What Is The Best Reading Order For Now Is The Time Of Monsters?

This is one of those series where the order you pick really colors the whole experience, so I like to think about reading it like mixtape sequencing rather than a strict rulebook. If you want the emotional first punch the author likely planned, read 'Now Is the Time of Monsters' in publication order: start with the original volume that introduced the world and its hooks, then follow each subsequent volume and any officially numbered novellas or short-story collections as they were released. Publication order preserves reveals, thematic echoes, and the way the author slowly expands the lore. I personally savor the little touches—author notes, afterwords, and cover changes—that appear in later editions and enrich the whole rhythm of the story.

If you’re the type who prefers a tidy timeline, try a chronological reading: begin with any prequel novellas or origin-focused short stories that take place before the main book, move through the main volumes in timeline order, and finish with epilogues or future-set side tales. That gives you a clean, linear scope of cause and effect and can turn some initially ambiguous moments into clearer turning points. However, be warned: a chronological read sometimes empties the mystery the author wanted to reveal later, so it’s less suspenseful but more coherent. For a middle path I like a hybrid approach—main volume, prequel novella that deepens a character arc introduced in that volume, next main book, then side stories that cast light backward. This keeps suspense while deepening context at the right beats.

Beyond orders, there are practical tips I swear by: read any short stories that were bundled with special editions after you finish the volume they reference, because those extras often assume you know the main events. If there’s a companion comic or illustrated guide, slot it between volumes where the character art or world-building most overlaps—you’ll get new visuals that change how you picture scenes without spoiling plot leaps. For translations, follow the translator’s notes when available—to me, translator introductions can save confusing jumps in phrasing or cultural references. Finally, treat your first run as discovery and then re-read in whichever order you enjoyed most; the series rewards second passes because motifs and callbacks pop harder once you’re familiar with the map. Personally, publication-first for impact, then chronological for satisfaction—either way, it’s a wild ride that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The 'best' order depends entirely on what you value. Do you prize plot surprises and narrative momentum? Publication order. Are you a world-building addict who wants to understand every historical reference as it happens? Chronological. Do you want to follow a specific character's arc, like Kaela the Sky-Singer? There's a dedicated reading list for her journey that jumps between sections of different books. This series has a modular quality that allows for different approaches. There's no single 'best,' only the 'best for your reading style.'

I get a kick out of deciding reading orders, and for 'Now Is the Time of Monsters' I usually recommend starting with the main published volumes in their original release order. That way you experience the pacing, reveals, and character development exactly as the author intended — twists land when they should, and those cliffhangers keep their teeth. Read Volume 1 straight through, then Volume 2, and so on, without skipping the short interlude chapters that were released between volumes; they often fill in emotional beats and worldbuilding that matter later.

After you finish the most recent main volume, I like to go back and read any officially released side stories or novellas. Put the prequel novellas after the first or second volume (not before) unless you want to spoil certain set-ups; they shine best with some context. Finally, save the author's notes, afterwords, and translation posts for last — they add insight and jokes that feel like a reward. Personally, reading this way made me care about the small moments in Chapter 7 all over again.

Just go to the series' subreddit and use the flowchart in the pinned post. It's been voted on and updated by the community for years. It has paths for 'Pure Plot,' 'Deep Lore,' and 'Character-Focused' reads. It's the most collaboratively vetted resource out there. Saves you from wading through a hundred different opinions like this thread. Sometimes the hive mind gets it right.