Common question

Where to start Broken Kingdoms

Start Broken Kingdoms with Curse of Shadows and Thorns. Later kingdoms look like a new series. The Ever King is next generation — not book one.

Short answer

Curse of Shadows and Thorns

It is book one. The later kingdoms assume that first northern war. Do not start with Night of Masks and Knives because a new couple is on the cover. Do not start with The Ever King.

Nine novels, one path

Four kingdoms, four couples. Andrews’s reading-order page lists them in one line. Publication order is the first-read path. Each new kingdom looks like a fresh series. It is not.

The Ever Seas is not a hidden book one

The Ever Seas is the next generation. Andrews has said you can start there. This house does not. The Ever King spends parents you have not met.

Night of Masks and Knives is a later couple in the same war. A new cover is not a new series.

The full Broken Kingdoms map

The nine-book table and the Ever Seas flag live on the Broken Kingdoms reading-order guide. This page is only which volume is actually first.

FAQ

Can I start with The Ever King?
Andrews allows it. This house does not. It spends people the nine novels introduce.

Is each kingdom standalone?
Each has a new couple. The war is shared. Start at Curse of Shadows and Thorns.

Do I need Ever Seas?
Not for the nine. It is the next generation.

Full maps

Read the guide this answers