Skip to main content

How to read the Witcher books in order

Andrzej Sapkowski’s high fantasy book series has gained so much allure it’s spawned not one but two gaming franchises, The Witcher and Gwent, in addition to a massively successful Netflix series. Given the second season of the show is a ways out from even filming — let alone its projected 2021 release — why not catch up on all the upcoming action by reading Geralt’s epic story in full?

After exploring the entire Witcher narrative in chronological order, dive into the events that take place after the books with CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. A new adventure awaits Geralt following Cyberpunk 2077, and if that wasn’t enough to excite fans into reading his amazing story, there are also a few Netflix animated Witcher films in the works. Geralt of Rivia isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Recommended Videos

The Last Wish (1993)

The Last Wish (1993)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Despite being published a year following its predecessor in the main timeline, The Last Wish is the first few adventures in Geralt’s story. It tells of a complicated monster hunter, bouncing between both moral dilemmas and action-packed fight sequences at the drop of a hat. Although the Netflix series did a better job of weaving Ciri and Yennefer into the overarching story of the Continent itself, Sword of Destiny is still packed with expressive themes. Main among them is the difference between humanity and monsters, showcased best in the short story The Lesser Evil, wherein Geralt attains the title “Butcher of Blaviken.”

Season of Storms (2013)

Season of Storms (2013)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Weirdest and most out of order in the lot, Season of Storms takes place in between short stories recorded in The Last Wish. These first few entries, provided by the fact that they are short story collections rather than full-blown narratives, allows them to be read practically in any order without mulling the overarching timeline. In Season of Storms, various instances bring Geralt face to face with monsters of all shapes and sizes. Readers will follow along as the white-haired Witcher gets imprisoned, falls head over heels for a new sorceress after leaving Yennefer to her own devilish ways, and sniffs out a specter on a haunted ship.

Sword of Destiny (1992)

Sword of Destiny (1992)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Akin to The Last Wish and Season of Storms, Sword of Destiny is a compilation of short stories, two of which even made it into The Witcher Netflix TV series. The culminating story in The Last Wish ties Geralt and Yennefer’s relationship into a knot, whereas Sword of Destiny delves further into their adventures together, along with many more appearances from the beloved Jaskier. Provided via Henry Cavill teasing Season 2, it’s to be expected that much of the forthcoming narrative will be loosely tied to the events in this and the following two books.

Blood of Elves (1994)

Blood of Elves (1994)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Technically this is the first novel in The Witcher book series. The previous three are more like supplemental reading, despite still being very fun reads and fleshing out more of Geralt’s backstory. Blood of Elves, on the other hand, is an epic thrill-ride, wherein Geralt learns of his true destiny. The title itself is a reference to Cirila, who’s ancestry and elven blood play an important plot in the books, show, and even video games. Much of the story takes place following the Nilfgaardian Empire’s overthrow of Cintra, with the various northern monarchs seeking to find and kill Ciri before the Emporer can marry her and claim rights to Cintra.

Time of Contempt (1995)

Time of Contempt (1995)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Second in the ongoing narrative conflict taking place throughout the Continent, The Time of Contempt takes place not a mere few months after Blood of Elves. Showcasing the relationship shared now between Yeneffer and Ciri, this followup in the epic Witcher saga delves more into this world’s school of magic. It’s far from any Harry Potter book, yet still portrays in great detail how Ciri learns the abilities she later shows to be proficient in as the saga progresses. Time of Contempt also introduces Djkistra, a spy for the King of Redania, who later holds a pivotal role in the games.

Baptism of Fire (1996)

Baptism of Fire (1996)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Following Geralt’s escape from the Thanedd Coup, which refers to the events wrought by Dijkstra and the sorceress Philippa Eilhart, the monster hunter awakens in the forest of Brokilon. Baptism of Fire is the only book to not feature the beloved character of Vesemir, one of Geralt’s oldest friends and mentors, yet introduces its own compelling cast of newcomers. Zoltan Chivay, a dwarf with an unreplicable personality, Milva, an archer that could give Legolas a run for his money, and Cahir, a persistent yet annoying Nilfgaardian knight, accompany Geralt and Dandelion on a quest to reunite with Ciri and save her from her own devices.

