Romance lovers who enjoy their books with lots of sweetness and spice, this one is for you.

The Chestnut Springs series is a BookTok darling that made avid readers wish they were in a small British Columbia town surrounded by ruggedly handsome ranchers, hockey players, and more. Alluring yet romantic, the book series is famous for its hot scenes and tender romance.

Eager to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about Chestnut Springs and the dashing men and clever heroines that live there.

1. Who Wrote the Chestnut Springs Series?
2. What is the Chestnut Springs Series About?
3. How Many Books Are in The Chestnut Springs Series?
4. Do You Have to Read The Chestnut Springs Series in Order?
5. Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs Series in Order
6. Sugar and Spice in the Countryside

Who Wrote the Chestnut Springs Series?

The pen behind the heart-pounding and steamy romance book series belongs to Elsie Silver, a Canadian writer who resides near Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband, son, and dogs.

According to her account, Silver is a horse girl with a penchant for witty banter and book boyfriends, which is reflected on her pages. She writes about what she loves and draws inspiration from real life, as the fictional towns in her stories are based on actual places, allowing readers to catch glimpses of her life throughout the pages.

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What is the Chestnut Springs Series About?

The Chestnut Springs series is a contemporary romance book set in the Canadian Rockies, specifically in the fictional small town of Chestnut Springs, British Columbia. The town is the backdrop for the entire saga, the thread connecting all characters and stories.

The focal point of the novels is the Eaton family and their associates, with each book featuring a new couple. Although the books are standalone, they follow a core group of characters who know and interact with one another, which means they are all interconnected.

Despite featuring unique tropes for each romance, the books all have a small town, Western-ish ambiance, and mostly feature alpha male leads paired with strong and sassy heroines.

The Chestnut Springs series is all about romance—including lots of spice. As such, the adult scenes are a significant part of the storyline and also one of its major draws to the audience.

@kyliesbookdiary my ranking of the chestnut springs series by @Elsie Silver | #booktok #booktokfyp #bookish #bookishcontent #books #romancebooks #bestromancebooks #bookrecs #bookrankings #cowboyromance #cowboyromancebook #chestnutspringsseries #chestnutspringsseriesranked #chestnutspringseriesbyelsiesilver #elsiesilver #flawless #heartless #powerless #reckless #hopeless #cadeeaton #rhetteaton #beaueaton #jaspergervais #theosilva #summerhamilton #willagrant #baileyjansen #sloanewinthrop #winterhamilton #creatorsearchinsights #bestbookseries #favoritebooks #fyp #viral ♬ thats so true bridge – charlotte⸆⸉

How Many Books Are in The Chestnut Springs Series?

After captivating readers with its picturesque background and spicy romance, the Chestnut Springs book series finally came to a close in 2023 after the release of its grand finale. It wrapped up with five books under its belt.

Unfortunately for devoted fans, author Elsie Silver has not intended to return to the charming British Columbia town. Instead, she has chosen to embark on new creative projects, so it’s safe to assume the number of novels will stay at five.

Do You Have to Read The Chestnut Springs Series in Order?

The simple answer? Yes and no. The long answer? It’s a bit complicated.

The Chestnut Springs series is technically a collection of standalone stories—each follows a different couple with its specific dynamics, tropes, and happy endings. However, the books are set in the same town, making the stories interconnected.

While you can read the books in any order and still understand the story, the novels often feature cameos or references to characters and events from previous entries, which could spoil certain storylines and plot points.

So, to sum up, if you’re wondering what the first book in the Chestnut Springs series is, you have two potential answers: “Flawless” if you’re interested in unraveling the town’s storyline, or any book that catches your eye if you’re solely here for the spicy romance in your favorite tropes.

@makaylasamountry YEE-HAW here’s what you need to know! #chestnutspringsseries #elsiesilver #romance #romancebooks #bloombooks #bookrecs #bookreview #bookrating #booktok #explore #fyp #minnesota ♬ Green Gramophone soundtrack from Hello Neighbour – timaeqq

Elsie Silver’s Chestnut Springs Series in Order

As previously mentioned, you’re free to read the books in any order you choose and won’t be confused. However, if you’re interested in reading the entire saga and want to avoid spoilers, your best option is to check them out in publication order.

Book #1: Flawless

Trope(s): Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine, Cowboy Romance, Workplace Romance, (Somewhat) Enemies to Lovers.

Rhett Eaton is a professional bull rider with a tarnished reputation, worsened by a disastrous PR incident. To restore Rhett’s image, his agent takes matters into his own hands and assigns him a full-time supervisor he trusts to keep Rhett out of trouble—Summer Hamilton, his daughter.

Summer and Rhett are confined to the same house for a few weeks before his championship. She is strict and uptight, determined to keep the notorious playboy in check. But what if he’s not what she assumes? What lies beneath the surface?

Book #2: Heartless

Trope(s): Forced Proximity, Grumpy Sunshine, Single Dad Romance, Age Gap, Opposites Attract.

Cade Eaton is a rancher and a single dad. He’s handsome, broody, and needs a nanny for several months. So, his sister-in-law recommends her best friend Willa for the role—an energetic and fiery woman 13 years younger than him.

Willa will live with him for the summer, and she seems to get along wonderfully with his young son. However, the chemistry he feels with her is undeniable—and then she sneaks into the hot tub with him one night.

Can Willa break through reserved Cade’s defenses with her bold and vibrant personality?

Book #3: Powerless

Trope(s): Friends to Lovers, Slowburn, Hockey Player Romance, Childhood Friend Romance, Runaway Bride.

Jasper Gervais is a famous hockey player and a heartthrob. He has always had Sloane Winthrop, a talented ballerina and cherished childhood best friend, by his side.

Sloane always wanted something more; after all, she secretly loves Jasper. He never reciprocated her feelings.

