Holly Black is one of the most popular writers for young adults. She has written many books, but what are all of the Holly Black books in order? This post will give you a list of Holly Black’s books and their publication dates so that you can read them in order.
Who Is Holly Black?
Holly was born in West Long Branch, New Jersey on November 10, 1971. She’s a writer who has written in many different genres, including fantasy for young adults and children. Her most famous work to date is the Spiderwick Chronicles series, which has a movie adaptation with the same name.
Holly has also written several other series. The Modern Faerie Tales is one of these, which is a young adult series. As is The Folk of the Air series, which takes places within the same world.
The world in which these two series take place is also the setting for her standalone novel The Darkest Place in the Forest. This interconnectedness presents a wonderful opportunity for fans to go hunting through these books to find hidden Easter eggs.
Holly Black Books in Order
Modern Faerie Tales | Tithe Series Order
In the below list, the first three titles comprise the main Tithe series timeline and are full-length novels. The titles that follow are short stories that were written following the conclusion of the trilogy. More detail on each short story follows this list.
- Tithe (2002)
- Valiant (2002)
- Ironside (2007)
- The Land of Heart’s Desire (2010)
- Going Ironside (2010)
- Not For Humans (2015)
- A Visit to the Impossible Lands (2018)
- The Lament of Lutie-Loo (2019)
“The Land of Heart’s Desire” was initially published in Holly Black’s short story collection: The Poison Eaters and Other Stories. “Going Ironside” was also initially published within this collection. This timeline for both of these stories is unclear, but it is suggested to read the main trilogy first.
“Not For Humans” is a short story that is co-written with Cassandra Clare as a crossover between Modern Faerie Tales and Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. It’s set after the conclusion of Ironside and just before City of Bones within the Mortal Instruments timeline.
“A Visit to the Impossible Lands” is a short story initially published in an exclusive Barnes and Noble edition of The Cruel Prince. It takes place several years after the events of Ironside. This version of The Cruel Prince is no longer available for purchase commercially, but you may be able to find a used copy.
Finally, “The Lament of Lutie-Loo” is another short story in the realm of faerie. It follows Lutie-Loo in a ploy for the High Court in their stratagem against the Court of Termites. This short story is available in the Modern Faerie Tales bind-up edition.
The World of Elfhame
The Folk Of The Air Series Order
For a more in-depth look at the Folk of the Air series, check out our list of The Cruel Prince series in order.
- The Cruel Prince (2018)
- The Lost Sisters (2018) (Novella)
- The Wicked King (2019)
- The Queen of Nothing (2019)
- How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (2020) (Novella)
The Stolen Heir Duology
- The Stolen Heir (2023)
- The Prisoner’s Throne (2024)
Spiderwick Chronicles Books in Order
- The Field Guide (2003)
- The Seeing Stone (2003)
- Lucinda’s Secret (2003)
- The Ironwood Tree (2004)
- The Wrath of Mulgarath (2004)
Spiderwick Chronicles: Seeing Stone Special Edition Books
- Goblins Attack (2003)
- Troll Trouble (2003)
- Great Escape (2007)
Spiderwick Chronicles: Companion Books
- Notebook for Fantastical Observations (2005)
- Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You (2005)
- Care and Feeding of Sprite (2006)
Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles Series
- The Nixie’s Song (2007)
- A Giant Problem (2008)
- The Wyrm King (2009)
Curse Workers Series
- White Cat (2010)
- Red Glove (2011)
- Black Heart (2012)
Magisterium Series Order
- The Iron Trial (2014)
- The Copper Gauntlet (2015)
- The Bronze Key (2016)
- The Silver Mask (2017)
- The Golden Tower (2018)
Lucifer Comic Series
- Lucifer, Volume 1: Cold Heaven (2016)
- Lucifer, Volume 2: Father Lucifer (2016)
- Lucifer, Volume 3: Blood in the Streets (2017)
Good Neighbors Series
Holly Black Standalone Books in Order
- The Coldest Girl in Coldtown (2013)
- Doll Bones (2013)
- The Darkest Part of the Forest (2015)
- Heart of the Moors (2019)
- Book of Night (2022)
Holly Black Short Story Collections
Holly Black Anthologies
- Prisoners of the Night (1997)
- The Faery Reel: Tales from the Twilight Realm (2004)
- Young Warriors: Stories of Strength (2005)
- So Fey: Queer Fairy Fiction (2007)
- Realms of Fantasy (2007)
- The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural (2007)
- The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales (2007)
- 21 Proms (2007)
- Endicott Journal of Mythic Arts (2007)
- Magic in the Mirrorstone (2008)
- Half-Minute Horrors (2009)
- The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire (2009)
- Troll’s Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales (2009)
- Wings of Fire (2010)
- Full Moon City (2010)
- Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy (2011)
- Welcome to Bordertown (2011)
- Teeth: Vampire Tales (2011)
- Steampunk! (2011)
- Cabinet of Curiosities (2012)
- Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron (2012)
- Rags and Bones (2013)
- DFTBA Charity (2013)
- Dark Duets (2014)
- 12 Doctors, 12 Stories (2014)
- My True Love Gave to Me (2014)
- Monstrous Affections (2014)
- Press Start to Play (2015)
Is There a Holly Black Movie Adaptation?
