Julie Kagawa’s Nevernever is a mess. A beautiful, glittering, dangerous mess. If you’re trying to figure out the Iron Fey series in order, you’ve probably realized it isn't as simple as counting from one to ten. There are novellas hiding in the cracks. There are spin-off trilogies that are actually just direct sequels. Honestly, if you skip the short stories, you’re going to be very confused when a certain cat or a disgruntled puck behaves like they've lived through a lifetime of trauma you didn't witness.
The story starts with Meghan Chase. She’s sixteen, feels like an outsider, and then her little brother is snatched by something that definitely isn't human. Standard YA setup? Maybe. But Kagawa pivots fast into a world where technology is literally poisoning the traditional faerie courts of Summer and Winter. It’s gritty.
The Original Meghan Chase Quartet
You have to start at the beginning. No shortcuts. The Iron King introduces us to the concept of Iron Fey—creatures born from logic, science, and the stuff humans actually care about now, like computers and smog.
- The Iron King (2010): This is where Meghan finds out her dad isn't who she thought he was.
- The Iron Daughter: Things get darker. The war between the courts is peaking.
- The Iron Knight: This one is weird because it actually shifts perspective to Ash. It’s a quest novel, basically.
- The Iron Queen: The "finale" that wasn't actually the finale.
Wait. I actually listed those slightly out of chronological sequence if you care about the emotional beats. You see, there’s a novella called Winter’s Passage that fits right between the first and second books. If you don't read it, the transition into the cold, snowy landscape of the Unseelie Court feels abrupt. Meghan and Ash’s relationship develops significantly in those few pages. Don’t skip it.
Then there is Summer’s Crossing. It happens between The Iron Daughter and The Iron Queen. It features Puck and Ash on a reluctant road trip. It’s hilarious, mostly because they hate each other but are bound by duty. It adds layers to Robin Goodfellow that you don't get in the main novels.
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Why the Iron Fey Series in Order Gets Complicated
After Meghan’s story "ends," it doesn't really end. Kagawa jumped into The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten trilogy. This follows Meghan’s younger brother, Ethan. He’s grown up now. He’s scarred—literally and figuratively—by being kidnapped as a kid.
The Lost Prince starts this arc. Ethan wants absolutely nothing to do with the faery world. Too bad. The Nevernever isn't done with him. This is followed by The Iron Traitor and The Iron Warrior.
A lot of fans call this the "second series," but honestly? It’s just books five, six, and seven. The stakes are higher because the "Iron" threat has evolved. It’s not just about gears and wires anymore; it’s about the "Forgotten" fey—creatures no one remembers anymore. If a god isn't worshipped, does it die? In Kagawa's world, it just gets desperate.
Don't Forget the Evenfall Arc
Just when we thought the Iron Fey series in order was settled, Kagawa returned in 2021 with the Evenfall series. This is where the world-building goes off the rails in the best way possible.
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- The Iron Raven: Finally, a full book from Puck’s POV. He’s been the sidekick for a decade. It’s about time we saw the rot inside the Nevernever through his mischievous, ancient eyes.
- The Iron Sword: This brings the focus back to the nightmare creatures.
- The Iron Vow: The most recent major installment.
The "Order" isn't just a list of titles. It's an evolution of the magic system. Early on, magic is about glamour and illusions. By the time you get to Evenfall, the magic is breaking. The separation between the human world and the fae realm is thinning.
The Definitive Chronological Checklist
If you want the "Correct" experience, read them in this specific sequence. Don't just follow the publication dates, or you'll be bouncing back and forth in time.
- The Iron King
- Winter’s Passage (Novella)
- The Iron Daughter
- Summer’s Crossing (Novella)
- The Iron Queen
- Iron’s Prophecy (Novella - read this BEFORE The Iron Knight)
- The Iron Knight
- The Lost Prince
- The Iron Traitor
- The Iron Warrior
- Shadow’s Legacy (Novella)
- The Iron Raven
- The Iron Sword
- The Iron Vow
There is also a short story called An Iron Fey Valentine. It’s fluffy. It’s not essential for the plot, but if you’re deep in the Ash-and-Meghan ship, you’ll want it. It’s tucked away in some anthologies and special editions.
The Evolution of the Iron Fey
Most people think this is just another "Twilight with wings" series. They’re wrong. Kagawa actually digs into some pretty heavy philosophical territory. The Iron Fey represent the death of wonder. Every time we build a new skyscraper or invent a more efficient processor, a little bit of the old magic dies.
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The villains aren't just "evil." They are manifestations of our own progress. Ferrum, the first Iron King, is a tragic figure in a lot of ways. He’s a product of human belief. We stopped believing in dryads and started believing in the internet.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you are looking to dive into the Iron Fey series in order, start by grabbing The Iron Legends collection. It actually bundles the three most important novellas (Winter’s Passage, Summer’s Crossing, and Iron’s Prophecy) into one volume. It saves you the headache of hunting down out-of-print digital shorts.
Check your local library’s "Libby" or "Hoopla" apps first. Because these books had a massive resurgence on BookTok recently, many libraries have updated their digital licenses.
Start with The Iron King. If the tech-heavy magic of the Iron Realm doesn't hook you within the first fifty pages, the rest of the series might be a struggle. But if you like the idea of a faery kingdom made of rusted rebar and neon lights, you’ve found your new obsession.
Once you finish the original quartet, take a break before starting The Lost Prince. The tone shifts from a whimsical (but dangerous) fairy tale to a more cynical, urban fantasy vibe. It’s a bit of a shock if you read them back-to-back without a breather.
Focus on the character growth of Grimalkin the cat. He is the true MVP of the series. He knows everything, helps only when it suits him, and provides the cynical commentary that keeps the romance from becoming too saccharine. Reading the series just to track his appearances is a perfectly valid way to spend your time.