But when their lives fall apart, they instinctively rely on each other to stand tall and move forward. Deciding to go on a road trip to piece together the shattered remnants of their lives, the lines between love and friendship blur, and Jasper’s feelings begin to feel less like those of a friend.

Can it be that simple?

Book #4: Reckless

Trope(s): Second Chance Romance, One Night Stand, He Falls First, Secret Baby.

Cynical and sharp-tongued, Winter Hamilton is an ice queen befitting her name. But despite being done with men after leaving her toxic marriage, she cannot resist the charm of flirty Theo Silva—even if just for a night of exchanged passion and secrets. That’s all she wants.

However, when her adventure results in an unexpected pregnancy, Winter finds herself in the eye of a storm as her life rapidly changes. Fortunately, Theo is a true gentleman and understands that he must change if he wants another chance with Winter.

Book #5: Hopeless

Trope(s): Fake Engagement, Age Gap, Military Romance, Tortured Hero.

Beau Eaton is the town’s dashing and brave knight in shining armor. In contrast, Bailey Jensen is a local bartender, the daughter of a fractured family, and an outsider in the community.

Yet, they share more similarities than they realize: he returns as a broken and taciturn military hero haunted by his past, while she is a survivor of abuse seeking to escape it all.

Consequently, they make a pact—a fake marriage. Beau offers Bailey his last name to help her escape hers, and she gives him an excuse to deflect his family’s worries. They achieve their goals and go their separate ways. What could possibly go wrong?

Sugar and Spice in the Countryside

Elsie Silver’s books combine sexual tension and release, tender romance, and heart-wrenching perils—seasoned with engaging dynamics and events that make readers giddy in anticipation of the next page.

For more spicy romance, consider checking out the Twisted book series, Lucy Score Books in Order, The Bridgerton Books, Linda Howard Books in Order and The After Book Series, all of which you can find on BookScouter to enjoy with a nice cup of coffee.

In the wild list of horror subgenres, nothing makes your skin crawl like body horror books. By tapping into your primal fears of disease, dismemberment, and grotesque transformations, the novels give readers a truly terrifying and sometimes gross experience.

This genre isn’t for everyone, but for people who enjoy exploring the dark side of bodies turning against their owners, this list of body horror books will serve up your next favorite read.

Best Body Horror Books

Entropy in Bloom

by Jeremy Robert Johnson

Bite-size stories written by horror master Jeremy Robert Johnson fill the pages of this book of body horror. The tales spread through the realms of literary fiction, bizarro, surrealist, and cosmic horror genres, but give those looking for something quite visceral a definite thrill.

Besides previously published shorts, this also includes “The Sleep of Judges,” a fresh novella.

Hell Followed with Us

by Andrew Joseph White

Trans teen Benji escapes a horrific cult he was trapped all his life, but he brings something with him that he didn’t expect.

With help from the powerful and supportive LGBTQ+ center, he discovers his body is transforming into a weapon of biological horror. The diverse group of teens, led by sharp-shooter Nick, protects Benji and save the world at the same time.

Ring Shout

by P. Djèlí Clark

Winner and finalist in a dozen high-value prizes, this book by P. Djeli Clark pits a group of resistance fighters against the KKK.

In this brutal and dramatic novel, the hate group comes straight from Hell, and main character Maryse, a Harlem Hellfighter, is ready to send them back. More dark historical fantasy than straight body horror, fans of the genre will still find plenty to love.

Natural Beauty

by Ling Ling Huang

The quest for the perfect body and appearance gets twisted in this Lambda Literary Award-winning novel by Ling Ling Huang. A New York beauty and wellness store sells more than cosmetics.

The natural and supernatural solutions to everything from thick thighs to thin eyelashes come with a heavy price. This body horror book focuses on transformation and the dark side of consumerism and self-worth.

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

Although often considered one of the first science fiction novels, this classic by Mary Shelley also offers body horror fans a look back through the genre.

Building an animated being out of corpse parts certainly fits the description. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the origins.

Wilder Girls

by Rory Power

Quarantine at a girl’s school leads to dark discoveries in Rory Power’s best-selling horror novel. Something toxic lurks in the corridors, has killed the teachers and fellow students, and now stalks them.

One of the remaining trio goes missing, and the other two must brave terror and new, horrible discoveries to find her—all while navigating a WLW romance that unfolds amidst the chaos.

Uzumaki

by Junji Ito

This manga masterpiece by Junji Ito leads readers to a Japanese ghost town suffering from a fearsome curse.

The title refers to a hypnotic spiral that shapes the world, which takes over the town and the minds of the people who go there to explore and survive.

Her Body and Other Parties

by Carmen Maria Machado

Carmen Maria Machado brings horror fans a mix of psychological drama, comedy, and fantasy in this intriguing work about women, violence, and their bodies.

This collection of short stories covers everything from prom dress horrors to plagues, weight loss to ghostly visions.

The Deep

by Rivers Solomon

Mer-creatures formed from dead African slave women live peaceful lives beneath the waves until something drives the memory-holder, Yetu, to the surface.

This unique dramatic novel by Rivers Solomon explores not only gentle horror, but a reclamation of a dark past in order to have a brighter future.

Tender Is the Flesh

by Agustina Bazterrica

Cannibalism is legal, and the main character works in a processing plant slaughtering and butchering the special meat. This best-selling novel by Agustina Bazterrica goes beyond body horror.

When the butcher receives a high-quality live specimen, he reawakens his desire to treat the meat source as people, something forbidden and torturous all together.

Shiver

by Junji Ito

Another short story collection comes from Junji Ito. It combines body horror and manga in a gripping experience that will thrill fans of these genres.

The nine stories include horrific balloon faces, a hole-filled arm, bloody fashion, and more.

What Moves the Dead

by T. Kingfisher

This Locus Award-winning book by T. Kingfisher mixes body horror with classic creature feature vibes.

