Diana Peterfreund Books in Order (Updated May 10, 2026)

Diana Peterfreund writes across adult fiction, young adult fantasy, middle grade adventure, YA mystery, Austen-inspired science fiction, tie-in fiction, short stories, and nonfiction essays. Her books are not one shared universe, so the right reading order depends on which part of the catalogue you are choosing.

The cleanest path is to read each series separately. Secret Society Girl, Killer Unicorns, For Darkness Shows the Stars, Omega City, The Clue Mysteries, and Ellen Poe each have their own continuity.

Continuity Snapshot

1. Start with Secret Society Girl if you want Peterfreund’s adult campus series.
2. Start with Rampant if you want YA fantasy and the Killer Unicorns books.
3. Start with For Darkness Shows the Stars if you want her Jane Austen-inspired science fiction.
4. Start with Omega City if you want middle grade adventure.
5. Start with In the Hall with the Knife if you want the YA Clue mysteries.
6. Start with Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore if you want her newest YA fantasy series.

Secret Society Girl / Ivy League Books in Order

This is Peterfreund’s adult campus series about Amy Haskel and an elite secret society. Read these in order because Amy’s initiation, relationships, and senior-year arc build across the four books.

1. Secret Society Girl (2006): Amy Haskel is tapped for a powerful Ivy League secret society, forcing her into a world of old money, hidden rules, and campus politics.
2. Under the Rose (2007): Amy’s place inside the society becomes more complicated as loyalty, secrecy, and reputation start carrying larger personal costs.
3. Rites of Spring (Break) (2008): The third book pushes Amy’s secret-society life into spring-break chaos, where friendships, romance, and danger collide.
4. Tap & Gown (2009): Amy reaches the final stage of her college arc, with graduation, society obligations, and emotional loose ends coming together.

Killer Unicorns Books in Order

The Killer Unicorns series should be read in order. The short stories are optional, but they expand the world around the two main novels.

1. Rampant (2009): Astrid Llewelyn discovers that unicorns are not gentle creatures but deadly monsters, and that her family history ties her to the women trained to hunt them.
2. Ascendant (2010): Astrid’s battle against killer unicorns continues as the cost of hunting, power, and loyalty becomes harder to ignore.
3. Errant (2011): A short Killer Unicorns story that works as supplemental reading after Rampant and Ascendant.
4. The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn (2011): A short story connected to the Killer Unicorns world, best read as an extra rather than a required installment.
5. The Lion and the Unicorn (2012): A further short piece in the same fantasy mythology, useful for completists after the main books.
6. On a Field, Sable (2014): A later Killer Unicorns-related short story, best treated as bonus material for readers who want the wider mythology.
7. The Hammer of Artemis (2015): A connected short story in the Killer Unicorns setting, placed late because it belongs to the expanded short-fiction side of the series.

For Darkness Shows the Stars Books in Order

This series is a post-apocalyptic, science-fictional Austen retelling sequence. For Darkness Shows the Stars draws from Persuasion, while Across a Star-Swept Sea is a companion novel with a different central story.

1. Among the Nameless Stars (2012): A prequel novella following Kai before the events of For Darkness Shows the Stars, useful after you already know the main novel’s emotional stakes.
2. For Darkness Shows the Stars (2012): Elliot North and Kai’s story reworks Persuasion in a future world shaped by genetic disaster, class division, and forbidden technology.
3. The First Star to Fall (2013): A short prequel to Across a Star-Swept Sea, showing the political rupture that helps create that companion novel’s world.
4. Across a Star-Swept Sea (2013): A companion novel inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, shifting focus to Persis Blake and a society caught in rebellion.

Best For Darkness Shows the Stars Reading Order

For new readers, read the main novels before the prequels.

1. For Darkness Shows the Stars (2012): Begin here because it introduces the world and emotional logic of the series.
2. Among the Nameless Stars (2012): Read next to see Kai’s earlier perspective without weakening the first book’s mystery.
3. Across a Star-Swept Sea (2013): Move to the companion novel after understanding the broader setting.
4. The First Star to Fall (2013): Read last as background material for Across a Star-Swept Sea.

Omega City Books in Order

The Omega City books are middle grade adventure novels. Read them in order because each book follows Gillian Seagret and the continuing secrets around the lost Cold War-era city.

1. Omega City (2015): Gillian Seagret follows her father’s theories about a lost underground city and discovers that the mystery is more real than anyone believed.
2. Omega City: The Forbidden Fortress (2017): Gillian’s adventure continues as new family pressure and hidden technology raise the stakes around Omega City.
3. Omega City: Infinity Base (2018): The series finale brings the secrets of Dr. Underberg, Omega City, and the children’s discoveries toward resolution.

The Clue Mysteries in Order

This YA mystery trilogy is inspired by the classic board game Clue. Read the books in order because the Blackbrook Academy murders and character secrets carry forward.

