Raymond E. Feist Books in Order (Updated August 5, 2026)

Raymond E. Feist is an American fantasy author best known for the Riftwar Cycle, a multigenerational epic that begins with Magician. Most of his novels follow the connected worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan, although the Firemane Saga initially appeared to be a separate continuity.

That boundary changed with the Dragonwar Saga. A Darkness Returns brings the Firemane storyline into contact with characters and ideas from Feist’s earlier Riftwar books. Readers planning to follow Dragonwar should therefore finish both the Riftwar Cycle and the Firemane trilogy first.

Feist has also written one fully separate novel, Faerie Tale, plus several Riftwar short stories and a substantial illustrated companion book.

The Reading Decision That Matters Most

There are three sensible entry points.

1. For the complete experience: Begin with Magician and follow the Riftwar Cycle in publication order.
2. For the strongest self-contained alternative: Begin with Daughter of the Empire. The Empire Trilogy overlaps the original Riftwar period but follows Mara of the Acoma on Kelewan.
3. For Feist’s newer work: Begin with King of Ashes, but finish both Firemane and Riftwar before reading A Darkness Returns.

The safest recommendation for a new reader remains Magician. Feist introduces his worlds there, and later books repeatedly build on its characters, conflicts, and revelations.

Raymond E. Feist’s Main Continuity at a Glance

The core connected sequence is:

1. The Riftwar Saga
2. The Empire Trilogy
3. Krondor’s Sons
4. The Serpentwar Saga
5. The Riftwar Legacy
6. Legends of the Riftwar
7. Conclave of Shadows
8. The Darkwar Saga
9. The Demonwar Saga
10. The Chaoswar Saga
11. The Firemane Saga
12. The Dragonwar Saga

The first ten groups belong directly to the original Riftwar Cycle. Firemane begins in another setting, but Dragonwar connects that storyline to the wider Riftwar mythology.

The Riftwar Saga Books in Order

The Riftwar Saga is the foundation of Feist’s bibliography. It introduces Pug, Tomas, Arutha, Jimmy, the Kingdom of the Isles, Kelewan, and the magical rifts connecting worlds.

1. Magician (1982): Pug begins as an orphaned kitchen boy at Crydee, then becomes central to a war between Midkemia and the invading Tsurani Empire.
2. Silverthorn (1985): Arutha searches for a rare cure after an attack places Anita’s life in danger, while a darker power begins moving behind the political conflict.
3. A Darkness at Sethanon (1986): Arutha, Pug, Tomas, and their allies confront a threat beneath Sethanon that reveals the larger cosmic stakes behind the Riftwar.

Read these three books in order. Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon assume full knowledge of the characters and consequences established in Magician.

Magician, Apprentice and Master Editions Explained

Magician was originally published as one novel in 1982. Some editions, particularly in the United States, divide it into two volumes.

1. Magician: Apprentice (1986 split edition): The first half follows Pug and Tomas from Crydee into the opening stages of the Riftwar.
2. Magician: Master (1986 split edition): The second half develops Pug’s transformation on Kelewan and carries the war toward its resolution.

These are not separate sequels. Readers need either the complete one volume edition of Magician or the two part edition, not both.

The Empire Trilogy Books in Order

The Empire Trilogy was written by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. It takes place largely on Kelewan and overlaps the events of the Riftwar Saga from the Tsurani side.

1. Daughter of the Empire (1987): Mara unexpectedly becomes ruling Lady of the Acoma and must use political strategy to save her weakened house from destruction.
2. Servant of the Empire (1990): Mara’s growing power is tested by war, court intrigue, and her relationship with a Midkemian slave whose ideas challenge Tsurani tradition.
3. Mistress of the Empire (1992): Mara confronts the institutions and enemies that have controlled Kelewan, bringing her political struggle to its decisive conclusion.

This trilogy can be read immediately after Magician, or after completing the full Riftwar Saga. Reading it after Magician provides enough context while preserving its different perspective.

