Game of Crones Books in Order

Game of Crones is one of Donna McDonald's light paranormal spin-offs, and it knows exactly what kind of fun it wants to have. These books sit inside the broader Magic and Mayhem world, but they focus on a trio of older witches whose bargain with Hecate gives them real power and even more real trouble.

The crones at the center are Violet, Listeria, and Katherine.

They are not polished heroines. They are mouthy, stubborn, occasionally secretive, and far too old to care about looking graceful while saving the day. What binds them is the Power of Three, the magical bond that makes them stronger together than apart. The problem, of course, is that staying united gets harder once old lies, family messes, former familiars, dark witchcraft, and dangerous enemies start surfacing.

This series leans harder into coven dynamics than straightforward romance. There is love in the books, but the deeper through-line is trust between the women, and what happens when one of them withholds too much for too long. In Stone Cold Crone, Violet steps forward as the crone life turns out to be bigger and riskier than expected. Crone Alone shifts attention to Listeria, whose secret relationship and family trouble threaten the whole group. Crone Wars brings Katherine into the hot seat and pushes the series toward a full confrontation with the dark forces circling them.

The tone stays playful even when the stakes rise. There are familiars, magical bargains, sinister power grabs, and a recurring sense that these women would like five quiet minutes but are never going to get them. That balance is the charm of the series. It is witchy, but not grim. Action-heavy, but still chatty and character-driven. Romantic, but just as interested in chosen family and female friendship.

If you already like McDonald's Baba Yaga and Magic and Mayhem books, Game of Crones feels like a natural next step. If you are new to that corner of her work, you can still follow the main plot, but the fun increases if you already enjoy her chaotic magical communities.

In short, expect older witches, sharp jokes, messy loyalties, and a lot of magical trouble packed into a relatively quick read.