A horrific fungus possesses wildlife around a mysterious lake. A dying sleepwalker with weird dreams and a baffled doctor converge to solve the House of Usher mysteries before it’s too late.

The Eyes Are the Best Part

by Monika Kim

If this body horror book’s cover doesn’t grab you (a plucked human eyeball between chopsticks), then the description of Monika Kim’s must-read book will.

What begins as a series of horrifying dreams ends up with violence, brutality, and revenge against her sister’s obnoxious boyfriend.

Such Sharp Teeth

by Rachel Harrison

The werewolf has always been a classic monster of transformation, and this book by Rachel Harrison explores the dark, and sometimes comedic side of turning into a hairy beast.

The main character hits an animal with her car and is attacked, which leads to a new, wilder side emerging.

The Black Farm

by Elias Witherow

After their chosen deaths, a couple ends up trapped in a hellish afterlife full of nightmares. The man, Nick, searches for his lost wife, Jess, and ends up in the Black Farm.

Run by a torture-loving yet hopeful abomination named Pig, this is the place where suicide victims end up to be torn apart, brutalized, and killed over and over again. The horror focuses not only on physical harm, but also trauma that sticks with the reader after the last page is turned.

Final Thoughts

Body horror books come in many forms. Some readers crave brutality and blood. Others sink into more artistic experiences of unwanted transformations and surreal changes. From cannibalism to the afterlife, teenage drama to classic monsters, this list of short story collections and novels will give you something to read that you won’t be able to forget any time soon.

If you’re looking for even more chilling reads, check out our book lists on horror books, Halloween books, best H.P. Lovecraft books, zombie apocalypse books, and Stephen King’s best books for the perfect spooky season picks!

Readers who swoon at handsome, wealthy men should rush to read the BookTok sensation, the Dreamland Billionaire series. This trilogy of books features the three Kane brothers, who hold the keys to a rich legacy: a media and theme park empire that promises to fulfill all dreams. They find love where they least expect it with the three unique, captivating, and strong female main characters.

Written by Lauren Asher, readers in the romance genre will discover complex yet comfortable characters, well-written prose that keeps them connected, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of emotional depth to sink into.

1. What is the Dreamland Billionaire Series About?
2. Meet the Billionaire Brothers
   • Rowan Kane
   • Declan Kane
   • Callahan Kane
3. The Dreamland Billionaires Series in Order
   • The Fine Print
   • Terms and Conditions
   • Final Offer
4. Who Should Read the Dreamland Billionaires Series?

What is the Dreamland Billionaire Series About?

All the magic of romance takes place within the wealthy Kane family, who own the Dreamland Corporation, a theme park empire similar to Disney. Originally launched by the book’s main character’s grandfather, the business becomes their inherited legacy. Its success will sustain and improve its financial status, but it comes with some unique conditions.

More than business wrangling and corporate deals, the Dreamland Billionaire series is about personal growth, finding meaning in life, and discovering the all-important and forever love. The three books include The Fine Print, Terms and Conditions, and Final Offer.

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Meet the Billionaire Brothers

Each book in this romance trilogy follows a different brother through his own growth and love story with a wonderful woman.

Rowan Kane

The eldest brother feels the weight of the Dreamland inheritance most strongly. He’s emotionally guarded, intelligent, business-oriented, and rather bossy.

After all, how could he not be when he’s the boss trying to revitalize the family legacy? His cold exterior hides unexpected warmth and a loving, caring spirit.

Declan Kane

Serious-minded middle brother Declan takes on the role of Dreamland CEO. It requires a high degree of responsibility and stability, something his grandfather works into the will. Declan wants to stay in control and keep his emotions at bay before they get in the way of making the family legacy a growing success.

Callahan Kane

With a bit of stereotypical trust fund brat mixed with party boy, the third Kane brother seems shallow at first glance. Readers discover his unique depths, hinting at a broken heart and a desire for something permanent and real. It’s the perfect setup for a second chance romance and the opportunity to right the wrongs of his past.

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The Dreamland Billionaires Series in Order

The Dreamland Billionaire series includes three books: The Fine Print, Terms and Conditions, and Final Offer. Readers should read them in the publication order as the stories include some of the same characters and situations.

However, they do not have cliffhangers and are considered standalone romance novels.

The Fine Print

As creative director of Dreamland Corporation, Rowan needs to keep his eyes on the prize and focus on business above all else. This grumpy-sunshine romance trope introduces lovely Zahra Gulian, a new and passionate employee. She challenges him, her optimism clashes with his bossy demeanor, and she ends up being all he can think about.

Conflict transforms into sparks of interest and a flame of love that burns brightly and lasts. Declan learns to let his emotional walls crumble, and the magic between them makes the future bright. Every couple in a romance story needs conflict, however. Theirs come from workplace pressures and dedication to making Dreamland everything it could be. Zahra wonders if risking her heart on a man like him is worth it. Amid the angst, true passion and a forever love take center stage and ultimately form a bond that will not break.

Terms and Conditions

Structure, discipline, and focus define Declan Kane’s life. As the CEO of Dreamland, he has to keep an eye on the corporate goals that make them all billionaires. His grandfather had other plans for the middle brother, though. To fulfill the terms of the inheritance, Declan has to find a wife and have an heir. This is where his patient, warm, and caring assistant, Iris, steps in. A fake relationship seems the perfect solution. It’s a win-win for both of them.

What starts as a temporary marriage of convenience becomes much more when the strong woman begins to chip away at his icy façade. As her long-buried feelings begin to surface, his carefully protected sense of vulnerability comes to light, too. This book features a delightful slow-burn romance full of emotional depth and blurred lines. Together, they find a future worth more than the whole Dreamland empire.

Final Offer

With limited corporate responsibility, the youngest Kane Brother, Callahan, takes on the role of a wealthy party boy and trust-fund brat. It’s not all shallow pleasure he chases, though. He’s attempting to distance himself from a painful past full of heartache and guilt. A past relationship with Alana still affects him and contributes to his self-doubt.

