Laini Taylor Books in Order: Complete Reading Guide
Laini Taylor is one of the most distinctive prose stylists in fantasy — lush, image-dense writing, baroque world-building, and enemies-to-lovers romance set against wars between species and worlds. Her two series are set in completely separate worlds: Daughter of Smoke and Bone begins in present-day Prague before expanding into an epic inter-world conflict;Strange the Dreamer is set in a secondary world built for visual grandeur and a city that was literally erased from memory. Both series must be read in order but are independent of each other — you can start with either.
Quick Stats
Author
Laini Taylor
Total Books
5 (across 2 series)
Status
Both series complete
Genre
Fantasy / YA Fantasy
Best Start
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Where to Start
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is the most popular entry point and the series that introduced most readers to Taylor's work. Its opening — a blue-haired art student in Prague whose secret life involves magical doors and chimera — is one of the most visually striking in YA fantasy. Start here if you want her most emotionally comprehensive story.
Strange the Dreamer is an equally strong alternative, especially if you prefer secondary-world fantasy over urban fantasy. Both series are complete duologies/ trilogies with fully satisfying conclusions. Also see Cassandra Clare reading order for another urban-to-epic fantasy transition series.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
3 books — begins in present-day Prague and expands into an epic inter-world war. Must be read in order.
- 1
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Book 1 — Start here
Karou is a blue-haired art student in Prague whose secret life involves running errands for chimera through magical doors that can open anywhere in the world. The first act is urban fantasy; the second act is a revelation that reframes everything. One of the most distinctive openings in YA fantasy.
The most popular starting point for new Laini Taylor readers.
View on Amazon - 2
The aftermath of Daughter of Smoke and Bone unfolds across two worlds at war. Days of Blood and Starlight is darker and more brutal than the first book — the romance is fractured, the war is horrific, and Taylor refuses to soften the consequences of the choices her characters made.
- 3
Dreams of Gods and Monsters
Book 3 — Series conclusion
The conclusion of Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The two worlds at war must find a way to stop destroying each other as a threat emerges that dwarfs both of their conflicts. The largest and most ambitious book in the trilogy, bringing together every thread from the first two volumes.
Strange the Dreamer
2 books — secondary-world fantasy set in a city erased from memory. Completely independent from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Must be read in order.
- 1
Strange the Dreamer
Book 1
Lazlo Strange — a librarian and dreamer — has been obsessed his entire life with the mythical city of Weep, which disappeared from all memory and maps two centuries ago. When a legendary warrior arrives seeking help with Weep's mysterious problem, Lazlo's impossible wish comes true. Set in a baroque secondary world built for visual richness.
Completely independent from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. A strong alternative starting point.
View on Amazon - 2
Muse of Nightmares
Book 2 — Duology conclusion
The conclusion of Strange the Dreamer. The secrets of Weep are revealed as Lazlo, Sarai, and the godspawn face a threat from outside their world. Muse of Nightmares expands the Strange the Dreamer universe beyond Weep and delivers a conclusion worthy of the first book's world-building.
Do the Series Connect?
No — Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Strange the Dreamer are set in entirely separate worlds. The connection is tonal and thematic: both feature enemies-to-lovers romance between characters from opposing species or factions, both involve large-scale conflict between warring peoples, and both are written in Taylor's distinctive baroque prose. Readers who love one almost always love the other. Read them in either order.