What Is The Reading Order For Martha Wells’ Witch King?

Having already read Witch King but still unclear about some major plot reveals, my enjoyment of Martha Wells' world-building really demands a chronological reread soon.
2026-08-02 19:35:56
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6 Answers

DaxFox
DaxFox
Expert Translator
Is there a short story? I feel like I read a snippet from Kai's perspective somewhere before the novel dropped. Maybe on Tor.com? It might have been a promotional excerpt, not a separate prequel. If it exists, it's just a teaser, not required reading.

The definitive, complete story is in the novel itself. Any excerpts are just that—excerpts. The publishing order is novel first, everything else (hopefully more novels) later. So you're safe just buying and reading the book. Don't fall into the completionist trap of scouring the internet for fragments; the novel is the whole package.
2026-08-03 16:21:38
14
TaliaHale
TaliaHale
Sharp Observer Police Officer
The prose itself guides you. Wells is skilled at using Kai's voice—his weariness, his sarcasm, his flashes of memory—to orient you emotionally even when the historical details are fuzzy. So the 'order' is to follow Kai's emotional journey more than the strict chronology of events.

If you focus on how he feels about the past versus the present, the story becomes incredibly cohesive. The plot is about uncovering a conspiracy, but the heart is about an ancient being rediscovering his purpose and connections. Read it with that in mind, and the structure feels less like a puzzle and more like a character portrait.
2026-08-04 23:12:35
14
VeraPayne
VeraPayne
Novel Fan Doctor
The discussion here is more intricate than the actual answer. The reading order is published order, which is currently one book. That's the entire answer. All this talk about timelines and note-taking is just advice on how to read it, not what to read before or after.

For the record, I read it straight through in a weekend, no notes, and loved it. I was occasionally confused but trusted it would make sense, and it did. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow of a story.
2026-08-05 16:06:15
11
KindHaven
KindHaven
Longtime Reader Pharmacist
I heard a rumor there was a novella coming? Or was that just wishful thinking in some forum? Until something is officially announced by the publisher or the author, assume the reading order begins and ends with 'Witch King.'

Don't get caught up in 'what might be.' Read what is. The novel is a complete arc. Any future stories will build on it, not be required pre-reading for it. Fantasy fandom loves to speculate about expanded universe content, but base your reading on confirmed facts, not rumors.
2026-08-06 19:41:56
13
GoldReads
GoldReads
Clear Answerer Photographer
The ultimate answer: Ask your local librarian or bookseller. They'll tell you it's book one of The Rising World and that no prior books are needed. Then they'll probably hand it to you with a smile because it's a great read. That's the real-world, no-nonsense reading order. No online debate required.
2026-08-06 21:28:44
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Related Questions

Who are the main characters in Martha Wells’ Witch King?

3 Answers2026-08-02 17:17:51
I'd argue Bashasa is a main character even though she's missing for most of the present-day plot. Her influence is everywhere. The whole search is for her. The flashbacks show her charisma, her relationship with Ziede, and her role in the revolution. You understand the stakes because you understand what she means to Ziede and to the world they tried to build. It's a clever way to make an absent character feel incredibly present.

Is Martha Wells’ Witch King the start of a larger fantasy series?

5 Answers2026-08-02 05:31:21
Man, I devoured that book and immediately started searching for news about a sequel. The way it jumps between timelines basically sets up a whole new status quo by the end. You've got Kai and Ziede with a refreshed purpose, not to mention all the demons and witches whose stories are just beginning. It'd be a waste of a fantastic setting not to continue.

Is The Witch King part of a series? Reading order

3 Answers2026-02-04 04:49:10
Oh, the Witch King! That name sends chills down my spine—in the best way possible. If you're talking about the Witch King from 'The Lord of the Rings', then yes, he’s part of a massive, interconnected universe. The Witch King of Angmar is one of the nine Nazgûl, the terrifying Ringwraiths serving Sauron. His backstory is scattered across Tolkien’s works, but the main events are in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. For a deep dive, start with 'The Fellowship of the Ring', then move to 'The Two Towers' and 'The Return of the King'. If you’re craving more lore, 'The Silmarillion' and 'Unfinished Tales' flesh out Middle-earth’s history, including the origins of the Nazgûl. But if you’re referring to another Witch King—like the one from 'The Witch King' by H.E. Edgmon—that’s a standalone YA fantasy novel with a completely different vibe. It’s a contemporary, queer-themed story with no direct series ties. Always double-check which Witch King you’re after—Middle-earth’s version or the modern twist! Either way, both are worth your time, but Tolkien’s universe is the one with the sprawling, epic order.

How does Witch King compare to Martha Wells’ Murderbot series?

4 Answers2026-08-02 09:01:57
The humor is so different. Murderbot's internal monologue is laugh-out-loud funny, a defense mechanism against its own feelings. 'Witch King' has a drier, more sarcastic wit, usually in dialogue. It's not a comedy. The emotional tone is heavier, dealing with genocide, systemic oppression, and the cost of rebellion. You get moments of warmth and humor, but it's not the primary vehicle for the story.

What is the reading order of Martha Wells books and series?

7 Answers2026-08-02 15:10:31
Has anyone else found that the perfect reading order might actually depend on your personal entry point? I stumbled upon 'The Cloud Roads' in a used bookstore, fell in love, and then devoured everything else she wrote. Reading her older Ile-Rien books afterwards felt like discovering the fascinating early drafts of a master storyteller. I wouldn't change that experience. If I'd started with the more polished, tight pacing of Murderbot, I might have been less patient with the denser prose of 'The Element of Fire'. So maybe the best order is the one that matches your current mood: fast-paced, humorous sci-fi? Murderbot. Unique, non-European fantasy? Raksura. Gritty, gaslamp fantasy mystery? 'Death of the Necromancer'.

How do you read Martha Wells fantasy novels in chronological order?

5 Answers2026-08-02 17:27:55
The chronological order question always sends me down a wiki rabbit hole, and I end up not reading anything at all. Analysis paralysis is real, folks.

How does Martha Wells build the magic system in Witch King?

3 Answers2026-08-02 14:53:40
What struck me most wasn't the mechanics, but how the magic system directly mirrors the novel's themes of colonization and resistance. The Hierarchs' magic is about order, control, and imposing structure—it's a tool of empire. In contrast, the magic used by Kai and the witches feels wild, subversive, and tied to the land and its history. Wells uses this dichotomy to show power dynamics in a way that feels incredibly relevant. You don't just learn how a spell works; you understand whose side it's on in a centuries-old struggle. The system is political by its very nature, which is a brilliant narrative choice.

In what order should I read Martha Wells Raksura series?

8 Answers2026-08-02 09:52:41
Can we just appreciate how nice it is to have a completed series with a clear order? No waiting ten years for the next book, no ambiguous spin-offs. It's a finished, five-novel arc plus a short story collection. You can read the whole thing in order and get a complete, satisfying experience. So many series these days are endless or have confusing entry points. The Raksura series is a gift. A perfect, strange, beautiful gift. All you have to do is open the first page of the first book. The path from there is laid out in stone. Enjoy the journey; it's one of the most unique in fantasy.
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