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How to read the witcher books in order (2023 update).

Since the release of Netflix’s 2019 adaptation of The Witcher, everyone's been buzzing with the same age-old question: are the books better?

We're biased towards books ourselves, of course. But we'll let you decide for yourself — and we'll be here to help you the entire way with the best reading order for The Witcher books.

But first, for anyone new to the series, here's a quick refresher: the origins of The Witcher books actually go all the way back to the 1980s, when Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski entered a short story called The Witcher into a contest run by the magazine Fantastyka . Placing third, that entry spawned a collection of short stories that then inspired the publication of a five-novel series, the Witcher Saga — which then became an entire franchise.

The Witcher focuses on Geralt of Rivia, a man with supernatural abilities that enable him to fight beasts and monsters . The novels primarily revolve around his goal to protect Ciri, a young princess of a recently conquered country who has a great prophecy hanging over her head — but the series is also so much more than that. These are stories that hit hard , by turns sweeping you up in the adventure of slaying monsters, wringing you through the epic tragedy of war, and breaking your heart with the perfect redemption romance.

Here’s a quick look at the series in their recommended reading order, so that you know what you’re in for:

• The Last Wish (2007)
• Sword of Destiny (2015)
• Blood of Elves (2008)
• The Time of Contempt (2013)
• Baptism of Fire (2014)
• The Tower of Swallows (2016)
• The Lady of the Lake (2017)
• Seasons of Storms (2018)

Without further ado, let's dive in!

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1. The Last Wish

While it may be tempting to jump straight into the novels, you should really start here. This short story collection contains the roots of the Witcher books, and will provide you with background information and character details that will be important once you get into the full-length books.

The Last Wish contains seven stories. The first one serves as a framing device, showing an injured Geralt seeking shelter in a temple; as such, it’s actually broken up into smaller sections and scattered between all the other stories. The remaining six are memories that he flashes back to while recuperating, each one with its own narrative arc. Together, they allow us to really get to know Geralt in all his complexity. The stories are clever, epic, and daring — perfectly setting the stage for the novels to come.

2. Sword of Destiny

While the English edition of Sword of Destiny was published after the first few novels were released in English, the stories within actually take place before the events of the series. That’s why we’d recommend you pick up this one next.

Unlike the first collection, Sword of Destiny follows a much more straightforward timeline: we’re treated to six more amazing stories in roughly chronological order. Many of them provide context for major characters in the main Witcher Saga, including the introduction of Ciri. In fact, one of the stories serves as a direct prequel to Blood of Elves , showcasing events from shortly before that book begins. If you’re looking for a full picture of the Witcher storyline, this is a vital book to add to your list.

3. Blood of Elves

With Blood of Elves, the main saga begins in earnest. Blood of Elves is set about a year after the downfall of Ciri’s kingdom. This tragedy sets off a hunt for the missing princess, with factions on all sides vying to get their hands on her. Unfortunately for them, young princess Ciri has fallen under the protection of one of the most famous witchers alive.

Taken to safety to learn how to hone her skills, the rambunctious and headstrong Ciri wants nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of Geralt, the man she admires so much. But as her powers grow, Geralt is compelled to mend bridges with his long-lost love, Yennefer of Vengerburg, for help. Yennefer’s skills as a witch are exactly what Ciri needs to hone the power she’s destined to wield — but as Yennefer and Ciri’s bond grows, so too does the evil that seeks Ciri out.

After the breakneck pace of the short story collections, some readers might find this book a bit of a slow start — but don’t let that fool you. There is plenty of adventure to be found in Ciri’s struggle to grow up, and in the subsequent books, the payoff for all this setup will absolutely be rewarded.

4. The Time of Contempt

Time of Contempt picks up where Blood of Elves left off. Ciri and Yennefer set off for the city of Gors Velen. Yennefer hopes to enroll Ciri in a magical academy there — but of course, even the best-laid plans can go awry. Between an incident involving a Wyvern, Ciri’s own rebellious escapades, and a long-overdue reunion with Geralt, there’s more than enough for Yennefer to keep track of as she attempts to protect the wayward princess.

But the book is also much larger than that. Here, the pace of the series jumpstarts, as all the major plot threads in the rest of the series ignite. This huge book is a wild ride, with everything from spies and betrayals, to seductive sorceresses and unicorns, to the very real danger of a war erupting. It’s a story about vulnerability and control, about humility, about chaos breaking out across the world. The pacing leaves you breathless, unable to escape the need to find out what happens next.

5. Baptism of Fire

This is the midpoint of the series, and Geralt is certainly in the thick of things by now. In Baptism of Fire, war continues to rage on, and all sides are growing increasingly determined. In the aftermath of events from the previous book, Geralt is recovering from injuries — but how can a protector protect if he’s unable to fight?

Geralt’s determination drives much of this book, as he rallies and gathers allies in an effort to reach Ciri before the rumors of her impending marriage can come true. It’s a complex, nuanced book that explores what it means to be a “monster.” It tears old bonds apart as Ciri takes a turn down a darker path, and it throws Yennefer against terrible odds as she’s imprisoned and struggling to reunite with her family. The slow tension draws you along, never once allowing you to let your guard down.

6. The Tower of Swallows

Ciri returns to center stage in The Tower of Swallows. Everyone is hunting her, but she’s retreated into an anonymous life of banditry and killing... until fate intervenes, and her life is changed once again.

Much of Ciri’s recent story is told in recalled flashback, similar to the framing story of The Last Wish . Some of what she experiences at the hands of a chilling new villain may be difficult to read, but they’re important to understand the depths of her torment and the lengths she will later go to for exacting revenge.

Meanwhile, Yennefer and Geralt deal with situations on their own: she’s seeking out old allies in her quest to find Ciri, and he ends up seduced by someone he probably shouldn’t have allowed himself to fall for. The pacing here returns to the slower setup of a few of the previous novels, building for the payoff of the final book. But it’s still thoroughly engrossing, as Ciri processes her recent past and learns what she’ll need to in order to strike out at those who’ve caused her pain.

7. The Lady of the Lake

All good things must come to an end. For many authors, it’s a struggle to figure out how to write an ending to such an epic fantasy series, but Sapkowski is more than up to the task.

The Lady of the Lake finds Ciri trapped on an elven world, alone and cut off from the people she loves. But where others may fall into desperation, Ciri faces her challenge with the determination we’ve grown to expect from the former princess. Meanwhile, Geralt and Yennefer continue in their adventures as they search for the young woman they’ve grown to see as a daughter. Readers will ache to see if the “family” will ever be reunited and get the happy ending they so richly deserve.

We’re not going to say more for risk of spoiling the many surprises this concluding book takes. What we will say is that it’s loaded with cleverly plotted twists and turns, and features appearances by pretty much every character that’s been introduced so far. This book is a thrilling wrap-up to a beloved series.

