Elizabeth Lim Books in Order (Updated March 7, 2026)

Elizabeth Lim’s bibliography looks bigger than it really is because it spans duologies, shared-world fantasy, Disney retellings, and an upcoming adult debut.

The simplest way to read her correctly is not to force everything into one master chain. Read her books by continuity.

There are three main shelves to keep straight. First, there are the direct duologies: The Blood of Stars and Six Crimson Cranes. Second, there is Her Radiant Curse, which shares the world of Six Crimson Cranes but stands on its own. Third, there are the Disney Twisted Tales books and newer standalones, which belong to separate continuities.

Shelf One: the books that truly need order

These are the Elizabeth Lim books where sequence matters most.

The Blood of Stars duology

1. Spin the Dawn (2019): Maia enters a dangerous competition to become the imperial tailor, and the first book builds the magical quest, disguises, and court pressures that define the duology.
2. Unravel the Dusk (2020): The sequel carries forward Maia’s story directly, widening the cost of the first book’s choices and finishing the duology’s central arc.

Six Crimson Cranes duology

1. Six Crimson Cranes (2021): Shiori’s curse, her transformed brothers, and the kingdom-level stakes all begin here, making this the essential starting point for the series.
2. The Dragon’s Promise (2022): This continues Shiori’s story immediately, so it should be read only after the first book if you want the emotional and plot payoffs to land properly.

These four books are the clearest “read in order” core of Elizabeth Lim’s catalog. If you want the least complicated entry path, start with one of these two duologies and finish it before moving elsewhere.

Shelf Two: the same world, but not the same sequence

This is where Elizabeth Lim becomes more interesting than a basic series checklist.

1. Her Radiant Curse (2023): A standalone fantasy in the same world as Six Crimson Cranes, this centers on Channi and Vanna and can be read separately, though it fits most naturally after the crane books once you already know the wider setting.
2. A Forgery of Fate (2025): A separate romantic fantasy about a girl who can paint the future and a cursed dragon lord, this is not presented as a sequel to Lim’s earlier duologies and works as its own entry point.

This shelf is the one that benefits from choice rather than strict obedience. Her Radiant Curse is connected by world, but not in the same way The Dragon’s Promise is connected to Six Crimson Cranes. It is safer to think of it as adjacent rather than required.

Shelf Three: the separate retellings and side lane

Elizabeth Lim also has a Disney retelling lane that should not be mixed into her original fantasy continuity.

1. Reflection (2018): A Mulan alternate-story novel in Disney’s A Twisted Tale line, this is fully separate from Lim’s own fantasy worlds.
2. So This Is Love (2020): A Cinderella Twisted Tale, this belongs with the Disney retellings rather than with Lim’s original duologies.
3. When You Wish Upon a Star (2023): A Pinocchio Twisted Tale, this is another standalone Disney reinterpretation with no reading-order dependence on her original fantasy books.
4. A Twisted Tale Anthology (2023): A collection tied to the Disney line, this belongs after or alongside the other Twisted Tale books rather than inside Lim’s fantasy-world order.

These are best treated as a parallel branch of her bibliography. Read them when you want Elizabeth Lim’s style applied to Disney material, not when you want to continue one of her original fantasy worlds.

Publication order for all major Elizabeth Lim books

If you prefer to see the whole bibliography as it appeared over time, this is the clearest publication path.

1. Reflection (2018): Elizabeth Lim’s first major published novel, this starts her Disney Twisted Tale branch with a Mulan-centered alternate story.
2. Spin the Dawn (2019): Her first original YA fantasy novel opens The Blood of Stars and remains one of her best starting points.
3. So This Is Love (2020): Her second Disney Twisted Tale reimagines Cinderella in a separate continuity from everything else she writes.
4. Unravel the Dusk (2020): This closes The Blood of Stars and should stay paired directly with Spin the Dawn.
5. Six Crimson Cranes (2021): A new duology begins here, introducing Shiori and one of Lim’s best-known fantasy worlds.
6. The Dragon’s Promise (2022): This follows Six Crimson Cranes directly and finishes that main two-book arc.
7. When You Wish Upon a Star (2023): Her third Disney Twisted Tale novel reworks Pinocchio and belongs to the Disney shelf, not the crane shelf.
8. Her Radiant Curse (2023): A standalone in the same world as Six Crimson Cranes, this expands the setting without functioning as a direct sequel.
9. A Twisted Tale Anthology (2023): This anthology sits in the Disney branch and should be treated as separate from Lim’s original fantasy continuity.
10. A Forgery of Fate (2025): A separate romantic fantasy, this is one of the easiest modern entry points if you want a single-book experience.
11. Fishbone Cinderella (2026): Elizabeth Lim’s adult debut, this starts a new lane entirely and should be treated as separate continuity.

