Are you just hearing about Richelle Mead and want to read her books but don’t know where to start? Or maybe she’s been on your TBR since forever and it’s finally time to rectify this crazy mistake? Then this is the page for you. As massive fans of Richelle Mead and readers of all her books, we’ve put together a guide of to all the books by Richelle Mead so you know which one fits best for your mood. But in the end, you know you have to just read them all right?
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Want to start reading Richelle Mead? Here’s a deep dive into her series
There are a few things that you can expect for certain when picking up a Richelle Mead book:
We’re going to start where probably most readers find their way to Richelle Mead, myself included. I first discovered Vampire Academy at the start of the vampire craze (early Twilight days). Even though this is a young adult series and yes, it does fit squarely in that YA fantasy genre, as the books progress it grows larger than life.
As a matter of fact, I would argue that Richelle Mead was able to create one of the best worlds in the low fantasy genre that is so vivid, action packed and politically charged it’ll have your heart racing, no matter your age. Not to mention, her characters will stay with you forever. Without doubt that is the case for me with most of the cast of the Vampire Academy series, as well as the spin offs and some of the other series you’ll see farther down this list. But back to where it all started.
Young Adult Books by Richelle Mead
the classic
Vampire Academy Series
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read this series if
Ages: 12 and up | Finished Series
Do you really need an introduction for this one? Vampire Academy felt like if Harry Potter and Twilight had a baby. Minus the dull main character. This is one of our favorite Young Adult series. One that we loved reading and would love to be a part of. Solid writing, great plots and the characters. Ahhh the characters. Rose is, to this day, one of our favorite heroines EVER. If you know how many books we’ve read, then you know that is an incredible feat. And there’s the Dmitri, and the chemistry between him and Rose just make me sigh.
Not to mention, this is also the one series I’ve considered getting corresponding tattoos (molnija marks). A series that delved into the trope of royals before it was a thing (the Moroi). Set at an academy that, in the same vein as Harry Potter, trains young Dhampirs in the arts of combat to protect the Royal Moroi against the evil Strigoi vampires. Trust me this is a series you want to read if you haven’t yet. It’s action packed, with a beautiful world building, and a good dash of romance. I don’t think there’s a better representation of young adult for a romance reader to get into.
Click here to read our reviews, reading order and other posts about Vampire Academy
the spin off
Bloodlines series
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read this series if
Ages: 12 and up | Finished Series
The Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead is part of the Vampire Academy world and follows the main protagonist Sydney. She’s an alchemist, a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve as the bridge between humans and vampires. If you liked Vampire Academy, this is a must read continuation. And we even get glimpses of our favorite original characters. Without spoiling the original series, there’s definitely another character that plays a central role in this series that you won’t be able to get enough of here.
In conclusion, Bloodlines will have you on the edge of your seat with political intrigue, supernatural serial killers and yes, at times, immature royal teenagers that can easily get their bodyguards killed.
Lastly, some commonly asked questions:
Should you read Vampire Academy before reading Bloodlines?
Yes! You will definitely understand the world better with that background knowledge
Do we see Rose and Dmitri in this series? Absolutely!
Is there a series after this? As of right now and that I know of any plans, no
Click here to read our reviews, reading order and other posts about Bloodlines
the glamour
The Glittering Court Series
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read this series if
Ages: 12 and up | Finished Series
Ms. Mead always delivers wonderful paranormal worlds but THE GLITTERING COURT has very little supernatural in it. And when it does, it’s about the fae. Think of this series as the marriage between a historical romance and a YA dystopia. All those things I’ve come to love in historical romance like the arranged marriages, the balls, society’s rules, the etiquette and more. The books follow three roommates at the Glittering Court, their prospects for marriage and a lot of adventure.
Click here to read our reviews, reading order and other posts about The Glittering Court
Urban Fantasy Books by Richelle Mead
the angst
Georgina Kincaid Series
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read this series if
Ages: Adult | Finished Series
This was the series I dove into after reading Vampire Academy and I’ll tell you the addiction that ensued was strong. There’s something about Georgina Kincaid, immortal succubus forced to tempt men to sin to recharge her own magic, that endears her to the reader immediately. She’s not your average immortal. Deep down she’s a normal girl who wants to live a normal life, working at a Seattle bookstore and fan girling (and falling in love) with her favorite author. Things just can’t be that simple when the supernatural world is involved.
Don’t miss out on starting this! The first book is available on Kindle Unlimited
Click here for the Georgina Kincaid reading order
the mythology
Age of X Series
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read this series if
Ages: Adult | This series is currently unfinished without a release date for any upcoming stories
A post-apocalyptic world with a touch of supernatural elements. A game of Gods, religion and politics. All wrapped up in such well crafted writing! In this world, churches are not allowed to exist unless they are approved by the state. Churches who pray to “Gods” are to be immediately shut down and the priests put in jail. And that may be because sometimes Gods can be tricky. People have been ravaged by a virus and some are genetically altered. They are all ranked by their ability to reproduce.
Ms. Mead gives us a fresh and unique twist to adult urban fantasy focusing on mythology, set in a dystopian-style world and throwing in some genetic manipulation. The world is complex, the characters full of depth and the trademark action and mystery packed storyline. And if I have to compare Justin and Mae I would say they are a version of Mulder and Scully so fans of The X Files will probably enjoy.
Click here to read our reviews, reading order and other posts about Age of X
the love triangle
Dark Swan Series
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read this series if
Ages: Adult | Finished series
Dark Swan is about a shaman and demon/evil fae hunter, Eugenie finds herself learning more about her past, her Face father and her future. Moreover, a prophecy she’s at the center of. That attracts the attention of many, some to impregnate her, some to kill her, including a fairy king and a shape shifting fox.
The world in this one is a bit darker but at the same time Richelle Mead gives us a touch of humor. But what always set this world apart is the characters. Eugenie, Dorian and Kiyo are characters that will forever live rent free inside my head. For good and bad reasons. This is one of the most infuriating love triangle at times! Therefore, if you happen to enjoy those, then you’ll be in heaven with this one.
Don’t miss out on starting this! The first book is available on Kindle Unlimited
Click here to read our reviews, reading order and other posts about Dark Swan
Fantasy Books by Richelle Mead
the bravery
Soundless
read this book if
Ages: 12 and up | Standalone
For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.
Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiguo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever….
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You’ve convinced me that I really must try Vampire Academy. 🙂 Great style of intro to the author’s books.
Yay so happy you enjoyed it! Trying this out for some of our faves 🙂 And let me know what you think if you do read it.
Thanks for the post.