8. Season of Storms

Although Season of Storms was one of the last Witcher books to be published, it actually takes place after most of the stories in the first collection, but before the novels.

So why did we list it last? Simple: although the timeline is earlier, it ties directly into a major conflict that takes place in the previous five novels. Reading it beforehand will be less interesting without the context — and it spoils several moments from the other books.

For those who have read the rest of the series, however, this standalone prequel will be a welcome dip back into the world of The Witcher , as we follow Geralt on a quest to regain his lost signature weapons. A satisfying dessert to follow the incredibly rich meal that was the rest of the Witcher books.

9. Bonus: The comics adaptations!

Last, in addition to the Netflix series and video game franchise, The Witcher has also been adapted into graphic novels. A couple of times, in fact! And while the earlier series have not been translated to English, Dark Horse Comics started a Witcher series in 2014 based on the storyline from the video games.

Written by Paul Tobin, with art by Joe Querio, this comic series has covered four different story arcs so far. They’re currently available in a trade pub bind up (as well as a single-volume collection of the first three arcs), and make the perfect addition if you finish the books and find yourself wishing to spend just a little more time in the Witcher universe.

The Witcher Volume 1: House of Glass

The Witcher Volume 2: Fox Children

The Witcher Volume 3: Curse of Crows

The Witcher Library Edition Volume 1

The Witcher Volume 4: Of Flesh and Flame

And there you have it — everything you need to know to dive into the rich and engrossing world of the Witcher books. Pick them up today, and you’ll be ready to laud your spoilery knowledge over all your friends as they wait for season two to drop on Netflix.

Can’t get enough fantasy stories? We’ve got you covered! Check out our list of the Best Fantasy Books of All Time , or find a new favorite with our guide to all the different Fantasy Subgenres .

Continue reading

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• The Orbit Team
• June 27, 2022

Witcher fans rejoice! This fall Orbit will release the complete Witcher series in hardcover for the first time. Each edition will feature cover art from a different artist, showcasing a range of stunning visions of the Witcher universe. These editions will be available in the UK  from @gollancz in 2023.

First up will be the hardcover editions of Blood of Elves and The Time of Contempt in September.

Preorder Blood of Elves Hardcover (US)

Preorder The Time of Contempt Hardcover (US)

Hardcover editions of Baptism of Fire and The Tower of Swallows will follow in October, while The Lady of The Lake and Season of Storms will drop in November. Follow Orbit on Twitter to keep up with those upcoming cover reveals!

And this December look out for the illustrated edition of Sword of Destiny . This gorgeous deluxe hardcover will include six brand-new, full-page interior illustrations (one for each story) and is the perfect companion to the hardcover illustrated edition of The Last Wish.

Preorder Sword of Destiny Hardcover Illustrated Edition ( US | UK )

Order The Last Wish Illustrated Edition ( US | UK )

The First Witcher Book Is Getting A Cool New Edition Around Season 2 Release Date

A hardcover, illustrated edition of The Last Wish, the original collection of Witcher stories, arrives in December.

By Michael Rougeau on July 9, 2021 at 11:43AM PDT

Fans know The Witcher now as a globally popular franchise of video games and a Netflix show starring Henry Cavill, but it began as a series of stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Now the first book in the series, titled "The Last Wish," is getting a very cool new edition this December, which is also when Season 2 of Netflix's The Witcher will arrive .

Netflix's official Witcher account announced the new edition on Twitter today. The "hardcover illustrated edition" of The Last Wish comes via publisher Orbit Books' Gollancz imprint. It will feature illustrations for each of its seven stories: "The Witcher," "A Grain of Truth," "The Lesser Evil," "A Question of Price," "The Edge of the World," "The Last Wish," and "The Voice of Reason." Elements of these stories were adapted for the Netflix show's first season, so fans that have only watched the show will find plenty they recognize in this collection.

Book news! The Last Wish hardcover illustrated edition is coming this December. Featuring illustrations for each story in the book that started it all. @orbitbooks @gollancz (Cover art by Tommy Arnold) Preorder US: https://t.co/s38a8xXiS9 Preorder UK: https://t.co/kY3PRD5tgL pic.twitter.com/ppRDkX7bdc — The Witcher (@witchernetflix) July 9, 2021

The stories in The Last Wish are, chronologically within the series' fiction, the earliest Witcher tales. Netflix also posted a teaser image of an illustration of Yennefer, as well as a suggested reading order for the full written series; following The Last Wish is another collection of loosely related stories, "Sword of Destiny," followed by the six novels.

Yennefer of Vengerberg illustrated by Martina Fačková. Plenty of time to dive into the books before December ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/shfdVaCfwf — The Witcher (@witchernetflix) July 9, 2021

This announcement arrived during the WitcherCon event, at which Netflix made several announcements and reveals. Chief among them is The Witcher Season 2's December 17 release date. They also gave us a first look at Ciri and Lambert (another witcher who will appear in Season 2), and a glimpse at Jaskier rocking out in the new season.

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Redanian Intelligence

Your news source on The Witcher, House of the Dragon, Lord of the Rings and more!

The Witcher Author Gives an Update On New Witcher Books + His Opinion On Netflix Show

It has been ten years since Season of Storms , the last book in Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher saga was released. It served as a midquel between some of the short stories seen in The Last Wish . And before that, in 1999, Sapkowski released The Lady of the Lake , the ending of The Witcher saga. Since then the author has made comments about writing more books in this universe and this week was the latest.

More Witcher books are planned, says Sapkowski

Speaking to Dzieje at the Taipei International Book Exhibition 2023, Andrzej Sapkowski gave a very short and quick answer to the question about any upcoming Witcher books: “ They are in the plans .” He didn’t elaborate further.

It’s unclear what’s the status of the next Witcher book as Sapkowski said almost the exact same thing five years ago at the Polish Comic-Con 2018. Back then, his answer was a tiny bit more elaborate. Asked about the possibility of him continuing the story beyond the events of The Lady of the Lake , Sapkowski gave a firm “No”.

“The story is complete, the saga has been concluded, so if by any chance I write something in The Witcher universe, and I sure have such intention, it would probably be something like a prequel or a sidequel. Not a sequel. “

At the end of the day, we still don’t know for certain if and when there will be a new Witcher book, but we at least have assurance from Sapkowski himself that he’s planning something.

Sapkowski’s opinion of the Netflix series

During the same event at TIBE 2023, Sapkowski was asked about his opinion about the Netflix adaptation of his books. Once again, his answer was short: “I’ve seen better. I’ve seen worse.”

