Ultimate Guide: Reading The Kingkiller Chronicle Series in Chronological Order

The Kingkiller Chronicle series follows the adventures of Kvothe, a musician, wizard, and adventurer. To fully immerse oneself in his story, there are multiple books, short stories, and novellas to explore. Written by Patrick Rothfuss, this fantasy trilogy and its subsequent works garnered immediate praise upon the release of the first book. Even George R. R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, expressed his admiration for the second novel, naming it one of his favorite fantasy books of the year.

Discussions about adapting The Kingkiller Chronicle have been ongoing for years, but updates on the projects have been scarce. Since 2013, they have been stuck in development limbo. Progress was made in 2015 when Rothfuss revealed that Lionsgate would be bringing his novels to life through movies, television series, and video games. Despite the involvement of big names like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Sam Raimi, little information has been released about the adaptations, leaving fans in suspense about their current status. In the meantime, fans can revisit Rothfuss' series by either following the release order or the chronological order of events.

The Kingkiller Chronicle Books In Release Order

A tree with a moon in the background from Kingkiller Chronicle - The Kingkiller Chronicle Books In Release Order

Patrick Rothfuss' The Kingkiller Chronicle series is made up of three books, three novellas, and one short story. The story is told in a unique "story-within-a-story" format, with Kvothe as the narrator recounting his life to Chronicler, a scribe. This format allows the series to switch between past and present timelines in the fictional world of Temerant, as Kvothe reminisces about his adventures and his current life as an innkeeper under a different name.

Two books from the series, The Wise Man's Fear and The Slow Regard of Silent Things, have both achieved a spot on The New York Times bestseller list.

In the trilogy, each book corresponds to a day when Kvothe shares his story with Chronicler. The first book covers the first day, the second book the second day, and presumably, the third book will cover the third day. Other books in the series explore different aspects of Temerant and its characters. Some novellas serve as prequels to the main series, even though they were published after the original books. Here is the release order of Rothfuss' series:

The Kingkiller Chronicle Books In Chronological Order

Lin-Manuel Miranda Working on Kingkiller Chronicles - The Kingkiller Chronicle Books In Chronological Order

If you want to read The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss in chronological order, you need to disregard the release dates of each book, novella, and short story. Some works in the series are prequels, while others occur after the main trilogy. To begin, start with the short story "How Old Holly Came to Be," found in Shawn Speakman's Unfettered, which is set centuries before The Name of the Wind. Next, read The Lightning Tree, followed by the first two books in the trilogy.

The third and final book in The Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy has been in progress for over ten years.

After finishing The Wise Man's Fear, readers are recommended to read The Slow Regard of Silent Things, which fits between chapters four and eleven of the second book in the main trilogy. It is best to read this novella after the second book for a smoother reading experience, even though its events take place within The Wise Man's Fear. Lastly, The Narrow Road Between Desires should be saved for last until Rothfuss releases the eagerly awaited third novel — The Doors of Stone.

When Will The Next Kingkiller Chronicle Book Be Released?

Custom image of Patrick Rothfuss and Kingkiller Chronicles art - When Will The Next Kingkiller Chronicle Book Be Released?

Unfortunately, the release date for The Doors of Stone remains unknown. The final book in the Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy has been in progress for over ten years since The Wise Man's Fear was published in 2011. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion to Kvothe's story, but author Patrick Rothfuss has faced personal challenges that have caused delays. Hopefully, the book will be released soon, bringing closure to fans who have been waiting patiently.

As for the adaptations of the Kingkiller Chronicle series, there have been mixed updates. Showtime declined Lin-Manuel Miranda's series in 2019, leaving its fate uncertain. It is unclear if the show is still being pitched to other networks or if it has been shelved. On the other hand, in 2018, it was announced that Sam Raimi would direct the Kingkiller Chronicle movie. However, as of March 2024, there have been no further developments on the adaptations. Fans can only hope for positive news in the future.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Patrick Rothfuss' beloved fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle. It details the various books, novellas, and short stories that make up the series, offering both release order and chronological order reading suggestions. The article also discusses the highly anticipated but delayed release of the third book, The Doors of Stone, and the status of the series' adaptations.

As a fan of the series, I appreciate the detailed information and insights provided in this article. It offers a helpful guide for both new and returning readers, allowing them to navigate the complex world of Temerant and Kvothe's epic journey. I am particularly intrigued by the chronological order reading suggestion, as it presents a unique way to experience the story's events. While I eagerly await the release of The Doors of Stone, I am also patient, understanding the challenges that Rothfuss has faced. I believe that his dedication to crafting a satisfying conclusion will ultimately make the wait worthwhile.