The Kane patriarch’s inheritance rules dictate that Cal spends a summer at the family lake house, where he comes in contact with Alana, now a single mother. Amid conflicts about who exactly owns the cabin, the two characters clash in an emotional reunion that brings old pain into the light. Still, after all those years, love still lingers.

Alana won’t get hurt again and can’t risk her daughter’s heart, too. Cal struggles to find a way toward redemption and forgiveness on the way to a forever love they both want more than anything.

Who Should Read the Dreamland Billionaires Series?

Romance readers who like their love stories with emotional depth, captivating and complex characters, and plenty of tension will appreciate the Dreamland Billionaire series. Lauren Asher deftly weaves popular tropes of grumpy sunshine, workplace romance, fake relationships, and second-chance romance into the strong plots in each of the three books.

These books give you substance and deep feelings that keep you rooting for the couples who clash make-believe and finally find the happy ever after they’ve always dreamed of.

If you love stories filled with passion, tension, and heartfelt moments, you might also enjoy other contemporary romance boks, like The Twisted Book Series by Ana Huang, The Bridgerton Books by Julia Quinn, The Firefly Lane Book Series by Kristen Hannah, It Ends with Us Book by Colleen Hoover and Books by Rebecca Yarros.

Readers who love adventure books, epic stakes, and science fiction can experience it all with a wealth of classics and the best new space opera books. Those looking for something truly exciting will know the answer to the question, ‘What is a space opera?’ by exploring the following list.

Massive starships, galaxy-spanning battles, and plenty of personal conflict fill these must-read novels.

Best Space Opera Books

All Systems Red

by Martha Wells

The first book in the award-winning The Murderbot Diaries series explores AI security androids who discover their own interests and violent tendencies.

A lost mission team requires cooperation from a secretly self-aware killing machine who struggles with its own identity.

Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

Andy Weir thrills readers again with this space opera novel. Like ‘The Martian’ it focuses on the adventures of a lone astronaut. Ryland Grace finds himself alone aboard a tiny spaceship with amnesia, which gets in the way of saving the entire planet Earth and humankind.

This interstellar journey blends with a unique mystery and an unforgettable survivor character.

Dune

by Frank Herbert

Is ‘Dune’ a space opera? This classic by Frank Herbert is one of the quintessential examples of the genre.

Paul Atreides and family face adventure, dark politics, mystic forces, and a harsh environment to achieve a virtually unattainable dream.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

by Douglas Adams

The most humorous space opera novel on this list follows an ordinary human, Arthur Dent, on a series of intergalactic adventures and mistakes through space, time, and his own confused mind.

This start to the five-book ‘trilogy’ introduces the titular book, an actual guide for explorers across the universe.

The Stars Are Legion

by Kameron Hurley

Struggles to take control of the Legion, a fleet of world-ships at the far reaches of the universe, center on Zan, a prisoner cum savior tasked with a monumental responsibility. Her supposed family of captors insists she’s the only one who can take over a Legion vessel.

With a group of followers and intriguing realizations, she finds a way to bring salvation instead.

Ancillary Justice

by Ann Leckie

Ann Leckie brings science fiction readers a multi-award-winning start to the Imperial Radch series.

Past starship captain soldier, Breq, must complete a difficult quest despite the fact that she was torn away from the hive-mind AI system linking all soldiers in the past. Vengeance drives this story and keeps space opera fans riveted on every page.

Children of Ruin

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

The second book in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time series sends adventurous teams of characters back to Nod, a long-forgotten world erased by the memories of Earth.

Something has awoken, however, and their hopeful journey ends up in a struggle no one could have foreseen.

Hyperion

by Dan Simmons

The sometimes worshipped and frequently feared creature Shrike lures seven pilgrims in search of answers to personal questions and curiosity about lifelong secrets.

The galaxy stands at the cusp of an apocalyptic war, but one of this desperate group may hold the answer to saving humankind forever.

Saga Volume 1

by Brian K. Vaughan

Do you enjoy a bit of romance with your space opera novels? This first in a series by Brian K. Vaughan follows a fugitive family across the galaxy in hopes of discovering a future of peace and prosperity.

Rather than a novel, this is a comic book or graphic novel with includes amazing artwork by Fiona Staples.

A Memory Called Empire

by Arkady Martine

Political instability from within and dangerous forces from without threaten the main character and the mining station.

This space opera doubles as a murder mystery and a race against the clock as the intriguing and deadly Teixcalaan expansion moves ever closer. It also features a compelling WLW romance woven into its intricate political intrigue.

Leviathan Wakes

by James S. A. Corey

James S. A. Corey launches The Expanse series with his novel about an ice-miner that comes across a derelict spaceship.

A galaxy-wide conflict stems from a secret discovered, a quest for a very unique girl hidden by powerful parents, and the flux of power between governments, corporations, and revolutionaries.

Caliban’s War

by James S. A. Corey

Book two in the same series keeps readers engaged with the same Earth government drama, battles in the outer reaches of the solar system, and unexpected alien species with plans of their own.

As far as space opera goes, this series has it all.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

by Becky Chambers

The first book in a Hugo Award winning series by Becky Chambers offers a lighter adventure with humor mixed in rather than a high-stakes drama like others on this list.

The diverse starship crew keeps readers guessing, and the life-altering conflicts that arise satisfy lovers of the space opera genre in a big way.

The End of Eternity

by Isaac Asimov

Famous sci-fi author Isaac Asimov brings this classic story within the same universe as his other novels. One man becomes a mighty Eternal but then falls in love against their strict rules.

This very human thing threatens everything he knows and necessitates a daring escape attempt, which messes with history, time, and Eternity all at once.

The Mercy of Gods

by James S. A. Corey

James S. A. Covey offers this start to what promises to be another epic space opera series. A hive-minded alien species wages war and enslaves others including humankind.