The trilogy is essential for readers who want a fuller understanding of Kelewan, the Tsurani political system, and the consequences of contact between the two worlds.

Krondor’s Sons Books in Order

Krondor’s Sons follows the next generation of the royal family and prepares the political landscape for the Serpentwar Saga.

1. Prince of the Blood (1989): Princes Borric and Erland travel on a diplomatic mission to Kesh, where court politics and an assassination plot force them to mature quickly.
2. The King’s Buccaneer (1992): Nicholas, a younger prince with little confidence in himself, joins a rescue mission that uncovers a distant enemy preparing for war.

These books should be read after the Riftwar Saga. The King’s Buccaneer is especially important because it introduces people, locations, and threats that lead directly into the Serpentwar Saga.

The Serpentwar Saga Books in Order

The Serpentwar Saga shifts attention toward a new generation while retaining important figures from the original trilogy. It begins with an approaching invasion and expands into war, trade, politics, and reconstruction.

1. Shadow of a Dark Queen (1994): Erik von Darkmoor and Roo Avery flee execution and join a desperate military mission to learn the scale of an invasion moving toward the Kingdom.
2. Rise of a Merchant Prince (1995): Roo attempts to build a commercial empire in Krondor, showing how money, intelligence, and political influence become weapons in the approaching war.
3. Rage of a Demon King (1997): The Emerald Queen’s forces reach the Kingdom, forcing soldiers, rulers, merchants, and magicians into a battle with devastating consequences.
4. Shards of a Broken Crown (1998): Survivors of the invasion struggle to reclaim occupied territory and rebuild a kingdom damaged by war and internal betrayal.

Read all four in order. Rise of a Merchant Prince may initially appear less directly connected to the battlefield, but Roo’s financial story becomes central to the wider conflict.

The Riftwar Legacy Books in Order

The Riftwar Legacy returns to Prince Arutha’s era and follows events inspired partly by the computer game Betrayal at Krondor. Its stories occur earlier than many books published before them.

1. Krondor: The Betrayal (1998): James, Locklear, and Gorath investigate a moredhel threat that points toward betrayal inside the Kingdom.
2. Krondor: The Assassins (1999): A violent struggle among criminal factions draws James into Krondor’s underworld while a larger conspiracy develops around the city.
3. Krondor: Tear of the Gods (2001): The theft of a sacred artifact threatens dangerous consequences, sending James and his allies into a pursuit involving pirates, magic, and hidden enemies.
4. Jimmy and the Crawler (2013): Jimmy investigates the criminal mastermind known as the Crawler, closing a long standing gap in the Krondor storyline.

The series should be read in this order, even though Jimmy and the Crawler was published much later.

Earlier plans referred to books titled Krondor: The Crawler and Krondor: The Dark Mage. Those planned novels were not published as originally proposed. Jimmy and the Crawler replaced the unresolved Crawler project in a shorter form.

Legends of the Riftwar Books in Order

Legends of the Riftwar revisits the period of the original Riftwar through side stories written with other fantasy authors. These books expand events occurring around the main conflict without replacing the original trilogy.

1. Honoured Enemy (2001), with William R. Forstchen: Kingdom soldiers and Tsurani enemies must cooperate when a more dangerous force traps both groups behind the lines.
2. Murder in LaMut (2002), with Joel Rosenberg: Three mercenaries serving near LaMut become involved in a murder investigation amid the pressures of wartime occupation.
3. Jimmy the Hand (2003), with S. M. Stirling: Young Jimmy leaves Krondor and becomes caught in a dangerous adventure before his later service to Prince Arutha.

These books are optional but worthwhile for readers interested in secondary characters and untold episodes from the Riftwar period.

The best placement is after A Darkness at Sethanon. That position avoids interrupting the original trilogy and ensures that the political and military setting is already familiar.

Conclave of Shadows Books in Order

Conclave of Shadows introduces Talon of the Silver Hawk and moves the series toward conflicts involving hidden organizations, revenge, and threats beyond the Kingdom.

