The Lunar Chronicles Reading Order

Hello fellow book lovers!

How are your literary journeys going? Have you mapped out your next stops in the world of fiction? If you’re still deciding, I’ve got a fantastic series that you might want to consider diving into: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Whether you’re new to this world or thinking about revisiting it, we’ve got some tips to make your reading experience even more enjoyable.

A Quick Overview of The Lunar Chronicles

The Lunar Chronicles is one of most famous series written by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author, Marissa Meyer. This captivating series blends fairy tales with a futuristic twist, set in a world where Earth and its moon, Luna, are on the brink of war. The series reimagines classic tales like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White, but with a sci-fi spin that makes each story feel fresh and exciting. With strong heroines, a complex villain, and an intricate plot, this series is perfect for readers who love adventure, romance, and a dash of dystopia.

Reading for First-Timers: Lunar Chronicles Books In Order of Publication

If you’re picking up The Lunar Chronicles for the first time, we highly recommend reading the series in the order of publication. This way, you’ll experience the story as it was originally intended, with each book building on the events of the last. Here’s the order to follow:

1. Cinder (2011)
2. Glitches
3. Scarlet (2013)
4. The Queen’s Army
5. The Little Android
6. Cress (2014)
7. Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky
8. Fairest (2015)
9. Winter (2015)
10. Stars Above (2016)
1. The Keeper
2. The Mechanic
3. After Sunshine Passes By
4. Something Old, Something New
11. Wires and Nerve Vol. 1 (2017)
12. Wires and Nerve Vol. 2: Gone Rogue (2018)
13. Cinder’s Adventure (2022)

Revisiting the Series: A New Perspective

For those of you who’ve already read The Lunar Chronicles and are looking for a fresh way to experience the story, why not try reading the books out of order? This approach allows you to focus on the different characters and their individual journeys, giving you a deeper understanding of their perspectives and the events that shape them. Here’s a suggestion, credit belonged to T.L. Branson:

1. Cinder (Book #1) - Start your journey with Cinder, a cyborg mechanic in New Beijing who is more than she appears to be.
2. The Mechanic (Stars Above) - A scene in which Kai and Cinder meet, from Kai’s perspective.
3. Glitches - A short prequel story to Cinder, the results of that illness play out, and the emotional toll that takes on Cinder.
4. The Little Android - A retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.
5. The Queen’s Army - A story about Ze’ev “Wolf” Kesley’s background and offers insight into the creation of the Queen’s mutant army.
6. Scarlet (Book #2) - Scarlet, who’s searching for her missing grandmother with the help of a mysterious street fighter named Wolf.
7. The Keeper (Stars Above) - A story about Scarlet’s grandmother, Michelle Benoit.
8. After Sunshine Passes By (Stars Above) - A story about Cress’s origin.
9. Cress (Book #3) - Cress, a brilliant hacker who’s been trapped on a satellite, observing Earth for years
10. Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky - Story about Carswell Throne
11. Fairest (Novella) - Get inside the mind of Queen Levana and understand the darkness that drives her.
12. The Princess and the Guard - A story reveals how Winter became who she is.
13. Winter (Book #4) - Winter, where the stakes are higher than ever, and the series reaches its thrilling conclusion.
14. Wires and Nerve Vol. 1 (Graphic Novel)
15. Wires and Nerve Vol. 2: Gone Rogue (Graphic Novel)
16. Something Old, Something New (Stars Above) - Story of Cinder and the crew 2 years after the dust settled from the ending of Winter.
17. Cinder’s Adventure

Whether you’re reading for the first time or revisiting this series, The Lunar Chronicles offers an experience full of twists, turns, and unforgettable characters. I hope these suggestions help you savor every moment in this incredible world.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to embark on this interstellar adventure? Happy reading!