Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure as we explore the The Witcher Series and the Best Order for Reading by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Grab a mug of your favorite brew, and let’s dive right into it!
Your First Time with the Witcher Stories
For first-time readers, start off your journey with the Witcher Geralt of Rivia by plunging into the series of short stories. The first book to pick up is “The Last Wish“. It’s a collection of stories, which sets the stage for everything that follows. Among these tales, you’ll find ‘The Witcher,’ ‘A Grain of Truth,’ ‘The Lesser Evil,’ ‘A Question of Price,’ ‘The Edge of the World,’ and ‘The Last Wish.’
Next, move on to the second book, “Sword of Destiny,” which is the second collection of short stories. Here, the stories of ‘The Bounds of Reason,’ ‘A Shard of Ice,’ ‘Eternal Flame,’ ‘A Little Sacrifice,’ ‘The Sword of Destiny,’ and ‘Something More’ await you.
These collections of short stories will introduce you to the main characters and give you a feel for the Witcher universe. The chronological order and publication order of these books align, making it simple for first-time readers.
Stepping into the Main Story
Once you’re well-versed with Geralt’s world, it’s time to pick up the first book of the novel series, “Blood of Elves,” and enter the main saga. This begins with the “Blood of Elves,” followed by “Time of Contempt,” and “Baptism of Fire.”
The tale continues in the fourth book, “The Tower of the Swallow“, and crescendos, “The Lady of the Lake.” You’ll meet powerful sorceresses, bounty hunters with supernatural abilities, major characters with unexpected links to Geralt, and new characters who add more layers to the story.
The Standalone Novel
Then, there’s “Season of Storms“. Although it’s set in the same timeline as the short stories in “The Last Wish”, it’s recommended to read it after the main saga due to references that might be confusing for first-time readers.
Witcher Games and the Netflix Show
You might be familiar with the Witcher series through the Netflix show, starring Henry Cavill. Or through the video game series by CD Projekt Red. The first season of the Netflix series is mainly based on the first two collections of short stories. Tthe second season starts to delve into the main saga.
As for the video games, they are actually a continuation of the original books, set after the events of the final book. The game developers added their own twists and turns, so it’s exciting to play them after reading the source material.
Comic Books and Graphic Novels
Also, be sure not to miss out on the Witcher comic books and graphic novels! They provide some more depth to the Witcher universe and are a great way to extend your enjoyment of the series.
Summing Up the Witcher Book Series
To summarize, here is the best order to read the Witcher books:
The Last Wish (Short Story Collection)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
A collection of tales introducing Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter for hire, as he navigates complex moral landscapes while battling supernatural threats. These stories weave a rich backstory, setting the stage for the epic saga that unfolds.
Sword of Destiny (Short Story Collection)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
This second collection of short stories delves deeper into Geralt’s destiny and relationships, particularly with the young princess Ciri and the sorceress Yennefer. The tales within explore themes of love, fate, and the challenging ethical gray areas that define Geralt’s world.
Blood of Elves (First Main Saga Book)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
The first novel in the Witcher saga pivots around Ciri, the child of destiny, who is thrust into a world of peril and political intrigue. Geralt and his companions must protect her at all costs, as her power and prophecy make her a target.
Time of Contempt (Second Main Saga Book)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
The Northern Kingdoms teeter on the brink of war, while Geralt must contend with the sinister manipulations of the Lodge of Sorceresses. Meanwhile, Ciri finds herself embroiled in an escalating conflict and betrayal that tests her magical training.
Baptism of Fire (Third Main Saga Book)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
As war rages across the lands, Geralt sets out on a quest to find Ciri amidst the chaos. Joined by a mismatched group of allies, the journey reveals the true devastation of war and the bonds formed in adversity.
The Tower of the Swallow (Fourth Main Saga Book)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
On the run from both her past and nefarious pursuers, Ciri takes refuge in the Tower of Swallows. In parallel, Geralt continues his search, leading him towards a confrontation with a powerful enemy and a prophecy coming to life.
The Lady of the Lake (Final Main Saga Book)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
In this epic conclusion, all threads of destiny converge. Geralt, Ciri, and their companions face their ultimate challenges in a world on the edge of annihilation.