1. Talon of the Silver Hawk (2002): The last survivor of a destroyed people is trained by the Conclave of Shadows while preparing to identify those responsible for the massacre.
2. King of Foxes (2003): Talon enters the service of the man he believes destroyed his people, using deception and patience to reach the center of his revenge.
3. Exile’s Return (2004): Kaspar, former Duke of Olasko, is forced into exile and gradually discovers that his ambitions were manipulated by a far more dangerous power.

The trilogy changes viewpoint significantly in its third volume. That shift is intentional, and Exile’s Return connects the political story to the larger supernatural danger developed in the Darkwar Saga.

The Darkwar Saga Books in Order

The Darkwar Saga brings Pug and the Conclave into conflict with enemies operating across worlds. It assumes familiarity with Conclave of Shadows and many earlier Riftwar characters.

1. Flight of the Nighthawks (2005): Pug and his allies investigate the return of the Nighthawks while political instability and an attempted assassination threaten the Empire of Great Kesh.
2. Into a Dark Realm (2006): The Conclave enters another world to understand the Dasati, a violent civilization whose existence threatens more than one reality.
3. Wrath of a Mad God (2008): Pug’s efforts to stop the Dasati lead to a confrontation involving gods, worlds, and the survival of entire populations.

Read the trilogy without breaks. Its plot is continuous, and each book ends with the larger conflict unresolved.

The Demonwar Saga Books in Order

The Demonwar Saga is a short two book sequence that follows the Darkwar and begins the final movement toward the Chaoswar conclusion.

1. Rides a Dread Legion (2009): An ancient elven people return to Midkemia while fleeing a demonic enemy, forcing Pug to determine whether the newcomers are refugees or another threat.
2. At the Gates of Darkness (2010): Pug, Magnus, and their allies confront a demon invasion while uncovering manipulation by powers with plans extending beyond the immediate war.

Both books are essential before the Chaoswar Saga. The second volume resolves the Demonwar conflict while exposing the danger that drives the final trilogy.

The Chaoswar Saga Books in Order

The Chaoswar Saga concludes the original Riftwar Cycle and resolves storylines involving Pug, Magnus, the Conclave, the Kingdom, and the cosmic struggle behind many earlier wars.

1. A Kingdom Besieged (2011): Keshian forces invade the Kingdom while attacks elsewhere reveal that political war is being used to conceal a larger plan.
2. A Crown Imperiled (2012): The Kingdom faces occupation, succession pressure, and internal division as Pug searches for the true enemy behind the chaos.
3. Magician’s End (2013): Pug and his surviving allies enter the final confrontation of the Riftwar Cycle, closing a story that began in Magician.

Do not begin the Riftwar Cycle here. The trilogy depends heavily on earlier relationships, sacrifices, magical discoveries, and historical conflicts.

Magician’s End completes the original cycle, but it is no longer the final appearance of every concept or character associated with Feist’s larger fantasy universe.

The Firemane Saga Books in Order

The Firemane Saga begins in a world that initially appeared unrelated to Midkemia. It follows Hatu, Declan, and Hava as they become involved in the aftermath of a destroyed kingdom and the struggle among rival powers.

1. King of Ashes (2018): Hatu grows up in hiding after the destruction of Ithrace, while Declan becomes a gifted swordsmith and political tensions gather around the surviving Firemane heir.
2. Queen of Storms (2020): Hatu, Hava, and Declan face the consequences of their changing identities as war, religion, and supernatural forces begin reshaping their world.
3. Master of Furies (2022): The surviving characters confront the powers behind their conflicts, bringing the Firemane trilogy to a conclusion that opens the way to a larger connection.

The trilogy should be read in order. Each volume directly continues the previous book, and the identities of several characters are revealed gradually.

When first published, Firemane was presented as separate from the Riftwar Cycle. A Darkness Returns later established a crossover between the Firemane setting and Feist’s earlier mythology.