During the Taipei International Book Exhibition today, Andrzej Sapkowski (author of The Witcher) shared his opinions on the Netflix adaptation of his novels. He said, "I've seen better. I've seen worse." pic.twitter.com/DOkN40HogJ — Kay (@Kathleenmms321) February 1, 2023

Are you looking forward to more Witcher books? Do you believe there will be more than one? Follow Redanian Intelligence for more news!

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The Witcher 4: everything we know so far about Polaris

The Witcher 4 is officially on the way

• Release date and platforms
• Story and setting

The Witcher 4 was announced a couple of years back, alongside a teaser image, and a collection of other projects. At present, we don't know much about the next mainline The Witcher game, aside from the fact that it's probably not going to be called The Witcher 4 .

CD Projekt Red announced The Witcher 4 in a blog post early last year, saying that it's planned to kick off a 'new saga' for the franchise. This saga will be comprised of three games, all for next-gen consoles. Aside from this, and a teaser image, we don't have a clear idea as to when the first of the three will arrive.

While we wait for more details on The Witcher 4 , here's everything we know about the game so far. This includes all of the latest news, developer comments, and more. As new info comes to light, this page will be updated.

The Witcher 4: cut to the chase

• What is it? The next mainline The Witcher game 
• When can I play it? TBC
• What can I play it on? TBC

The Witcher 4: release date and platforms

Let's begin by tempering our excitement. CD Projekt RED has announced that The Witcher 4 is in active development, but it also made clear in a blog post that "no further details about a release date" are available.

No platforms for The Witcher 4 have been confirmed either, but that's not surprising. We expect CD Projekt Red will make use of current-gen hardware, so releases on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC seem almost certain.

The Witcher 4: story and setting

Spoilers for The Witcher game series

As stated above, there are few details available about The Witcher 4 . The official blog post only confirms it's in development and that it's being built in Unreal Engine 5. But, over the years, CD Projekt Red has said plenty about what a future Witcher game would involve. For a start, it's not really The Witcher 4 .

"The first three 'Witchers' were by definition a trilogy, so we simply could not name the next game 'The Witcher 4'," Kiciński said in an interview . "This does not mean, of course, that we will leave the world of The Witcher."

At the end of The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine , monster hunter Geralt was alive and well. Well, he was alive, at least. But his story arc had ended, the Wild Hunt was over. That doesn't mean he won't return in this new Witcher game, though he likely won't be the main character.

The developer said as much back in 2013: "We are not killing the world and walking away from it, but we will definitely want to make this game the finale in a big way," executive producer John Mamais told Polygon . "We might even include Geralt in later games potentially. We just need to talk about it and figure out what we're going to do next."

Perhaps we'll see the reins pass to Ciri - if it's decided that canonically she survived The Witcher 3 . To avoid continuity issues, perhaps the team will set its story head of the events of Geralt's adventures. After all, Netflix is developing a series set long before the events of the books, Blood Origin is a prequel set 1,000 years before the events of The Witcher.

The confirmation that the medallion shown in the game's announcement picture is a lynx certainly suggests that the game will take things in a new direction. Potentially, that introduces an entirely new Witcher school. 

The author of the Witcher books, Andrzej Sapkowski, signed a new deal with the company to "further solidify their relationship". So. the studio is free to pull from any one of his short stories or novels. (If you're wanting to get caught up, here's how to read The Witcher books in order .)

The Witcher 4 news

The Witcher 4 has its Game Director Sebastian Kalemba , the former Lead Animator on The Witcher 3 , has been announced as the Game Director for The Witcher 4 . They announced this on Twitter, stating that they aim to 'raise the bar.'

Polaris, and a brand new trilogy In early October, 2022, CD Projekt RED announced a bunch of new titles via Twitter , including a new The Witcher trilogy. Polaris (what we've been calling The Witcher 4) will kick off the new saga, which will then play out over 6 years from the first release. This is obviously a huge undertaking, so we'll have to wait and see whether it pays off.

Reconfirming the start of a new saga CD Projekt RED has re-confirmed that The Witcher 4 will launch a saga. While it didn't confirm how many games this'll involve, CEO Adam Kiciński made these comments during a recent earnings call .

"We said that there will be a new saga. Of course, now we are pre-producing the first game of this saga. But we have in mind more than one. The first saga was three games, so now we're thinking about more than one game. But we are in pre-production on the first game from the second Witcher saga."

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The Witcher Season 5 Officially Confirmed With Liam Hemsworth

The Witcher casting director Sophie Holland confirms the Netflix fantasy series will return for a fifth season, filmed back-to-back with Season 4.

A fifth season of Netflix's The Witcher has been confirmed.

In an interview with Deadline , casting director Sophie Holland confirmed previous reports that The Witcher would return for a fifth season, which would be filmed back-to-back with Season 4. "We’re just about to start filming on season four with Liam Hemsworth and there will be a short gap then we go straight into season five," she said. Holland has worked as a casting director on projects such as Netflix's You , Wednesday , The Continental , and Shadow and Bone , among others.

RELATED: The Witcher Spinoff Series Adds Dolph Lundgren to Its Cast

It was initially reported in September 2022 that the fourth and fifth seasons of The Witcher would be filmed one after the other, though it was not officially confirmed by Netflix at the time that the show would even receive a fifth season. At the time of writing, a Season 5 renewal has not been announced by the streaming service. Additionally, reports from January stated that The Witcher may not last past Season 5, with the show's future currently uncertain. This, too, has not been officially confirmed by Netflix.

What to Expect From The Witcher Season 4

The Witcher Season 4 will see Liam Hemsworth take over from Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia. In the same interview, Holland told Deadline what fans can expect from the cast of the upcoming fourth season, including details surrounding a "special," "almost standalone" episode that will explore "a completely new group of people."

" We were able to find almost all new talent," Holland said. "We found a boy called Connor Crawford for The Continental , who had all of his scenes with Mel Gibson in the bunker of the hotel, and we were able to put him in this group of kids in The Witcher . He is very special. The whole group is very exciting in terms of talent: Christelle Elwin, Juliette Alexandra, Ben Radcliffe. You meet the characters in season three and then they come into their own in season four."

RELATED: The Witcher Season 3 Makes a Major Change to Jaskier and Fans Are Already Upset

Cavill announced in October 2022 that he would be departing the Netflix series after Season 3 , though the actor did not provide a reason for his departure from The Witcher . Details regarding Season 3 of The Witcher are scarce, though the next installment will adapt storylines and characters from Andrzej Sapkowski's novel, Time of Contempt (translated by David French).

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich touched on Cavill's exit from The Witcher in a recent interview and revealed that they had the option to end the show with Season 3. "It was time for him in his life to move on. I think we’ve all been mourning this in our own way. We had the choice to have Geralt exit and to end the show," she said. "[But] that’s not something that we were willing to do. There’s just too many stories left to tell."

The Witcher Season 3 will release in two parts on Netflix, with Volume 1 set to premiere on June 29. Volume 2 will release on July 27.

