Andrzej Sapkowski is a Polish fantasy author best known for creating Geralt of Rivia and the world of The Witcher. His bibliography also includes the historical fantasy Hussite Trilogy, the war novel Viper, short fiction, and several nonfiction books about fantasy and Arthurian legend.
The Witcher order causes confusion because the first English books are short story collections, not numbered novels. Two later novels also take place earlier than the main saga despite being published many years afterward.
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The simplest rule is this: begin with The Last Wish, continue through Sword of Destiny, then read the five main saga novels. Save Season of Storms and Crossroads of Ravens until afterward, even though both occur earlier in Geralt’s life.
The Witcher Order in One Minute
For a first reading, use this order:
- The Last Wish (1993): Geralt’s early contracts introduce witchers, Yennefer, Dandelion, the Law of Surprise, and the moral choices that define the series.
- Sword of Destiny (1992): Geralt’s relationships with Yennefer and Ciri become central, creating the emotional and narrative bridge into the main saga.
- Blood of Elves (1994): Geralt and his allies protect and train Ciri while rival kingdoms, mages, and Nilfgaard begin competing for control of her future.
- Time of Contempt (1995): Political tensions erupt into open conflict, separating the central characters and changing the direction of the saga.
- Baptism of Fire (1996): Geralt forms an unlikely traveling company while searching for Ciri across a continent damaged by war.
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997): Ciri’s flight becomes increasingly dangerous as several groups pursue her for political, magical, and personal reasons.
- The Lady of the Lake (1999): Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri’s divided journeys converge in the conclusion of the main Witcher saga.
- Season of Storms (2013): A stolen pair of witcher swords draws Geralt into legal disputes, magical experiments, and overlapping contracts during an earlier period of his career.
- Crossroads of Ravens (2024): A young Geralt leaves Kaer Morhen and begins learning what the witcher code means when tested against prejudice, violence, and difficult compromises.
This recommended order is not strictly chronological. It preserves introductions, mysteries, and emotional reveals more effectively than moving the prequel novels to the front.
Why The Witcher Starts With Short Stories
The Witcher did not begin as a conventional novel series. Sapkowski first wrote individual Geralt stories, beginning with “The Witcher” in 1986, before assembling the material into collections.
The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny establish the central characters and relationships required for the novels. They are not optional side books.
A reader who starts with Blood of Elves misses Geralt’s first meetings with Yennefer and Ciri, the meaning of destiny in the series, and several events that the novels assume are already familiar.
The Witcher Short Story Collections in Reading Order
The Last Wish
- The Last Wish (1993): Geralt recovers from an injury while remembering earlier adventures involving cursed nobles, dangerous bargains, political violence, and his first encounter with Yennefer.
The collection uses “The Voice of Reason” as a framing narrative. Its sections connect the individual stories and place them within a broader point in Geralt’s life.
The included stories are:
- “The Voice of Reason”: Geralt recuperates at the temple of Melitele while conversations with visitors frame his earlier experiences and current reputation.
- “The Witcher”: Geralt accepts a contract to confront a striga, establishing his profession and his preference for solving curses rather than simply killing monsters.
- “A Grain of Truth”: A seemingly monstrous man living in an enchanted manor forces Geralt to reconsider who deserves sympathy and where the real danger lies.
- “The Lesser Evil”: Geralt becomes trapped between two violent sides in Blaviken, leading to the event behind one of his most damaging names.
- “A Question of Price”: Geralt attends a royal banquet where the Law of Surprise creates a bond that will shape his future relationship with Ciri.
- “The Edge of the World”: Geralt and Dandelion encounter a sylvan and a group of elves struggling to survive as humans expand into their lands.
- “The Last Wish”: Geralt and Yennefer meet during a crisis involving a djinn, beginning the difficult relationship that continues throughout the series.
Sword of Destiny
- Sword of Destiny (1992): Six stories deepen Geralt’s relationships and move the series directly toward the war, separation, and questions of destiny that drive the novels.
The included stories are:
- “The Bounds of Reason”: Geralt joins a dragon hunt involving mercenaries, rulers, sorcerers, and Yennefer, while the supposed monster proves more complicated than expected.
