Sally Green
Sally Green has published 9 books across 2 series. The recommended reading order starts with Bela (2014).
Sally Green is an English author who writes fantasy novels. She found her way to writing in 2010, after having held various jobs and pursued another career. Her debut novel, Half Bad, was the first in a trilogy that explores the intersection of real-world grit and supernatural darkness, drawing in readers of all ages. The series also includes Half Wild and Half Lost. Green has noted that some readers choose to experience the books out of their intended order.
Following the success of her first trilogy, Green embarked on The Smoke Thieves series, a high-energy fantasy world featuring maps and immersive world-building. This series marked a return to trilogies, a form she had initially sworn off after Half Bad. She lives in a village in north-west England. When not writing, she enjoys making jam, walking in Wales regardless of the weather, and drinking coffee. She previously kept chickens and does not mind ironing.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of The Half Bad Trilogy Books
- TagsfantasyDescriptionThe air in the woods is thick with ancient tension, a place where the natural world bleeds into something altogether more dangerous and unknowable. It is a landscape defined by boundaries, both physical and magical, where the line between hunter and prey has been blurred by centuries of prejudice. The atmosphere is heavy, suggesting that violence is not just a possibility but a lingering promise waiting to be fulfilled. At the heart of this turmoil lies a fractured existence, a life split between two warring factions that demand absolute loyalty while offering only betrayal in return. The central conflict is not merely a battle for territory, but a desperate struggle for identity in a world that refuses to acknowledge the gray areas between good and evil. This is a story about the impossibility of remaining neutral when the ground beneath you is constantly shifting. Sally Green constructs a narrative that feels both intimately personal and sweepingly epic, grounding high-stakes magic in the gritty, painful reality of growing up different. The prose is sharp and observant, cutting through the noise of war to focus on the quiet, devastating moments of choice. It is a world where magic is a burden as much as a weapon, wielded with consequences that bleed into every aspect of life. To read this is to step into a shadowy realm where the stakes are life and death, yet the true victory lies in self-acceptance. The journey is harrowing, marked by loss and the hard-won wisdom that…Publication date2014Amazon rating5/5Print length396LanguageTurkish
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasythrillerchildrenhorrorparanormal-romanceDescriptionHalf Bad does something rare by tearing down the binary of good and evil to ask what survives in the gray space between. This isn't just another story about witches; it is a visceral, gut-wrenching exploration of identity and the heavy burden of bloodlines. Sally Green doesn't just tell you about Nathan Byrn’s world, she makes you feel the cold iron of his cage and the suffocating weight of a destiny he never asked for, pulling you into a narrative that feels as dangerous as it is necessary. Nathan is the illegitimate son of the world’s most notorious witch, a fact that sentences him to a life of captivity and suspicion by the Council of Fairborn witches. They see a monster in the making, a boy destined to inherit his father’s destructive path, and so they keep him caged, waiting for the madness that might claim him before he turns seventeen. The stakes are brutally personal, forcing Nathan to fight not just for his freedom, but for his very sanity against a world that has already condemned him. His only chance at survival lies with Mercury, a Blood witch whose help is as treacherous as it is vital, demanding a price Nathan might not be able to pay. Watching Nathan navigate this treacherous landscape is an experience that stays with you, a raw reminder of how far we must go to define ourselves. It is a compelling, darkly beautiful start to a trilogy that challenges you to look beyond the…Publication date4 March 2014Amazon rating4.2/5Print length416LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasyDescriptionIn a world divided between the cruel, ruling White Witches and the persecuted Black Witches, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an abomination. He is a Half Code, the illegitimate son of a White mother and the most notorious Black Witch in history, Marcus. Because of his blood, he is trapped in a cage, monitored, beaten, and waiting for his seventeenth birthday—the moment he will receive three gifts from his father and finally gain his magic. The atmosphere is thick with tension and the metallic tang of blood, a place where survival is the only law and trust is a dangerous luxury. Nathan’s journey is a desperate scramble for freedom across a European landscape scarred by prejudice and violence. He must escape his captors and find Marcus before the hunters catch him, all while grappling with the hunger that his new magic demands. The stakes are brutally personal: if he fails, he dies; if he succeeds, he might become the very monster everyone fears. The narrative pulses with a raw, feral energy, mirroring the protagonist’s internal struggle between his humanity and his dark inheritance. This is a story about identity forged in fire and the painful realization that good and evil are not as clear-cut as the Council claims. Green’s prose is sharp and unflinching, pulling you into Nathan’s fractured psyche with an intimacy that is often uncomfortable but impossible to look away from. It is a gripping, atmospheric read that lingers like a bruise, challenging you to root for the villain in…Publication date13 November 2014Amazon rating4.1/5Print length116LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasyDescriptionSally