| Order | Cover | Title | First published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caraval series | |||
| 1 |
|
Caraval | 2017[11-13] |
| 2 |
|
Legendary | 2018[14-16] |
| 3 |
|
Finale | 2019[17] |
| 4 |
|
Spectacular | 2024[18-20] |
| Once Upon a Broken Heart series | |||
| 1 |
|
Once Upon a Broken Heart | 2021[21] |
| 2 |
|
The Ballad of Never After | 2022[22-24] |
| 3 |
|
A Curse for True Love | 2023[25-27] |
| Untitled series | |||
| 1 |
|
Alchemy of Secrets | 2025[3][28-29] |
Caraval series
It is necessary to read the Caraval books, written by Stephanie Garber,[1] in publication order, which also follows the chronological sequence from Scarlett and Tella’s first encounter with Legend’s game through the later consequences in Valenda. The best starting point is Caraval, since it introduces the Dragna sisters, Legend, the rules of the magical performance, and the family danger that drives the opening story.[4-7]
The Caraval books form a continuous fantasy sequence centered on Scarlett and Donatella Dragna, the magical game of Caraval, Legend, and the immortal Fates. Later books build on earlier bargains, revelations, relationships, and political changes. Readers should begin with book one for the clearest understanding of the sisters’ circumstances, the nature of Caraval, and the conflicts that expand across the main trilogy.[4-7]
The Caraval books must be read in chronological order, which coincides with the publication order, by following this sequence:[11-20]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Caraval | Year of publication: 2017[11-13] | Introduces Scarlett, Tella, Legend’s game, and the first bargain. |
| 2 |
|
Legendary | Year of publication: 2018[14-16] | Continues after the first game and follows Tella’s debt and search. |
| 3 |
|
Finale | Year of publication: 2019[17] | Builds on the freed Fates, Legend’s position, and the sisters’ discoveries. |
| 4 |
|
Spectacular | Year of publication: 2024[18-20] | Takes place after the main conflict. |
Works in sequence
The core reading experience consists of the three books that carry the main narrative from the first Caraval game through the larger conflict involving Legend, the Dragna sisters, and the Fates. These books, namely Caraval, Legendary, and Finale, should be read in order:[4-6]
Spectacular follows the main sequence and expands on the later lives of the central characters, but it is not required for the series’ principal arc. It is best treated as an addition for readers who want more time with Tella, Legend, Scarlett, and Julian after the central conflict has concluded.[7]
1. Caraval
Caraval (2017)[11-13] begins the series by introducing Scarlett and Donatella Dragna, their life under their father’s control, and the mysterious invitation to Legend’s magical performance. This book establishes Caraval as both spectacle and contest, while placing Scarlett’s search for Tella at the center of the game.[4]
It is the necessary foundation for the sisters’ relationship with Legend and his performers.[4]
2. Legendary
Legendary (2018)[14-16] shifts the focus to Donatella Dragna after the first Caraval game. Tella’s earlier bargain becomes the driving force of the story, leading her to Valenda, the Deck of Destiny, and the history of the Fates.[5]
This book expands the world beyond the original game and makes several unresolved questions from Caraval the main focus of the sequel.[5]
3. Finale
Finale (2019)[17] continues from the consequences of Legendary, especially the return of the Fates and the changing roles of Tella, Scarlett, Legend, and Jacks. This book brings the sisters’ separate storylines together in Valenda and follows the larger conflict surrounding the Fallen Star.[6]
It is the culmination of the main narrative arc begun in Caraval.[6]
4. Spectacular
Spectacular (2024)[18-20] is set after the events of the other books, with Scarlett ruling in Valenda and Tella trying to find a meaningful holiday gift for Legend. This story is smaller in scale than the preceding books and centers on an adventure within the established relationships.[7]
It is best read after the main three books because its premise relies on the characters’ later circumstances.[7]
Once Upon a Broken Heart series
It’s necessary to read the Once Upon a Broken Heart books, written by Stephanie Garber,[2] in chronological order, which matches the publication order.[21-27] The best starting point is Once Upon a Broken Heart, since it introduces Evangeline, Jacks, the central bargain, and the major conflicts that drive the later books.[8-10]
The Once Upon a Broken Heart books form a continuous fantasy sequence rather than a set of linked standalones. Each novel follows Evangeline Fox through consequences that carry from one book into the next, including unresolved bargains, magical curses, political danger, and shifting relationships with Jacks and Apollo. Later books depend on earlier events for context, so a reader should begin with book one and continue in chronological order.[8-10]