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a fantasy-adventure movie based on the book of the same title. Mark Waters directed the film, starring Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Sarah Bolger, and Nick Nolte.
It was produced by Nickelodeon Movies, distributed by Paramount Pictures, and released on February 14, 2008. It earned $162.8 million against its budget of $90 million. The Spiderwick Chronicles received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Summary of Holly Black Books in Order
Holly Black, the author of the Spiderwick Chronicles and Modern Faerie Tales series, has written a variety of books for all different age groups. Continue reading for an overview of some of the best Holly Black books in order.
Tithe
Tithe is the first book in Holly Black’s Modern Faerie Tales trilogy.
Kaye is a 16-year-old nomad. She travels with her mother’s rock band until they are forced to return to the house where she grew up because of an ominous attack. The course of Kaye’s life changes dramatically after she comes upon a wounded faerie knight amid industrial, blue-collar New Jersey.
Kaye finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms. It is a struggle that could very well mean her death.
Valiant
Valiant is the second book in Holly Black’s Modern Faerie Tales trilogy.
When 17-year-old Valerie flees to New York City, she’s attempting to abandon a lifestyle that has entirely betrayed her. Slum-dwellers in the city’s maze-like underground system accept her as their new member, and she adopts their way of life. But there’s a strangely seductive thing about Val’s new companions that gives her goosebumps.
When Val is lured towards looking for the lair of a mystery monster, she must negotiate a pact to make sure she leaves the whole situation with her life.
Ironside
Ironside is the third book in Holly Black’s Modern Faerie Tales trilogy.
The darkest day in the year looms; the moment has arrived for Roiben’s crowning. Unsettled in the presence of the evil Unseelie Court, Kaye is confident in her love for Roiben.
But love in the land of faerie is a complicated matter. When Kaye proclaims her love to Roiben during the ceremony, he sets her on an impossible mission to locate a faerie who lies.
White Cat
White Cat is the first book in Holly Black’s Curse Workers trilogy.
Cassel hails from a long line of dark, supernatural characters. Because he always feels like an outcast, whether at school or home, he knows what it is like to be different. Because of what happened with Lila, he is accustomed to feeling bad about killing his closest friend in the past.
But when Cassel begins to have horrible nightmares concerning a white cat, and everyone surrounding him is forgetting their memories, he starts questioning what did happen to Lila. In his pursuit for clues, he uncovers an evil scheme for power that looks likely to be successful. Cassel, on the other hand, has a different strategy in mind: He intends to scam the con artists.
Red Glove
Red Glove is the second book in Holly Black’s Curse Workers trilogy.
Cassel Sharpe always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth: He is the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything, or anyone, into something else.
That’s how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when really he tried to save her. Now that she’s human again, he should be overjoyed.
But Cassel’s mother has cursed Lila to love Cassel, and now he can’t believe anything she says or does. When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help solve the case. Cassel must stay one step ahead of both sides to survive, but where can he turn when he can’t trust anyone – least of all, himself?
Black Heart
Black Heart is the final installment in Holly Black’s Curse Workers trilogy.
Cassel Sharpe is a wanted man. In a world where magic is illegal, he has the deadliest ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object into something else entirely. The Feds are willing to forgive his past crimes if he turns his back on his family and works for them, but going straight doesn’t sit well with Cassel.
For one thing it will mean abandoning Lila. Even though Cassel is pretty sure she will never love him back, he can’t stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her mob boss father wasn’t currently holding Cassel’s mother prisoner for a past crime.
The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man that is out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talents to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones?
The Iron Trial
The Iron Trial is the first book in Holly Black’s Magisterium series. It was co-written with Cassandra Clare and illustrated by Scott Fischer.
Several kids will do everything to overcome the Iron Trial. But, the case is different with Callum Hunt. He doesn’t plan to succeed like his peers.
He has been severely warned by his father to steer clear of magic and sorcery. If he triumphs in the Iron Trial and is allowed into the Magisterium, he is confident it can only spell horrible consequences for him.
So he does his best to fail at the Iron Trial; then he fails at failing and is accepted into the Magisterium. It’s a location that’s both fantastic and dangerous, with dark links to his history and a tortuous road to his future. The Iron Trial is only the commencement, for the most challenging test follows shortly afterward.