The Dragonwar Saga Books in Order

The Dragonwar Saga is the continuation that joins Firemane with the broader Riftwar world. It is not a suitable starting point, despite being labeled as the first book of a new saga.

1. A Darkness Returns (2024): Hatu, Declan, Hava, and their allies face the rise of the Church of the One as figures and forces connected to the Riftwar mythology return to the story.
2. A Light Between the Heavens (Forthcoming): Feist announced this title in April 2026 as his current work in progress, but the title may change and no confirmed publication date has been announced.

A Darkness Returns was first published in 2024 in the United Kingdom, with publication schedules varying by country and edition.

Readers should complete the Firemane Saga before beginning Dragonwar. For the fullest context, they should also complete the Riftwar Cycle through Magician’s End.

How to Read Firemane and Dragonwar

The most reliable sequence is:

1. King of Ashes (2018): Hatu and Declan begin separate lives shaped by the destruction of Ithrace and the secret of the Firemane bloodline.
2. Queen of Storms (2020): Their paths become more closely tied to war, supernatural power, and the ambitions of competing rulers.
3. Master of Furies (2022): The Firemane conflict reaches its first major resolution while revealing a wider structure behind the world.
4. A Darkness Returns (2024): The new saga joins Firemane’s surviving characters to elements from the Riftwar continuity.
5. A Light Between the Heavens (Forthcoming): The announced work in progress is expected to continue the post Firemane storyline, but its final details remain unconfirmed.

This order preserves Firemane’s identity reveals and prevents Dragonwar from disclosing the trilogy’s ending too early.

Raymond E. Feist Books in Publication Order

Publication order is the simplest way to follow how Feist developed the Riftwar universe. It also prevents later prequels and side stories from revealing information before the main series introduces it.