The best reading order for most readers

Instead of one giant list, the best Elizabeth Lim order depends on what kind of reading experience you want.

If you want the strongest fantasy duology first

1. Spin the Dawn (2019): Start here if you want a complete fantasy arc that begins cleanly and moves fast.
2. Unravel the Dusk (2020): Finish the duology while Maia’s story and world are still fresh.
3. Six Crimson Cranes (2021): Move next to Lim’s other major original fantasy series.
4. The Dragon’s Promise (2022): Close the crane duology in the intended order.
5. Her Radiant Curse (2023): Then read the same-world standalone once the setting already means something to you.
6. A Forgery of Fate (2025): End with a newer standalone that does not require extra setup.

If you want the easiest first step

1. A Forgery of Fate (2025): Start here for a single-book modern entry point with no sequel homework attached.
2. Spin the Dawn (2019): Then move into her first original duology if you want more.
3. Unravel the Dusk (2020): Finish that arc before starting another continuity.
4. Six Crimson Cranes (2021): Continue into her best-known later fantasy world.
5. The Dragon’s Promise (2022): Read immediately after book one.
6. Her Radiant Curse (2023): Use this as a same-world bonus, not as the main sequel.

If you want only the Disney books

1. Reflection (2018): Begin with Lim’s Mulan Twisted Tale.
2. So This Is Love (2020): Continue with her Cinderella retelling.
3. When You Wish Upon a Star (2023): Then read the Pinocchio entry.
4. A Twisted Tale Anthology (2023): Finish with the anthology once you are already in that Disney branch.

Where to start with Elizabeth Lim

There is no single universal answer, which is one reason her bibliography is fun to navigate.

Start with Spin the Dawn if you want the best pure duology experience. Start with Six Crimson Cranes if you want the most famous of her original fantasy worlds. Start with A Forgery of Fate if you want one book, one story, and no series commitment.

The only starting points I would not recommend for most new readers are Unravel the Dusk, The Dragon’s Promise, or Her Radiant Curse. They are better once you already know the world around them, even when one of them is technically standalone.

Separate continuity notes

A few boundaries matter enough to state plainly.

Do not put the Disney books inside the fantasy duologies. They are separate projects.

Do not read The Dragon’s Promise before Six Crimson Cranes. That is a direct sequel path.

Do not assume Her Radiant Curse is book three of Six Crimson Cranes. It shares a world, but it is better treated as a standalone companion.

Do not treat Fishbone Cinderella as part of the YA fantasy sequence. It begins Lim’s adult line.

Latest release status

The most recent published Elizabeth Lim novel is A Forgery of Fate (2025). The next confirmed release is Fishbone Cinderella, scheduled for July 28, 2026, and it is her adult debut rather than a continuation of The Blood of Stars or Six Crimson Cranes.

FAQs

Is Her Radiant Curse a sequel to Six Crimson Cranes?

Not in the direct sequel sense. It shares the same world, but it works more like a standalone companion than like book three.

Should I read The Blood of Stars before Six Crimson Cranes?

You can, and many readers enjoy that route, but it is not required. They are separate duologies even though both belong to Lim’s broader fantasy output.

What is the safest Elizabeth Lim starting point?

For most readers, Spin the Dawn is the safest structured entry point. For a one-book sample, A Forgery of Fate is the simplest.

Are the Disney books connected to her original fantasy novels?

No. They are a separate retelling lane.

What is Elizabeth Lim’s newest confirmed upcoming book?

Fishbone Cinderella, scheduled for 2026, is the next confirmed release and her adult debut.

Final recommendation

If you want the cleanest Elizabeth Lim path, read Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk first, then move to Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon’s Promise, and save Her Radiant Curse for after that as a same-world extra. Keep the Disney books separate, and treat A Forgery of Fate and Fishbone Cinderella as their own entry points rather than missing pieces of an older series.