The main character, Dafyd Alkhor, uses scientific insights and secret knowledge to learn things that will shake up everything the captives think they know about their enemies.

Dawn

by Octavia E. Butler

The final book in this list of space opera examples, written by Octavia E. Butler, follows a brave woman’s attempts to rebuild the world after a horrific war.

Aided by an alien people, the Ooankali, who saved humankind before, she faces amazing conflict and struggles, including ones related to race and gender, to be the leader the new humanity needs.

Butler, a groundbreaking Black writer, explores themes of identity, power, and survival in ways that continue to resonate today. Feel free to check out our article on Books for Black Women, by Black Women.

For even more great book lists, explore Jack Reacher Books, Books Turned Into Movies and Movies Turned Into Books, 17 Best Steampunk Books, Brandon Sanderson Books, and The 100 Book Series.

There is something grimly fascinating about apocalyptical stories and end-of-the-world scenarios.

Perhaps it is born out of curiosity regarding how our civilization could break down. Or, maybe it’s a desire to explore how the remnants of humanity would live should the worst happen—or if they even get to retain the traits that we consider “human.”

Regardless, the best apocalypse books always acknowledge that our way of living is delicate and relies on a balance that can easily shatter in multiple ways.

The following ten books are considered some of the best apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction. Each featuring different tones, concepts, and ideas, they shine as some of the best explorations of the end of the world as we know it.

Best Zombie Apocalypse Books, Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

I Am Legend

by Richard Matheson

The oldest entry in our list, I Am Legend is undoubtedly one of the best apocalypse and horror books of all time and a trope codifier for many quintessential elements of the genre.

After a pandemic ravaged the world and transformed the infected humans into vampire-like creatures, Robert Neville remains the last survivor on Earth. Scavenging for supplies and fighting the infected for his life, Neville struggles with his loneliness and growing depression, resorting to alcohol to cope. However, he has one last hope: finding a cure.

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

by Max Brooks

The United Nations Postwar Commission has sent an agent, Max Brooks, to collect a series of first-person accounts of what happened when, in the early 21^st Century, the Solanum virus spread and turned people into mindless, zombie-like creatures.

World War Z is a grim yet captivating outlook on how a zombie infection could take over the world. While certain aspects may appear dated after the COVID-19 pandemic, the book maneuvers complex international relations and grounded layman’s points of view, allowing Max Brooks to create a tangible alternative universe that feels as real as our own.

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Where North America once stood, there is now a country named Panem, comprised of the wealthy Capitol and the 12 poverty-stricken districts it rules with an iron fist.

As a punishment for a failed revolt, the Capitol imposes the Hunger Games—a mandatory, televised fight to the death for children of each district. When her sister is chosen, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her place.

Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy became a worldwide phenomenon, single-handedly responsible for bringing the dystopic young adult novel genre to the forefront of popular culture and earning respect as one of the best apocalypse books ever written. It remains one of the best book series, captivating readers with its intense action, social commentary, and unforgettable characters.

The Road

by Cormac McCarthy

A father and his son travel through a devastated wasteland, the remnants of an unspecified event that destroyed nearly all life forms. Their only hope is to go south to reach the warmer sea. Still, along the path, they find numerous threats—including other survivors.

The Road is not an easy read. It is a bleak tragedy, an apocalypse and adventure book unafraid to showcase humanity’s lowest points and the cruel side that shines through once desperation sets in. It handles heavy topics and dark imagery but never forgets to depict the rays of hope that often shine through.

The Maze Runner

by James Dashner

Thomas can only remember his name when he wakes up in the Glade, a vast courtyard surrounded by a stone labyrinth inhabited by other boys just as amnesic. But while they may not know much about their circumstances, they are sure of one thing: freedom is beyond the maze—and the monsters that live within.

The Maze Runner book series is a young adult dystopian story that starts with the titular book and continues across multiple novels, building the world and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it with complex detail.

The Stand

by Stephen King

Often labeled as one of Stephen King’s best books and one of the best apocalyptic books ever written, The Stand is a dystopian, dark fantasy book, blurring the lines between gritty realism and magical horror.

After a biological attack created a deadly pandemic that wiped out most of humanity, the few remaining survivors start receiving visions of two people—supernatural beings that aim to create two factions in what may or may not be a showdown between good and evil.

Station Eleven

by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven is a 2014 novel with a premise made even more unnerving after 2020—what if a deadly flu pandemic wiped out most of humanity?

The story focuses on a core cast of characters and their deep connections before, during, and after “The Collapse”—all marked by artistic expression. The result is a novel profoundly humane that explores the importance of art and preserving what you love even when the world stops being what it was.

Swan Song

by Robert McCammon

During the Cold War, both superpowers used their nuclear arsenal and submerged the world in nuclear winter. Now, with the United States turned into a wasteland, multiple survivors attempt to navigate the country in search of a better home.

Swan Song is a novel published in 1987 reflecting society’s ongoing fear of mutual nuclear annihilation during the Cold War. However, what makes Swan Song one of the best apocalypse books is how McCammon combines the gripping tale of realistic human survival alongside spiritual and supernatural concepts, woven together through an exploration of the idea of beauty.

Wool

by Hugh Howey

After an unexplained apocalyptic event, humanity lives underground in a self-sustained city called Silo. There is no knowledge of how the world was before, but authorities say the surface is toxic and barren.

Silo has one rule: whoever expresses an interest in the outside world must go out to clean the external sensors of the city. No one that has gone has ever returned.

Unlike other books in this list, Wool began as a short story, but it eventually spanned four sequel novellas. The combination of these five stories is the novel Wool—the first of the Silo book series.

The Girl with All the Gifts

by M.R. Carey

The Girl with All the Gifts is a zombie apocalypse book in which humanity collapses after the spread of a fungus that transforms humans into mindless beasts that eat human flesh and spread disease. However, some infected children are different—they retain their mental faculties. And among them, Melanie is unique.

