- A Discovery of Witches
- Shadow of Night
- The Book of Life
For the main trilogy, publication order is the reading order. Start with the first book and move through the series in sequence. That keeps the setup, the middle stretch, and the final book in the order they were meant to unfold.
All Souls Trilogy Reading Order at a Glance
| # | Book | Where It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Discovery of Witches | Opens the trilogy and introduces the core story |
| 2 | Shadow of Night | Continues the story in the same sequence |
| 3 | The Book of Life | Brings the trilogy to its close |
A Reading Schedule That Works
A simple schedule is usually the easiest way to stay with a series like this:
- Week 1–2: A Discovery of Witches
- Week 3–4: Shadow of Night
- Week 5–6: The Book of Life
That pace gives each book room to breathe without stretching the trilogy out too long. If you read regularly, one book per week is also a clean way to move through the series. If you read in shorter sessions, split each book into smaller sections and keep the same order.
Why the Order Matters
The All Souls trilogy builds one book on top of the next. The first novel introduces the central relationships and the world around them. The second book carries that story forward and widens the focus. The third book closes the trilogy’s main arc.
Starting anywhere other than book one can leave the setup feeling incomplete. This is one of those series where the simplest approach is also the clearest one: begin at the beginning and keep going.
Book-by-Book Guide
1. A Discovery of Witches
This is the opening book and the best place to start. It sets up the series, the main characters, and the mix of romance, fantasy, and academic atmosphere that frames the trilogy.
Read this first if you want the story from the ground up and do not want to miss any of the setup.
2. Shadow of Night
The second book follows directly after the first. It continues the story instead of starting over, so reading book one first matters here.
Read this second if you want the middle of the trilogy in the right order and do not want the plot interrupted.
3. The Book of Life
This is the final book in the main trilogy. It finishes the central story line and resolves the series in sequence.
Read this last if you want the complete arc to unfold the way the books were published.
A Few Small Reading Tips
A trilogy is easier to follow when the order stays fixed, but a few habits can make the reading process smoother:
- Keep the books in sequence, even if the later titles are easier to find.
- If you pause between books, make a note of where the last one ended before starting the next.
- If you are reading with a friend or a group, agree on the same format so chapter breaks and page references stay aligned.
Those details do not change the order. They just make the trilogy easier to follow from one book to the next.
Best Format for Reading
Any common format works for this trilogy.
- Print is useful if you like to flip back and reread earlier passages.
- Kindle is convenient if you want one portable device for the whole series.
- Audiobook fits a commute, walk, or chores.
The format does not change the order. Whatever version you choose, begin with A Discovery of Witches and continue from there.
If You Know the Story from TV
If the story feels familiar because of the television adaptation of A Discovery of Witches, that does not change the reading order. The first book is still the right place to begin.
Reading the trilogy in print or audio gives you the full book sequence, which is the best way to experience the main story from start to finish.
For Book Clubs and Buddy Reads
The trilogy works well for a group read because the order is fixed and easy to follow.
A simple club plan could look like this:
- Meet after book one to talk about the setup and the characters
- Meet after book two to discuss how the story develops
- Meet after book three to compare the ending with the earlier books
That structure keeps everyone on the same page and avoids spoilers from later books creeping into early discussion.
Quick Answers
What is the correct order of the All Souls trilogy books?
Read them in this order:
- A Discovery of Witches
- Shadow of Night
- The Book of Life
Is publication order the same as reading order?
Yes. For the main trilogy, publication order is the correct reading order.
Can I start with the audiobook?
Yes. The order stays the same in audiobook form.
Is the TV adaptation the same as the books?
No. The adaptation is based on the first book, but the trilogy itself still works best in book order.
Do I need anything before starting the trilogy?
No. Start with A Discovery of Witches and read straight through.
Final Recommendation
If you want the cleanest path through the series, start with A Discovery of Witches, move to Shadow of Night, and finish with The Book of Life. That is the full All Souls trilogy in order, and it gives the story the same progression it had when it was published.