Midkemia · Kelewan · Garn

Series Arc

12 series · 35 novels · 1982–present

Tap any series to expand its book list. For reading order with prerequisites, see Reading Order.

I · Riftwar Cycle
The Riftwar Saga
3 books · 1982–1986 Midkemia / Kelewan

Foundational arc. Kitchen-boy Pug of Crydee becomes Milamber, master of the Greater Path on Kelewan. His foster-brother Tomas dons ancient Valheru armor and inherits a Dragon Lord's power. The Tsurani invade through a rift. Murmandamus marshals the Dark Brotherhood. All threads converge at Sethanon above the Lifestone.

II · Riftwar Cycle
The Empire Trilogy
3 books · 1987–1992 · co-author: Janny Wurts Kelewan
Prereq: Riftwar Saga — not essential to main story but highly recommended

The Riftwar told from the Tsurani side, on Kelewan. Lady Mara of the Acoma rises from endangered teenage ruler of a minor house to challenger of the entire Tsuranuanni social order through the lethal Great Game of the Council. Co-written throughout with Janny Wurts.

  • 1Daughter of the Empire w/ Janny Wurts1987
  • 2Servant of the Empire w/ Janny Wurts1990
  • 3Mistress of the Empire w/ Janny Wurts1992
III · Riftwar Cycle
Krondor's Sons
2 books · 1989–1992 Midkemia
Prereq: Riftwar Saga

One generation later -- Arutha's sons and nephews come of age. Prince Nicholas pursues raiders to the far continent of Novindus, setting the stage for the Serpentwar. Features the first detailed look at Kesh and the world beyond the Kingdom.

  • 1Prince of the Blood1989
  • 2The King's Buccaneer1992
IV · Riftwar Cycle
The Serpentwar Saga
4 books · 1994–1998 Midkemia
Prereq: Krondor's Sons

The demon-driven Emerald Queen raises a vast army on Novindus and launches a full invasion of the Kingdom. New heroes Erik von Darkmoor and Roo Avery carry most of the action. Publisher shifts from Doubleday to William Morrow (Shadow) then Avon (Rage, Shards).

  • 1Shadow of a Dark Queen1994
  • 2Rise of a Merchant Prince1995
  • 3Rage of a Demon King1997
  • 4Shards of a Broken Crown1998
V · Riftwar Cycle
The Riftwar Legacy
4 books · 1998–2013 Midkemia
Prereq: Riftwar Saga — not essential to main story

Tie-in arc bridging and novelizing the Betrayal at Krondor and Return to Krondor PC games. Jimmy the Hand, Owyn, and the dark-elf Gorath protect Krondor from the Nighthawks and the Six. Book 4 (Jimmy and the Crawler) is a short novella released 15 years after book 3.

  • 1Krondor: The Betrayal novelization of game1998
  • 2Krondor: The Assassins1999
  • 3Krondor: Tear of the Gods novelization of game2000/01
  • 4Jimmy and the Crawler novella2013
VI · Riftwar Cycle
Legends of the Riftwar
3 books · 2001–2003 · 3 co-authors Midkemia
Prereq: Riftwar Saga — independent side-tales, not essential

Side-tales set during the events of the original Riftwar, each co-written with a different author. UK hardcover is the true global first for all three -- the US editions were trade paperback only. Any US hardcover is a book-club copy (BCA).

  • 1Honoured Enemy w/ William R. Forstchen2001
  • 2Murder in LaMut w/ Joel Rosenberg2002
  • 3Jimmy the Hand w/ S.M. Stirling2003
VII · Riftwar Cycle
Conclave of the Shadows
3 books · 2002–2004 Midkemia
Prereq: Serpentwar Saga

Sole survivor Talon of the Silver Hawk is forged by the secret Conclave of Shadows into an instrument of vengeance against Duke Kaspar of Olasko. UK covers: Martin McKenna (books 1-2), Dominic Forbes (book 3). NOT Geoff Taylor.

  • 1Talon of the Silver Hawk2002
  • 2King of Foxes2003
  • 3Exile's Return2004
VIII · Riftwar Cycle
The Darkwar Saga
3 books · 2005–2008 Midkemia / Dasati Plane
Prereq: Conclave of the Shadows

The Dasati, a dark-plane race who serve the Nameless God, plan to invade Midkemia. Pug and the Conclave fight across planes of reality. Kelewan falls. The scope expands dramatically beyond the original two-world Riftwar framework.

  • 1Flight of the Nighthawks2005
  • 2Into a Dark Realm2006
  • 3Wrath of a Mad God2008
IX · Riftwar Cycle
The Demonwar Saga
2 books · 2009–2010 Midkemia
Prereq: Darkwar Saga

A lost clan of elves, the taredhel, believe Midkemia is their ancient home and invade to reclaim it -- but the demon horde pursuing them is the real threat. Pug and Sandreena hold the line while the Conclave regroups after the devastation of the Darkwar.

  • 1Rides a Dread Legion2009
  • 2At the Gates of Darkness2010
X · Riftwar Cycle
The Chaoswar Saga
3 books · 2011–2013 · RIFTWAR CYCLE FINALE Midkemia
Prereq: Demonwar Saga

Grand conclusion to the 31-year Riftwar Cycle. Civil war erupts as a contested succession tears the Kingdom apart. An unknown player orchestrates the conflicts. The Valheru/Lifestone mythology is resolved for good. Magician's End closes Pug's story after a decade of novels.

  • 1A Kingdom Besieged2011
  • 2A Crown Imperiled2012
  • 3Magician's End FINALE2013
Standalone
Faerie Tale
1 book · 1988 Earth (non-Midkemia)

Dark contemporary fantasy/horror. The Hastings family relocates to rural New York and becomes ensnared in a war with malevolent Faerie folk. Feist's only non-Midkemia standalone. Read at any point -- completely independent of the Riftwar Cycle.

  • --Faerie Tale1988
XI · Firemane
The Firemane Saga
3 books · 2018–2022 · COMPLETE Garn (new world)
New world. Garn is entirely separate from Midkemia and Kelewan. No Riftwar Cycle knowledge required -- start here independently if you want.

Five kingdoms conspire to destroy Ithrace, the Kingdom of Flames. Two hidden heirs -- Hatushaly (Hatu), who carries the Firemane bloodline, and Declan, a blacksmith's apprentice -- find their fates intertwined with the survival of the last royal line. Complete trilogy.

  • 1King of Ashes2018
  • 2Queen of Storms2020
  • 3Master of Furies2022
XII · Dragonwar
The Dragonwar Saga
In progress · 2024– Garn + Midkemia (crossover)
Prereq: BOTH Firemane trilogy AND Chaoswar Saga
First crossover between the Firemane and Riftwar universes. Do not start here. Read the complete Firemane trilogy and the Chaoswar Saga before this series.

An ancient darkness bridges both worlds for the first time. Hatushaly, Hava, and Donte are transported from Garn to Midkemia, where they encounter Pug, Nakor, and Magnus. The Church of the One and void creatures threaten both universes simultaneously.

  • 1A Darkness Returns2024
  • --More forthcoming