Questions

Where to start — answered briefly

66 short pages for searches that want a door, not a 40-title chart. Each one points at the full map on All guides. Contested shelves live under Epic Fantasy, Space Opera, Mystery, and Romance — including Fourth Wing, Mistborn, Murderbot, Bargainer, Osten Ard, and Harry Bosch. Also where to start the Laundry Files, Drizzt’s two doors, and Foreigner arc starts. Also what to read after ACOTAR, Touch or Game (A Touch of Darkness, 2019), Artemis Fowl (2001), and where to start Discworld (Guards! Guards!, 1989), where to start Malazan Book of the Fallen, and The Will of the Many books in order.

Shelf

Epic Fantasy

31 questions

Either. They are different doors.ACOTAR or Throne of Glass first?ACOTAR or Throne of Glass first? Either. They do not spoil each other. Finish both before Crescent City book two if crossovers matter.
Artemis Fowl (2001)Artemis Fowl series: all books in order?Artemis Fowl series order: start with Artemis Fowl (2001). Eight novels, then the Fowl Twins. The brothers and the Disney+ film are not book one.
Whichever series you meant. Not one sequence.Divine Cities or Founders first?City of Stairs (2014) and Foundryside (2018) are different Robert Jackson Bennett series. The Tainted Cup (2024) is a third door, not book four.
The Hobbit, then Lord of the RingsHobbit, Lord of the Rings, or Silmarillion first?Start Tolkien with The Hobbit, then The Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion is later First Age history — a reread or lore project, not an on-ramp.
Publication order. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.Narnia: publication or chronological?Read Narnia in publication order, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Boxed sets that number The Magician’s Nephew as book one are doing chronology, not a first-read mercy.
Apt starts at Empire in Black and Gold.Shadows of the Apt or Children of Time?Empire in Black and Gold starts Shadows of the Apt. Children of Time and Shards of Earth are different Adrian Tchaikovsky series. Do not merge the shelves.
No. Start with Throne of Glass.Should I read Assassin’s Blade first?Should you read Assassin’s Blade first? No. Start Throne of Glass with the novel, then Crown of Midnight, then the prequel collection.
Either. Crystal Shard is publication; Homeland is chronology.Start Drizzt with Homeland or Crystal Shard?Homeland or Crystal Shard first for Drizzt? Chronology starts at Homeland. Publication starts at The Crystal Shard (1988). Both doors work — pick one.
Magician.Start Riftwar with Magician or Daughter of the Empire?Start the Riftwar Cycle with Magician (1982), not Daughter of the Empire. Apprentice and Master are one novel. A Darkness Returns is not book one.
Sword for publication. Elfstones is the labeled alternate.Start Shannara with Sword or Elfstones?Sword of Shannara or Elfstones first? Sword (1977) is book one in print. Elfstones is the common alternate door. Prequels are not the on-ramp.
No. Pawn of Prophecy.Start the Belgariad with Belgarath?Should you start the Belgariad with Belgarath the Sorcerer? No. Start with Pawn of Prophecy. Belgarath and Polgara spoil both quintets.
No. Into the Wild.Start Warrior Cats with The Sun Trail?Start Warrior Cats with Into the Wild (2003), not The Sun Trail. Dawn of the Clans is a prequel arc. The official guide starts with The Prophecies Begin.
Throne of Glass (2012), then Crescent City — or leave Maas.What to read after ACOTAR (Throne of Glass, 2012)What to read after ACOTAR: Throne of Glass (2012) for more Maas, Crescent City after the spoiler warning, or Fourth Wing (2023) off-shelf.
A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)Where to buy A Wizard of EarthseaEarthsea book one is A Wizard of Earthsea (1968), Ursula K. Le Guin. Tehanu and The Other Wind are later novels. They are not the door.
The Will of the Many (2023)Where to buy The Will of the ManyHierarchy book one is The Will of the Many (2023), James Islington. The Strength of the Few is book two. Licanius is a different, finished trilogy.
A Court of Thorns and RosesWhere to start ACOTARACOTAR reading order: start with A Court of Thorns and Roses. Silver Flames is not a new series. You do not need Throne of Glass first.
Guards! Guards! (1989)Where to start DiscworldWhere to start Discworld: Guards! Guards! (1989) — or Equal Rites, or Mort. Not a 41-book spreadsheet. Colour of Magic is a different tone.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997)Where to start Harry PotterWhere to start Harry Potter: Philosopher’s Stone (1997; US: Sorcerer’s Stone). The seven novels are the series. Fantastic Beasts and Cursed Child are extras.
Gardens of the Moon (1999)Where to start Malazan Book of the FallenWhere to start Malazan: Gardens of the Moon (1999), book one of the Book of the Fallen. Not Midnight Tides, and not the Kharkanas prequels.
The Final Empire (2006) — Era 1Where to start Mistborn: Era 1 or Era 2?Where to start Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006), Era 1. The Alloy of Law is Era 2 and spoils the first trilogy. Secret History is a companion, not book 1.5.
The Dragonbone Chair.Where to start Osten Ard?Start Osten Ard with The Dragonbone Chair, not Brothers of the Wind or The Witchwood Crown. Heart of What Was Lost is a bridge after the first trilogy.
The Priory of the Orange Tree (2019)Where to start Roots of Chaos / PrioryWhere to start Roots of Chaos: The Priory of the Orange Tree (2019) first. A Day of Fallen Night (2023) is a prequel — chronology is a reread, not book one.
His Majesty’s Dragon — UK: TemeraireWhere to start TemeraireStart Temeraire with His Majesty’s Dragon (UK: Temeraire). Nine novels in publication order. League of Dragons is the end, not book one. Not Scholomance.
Senlin Ascends (2013)Where to start The Books of BabelWhere to start Books of Babel: Senlin Ascends (2013). Finished tetralogy. Orbit reprints are the same first two books, not a reboot. Do not start with Arm of the Sphinx.
Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006) — or The Way of Kings (2010)Where to start the CosmereWhere to start the Cosmere: Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006) or The Way of Kings (2010). Pick one series. Skip the 40-book spreadsheet.
The Gunslinger (1982)Where to start The Dark TowerWhere to start The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982; revised 2003). Wind Through the Keyhole sits between books 4 and 5. Related King novels are optional, not homework.
The Blade ItselfWhere to start The First LawStart First Law with The Blade Itself. Then the trilogy, the three standalones, then Age of Madness. Best Served Cold and A Little Hatred are not book one.
The Poppy WarWhere to start The Poppy WarStart The Poppy War with the novel The Poppy War, then The Dragon Republic, then The Burning God. Yellowface is a different book. Do not start with the last novel.
The Way of KingsWhere to start the Stormlight ArchiveStart Stormlight with The Way of Kings. You do not need Mistborn first. Novellas sit between novels — not a Cosmere spreadsheet.
The Eye of the WorldWhere to start The Wheel of TimeWhere to start The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World. New Spring is a prequel, not book one. Fourteen novels, finished.
The Last WishWhere to start the WitcherStart the Witcher with The Last Wish, then Sword of Destiny. Blood of Elves is saga novel one, not book one. Later prequels wait.

