What Order to Read The Witcher Books (My Personal Guide for Diving Into Geralt’s World)

I’ll admit it, before I ever picked up The Witcher books, I was guilty of knowing the franchise mostly from Netflix and the games. But when I finally decided to go straight to the source, the actual novels, I was confused. The Witcher universe isn’t written in strict chronological order, and depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different suggestion on where to begin.

So, after going down my own rabbit hole (and double-checking timelines, author notes, and fan consensus), here’s the most authentic, no-nonsense reading order for The Witcher series. If you’ve been staring at those shelves trying to figure out where to start, this list should clear things up.

Order to Read The Witcher Books

The Witcher books are by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, and they’re best enjoyed in this order (which follows both chronology and narrative flow):

1. The Last Wish (short story collection – introduces Geralt and key characters)
2. Sword of Destiny (short story collection – continues to build relationships, especially with Ciri and Yennefer)
3. Blood of Elves (first full-length novel – officially starts the “Saga”)
4. Time of Contempt (novel)
5. Baptism of Fire (novel)
6. The Tower of the Swallow (novel)
7. The Lady of the Lake (novel – closes the main saga)
8. Season of Storms (standalone novel, published later but set between The Last Wish stories; best read after finishing the saga for extra flavor)

👉 Pro tip: Don’t skip the short story collections at the start! They’re essential. If you go straight into Blood of Elves, you’ll miss half the context of Geralt’s world, his bond with Ciri, and the magic of Sapkowski’s storytelling.

Who is Andrzej Sapkowski? (A Quick Author Spotlight)

Andrzej Sapkowski is one of Poland’s most celebrated fantasy writers, and honestly, he’s a bit of a legend. Before becoming a novelist, he worked as an economist, which makes me chuckle because his worlds feel anything but dry and corporate.

Sapkowski’s style is unique, he blends gritty realism with fairy-tale influences, folklore, and dark humor. He doesn’t shy away from political intrigue, philosophical musings, or moral gray areas, which is why Geralt of Rivia isn’t your typical “chosen one” hero. He’s flawed, cynical, and often reluctantly dragged into other people’s messes.

Also worth noting: Sapkowski originally wrote the first Witcher story for a Polish fantasy magazine competition in the 1980s. That short story became so popular that it snowballed into the sprawling saga we know today.

Why The Witcher Series Feels So Different From Other Fantasy

When I first picked up The Last Wish, I thought I’d be walking into another Tolkien-inspired high fantasy. Instead, I got sharp dialogue, morally complex characters, and a heavy dose of irony. Unlike traditional fantasy where heroes battle evil with a clear sense of justice, The Witcher asks: What if the monsters aren’t always the real monsters?

Some things that stand out about this series:

• Folklore-inspired storytelling: Sapkowski pulls from Slavic myths, fairy tales, and legends, giving his fantasy world a refreshing twist compared to the usual Western medieval vibes.
• Complex relationships: Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer form a found family that is messy, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Their bond is really the emotional center of the saga.
• Political intrigue: If you love scheming kings, power-hungry sorcerers, and fragile alliances, the Witcher saga delivers plenty of that.
• Gray morality: The classic question: what makes someone a “monster”? Sapkowski keeps readers guessing, and sometimes uncomfortable, by blurring the lines.

My Final Verdict

If you’re planning to dive into The Witcher, do yourself a favor and follow the order I laid out. It keeps the storytelling intact and gives you the emotional impact Sapkowski intended. The Netflix show and games are fun gateways, but nothing compares to Geralt’s world as Sapkowski originally wrote it.

Reading these books isn’t just about slaying monsters, it’s about stepping into a world where choices have weight, where love and loyalty are complicated, and where even the strongest Witcher can’t fight destiny.

So grab The Last Wish and let Geralt take you on a ride you won’t forget.

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