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library addict · 01-07-2018, 03:55 AM

With the exception of the actual trilogies across all three pen names, the Arcane Society books are only loosely connected by the characters being members. Even the across time trilogies work as stand-alones. It's not like any of the characters are immortals and appear in the old England stuff, modern-day US, and then futuristic other planet

There are lots of Amanda Quick historicals that aren't Arcane Society. Her early one word titles are all stand-alones.

I read all of the Arcane stuff as it was released, so didn't seem difficult to figure out. But if you need the order:

Spoiler:

Or in chronological order:

Spoiler:

They could actually be read in chronological order, it would be interesting anyway. I am a read in order type person but the series, as published, does bounce back and forth in time so I can understand not wanting to tackle it all. When it's a few months/half a year between books it doesn't seem like any big deal. I actually thought the intertwining of the various time periods was fun.

But other than a few minor subplots, the books all really would work as stand-alones. The exception being the across-penname trilogies which are connected by a overarching plot, but even then the main mystery in each book is solved within that particular book. It's not like say the Psy Changeling series where each book builds on the one before like a giant jigsaw puzzle. You get some Easter eggs and more background if you read them all, but you could just read all of the AQ titles or only the JAK ones and I don't think it would be unsatisfactory.

All that said, and as much as I loved many of the individual books, I don't think the Arcane Society series is necessarily her best work. Particularly as Amanda Quick. They are all paranormal murder-lite mysteries.

My absolute favorite Amanda Quick titles are Ravished, Deception, and Scandal.

I'd also recommend Affair, Dangerous, Mischief, Mystique, Rendezvous, Reckless, Seduction, Surrender, and With This Ring.

ETA: as Terisa said, her JC titles that morphed into Arcane started as World of Harmony. Their connected by the fact they take place on the same planet, though many of the books feature/mention the same characters. But they're futuristic sci-fi. So on the surface have little in common with her English historicals. Hence the reason the various Arcane Society books truly do work as stand-alones.

Also, I left out the three shorts she originally posted on Twitter which were later released as a freebie. I think might still be available. I collected all the entries from Twitter and made an epub before she decided to actually release them. They are short stories: two written as Fallon Jones, one of the characters from the series, and one which is just odd written as JAK as if she's going to the fictional town to interview him. It worked (kind of) as Twitter posts/promo for at the time upcoming book, but doesn't really make much sense.

01-07-2018, 03:55 AM	#1205
library addict Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,128 Karma: 37197878 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Nexus 7 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" (retired=Sony PRS650, Kobo Mini)	With the exception of the actual trilogies across all three pen names, the Arcane Society books are only loosely connected by the characters being members. Even the across time trilogies work as stand-alones. It's not like any of the characters are immortals and appear in the old England stuff, modern-day US, and then futuristic other planet There are lots of Amanda Quick historicals that aren't Arcane Society. Her early one word titles are all stand-alones. I read all of the Arcane stuff as it was released, so didn't seem difficult to figure out. But if you need the order: Spoiler: Second Sight [May 2006] as Amanda Quick White Lies [Jan 2007] as Jayne Ann Krentz Sizzle and Burn [Jan 2008] as Jayne Ann Krentz The Third Circle [Apr 2008] as Amanda Quick Running Hot [Jan 2009] as Jayne Ann Krentz The Perfect Poison [Apr 2009] as Amanda Quick Obsidian Prey 7b [Sept 2009] as Jayne Castle Fired Up 1* [Jan 2010] as Jayne Ann Krentz Burning Lamp 2* [Apr 2010] as Amanda Quick Midnight Crystal 3* [Sept 2010] as Jayne Castle In Too Deep 1 [Jan 2011] as Jayne Ann Krentz Quicksilver 2 [Apr 2011] as Amanda Quick Canyons of Night 3** [Sept 2011] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Copper Beach [Jan 2012] as Jayne Ann Krentz A Dark Legacy Novel The Lost Night [Sept 2012] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Dream Eyes [Jan 2013] as Jayne Ann Krentz A Dark Legacy Novel Deception Cove [Sept 2013] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel The Hot Zone [Sept 2014] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Siren’s Call [Aug 2015] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Illusion Island [Aug 2016] as Jayne Castle * The Dreamlight Trilogy The Looking Glass Trilogy Dark Legacy novels written as Jayne Ann Krentz and Rainshadow novels written as Jayne Castle take place in the “Arcane Universe” [so while technically not labeled “An Arcane Society Novel(s),” are still considered part of the series] Or in chronological order: Spoiler*: Second Sight [May 2006] as Amanda Quick The Third Circle [Apr 2008] as Amanda Quick The Perfect Poison [Apr 2009] as Amanda Quick Burning Lamp 2 [Apr 2010] as Amanda Quick Quicksilver 2** [Apr 2011] as Amanda Quick White Lies [Jan 2007] as Jayne Ann Krentz Sizzle and Burn [Jan 2008] as Jayne Ann Krentz Running Hot [Jan 2009] as Jayne Ann Krentz Fired Up 1* [Jan 2010] as Jayne Ann Krentz In Too Deep 1** [Jan 2011] as Jayne Ann Krentz Copper Beach [Jan 2012] as Jayne Ann Krentz A Dark Legacy Novel Dream Eyes [Jan 2013] as Jayne Ann Krentz A Dark Legacy Novel Obsidian Prey 7b [Sept 2009] as Jayne Castle Midnight Crystal 3* [Sept 2010] as Jayne Castle Canyons of Night 3** [Sept 2011] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel The Lost Night [Sept 2012] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Deception Cove [Sept 2013] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel The Hot Zone [Sept 2014] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Siren’s Call [Aug 2015] as Jayne Castle A Rainshadow Novel Illusion Island [Aug 2016] as Jayne Castle * The Dreamlight Trilogy *The Looking Glass Trilogy They could actually be read in chronological order, it would be interesting anyway. I am a read in order type person but the series, as published, does bounce back and forth in time so I can understand not wanting to tackle it all. When it's a few months/half a year between books it doesn't seem like any big deal. I actually thought the intertwining of the various time periods was fun. But other than a few minor subplots, the books all really would work as stand-alones. The exception being the across-penname trilogies which are connected by a overarching plot, but even then the main mystery in each book is solved within that particular book. It's not like say the Psy Changeling series where each book builds on the one before like a giant jigsaw puzzle. You get some Easter eggs and more background if you read them all, but you could just read all of the AQ titles or only the JAK ones and I don't think it would be unsatisfactory. All that said, and as much as I loved many of the individual books, I don't think the Arcane Society series is necessarily her best work. Particularly as Amanda Quick. They are all paranormal murder-lite mysteries. My absolute favorite Amanda Quick titles are Ravished, Deception, and Scandal. I'd also recommend Affair, Dangerous, Mischief, Mystique, Rendezvous, Reckless, Seduction, Surrender,* and With This Ring. ETA: as Terisa said, her JC titles that morphed into Arcane started as World of Harmony. Their connected by the fact they take place on the same planet, though many of the books feature/mention the same characters. But they're futuristic sci-fi. So on the surface have little in common with her English historicals. Hence the reason the various Arcane Society books truly do work as stand-alones. Also, I left out the three shorts she originally posted on Twitter which were later released as a freebie. I think might still be available. I collected all the entries from Twitter and made an epub before she decided to actually release them. They are short stories: two written as Fallon Jones, one of the characters from the series, and one which is just odd written as JAK as if she's going to the fictional town to interview him. It worked (kind of) as Twitter posts/promo for at the time upcoming book, but doesn't really make much sense. Last edited by library addict; 01-07-2018 at 04:14 AM. Reason: addition