Source: Deadline

The Witcher Season 3 Spoilers Revealed By Leaked Promotional Art

The Witcher season 3 is set to premiere on Netflix in about a month. While details about the new season have been kept under wraps, leaked promotional art has given fans an early peek at their favorite characters.

Based on the book series written by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia as he fights monsters, protects the innocent, and contends with destiny. Although the first season adapted the events of The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny relatively faithfully, the second season strayed from the canon of the books. Due to showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich's feelings about the books and star Henry Cavill's alleged feelings about the show's writers' attitudes toward the source material, fans have been expecting the show to continue to branch off the books' established canon. This means that even viewers well-versed in The Witcher 's lore will likely be surprised by the show's third season.

RELATED: Hilarious The Witcher 3 Clip Shows Roach Singlehandedly Winning A Fight For Geralt

Although details about The Witcher season 3 are still unknown, recent promotional images have revealed the morality of one character whose alliances have been questionable in the past. One piece of art released by UK-based merch store Urban Species depicts a group of the show's antagonists - including Vilgefortz. While fans of the books will know that Vilgefortz is an antagonist to Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, The Witcher season 2 ending left him with a few avenues. Considering the show's writers are more than willing to abandon the books' canon, Vilgefortz could have a different arc in the show. If this art is accurate to what's been planned for the show, fans will see more of Vilgefortz's bad side in The Witcher season 3 storyline .

That's not all the merch reveals. A series of shirts and sweatshirts shows Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, and more in their The Witcher season 3 outfits. A shirt featuring Geralt shows off his new armor, which can also be seen in Netflix's official teaser trailer for season 3. While Geralt's look may be familiar to fans who have kept with season 3's promotion, the shirts featuring Yennefer and Ciri show the two in new, never-before-seen outfits. Jaskir is also featured on a shirt, but his look seems mostly unchanged. Another set of shirts and sweatshirts depict The Wild Hunt, a group who haven't been the main focus of the show but should be familiar to fans of the game The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt .

The appearance of the Wild Hunt in merch for The Witcher season 3 could mean that they will be featured more prominently in the upcoming season. This is supported by the fact that the official teaser trailer includes a shot of Ciri fleeing from the Wild Hunt. Although it's possible that the Wild Hunt could only play a small part in this season, their inclusion in merch and the teaser suggests that season 3 will take a page out of The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt book and make the Wild Hunt a prominent foe.

The Witcher season 3 premieres on Netflix on June 29, 2023.

MORE: The Witcher 3: Full Guide And Walkthrough

Source: Urban Species (via Redanian Intelligence )

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'The Witcher' Books Get Huge New Print Run Following Netflix Series Success

Ever since the December release of The Witcher , demand has skyrocketed for the original books on which the Netflix Original Series is based. On Wednesday, publisher Orbit announced a return to press for every title in The Witcher series, by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, with 500,000 additional copies heading to bookstores.

Citing "phenomenal" print, e-book and audiobook sales since the debut of the Netflix adaptation, an Orbit press release says readers can expect the books to be back in stock soon.

"We're aware that the novels might not be available everywhere at this time, but our inventory team and printers are working incredibly hard and all books will be back in stock and flying out of our warehouse very shortly," the publisher said.

"We're thrilled that the Netflix adaptation is introducing the Witcher, and Andrzej Sapkowski's wonderful books, to a whole new audience," Orbit publisher Tim Holman told Publisher's Weekly . "The series has already been a huge success, with more than 2 million copies sold across all formats, and sales this month have been phenomenal. With a Season 2 already confirmed by Netflix, our feeling is that The Witcher is all set to be one of the biggest fantasy series of the year—and perhaps the decade."

First appearing in 1986, in the pages of Polish science fiction and fantasy magazine Fantastyka, The Witcher series centers on Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter (or "witcher") who frequently finds himself embroiled in the complex politics between the clashing kingdoms of the Continent. The six novels and two short story collections in The Witcher series were translated into English in the 2000s.

Orbit released a graphic highlighting the best order to read The Witcher novels, or you can check out our own reader's guide .

The events depicted in Netflix's The Witcher are primarily pulled from the first The Witcher short stories included in The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny , with larger events surrounding Geralt and Ciri's intertwined destiny beginning to shape in the novel Blood of Elves , which embroils The Witcher characters in a second war with the Nilfgaardian Empire seen in the first season of the Netflix series.

Those hoping to get ahead of The Witcher Season 2 on Netflix should find that Blood of Elves and its first follow-up, The Time of Contempt , carry the series far forward of events depicted in the first season on Netflix. And once you've finished the book series, The Witcher video game series, including the critically acclaimed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt , carry Geralt of Rivia, Ciri and Yennefer's adventures even further forward in time, taking place after the events of the Sapkowski novels.

Now, with 500,000 new copies heading to stores, it will be easier than ever to find the print editions of The Witcher series to start reading the latest fantasy phenomena.

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How to Read The Witcher Books in Order

Here’s how to read the witcher books that netflix's henry cavill series is based on..

Now that Netflix’s The Witcher has arrived, this wild world of wonder and weirdness is being introduced to a whole new audience. However, executive producer and showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich’s adaptation of this beloved fantasy world isn’t tied to the massively successful Witcher game franchise developed by CD Projekt Red and which established its significance in the zeitgeist. Instead, the Netflix show is based on the books by author Andrzej Sapkowski. And maybe, just maybe, fans of the show are interested in giving the books a try as well now. Well, let us help you with that!

The Witcher Books In Order

• The Last Wish
• Sword of Destiny

Blood of Elves

The time of contempt, baptism of fire, the tower of swallows, the lady of the lake, season of storms.

The Last Wish / Sword of Destiny

• See The Last Wish on Amazon
• See Sword of Destiny on Amazon

Once you’ve read The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, you’re ready to move on to the saga. This is comprised of five novels, all of which tell the stories of Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, Triss, Dandelion, and others. They also introduce a range of characters that don’t appear in CD Projekt Red’s adaptations, most of whom are great.

• See Blood of Elves on Amazon

The first book in the saga, Blood of Elves, takes place after the short story collections The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny. It introduces Nilfgaardian Emperor Emhyr var Emreis’ pursuit of Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter, in order to marry her and attain power over Cintra, the land that is hers by birthright. In an effort to thwart Emhyr’s plans, the Northern monarchs meet and decide to assassinate Ciri, but Geralt of Rivia watches over her in Kaer Morhen, the remote keep inhabited by Wolf School witchers. Meanwhile, a mysterious sorcerer is also trying to locate Ciri.