1. In the Hall with the Knife (2019): A storm traps students at Blackbrook Academy, where a murder turns familiar Clue-style names and weapons into a modern YA mystery.
2. In the Study with the Wrench (2020): The second mystery follows the fallout from the headmaster’s murder as a new semester brings new secrets and another death.
3. In the Ballroom with the Candlestick (2021): The trilogy concludes as the surviving students face another tragedy and the final shape of Blackbrook’s secrets.

Ellen Poe Books in Order

Ellen Poe is Peterfreund’s newest YA series. It should be read in order because the first book establishes Ellen’s connection to Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy and the supernatural rules around it.

1. Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore (2026): Ellen Poe, a descendant of Edgar Allan Poe, begins confronting ghosts, nightmares, and the unsettling inheritance attached to her family name.
2. For Evermore (2026): The second Ellen Poe book is scheduled after The Forgotten Lore, so it belongs next in the series and should be treated as upcoming until release.

Standalone Novel

• Morning Glory (2010): A novelization tied to the film about Becky Fuller, an ambitious morning-show producer trying to rebuild her career and manage a chaotic broadcast world.

Children’s / Graphic Anthology Work

• Animal Rescue Friends: Learning New Tricks (2022): A contributor volume in the Animal Rescue Friends line, best treated as shared-world children’s material rather than a Diana Peterfreund series installment.

Short Story Anthologies and Collections

These are optional for most readers. They contain Peterfreund stories or contributions, but they are not usually required for the main series order unless noted above.

1. Zombies vs. Unicorns (2010): Includes Killer Unicorns-related material and is most relevant after Rampant.
2. Kiss Me Deadly (2010): A paranormal YA anthology with a Peterfreund contribution, useful only for short-story completists.
3. The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume Five (2011): Includes a Peterfreund story and is relevant for readers tracking her speculative short fiction.
4. Brave New Love (2012): A dystopian romance anthology with a Peterfreund contribution, separate from her main series.
5. Foretold: 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction (2012): A YA prophecy-themed anthology that includes a Peterfreund story.
6. Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron (2012): A witch-themed anthology with a Peterfreund contribution.
7. Eternal Spring (2012): A multi-author collection, not a solo Peterfreund series entry.
8. Shadowhunters and Downworlders (2013): A nonfiction essay anthology about Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments world, with Peterfreund included as a contributor.
9. Magic City: Recent Spells (2014): An urban fantasy anthology with a Peterfreund story.
10. Athena’s Daughters, Vol. 1 (2014): A women-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy anthology with a Peterfreund contribution.
11. Cast of Characters (2015): A multi-author anthology, best treated as miscellaneous short-fiction reading.
12. The Best Horror of the Year: Volume 12 (2019): A horror anthology listing Peterfreund among contributors.
13. All Is Found: A Frozen Anthology (2023): A Disney Frozen anthology containing an original Peterfreund contribution, separate from her own series.
14. Appalachian Strong (2025): A charity anthology benefiting survivors of Hurricane Helene, relevant only for completists tracking all contributor appearances.

Nonfiction and Essay Contributions

These are not novels and do not belong inside the fiction reading order.

1. Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume (2007): A personal essay anthology about Judy Blume’s influence, with Peterfreund as a contributor.
2. Through the Wardrobe (2008): A Narnia-focused essay collection including Peterfreund’s nonfiction contribution.
3. The Girl Who Was on Fire (2011): A Hunger Games essay collection with Peterfreund included among YA contributors.
4. Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (2014): A writing-guide anthology with craft exercises and advice from speculative fiction writers.
5. Ghost/Writer (2027): A nonfiction title listed for April 2027, so it is upcoming and should not be treated as a currently published book.

Publication Order

This order is useful if you want to follow Diana Peterfreund’s career across genres.

1. Secret Society Girl (2006): Begins Amy Haskel’s Ivy League secret society story.
2. Under the Rose (2007): Continues Amy’s secret-society arc with deeper pressure and more complicated loyalties.
3. Rites of Spring (Break) (2008): Moves the campus series into a spring-break story with heightened social and romantic stakes.
4. Tap & Gown (2009): Concludes the Secret Society Girl sequence.
5. Rampant (2009): Opens the Killer Unicorns fantasy world.
6. Morning Glory (2010): A standalone novelization tied to the film.
7. Ascendant (2010): Continues Astrid’s Killer Unicorns story.
8. Errant (2011): A short Killer Unicorns story for readers who want more of that world.
9. For Darkness Shows the Stars (2012): Begins Peterfreund’s Austen-inspired post-apocalyptic science fiction sequence.
10. Among the Nameless Stars (2012): A prequel novella tied to Kai and the world of For Darkness Shows the Stars.
11. Foundlings (2013): A novella or shorter work commonly listed separately in bibliographies; treat it as supplemental unless following every Peterfreund item.
12. Across a Star-Swept Sea (2013): A companion novel set in the same broad universe as For Darkness Shows the Stars.
13. The First Star to Fall (2013): A short prequel to Across a Star-Swept Sea.
14. Omega City (2015): Begins the middle grade adventure series.
15. Omega City: The Forbidden Fortress (2017): Continues Gillian’s search through the secrets of Omega City.
16. Omega City: Infinity Base (2018): Concludes the Omega City trilogy.
17. In the Hall with the Knife (2019): Begins the YA Clue mystery trilogy.
18. In the Study with the Wrench (2020): Continues the Blackbrook Academy mystery arc.
19. In the Ballroom with the Candlestick (2021): Concludes the Clue trilogy.
20. Animal Rescue Friends: Learning New Tricks (2022): A children’s anthology-style contribution, separate from Peterfreund’s main fiction series.
21. Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore (2026): Opens the Ellen Poe YA supernatural series.
22. For Evermore (2026): The second Ellen Poe book, listed after the first and scheduled for October 2026.
23. Ghost/Writer (2027): A forthcoming nonfiction title, separate from the fiction series order.

