Kate Quinn Books in Order + Printable List
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Kate Quinn is known for sweeping historical fiction that brings remarkable women and pivotal moments in history vividly to life. Her novels span centuries, from ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy to the World Wars and the 20th century, often blending real historical events with espionage, intrigue, friendship, and unforgettable characters.
Over the course of her career, Quinn has written interconnected historical series as well as bestselling standalone novels, including The Alice Network, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. Whether you’re discovering her books for the first time or trying to fill the gaps in your collection, this guide brings together all of Kate Quinn’s books in order, along with her newest releases, a printable checklist, and plenty of help deciding what to read next.
Key Takeaways: Kate Quinn Books In Order
New and Upcoming Kate Quinn Books
- The Astral Library – 2026
- The Briar Club – 2024
Where Should You Start With Kate Quinn?
With Kate Quinn, where you should start depends largely on the historical period that interests you most. Her books range from ancient Rome to the World Wars and mid-20th-century America, so there isn’t one starting point that will work for every historical fiction reader.
I started with The Rose Code, and for me, it was a terrific introduction to Kate Quinn. I’m already a fan of World War II-era historical fiction, but I was especially fascinated by the history and mystery surrounding Bletchley Park and the women whose wartime work was kept secret for years. If that period interests you too, this is the book I’d personally recommend starting with.
If You Love WWII Historical Fiction
Set largely around Bletchley Park during World War II, The Rose Code combines friendship, secrets, codebreaking, and mystery with the fascinating history of Britain’s wartime intelligence operation. This was my first Kate Quinn novel, and it left me eager to read more of her work.
And I featured it on my list of 11 Best WWII Historical Fiction Books.
If You Like WWI and WWII-Era Historical Fiction
The Alice Network is another excellent place to begin, particularly if you’re drawn to historical fiction set around the World Wars. The novel moves between 1915, when a female spy is recruited into a real-life espionage network in occupied France, and 1947, when a young American woman searches for her missing cousin in the aftermath of World War II.
I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s high on my list. If you’d rather begin earlier in Quinn’s bibliography before moving on to novels such as The Rose Code, The Alice Network is a natural choice.
If You Prefer Ancient History
If ancient history is more your style, start with Mistress of Rome, the first book in Kate Quinn’s Empress of Rome series. Set in first-century Rome, it takes you into a very different historical world from the 20th-century settings of Quinn’s best-known standalone novels – and gives you an entire series to continue if you enjoy it.
I also loved The Briar Club, which takes readers to a Washington, D.C., boardinghouse during the 1950s. It’s another very good starting point if that postwar setting appeals to you, but for readers completely new to Kate Quinn, I’d begin with The Rose Code or The Alice Network for her 20th-century historical fiction, or Mistress of Rome if ancient history is calling your name.
Kate Quinn Books In Order
Empress of Rome Series
Kate Quinn’s Empress of Rome series brings the politics, ambition, danger, and decadence of Imperial Rome to life through a mix of fictional characters and real historical figures. The books span several generations and feature recurring characters, so this is one series where reading order matters. Although Daughters of Rome takes place earlier chronologically, this guide lists the series in publication order, beginning with Mistress of Rome.
- Mistress of Rome – 2010
- Daughters of Rome – 2011
- Empress of the Seven Hills – 2012
- The Three Fates – (Novella) – 2015
- Lady of the Eternal City – 2015
Mistress of Rome
In first-century Rome, Jewish slave Thea falls in love with a gladiator before attracting the dangerous attention of Emperor Domitian. Her fight for survival unfolds amid the brutality, intrigue, and excess of Imperial Rome.
Daughters of Rome
Set during Rome’s turbulent Year of the Four Emperors, this prequel centers on four women navigating political upheaval, shifting loyalties, love, and ambition as a succession of rulers fight for control of the empire.
Empress of the Seven Hills
Soldier Vix and senator’s daughter Sabina are drawn together during the reign of Emperor Trajan, while the ambitious Hadrian waits in the wings. Their personal struggles play out against war, imperial politics, and a looming change in power.
The Three Fates
This novella bridges Empress of the Seven Hills and Lady of the Eternal City. After Trajan’s death, Vix, Titus, and Sabina face difficult choices as Hadrian approaches Rome to claim his place as emperor.
Lady of the Eternal City
With Hadrian now emperor, Sabina struggles to keep the peace between her increasingly dangerous husband and Vix, her former love. Betrayal, obsession, family loyalties, and political intrigue bring the Empress of Rome saga to its conclusion.
Borgia Chronicles
The Borgia Chronicles is a two-book series set in Renaissance Italy during the rise of the infamous Borgia family. Blending fictional characters with real historical figures, the novels explore Vatican politics, ambition, corruption, and intrigue through the lives of those caught inside the dangerous Borgia court. The books tell a continuing story and are best read in publication order.
- The Serpent and the Pearl – 2013
- The Lion and the Rose – 2014
The Serpent and the Pearl
In Renaissance Rome, Giulia Farnese is drawn into the orbit of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia as he rises to become Pope Alexander VI. Along with her bodyguard and cook, she must navigate the corruption, ambition, and danger of the Borgia court.
