Supernatural: The complete guide to reading every novel in order (& how they fit into the show)

For 15 seasons, Supernatural kept the excitement alive by featuring the thrilling escapades of Sam and Dean Winchester battling ghosts, demons, and a slew of other supernatural beings. Yet, even The CW’s longest-running fantasy series had some stories it never told.

That is exactly what the novels are trying to fix by providing 17 officially licensed books that give readers monster-hunting road trip experiences that often slip between the key episodes of the show.

These novels are the work of multiple authors, starting with Nevermore in 2007 and ending with Children of Anubis in 2019, spanning over a decade. While most of these novels are standalone tales, a large number of them also try to fit into the existing Supernatural universe.

This makes the books an ideal companion to the show. Suppose you wish to discover an unexplored lore or simply wish to enjoy some of the brothers' earlier, more relatable days. In that case, this guide will help you navigate the books in an orderly fashion, showing how each book correlates with the show’s timeline.

How to read the Supernatural novels in order?

The novels were mostly published in the order of the timeline, although there are some entries out of sequence with the show's continuity. Mostly, each book can be read in isolation without disrupting the overarching mythology. However, many novels do reference episodes, lore, or character arcs from the show, which makes it enjoyable for long-term fans to recognize those elements.

Here are all the novels of the series in the order they were released, alongside their respective authors and where they fit in the timeline of the show.

Supernatural tie-in novels – Complete list

How they interact with the show (and why they're not canon)

The books derive their inspiration from the show’s world; however, they maintain an unofficial continuity of their own. The books make references to defining moments such as the Apocalypse arc or the rise of Lucifer, but they never alter events that took place on-screen. Rather, the novels function as “lost episodes,” allowing fans to extend their time with the Winchester brothers, frequently reverting to the older monster-of-the-week format.

Some books, such as War of the Sons, include elements like angels, ancient scrolls, and more advanced lore, almost canonically, yet none are officially integrated into the show. A few continuity blunders also emerge, such as the inclusion of Abaddon, who appears before the airing of her character on television, or a fresh perspective on the Egyptian deity Anubis.

Regardless, the novels do not contradict the show in any explicit way, thus providing a pleasant—albeit often sentimental—supplement to the Supernatural universe. The novels are a captivating means of revisiting the journey for long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Why the books still matter in 2025

Even five years after the final heart-wrenching episode of Supernatural, the Winchester stories are still in high demand. The interest the show has recently garnered from fans rewatching the series on streaming services has brought the Supernatural tie-in novels into the spotlight.

New as well as old fans of the series will find these books appealing as they provide something the show could not: seamless monster-of-the-week escapades that are free from the show’s galactic stakes.

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They are especially relevant now because of how these novels strip down the primary appeal of the show and repackage it: two brothers, a trunk full of weapons, and a case that needs solving.

In an era when a majority of franchises focus on incorporating multiple universes and heavy continuity into their storytelling, these novels are a delightful diversion from the simplicity of episodic structure. But most importantly, the books serve as a perfect guide for fans looking to dive into fan theories, or for those who daydream about possible reboots or spin-offs.

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