Best Diana Peterfreund Reading Order for New Readers

A new reader does not need to move through every genre at once. This order starts with the most contained series, then branches outward.

1. Secret Society Girl (2006): Start here if you want the adult campus voice that launched Peterfreund’s published fiction.
2. Under the Rose (2007): Continue directly because the society plot and Amy’s personal arc build from the first book.
3. Rites of Spring (Break) (2008): Read third to keep the Ivy League sequence intact.
4. Tap & Gown (2009): Finish Amy’s story before changing genres.
5. Rampant (2009): Move to the YA fantasy side with the first Killer Unicorns novel.
6. Ascendant (2010): Read next because it is the direct sequel.
7. For Darkness Shows the Stars (2012): Shift to the Austen-inspired science-fiction shelf.
8. Among the Nameless Stars (2012): Read after the first novel for Kai’s prequel perspective.
9. Across a Star-Swept Sea (2013): Continue with the companion novel.
10. The First Star to Fall (2013): Add this short prequel after the companion novel.
11. Omega City (2015): Begin the middle grade adventure trilogy.
12. Omega City: The Forbidden Fortress (2017): Continue the same adventure arc.
13. Omega City: Infinity Base (2018): Finish the trilogy.
14. In the Hall with the Knife (2019): Begin the Clue mysteries.
15. In the Study with the Wrench (2020): Continue the Blackbrook Academy murders.
16. In the Ballroom with the Candlestick (2021): Finish the mystery trilogy.
17. Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore (2026): Read the newest series after the earlier completed sequences.
18. For Evermore (2026): Read after publication as the second Ellen Poe book.

Chronological Order

There is no single chronological order for Diana Peterfreund’s full bibliography.

The books cross unrelated settings: a contemporary Ivy League campus, a fantasy world with killer unicorns, a post-apocalyptic Austen-inspired future, a middle grade underground-city adventure, a modern Clue-inspired boarding school, and a supernatural Poe-descendant story.

Use chronology only inside each series:

1. Secret Society Girl: read Books 1-4 in order.
2. Killer Unicorns: read Rampant, then Ascendant, then the short stories.
3. For Darkness Shows the Stars: read the novels first, then the prequel short fiction if you want the cleanest reveal order.
4. Omega City: read Books 1-3 in order.
5. The Clue Mysteries: read Books 1-3 in order.
6. Ellen Poe: read The Forgotten Lore before For Evermore.

Latest Diana Peterfreund Book

As of this update, the latest published Diana Peterfreund novel is Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore, released in April 2026.

The next listed Diana Peterfreund fiction title is For Evermore, the second Ellen Poe book, scheduled for October 2026. Ghost/Writer is listed for April 2027 and appears separately as nonfiction.

Are Diana Peterfreund’s Books Connected?

Only within their own series.

• Secret Society Girl is one adult continuity.
• Killer Unicorns is one YA fantasy continuity.
• For Darkness Shows the Stars is a linked Austen-inspired science-fiction world.
• Omega City is a middle grade trilogy.
• The Clue Mysteries is a YA mystery trilogy.
• Ellen Poe is a newer YA supernatural series.

The standalones, anthologies, and nonfiction essays should be kept separate.

Which Diana Peterfreund Book Should You Read First?

• Choose Secret Society Girl if you want her adult fiction.
• Choose Rampant if you want the most distinctive fantasy premise.
• Choose For Darkness Shows the Stars if you want the Austen-inspired book many readers associate strongly with her YA work.
• Choose In the Hall with the Knife if you want a fast, contained mystery trilogy.
• Choose Ellen Poe: The Forgotten Lore if you want to begin with her newest series.

Closing Order Advice

Read Diana Peterfreund by shelf, not by one master timeline. The series are clear, but the genres change sharply.

For the most balanced route, read Secret Society Girl, then Killer Unicorns, then For Darkness Shows the Stars, then Omega City, then The Clue Mysteries, and finally Ellen Poe.