Jesi Donovan Books in Order (Updated April 21, 2026)

Jesi Donovan’s books are easiest to read by series, not by one giant master timeline. Most of the catalog is arranged in separate paranormal romance and romantasy lines, so the best approach is to pick a series, read it in order, then move to another.

For most readers, the safest starting point is Blackwood Academy. It opens a completed trilogy, gives you a clean introduction to Jesi Donovan’s style, and avoids confusion with the newer 2026 series.

Quick answer

If you want the simplest path, read Jesi Donovan in this order:

1. Blackwood Academy
2. Stoneward Asylum
3. The Price of Salvation
4. Then move to whichever separate series appeals most:
   • Academy of Ruin
   • Court of Sinners
   • Court of Monsters
   • Cozy Romantasy Reads

If you prefer a standalone first, try Taken By the Wolf Kings or Stolen Queen.

The best Jesi Donovan reading order

This is the most practical order for new readers because it starts with the clearest completed trilogy, then moves into the later series without mixing continuities.

1. Blackwood Academy (2022): Opens The Blackwood Five and sets up the core trilogy, making it the best place for most new readers to begin.
2. Stoneward Asylum (2023): Continues the same main storyline, so it works as a direct follow-on rather than a side adventure.
3. The Price of Salvation (2023): Brings the Blackwood trilogy to its conclusion and delivers the payoff to the series arc.
4. Taken By the Wolf Kings (2023): A standalone paranormal romance that can be read whenever you want, since it does not appear to be required for any of the numbered series.
5. Stolen Queen (2023): Another separate title that works best as an optional detour rather than part of the main trilogy order.
6. Bound by Fire and Fate (2024): Starts the Cozy Romantasy Reads line and is the best entry point if you want a softer fantasy-romance tone.
7. A Court of Forgotten Oaths (2025): Continues that romantasy sequence, so it is best read after book one rather than on its own.
8. Song of the Forsaken (2025): Follows the same series path and completes the currently listed three-book run.
9. Bound in Blood (2026): Opens Academy of Ruin and establishes that trilogy’s continuity.
10. Caged in Velvet (2026): Serves as the middle installment of Academy of Ruin, so it should be read immediately after book one.
11. Crowned in Ash (2026): Finishes Academy of Ruin and closes that storyline.
12. Marked for Ruin (2026): Begins Court of Sinners and should be treated as the required first book in that series.
13. Bound by Betrayal (2026): Continues the same trilogy arc and is not designed as a standalone entry.
14. Crowned in Chains (2026): Completes Court of Sinners and should be saved until after the first two books.
15. Claimed by Chaos (2026): Opens Court of Monsters and is the correct starting point for that trilogy.
16. Forged in Fury (2026): Builds on the events of book one, so it works best as a direct continuation.
17. Sworn to Shadows (2026): Closes Court of Monsters and is the latest verified Jesi Donovan release I could confirm.

Jesi Donovan books in publication order by series

The Blackwood Five

1. Blackwood Academy (2022): The first book in the trilogy and the clearest starting point in the entire bibliography.
2. Stoneward Asylum (2023): The second book, continuing the same story without a break in continuity.
3. The Price of Salvation (2023): The trilogy finale and the natural stopping point for readers who want to sample one complete Jesi Donovan series.

Standalones

1. Taken By the Wolf Kings (2023): A standalone paranormal romance that does not need any prior series knowledge.
2. Stolen Queen (2023): A separate fantasy-romance title that can be read independently of the main series.

Cozy Romantasy Reads

1. Bound by Fire and Fate (2024): The entry point to Donovan’s softer romantasy line and a good alternative start for readers who want less of the academy/paranormal feel.
2. A Court of Forgotten Oaths (2025): Expands the same series and should be read second for best continuity.
3. Song of the Forsaken (2025): Continues and completes the currently listed sequence.

Academy of Ruin

1. Bound in Blood (2026): Starts the trilogy and introduces its central continuity.
2. Caged in Velvet (2026): The middle book, intended to be read directly after the opener.
3. Crowned in Ash (2026): The conclusion to Academy of Ruin.

Court of Sinners

1. Marked for Ruin (2026): The first book and the right place to begin this trilogy.
2. Bound by Betrayal (2026): The sequel, continuing the same main arc.
3. Crowned in Chains (2026): The trilogy ender and final payoff for this sequence.

Court of Monsters

1. Claimed by Chaos (2026): The opening novel and best entry to this monster-romance trilogy.
2. Forged in Fury (2026): The second book, building directly on book one.
3. Sworn to Shadows (2026): The third book and latest confirmed release in the bibliography.

Do you need a chronological order?

Not really.

For Jesi Donovan, series order is what matters. I did not find a separate internal timeline that improves the experience more than simply reading each series in publication order. In practice, publication order and recommended order are almost the same here.

Where should you start?

Here is the easiest way to choose:

• Start with Blackwood Academy if you want the most straightforward introduction.
• Start with Bound by Fire and Fate if you want a softer romantasy tone first.
• Start with Taken By the Wolf Kings if you want to sample Jesi Donovan with a standalone.
• Start with Claimed by Chaos only if monster romance is specifically what you came for.

If you are unsure, go with Blackwood Academy.

Collections and omnibus editions

Some collection editions exist, but they are best treated as optional formats, not separate reading steps.

• The Blackwood Five Collection: A collected edition of the Blackwood trilogy, useful if you want the whole arc in one place.
• Alpha Shifters Collection: A collection edition rather than a new story sequence.
• Academy of Ruin Collection: A bundled version of the Academy of Ruin trilogy, not a separate continuity.

Latest release status

As of April 21, 2026, the latest Jesi Donovan book I could verify is Sworn to Shadows, the third book in Court of Monsters. That makes Court of Monsters the most recent confirmed series line in the current bibliography.

One small caution: some listings for Blackwood Five book 3 still show the title Bellevue Medical, but the most stable current listing is The Price of Salvation. For reading-order purposes, treat those as the same final Blackwood slot unless a future bibliography update separates them more clearly.

FAQs

What is the best Jesi Donovan book to start with?

Blackwood Academy is the best default starting point because it opens a completed trilogy and gives the clearest introduction to the catalog.

Are Jesi Donovan’s series connected?

They are better treated as separate series and standalones than as one heavily interconnected universe.

Do I need to read the standalones in a specific place?

No. Taken By the Wolf Kings and Stolen Queen can be read whenever you want.

Is there a separate chronological order?

Not one that seems more useful than reading each series in publication order.

What is the newest Jesi Donovan book?

The newest verified title I could confirm is Sworn to Shadows (2026).

Final recommendation

If you want the cleanest Jesi Donovan reading order, read The Blackwood Five first:

1. Blackwood Academy
2. Stoneward Asylum
3. The Price of Salvation

After that, move by mood rather than by strict chronology. Read Cozy Romantasy Reads for a lighter fantasy-romance path, or jump into Academy of Ruin, Court of Sinners, and Court of Monsters if you want the newer trilogy-heavy side of the catalog.