- “A Shard of Ice”: Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship reaches an impasse when another sorcerer forces both of them to confront what they are willing to promise.
- “Eternal Flame”: A shapeshifter operating in Novigrad creates a commercial and identity problem that cannot be solved through ordinary monster hunting.
- “A Little Sacrifice”: Geralt becomes involved in negotiations between a prince and a mermaid while the bard Essi Daven develops feelings he cannot easily return.
- “The Sword of Destiny”: Geralt meets Ciri in Brokilon Forest and resists the significance of the bond created by the Law of Surprise.
- “Something More”: Injured and uncertain about Ciri’s fate, Geralt confronts the consequences of repeatedly trying to avoid destiny.
The Five Witcher Saga Novels in Order
The main saga follows Ciri’s importance to Geralt, Yennefer, Nilfgaard, the Northern Kingdoms, and several magical factions. These five books tell one continuous story and should never be rearranged.
Blood of Elves
- Blood of Elves (1994): Ciri trains at Kaer Morhen while Geralt, Yennefer, Triss, and competing political powers begin recognizing the scale of the danger surrounding her.
This is the first full-length novel in the central saga, but it is the third essential Witcher book. Its opening assumes that the reader already understands the fall of Cintra and Geralt’s bond with Ciri.
Time of Contempt
- Time of Contempt (1995): Ciri’s magical education and the political gathering at Thanedd lead to a violent breakdown of alliances across the Continent.
The book changes the series from guarded preparation into open war. Major characters are separated, and later volumes follow their different attempts to survive and reunite.
Baptism of Fire
- Baptism of Fire (1996): Geralt travels south to find Ciri, gradually forming a company that includes Dandelion, Milva, Regis, Cahir, and Angoulême.
The novel gives Geralt his most stable traveling group while showing how war affects refugees, soldiers, civilians, and communities far from royal strategy.
The Tower of the Swallow
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997): A wounded Ciri recounts the events that brought her to an isolated healer as her pursuers close in from several directions.
Its layered timeline reveals Ciri’s recent past gradually. The structure depends on everything established in Baptism of Fire and should not be treated as a separate adventure.
The Lady of the Lake
- The Lady of the Lake (1999): The final volume moves between worlds, battles, political settlements, and personal reunions as the saga approaches its ambiguous conclusion.
This book completes the five-novel sequence. Readers should reach it before either later standalone Witcher novel because those books include framing choices and references intended for an audience familiar with the ending.
Where Season of Storms Fits
Season of Storms
- Season of Storms (2013): Geralt loses his swords after becoming involved in a legal dispute, then faces sorcerers, experiments, monsters, and political manipulation while trying to recover them.
Most of the novel takes place before “The Witcher,” one of the stories collected in The Last Wish. It is therefore earlier than the main saga.
That does not make it the best starting point.
The book was written after the saga and contains a framing element connected to the distant future of the series. Reading it after The Lady of the Lake preserves that context and avoids interrupting the progression from the short stories into Blood of Elves.
Status: Included, but read after the main saga.
Where Crossroads of Ravens Fits
Crossroads of Ravens
- Crossroads of Ravens (2024): Newly trained Geralt enters the wider world and encounters an older witcher whose guidance begins shaping his methods, reputation, and understanding of neutrality.
Published in Polish as Rozdroże kruków, the novel follows Geralt near the beginning of his professional life. It takes place before most of the adventures collected in The Last Wish.
Chronology suggests reading it first. Publication logic suggests reading it last.
New readers gain more from meeting the established Geralt before seeing the inexperienced young witcher he once was. The novel also assumes that the audience already recognizes the significance of Kaer Morhen, witcher customs, Geralt’s later reputation, and the choices that will define him.
Recommended placement: After Season of Storms.
Alternative placement for a reread: Before The Last Wish.
The Witcher Books in Chronological Order
A precise chronology is difficult because the short stories cover different points in Geralt’s life, and some dates remain approximate. The following is the most practical book-level chronological order:
- Crossroads of Ravens (2024): Geralt begins working as a young witcher shortly after leaving Kaer Morhen.
- Season of Storms (2013): Geralt is already an experienced professional, but the central events occur before the striga contract in “The Witcher.”