Clever and complex, The Girl with All the Gifts explores post-apocalyptic zombie fiction with a fresh outlook, making the reader wonder what makes a monster or a human.

Oryx and Crake

by Margaret Atwood

Snowman might as well be the last human, or so he thinks. He once was a boy named Jimmy, when humanity was thriving—long before pharmaceutical and genetic experiments ended it all.

Now alone, Snowman mourns the loss of his best friend Crake and their beloved Oryx as he recalls the past—all while he embarks for supplies with only the mysterious human-like crakers keeping him company.

Feed

by Mira Grant

Written in 2010 and set in 2014, Feed is a zombie apocalypse book set in a world where cancer and even the common cold are cured at the cost of releasing something much worse, something that takes over minds.

A few years later, blog journalists Georgia and Shaun Mason as they cover the presidential campaign of Peter Ryman—which leads them to discover intrigue, sabotage, and the conspiracy behind the undead.

After the Flood

by Kassandra Montag

A century from now, rising sea levels have transformed the United States into an archipelago surrounded by endless water.

In this relentless world, Myra mourns the loss of her eldest daughter alongside Pearl, her seven-year-old, until they hear reports of her survival in a distant encampment. Determined to rescue her, Myra embarks on a perilous journey that may cost her everything.

Parable of the Sower

by Octavia E. Butler

By 2024, anarchy, disease, war, and a severe lack of water had devastated the world and its culture. However, hyperempathetic Lauren Olamina is fortunate—she lives with her preacher father and the rest of her family in one of the few safe neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

But when a fire kills her family, Lauren must venture outside and strive to continue her father’s teachings.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

by Carrie Ryan

In this zombie apocalypse book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth is plagued with mindless and cannibalistic quasi-humans—the Unconsecrated. But at the heart of it lies the village, fenced and protected.

Mary lives in the village under the Sisterhood’s rules and the Protectors’ guardianship. Yet, she longs for the world beyond—and a break in the fence may present an opportunity.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

by Becky Chambers

Panga was once an industrialized society supported by AI and robots—until they became self-aware and disappeared into the wilderness, never to return.

Centuries later, a monk faces the extraordinary: a robot seeking answers. Thus, monk and robot embark on a journey to discover, “What do people need?”

Annihilation

by Jeff VanderMeer

Area X has been abandoned and isolated for decades, with nature erasing the remnants of human civilization. Eleven expeditions have attempted to explore the area, each succumbing to a different peril: mass suicide, murder, cancer, and more.

The four women of the twelfth expedition—an anthropologist, a surveyor, a psychologist, and a biologist—promise to be different. They might not.

The Passage

by Justin Cronin

The first of The Passage trilogy showcases the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic state of the United States, overrun by a dangerous virus that mutates humans into dangerous creatures as a result of hazardous experiments.

At the center of it all lies Amy Harper Bellafonte, a young child at the project’s epicenter who may now be the world’s last hope.

Cloud Atlas

by David Mitchell

Cloud Atlas is as nearly impossible to describe as it is captivating to read. It consists of interconnected novellas, creating an embedded narrative that shifts from the 19th-century South Pacific to a future neocapitalist, post-apocalyptic Korea.

The result is a complex tale that follows its protagonists through time and their impact on the world’s history, resulting in one of the best apocalyptic books.

The Wall

by John Lanchester

Joseph Kavanagh is a young Defender conscripted to serve at The Wall as all men and women must do in his island country.

It’s standard procedure since the Change, as it protects the island’s entire coastline from the Others—desperate folk trapped in the sea outside and constantly attacking the Wall. Failing to defend his country would mean death, or worse, becoming an Other as well.

Severance

by Ling Ma

Society, as Candace Chen knows at least, begins to collapse when the Shen Fever pandemic unfolds. As New York becomes a monotonous and deserted wasteland, she takes photos—until she joins a group of survivors.

Severance is a post-apocalyptic satirical dystopia that invites readers to explore the routines and monotonies of daily life and what truly makes a zombie book.

Who Fears Death

by Nnedi Okorafor

In the distant future, Africa has been devastated by a nuclear holocaust. Now facing the aftermath, a region suffers even more tragedy with the Okeke genocide at the hands of the Nuru.

However, after a horrific assault, the only survivor of a village gives birth to a child unlike any other—Onyesonwu, which means ‘Who Fears Death?’ and who is the prophesized hero destined to end the genocide for her people.

The Fifth Season

by N.K. Jemisin

The first entry in the Broken Earth series takes readers to a planet with two distinct characteristics: it has a single supercontinent known as the Stillness and experiences a devastating “Fifth Season” every few centuries, unleashing climate horrors beyond comprehension.

A few of its inhabitants possess magical gifts—the narrative follows three of them: a middle-aged woman, a young woman, and a young girl, as the world braces for the impending Fifth Season.

Until the End of the World

by Sarah Lyons Fleming

Considered one of the best zombie apocalypse books for those who want some romance amidst their dystopia, Until the End of the World follows Cassie Forrest as she escapes to her late survivalist parents’ during the zombie outbreak.

Her hopes? Not many—survive, protect those she loves, and reunite with her ex-fiancé, whom she still loves.

Rot & Ruin

by Jonathan Maberry

Benny Imura has turned 15, which means only one thing: it’s time to get a job, or he will receive only half the rations.

Although he is not interested in becoming a zombie hunter like his brother Tom, he has no choice—after all, this is zombie America, and you do what you must to survive.

Apocalypse Fiction: More Than Just Zombie Apocalypse Books

At their core, apocalyptic books are tales about humanity that make us look inward. What makes us human when everything around us collapses? Is human nature good or evil? Are we moving toward destruction or salvation?