• See The Time of Contempt on Amazon

The Time of Contempt picks up where the previous novel finishes. The Northern Kings are still conspiring with one another in an effort to lure Nilfgaard into war, while Ciri is due to be enrolled at Aretuza in order to study magic. Ciri comes into contact with some of the most powerful sorceresses on The Continent. As war becomes inevitable, she finds herself on the run with a bandit group known simply as The Rats.

• See Baptism of Fire on Amazon

Geralt spends time in Brokilon forest recovering from events in the previous book, which is where he and Dandelion encounter an elven archer named Milva, who decides to join their group. People who have played the games will be glad to know that the dwarf Zoltan Chivay temporarily joins Geralt’s ragtag group too, as well as the vampire Regis. A Nilfgaardian knight named Cahir also tags along because he feels indebted to Ciri. Geralt officially receives his “of Rivia” title after an epic battle while Ciri begins to feel at home with The Rats.

• See The Tower of Swallows on Amazon

Ciri is gravely injured after an encounter with Nilfgaardian bounty hunter Leo Bonhart, who was hired by the coroner Stefan Skellen to kill her. A kind old man nurses her back to health while Geralt’s party continues their search for Ciri and Geralt renounces his status as a witcher. The Lodge of Sorceresses attempt to gain control of a country called Kovir while Triss Merigold seeks information on Yennefer of Vengerberg. (Known as The Tower of Swallows in the U.S.)

• See The Lady of the Lake on Amazon

Ciri encounters Arthurian knight Sir Galahad who believes she is the eponymous lady of the lake. The story cuts to a dream in which Geralt overhears Skellen and sets out to rescue Yennefer from a faraway castle. Ciri, meanwhile, tells Galahad about her time in the elven world of Aen Elle, home of the Wild Hunt. She begins to jump between worlds in order to escape them, but Eredin Breacc Glas persistently chases her, as she heads towards a final meeting with her surrogate parents Geralt and Yennefer.

• See Season of Storms on Amazon

Those are the eight books in The Witcher series — in English, at least. There are two anthologies consisting of Witcher stories penned by guest authors in Sapkowski’s world that were published in 2013 and 2017, but they’re in Polish. If you can read them, go ahead, but they aren’t considered canon and likely won’t have anything to do with Netflix’s show or the games.

However, this collection is also in Polish. You can check out a fan translation of the “Something Ends, Something Begins” story that’s apparently pretty accurate here, but “The Road to No Return” is a little harder to find. Also, it’s important to recognize that “Something Ends, Something Begins,” like the anthologies by the guest authors, isn’t considered canon, so it’s not indicative of any plot direction in the series at large. The rest of the stories in Something Ends, Something Begins have nothing to do with The Witcher series.

With all of that said, you should also check out The Witcher games if you haven’t yet. The series may not have anything to do with them, but some of the characters you meet also exist in the books, so the games could indirectly serve as a primer for encountering or hearing about some of those in the show. They’re also fantastic, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, holding up remarkably well — even by 2019’s standards. Henry Cavill, who portrays Geralt in Netflix's series, told IGN even he has played through The Witcher 3 multiple times.

Also See: 3 Witcher Statues to Add to Your Collection!

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Multi-Eisner award-winning writer Paul Tobin pens a fantasy epic of the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a witcher—one of the few remaining monster hunters from the critically acclaimed video game fantasy The Witcher by CD Projekt Red! Read the series that inspired the Netflix show!“Dark Horse further cements itself as the publisher to turn to for well-executed comics based on video games.” —IGN

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Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher Books in Order

Though Geralt kills many types of creatures, it’s the humans who invaded the Continent 500 years ago who are the real monsters. Victorious in their war against the elves and dwarves, the humans forced the non-human races into the mountains and forests, though small settlements exist among the humans.

As the series starts, an uneasy peace had existed on the Continent for a century, but now war has returned. Geralt is waiting for the birth of the prophesied child, who will have the power to either save or destroy them all. As Ciri, the child, is hunted for her powerful royal Elder blood, Geralt will risk his life to keep her and the Continent safe, eventually growing to love her like his own daughter.

Originally published in Polish, this internationally bestselling fantasy series is comprised of five novels, two short story collections, and a sidequel. The Witcher Geralt of Rivia’s adventures continue after Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels end in  The Witcher trilogy, with successful action role-playing video games developed by CD Projekt Red that have sold 33 million copies around the world. And as if The Witcher games aren’t exciting enough, there’s now a Witcher Netflix series starring Superman actor Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia with showrunner Lauren Hissrich.

To get started, here is a complete list of  The Witcher  series in order for people looking to read  The Witcher  books, whether it’s for the first time or because they want to brush up before they watch  The Witcher  TV series. These complex, magical fantasy novels are perfect for fans of Middle Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien , The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan , and Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin .

THE WITCHER BOOKS IN ORDER

The Last Wish

by Andrzej Sapkowski

Translated by Danusia Stok

A collection of six stories with events that precede the main  Witcher  novels. In them, Geralt of Rivia is resting in a temple, recovering from battle wounds. He has flashbacks involving a bar fight, bodies in a forest, a party for a princess, and more.

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This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around July 5, 2022. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

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Sword of Destiny

Translated by David French

A second collection of stories that occur before the main Witcher novels, but feature major characters from the series, including one that features Ciri, and a second story with Ciri that details events happening right before the first Witcher novel,  Blood of Elves .

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Blood of Elves

When the Empire of Nilfgaard attacks the Kingdom of Cintra, Ciri, granddaughter of Queen Calanthe, manages to flee the capital city. The Emperor of Nilfgaard sends his spies to find her, hoping to harness her magical potential and the elven blood in her veins.

Enter Geralt of Rivia. A monster hunter for hire, he's keeping Ciri safe at the Witchers' keep, Kaer Morhen. But with the Emperor's spies closing in, how long can Geralt keep Ciri hidden away?

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The Time of Contempt

Picking up where  Blood of Elves  leaves off, the second book finds Ciri and Yennifer on their way to enroll Ciri in a magic school. But things don't work out quite according to plan, and Ciri will end up running away, and in her journey discover more about the prophecy involving her elven blood.

Baptism of Fire

While Geralt of Rivia recovers from injuries sustained during the coup that broke the Wizard Guild apart, he must continue his search for Ciri before she is captured. Geralt is joined in his hunt by Dandelion, the bard; Milva, a master archer; Cahir, a mysterious figure previously seen in Ciri's dreams; and Regis, a vampire. Meanwhile, Ciri has joined a group of young rebels.

The Tower of Swallows

Ciri's freedom amongst the rebels is coming to an end as both friends and enemies search for her across the Continent. And Ciri isn't the only one being hunted: Geralt's group learn that a bounty has been placed on their heads. They'll have to employ crafty tactics to find out who is behind it. While they deal with their unknown enemy, Ciri is headed to the mythical Tower of Swallows...