1. Magician (1982): Pug’s journey from Crydee into the Riftwar establishes Midkemia, Kelewan, and the magical structure behind the series.
2. Silverthorn (1985): Arutha’s search for a cure becomes part of a larger struggle against an ancient enemy.
3. A Darkness at Sethanon (1986): The original trilogy reaches its conclusion through a battle that exposes the deeper purpose of the rifts.
4. Daughter of the Empire (1987), with Janny Wurts: Mara takes control of House Acoma and enters the political Game of the Council.
5. Faerie Tale (1988): A family in rural New York encounters dangerous beings drawn from older folklore in Feist’s only fully separate novel.
6. Prince of the Blood (1989): Borric and Erland travel to Kesh and become targets inside an unstable imperial court.
7. Servant of the Empire (1990), with Janny Wurts: Mara’s alliance with a Midkemian slave challenges both her political position and Tsurani custom.
8. Mistress of the Empire (1992), with Janny Wurts: Mara attempts to change the system that has endangered her family throughout the trilogy.
9. The King’s Buccaneer (1992): Nicholas joins a rescue expedition and discovers preparations for a major invasion.
10. Shadow of a Dark Queen (1994): Erik and Roo enter military service as the Kingdom seeks intelligence about the Emerald Queen.
11. Rise of a Merchant Prince (1995): Roo builds wealth and influence while the coming war begins affecting Krondor’s economy and politics.
12. Rage of a Demon King (1997): The Serpentwar reaches the Kingdom and forces its defenders into a costly confrontation.
13. Shards of a Broken Crown (1998): The Kingdom fights to remove occupying forces and repair the damage left by the invasion.
14. Krondor: The Betrayal (1998): James and his allies investigate a threat involving moredhel forces and treachery within the Kingdom.
15. Krondor: The Assassins (1999): Krondor’s criminal factions become part of a conspiracy that threatens the city’s stability.
16. Krondor: Tear of the Gods (2001): A stolen holy object sends James into a race against enemies seeking its power.
17. Honoured Enemy (2001), with William R. Forstchen: Kingdom and Tsurani soldiers form an uneasy alliance against a shared enemy.
18. Murder in LaMut (2002), with Joel Rosenberg: Mercenaries stationed during the Riftwar become involved in a murder mystery.
19. Talon of the Silver Hawk (2002): A survivor is remade into an agent of the Conclave while preparing for revenge.
20. Jimmy the Hand (2003), with S. M. Stirling: Young Jimmy faces danger beyond Krondor before becoming Arutha’s trusted ally.
21. King of Foxes (2003): Talon moves closer to his enemy by accepting a role inside the Duke of Olasko’s service.
22. Exile’s Return (2004): Kaspar’s fall from power forces him to recognize the supernatural manipulation behind his former ambitions.
23. Flight of the Nighthawks (2005): The Conclave investigates assassins and political violence linked to a wider threat.
24. Into a Dark Realm (2006): Pug and his companions travel into the Dasati realm to learn how an alien civilization can be stopped.
25. Wrath of a Mad God (2008): The Darkwar ends in a conflict involving gods, worlds, and the balance between realities.
26. Rides a Dread Legion (2009): Returning elves bring warning of a demon army advancing toward Midkemia.
27. At the Gates of Darkness (2010): The Demonwar reaches its climax while the forces behind the invasion become clearer.
28. A Kingdom Besieged (2011): The Kingdom faces military attacks designed to distract its defenders from a deeper plan.
29. A Crown Imperiled (2012): Political collapse and enemy occupation place the crown and the survival of the Kingdom at risk.
30. Jimmy and the Crawler (2013): Jimmy’s pursuit of a hidden crime lord resolves an unfinished part of the Riftwar Legacy.
31. Magician’s End (2013): Pug’s long story reaches its conclusion as the final Riftwar conflict determines the fate of multiple worlds.
32. Midkemia: The Chronicles of Pug (2013), with Stephen Abrams: An illustrated account of Midkemia presents maps, history, people, and locations through Pug’s perspective.
33. King of Ashes (2018): The hidden heir of Ithrace grows toward his destiny while war threatens the kingdoms that destroyed his family.
34. Queen of Storms (2020): The Firemane characters confront new powers, divided loyalties, and the widening consequences of Hatu’s identity.
35. Master of Furies (2022): The trilogy resolves its central struggle and prepares the continuity connection developed in Dragonwar.
36. A Darkness Returns (2024): The Dragonwar Saga begins by bringing Firemane’s world into contact with the larger Riftwar mythology.
37. A Light Between the Heavens (Forthcoming): Feist’s announced work in progress has no confirmed release date and may retain or change its working title.

Is Chronological Order Better?

A strict chronological order is possible only in an approximate sense. Several books overlap, especially Magician, the Empire Trilogy, Legends of the Riftwar, and the Riftwar Legacy.

A fully chronological reading would require stopping partway through novels and moving between different books. That approach follows the internal timeline more closely but damages pacing and exposes information outside the order in which Feist designed readers to encounter it.

Publication order remains the recommended choice for a first reading.

Readers who want a broad chronological arrangement for a reread can use this simplified sequence:

1. Magician
2. The Empire Trilogy
3. Legends of the Riftwar
4. Silverthorn
5. A Darkness at Sethanon
6. The Riftwar Legacy
7. Krondor’s Sons
8. The Serpentwar Saga
9. Conclave of Shadows
10. The Darkwar Saga
11. The Demonwar Saga
12. The Chaoswar Saga
13. The Firemane Saga
14. The Dragonwar Saga

This is an approximate grouping, not a precise chapter by chapter timeline.

The Recommended Riftwar Reading Route

A new reader does not need to choose between every possible chronology. The following route gives the strongest balance of clarity, momentum, and continuity.

Stage One: Learn the Worlds

1. Magician (1982): Pug and Tomas introduce the principal worlds, kingdoms, cultures, and magical conflicts.
2. Silverthorn (1985): Arutha’s journey develops the danger left unresolved after the first war.
3. A Darkness at Sethanon (1986): The original cast confronts the first major cosmic threat of the cycle.

