When it comes to young adult fantasy books, Stephanie Garber is one of the more popular names! She has written two book series, which have been very well-received by readers worldwide. So, if you’re looking for a guide on how to read Stephanie Garber books in order, this article will help you!
The ideal way to read Stephanie Garber’s books is to start with the Caraval series and then the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. This order will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the author’s storytelling and character development, and you’ll enjoy the books more!
Of course, you can read any of these series before the other, but I’d recommend sticking to the publication order for the best experience.
Stephanie Garber’s literary journey began with her debut novel, Caraval, which enjoyed immediate success. She followed it up with two more books, Legendary and Finale, and concluded the series. But she wasn’t done, so she started working on another series set in the same universe, and the first book, Once Upon a Broken Heart, came out in 2021!
Currently, there are three books and a novella in the Caraval series and three books in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, and both these series are complete unless the author decides to write more books!
All Stephanie Garber Books in Order:
The best Stephanie Garber reading order is the publication order! No matter what book series you read, always go with the publication order if you are confused because that’s how the author wrote the books, making it the safest choice!
While both Stephanie Garber’s series can be read independently of each other, you will miss out on the larger story as the books are set in the same universe. So, follow the below order for the best reading experience.
Caraval Series:
Once Upon a Broken Heart Series:
Stephanie Garber’s Caraval Series in Order:
1. Caraval (2016)
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now, Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show.
As soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. This season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless, she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. Whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.
2. Legendary (2018)
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage.
The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s actual name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition again—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets.
Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game asks for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life!
3. Finale (2019)
It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.
With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she will trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett must do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.
Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time—only those who will win and those who will lose everything.
4. Spectacular (2024)
Snowflakes are falling. Invitations are arriving. And holiday magic is swirling in the capital city of the Meridian Empire.
Scarlett Dragna is planning a spectacular Holiday celebration for the city, Donatella is searching for the perfect gift, and Julian is looking ridiculously handsome in green. But Legend is not fond of the Great Holiday.
Tella hopes her perfect gift will change his mind. Unfortunately, she hasn’t found this perfect gift just yet. But it is Great Holiday Eve, and surely there’s some holiday magic swirling around.
Stephanie Garber’s Once Upon a Broken Heart Series in Order:
1. Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021)
For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings… until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, which will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy!
2. The Ballad of Never After (2022)
After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she’ll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.
But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.
Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to battle old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts!
3. A Curse for True Love (2023)
Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle.
But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out… but first, he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts.
Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test in this breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Once Upon A Broken Heart trilogy.
Conclusion
While you can read the Caraval series and the Once Upon A Broken Heart series independently from each other, it’s recommended that you don’t do that.
Start with the Caraval trilogy, followed by the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. This sequence allows you to fully immerse yourself in Garber’s magical storytelling and enjoy the full arc of character development and plot progression as the author intended.
That brings us to the end of this article. I hope you now know exactly how to read Stephanie Garber books in order to fully enjoy the fantasy world she’s created!
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