Shelf

Space Opera / SFF

14 questions

Foundation (1951)Foundation: publication or chronological?Asimov Foundation reading order: start with Foundation (1951), not Prelude. Publication first; chronological charts that open with the prequels are a reread.
Not first. Optional after Herbert’s six.Should I read the Brian Herbert Dune books?Dune books in order: Frank Herbert’s six first. Brian Herbert books are optional later. Do not start with a Jihad prequel or with Hunters of Dune.
Allowed by Cherryh. House door is still Foreigner.Start Foreigner at a later trilogy arc?Can you start Foreigner at a later arc? Cherryh allows arc-first. This house still starts with Foreigner (1994). Defiance is not an on-ramp.
Empire of Silence (2018)Where to buy Empire of Silence (Sun Eater book 1)Sun Eater book one is Empire of Silence (2018), Christopher Ruocchio. The later novels continue that book. Novellas and The Murdered Sun are not the door.
Shards of Earth (2021)Where to buy Shards of Earth (Final Architecture book 1)Final Architecture book one is Shards of Earth (2021), Adrian Tchaikovsky. Then Eyes of the Void and Lords of Uncreation. Children of Time is a different trilogy.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979)Where to buy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThe first Hitchhiker novel is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979), Douglas Adams. Radio and the film are not the novel. And Another Thing… is not book one.
We Are Legion (We Are Bob)Where to start BobiverseStart Bobiverse with We Are Legion (We Are Bob). Publication order only. Heaven’s River is later, not book one. Books four and five are sequels, not a new series.
Dune (1965)Where to start DuneDune books in order: start with Dune (1965). Frank Herbert’s six first. Brian Herbert books and Jihad prequels are not hidden book one.
Legend (Marie Lu, 2011)Where to start Marie Lu’s LegendMarie Lu’s Legend book series: start with Legend (2011), then Prodigy, then Champion. Rebel is book four. Life Before Legend is a novella, not book one. Not David Gemmell.
Red RisingWhere to start Red RisingStart Red Rising with the novel Red Rising, then the original trilogy. Iron Gold is a second saga a decade later — not an on-ramp. Sons of Ares is optional.
Revelation SpaceWhere to start Revelation SpaceStart Revelation Space with the novel Revelation Space, then the inhibitor sequence. Chasm City and the Prefect books look like book one. They are not this door.
WoolWhere to start Silo / WoolSilo / Wool reading order: start with Wool, then Shift, then Dust. The prequel is not book one. The Apple TV+ show is a cousin, not a table of contents.
Leviathan WakesWhere to start The ExpanseStart The Expanse with Leviathan Wakes. The nine novels are the spine. Novellas and Memory’s Legion are not book one — chronological prequels spoil.
Shards of HonorWhere to start the Vorkosigan SagaStart Vorkosigan with Shards of Honor, then Barrayar, then Miles. The Warrior’s Apprentice is the other honest door. Falling Free is not book one.

