Craft Sequence Overview
The Craft Sequence currently comprises eight books (with an ninth coming in 2025), 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 and don’t need book knowledge to make sense.
A further complication is that the books have multiple potential reading orders: publication order, chronological order, or whichever order you fancy.
Quick hints:
This page goes through books in publication order
For the first 5 books, the number in the title indicates chronology
We advise starting with Three Parts Dead or Last First Snow but arguably you can start with any
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, but very few people have read it as it’s not available outwith an anthology of horror stories
The Books
Three Parts Dead
A god has died, and it’s up to Tara, first-year associate in the international necromantic firm of Kelethres, Albrecht, and Ao, to bring Him back to life before His city falls apart.
First in publication order
Third chronologically
Possible to read first ✔
Articles featuring Three Parts Dead
(in some shape or form)
Nine books in, yet no world map for the Craft Sequence. I am here to change this. Today, let’s look at Northern and Southern Kath. Beware terrible blob-maps.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
The death of gods is integral to the Craft Sequence, forming the plot of the first book and the entire background of the series in the God Wars. But, how do gods die? How do you kill a god? The early Craftsfolk had similar questions. This essay outlines the answers they uncovered.
On the surface, Catherine Elle, Teo Batan, and Izza Jalai have little in common. Yet, in Full Fathom Five, they become intertwined in a holy heist and have to work together. Find out more about each of them, and what might be next for them in the Craft Wars quartet.
Craftsfolk are necromancer-lawyers, and as such a significant part of how they perform magic is via a strong argument, and asserting their truth onto reality. This essay looks at the magical components of a Craft argument.
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
Priest Abelard, vampirate Raz, and gargoyle Shale are unlikely friends who become entwined in the Kos conspiracy of Three Parts Dead. But what's next for them? How will their characters continue to grow in the Craft Wars series?
Something is wrong with Tara Abernathy’s timeline… but is it a purposeful point, or author error? I’m still not sure, but let’s take a look at the problem and *theorise*.
This is one of those way-too-deep-dives about something that is ultimately probably a typo rather than a grand conspiracy, so if that’s your jam then strap in.
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
Vampires are creatures of Craft, and we get to know one - Raz Pelham - early on in the series. Yet, something doesn’t add up; despite how commonplace we’re told they are, we rarely see vampires in the rest of the books. But something tells me we’re going to see more soon…
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that the order of books in the Craft Sequence is confusing. The author himself has said as much.
But have no fear, intrepid reader – we have pulled together NINE different reading orders for you to choose from.
Two Serpents Rise
Shadow demons plague the city reservoir, and Red King Consolidated has sent in Caleb Altemoc — casual gambler and professional risk manager — to cleanse the water for the sixteen million people of Dresediel Lex.
Second in publication order
Second chronologically
Possible to read first ✔
Articles featuring Two Serpents Rise
(in some shape or form)
I’ve got more speculative blob-maps for you, this time looking at the Old World. It’s almost twice as long, despite fewer textual sources. Enjoy.
Nine books in, yet no world map for the Craft Sequence. I am here to change this. Today, let’s look at Northern and Southern Kath. Beware terrible blob-maps.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
I have my issues with Two Serpents Rise, so decided to finally write out how I would sort it out. Fix-it, not fanfic.
Who is Mal? Caleb’s manic pixie dream girl from Two Serpents Rise, who then terrorised the city and was seemingly vaporised, appeared to be a one-and-done antagonist, yet she is back in Wicked Problems. Who is she, and how has she come back?
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that the order of books in the Craft Sequence is confusing. The author himself has said as much.
But have no fear, intrepid reader – we have pulled together NINE different reading orders for you to choose from.
Everything you need to remember from TWO SERPENTS RISE before reading WICKED PROBLEMS. Characters, plots, and the importance of the book for the rest of the series.
The Craft Sequence is a sprawling series with characters showing up in different narratives and meeting all sorts of characters. This somewhat crazy article tracks the connections between the main characters in a conspiracy theory style wall.
We’ve looked at almost every reference to dragons in the Craft Sequence, so now we’re bringing out the big guns - figuratively and literally. Read on to see how dragons act as magical jumbo jets and also corpse WMDs - yes, literally.