- The Last Wish (1993): The collection gathers early adventures, including Geralt’s meetings with Yennefer and the royal event that binds him to Ciri.
- Sword of Destiny (1992): Geralt meets Ciri directly and moves toward accepting the bond he has tried to avoid.
- Blood of Elves (1994): Geralt, Yennefer, and others begin preparing Ciri for the forces seeking her.
- Time of Contempt (1995): The political order collapses and the central characters are scattered.
- Baptism of Fire (1996): Geralt forms a company and travels through the war zone in search of Ciri.
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997): Ciri attempts to escape her pursuers while Geralt continues moving south.
- The Lady of the Lake (1999): The saga’s principal storylines reach their conclusions.
This order works better for a reread. It reduces some of the intended mystery and begins with books written for readers who already know Geralt.
Recommended Witcher Order for New Readers
The best balance of continuity and revelation is:
First, Meet Geralt Through the Stories
- The Last Wish (1993): Geralt’s contracts and memories establish his profession, moral outlook, friendships, and first encounter with Yennefer.
- Sword of Destiny (1992): Geralt’s bond with Ciri moves from abstract destiny to a personal responsibility he can no longer dismiss.
Next, Read the Complete Saga
- Blood of Elves (1994): Ciri’s training begins while the political contest surrounding her intensifies.
- Time of Contempt (1995): The uneasy peace collapses and Ciri is separated from those protecting her.
- Baptism of Fire (1996): Geralt gathers companions and continues his search through a continent at war.
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997): Ciri’s struggle for survival becomes the center of a complex pursuit.
- The Lady of the Lake (1999): The war, pursuit, and family story reach their final convergence.
Finish With the Earlier Set Novels
- Season of Storms (2013): A lost-swords storyline returns to Geralt’s contract years while adding context best understood after the saga.
- Crossroads of Ravens (2024): Geralt’s earliest professional period reveals how the experienced witcher of the older books began taking shape.
What Happened to the Original Wiedźmin Collection?
Wiedźmin
- Wiedźmin (1990): This early Polish collection gathered several Geralt stories before Sapkowski reorganized and expanded the material into later volumes.
It is no longer the standard starting point. Most international readers should use The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, which provide the established introductory sequence.
Buying an older Polish copy of Wiedźmin may duplicate stories available in those later collections.
Status: Superseded early collection.
Something Ends, Something Begins
Something Ends, Something Begins
- “Something Ends, Something Begins” (1993): Geralt and Yennefer’s wedding becomes the setting for a humorous gathering of familiar characters in a story written outside the saga’s official continuity.
Despite featuring the main cast, the story is not an alternate final chapter that should be inserted after The Lady of the Lake. Sapkowski wrote it as a celebratory piece rather than as the canonical conclusion of the series.
It appears in Polish collections including Coś się kończy, coś się zaczyna and Maladie i inne opowiadania.
Status: Separate continuity.
The Road with No Return
The Road with No Return
- “The Road with No Return” (1988): A warrior and a sorceress travel together during a conflict involving dangerous creatures and a threatened community, with later associations connecting the story to Geralt’s family background.
The story was not originally written as a formal Witcher installment. Sapkowski later allowed connections between its characters and the Witcher world to become part of how it is understood.
It is background material rather than a necessary chapter in Geralt’s reading order.
Recommended placement: After the main saga.
Status: Optional, related story.
Maladie and Other Stories
Maladie and Other Stories
- Maladie i inne opowiadania (2012): This Polish collection gathers stories from different stages of Sapkowski’s career, including fantasy, science fiction, political fiction, horror, satire, and two pieces associated with The Witcher.
The collection includes revised material previously published in Coś się kończy, coś się zaczyna, along with additional stories.
Its Witcher-related contents do not form a new canonical installment. Readers mainly interested in Geralt can treat the book as optional.
Notable Stories in the Collection
- “The Road with No Return”: A warrior and sorceress confront danger in a story later associated with Geralt’s parentage.
- “Something Ends, Something Begins”: Familiar Witcher characters attend a comic wedding celebration outside official saga continuity.
- “Maladie”: The Tristan and Isolde tradition is reconsidered through a secondary character affected by the famous lovers’ story.
