WHERE TO START
learn all about the different reading orders
A Letter from Melissa
Hi! Welcome to the MKR Chaosverse! I'm assuming you're here to figure out where to start, so let's cover some basics, and then we'll go over all the options.
The question I get asked the most is: Do I need to read one series before another? The short answer is no.
You can read them in any order. I designed them and wrote them so that if you don't vibe with one series, that's okay! You can absolutely read another series and not feel lost. I'll carry you through. I promise. There are people who found me with Darkness and so many more who read Legacy first. It truly is a personal preference.
The longer explanation is this: I write in one universe but in different worlds.
The Darkness Series and the Legacy Series are set in two different worlds. You do not have to read one series to understand the other. You will pick up on some things faster depending on which series you read first. You will also see some familiar faces pop up from one series to the other. As it says in the author’s note at the beginning of the Legacy books, you will come across minor spoilers for the Darkness series in the Legacy series, but those will not impact the reading of Darkness. You might know how certain things end up, by the HOW and WHY we got there? None of that is spoiled. I've had numerous readers tell me they didn't feel like reading Darkness after Legacy "ruined" anything.
The thing is, those who read Legacy first also pick up on some things in Darkness well before those who started with Darkness do and vice versa. But in the end, I designed them and wrote them so they could be read independently of each other if one wanted. Again, this is all personal preference. I have readers who swear you need to start with Darkness, and others who tell me they are so glad they started with Legacy. Each series has its own wrapped up conclusion, and you can absolutely enjoy them in either order.
With that said, below are some optional reading orders depending on what you're looking for. However you choose to read, I hope you enjoy Be sure to check content information before diving in.
Happy Reading!
With good vibes & dragons-
Publication & Chronological
Publication Order
Looking to read in the order they were released, avoiding any and all spoilers? You want to dive in with the publication order:
Lady of Darkness
Lady of Shadows
Lady of Ashes
Lady of Embers
The Reaper
Lady of Starfire
Unrelenting Winds
Treasures of Darkness
The Legacy Series
Rain of Shadows and Endings
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow
Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance
Dawn of Chaos and Fury
The Avonleya Series
Tortured Souls- coming Feb. 2026
**Bonus Content for all series can be found here.**
Chronological Order
Want to read everything in order timeline-wise? We got you covered, just be aware you will come across spoilers reading in this order.
The Reaper
Unrelenting Winds
The Avonleya Series
Tortured Souls- coming Feb. 2026
Lady of Darkness
Lady of Shadows
Lady of Ashes
Lady of Embers
Lady of Starfire
Treasures of Darkness
The Legacy Series
Rain of Shadows and Endings
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow
Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance
Dawn of Chaos and Fury
**Bonus Content for all series can be found here.**
The Vibes Order
Are you a mood reader? Looking for certain feels? Read the descriptions below, and let your soul decide where to start.
🗡️Looking for those epic fantasy feels, but add in some romance along the way? Need classic enemies-to-lovers, the best found family, and a completed series? You're going to want to start with the Lady of Darkness Series.
Lady of Darkness
Lady of Shadows
Lady of Ashes
Lady of Embers
The Reaper
Lady of Starfire
Unrelenting Winds
Treasures of Darkness
💀 Looking for something darker? Need a depraved world where everyone's a villain? Craving a vengeful FMC and something that's going to give you emotional whiplash? Dive into The Legacy Series.
The Legacy Series
Rain of Shadows and Endings
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow
Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance
Dawn of Chaos and Fury
🌙 Need broken and flawed characters who become the closest found family? Need a series where you can't decide who's hunting who? Need a neurodivergent FMC, a MMC with something to prove, and a broody dragon who's trying to pit them against one another? Get ready for The Avonleya Series.
The Avonleya Series
Tortured Souls- coming Feb. 2026
**Bonus Content for all series can be found here.**
Reader Suggested Chaos Order
This reading is brought to you by the beautiful @kirsten_isreading. You can find a video with her reasonings on Instagram here. So if you like a little chaos on your life and want to mix and mingle your series, you can dive in this way:
Rain of Shadows and Endings
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow
Lady of Darkness
Lady of Shadows
Lady of Ashes
Lady of Embers
The Reaper
Lady of Starfire
Unrelenting Winds
Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance
Dawn of Chaos and Fury
**Bonus Content for all series can be found here.**