Story Order
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Enter the Malazan universe

Malazan Books in Chronological Order

Enter the epic—and everything around it.

Follow the Malazan world across the Book of the Fallen, Novels of the Malazan Empire, Kharkanas, Path to Ascendancy, Witness and connected short fiction.

The Book of the Fallen opens into parallel imperial campaigns, the empire’s founding, ancient Tiste tragedy and a new post-war age of Witness.

Open the full timeline ↓
Last editorial check

Universe orientation

The Fallen are one history inside a much older world.

The quick answer

Start with Gardens of the Moon and commit to the ten-book main sequence before branching into Kharkanas, Path to Ascendancy or Esslemont’s companion novels.

Switch to release order or use Starter Mode for a shorter route.

Universe explored

The Malazan universe, story by story

Every mapped story, with adaptations and editions grouped together.

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Story chronology · Full mapped list

The list follows in-universe chronology. Era and continuity remain visible on each record.

Showing 32 of 32 released stories.

  1. NovelCanon

    Forge of Darkness

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    A deep-prehistory tragedy about Mother Dark, Draconus and the Tiste before familiar Malazan divisions took shape.

    Story eraDEEP PREHISTORY — KHARKANASContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementdeep prehistory / Tiste eraFirst release2012Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  2. NovelCanon

    Fall of Light

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Civil war spreads through Kurald Galain in the second published Kharkanas novel.

    Story eraDEEP PREHISTORY — KHARKANASContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementafter Forge of DarknessFirst release2016Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  3. NovelCanon

    Dancer’s Lament

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The origin of Dancer and Kellanved’s partnership begins long before the Malazan Empire.

    Story eraPATH TO ASCENDANCY — FOUNDING ERAContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementearly Dancer / Li HengFirst release2016Placement confidenceApproximate
  4. NovelCanon

    Deadhouse Landing

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The future empire’s founders reach Malaz Island and take another step toward power.

    Story eraPATH TO ASCENDANCY — FOUNDING ERAContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementKellanved/Dancer consolidationFirst release2017Placement confidenceStrong
  5. NovelCanon

    Kellanved’s Reach

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The first Path to Ascendancy movement culminates as Kellanved’s ambitions widen.

    Story eraPATH TO ASCENDANCY — FOUNDING ERAContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementearly imperial expansionFirst release2019Placement confidenceApproximate
  6. NovelCanon

    Forge of the High Mage

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The empire consolidates while Tayschrenn faces a threat during the invasion of Falar.

    Story eraPATH TO ASCENDANCY — FOUNDING ERAContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementlater early-Empire campaignFirst release2023Placement confidenceApproximate
  7. NovellaCanon

    Blood Follows

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 1. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 1First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  8. NovellaCanon

    The Lees of Laughter’s End

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 2. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 2First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  9. NovellaCanon

    The Wurms of Blearmouth

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 3. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 3First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  10. NovellaCanon

    The Healthy Dead

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 4. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 4First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  11. NovellaCanon

    Crack’d Pot Trail

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 5. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 5First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  12. NovellaCanon

    The Fiends of Nightmaria

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 6. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 6First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  13. NovellaCanon

    Upon a Dark of Evil Overlords

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Placed B&KB 7. Source status: C.

    Story eraBAUCHELAIN & KORBAL BROACH — SIDE CHRONOLOGYContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementB&KB 7First releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  14. NovelCanon

    Night of Knives

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Esslemont’s first Malazan novel revisits the Shadow Moon and the night the old emperor returns.

    Story eraOpening phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementnight of Kellanved/Dancer’s disappearance; before GardensFirst release2004Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  15. NovelCanon

    Gardens of the Moon

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The first novel and the only sensible entry point to the ten-book main sequence.

    Story eraOpening phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementmain saga openingFirst release1999Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  16. NovelCanon

    Deadhouse Gates

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Expands the world with a new setting and overlapping cast.

    Story eraOpening phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementSeven Cities campaignFirst release2000Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  17. NovelCanon

    Memories of Ice

    Direct link to this story
    Overlapping storyGenabackis; overlaps early saga
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Returns to the first novel’s central theatre with major continuity payoffs.

    Story eraOpening phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementGenabackis; overlaps early sagaFirst release2001Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  18. NovelCanonC / Multi-Era

    House of Chains

    Direct link to this story
    Overlapping storycontinues Seven Cities / Karsa history
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The fourth main novel, best read after Memories of Ice.

    Story eraOpening phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementcontinues Seven Cities / Karsa historyFirst release2002Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  19. NovelCanonC / branch prequel

    Midnight Tides

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    A major cast and geography shift that becomes essential later.