In honour of Tor Books’s 5th annual Dragon Week, here’s an unplanned article about EVERY SINGLE dragon reference in the series. Part 1, because it turns out there’s way more than I thought. YOU’RE WELCOME.
Full Fathom Five
On the island of Kavekana, Kai Pohala builds gods to order for the wealthy to store soul offshore. When she attempts to save a dying idol and is abruptly sidelined from the business, she investigates and uncovers a grand conspiracy - one that has somehow ensnared streetkid refugee Izza.
Third in publication order
Fifth chronologically
Possible to read first ✔ (but we don’t advise it)
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
On the surface, Catherine Elle, Teo Batan, and Izza Jalai have little in common. Yet, in Full Fathom Five, they become intertwined in a holy heist and have to work together. Find out more about each of them, and what might be next for them in the Craft Wars quartet.
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that the order of books in the Craft Sequence is confusing. The author himself has said as much.
But have no fear, intrepid reader – we have pulled together NINE different reading orders for you to choose from.
Everything you need to remember from FULL FATHOM FIVE before reading WICKED PROBLEMS. Characters, plots, and the importance of the book for the rest of the series.
The Craft Sequence is a sprawling series with characters showing up in different narratives and meeting all sorts of characters. This somewhat crazy article tracks the connections between the main characters in a conspiracy theory style wall.
We’ve looked at almost every reference to dragons in the Craft Sequence, so now we’re bringing out the big guns - figuratively and literally. Read on to see how dragons act as magical jumbo jets and also corpse WMDs - yes, literally.
In honour of Tor Books’s 5th annual Dragon Week, here’s an unplanned article about EVERY SINGLE dragon reference in the series. Part 1, because it turns out there’s way more than I thought. YOU’RE WELCOME.
Shaping reality and underpinning all magic in the Craft Sequence are words and belief. We take a deep dive into how this works in the Craft Sequence with examples from across the series.
The OFFICIAL Craft Sequence timeline, translated from the German edition of Drei Viertel Tod.
The Grimwald family have their (literally) shadowy fingers (in every proverbial pie in the Craft Sequence.
Who or what are they? What do they want?
Articles featuring Full Fathom Five
(in some shape or form)
Last First Snow
Forty years after the God Wars ended, Elayne drags Temoc and the King in Red to the bargaining table in Dresediel Lex. Old wounds reopen, old gods stir in their graves, ancient grudges break to new mutiny, and profiteers circle in the desert sky.
Fourth in publication order
First chronologically
Possible to read first ✔
Articles featuring Last First Snow
(in some shape or form)
I’ve got more speculative blob-maps for you, this time looking at the Old World. It’s almost twice as long, despite fewer textual sources. Enjoy.
Nine books in, yet no world map for the Craft Sequence. I am here to change this. Today, let’s look at Northern and Southern Kath. Beware terrible blob-maps.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
Craftsfolk are necromancer-lawyers, and as such a significant part of how they perform magic is via a strong argument, and asserting their truth onto reality. This essay looks at the magical components of a Craft argument.
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that the order of books in the Craft Sequence is confusing. The author himself has said as much.
But have no fear, intrepid reader – we have pulled together NINE different reading orders for you to choose from.
Everything you need to remember from LAST FIRST SNOW before reading WICKED PROBLEMS. Characters, plots, and the importance of the book for the rest of the series.
The Craft Sequence is a sprawling series with characters showing up in different narratives and meeting all sorts of characters. This somewhat crazy article tracks the connections between the main characters in a conspiracy theory style wall.
We’ve looked at almost every reference to dragons in the Craft Sequence, so now we’re bringing out the big guns - figuratively and literally. Read on to see how dragons act as magical jumbo jets and also corpse WMDs - yes, literally.
In honour of Tor Books’s 5th annual Dragon Week, here’s an unplanned article about EVERY SINGLE dragon reference in the series. Part 1, because it turns out there’s way more than I thought. YOU’RE WELCOME.
In Quechal mythology, the skazzerai are demonic spiders at the end of the universe spinning webs between the stars. We have evidence they’ve visited the world of Craft before ‘to eat’ - and it looks like they’re going to play a part in the CRAFT WARS endgame. So, what’s the deal with the space spiders?