The Copper Gauntlet
The Copper Gauntlet is the second book in Holly Black’s Magisterium series. It was co-written with Cassandra Clare and illustrated by Scott Fischer.
When Call investigates his father’s cellar and finds that he may be attempting to kill Havoc and himself, it destroys Call’s state of mind. Call manages to flee to the Magisterium, but it only makes things worst.
The Alkahest copper gauntlet, which is capable of severing select sorcerers from their source of magic, is missing. Cal and his friends also attract the notice of some extremely deadly adversaries while uncovering a far more frightening reality in their quest to find who is responsible.
The Bronze Key
The Bronze Key is the third book in Holly Black’s Magisterium series. It was co-written with Cassandra Clare and illustrated by Scott Fischer.
Magic can help you in so many ways, but it can also destroy you. It ought to be a moment of jubilation. The Enemy of Death has been slain; the decapitated head evidence of his failure.
The magic realm has no cause to suspect a false alarm, and Tamara, Aaron, and Callum are acclaimed as heroes. But during a party organized to recognize their bravery, events go terribly and horrifically wrong.
One of their classmates is killed, and it seems that Call’s worst suspicions had now become a reality: There is a traitor in the Magisterium. Everyone is in danger.
With the help of magic the team of three must put their lives on the line in an attempt to hunt down this mystery killer. Yet the use of magic is deadly, and in the hands of the wrong people, it may bring tremendous disaster. And expose the worst secret of everyone.
The Silver Mask
The Silver Mask is the fourth book in Holly Black’s Magisterium series. It was co-written with Cassandra Clare and illustrated by Scott Fischer.
Callum Hunt now lives a miserable life. His companion has left. The spy has somehow managed to flee, and his secret is now out in the open.
He now looks forward to life in hard cold chains, isolated from everyone in the magical society for everything he is and what he might transform to in the nearest future. However, a surprising discovery has granted him amnesty for a price.
Can he summon the courage to be strong and true to his teachers and friends? Or take the chance to demolish all that he loves?
The Golden Tower
The Golden Tower is the fifth and final book in Holly Black’s Magisterium series. It was co-written with Cassandra Clare and illustrated by Scott Fischer.
Callum Hunt has lived his life as a hero, an outlaw, a doer of good deeds, and a harbinger of evil. The Magisterium has always been available to him, but it was never completely home for him. In most cases, he has sensed the hatred and dread of others.
However, as he approaches his last year at the magic academy, his position is less clear than ever before.
With one notable exception, he is alienated from several of his fellow students. A shifty gloom still haunts him. And the toughest task ever to befall him is just about the corner.
Doll Bones
Doll Bones is a standalone Holly Black novel that is illustrated by Eliza Wheeler.
Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But then Zach’s father throws out his toys, declaring he’s too old for them.
Zach is furious, confused, and embarrassed. Amid their now tumultuous relationship, Poppy says she is being haunted by a china doll claiming to be made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it, otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity.
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
This is another standalone novel by Holly Black.
There are fortified cities known as Coldtowns in Tana’s universe. Beasts and humans interact in a sumptuous mingling of predator and victim in these savage dungeons. But after entering the gates of Coldtown, there is never a way out.
Until Tana must find one to save herself, her endearing ex-boyfriend, and a mysterious boy.
The Darkest Part of the Forest
The Darkest Part of the Forest is a standalone novel by Holly Black.
A glass coffin hides in the deepest reaches of the woodland near the village of Fairfold. A slumbering faerie prince rests in the coffin, and no one can awaken him. Hazel and Ben say he is the most intriguing creature they’ve ever come across.
However, what happens when dreams become a reality, and they awaken him? While wandering into the deepest reaches of a jungle, you must be cautious about what you desire.
Book of Night
Book of Night is Holly Black’s adult fantasy debut. Its expected publication date is May 3, 2022.
In Charlie Hall’s world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences or to increase power and influence. But manipulating shadows has a cost, with the potential to take hours or days from your life.
Charlie is a low-level con artist. She works as a bartender to while trying to maintain her distance from the powerful and dangerous underground world of shadow trading. Add in a few odd jobs for her patrons and the naïve new money in her town at the edge of the Berkshires, and she’s getting by.
But when a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie’s life is thrown into chaos. Her future seems at best unclear, and at worst non-existent.
As she fights for her life, Charlie is up against a group of doppelgangers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and even her sister, who are all vying to control the magic of the shadows. Charlie is committed to making it out alive.
Final Thoughts on Holly Black Books in Order
If you’re a fan of Holly Black, these books will be perfect for your reading list. The Holly Black books in order are captivating and thoughtful reads that may change the way you see things. You’ll of course want to read them all.
Looking for more books in order?
Check out this list of Sarah J. Maas books in order.