Shelf

Mystery / Thriller

13 questions

Not before Triptych. Yes before Undone.Do I need Grant County before Will Trent?Do you need Grant County before Will Trent? Not before Triptych. Yes before Undone/Genesis — that crossover spoils the Grant County ending. UK titles labeled.
Publication order. Killing Floor.Jack Reacher: publication or chronological?Jack Reacher books in order: publication. Start with Killing Floor. Chronological prequels (The Enemy, The Affair) are mid-run books, not book one.
No. Magic Bites.Start Kate's world with Gunmetal Magic?Gunmetal Magic, Iron and Magic, and Blood Heir are not Kate Daniels book one. Start the world at Magic Bites. Blood Heir comes after the Wilmington books.
No. Transfer of Power.Start Mitch Rapp with American Assassin?Should you start Mitch Rapp with American Assassin? No. Start with Transfer of Power. American Assassin is a later prequel. The film starts there anyway.
Magic Bites (2007)Where to buy Magic Bites (Kate Daniels book 1)Kate Daniels book one is Magic Bites (2007), Ilona Andrews. Magic Strikes is third. Magic Tides and the spin-offs are not the door.
Mr. Mercedes (2014)Where to buy Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges book 1)Bill Hodges book one is Mr. Mercedes (2014), Stephen King. Finders Keepers and End of Watch follow. Holly (2023) is not the first Hodges novel.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)Where to buy The Mysterious Affair at StylesPoirot book one is The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920). Marple book one is The Murder at the Vicarage (1930). Curtain, Sleeping Murder, and And Then There Were None are not either door.
The Black Echo.Where to start Harry Bosch?Start Harry Bosch with The Black Echo (1992). The Lincoln Lawyer is Mickey Haller. The Late Show is Renée Ballard. The Poet comes before The Narrows.
Naked in Death.Where to start In Death?Start In Death with Naked in Death (1995). The series is one numbered run past sixty novels. A new in Death hardcover is not a new series.
Rivers of London — US: Midnight RiotWhere to start Rivers of LondonStart Rivers of London with the first novel (US: Midnight Riot). Do not start with comics, novellas, or the 1920s Nightingale prequel.
A Study in ScarletWhere to start Sherlock HolmesWhere to start Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet. The Hound of the Baskervilles is famous and later — not book one.
The Atrocity Archives (2004).Where to start the Laundry Files? (The Atrocity Archives, 2004)Where to start the Laundry Files? The Atrocity Archives (2004) is the house door. Stross also allows Rhesus Chart, Nightmare Stacks, or Dead Lies Dreaming as later starts.
The Thursday Murder ClubWhere to start Thursday Murder ClubStart Thursday Murder Club with the first novel. Publication order through The Impossible Fortune. We Solve Murders is a different Osman series — not book 6.

Shelf

Romance

8 questions

After. Start with From Blood and Ash.Flesh and Fire before or after Blood and Ash?Flesh and Fire before or after Blood and Ash? After. Start with From Blood and Ash. A Shadow in the Ember goes after The Crown of Gilded Bones on the author’s list.
A Touch of Darkness (2019).Hades and Persephone: Touch or Game first? (A Touch of Darkness, 2019)Hades and Persephone: start with A Touch of Darkness (2019). A Game of Fate (2020) is Hades’s companion, numbered book 2. Chapter-by-chapter tandem is a reread.
Publication. Practical Magic (1995).Practical Magic: publication or chronological?Practical Magic: publication or chronological? Publication. Start with Practical Magic (1995). Hoffman allows chronology; Amazon often files Magic Lessons as book one.
Captive Prince (2014)Where to buy Captive Prince (book 1)Captive Prince book one is the trade novel Captive Prince (2014), C. S. Pacat. Not Kings Rising. Not a short. Dark Rise is a different trilogy.
Once Upon a Broken Heart (2021)Where to buy Once Upon a Broken HeartOnce Upon a Broken Heart (2021) is book one of Stephanie Garber's trilogy. Caraval is an earlier series. A Curse for True Love is book three.
Outlander (1991)Where to buy Outlander (book 1)Outlander book one is Outlander (1991), Diana Gabaldon. The major novels follow in order. A Lord John book is not book one.
Curse of Shadows and ThornsWhere to start Broken KingdomsStart Broken Kingdoms with Curse of Shadows and Thorns. Later kingdoms look like a new series. The Ever King is next generation — not book one.
Fourth WingWhere to start Fourth Wing / Empyrean: Fourth Wing (2023)Start with Fourth Wing (2023), then Iron Flame and Onyx Storm. Threshing Day is not book 4.