Green’s *Half Truths* drags us back into a world where magic is a brutal, bloody inheritance. It is the second chapter in the *Half Bad* trilogy. The story picks up with Nathan Byrn, a young witch caught between two warring clans. He is still running. He is still fighting for his right to exist. This book does not let you breathe. The stakes are higher now. Nathan is on a desperate hunt for his girlfriend, Annalise. He needs answers. He needs to understand his own volatile powers. The lines between good and evil blur completely here. Trust is a dangerous luxury. Green writes with a raw, jagged edge. The prose feels like a heartbeat. Fast. Unrelenting. She captures the confusion of growing up when everyone wants you dead. It is a story about identity. It is about choosing your own path when the world demands you pick a side. You should read this if you crave dark fantasy with real emotional weight. It is gritty. It is honest. It will make you question what it means to be family. Nathan’s journey is far from over, and this installment leaves you aching for more.Publication date3 November 2015Amazon rating4.1/5Print length78LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
- Tagsfantasychildrenhorrorparanormal-romanceDescriptionDoes the blood running through your veins condemn you to a villain's fate, or is there a chance to choose your own path? In a modern-day England where witches live in the shadows, torn between warring factions, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an anomaly. He is the illegitimate son of the world’s most terrifying witch, a half-breed reviled by both sides as an abomination. Nowhere is safe, and trust is a luxury Nathan cannot afford. As he struggles to survive, he must grapple with the terrifying reality of his new magical Gift. The power is immense, but it is volatile, threatening to consume him just as the world expects it to. Nathan is on the run, but the Hunters are relentless, closing in with a singular, deadly purpose: to capture him and destroy his father. The stakes are brutally high in this gritty, high-octane chase where violence is a constant companion and morality is painted in shades of gray. Green doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of Nathan's existence; the narrative is raw, punctuated by danger and the desperate need for belonging. This isn't just a story about escaping capture; it is a fight for identity amidst a war that demands you pick a side. Nathan has the power, but the choice of how to wield it remains the only thing that might save him.Publication date24 March 2015Amazon rating4.4/5Print length432LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasychildrencrimehorrorparanormal-romanceDescriptionSally Green concludes her gritty trilogy with a visceral examination of war’s lingering costs. This is not merely a fantasy finale, but a study of survival in a world that has already burned its heroes. The stakes are absolute, stripped of romanticism, leaving only the raw necessity of the fight. The atmosphere is heavy with the scent of ash and desperation. The Alliance of Free Witches is shattered, a ghost of its former self, hunted relentlessly by the Council’s assassins. Nathan Byrn runs, but the landscape itself feels hostile, a bleak backdrop to a civil war that has bled the colors from the world until only the struggle remains. Hope rests on a fragile, dangerous hinge. Nathan must secure the missing half of Gabriel’s amulet, an artifact promising invincibility. This quest forces him across the ocean to confront Ledger, a reclusive witch of terrifying power. The narrative tightens here, a high-stakes negotiation where trust is a currency more valuable than magic. With the amulet and his inherited Gifts, Nathan possesses the potential to end the bloodshed between Black and White witches. Yet, victory is painted not as a triumph, but as a heavy burden. The story moves with a punchy, urgent rhythm, driving toward a conclusion that is as inevitable as it is devastating.Publication date29 March 2016Amazon rating4.5/5Print length352LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
Order of The Smoke Thieves Books
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasychildrenepic-fantasyDescriptionA princess in a gilded cage, a soldier turned smuggler, and a demon hunter on the edge of sanity find their fates violently intertwined in a world on the brink of war. When a forbidden demon is snatched from the underworld, the theft ignites a powder keg of political intrigue and ancient magic. Tensions between the brutal empire of Pitoria and the kingdom of Abask finally boil over, forcing these unlikely allies to navigate a treacherous landscape where trust is a luxury no one can afford. The demon itself is a weapon of mass destruction, and everyone wants to control it. Sally Green masterfully weaves together multiple perspectives to create a tapestry of desperation and dark ambition. The stakes are brutally personal and terrifyingly high, as each character carries secrets that could shatter the fragile peace. This isn’t just a fantasy about borders and battles; it’s a gritty exploration of survival and the cost of power. With sharp prose and relentless pacing, The Smoke Thieves grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final, heart-stopping page.Publication date2018Amazon rating4.4/5Print length560LanguageEnglish