The Lady of the Lake

Upon reaching the Tower of Swallows, Ciri walked through a portal to an Elven land, where she discovers she has no way of getting home. But Ciri has learned many things since the day she first fled her home, and she'll use all the strength she has to make her way back to Geralt and her friends in their war-torn land.

Season of Storms

This is not a continuation of The Witcher book series, but a sidequel, using characters from the original books to portray a whole new adventure. In  Season of Storms , a contract goes wrong, and Geralt of Rivia loses the weapons he needs to kill monsters. He must work fast to get them back, before his enemies make use of his vulnerability.

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The Witcher books reading order: where to start with the short stories and novels

Reading order recs for starting your Witcher novels journey.

• Reading order
• Other books and comics
• Should you read them?

Looking for where to start the Witcher books after watching the show? The Witcher season 2 has been out for a while and season 3 has finished filming . A few books have been covered so far, so it's time to look forward to what we can expect in the next season. We'll most likely be hearing a lot more from Phillipa Eilhart and Djikstra as they attempt to wrangle more control in Redania, and Francesca and the elves have already started their retaliation upon the north which won't end well for anyone.

The Witcher 4 : What we know The Witcher season 3 : Trailers and cast Witcher 3 mods : Good hunting

Generally speaking, the show changes plenty of details but takes the broad strokes of its plots directly from the Witcher stories written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, which were also the basis for the CD Projekt Red Witcher games. If you want to read the story that The Witcher season 2 's first episode is based on, for instance, you'll find it in The Last Wish , the Witcher book we recommend you start with. 

It's not the most complicated fantasy series ever, but because the stories weren't released in chronologic order, release date won't be your best guide.The Witcher started in the '80s as a series of short stories written by Sapkowski for a fantasy magazine. In the '90s, the stories were published in two collections, which were followed by five novels, all published throughout the same decade. The books were released in English in 2007, with Danusia Stok translating the first two and David French taking over duties from the third book.

The Witcher books follow the story of the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. A Witcher is a mutated human—most certainly a man—who possess supernatural abilities and has trained from childhood to battle monsters that emerged during the Conjunction of the Spheres. Many stories have been told in the Witcher universe, but the central arc follows Geralt as he protects Ciri, a princess whose country has been conquered and his child surprise. If you want sword-wielding action, romance, family ties and grotesque monsters, you're in the right place. 

Witcher books reading order

The witcher books reading order.

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Let's get down to business: what order should you read the books in? As previously mentioned, you'll want to ignore the release dates and instead read them in true chronological order if you want the story to make sense. So, here's your list:

• The Last Wish
• Sword of Destiny
• Blood of Elves
• Time of Contempt
• Baptism of Fire
• The Tower of the Swallow
• The Lady of the Lake
• Season of Storms (optional; explained below)

You'll want to start with The Last Wish . While it was published second, it's the start of the series, introducing Geralt and establishing the Continent as a backdrop. 

The Last Wish introduces everything you'll see in the games. Sapkowski sets the scene beginning with the importance of Geralt's silver sword with which he kills the monsters. He also depicts the often-corrupt governments that reside throughout the world, and we meet an ensemble of colourful characters many of us have come to know and love. These include Dandelion (aka Jaskier), a poet friend of Geralt who is hearing these tales we’re experiencing, and Yennefer, a sorceress with whom Geralt begins a turbulent relationship. 

The story, A Grain of Truth, which features in this collection kicks off the second season of the Netflix show, telling the story of Nivellen. The rest of the stories in The Last Wish make up most of the show's first season, though it also draws from the book you should read second: Sword of Destiny . It's in Sword of Destiny that we get to know Ciri, and each story takes place directly before the main novels.

A recent release, Season of Storms , takes place within the stories of The Last Wish. While its events aren't integral to the main arc, it's a lore-heavy entry that's worth reading.

Otherwise, read the books in the order they were released: Blood of Elves , Time of Contempt , Baptism of Fire , The Tower of the Swallow and The Lady of the Lake . 

Below are the best prices for these books individually, but they do get sold together on Amazon—the first six books all together on Amazon US and the first seven bundled together on Amazon UK .

How many Witcher books are in the series?

As counted above, there are eight books in the Witcher series—six novels, and two short story collections. Some lists will count the series at nine books, including  The Witcher , the original 1990 publication of the first five Witcher short stories. Because those stories were all republished in The Last Wish when the series jumped publishers, and because the original book is now out of print, it's not really worth considering as a separate title.

Other Witcher books and graphic novels

Are there other witcher books.

Away from the novels, it's also worth reading The World of the Witcher , which is a compendium of information created directly by CD Projekt Red. It's a beautifully illustrated addition to the series that contains everything you'll want to know about monsters, weapons, people and places. Be warned, though, it does feature spoilers for the games and the books.  Read it, and you too can call yourself Geralt of Trivia.

There is a designated Witcher 3: Wild Hunt art book but it is pretty rare as it was released only with collector's editions. One to look out for though; I know I always do. And there's yet more artwork available now following the release of the Gwent game, as it too now has its own art book: The Art of the Witcher: Gwent Gallery Collection . And to finish the art side of things off, there's a Witcher Adult Coloring Book that will keep you occupied long into the night, giving your favourite characters unique outfits and painting your own Witcher pictures.

The Witcher graphic novels

Aside from the short stories and novels, graphic novels from Dark Horse Comics have been released. While not written by Sapkowski, the comics do a great job of adding extras to already released stories, plus they look great as the art evokes the nasty themes of the books and games. Volume 1 , Volume 2 and Volume 3 all include several stories each, while a collated Library Edition packs everything in one. 

Should you read The Witcher books?

Why should i read them if i’ve played the games.

Because you are obviously desperate for more Witcher content, that's why! One joy I took from rereading the series was reading them with the voices of the games' characters in mind. I could hear Doug Cockle's dulcet tone every time Geralt spoke, which adds a greater depth to the stories. 

They are wonderful books to read with complex political narratives, plenty of backstabbing, magic and love. They aren't just for fantasy nerds, either; they are accessible to lovers of all genres who just want a good series to read. Once you've read them all, you can finally take part in the "What's better: the books, Netflix series or games?" discourse. Come with your notes prepared.

Reading the books will give you a better sense of the world, flesh out more of the cast and create a stronger bond between yourself and the situations in the lore. Characters are drawn with more depth, and although much of the plot will be known to you if you played the games, the books fill in small gaps here and there.

How faithful are The Witcher games to the books?

Very, though only so much of the books was directly brought to the games. CD Projekt Red went to great lengths to bring Sapkowski’s witty, wry and strong Geralt of Rivia to players of the games. Due to the branching narratives of the games, the plot is based on the books, rather than a direct retelling of every story. Everything you’ve seen in the games, however, from runes to weapons and monsters are featured in the series of novels. 