Four Roads Cross
Protests rock Alt Coulumb, and Kos Everburning’s creditors attempt a hostile takeover of the fire god’s church. Tara Abernathy, the god’s in-house Craftswoman, must defend the church while her friends take down a drug smuggling ring and face demons.
Fifth in publication order
Fourth chronologically
Not great to read first (unless you want to be confused af)
I’ve got more speculative blob-maps for you, this time looking at the Old World. It’s almost twice as long, despite fewer textual sources. Enjoy.
Nine books in, yet no world map for the Craft Sequence. I am here to change this. Today, let’s look at Northern and Southern Kath. Beware terrible blob-maps.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
An intimidatingly buff sort-of princess, a university post-doc, and a Camlaan Knight walk into a bar, make a deal with a zombie, and join a heist that takes them into a god-strewn desert that will almost definitely kill them. Meet Zeddig, Raymet, and Gal.
The death of gods is integral to the Craft Sequence, forming the plot of the first book and the entire background of the series in the God Wars. But, how do gods die? How do you kill a god? The early Craftsfolk had similar questions. This essay outlines the answers they uncovered.
On the surface, Catherine Elle, Teo Batan, and Izza Jalai have little in common. Yet, in Full Fathom Five, they become intertwined in a holy heist and have to work together. Find out more about each of them, and what might be next for them in the Craft Wars quartet.
Craftsfolk are necromancer-lawyers, and as such a significant part of how they perform magic is via a strong argument, and asserting their truth onto reality. This essay looks at the magical components of a Craft argument.
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
Priest Abelard, vampirate Raz, and gargoyle Shale are unlikely friends who become entwined in the Kos conspiracy of Three Parts Dead. But what's next for them? How will their characters continue to grow in the Craft Wars series?
Something is wrong with Tara Abernathy’s timeline… but is it a purposeful point, or author error? I’m still not sure, but let’s take a look at the problem and *theorise*.
This is one of those way-too-deep-dives about something that is ultimately probably a typo rather than a grand conspiracy, so if that’s your jam then strap in.
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
Vampires are creatures of Craft, and we get to know one - Raz Pelham - early on in the series. Yet, something doesn’t add up; despite how commonplace we’re told they are, we rarely see vampires in the rest of the books. But something tells me we’re going to see more soon…
Articles featuring Four Roads Cross
(in some shape or form)
Ruin of Angels
Priestess/investment banker Kai Pohala arrives in Agdel Lex to invest in its burgeoning nightmare startup scene, and to visit her estranged sister Ley. But Kai finds Ley desperate at the center of a shadowy, and rapidly unravelling, business deal. When Ley ends up on the run, wanted for a crime she most definitely committed, Kai gets embroiled in a daring heist into a god-hautned desert.
Sixth in publication order
Sixth chronologically
Not a great idea to read first
Articles featuring Ruin of Angels
(in some shape or form)
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
An intimidatingly buff sort-of princess, a university post-doc, and a Camlaan Knight walk into a bar, make a deal with a zombie, and join a heist that takes them into a god-strewn desert that will almost definitely kill them. Meet Zeddig, Raymet, and Gal.
On the surface, Catherine Elle, Teo Batan, and Izza Jalai have little in common. Yet, in Full Fathom Five, they become intertwined in a holy heist and have to work together. Find out more about each of them, and what might be next for them in the Craft Wars quartet.
Billionaire. Nightmare artist. Philanthropist. Eberhardt Jax wants to make his mark on the world. It’s clear he’s integral to the overarching plot of the Craft Wars quartet, linked to the skazzerai, the gray men, and the end of the world.
But who exactly is he? And what does he really want?
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that the order of books in the Craft Sequence is confusing. The author himself has said as much.
But have no fear, intrepid reader – we have pulled together NINE different reading orders for you to choose from.
Everything you need to remember from RUIN OF ANGELS before reading WICKED PROBLEMS. Characters, plots, and the importance of the book for the rest of the series.
The Craft Sequence is a sprawling series with characters showing up in different narratives and meeting all sorts of characters. This somewhat crazy article tracks the connections between the main characters in a conspiracy theory style wall.