    Story eraOpening phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementchronologically earlier Lether story, revealed mid-seriesFirst release2004Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  20. NovelCanon

    The Bonehunters

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Reconnects the series’ expanding military and divine threads.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementpost-House of ChainsFirst release2006Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  21. NovelCanon

    Return of the Crimson Guard

    Direct link to this story
    Overlapping storyEmpire/Korel/Crimson Guard; overlaps post-Bonehunters era
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The Crimson Guard returns as the empire reels from war, rebellion and a contested throne.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementEmpire/Korel/Crimson Guard; overlaps post-Bonehunters eraFirst release2008Placement confidenceApproximate
  22. NovelCanon

    Reaper’s Gale

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Continue after The Bonehunters.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementLether convergenceFirst release2007Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  23. NovelCanon

    Stonewielder

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Greymane’s campaign on Korel expands events unfolding beside the Book of the Fallen.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementKorel campaignFirst release2010Placement confidenceStrong
  24. NovelCanon

    Toll the Hounds

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    A slower, emotionally concentrated return to Darujhistan.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementDarujhistan / GenabackisFirst release2008Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  25. NovelCanon

    Orb Sceptre Throne

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Darujhistan and the Seguleh return in a companion novel that follows Toll the Hounds.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementDarujhistan follow-onFirst release2012Placement confidenceStrong
  26. NovelCanon

    Dust of Dreams

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The penultimate main novel.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementfinal campaign part 1First release2009Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  27. NovelCanon

    The Crippled God

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Completes Steven Erikson’s ten-volume main arc.

    Story eraConvergence phaseContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementfinal campaign part 2First release2011Placement confidenceStrong
    Goodreads
  28. NovelCanon

    Blood and Bone

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The Crimson Guard enters Jacuruku while several long-running powers converge there.

    Story eraParallel / later Novels of the Malazan EmpireContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementlate main-saga / JacurukuFirst release2012Placement confidenceApproximate
  29. NovelCanon

    Assail

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Esslemont’s six-book Empire sequence closes on the legendary and dangerous continent of Assail.

    Story eraParallel / later Novels of the Malazan EmpireContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementlate/post main-saga northern campaignFirst release2014Placement confidenceApproximate
  30. Short storyCanon unclearC/A

    Goats of Glory

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon unclear

    Placed Malazan-world side story; exact date uncertain. Source status: C/A.

    Story eraSHORT FICTIONContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementMalazan-world side story; exact date uncertainFirst releaseRelease year not listed in sourcePlacement confidenceStrong
  31. NovelCanon

    The God Is Not Willing

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    Years after the Book of the Fallen, a company of marines confronts the legacy of Karsa Orlong.

    Story eraWITNESS — POST-BOOK OF THE FALLENContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementyears after The Crippled GodFirst release2021Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads
  32. NovelCanon

    No Life Forsaken

    Direct link to this story
    ReadBook / comicCanon
    ListenAudiobook / audioCanon

    The Witness sequence continues amid rebellion, exhausted legions and a newly awakened goddess.

    Story eraWITNESS — POST-BOOK OF THE FALLENContinuityMalazan literary canonIn-world placementafter The God Is Not WillingFirst release2025Placement confidenceApproximate
    Goodreads

Not part of the checklist

Announced and unreleased

These records are tracked for context but are excluded from chronology numbers, filters and progress until release.

  • The Legacies of Betrayal2026Upcoming — 6 Oct 2026

Find your route

Malazan order guide

Use one authoritative timeline, then choose the view that matches how you want to experience the universe.

Malazan Books Books in Order

Books, comics and other reading material are placed by story chronology while publication order remains available as a separate view.

Malazan Books Release Order

Release order re-sorts the same mapped stories by first publication or release instead of creating a duplicate guide page.

What Order Should You Read the Malazan Books?

Start with the guide’s recommended route if this is your first time. Use the full chronology when you want the complete cross-media timeline.

Quick answers

Common Malazan order questions

Direct answers based on the same chronology, continuity labels and coverage notes used in the guide.

What Order Should You Read the Malazan Books?

Start with Gardens of the Moon and commit to the ten-book main sequence before branching into Kharkanas, Path to Ascendancy or Esslemont’s companion novels.

Should you use chronological or release order for Malazan?

Use chronological order to follow events as they happen. Use release order when you want to preserve the sequence of the original reveals. Both views use the same researched stories.

What does this Malazan order guide include?

All-media guide: 33 unique published story records across Kharkanas, Path to Ascendancy, Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, the interleaved imperial era and Witness. Audio editions stay attached to each book. Coverage is current through released and confirmed story material available by 22 September 2026.

Suggested routes

Choose a way in.

Use the full chronology or follow a shorter route.

01 · Main route

Gardens of the Moon

Read all ten Book of the Fallen novels in publication order.

02 · Deep route

Kharkanas later

Forge of Darkness belongs after the main sequence for most readers.

03 · Listener route

Follow the same ten

Audio editions preserve the main sequence without changing continuity.

Abstract branching map representing separate story continuities

Story versions

Choose how to experience it.

Researched editions and adaptations stay together under one story.

See how stories are organised

Sources

What anchors this order.

Official franchise, creator and publisher sources anchor the chronology. Conflicts and uncertain placements are labelled.

Macmillan Malazan collection ↗Steven Erikson official site ↗

Continue exploring

Similar themes, different worlds.

Missing something?

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Story Order

Every story has a place.

Story Order is an independent editorial guide to watching, reading and playing fictional universes in chronological or release order across film, television, books, comics, games and audio.

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