C.L. Stone Books in Order (Updated July 1, 2026)

C.L. Stone writes young adult suspense, romantic suspense, fantasy, and why choose romance. Her best-known work is The Academy, a large interconnected world built around secret teams, found family, school danger, slow-burn romance, and long-running mysteries.

The important thing is not to force every C.L. Stone book into one straight line. The Academy books have two main branches: Ghost Bird, which follows Sang Sorenson, and Scarab Beetle, which follows Kayli Winchester.

Most new readers should begin with Introductions. Readers who want the older, New Adult Academy spin-off can begin with Thief.

The C.L. Stone Reading Map

There are four useful shelves:

1. Ghost Bird: The main Academy series and the best-known starting point.
2. Meeting Sang: Companion novellas retelling the beginning from the boys’ points of view.
3. Scarab Beetle: A New Adult Academy spin-off set in the same world with a different heroine and team.
4. Non-Academy books: Separate fantasy, contemporary, romantic suspense, and multi-author-series entries.

For continuity, read each shelf in order.

The Academy: Ghost Bird Books in Order

The Ghost Bird series follows Sang Sorenson as she meets the boys of the Academy and becomes tied to their secretive world. This is a slow-burn, long-form series, so publication order is the safest reading order.

1. Introductions (2012): Sang Sorenson moves into a new neighborhood, meets Kota, Victor, Silas, Nathan, Gabriel, Luke, and North, and steps into the first layer of the Academy’s secrets.
2. First Days (2013): Sang begins school with the boys nearby, where ordinary classes quickly become tangled with protection, secrecy, and loyalty tests.
3. Friends vs. Family (2013): Sang’s fragile new friendships collide with her dangerous family situation, forcing the boys to decide how far they can intervene.
4. Forgiveness and Permission (2013): The team’s trust in Sang deepens, but the pressure around her home life and the Academy’s rules makes every choice more complicated.
5. Drop of Doubt (2014): Threats and uncertainty push Sang and the boys into a more defensive position, where even safety begins to feel unstable.
6. Push and Shove (2014): Nathan’s home life, school trouble, and the team’s growing emotional strain push Sang further into the boys’ protected circle.
7. House of Korba (2014): Homecoming week brings Silas’s past forward, turning a school event into a pressure point for the whole team.
8. The Other Side of Envy (2015): Sang tries to understand her place with the Academy while Gabriel’s pain and distance reveal another layer of the group’s history.
9. The Healing Power of Sugar (2015): Sang’s secrets create new trouble at school, and suspicion around Luke adds another fault line to the team.
10. First Kiss (2016): Sang moves closer to an official Academy future, but new tests, new rules, and romantic pressure make that future less simple than it looked.
11. Black and Green (2017): Sang’s father returns and pulls her back toward the home she has been trying to escape, forcing the team into a riskier kind of protection.
12. Love’s Cruel Redemption (2018): The lies around Sang and the boys become harder to manage as family complications and team loyalty collide.
13. Unsung Requiem (2021): Victor’s personal life takes center stage, with family expectations, public image, and Sang’s safety all pressing against the team.
14. Her Song in His Heart (2022): Sang and Gabriel follow a lead tied to family history, making this a Gabriel-focused book about memory, truth, and emotional exposure.
15. Ties Left Unsevered (upcoming 2026): Kota’s past returns through a letter, setting up the next Ghost Bird installment and the first listed book after Her Song in His Heart.

Ghost Bird Short Reads

These are optional, but they belong inside the Ghost Bird continuity.

1. Touch of Mischief (2014): A Halloween short best read after House of Korba, giving Sang and the boys a lighter seasonal pause without replacing a main novel.
2. Sound of Snowfall (2014): A winter short connected to the Ghost Bird timeline, safest after First Kiss if you want to avoid the spoiler note attached to it.

Planned Ghost Bird Titles

These titles have been listed by the author as future Ghost Bird books, but only Ties Left Unsevered currently has a stable retailer date.

1. Ties Left Unsevered (upcoming 2026): A Kota-featured Ghost Bird book currently listed as book 15.
2. Every Hope Remaining (TBD): A Luke-featured Ghost Bird title that is planned but has no confirmed release date.
3. When All Goes Dark (TBD): A North-featured Ghost Bird title that is planned but not dated.
4. The Last Light (TBD): A Silas-featured Ghost Bird title that is planned but not dated.
5. Every After Ever (TBD): A Mr. Blackbourne-featured Ghost Bird title that is planned but not dated.