Third in the skazzerai series. Tara has learnt a lot about the demonic space spiders en route to the Craft world, but it isn’t until the end of Dead Country that she finds out their connection to her old nemesis Alexander Denovo - and what he did in the desert.
A magical storm showing every possible future now only shows one: the end of the world. What did Tara and Dawn see in the edge storm? What does that mean for the rest of the Craft Wars trilogy?
The end of the world is coming. Tara and her allies are gearing up to fight the skazzerai, spider-like creatures from deepest space - but how much do they (and we) know about this great enemy? Here’s everything we find out in the first half of Dead Country.
Craft Wars Quartet
A finale series (originally announced as a trilogy) continuing the original story, also marketed as a place for new readers to start.
Dead Country
Tara Abernathy has resurrected gods, pulled down monsters, averted wars, and saved a city, twice. She thought she’d left her dusty little hometown forever. But that was before her father died.
As she makes her way home to bury him, she finds a girl, as powerful and vulnerable and lost as she once was. Saving her from the raiders that haunt the area, twisted by a remnant of the God Wars, Tara changes the course of the world.
Seventh in publication order
Seventh chronologically
First of the Craft Wars quartet
Possible to read first ✔
I’ve got more speculative blob-maps for you, this time looking at the Old World. It’s almost twice as long, despite fewer textual sources. Enjoy.
Nine books in, yet no world map for the Craft Sequence. I am here to change this. Today, let’s look at Northern and Southern Kath. Beware terrible blob-maps.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
Craftsfolk are necromancer-lawyers, and as such a significant part of how they perform magic is via a strong argument, and asserting their truth onto reality. This essay looks at the magical components of a Craft argument.
Wicked Problems has so many characters meeting up, hooking up, fighting (...up?) that we need an update to the character connections post - so here's even more ways characters know each other.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, that the order of books in the Craft Sequence is confusing. The author himself has said as much.
But have no fear, intrepid reader – we have pulled together NINE different reading orders for you to choose from.
Everything you need to remember from DEAD COUNTRY before reading WICKED PROBLEMS. Characters, plots, and the importance of the book for the rest of the series.
Dawn is possibly the most important new character we meet in Dead Country - yet we learn perishingly little about her. Who exactly is Dawn? And is ‘who’ even the right question?
The Craft Sequence is a sprawling series with characters showing up in different narratives and meeting all sorts of characters. This somewhat crazy article tracks the connections between the main characters in a conspiracy theory style wall.
Our upbringings shape us, for better or for worse. What was Tara Abernathy’s childhood and upbringing like? How did it shape the woman she became? Part of the Tara Deep Dive series.
Third in the skazzerai series. Tara has learnt a lot about the demonic space spiders en route to the Craft world, but it isn’t until the end of Dead Country that she finds out their connection to her old nemesis Alexander Denovo - and what he did in the desert.
Alexander Denovo looms large over the Craft Sequence despite his early death. As his influence comes back in the Craft Wars trilogy, we ask: who is he, and what does he want?
Articles featuring Dead Country
(in some shape or form)
Wicked Problems
The battle for the world of the Craft is heating up. A dead god will rise. A mountain will fall. Ancient fire will be stolen. And while Tara races to stop Dawn’s plans, the end draws ever closer, skittering across the stars to swallow the world.
Eighth in publication order
Eighth chronologically
Second of the Craft Wars quartet
Not a good idea to read first
Articles featuring Wicked Problems
(in some shape or form)
I’ve got more speculative blob-maps for you, this time looking at the Old World. It’s almost twice as long, despite fewer textual sources. Enjoy.
Nine books in, yet no world map for the Craft Sequence. I am here to change this. Today, let’s look at Northern and Southern Kath. Beware terrible blob-maps.
Before starting this essay, I had a vague sense I need to reconsider Dawn and her role in the story. Through the process of writing it, I have entirely changed my perspective on her. Let me take you on the same journey.
A nerdy deep dive into demographics of POV characters in the Craft Sequence (updated for Dead Hand Rule).
With 50 POV characters across 9 books, who has the most narrative page-time in the Craft Sequence so far? Who are the ‘main’ characters, and what does that mean for the story?