- “The Musicians”: A group of mistreated animals becomes the center of a dark variation on a familiar folktale.
- “Tandaradei!”: A holiday trip develops into a story of unease, fantasy, and personal vulnerability.
- “In the Bomb Crater”: Political conflict and speculative elements shape a story set in an altered Poland.
- “Battle Dust”: A fragment of space opera uses genre conventions for comic and satirical effect.
- “Golden Afternoon”: The Cheshire Cat offers another perspective on the world and events associated with Alice.
- “Spanienkreuz”: Historical violence and personal memory come together in a story connected to the period surrounding the Spanish Civil War.
The availability of English translations varies by story and edition. The complete Polish collection has not always been mirrored by a single equivalent English-language volume.
Claws and Fangs
The Witcher: Claws and Fangs
- Andrzej Sapkowski Presents The Witcher: Claws and Fangs (2017): This anthology collects fan-written Witcher stories selected through a competition rather than new fiction written by Sapkowski.
The stories use the Witcher setting, but Sapkowski is not their author. The anthology should not be numbered as another Geralt book in his personal series.
Status: Optional anthology by other writers.
The Hussite Trilogy in Order
The Hussite Trilogy is separate from The Witcher. It combines historical fiction, war, religion, politics, and supernatural elements in fifteenth-century Central Europe.
The series follows Reinmar of Bielawa, often called Reynevan, during the Hussite Wars. Its continuity is linear, so all three books must be read in order.
The Tower of Fools
- The Tower of Fools (2002): Reynevan’s affair with a married woman sends him fleeing across Silesia, where private enemies, religious conflict, and political violence repeatedly block his escape.
The original Polish title is Narrenturm. The story introduces a large historical cast and begins Reynevan’s movement toward the Hussite cause.
Warriors of God
- Warriors of God (2004): Reynevan becomes more deeply involved with Hussite forces while continuing his personal search through a landscape divided by faith, espionage, and war.
The original Polish title is Boży bojownicy. This is a direct continuation, not a separate historical adventure.
Light Perpetual
- Light Perpetual (2006): Reynevan’s loyalties and personal hopes are tested as the political and military struggle reaches its later, increasingly destructive phase.
The original Polish title is Lux perpetua. It completes the trilogy and should be read immediately after Warriors of God.
Should Witcher Readers Try the Hussite Trilogy?
The Hussite books share Sapkowski’s interest in moral ambiguity, politics, folklore, violence, and satirical dialogue. They do not share the Witcher setting or characters.
Readers should not insert the trilogy between Geralt books. Finish whichever series you begin before moving to the other.
Continuity: Separate series.
Starting point: The Tower of Fools.
Viper
Viper
- Viper (2009): A Soviet soldier of Polish ancestry serving in Afghanistan experiences visions and encounters a mysterious golden snake amid the violence of war.
The original Polish title is Żmija. Although the novel contains supernatural and mythological elements, it is not part of The Witcher or the Hussite Trilogy.
No prior Sapkowski book is required.
Continuity: Standalone.
Sapkowski’s Nonfiction Books
Sapkowski has written nonfiction about fantasy literature, Arthurian tradition, and his own views on history and genre. These books do not belong to his fictional continuities.
The World of King Arthur
- The World of King Arthur, Maladie (1995): Sapkowski examines Arthurian legend and its literary development, accompanied by his own story “Maladie,” which revisits the Tristan and Isolde tradition.
The original Polish title is Świat króla Artura. Maladie. It is part literary study and part fiction publication.
A Manuscript Discovered in a Dragon’s Cave
- A Manuscript Discovered in a Dragon’s Cave (2001): Sapkowski presents a personal guide to fantasy literature, its traditions, major figures, creatures, settings, and recurring ideas.
The original Polish title describes it as a compendium of knowledge about fantasy literature. It is a reference work rather than a novel.
History and Fantasy
- History and Fantasy (2005), with Stanisław Bereś: A book-length conversation explores Sapkowski’s career, historical interests, influences, creative methods, and opinions about fantasy.
It can be read independently, although familiarity with his novels makes the discussion more useful.
Andrzej Sapkowski Fiction in Original Publication Order
This list shows how Sapkowski’s principal fiction books appeared in Polish. Collections that mainly repackage earlier material are identified separately.