Meeting Sang Books in Order

Meeting Sang is a companion miniseries. It retells the beginning of Ghost Bird from the boys’ points of view.

These are optional, not required before continuing the main Ghost Bird novels. The cleanest placement is after you have read Introductions, though some readers save them for later as bonus perspectives.

1. Kota (2016): Kota’s perspective shows how the shy girl in the neighborhood first becomes a problem he cannot ignore.
2. Victor (2016): Victor’s view adds his guarded home life, public pressure, and early reaction to Sang’s fear and kindness.
3. Silas (2017): Silas’s story reframes the opening events through his protective instincts, family pressure, and first impressions of Sang.
4. Nathan (2019): Nathan’s perspective deepens the neighbor connection and shows why Sang’s situation affects him so quickly.
5. Gabriel (2020): Gabriel’s version adds his need to be seen, his musical identity, and the early emotional pull Sang has on him.
6. Luke (2021): Luke’s entry shows the quieter side of the team and the strain between him and North as Sang enters their lives.
7. North (2022): North’s perspective adds suspicion, protectiveness, and his slower path toward understanding why Sang needs help.
8. Sean (2023): Sean’s view brings an older Academy perspective to the opening events and shows how Sang disrupts the team’s usual control.
9. Owen (2025): Owen’s entry completes another angle on the beginning, showing how Sang’s arrival changes the team from outside the core boys’ immediate circle.

Best Placement for Meeting Sang

The simplest approach is this:

Read Introductions first.

Then either read the Meeting Sang novellas immediately, or save them until after First Kiss when you already know the team better.

Do not use Meeting Sang as a substitute for the main Ghost Bird books. They are companion perspectives, not a separate main timeline.

The Academy: Scarab Beetle Books in Order

Scarab Beetle is set in the Academy world but follows Kayli Winchester and a different team. It is New Adult rather than Young Adult, and it can be read without finishing Ghost Bird first.

Publication order is the correct order.

1. Thief (2014): Kayli Winchester survives by stealing while trying to hold her broken family together, until her skills draw the attention of an Academy team.
2. Liar (2014): Kayli’s search for her missing brother pulls her deeper into Academy danger, where hiding the truth becomes harder than stealing.
3. Fake (2015): Kayli’s investigation escalates through kidnapping, technology, and a trap that tests whether she can trust the team around her.
4. Accessory (2015): Kayli becomes entangled in a high-stakes financial hunt, using undercover work and uneasy alliances to chase answers.
5. Hoax (2016): After someone tries to kill Kayli, she returns to the ship and searches for the attacker while suspicion builds around everyone.
6. Tempest (2019): Kayli is forced on the run as old enemies, corrupt power, and missing people push the Scarab Beetle story toward its endgame.
7. Gone (TBD): The planned Scarab Beetle finale has been mentioned by the author, but there is no reliable current release date.

Do You Need Ghost Bird Before Scarab Beetle?

No. Scarab Beetle is set in the same Academy world, but it has a different heroine and a slightly older team.

Read Thief first if you want the Scarab Beetle branch. Read Ghost Bird first if you want the broadest Academy foundation.

North Shore Book in Order

North Shore is separate from The Academy.

• Melody (2013): Formerly published as Spice God, this single-title story follows a newly divorced woman who reaches Juniper Island and finds work at a strange restaurant where food gives people what they need rather than what they want.

Among the Favored Book in Order

Among the Favored is a fantasy title outside The Academy.

• Favored (2018): Mizuki, an orphaned farm girl, is summoned to a royal court competition in a magical kingdom where power, survival, and alliances carry real danger.

Once Upon a Harem Contribution

This is a multi-author fantasy series. C.L. Stone’s entry can be read on its own.

• Girl in the Bearskin (2018): Adelina makes a harsh bargain with a demon, accepting seven years under a bearskin in exchange for wealth and survival.

Charleston’s Leading Ladies Books in Order

Charleston’s Leading Ladies is a contemporary romantic suspense series and should be kept separate from The Academy.

