Craft Sequence Overview
The Craft Sequence currently comprises seven books (with an eighth coming in 2023), two text-based games, and one short story; however, the main arc of the story is currently contained within the books, so if you’re not a gamer or short-story-er it’s totally fine to skip those. Similarly, if you don’t love books but like games, the games stand alone.
A further complication is that the books have multiple potential reading orders: publication order, chronological order, or whichever order you fancy.
This page gives an overview of all parts of the Sequence, with links to more detailed pages and articles for your interest.
Quick hints:
For the first 5 books, the number in the title indicates chronology
The books can also be read as duologies by place or character up until the Craft Wars quartet trilogy - two in Dresediel Lex, two in Alt Coulumb/with Tara as POV character, two with Kai as main character.
Dead Country is the beginning of a new capstone quartet, The Craft Wars, but follows characters and plots from the first 6 books as a direct sequel.
Man in the Middle is a short story that takes place directly after Three Parts Dead.
Three Parts Dead
First in publication order, third chronologically, first of the Tara/Alt Coulumb duology
Possible to read first ✔
Two Serpents Rise
Second in publication order, second chronologically, AND second of the Dresediel Lex duology
Possible to read first ✔
Full Fathom Five
Third in publication order, fifth chronologically, fifth of the Kai Pohala duology
Not advisable to read first but possible if you REALLY want to
Last First Snow
Fourth in publication order, first chronologically, first of the Dresediel Lex duology
Possible to read first ✔
Four Roads Cross
Fifth in publication order, fourth chronologically, second of the Tara / Alt Coulumb duology
Not possible to read first - direct sequel to Three Parts Dead
Ruin of Angels
Sixth in publication order, sixth chronologically, second of the Kai Pohala duology
Not possible to read first - direct sequel to Full Fathom Five and brings in lots from other books
Bridge between first five books and future installments
Dead Country
Seventh in publication order, seventh chronologically, first of a capstone quartet ‘Craft Wars’
Possible to read first ✔ (according to author, great place for new people to jump in)
Wicked Problems
Eighth in publication order, eighth chronologically, second of a capstone quartet ‘Craft Wars’
Publication expected April 2024
Unlikely to be possible to read first - direct sequel to Dead Country
Choice of the Deathless
First game, set before the main series, not essential for understanding
Possible to play/read first ✔
Deathless: City’s Thirst
Second game, set before the main series but in Dresediel Lex, so provides extra (but unnecessary) information and context for the DL books
Possible to play/read first ✔
Man in the Middle
Short story set directly after Three Parts Dead, minor spoilers for the ending but not the rest of the series
Possible to read first ✔ - judging by reviews, works as a standalone, but if you’re on this website you’ve probably read at least one of the books already.