post "Curran’s Point of View" scenes. These are short snippets of the early books rewritten from the Beast Lord's perspective. They’re hilarious and give a lot of insight into why he acts like such a jerk in the beginning.
Finally, keep a glossary or a wiki tab open. The series pulls from Slavic, Egyptian, Babylonian, and Greek mythology. Sometimes it’s a lot to keep track of, especially when they start blending different pantheons.
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Get the Small Magics anthology early. It contains most of the "missing" novellas like A Questionable Client, Magic Tests, and Magic Gifts. Having them all in one volume saves you a fortune compared to buying the individual old anthologies.
Once you hit Magic Triumphs, take a breath. The Wilmington Years are a bit more domestic—well, as domestic as it gets when your toddler can shift into a monster and your husband is a retired King of the Lions—but they are just as vital to the 2026 landscape of the series.