Stage Two: See the Other Side of the Rift

4. Daughter of the Empire (1987): Mara’s rise gives Kelewan political and cultural depth beyond its role as an invading power.
5. Servant of the Empire (1990): Mara’s relationship with Kevin places Midkemian and Tsurani values into direct conflict.
6. Mistress of the Empire (1992): Mara’s final campaign changes the political order of Kelewan.

Stage Three: Move to the Next Generation

7. Prince of the Blood (1989): The royal heirs face danger in Kesh and begin assuming adult responsibility.
8. The King’s Buccaneer (1992): Nicholas uncovers the enemy that will drive the next major war.

Stage Four: Follow the Serpentwar

9. Shadow of a Dark Queen (1994): Erik and Roo enter the larger struggle through a dangerous reconnaissance mission.
10. Rise of a Merchant Prince (1995): Roo’s financial rise shows another side of preparing a kingdom for war.
11. Rage of a Demon King (1997): The invasion reaches its most destructive stage.
12. Shards of a Broken Crown (1998): The survivors fight for recovery and political control.

Stage Five: Return for the Krondor Stories

13. Krondor: The Betrayal (1998): James investigates treachery during an earlier period of Arutha’s rule.
14. Krondor: The Assassins (1999): Criminal violence reveals another organized threat inside the capital.
15. Krondor: Tear of the Gods (2001): A stolen relic drives a pursuit involving Krondor’s agents and dangerous magic.
16. Jimmy and the Crawler (2013): Jimmy confronts the criminal intelligence behind several unresolved events.

Stage Six: Add the Riftwar Side Stories

17. Honoured Enemy (2001): Opposing soldiers cooperate when survival becomes more urgent than allegiance.
18. Murder in LaMut (2002): A wartime posting becomes the setting for a contained murder mystery.
19. Jimmy the Hand (2003): Jimmy’s early life expands beyond the events shown in the original trilogy.

These three books are optional. They can also be moved directly after the original Riftwar Saga.

Stage Seven: Continue to the Final Cycle

20. Talon of the Silver Hawk (2002): Talon enters the Conclave’s service and begins his pursuit of justice.
21. King of Foxes (2003): Talon uses infiltration to reach the man responsible for destroying his people.
22. Exile’s Return (2004): Kaspar’s exile reveals the larger threat behind the Olasko conflict.
23. Flight of the Nighthawks (2005): The Conclave faces renewed assassinations and political manipulation.
24. Into a Dark Realm (2006): Pug enters the Dasati world in search of knowledge that might prevent invasion.
25. Wrath of a Mad God (2008): The Darkwar reaches its destructive conclusion.
26. Rides a Dread Legion (2009): Ancient elves arrive with news of an approaching demon force.
27. At the Gates of Darkness (2010): The demon invasion exposes the final enemy directing events.
28. A Kingdom Besieged (2011): Coordinated attacks begin the last war of the original cycle.
29. A Crown Imperiled (2012): The Kingdom’s political and military survival becomes increasingly uncertain.
30. Magician’s End (2013): Pug completes the struggle that has shaped his life since Magician.

Stage Eight: Cross Into Feist’s New Era

31. King of Ashes (2018): A new world and cast begin the Firemane storyline.
32. Queen of Storms (2020): The hidden forces surrounding Hatu and his companions become harder to escape.
33. Master of Furies (2022): Firemane reaches its initial conclusion and creates the opening for Dragonwar.
34. A Darkness Returns (2024): Firemane and Riftwar become part of one larger continuation.
35. A Light Between the Heavens (Forthcoming): The announced next project is expected to continue the Dragonwar era, subject to final publication details.

Raymond E. Feist Standalone Novel

Faerie Tale

1. Faerie Tale (1988): A screenwriter moves his family to rural New York, where they discover that the beings behind old fairy traditions are real and dangerous.

Faerie Tale is separate from Midkemia, Kelewan, Firemane, and Dragonwar. It can be read at any point.

The novel uses contemporary horror and dark fantasy rather than the large scale secondary world structure of the Riftwar books.