- Wiedźmin (1990): The early collection assembled Geralt stories before the introductory books took their established modern form.
- Sword of Destiny (1992): Geralt’s adventures increasingly focus on Yennefer, Ciri, sacrifice, and destiny.
- The Last Wish (1993): Earlier stories are reorganized around a framing narrative that creates the standard first Witcher volume.
- Blood of Elves (1994): Ciri’s training and the political hunt for her begin the five-novel saga.
- Time of Contempt (1995): The conflict surrounding Ciri breaks the existing political and magical order.
- Baptism of Fire (1996): Geralt travels south with a new group of companions while searching for Ciri.
- The Tower of the Swallow (1997): Ciri’s attempts to escape her enemies are reconstructed through multiple perspectives and timelines.
- The Lady of the Lake (1999): The central Witcher saga reaches its conclusion.
- Something Ends, Something Begins (2000 collection): This volume gathers non-saga stories, including one related Witcher story and one noncanonical Geralt celebration.
- The Tower of Fools (2002): Reynevan’s misadventures begin against the historical background of the Hussite Wars.
- Warriors of God (2004): Reynevan moves deeper into religious conflict, espionage, and organized war.
- Light Perpetual (2006): The Hussite Trilogy concludes as Reynevan confronts the cost of his loyalties and choices.
- Viper (2009): A Soviet soldier encounters supernatural uncertainty during the war in Afghanistan.
- Maladie and Other Stories (2012): The collection revises and expands Sapkowski’s earlier assortment of standalone and Witcher-related short fiction.
- Season of Storms (2013): Geralt’s missing swords lead him through an earlier standalone adventure with a later-series frame.
- Crossroads of Ravens (2024): A young Geralt begins his career and encounters the pressures that will shape his future code.
English Publication Order Versus Story Order
English translations did not appear in the same order as the original Polish books. Blood of Elves was translated into English before Sword of Destiny, even though the short story collection belongs before the novel.
That translation history should not determine the reading sequence.
Use narrative order within the established introductory structure:
- The Last Wish: The standard English entry point introduces Geralt and Yennefer.
- Sword of Destiny: The second collection establishes Ciri and directly prepares the novels.
- Blood of Elves: The continuous saga begins after the short story foundation is complete.
Readers should ignore numbering printed by retailers or boxed-set listings when it places Blood of Elves before Sword of Destiny.
Boxed Sets and Edition Numbering
Modern Witcher boxed sets usually arrange the books in recommended reading order:
- The Last Wish: Introductory short stories.
- Sword of Destiny: Later short stories and the bridge into the saga.
- Blood of Elves: First saga novel.
- Time of Contempt: Second saga novel.
- Baptism of Fire: Third saga novel.
- The Tower of the Swallow: Fourth saga novel.
- The Lady of the Lake: Fifth saga novel.
- Season of Storms: Earlier set standalone best read after the saga.
Newer sets may also include Crossroads of Ravens. Its presence does not mean it should be placed first simply because its events happen earliest.
Cover redesigns, television tie-in editions, game-related covers, hardbacks, paperbacks, and illustrated editions contain the same core texts. They do not create additional installments.
Books, Games, Television, and Comics
Sapkowski’s books form their own literary continuity.
The Witcher video games continue from ideas and characters in the novels, but they were created by CD Projekt Red and are not prose sequels written by Sapkowski.
Television adaptations rearrange, combine, and change book events. Their episode order should not be used to determine the novel sequence.
Witcher comics from different publishers may use characters and settings from the wider franchise, but they are not additional Sapkowski novels.
Book continuity: Begin with The Last Wish.
Game continuity: Separate continuation created for the games.
Television continuity: Separate adaptation.
Comic continuity: Varies by publisher and storyline.
Latest Andrzej Sapkowski Book
As of August 5, 2026, Sapkowski’s latest published novel is Crossroads of Ravens.
The book first appeared in Poland as Rozdroże kruków in 2024. Its English translation by David French was published on September 30, 2025.
It is a standalone Witcher prequel about Geralt’s early career, not a continuation beyond The Lady of the Lake.