The Lion and the Rose
Giulia Farnese, bodyguard Leonello, and cook Carmelina return as enemies close in on the powerful Borgia family. With danger now coming from both inside and outside the Vatican, loyalty and trust become increasingly difficult – and dangerous.
Standalone Novels
- The Alice Network – 2017
- The Huntress – 2019
- The Rose Code – 2021
- The Diamond Eye – 2022
- The Phoenix Crown (with Janie Chang) – 2024
- The Briar Club – 2024
- The Astral Library – 2026
The Alice Network
Two timelines connect a female spy recruited into the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I with a young American woman searching for her missing cousin in 1947. Their stories come together in a tale of espionage, courage, and redemption.
The Huntress
After World War II, a British journalist and a former Russian Night Witch bomber pilot join the hunt for a notorious Nazi war criminal hiding in America. Their search becomes an international story of war, justice, and survival.
The Rose Code
Three very different women become codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II, only to be torn apart by secrecy and betrayal. Years later, an encrypted message reunites them as they race to uncover a traitor from their past. Here is my full review of The Rose Code.
The Diamond Eye
Inspired by the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, The Diamond Eye follows a Ukrainian history student and mother who becomes one of history’s deadliest female snipers during World War II – and later forms an unexpected friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. This is my full review of The Diamond Eye.
The Phoenix Crown (With Janie Chang)
In 1906 San Francisco, an opera singer and a Chinese embroiderer become entangled with a wealthy art collector before the devastating earthquake and fire transform the city – and leave behind mysteries the women must eventually unravel.
The Briar Club
In a 1950s Washington, D.C., women’s boardinghouse, an eclectic group of residents forms an unlikely friendship over weekly dinners. But hidden secrets and a shocking act of violence threaten the bonds they’ve created during the paranoia of the McCarthy era.
The Astral Library
Kate Quinn ventures into magical realism with the story of Alix, a young woman who discovers a hidden library where books are doorways into other worlds. When the library is threatened, she journeys through the worlds of classic literature to help save it.
Novellas
- Signal Moon – 2022
Anthologies
- A Song of War: A Novel of Troy – 2016
- Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolutions’ Women – 2019
- A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica’s Rebellion – 2023
- Smoke Signal – 2021
Kate Quinn Books In Order – Printable List
Want to keep track as you read? Download the Kate Quinn Books in Order printable list below for an easy checklist of her series, standalone novels, novellas, and anthologies.
What To Read Next
If you enjoy Kate Quinn’s blend of immersive history, strong female characters, and stories built around fascinating moments from the past, there are plenty of other historical fiction authors worth exploring next.
- Marie Benedict – A great choice if you enjoy historical fiction that brings overlooked or remarkable women from history into the spotlight. [See the Marie Benedict books in order.]
- Kristin Harmel – Try her if the World War II settings, secrets, resistance stories, and emotional relationships in Quinn’s novels are what appeal to you most. [See the Kristin Harmel books in order.]
- Pam Jenoff – Another strong choice for readers drawn to women’s experiences during World War II, particularly stories involving espionage, resistance, and difficult choices. [See the Pam Jenoff books in order.]
- Fiona Davis – If you like historical mysteries, secrets from the past, and strong female characters but want to trade wartime Europe for fascinating New York City settings, Fiona Davis is an excellent next stop. [See the Fiona Davis books in order.]
Frequently Asked Questions About Kate Quinn Books
What order should I read Kate Quinn’s books in?
Kate Quinn’s standalone novels can be read in any order. For her Empress of Rome and Borgia Chronicles series, I recommend reading the books in publication order so the recurring characters and continuing storylines unfold as intended.
What is the first Kate Quinn book?
Kate Quinn’s first published novel was Mistress of Rome, released in 2010. It launched her Empress of Rome series and introduced readers to the ancient-world historical fiction that characterized the early part of her career.
Do you need to read the Empress of Rome books in order?
Yes. The Empress of Rome novels feature recurring characters and connected storylines, so they are best read in order. Although Daughters of Rome takes place before Mistress of Rome chronologically, this guide lists the series in publication order, beginning with Mistress of Rome.
Are Kate Quinn’s books connected?
Kate Quinn’s Empress of Rome and Borgia Chronicles books are connected within their respective series. Her later novels, including The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club, are standalones and do not need to be read in any particular order.
Which Kate Quinn book should I read first?
For readers who enjoy World War II historical fiction, I recommend starting with The Rose Code, which was also my introduction to Kate Quinn. The Alice Network is another popular starting point for readers drawn to World War I and World War II settings, while Mistress of Rome is the natural choice if you prefer ancient history.
Conclusion
With novels ranging from ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy to the World Wars and 1950s Washington, D.C., Kate Quinn has built a remarkably varied historical fiction catalog. Whether you begin with one of her interconnected series or a standalone such as The Rose Code or The Alice Network, there are plenty of different periods and stories to explore.
I’ll continue updating this Kate Quinn books-in-order guide as new titles are announced and published. And don’t forget to grab the printable Kate Quinn book list above if you’d like an easy way to keep track of the books you’ve read – and the ones still waiting on your list.
