A reading guide to the five series of the Realm of the Elderlings
Start with Assassin's Apprentice, the first book in the Farseer trilogy. Then follow the five series below in publication order: each adds characters, history and discoveries that enrich the next.
This site's catalogue follows the French editions, which split the original English novels into several volumes. The English pages describe those volumes; their numbering does not correspond directly to the original English books.
Meet FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard secretly trained as an assassin. His story introduces the Six Duchies, the Skill and the Wit. Begin here.
Browse the volumesTravel to Bingtown for a story of trading families, living ships and dragons. Although Fitz is not the central character, this series develops the world and prepares important discoveries in later books.
Browse the volumesReturn to Fitz and the Fool many years later. Read this after The Liveship Traders to appreciate the connections between their stories.
Browse the volumesFollow the dragons and their keepers through the Rain Wilds towards the legendary city of Kelsingra.
Browse the volumesThe final series brings Fitz's story to its conclusion and draws together threads from across the Realm of the Elderlings.
Browse the volumesThe companion stories can be explored separately once you are familiar with the setting. They are not required to follow the main sequence.
Browse companion storiesOpen Assassin's Apprentice. Fitz's intimate narration introduces the world through his childhood and training. Continue with the rest of the Farseer trilogy before moving on to The Liveship Traders.
Assassin's Apprentice — original English novel
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Start with Assassin's Apprentice, the first book in the Farseer trilogy, then follow the five series in the order above.
For the five main series, publication order also follows the progression of the central story. It introduces discoveries and connections in the intended sequence.
You can, but you will miss background and connections that give later events their emotional weight. The Farseer trilogy is the recommended starting point.
Yes. It develops the history of dragons and living ships and prepares the later series. Read it between the Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies.
The catalogue follows the French editions, which divide the original English novels into smaller volumes. Use the series order above when choosing the original English editions.