There’s an interesting divide between how Sapkowski sees his world and how it was translated to games, but readers will notice only small differences here and there. Coming to the books from the games brings a certain spark of life to the battles and fights.

It's worth noting though that the games, especially ones of such quality, are designed to bring excitement and danger. This can make some sections of the book—mainly the political discussions—rather dull in comparison. The games, because they deliver the story in bite-sized chunks between the killing and hunting, offer the most interactive way to experience part of Geralt's story.

How faithful to the books is the Netflix Witcher series?

A lot more than the games, by design. Officially, the Witcher show is based directly on the books, not the games. That said, the show takes some liberties, particularity with timing. To more naturally introduce viewers to Geralt and the world around him, Season 1's story is a combination of The Last Wish's short stories and the beginning of Ciri's arc in Sword of Destiny.

The first season was confusing for some folk, so Netflix put together a gorgeous timeline map to keep it all straight (spoiler warning for the books, obviously).  The second season is much more linear and easy to understand, with a few adaptations to stories here and there.

Where can I get all these books?

Since the profile of The Witcher series and books has been elevated to brilliant, world-famous heights, the books, on the whole, are available from all the major retailers, including Amazon . The only one that is a bit difficult to get, as mentioned above, is the collector's edition The Witcher 3 art book but it usually appears on eBay occasionally. However, for your ease and comfort, see the best prices currently going on all the books below. 

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Introducing Geralt the Witcher - revered and hated - who holds the line against the monsters plaguing humanity in the bestselling series that inspired the Witcher video games and a major Netflix show. Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers and lifelong training have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary killer: he hunts the vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent. But not everything monstrous-looking is evil; not everything fair is good . . . and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth. Andrzej Sapkowski, winner of the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement award, started an international phenomenon with his Witcher series. The Last Wish is the perfect introduction to this one-of-a-kind fantasy world. Translated by Danusia Stok

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Geralt the Witcher - revered and hated - holds the line against the monsters plaguing humanity in the bestselling series that inspired the hit Witcher Netflix show and video games. Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers and lifelong training have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary killer: he hunts the vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent. But not everything monstrous-looking is evil; not everything fair is good . . . and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth. Translated by David French. Andrzej Sapkowski, winner of the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement award, started an international phenomenon with his Witcher series. In this second collection of short stories, following the adventures of the hit collection The Last Wish , join Geralt as he battles monsters, demons and prejudices alike . . .

• Kindle $6.17
• Hardcover $28.49
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The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, holds the fate of the world in his hands in the New York Times bestselling first novel in the Witcher series that inspired the Netflix show and video games. For more than a hundred years, humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, the uneasy peace is over and now the races are fighting once again - killing their own kind and each other. Into this tumultuous time is born a child of prophecy, Ciri, surviving heiress of a bloody revolution, whose strange abilities can change the world - for good, or for evil... As the threat of war hangs over the land, Geralt the Witcher must protect Ciri from those who are hunting the child for her destructive power. But this time, Geralt may have met his match. Translated by Danusia Stok.

• Hardcover $23.99
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• Mass Market Paperback $8.99

The adventures of Geralt the Witcher continue in this second novel in the bestselling Witcher series that inspired the Netflix show and video games. The kings and armies are manoeuvring for position, each fearing invasion from across the river, each fearing their neighbours more. Intrigue, dissent and rebellion fester on all sides. After decades of oppression, the elves and other races are fighting each other and attacking the humans - and with growing numbers preparing for battle, the threat of all-out war looms ever greater. Against this backdrop of fear, Geralt and Yennefer must protect Ciri, the orphaned heir who is sought by all sides. For the child of prophecy has the power to change the world - if she lives to use it. Translated by David French.

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Geralt of Rivia is on a mission to save his ward, Ciri, and with her the world, in this third novel in the bestselling Witcher series that inspired the Netflix show and video games. The Wizards Guild has been shattered by a coup and, in the uproar, Geralt was seriously injured. The Witcher is supposed to be a guardian of the innocent, a protector of those in need, a defender against powerful and dangerous monsters that prey on men in dark times. But now that dark times have fallen upon the world, Geralt is helpless until he has recovered from his injuries. While war rages across all of the lands, the future of magic is under threat and those sorcerers who survive are determined to protect it. It's an impossible situation in which to find one girl - Ciri, the heiress to the throne of Cintra, has vanished - until a rumour places her in the Niflgaard court, preparing to marry the Emperor. Injured or not, Geralt has a rescue mission on his hands. Translated by David French.

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Geralt the Witcher races to find his missing ward, Ciri, in this fourth novel in the bestselling Witcher series that inspired the Netflix show and video games. The world has fallen into war. Ciri, the child of prophecy, has vanished. Hunted by friends and foes alike, she has taken on the guise of a petty bandit and lives free for the first time in her life. But the net around her is closing. Geralt, the Witcher, has assembled a group of allies determined to rescue her. Both sides of the war have sent brutal mercenaries to hunt her down. Her crimes have made her famous. There is only one place left to run. The tower of the swallow is waiting... Translated by David French.

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The fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling Witcher series that inspired the hit Netflix show finds Ciri t rapped in a distant world and separated from Geralt and her destiny. After walking through a portal in the Tower of the Swallow, thus narrowly escaping death, the Witcher girl, Ciri, finds herself in a completely different world... a world of the Elves. She is trapped with no way out. Time does not seem to exist and there are no obvious borders or portals to cross back into her home world. But this is Ciri, the child of prophecy, and she will not be defeated. She knows she must escape to finally rejoin the Witcher, Geralt, and his companions - and also to try to conquer her worst nightmare. Leo Bonhart, the man who chased, wounded and tortured Ciri, is still on her trail. And the world is still at war. Translated by David French.

• Hardcover $20.30
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Before he was Ciri's guardian, Geralt of Rivia was a legendary swordsman. Season of Storms is an adventure set in the world of the Witcher, the book series that inspired the hit Netflix show and bestselling video games. Geralt. The witcher whose mission is to protect ordinary people from the monsters created with magic. A mutant who has the task of killing unnatural beings. He uses a magical sign, potions and the pride of every witcher - two swords, steel and silver. But what would happen if Geralt lost his weapons? Andrzej Sapkowski returns to his phenomenal world of the Witcher in a stand-alone novel where Geralt fights, travels and loves again, Dandelion sings and flies from trouble to trouble, sorcerers are scheming ... and across the whole world clouds are gathering. The season of storms is coming... Translated by David French.

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Andrzej Sapkowski (Polish pronunciation: [ˈandʐɛj sapˈkɔfskʲi]; born 21 June 1948) is a Polish fantasy writer and former economist. He is best known for his best-selling book series The Witcher. In 2012 Sapkowski was awarded the Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Czech Wikipedia user Packa (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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How to Read ‘The Witcher’ Books in Order (Chronologically and by Release Date)

Toss a coin to your local bookstore.