The skazzerai are coming for the Domain. We’ve been talking about them for a while, and the Craft Wars book thus far only confirmed what we suspected: our characters are counting down the days until an enormous demon space spider reaches the world, and they’re running out of time.
But what do they want? And how are they conencted to Dawn?
Everything you need to remember from WICKED PROBLEMS before reading DEAD HAND RULE. Craft Sequence version of Avengers Infinity War.
The death of gods is integral to the Craft Sequence, forming the plot of the first book and the entire background of the series in the God Wars. But, how do gods die? How do you kill a god? The early Craftsfolk had similar questions. This essay outlines the answers they uncovered.
On the surface, Catherine Elle, Teo Batan, and Izza Jalai have little in common. Yet, in Full Fathom Five, they become intertwined in a holy heist and have to work together. Find out more about each of them, and what might be next for them in the Craft Wars quartet.
Who is Mal? Caleb’s manic pixie dream girl from Two Serpents Rise, who then terrorised the city and was seemingly vaporised, appeared to be a one-and-done antagonist, yet she is back in Wicked Problems. Who is she, and how has she come back?
Wicked Problems has been out for 9 glorious months. Before publication I made 23 predictions about what might happen - but how many did I get right?
Billionaire. Nightmare artist. Philanthropist. Eberhardt Jax wants to make his mark on the world. It’s clear he’s integral to the overarching plot of the Craft Wars quartet, linked to the skazzerai, the gray men, and the end of the world.
But who exactly is he? And what does he really want?
Throughout Wicked Problems, we meet strange bland men, shells for brutal metal weapons. But what exactly are they, and who controls them?
Craft Wars #3, publication expected autumn 2025
Craft Wars #4, publication expected autumn 2026
Man in the Middle, short story published as part of ‘Shared Nightmares’ anthology. Set immediately after Three Parts Dead. More information here.
The Games
Choice of the Deathless
Battle demons and undead attorneys, and win souls to pay back your student loans! At the elite demonic-law firm of Varkath Nebuchadnezzar Stone, you'll depose a fallen god, find romance, and maybe even make partner, if you don't lose your own soul first.
First of the text-based games
Timeline pre-dates the series
Possible to play first ✔
Articles featuring Choice of the Deathless
(in some shape or form)
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
Choice of the Deathless is the first of two unconnected choose-your-own-adventure text games set in the world of the Craft Sequence, set several years before the novels. This article looks at the different chapters of the game, key characters, and the awards you can win through different choices - everything you need to know is right here.
So you’ve made it through the scarred and staggering world left by the God Wars, whichever chronology worked out for you. You’re still picking the shards of Ruin of Angels out of your teeth or you just snapped up Dead Country and it’s not enough. Where should you go next?
This comprehensive guide to Max Gladstone’s other works will help you choose.
The OFFICIAL Craft Sequence timeline, translated from the German edition of Drei Viertel Tod.
Deathless: City’s Thirst
Negotiate water rights from scorpion gods in this necromantic legal thriller! Discredit your boss, solve murders, and reanimate your own corpse to keep your city from drying out.
Second of the games
Timeline pre-dates the series
Possible to play first ✔
Articles featuring City’s Thirst
(in some shape or form)
We know that the Craft Sequence has a weird chronology, but what is the actual timeline across the series? How old are characters during different novels.
We’ve worked it out from references in the books – and updated it with new information.
So you’ve made it through the scarred and staggering world left by the God Wars, whichever chronology worked out for you. You’re still picking the shards of Ruin of Angels out of your teeth or you just snapped up Dead Country and it’s not enough. Where should you go next?
This comprehensive guide to Max Gladstone’s other works will help you choose.
The OFFICIAL Craft Sequence timeline, translated from the German edition of Drei Viertel Tod.
Elayne Kevarian, Temoc Almotil, and the King in Red are the three most powerful characters we’ve seen in the Craft Sequence so far. A Craftswoman, the final Eagle Knight, and the Deathless King of Dresediel Lex shape the world and will do almost anything to win their battles.
Two books and one game are set in Dresediel Lex, a sprawling metropolis on the edge of the desert ruled by an overdramatic skeleton who cast down gods.
I’ve got more speculative blob-maps for you, this time looking at the Old World. It’s almost twice as long, despite fewer textual sources. Enjoy.