Ultimate Guide to Reading The Witcher Books: Chronological vs Release Order

The Witcher books, written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, are a popular fantasy series. The novels revolve around the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a witcher with supernatural abilities who hunts beasts and protects people from danger. The series was adapted into a successful Netflix show in 2019, although it deviates from the original book series.

For new readers, it can be confusing to determine where to start due to the show's deviations from the books. Andrzej Sapkowski's main series consists of five full-length novels, along with one standalone novel and two short stories set in the same universe. It is recommended for readers to include these additional works to fully grasp the narrative. While there is no set order to read the Witcher books, there are two methods that offer the best reading experience.

The Witcher is available to stream on Netflix.

How To Read The Witcher Books In Release Order

The Witcher Reading Order From The Last Wish To Season Of Storms

Geralt and Yennefer in The Witcher - The Witcher Reading Order From The Last Wish To Season Of Storms - How To Read The Witcher Books In Release Order

When diving into the Witcher books, it's best to start with the novels in the order they were released. This method offers several benefits for readers. Although the original novel by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher, was not published in English, The Last Wish serves as a fantastic introduction for newcomers. With its concise writing, detailed explanations, and standalone nature, it provides a solid foundation for exploring the series. By following the sequence of releases, readers can witness the evolution of the world created by the author and delve into the story from his perspective.

There is a small problem with Sword of Destiny as it was initially released in Polish in 1993 under the title of Ostatnie Zyczenie. However, for those new to the Witcher series, it still makes sense to read the books in the order they were released. The English release order may differ slightly from the original Polish, but the main saga remains consistent, ensuring readers do not miss any crucial details between books.

How To Read The Witcher Books In Chronological Order

Andrzej Sapkowski’s Short Story Collections & Prequel Take Place Much Earlier In The Timeline

Yennifer and Geralt in The Witcher on Netflixx - Andrzej Sapkowski’s Short Story Collections & Prequel Take Place Much Earlier In The Timeline - How To Read The Witcher Books In Chronological Order

Reading the Witcher books in chronological order offers a different experience for first-time readers. This is because Andrzej Sapkowski's two short story collections and prequel novel take place before the original saga. By reading the series in chronological order, readers get to explore the early years of The Witcher universe before diving into the main story of the franchise. This order is more authentic for those planning to read all eight stories, but it's not essential for those only interested in the main saga.

The events of the books Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, and The Tower of the Swallow all occur within the same year. Each book covers a few months, with some overlapping timelines.

This order might be a bit confusing because Season of Storms was written last and assumes that readers are already familiar with the main events in The Witcher saga. While it doesn't spoil the experience, there are some parts of Season of Storms that can be appreciated more after reading books like The Lady of the Lake and The Tower of the Swallow.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive guide to reading the popular Witcher book series, offering two distinct methods: release order and chronological order. While both approaches have their merits, the choice ultimately depends on the reader's preferences and goals.

For those seeking a more immersive experience that mimics the author's intended storytelling, reading the books in release order is recommended. This allows readers to witness the evolution of the world and characters as the author intended. However, those who prefer a chronological understanding of the events may opt to read the books in chronological order, which provides a deeper understanding of the backstory and early years of the Witcher universe. Ultimately, both methods offer unique and rewarding experiences, and readers can choose the one that best aligns with their interests.