Riftwar Companion Book

Midkemia: The Chronicles of Pug

1. Midkemia: The Chronicles of Pug (2013), with Stephen Abrams: This illustrated volume presents Midkemian history, geography, cultures, maps, and notable figures as a record associated with Pug.

This is a companion and collector volume, not a new novel. It contains material drawn from across the Riftwar Cycle.

Read it after Magician’s End to avoid encountering later world and character information before completing the main story.

Status: Optional.

Raymond E. Feist Short Stories

Feist’s short fiction is less consistently available than his novels. Some stories appeared only in magazines or multi author anthologies, so editions and availability vary.

Riftwar Short Fiction

1. “Profit and the Grey Assassin” (1982): An early Riftwar story involving commerce, danger, and an assassin within Feist’s developing Midkemian setting.
2. “The Wood Boy” (1998): A young servant becomes caught in violence during the Riftwar, presenting the conflict from the perspective of someone far from its famous heroes.
3. “The Messenger” (2003): A military messenger undertakes a dangerous assignment during the Riftwar, showing the risks carried by ordinary participants in the larger conflict.

“The Wood Boy” and “The Messenger” fit around the era of the original Riftwar. First time readers should finish Magician before seeking them out.

Separate and Collaborative Short Fiction

1. “Geroldo’s Incredible Trick” (1997): A fantasy story centered on performance and deception, published outside the main Riftwar novel sequence.
2. “One to Go” (2002): Feist’s contribution to the shared world of Thieves’ World, separate from Midkemia and his other principal continuities.
3. “Watchfire” (2004), with Janny Wurts: A collaborative fantasy story published independently of the Empire Trilogy’s main narrative.

These stories are optional and do not affect the recommended novel order.

Collaborations Explained

Several books carry a second author’s name.

The Empire Trilogy was co-written with Janny Wurts and is a major part of the Riftwar continuity.

Honoured Enemy was written with William R. Forstchen, Murder in LaMut with Joel Rosenberg, and Jimmy the Hand with S. M. Stirling. These three books form Legends of the Riftwar.

Midkemia: The Chronicles of Pug was created with Stephen Abrams as an illustrated companion volume.

These collaborations should remain in Feist reading lists because they are officially placed within his worlds or bibliography.

Books That Are Often Mistaken for Separate Installments

Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master

These are the two halves of Magician. They do not add extra books to the story.

Betrayal at Krondor

Betrayal at Krondor is a computer game, not a Feist novel. Krondor: The Betrayal adapts and reshapes its story in novel form.

Return to Krondor

Return to Krondor is also a game. Elements connected with it appear in the Riftwar Legacy material, but it is not a separate prose novel by Feist.

Boxed Sets and Omnibus Editions

Collected editions may combine two or more existing novels. They do not change the sequence or add new narrative installments.

Latest Raymond E. Feist Book

As of August 5, 2026, Feist’s latest published novel is A Darkness Returns, the first book of the Dragonwar Saga.

The novel was published in 2024 in its earliest markets, with later editions appearing on different schedules in other countries. It follows the completed Firemane trilogy and reconnects Feist’s newer world with the mythology of the Riftwar Cycle.

Feist announced A Light Between the Heavens in April 2026 as the title of his current work in progress. The title was still provisional, and no confirmed publication date had been announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Raymond E. Feist book should I read first?

Begin with Magician.

It introduces Pug, Tomas, Midkemia, Kelewan, the Riftwar, and the magical ideas used throughout most of Feist’s connected fiction.

Is Magician one book or two?

It was written and first published as one novel.

Some editions divide it into Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master. Reading both split volumes is equivalent to reading the complete edition.

Should the Riftwar books be read in publication order?

Yes. Publication order is the safest approach for a first reading.

Later prequels and overlapping stories were written with the expectation that readers already understood characters and events from the earlier published novels.

Can I start with Daughter of the Empire?