Season of Storms (Standalone Novel)
by Andrzej Sapkowski
Set within the timeline of the short stories, Geralt finds himself in the midst of a tempest of intrigue, deception, and monstrous threats. This standalone adventure provides more insight into Geralt’s character and offers a fresh look at the world around him.
This order gives you the best immersion into the world of the Witcher. The original books, as written by Andrzej Sapkowski, will prepare you for the Witcher games, the TV show, and the rest of the stories in this magical universe. So get ready to uncover the Law of Surprise, unravel the mystery of Geralt’s mother, and dive into the Witcher universe! Happy reading, fellow Witchers!
If you enjoy these try some books similar to the Witcher series! Here are a few suggestions:
A Song of Ice and Fire
by George R.R. Martin
If you enjoyed the political intrigue, detailed world-building, and morally complex characters of the Witcher series, you might enjoy this series. It’s the source material for the “Game of Thrones” TV series.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen
by Steven Erikson
This high fantasy series is known for its complex plots, wide scope, and large cast of characters, much like the Witcher series. It’s a heavy read, but worth it if you’re looking for deep world-building and intricate plotlines.
The First Law
by Joe Abercrombie
These books are known for their gritty realism, complex characters, and dark humor, which might appeal to fans of the Witcher’s tone and style.
The Dresden Files
by Jim Butcher
This series follows a wizard detective in modern-day Chicago. While the setting is different, the mix of fantasy elements, detective work, and action might appeal to fans of the Witcher series.
The Kingkiller Chronicle
by Patrick Rothfuss
While the protagonist’s journey in this series is quite different from Geralt’s, the series does contain a richly-imagined world, memorable characters, and a sense of epic destiny that might appeal to fans of the Witcher series.
The Broken Empire
by Mark Lawrence
If you’re interested in character-driven stories with a morally ambiguous protagonist, you might enjoy this dark and gripping fantasy series.
Remember, reading tastes can be very personal, so I would recommend looking into these series further to see if they might be to your liking. Enjoy your reading!
Netflix show status: The Witcher Season 4 premiered on Netflix in October 2025 with Liam Hemsworth replacing Henry Cavill as Geralt. Season 5, the final season, has already been filmed and is expected to release sometime in 2026. It will adapt the remaining novels in the series (Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and The Lady of the Lake), bringing the show to a planned conclusion rather than a cancellation. If you want to read ahead of the final season, now is the time.
The recast nobody asked for: When Henry Cavill departed after Season 3 — reportedly over creative differences about how faithfully the show followed the books — Netflix replaced him with Liam Hemsworth for Seasons 4 and 5. Cavill was famously passionate about the source material (the man read the books before he was even cast), and for many fans, his Geralt was the show. Hemsworth is doing his best, but viewership dropped significantly with Season 4, and the fandom remains deeply divided. Some have moved on. Some are still grieving. Some are pretending Season 4 doesn't exist.
We want to hear your thoughts: Is Henry Cavill the only Geralt, or has Hemsworth won you over? Drop your take in the comments. We know you have opinions on this!
Frequestly Asked Questions
What order should I read The Witcher books? Start with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny (the two short story collections), then read the five-book main saga in order: Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and The Lady of the Lake. Read Season of Storms last — it's set during the short story timeline but contains references that make more sense after the main saga.
How many Witcher books are there? Eight. Two short story collections (The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny), five main saga novels (Blood of Elves through The Lady of the Lake), and one standalone novel (Season of Storms).
Do I need to read The Witcher books before watching the show? No, but it helps. The Netflix show adapts the short stories in Season 1 and moves into the main saga from Season 2 onward. Reading the books gives you context the show sometimes skips.
Is Season of Storms a prequel? It's set during the same timeline as The Last Wish, but it was published last and contains callbacks to the entire series. Most readers recommend saving it for after The Lady of the Lake.
Why did Henry Cavill leave The Witcher? Cavill departed after Season 3, reportedly over creative differences about how closely the show followed the source material. Liam Hemsworth replaced him for Seasons 4 and 5.
How many seasons of The Witcher are there? Four seasons have aired as of March 2026. Season 5, the final season, has been filmed and is expected to release in 2026.
