The Reading Order of the Grishaverse Novels

Have you read the Grishaverse novels, or are you a little overwhelmed finding where to start? If you asked any one of us, we’d be quick to tell you that the Grishaverse books which WoGV is based on are all entirely worth the read – but if you’ve never picked one up before, you might be unsure about where to begin!

So say you’ve never gotten into the series before, or you’ve only watched the Shadow & Bone Netflix show and aren’t sure which book to start reading. Don’t worry – we’ve got your back. We’ve gathered the full reading order of the Grishaverse novels, from the very first one which was published all the way to the most recent companion novels, so you don’t have to!

1. Shadow and Bone

Chronologically, Shadow and Bone is the first series in the Grishaverse, both in terms of the events which take place and the order of publication. If you want to follow along with the story from its beginnings, we suggest you begin here.

This series is written with a first person point of view which only utilises Alina’s perspective. These books are also quite short and very fast-paced, so they’re a great, engaging introduction to the series if that’s what you’re looking for!

It all begins with Alina Starkov, a young military cartographer who is sent on her first expedition into the Shadow Fold, a swath of shadow filled with monsters which has torn her homeland, Ravka, in two. Soon, she discovers that she is actually a unique kind of Grisha called a Sun Summoner, has the ability to manipulate light, and must somehow save her country from the darkness.

Reading Order: Shadow and Bone Trilogy

• Shadow and Bone
• Siege and Storm
• Ruin and Rising

2. Six of Crows

This series takes place about five years after the events of Shadow and Bone, and comes second in terms of reading order. However, lots of people (myself included) have started with Six of Crows and gone on to read the rest second, and (aside from occasional references) you still get a great introduction to the universe either way!

There’s also a definite change in writing style between Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows, with the latter duology utilising a third person point of view and switching through the perspectives of each of the main six characters.

The duology follows a ragtag crew – inclusive of a sharpshooter, an acrobat spy, a Grisha Heartrender, a Fjerdan witch-hunter, a demolitions expert and a cunning but haunted leader – who are brought together by the heist of a lifetime. Pulling it off is sure to be no easy feat; to do so, the group must navigate a corrupted, crime-filled underworld through higher stakes than they could ever have imagined.

Reading Order: Six of Crows Duology

• Six of Crows
• Crooked Kingdom

3. King of Scars

King of Scars is the third series set in the Grishaverse, this time following the story of the King of Ravka, who must protect his country against the threat of dark forces even as he's faced with another threat: himself. Set a few years on from Shadow and Bone, the events of this duology are a direct result of many events in Shadow and Bone, so we definitely recommend coming to this one through a chronological reading order.

If we may say so ourselves, the King of Scars duology is an underrated gem. Six of Crows often gets a lot of the love, but this duo contains all the action, angst and more, with nuanced new characters and plot dynamics. If you’ve read everything else but haven’t reached King of Scars yet, we 100% say you should make it your next order of business!

Stylistically, King of Scars is also more similar to Six of Crows, featuring a third person past tense point of view and multiple character perspectives. Also saints! Grisha lore! Floods of tears! There’s very little else we can reveal about this duology without spoilers, so you’ll just have to trust that it’s very worth the read B)

Reading Order: King of Scars Duology

• King of Scars
• Rule of Wolves

Companion Books

There are also three companion books to pick up which provide new information or lore from the Grishaverse! These don't need to be read in any particular order, but we definitely recommend all of them if you're looking for extra immersion.

The Lives of Saints

Able to be read at any point in your reading order, this collection of beautifully illustrated myths is as stunning as it is haunting, and explores the stories behind the sankts and sanktas of the Grishaverse.

The Language of Thorns

Another companion novel of illustrated short stories from the Grishaverse, this one draws on folk tales from across the nations (think mermaids, magic, talking beasts, haunted towns ...). It can also be enjoyed in any order during your Grishaverse binge-read.

The Demon in the Wood

The only graphic novel of the Grishaverse bunch, The Demon in the Wood can technically be read in any order. That being said, it is a prequel to Shadow and Bone which explores the dark past of the Darkling, so you’ll find that it’s best read after you’ve at least gone through the series. With beautiful art and storytelling, this book is a gem – particularly if you’re keen to learn more about one of the series’ most enigmatic characters.

That's it (for now)!

Hopefully we'll be lucky enough to receive additional Grishaverse content in the near future, but for now these are all the Grishaverse books available in the order you should read them.

You can also keep an eye on the WoGV Blog and our social media for regular future updates about the site, its development, and the Grishaverse more broadly. Stay tuned!

What about your reading experience? Do you have a favourite book from the series, or did you read them "out of order"? Let us know in the comments!

Until next time!