Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse has three interconnected series, a King of Scars duology that bridges them, and several short stories published in anthologies. Readers who jump in at the wrong point lose critical character context. This guide gives you the definitive reading order and explains exactly where every piece of short fiction fits.
Quick Reference: Grishaverse Reading Order
- Shadow and Bone (2012) — Shadow and Bone trilogy, Book 1
- Siege and Storm (2013) — Shadow and Bone trilogy, Book 2
- Ruin and Rising (2014) — Shadow and Bone trilogy, Book 3
- Six of Crows (2015) — Six of Crows duology, Book 1
- Crooked Kingdom (2016) — Six of Crows duology, Book 2
- King of Scars (2019) — King of Scars duology, Book 1
- Rule of Wolves (2021) — King of Scars duology, Book 2
Shadow and Bone Trilogy
The Shadow and Bone trilogy is the chronological and narrative starting point. It introduces the Grishaverse — specifically the nation of Ravka — and the magic system (Small Science). The trilogy follows Alina Starkov, a soldier who discovers a rare power that makes her the key to ending the Shadow Fold, a strip of permanent darkness cutting across Ravka.
- Shadow and Bone (2012)
- Siege and Storm (2013)
- Ruin and Rising (2014)
View our full Shadow and Bone reading order and Leigh Bardugo author page.
Six of Crows Duology
After finishing the Shadow and Bone trilogy, move directly to Six of Crows. Set in Ketterdam — a corrupt port city modeled on Venice and Amsterdam — this duology follows criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker and his crew through an impossible heist.
- Six of Crows (2015)
- Crooked Kingdom (2016)
Can you read Six of Crows first? Many readers do this and enjoy it. However, a specific character from the Shadow and Bone trilogy appears in Six of Crows in a way that assumes you already know their history. Reading the trilogy first gives that character's appearance in Six of Crows its full emotional weight. Starting with Six of Crows is valid but slightly diminishes one important payoff.
Where Do the Short Stories and Novellas Fit?
Bardugo has written several pieces of short fiction set in the Grishaverse:
- "The Witch of Duva" — A fairy tale set in Ravka. Can be read anytime after Shadow and Bone. Published in the anthology The Midnight Crisis.
- "Little Knife" — Set in Ravka, expands a minor character. Read after Siege and Storm.
- "The Too-Clever Fox" — Ravkan fairy tale. Anytime after Shadow and Bone.
- "When Water Sang Fire" — Set in a different nation. Anytime after the trilogy.
All four short stories were collected in The Language of Thorns (2017). Read that collection after finishing the Shadow and Bone trilogy and before or after Six of Crows — the stories enrich the world but are not plot-critical.
The King of Scars Duology
The King of Scars duology bridges the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows storylines. Read it after completing both:
- King of Scars (2019)
- Rule of Wolves (2021)
These books bring characters from both earlier series together and require familiarity with events from all five prior books.
The Verdict: How to Read the Grishaverse
Follow the publication order: Shadow and Bone trilogy → Six of Crows duology → King of Scars duology. This is the order Bardugo designed. The world-building compounds with each series, and the King of Scars duology only lands with full force when you know all the players.
View our Shadow and Bone reading order and Six of Crows reading order, then explore the full fantasy catalog for what to read next.