The Tower of the Swallows (1997)

The Tower of the Swallows (1997)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Coming in at the fourth slot of the epic Witcher saga, The Tower of Swallows is the most global yet in showcasing the berth of the Continent. While Geralt continues to evoke Fellowship of the Ring vibes as he treks fleetingly on with his merry troupe, Yennefer hides away on the isles of Skellige, and Ciri tends to her wounds in the swampland of Pereplut. Much of the narrative even follows Dijkstra as he fortifies the Redanian army by raising enough coin in preparation for the oncoming Nilfgaardian attack.

The Lady of the Lake (1999)

The Lady of the Lake (1999)
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Much like her very roots in medieval literature as an enchantress in the story of King Arthur and the fabled Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake in the Witcher saga is actually a powerful being, who later even rewards Geralt with arguably one of the most powerful swords in The Witcher 3, Aerondight. Given its namesake, in addition to the way the overall narrative is itself structured, the story and themes in The Lady of The Lake spend most of its time delving into Ciri’s character and her escape from the strange world of Aen Elle.

As it is a nail in the coffin of the Witcher’s story, The Lady of the Lake succeeds in culminating the intense saga, rounding out even the trifold nature of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer’s seemingly lifelong relationship. It’s one of the longest novels in the series, interweaving every character into the narrative with intriguing action and a surprise return to Geralt’s hometown of Rivia.

Ryan Epps
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Writer at heart and gamer in mind, Ryan Epps loves using creativity and imagination to inform the masses on everything…
The best romance movies on Netflix right now
Lucy Hale in The Hating Game.

Romance movies come in many shapes, sizes, and genres. But if Netflix is a barometer of what people really want out of their romance movies, then rom-coms are by far the most popular selection. That's why it shouldn't surprise you too much that a 23-year-old rom-com called Life or Something Like It has found a second life as the No. 1 movie on Netflix. Having Angelina Jolie and Edward Burns in the two leading roles may have had something to do with that.
Similarly, a more recent Netflix original rom-com, The Hating Game, has also proven to be very popular. Maybe the secret behind the collective success of these films is that everyone kind of knows the ending going in. After all, watching movies about heartbreak and dying alone just isn't as much fun. You can find these films and the rest of the best romance movies on Netflix below.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

The Hating Game (2021)

Read more
The best documentaries on Netflix right now
Steve McNair in promo art for Netflix's Untold: The Murder of Air McNair.

Netflix's documentaries may not get the same attention as the streamer's original movies, but this is a category that Netflix supports with a high number of films each year. There are almost always a lot of new documentaries coming to Netflix that cover a lot of interesting topics. But it's not too surprising that true crime has dominated the genre for years.
Even this month's top pick, Untold: The Murder of Air McNair, fits into true crime. For variety's sake, the rest do not. Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond is a Hollywood documentary about Jim Carrey and the late Andy Kaufman, and The Only Girl in the Orchestra is about giving a veteran musician her due. One of the more recent arrivals, Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, really is about a man who is doing everything he can to live as long as possible.
You can find these films and the rest of our picks for the best documentaries on Netflix below.
We’ve also rounded up the best documentaries on Amazon Prime Video and the best documentaries on Hulu if Netflix doesn’t have what you’re looking for. Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

Untold: The Murder of Air McNair (2024)

Read more
The best comedies on Netflix right now
Keke Palmer and SZA in One of Them Days.

April has been shockingly quiet for Netflix among comedy movies. The only big addition of the month is One of Them Days, a comedy starring Keke Palmer and SZA that had moderate success at the box office earlier this year. Thematically, it fits pretty well with the Friday movies, which are also on Netflix. But the lack of fresh material beyond this movie is very noticeable.
Rather than send you back out into the wilds of Netflix with only a single new recommendation, we're also including The Interview, a 2014 comedy starring former best friends James Franco and Seth Rogen. If you're looking for laughs, the rest of the best comedies on Netflix are still impressively funny. But we'd really like to see more fresh comedies added to Netflix in May.
We've also curated guides to the best comedies on Hulu, the best comedies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best romantic comedies on Netflix. Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

One of Them Days (2025)

Read more