Yes. Daughter of the Empire can work as an alternative entry point because it begins Mara’s story and explains the Tsurani political setting.

However, reading Magician first provides stronger context for the Riftwar and the relationship between Kelewan and Midkemia.

When should I read the Empire Trilogy?

Read it after Magician or after the complete Riftwar Saga.

Placing it after Magician highlights the overlapping perspectives. Placing it after A Darkness at Sethanon preserves the uninterrupted momentum of the original trilogy.

Are the Empire books optional?

They are not required to follow Pug’s immediate storyline, but they are highly relevant to the larger continuity.

They explain Kelewan in greater depth and develop political changes that matter beyond the trilogy.

Where do Krondor’s Sons fit?

Read Prince of the Blood and The King’s Buccaneer after the Riftwar Saga and Empire Trilogy.

They bridge the original generation and the Serpentwar era.

Are the Riftwar Legacy books prequels?

They are earlier set stories published after several later events had already been written.

They take place during Prince Arutha’s reign and focus heavily on James and Krondor.

When should I read Legends of the Riftwar?

Read the trilogy after A Darkness at Sethanon.

Its stories occur during the Riftwar, but publication after the original saga makes it better suited to readers who already know the conflict’s main shape.

Is Jimmy and the Crawler part of Legends of the Riftwar?

No. Jimmy and the Crawler belongs with the Riftwar Legacy.

Jimmy the Hand is the book that belongs to Legends of the Riftwar.

Does Magician’s End finish the Riftwar Cycle?

Yes. It concludes the original multiseries Riftwar Cycle.

The later Dragonwar Saga returns to connected mythology and characters, but Magician’s End remains the ending of the original cycle.

Is Firemane connected to Riftwar?

The Firemane Saga was initially presented as a separate series.

The Dragonwar Saga later created a direct connection, so Firemane now functions as required preparation for A Darkness Returns.

Can I read King of Ashes without reading Riftwar?

Yes. The Firemane trilogy can be read on its own.

Readers should complete the Riftwar Cycle before moving from Firemane into A Darkness Returns if they want to understand the returning elements fully.

Can I start with A Darkness Returns?

It is not recommended.

Although it is labeled book one of the Dragonwar Saga, it continues the Firemane storyline and brings back major Riftwar concepts. Starting there will reveal earlier outcomes without providing their full context.

What should I read before A Darkness Returns?

At minimum, read:

1. King of Ashes (2018): Hatu and Declan’s stories begin in the aftermath of Ithrace’s destruction.
2. Queen of Storms (2020): The Firemane conflict expands and the characters’ hidden significance becomes clearer.
3. Master of Furies (2022): The trilogy reaches the point from which Dragonwar continues.

For the complete experience, also read the Riftwar Cycle through Magician’s End.

Is A Light Between the Heavens confirmed?

Raymond E. Feist announced the title in April 2026 as a work in progress.

The final title and publication date had not been confirmed as of August 5, 2026, so it should be listed as forthcoming and provisional.

Is Faerie Tale part of Riftwar?

No. Faerie Tale is a standalone dark fantasy novel set in the modern world.

It has no continuity connection to Midkemia, Kelewan, Firemane, or Dragonwar.

Are the short stories necessary?

No. The short stories add perspective and background but are not required for the main novel sequence.

Availability also varies because several were published in anthologies.

Final Reading Recommendation

Start with Magician, then continue through Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon. After that, read the Empire Trilogy and Krondor’s Sons before entering the Serpentwar Saga.

Continue through the Riftwar Legacy, Conclave of Shadows, Darkwar, Demonwar, and Chaoswar books in their internal series orders. Legends of the Riftwar can be added after the original trilogy or saved as optional return visits to that period.

Once Magician’s End is complete, begin the Firemane Saga with King of Ashes. Finish all three Firemane novels before reading A Darkness Returns, because Dragonwar combines the newer storyline with Feist’s older mythology.

That route preserves the major revelations, keeps generational changes clear, and gives A Darkness Returns the context it expects.