When Netflix announced in 2017 that they would be making a live-action adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski ’s The Witcher saga, it became clear right away that the streaming giant wanted their own Game of Thrones . An epic, mature fantasy adventure series that takes place in a dark world with a complex mythology, the Polish novel series seemed to be exactly what Netflix was looking for, with the high viewership of the show’s first two seasons proving them right.

With a third season on the way, some fans may want to further immerse themselves in the world of The Witcher by delving into the novels that started it all. Whether you want to see how Geralt and Ciri’s story differs from the show or want to be prepared for what’s to come in future seasons, the books are a great place for fans both new and old to expand their knowledge of the franchise.

Now the only question is, what is the best order to read The Witcher books? Well, see below to find out how to read the books in order of release or in chronological order.

Related: 'The Witcher': Was That Really Geralt's Mother or Just a Fever Dream? Here's Frida Gustavsson's Take

The Witcher Books in Order of Release Date

Note: Publication dates are of the original Polish language releases.

Sword of Destiny - 1992

The Last Wish - 1993

Blood of Elves - 1994

Time of Contempt - 1995

Baptism of Fire - 1996

The Tower of the Swallow - 1997

The Lady of the Lake - 1999

Season of Storms - 2013

The Witcher Books in Chronological Order

So now you have a roadmap to read each and every book in the series in the order in which they were introduced. However, the first two books in particular are structured in an anthological collection of short stories, and the timeline can get a bit jumbled with regard to what takes place when.

Those who would rather read everything as close to the chronological order as possible simply need to refer to the listing below:

The Last Wish (1993)

Though it's the second book to be released in the series, The Last Wish features events that come earliest in The Witcher timeline. It also ultimately functions as a much more accessible entry point into the series, with its introductions to the major characters of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Dandelion (known as Jaskier to fans of the show). Rather than be a straightforward linear storyline, The Last Wish takes a more anthological approach with a series of seven short stories that tease a wider narrative. Fans will also probably recognize the title as being in reference to a critical point in the relationship between Geralt and Yennefer that will intertwine their fates for the rest of the series.

Season of Storms (2013)

Season of Storms is the most recent and most unusual entry in Geralt's story. Not only is it a standalone spinoff that doesn't relate to the wider storyline, but it's also a bit difficult to tell where exactly this takes place in the timeline. The general consensus seems to agree that it takes place sometime during or after the events of The Last Wish , but again, because it's an independent entry, its position in the timeline isn't super important. While not the most popular novel, it's still interesting to see Geralt in a situation where he doesn't have his monster-slaying weapons and has to use his wit and skill to succeed.

Related: 'The Witcher' Season 3 Adds Robbie Amell, Hugh Skinner, Meng'er Zhang, and Christelle Elwin

Sword of Destiny (1992)

The first book to be published in the series, Sword of Destiny , similar to The Last Wish is a collection of short stories following the many adventures of mutated monster hunter, Geralt of Rivia. It continues to chronicle Geralt's adventures but also introduces the character of Ciri, a young princess who is arguably the most important character in the entire saga. The concluding story of the novel perfectly sets the stage for the remaining saga to come.

Blood of Elves (1994)

Now is the point where things really start to get rolling in the story of Geralt and Ciri. A more traditional novel with one overarching story, Blood of Elves sees Geralt and Yennefer squabble over the training of young Ciri, whose awesome powers are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. It's a bit of a slower-paced tale that does take some getting used to after the breakneck pace set up by the shorter stories in The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny , but it still does a great job setting the stage for an epic saga.

Time of Contempt (1995)

The adventures of our protagonists continue right where Blood of Elves left off, with the tides of war between neighboring kingdoms and non-human races like elves and dwarves rising to a boiling point. While the previous story focused more on where Ciri's story was going to go , Time of Contempt gives more of a glimpse into the impact that the current political climate is having on the larger world. It plants the seeds for a difficult moral quandary for the main characters, with them having to decide whether it's better to pick a side or remain neutral.

Related: ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Reveals First Image of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri as Filming Begins

Baptism of Fire (1996)

Much like Blood of Elves , Baptism of Fire spends a good portion of its time setting up adventures to come. While this method of writing may be tedious to some, the halfway point for the main saga introduces some of the most unique and interesting characters so far, which is saying something given the already complex people that have already been introduced. Geralt this time around is once again seeking Ciri after the chaotic events in the previous story, now with a ragtag group of companions to accompany him.

The Tower of the Swallow (1997)

The penultimate chapter of Geralt's quest to protect Ciri sees the world around him in the middle of an all-out war. While Geralt's fellowship is out searching for her, Ciri has adapted to her new life as a bandit, with a taste for violence and bloodlust clinging to her like a malignant parasite. Seemingly not realizing how important both she and her abilities are to the rest of the world, Geralt may be Ciri's only hope to help her find her true destiny .

The Lady of the Lake (1999)

The Witcher saga finally reaches its conclusion in The Lady of the Lake , where the fates of practically every major character are ultimately revealed. With war tearing the world apart, with evil leaders and sinister sorcerers at every turn, Geralt and Ciri now face the outcomes of every decision they ever made, leading to a finale that's sure to make fans who were along the ride for this epic journey satisfied.

Related: How 'The Witcher's Daring Character Choice Changes the Show's Future

Geralt's Story Continues in the Video Games

When CD Projekt Red acquired the rights to begin a video game series based on The Witcher , they opted to do something a bit different by making the games a continuation rather than a direct adaptation. All three of the main games and the two spinoff games are available on Steam, and while the older entries are admittedly a bit dated, the stories are still so gripping that they're worth playing. Plus, decisions made by players in one of the three main games will carry over to the next game in the series, giving hardcore fans who have read the books an amazing opportunity to role-play as Geralt and try to make decisions he would make. Every game in the series can be found below.

The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut (2008)

The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings Enhanced Edition (2012)

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)*

Spinoff Games

Thornbreaker: The Witcher Tales (2018)

Gwent: The Witcher Card Game (2020)

*Recommended version is the 2016 Game of the Year Edition as it includes all the DLCs for just ten dollars more.

Netflix Adaptations of The Witcher

The Netflix series starring Henry Cavill has seen some tremendous success, with The Witcher serving as a much more direct adaptation of the books. In addition to the main show, Netflix has big plans to expand the IP even further, with an animated spinoff following Geralt's mentor Vesemir titled The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf currently available.

If that wasn't enough, there is also a live-action prequel series starring Michelle Yeoh titled The Witcher: Blood Origin , which is scheduled to premiere sometime this year. Lastly, those who search for The Witcher on Netflix will find some educational lore-centric videos, including the two-part The Witcher Beastiary .