1. Evelyn (2019): Eva flees toward Charleston after her boyfriend’s arrest destroys her old life, only to become part of a dangerous game between powerful men.
2. Celeste (2020): Originally connected to the older title Smoking Gun, this revised second book follows Celeste as she investigates her father’s suspicious death and the threats closing around her.

Academy Bonus and Reference Books

These are not main novels, but they matter for completists.

1. The Academy: Cheat Sheets Remastered (2021): A reference and bonus-material guide collecting answers, character notes, behind-the-scenes details, and Academy world information.
2. Ghost Bird II (2014): An omnibus edition that collects Ghost Bird material and should be treated as a bundle, not a separate story.
3. The Bird and the Beetle (2015): An Academy omnibus or bundle-style edition, useful for collecting material but not a new continuity installment.
4. First Days: Collector’s Edition (2016): A special edition of First Days, not a separate second book.
5. The Scarab Beetle: Books 1-4 (date varies by listing): A bundle of the first four Scarab Beetle books, not a new entry after Accessory.

Recommended C.L. Stone Reading Order

Use this if you want a practical route that respects continuity without overwhelming the start.

1. Introductions (2012): Begin here for Sang, the boys, and the Academy’s original foundation.
2. First Days (2013): Continue into Sang’s school life and the team’s daily protection problems.
3. Friends vs. Family (2013): Read next for the first major collision between Sang’s home life and her new friendships.
4. Forgiveness and Permission (2013): Keep going as the team’s trust structure becomes more serious.
5. Drop of Doubt (2014): Continue into the darker threat pattern that changes the series’ pace.
6. Push and Shove (2014): Read next for Nathan’s heavier material and the team’s emotional pressure.
7. House of Korba (2014): Finish this before the Halloween short because it gives the short its safest placement.
8. Touch of Mischief (2014): Read this optional Halloween piece here if you want every Ghost Bird extra.
9. The Other Side of Envy (2015): Return to the main line for Gabriel’s deeper role and Sang’s Academy questions.
10. The Healing Power of Sugar (2015): Continue through school fallout, Luke tension, and the team’s widening cracks.
11. First Kiss (2016): Read this before Sound of Snowfall if you want to avoid the spoiler warning around that short.
12. Sound of Snowfall (2014): Place this optional winter short here for the safest spoiler-free read.
13. Black and Green (2017): Continue with the return of Sang’s father and a sharper family threat.
14. Love’s Cruel Redemption (2018): Read next as the team’s lies and loyalties become harder to protect.
15. Unsung Requiem (2021): Move into Victor’s featured arc and the public risks around the group.
16. Her Song in His Heart (2022): Continue with Gabriel’s featured book and the family-history lead.
17. Ties Left Unsevered (upcoming 2026): Read this when released as the next main Ghost Bird installment.

After that, read Meeting Sang as companion material, or place each novella after Introductions if you want the alternate points of view earlier.

Then read Scarab Beetle in order from Thief through Tempest.

Compact Whole-Catalogue Order

This is the clearest publication-style map for readers who want the broad sweep without mixing bundles as new stories.