No additional Sapkowski novel with a confirmed title and publication date had been announced by August 5, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Andrzej Sapkowski book should I read first?
Begin with The Last Wish.
It introduces Geralt, Yennefer, Dandelion, witcher work, and the choices that shape the later saga.
Is The Last Wish book one?
It is the first book in the recommended reading order.
It is a short story collection rather than the first full-length saga novel.
Is Sword of Destiny required?
Yes. It introduces Geralt’s direct relationship with Ciri and ends at the point needed for Blood of Elves.
Skipping it removes the emotional foundation of the main saga.
Why was Sword of Destiny published before The Last Wish?
The original Polish publishing history differs from the modern reading order.
The Last Wish reorganizes earlier material through a framing story and functions as the intended introduction, so it should be read first.
Is Blood of Elves the first Witcher book?
It is the first novel of the five-book saga.
It is not the first book new readers should open because the two short story collections establish the characters and earlier events.
How many books are in the main Witcher saga?
The central saga contains five novels:
- Blood of Elves: Ciri’s training begins.
- Time of Contempt: Political conflict becomes open war.
- Baptism of Fire: Geralt forms a company and searches for Ciri.
- The Tower of the Swallow: Ciri’s flight and pursuit intensify.
- The Lady of the Lake: The main story concludes.
The two introductory collections and two later prequel novels sit around that five-book core.
Should Season of Storms be read before The Last Wish?
No. Although most of it occurs earlier, it was written after the completed saga and contains framing material intended for experienced readers.
Read it after The Lady of the Lake.
Should Crossroads of Ravens be read first chronologically?
Not on a first reading.
Its young Geralt storyline is more meaningful after the reader knows the older Geralt, his reputation, and the consequences of his later choices.
Is Crossroads of Ravens a sequel to The Lady of the Lake?
No. It is a prequel set early in Geralt’s career.
It does not continue the timeline beyond the saga ending.
What comes after The Lady of the Lake?
In recommended publication-based order, read Season of Storms, then Crossroads of Ravens.
Both novels take place earlier in Geralt’s life despite being best read after the saga.
Is Something Ends, Something Begins canon?
The wedding story featuring Geralt and Yennefer is not part of the official saga continuity.
It should be treated as a humorous alternate celebration, not the ending that replaces The Lady of the Lake.
Is The Road with No Return a Witcher story?
It is associated with the Witcher world through later connections to Geralt’s family background.
It was not originally created as a standard Geralt adventure and remains optional.
Did Sapkowski write Claws and Fangs?
No. Claws and Fangs is a collection of fan-written stories presented under Sapkowski’s name as the anthology’s sponsor or presenter.
It should not be counted as a new Sapkowski story collection.
Is the Hussite Trilogy connected to The Witcher?
No. It is a separate historical fantasy series set during the Hussite Wars.
Begin it with The Tower of Fools.
What order should the Hussite Trilogy be read in?
Read:
- The Tower of Fools: Reynevan’s flight begins.
- Warriors of God: His involvement with the Hussites deepens.
- Light Perpetual: His story and the trilogy conclude.
The novels form one continuous narrative.
Is Viper a Witcher novel?
No. Viper is a standalone novel set during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Its supernatural material does not connect it to Geralt’s world.
Are the Witcher games canon to the books?
The games use the novels as background and create a continuation of their own.
They are not additional books by Sapkowski and should be treated as a separate continuity.
What is the newest Witcher book?
Crossroads of Ravens is the newest Witcher novel.
It was published in Polish in 2024 and in English in 2025.
Conclusion
The correct first-time Witcher order begins with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny. Continue through the five saga novels from Blood of Elves to The Lady of the Lake, then return to Geralt’s earlier years in Season of Storms and Crossroads of Ravens.
Chronological order places Crossroads of Ravens and Season of Storms near the beginning, but that route is better reserved for a reread. Publication-based placement protects the series’ introductions and gives the prequels their intended context.
Outside The Witcher, begin the Hussite Trilogy with The Tower of Fools. Read Viper and Sapkowski’s nonfiction or mixed story collections separately because they do not continue Geralt’s story.
Frank is the editor of BookSeries.blog, focusing on publication order, chronological timelines, and spoiler-free reading guides for book series and fictional universes.