The best apocalypse books, like the ones in this list, address the very essence of humanity while also serving as a cautionary tale—poignant critiques of societal flaws that may eventually erode the foundation of life as we know it.

But they are also very good books, and whether you want to read how-to survival books, ponder ontological questions, or enjoy fiction with a good cup of coffee, you may buy these novels on BookScouter at the best price.

If you’re interested in exploring other captivating genres, check out our articles on the best time travel books, best steampunk books, H.P. Lovecraft books, and science fiction books to discover even more thrilling reads.

When Rebecca Yarros released Fourth Wing in May 2023, she may not have realized that she had written the next pop culture phenomenon and the most explosively popular book of the year.

But she is far from being a newcomer to the writing world. In fact, before taking over the online reading community with her viral book series, Yarros had been writing—a lot.

Throughout the years and until today, Rebecca Yarros’ books mainly focus on military topics and romance, with which she is profoundly familiar.

However, the addition of the fantasy element made The Empyrean series her standout work, dominating BookTok and bringing Yarros to author stardom.

From Fourth Wing to her works beyond—here is everything you need to know about Rebecca Yarros’ books.

1. Who Is Rebecca Yarros?
2. The Empyrean Series: Rebecca Yarros’ Magnum Opus
3. Which Other Rebecca Yarros Books Should You Check?
4. All Of Rebecca Yarros’ Books In Order
   • The Empyrean Book Series
   • Flight & Glory Series
   • Legacy Series
   • Renegades Trilogy
   • Standalone Novels
5. Everything We Know about The Upcoming Fourth Wing TV Show
6. Have You Been Captivated By Rebecca Yarros’ Books?

Who Is Rebecca Yarros?

Today, Rebecca Yarros is best known as one of the world’s bestselling authors, achieving #1 in the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal lists. However, before her achievements, she remains a woman with a passion for storytelling and a love for military heroics.

Self-described as a “hopeless romantic,” Yarros’ love affair with writing began during her husband’s deployment in Afghanistan. She found solace in crafting stories about romance amidst war and conflict, which nurtured her niche and made her one of the most notorious voices in the military romance genre.

Rebecca Yarros’s books share three common themes: romance, military, and open discussions of tragedy. Sweet, heart-wrenching, and with spicy content to taste—her tales captivate readers who yearn for a rollercoaster of emotions with each page turn.

When not writing, she focuses on her large family—husband, six children, dogs, cat, and chinchillas. She is also well-known for her work with the non-profit OneOctober, which she and her husband founded to support children within the foster system.

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The Empyrean Series: Rebecca Yarros’ Magnum Opus

When thinking about Rebecca Yarros’ books, most people think, first and foremost, of the Empyrean book series.

The Empyrean saga—also known as the Fourth Wing series—is Yarros’ first romantasy series. However, don’t be fooled—although it may have dragons and strange worlds, it still focuses on war and romance, as most Yarros books tend to do.

The series is set within Navarre, a fantastical country that holds in high esteem its elite warriors: the dragon riders. To recruit the best and the most talented, young cadets must face deadly challenges at Basgiath War College, where the only options are graduating or dying.

Violet Sorrengail has the ancestry and blood of a warrior but the mind of a scholar, yearning for books and knowledge. However, once the Commanding General—her mother—demands she become a dragon raider, her frail body must match her clever mind to ensure her survival and navigate the irresistible allure of Xaden Riorson.

How many books are in The Empyrean series? It depends—there are three published novels thus far, but Yarros has stated the saga is set to have two more.

Fourth Wing

Fourth Wing is the first book in The Empyrean series and the one that kickstarts the franchise.

Violet Sorrengail is a bookworm eager to spend the rest of her life among texts and history. However, her mother has different plans—she is the Commanding General and wants her daughter to become an elite dragon rider.

The problems? Many: she’s not particularly strong, her mother has earned her additional enemies, and many highly covet this deadly position. The price of graduating from Basgiath War College may be her life.

With Fourth Wing, Yarros stepped away from the contemporary romance niche that had dominated her bibliography thus far and entered the world of Fantasy Romance. The result was a breakthrough hit that, within months, became a BookTok darling and her most famous novel—not in small part thanks to the gorgeous aesthetics of its sprayed edges edition.

Iron Flame

As the second entry, Iron Flame directly continues the plotline established in Fourth Wing through the eyes of Violet Sorrengail. This time, facing challenges unlike anything before.

After all, dragon-riding is not for the weak, frail, or delicate. And while Violet may be all three, she has a privileged wit and a strong determination to help her make it through—at least, if she can manage not to crumble down.

Iron Flame continues Yarros’ dive into the “romantasy” genre, deepening the relationship developed in the previous book and expanding the complex worldbuilding of her universe.

Onyx Storm

Onyx Storm starts immediately after the shocking ending of Iron Flame. Violet continues her stay at Basgiath War College, and things have changed beyond recognition—her country, Xaden, and herself. Now, war is brewing both outside and inside.

In need of new and unfamiliar alliances and desperate to help Xaden, Violet must venture far beyond what she knows to save what she loves, even if it costs her everything. Her strength awakens, her secrets increase, and the story unravels into a shocking ending that will delight—and despair—any fans of the franchise.

The eagerly-anticipated Onyx Storm book became an instant best-seller and one of the top 5 bestselling books of 2024.

Which Other Rebecca Yarros Books Should You Check?

Although she is most well-known for The Empyrean series, Rebecca Yarros has plenty of other books, most of them contemporary romances with a bittersweet edge and focused on the military experience from multiple angles and perspectives.

If you want to try her non-fantasy books, the following novels might be a great starting point.

The Things We Leave Unfinished

As famous author Scarlett Stanton passes away, she leaves behind an unfinished manuscript and a Colorado state. Her great-granddaughter Georgia takes over both, following a painful divorce and a yearning for a new start.