The Once Upon a Broken Heart books must be read in chronological order, which coincides with their publication order, by following this sequence:[21-27]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Once Upon a Broken Heart | Year of publication: 2021[21] | Introduces Evangeline, Jacks, Apollo, and the Valory Arch prophecy. |
| 2 |
|
The Ballad of Never After | Year of publication: 2022[22-24] | Continues from Apollo’s suspended state and Evangeline’s role as the key. |
| 3 |
|
A Curse for True Love | Year of publication: 2023[25-27] | Resolves the memory loss, Apollo conflict, and Jacks storyline. |
1. Once Upon a Broken Heart
Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021)[21] establishes the central sequence through Evangeline Fox’s bargain with Jacks, the Fate known as the Prince of Hearts. What begins as an attempt to stop a wedding draws her into magical debt, court politics, prophecy, and a dangerous connection to the Valory Arch.[8]
This book introduces the main characters and leaves major conflicts unresolved.[8]
2. The Ballad of Never After
The Ballad of Never After (2022)[22-24] continues from the consequences of the first novel, with Evangeline trying to save Apollo and resist Jacks’s plan for the Valory Arch. This book expands the importance of the arch, the stones connected to it, and the curses surrounding Evangeline, Apollo, Jacks, and Chaos.[9]
Its ending sets up the final volume.[9]
3. A Curse for True Love
A Curse for True Love (2023)[25-27] follows Evangeline after she loses her memories and returns to the unresolved conflicts involving Apollo, Jacks, the Valors, and the consequences of the arch. Because its central events depend on the previous two books, it is the conclusion of the series rather than a separate entry point.[10]
This novel brings the main romantic and magical conflicts to their endpoint.[10]
Untitled series
With the publication of Alchemy of Secrets, Stephanie Garber started a new book series, whose title has not yet been disclosed.[3] The author has already begun writing its sequel,[30] though the publication date has not been announced thus far.
1. Alchemy of Secrets
Alchemy of Secrets (2025)[3][28-29] introduces Holland St. James, a former student of a secret folklore class whose life is upended by the Watch Man, a hidden bank, and a dangerous search for a powerful magical object.
This book is the entry point to the series, establishing its blend of mystery, occult objects, hidden institutions, and Hollywood-linked family history.[31]
References
- Caraval | Series. Macmillan Publishers.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart | Series. Macmillan Publishers.
- Alchemy of Secrets. Macmillan Publishers.
- Caraval. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250095268.
- Legendary. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250095329.
- Finale. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250157683.
- Spectacular. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250893406.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250268402.
- The Ballad of Never After. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250268433.
- A Curse for True Love. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250851215.
- Caraval. Macmillan Publishers.
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber. Hachette UK.
- Caraval: Enter the magical and mesmerising world of Caraval with the first book in the global bestselling series by Stephanie Garber – Books. Hachette Australia.
- Legendary. Macmillan Publishers.
- Legendary by Stephanie Garber. Hachette UK.
- Legendary: The second magical fantasy romance in the global bestselling Caraval series by Stephanie Garber – Books. Hachette Australia.
- Finale. Macmillan Publishers.
- Spectacular. Macmillan Publishers.
- Spectacular by Stephanie Garber. Hachette UK.
- Spectacular: The gorgeously illustrated novella in the globally bestselling and magical Caraval series by Stephanie Garber – Books. Hachette Australia.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart. Macmillan Publishers.
- The Ballad of Never After. Macmillan Publishers.
- The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber. Hachette UK.
- The Ballad of Never After: Step into a world of fairytales and magic with the second book in the global bestselling Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber – Books. Hachette Australia.
- A Curse for True Love. Macmillan Publishers.
- A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber. Hachette UK.
- A Curse for True Love: The unmissable final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series from global fantasy phenomenon by Stephanie Garber – Books. Hachette Australia.
- Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber. The Orion Publishing Group.
- Alchemy of Secrets: The spellbinding new novel from the global No. 1 bestselling author of Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – Books. Hachette Australia.
- Stephanie Garber’s post on Instagram. Instagram.
- Alchemy of Secrets. Flatiron Books. ISBN: 9781250789150.