The Recurring Cast
Reading order · 8 books · 2008 to 2018 · Set in invented worlds

House War Books in Order

The House War follows Jewel Markess, an orphan of the poor holdings with a gift of seeing, as she rises to power in House Terafin.

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Series facts

Books
8
Published
2008 to 2018
First book
The Hidden City
Latest
War (2018)
Setting
Set in invented worlds
Order
Story order differs from publication order

The reading order

Every House War book in publication order, with the story order a switch away. Choose a title for its cast and summary.

8 books · Set in invented worlds
  1. 1The Hidden City2008With Jewel Markess ATerafinJewel Markess, an orphan in the slums of the great city of Averalaan, gathers a family of street children around her, while a hidden evil stirs beneath the city.Buy on Amazon
  2. 2City of Night2009With Jewel Markess ATerafinDemonic cultists work to return their god to the world, and Rath fights them in secret while sending Jewel and her orphans towards House Terafin.Buy on Amazon
  3. 3House Name2010With Jewel Markess ATerafinJewel, an orphan from the slums of Averalaan, rises within House Terafin just as the House War begins.Buy on Amazon
  4. 4Skirmish2011With Jewel Markess ATerafinJewel prepares to claim the seat of House Terafin, making her a target for demons determined to stop her.Buy on Amazon
  5. 5Battle2012With Jewel Markess ATerafinNow ruling House Terafin, Jewel faces assassins and intrigue, and a sleeping plague reveals the forces arrayed against her House.Buy on Amazon
  6. 6Oracle2014With Jewel Markess ATerafinAs the Sleepers beneath Averalaan stir, Jewel must seek the Oracle to save her city and her House.Buy on Amazon
  7. 7Firstborn2016With Jewel Markess ATerafinJewel entrusts a powerful leaf to her den-kin Carver, who journeys through the wild Winter, while demons and elementals threaten Averalaan.Buy on Amazon
  8. 8War2018With Jewel Markess ATerafinThe Sleepers wake and threaten to destroy Averalaan, and Jewel seeks the Winter Queen’s help, in the final book of the House War.Buy on Amazon

Do you need to read them in order?

Read in order, starting with The Hidden City. The early books are set before The Sun Sword.

Who appears in which book

The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.

Who appears in each House War book
BookJewel Markess ATerafinKallandras of SennielMeralonne APhaniel
1 The Hidden CityLLead·MinorMMajor
2 City of NightLLead·MinorMMajor
3 House NameLLead·MinorMMajor
4 SkirmishLLead·MinorMMajor
5 BattleLLead·MinorMMajor
6 OracleLLead·MinorMMajor
7 FirstbornLLead·MinorMMajor
8 WarLLead·MinorMMajor

Characters in the House War books

3 characters from Michelle West’s chart, with the number of House War books each appears in.

CharacterBooksFirst in this series
Jewel Markess ATerafinSeer-born member of House Terafin8The Hidden City 2008
Kallandras of SennielBard-born assassin8The Hidden City 2008
Meralonne APhanielMage of the Order of Knowledge8The Hidden City 2008

Crossovers with Michelle West’s other series

  • The Sun Sword: Jewel Markess ATerafin also appears in 6 of its books