The problem is that she’s not the only one inheriting from Scarlett. Famous novelist Noah Harrison is hired to complete Scarlett’s last manuscript, but his outlook clashes with Georgia’s when they realize the story is based on Scarlett’s tragic romance amidst World War II.

The Things We Leave Unfinished is a tragic and bittersweet romance that intertwines two couples—past and present—to drive the impactful ending forward.

The Last Letter

Beckett Gentry receives the letter he never wanted: a goodbye one, sent posthumously by his best friend Ryan after the war takes his life. His last wish is only one: for Beckett to leave the Army and look after Ryan’s little sister, Ella.

Ella has lost everyone in her life—her parents, her grandmother, and now her brother. As she raises her twin sons alone, the only solace in her life is Chaos, whom she meets through letters. She doesn’t know he’s Beckett.

The Last Letter is a Rebecca Yarros book that focuses on so-called “broken people”—those who have been hurt yet try to heal their shattered lives through love during grief. It’s bittersweet and poignant, apt for tragedy enthusiasts.

Great and Precious Things

The three Daniels brothers and Willow were inseparable as children in their small town. As adults, the brothers left Willow behind to go to war. Only two of them returned alive.

Soon after his arrival, Camden Daniels left the town. He knew he’d never be forgiven. But when outside circumstances force him to return, Camden must confront his past—and her, Willow. The girlfriend of his late brother and the only woman he has ever loved.

Many tropes can describe Great and Precious Things—small-town romance, friends-to-lovers, military romance, and more. But beyond that, the book addresses tragedy, family, guilt, and repentance.

Full Measures

Full Measures, published in 2014, stands out among Rebecca Yarros’ books as her first published romance novel and the start of her love affair with military fiction.

December Howard is a proud army brat and the oldest child in her household. So, when soldiers told them that her father had died serving his country, it was up to her to support her grieving mother and younger siblings. Luckily, she has her boyfriend—and Josh Walker, her old crush and new next-door neighbor.

The first entry in the Flight & Glory series is not perfect, but it encapsulates everything that Rebecca Yarros is known for, giving a clear insight into what makes her books what they are.

Muses and Melodies

Muses and Melodies is the third and final book of the Hush Notes series, a multi-authorial project that features a collection of standalone yet interconnected romance stories.

In this book, Yarros is in charge of writing the romance between Nixon Winters, the lead guitarist of the band and certified bad boy, and his assistant manager, Zoe Shannon. Zoe has to look after Nixon for a few months, and her reward will be the privilege of managing her own band—but Nixon is about to hit rock bottom, and his past keeps haunting him.

The book is a contemporary romance that features dark topics and approaches mental health and addiction, so readers beware.

All Of Rebecca Yarros’ Books In Order

Yarros’ bibliography combines series and standalone novels, which means it can be complicated to figure out which books can be read at leisure and which have a strict order to follow.

To make things easier for you, here are all of Rebecca Yarros’ books in order, to ensure your best reading experience.

The Empyrean Book Series

As previously discussed, The Empyrean series is a romantasy saga that focuses on an academy for dragon-riding warriors and the subsequent political machinations within the realm.

1. Fourth Wing (2023)
2. Iron Flame (2023)
3. Onyx Storm (2025)

Flight & Glory Series

The first series published by Yarros is a contemporary adult romance saga focusing on military life and all it entails—war, tragedy, family, and love that endures it all.

Although each book has a different set of protagonists, the stories are interconnected, so you must read them in order.

1. Full Measures (2014)
2. Eyes Turned Skyward (2014)
3. Beyond What is Given (2015)
4. Hallowed Ground (2016)
5. The Reality of Everything (2020)

Legacy Series

This short series focuses on Reason to Believe, a novel that could be read as a standalone. However, it has two optional prequel novellas written as companion pieces that can enrich your understanding of the story.

1. Point of Origin (2016)
2. Ignite (2016)
3. Reason to Believe (2022)

Renegades Trilogy

A nine-month cruise. Three extreme sports athletes. What could go wrong?

1. Wilder (2016)
2. Nova (2017)
3. Rebel (2017)

Standalone Novels

These books are not part of any series and, thus, do not require a specific reading order. However, despite being standalone, some of the following novels are part of a collaboration series and are projects featuring other authors.

For simplicity’s sake, they are presented here by publishing date.

• The Last Letter (2019)
• Great and Precious Things (2020)
• Muses & Melodies (2020)
• The Things We Leave Unfinished (2021)
• A Little Too Close (2022)
• In The Likely Event (2023)

Everything We Know About The Upcoming Fourth Wing TV Show

Yarros fans, rejoice—a TV adaptation is coming soon, and progress has been promising.

In 2023, right before the release of Iron Flame, Amazon MGM Studios got the rights to adapt the Fourth Wing series for the small screen, with Michael B Jordan’s Outlier Society producing it. Moira Wallet-Beckett, of Anne with an E and Breaking Bad fame, has been appointed as the showrunner.

Although not much else is known, Deadline states that if the first season succeeds, there will be subsequent installments for Iron Flame, Onyx Storm, and any further books in the series.

Even better—Rebecca Yarros is thrilled with the first scripts. According to People, Yarros considers Wallet-Beckett’s work “amazing” and confirms that she believes the showrunner has captured the essence of the books, which means the show has the potential to be a faithful reflection of the beloved saga.

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Have You Been Captivated By Rebecca Yarros’ Books?

With a finely tuned formula, Rebecca Yarros has perfected the concoction that encapsulates her bibliography.

Using militaristic settings as a backdrop for heart-wrenching tales of romance, loss, and hope, Yarros gives her books a tear-jerking quality that readers cannot get enough of. Whether a contemporary setting or a fantasy story, each narrative will delight readers with a penchant for romances that touch the soul.

If you’re looking for emotional reads that evoke strong feelings, consider exploring our articles on Nicholas Sparks books, Colleen Hoover books, or check the list of sad books.