1. Introductions (2012): The first Ghost Bird book and the best overall starting point.
2. First Days (2013): Sang begins school with the Academy boys nearby.
3. Melody (2013): A separate North Shore story about a divorced woman and a magical restaurant.
4. Friends vs. Family (2013): Sang’s friendships and family danger collide.
5. Forgiveness and Permission (2013): Trust becomes a heavier issue for Sang and the boys.
6. Drop of Doubt (2014): New threats make the Academy situation more dangerous.
7. Thief (2014): Kayli Winchester begins the Scarab Beetle branch.
8. Push and Shove (2014): Nathan’s arc and Sang’s team bonds intensify.
9. Liar (2014): Kayli’s search for her brother deepens the Scarab Beetle mystery.
10. House of Korba (2014): Silas’s past affects the Ghost Bird team.
11. Touch of Mischief (2014): A Halloween Ghost Bird short.
12. Sound of Snowfall (2014): A winter Ghost Bird short with spoiler-sensitive placement.
13. Fake (2015): Kayli faces kidnapping, traps, and technology-driven danger.
14. The Other Side of Envy (2015): Gabriel’s pain and Sang’s Academy future come forward.
15. Accessory (2015): Kayli enters a financial and undercover Scarab Beetle conflict.
16. The Healing Power of Sugar (2015): Sang’s school life and Luke’s position become more fragile.
17. First Kiss (2016): Sang moves closer to formal Academy involvement.
18. Kota (2016): The first Meeting Sang novella retells the beginning through Kota.
19. Hoax (2016): Kayli investigates an attempt on her life.
20. Victor (2016): Victor’s Meeting Sang perspective adds his early view of Sang.
21. Black and Green (2017): Sang’s father returns and destabilizes her protection.
22. Silas (2017): Silas’s Meeting Sang novella gives his view of the opening.
23. Love’s Cruel Redemption (2018): The Ghost Bird team faces a harder family-and-loyalty squeeze.
24. Favored (2018): A separate fantasy about Mizuki and a dangerous royal competition.
25. Girl in the Bearskin (2018): A Once Upon a Harem fairy-tale retelling about a demon bargain.
26. Nathan (2019): Nathan’s Meeting Sang perspective focuses on his first connection to Sang.
27. Evelyn (2019): The first Charleston’s Leading Ladies romantic suspense novel.
28. Tempest (2019): The sixth Scarab Beetle book pushes Kayli’s story toward its planned finale.
29. Gabriel (2020): Gabriel’s Meeting Sang perspective explores his early reaction to Sang.
30. Celeste (2020): The second Charleston’s Leading Ladies book follows Celeste’s search for the truth about her father.
31. Luke (2021): Luke’s Meeting Sang novella adds his quieter view of the beginning.
32. The Academy: Cheat Sheets Remastered (2021): A bonus reference guide for Academy readers.
33. Unsung Requiem (2021): Victor’s featured Ghost Bird book.
34. North (2022): North’s Meeting Sang perspective adds his guarded first response to Sang.
35. Her Song in His Heart (2022): Gabriel’s featured Ghost Bird book.
36. Sean (2023): Sean’s Meeting Sang perspective adds an older Academy angle.
37. Owen (2025): Owen’s Meeting Sang entry continues the alternate-view companion line.
38. Ties Left Unsevered (upcoming 2026): The next listed main Ghost Bird novel.

Latest Release Status

As of this update, Owen is the newest released C.L. Stone story entry.

Ties Left Unsevered is listed as Ghost Bird book 15 with a December 28, 2026 publication date.

Gone, the planned Scarab Beetle finale, has been mentioned by the author, but it does not have a stable current release date.

The author has also listed several future Ghost Bird titles after Ties Left Unsevered, but those remain TBD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first C.L. Stone book?

The best first C.L. Stone book is Introductions.

It begins The Academy: Ghost Bird and introduces Sang Sorenson and the core boys.

Should I read Ghost Bird or Scarab Beetle first?

Read Ghost Bird first if you want the main Academy foundation.

Read Scarab Beetle first only if you prefer an older New Adult heroine and a grittier Academy spin-off.

Are Ghost Bird and Scarab Beetle connected?

Yes. They are set in the same Academy world.

They follow different heroines and teams, so Scarab Beetle does not require Ghost Bird first, but Ghost Bird gives more of the world’s original structure.

Is Ghost Bird complete?

No. The Ghost Bird series is still ongoing.

The next listed main book is Ties Left Unsevered.

Is Scarab Beetle complete?

Not fully. Six books are released, and Gone is planned as the finale.

Because Gone has no stable current date, readers should expect Scarab Beetle to remain unfinished for now.

What is Meeting Sang?

Meeting Sang is a companion miniseries that retells the beginning of Ghost Bird from the boys’ points of view.

It is optional, but useful if you want more character context.

When should I read Meeting Sang?

Read Introductions first.

After that, you can read Meeting Sang immediately or save it until later. It should not replace the main Ghost Bird books.

Are C.L. Stone’s other books connected to The Academy?

No confirmed continuity should be assumed for Melody, Favored, Girl in the Bearskin, or Charleston’s Leading Ladies.

Keep those separate from The Academy unless the author states otherwise.

What is The Academy: Cheat Sheets Remastered?

It is a bonus and reference guide.

Read it after you already know the Academy world, because it is meant for readers who want extra details rather than a new starting point.

Final Reading Advice

Start with Introductions.

Read the Ghost Bird main books in order, add the two short reads only when you want extras, and treat Meeting Sang as companion material.

After that, move to Thief for Scarab Beetle. Keep the non-Academy books separate, because they do not need to be folded into Sang or Kayli’s timeline.