Witcher Books in Order: The Complete Reading Guide to Sapkowski's Series
How to read the Witcher books in order — from The Last Wish through The Lady of the Lake, with context on where the games, Netflix series, and short stories fit in.
Andrzej Sapkowski began writing the Witcher stories in 1986, and what started as a collection of sardonic fairy tale retellings featuring a professional monster hunter became one of the most expansive and celebrated fantasy universes of the past thirty years. If you’re starting the books after playing the video games or watching the Netflix series — or coming to it fresh — this guide covers the full reading order and context for every entry.
The Complete Witcher Reading Order
1. The Last Wish (1993 in Polish; 2007 in English)
The correct starting point. A linked short story collection that introduces Geralt of Rivia, the sorceress Yennefer, and the world they inhabit through a series of fairy tale retellings — each story a monster contract that reveals more about the world and the man at its centre.
The Last Wish is the best entry point into the Witcher regardless of your prior exposure to the games or show. The stories are self-contained enough that new readers are never lost, but each one adds texture to Sapkowski’s world and moral framework.
2. Sword of Destiny (1992 in Polish; 2015 in English)
The second short story collection introduces Ciri — the girl of destiny whose fate becomes the central concern of the entire novel saga. The concept of destiny itself becomes a recurring theme here, and Geralt’s first encounters with Ciri establish the father-daughter dynamic that drives the novels.
Sword of Destiny is not optional. Read it before Blood of Elves.
3. Blood of Elves (1994 in Polish; 2008 in English)
The first full Witcher novel and the beginning of the main saga. Set during and after the First Nilfgaard War, it follows Geralt taking responsibility for Ciri’s training while the continent’s political situation deteriorates. The pacing is slower than the short stories, but the expanded canvas allows Sapkowski to build something with genuine scope.
4. Time of Contempt (1995 in Polish; 2013 in English)
The second novel raises the stakes dramatically. Political machinations, the conclave of sorcerers at Thanedd, and consequences that separate the main characters across geography and time. Many readers consider this the point where the saga becomes genuinely epic.
5. Baptism of Fire (1996 in Polish; 2014 in English)
Geralt searches for Ciri while separated from both her and Yennefer. The novel introduces the Hansa — a group of companions who accompany Geralt on his journey — and provides the saga’s most character-driven instalment. Widely considered one of the strongest novels in the series.
6. The Tower of the Swallow (1997 in Polish; 2016 in English)
Ciri takes centre stage. The narrative structure shifts, with her story told partly in retrospect by characters who were there. Darker than most of the preceding novels, and the beginning of the saga’s long, emotionally punishing conclusion.
7. The Lady of the Lake (1999 in Polish; 2017 in English)
The conclusion. All threads from the preceding novels converge. The ending is deliberate and has generated debate among readers for twenty-five years — it is not the ending most readers expect, and it is exactly the ending Sapkowski intended.
Standalone: Season of Storms (2013 in Polish; 2018 in English)
A standalone novel set during the short story era — between The Last Wish and Blood of Elves — that follows a specific contract involving the theft of Geralt’s swords. It is not essential and can be read at any point after the short story collections, though most readers save it for last.
Where to Start If You’ve Played the Games
The Witcher games (CD Projekt Red, 2007–2015) are set after the novels and include a version of the ending. Playing the games first means the books’ ending is, in some sense, already spoiled. If this concerns you, read the books before playing the games.
If you’ve already played the games and want to read the books, start with The Last Wish regardless. The games’ world-building assumes the books’ mythology, and reading the short stories will make many of the games’ references richer rather than redundant.
Where to Start If You’ve Watched the Netflix Series
The Netflix series adapts The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny material extensively in Season 1, with Blood of Elves material in Season 2. The show takes significant liberties — particularly with timeline — so book readers will encounter a different and in most cases richer experience reading the source material.
Start with The Last Wish.
What to Read After The Lady of the Lake
For readers who want more of the Witcher world: Season of Storms if you haven’t read it. For readers who want similar dark fantasy with morally complex protagonists: Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law trilogy is the natural next step. For readers who loved the fairy tale subversion: Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice begins another large fantasy saga with similar emotional investment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read the Witcher books?
Read the Witcher books in publication order: 1. The Last Wish (short stories), 2. Sword of Destiny (short stories), 3. Blood of Elves, 4. Time of Contempt, 5. Baptism of Fire, 6. The Tower of the Swallow, 7. The Lady of the Lake. Season of Storms is a standalone that can be read at any point after the short story collections, though many readers save it for last.
Should I start with The Last Wish or Blood of Elves?
Start with The Last Wish. Although Blood of Elves is technically 'Book 3' in the numbering, the two short story collections (The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny) are the intended entry point and introduce Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri — the three characters whose relationships drive the entire saga. Reading Blood of Elves first would be like starting a film in its third act.
Do the Witcher video games follow the books?
The Witcher games by CD Projekt Red are set after the events of The Lady of the Lake and are canonical sequels in the game world, though Sapkowski has taken a complicated stance on them. For book readers, the games assume knowledge of the novels — Geralt's relationship with Ciri and Yennefer, and the events of the Northern Wars, form the background of all three games. The games are excellent complements to the books but should not be treated as summaries of them.
Does the Netflix Witcher series follow the books?
The Netflix series draws primarily from The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny short stories in its first season, with Blood of Elves material threading through. Season 2 covers Blood of Elves more closely. The show takes significant liberties with plot and timeline — it is an adaptation rather than a direct translation, and book readers will notice many changes.
How long is the Witcher book series?
The main Witcher series consists of two short story collections (The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny) and five novels (Blood of Elves through The Lady of the Lake), plus the standalone Season of Storms. That's eight books total, with an additional standalone novella Season of Storms that many readers include. The short story collections are each around 300 pages; the novels range from 320 to over 450 pages.
What is Season of Storms about?
Season of Storms is a standalone Witcher novel set during the period of the short stories — before Blood of Elves — and follows a specific contract involving the theft of Geralt's swords. It is not essential to the main saga but is enjoyable for readers who want more of the short story-era Geralt. Most readers recommend saving it for after The Lady of the Lake.