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasyromancechildrenepic-fantasycrimeDescriptionSally Green returns to the gritty, war-torn landscape of her previous novels with a narrative that expands the scope of her world-building to terrifying new heights. This is not merely a continuation of a saga but a deepening of the political and personal stakes that have defined the series. The author strips away the romantic veneer of fantasy to expose the raw, jagged nerves of a society on the brink of collapse, making the stakes feel immediate and dangerously real. At the heart of the chaos lies the demon world itself, a realm that promises power but demands a terrible price. The central hook is the fragile boundary between dimensions and the characters who dare to cross it. We are drawn into a mystery that transcends simple military conquest, asking what happens when humanity tries to harness forces it cannot possibly comprehend. The tension is palpable, a tight wire stretched across a chasm of unknown consequences. Green’s prose remains sharp and observant, capturing the grim reality of her characters' lives with unflinching precision. She balances the grand scale of an impending war with intimate moments of betrayal and loyalty. The pacing is relentless. Short, punchy chapters drive the plot forward, while longer passages linger on the psychological toll of a world where magic is as much a curse as a blessing. For readers who have followed the Smoke Thieves, this volume offers a dark, satisfying evolution of the conflicts they know. New readers will find themselves immersed in a complex…Publication date2019Amazon rating4.5/5Print length464LanguageEnglish
- Tagsyoung-adultfantasychildrenepic-fantasyDescriptionThe air in the Pitorian court is thick with betrayal, a suffocating haze where loyalty is as fleeting as smoke and every whispered secret carries the weight of a death sentence. In this volatile landscape, the fragile peace between kingdoms is not merely strained but actively shattering, pulled apart by the desperate ambitions of those who believe the ends justify any means. The narrative thrust here is relentless, driven by a central conflict that transcends borders and bloodlines, forcing a disparate group of characters to navigate a world where their greatest enemies may be the ones standing beside them. Sally Green masterfully escalates the tension, weaving together multiple perspectives to create a tapestry of intrigue that feels both expansive and intimately personal. The stakes are brutally high, involving not just the fate of nations but the very souls of those caught in the crossfire, making every decision feel perilous and irreversible. This is a story that demands attention, balancing the grand scale of political warfare with the raw, jagged edges of human emotion, ensuring that the journey through these burning kingdoms is as unforgettable as it is dangerous.Publication date2020Amazon rating4.6/5Print length480LanguageEnglishPublisherViking Books for Young Readers
Frequently Asked Questions about Sally Green
Sally Green writes in series, and the books within each series should be read in order. The two series are The Half Bad Trilogy and The Smoke Thieves. The Half Bad Trilogy was published first. Within The Half Bad Trilogy, the books are Bela, Half Bad, Half Lies, Half Truths, and Half Wild. Within The Smoke Thieves, the books are The Smoke Thieves, The Demon World, and The Burning Kingdoms. Reading the series in publication order is also recommended.
A good starting point for Sally Green's books is the first book in her first series, Half Bad. This is part of The Half Bad Trilogy. The series introduces the magical world and characters that are central to her work. After finishing The Half Bad Trilogy, readers can move on to her second series, The Smoke Thieves, which explores a different set of characters and magical elements within a related, though distinct, narrative.
It is generally recommended to read the books within each of Sally Green's series in the order they were published. The Half Bad Trilogy books should be read in sequence, as should the books in The Smoke Thieves series. While some individual books might offer glimpses into the world, the overarching plots and character development are designed to unfold sequentially. Reading them out of order can lead to confusion and a diminished understanding of the narrative arcs.
Sally Green writes books that are part of series. She has two main series: The Half Bad Trilogy and The Smoke Thieves. The books within each series are connected and follow a continuous storyline. While the series themselves are distinct, they are not standalone novels. Readers will gain the most from the storytelling by experiencing the progression of events and character development as intended within each series.
Sally Green has written a total of eight books across her two published series. The Half Bad Trilogy consists of five books, and The Smoke Thieves series includes three books. Information about future publications is not currently available, but these eight books form the complete collections for both series as they stand.
The first book Sally Green wrote and published was Half Bad, which was released in 2014. This book is the first installment of The Half Bad Trilogy. It introduces readers to the world of witches and the protagonist, Nathan, and sets the stage for the subsequent books in the series. Following Half Bad, the other books in the trilogy were released in close succession.
The most recent book published by Sally Green is The Burning Kingdoms, which was released in 2020. This is the third and final book in The Smoke Thieves series. The series explores a different narrative and set of characters from her earlier work, The Half Bad Trilogy, but maintains her signature style of dark fantasy and complex characters.
Sally Green writes young adult fantasy novels. Her books are characterized by themes of magic, family, identity, and survival, often set against a backdrop of conflict and danger. She creates intricate worlds with unique magical systems and morally complex characters. Her stories explore the challenges faced by young protagonists as they navigate difficult circumstances and discover their own strengths.
Mason Deaver
Coming soon
Courtney Summers
Coming soon
We verified the reading order for Sally Green's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: April 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Sally Green Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/sally-green