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Dark Visions
Stephen King

Dark Visions

Quick Answer

"Dark Visions" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Night Visions.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Verdict Insight: While this novella provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

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2019112 ppNovellaOptional Side StoryWikidataSource
Take three of the leading names in contemporary horror writing, commission one-third of a book's worth of stories from each, and the result is DARK VISIONS. Stephen King leads off with three stories, including "Sneakers", about a very unusual haunting, and "Dedication", one of the most powerful and unsettling of all his works. Dan Simmons pays homage to Philip K Dick with "Metastasis", one of three highly accomplished stories. And George Martin rounds off the book with the brilliant werewolf novella, "The Skin Trade". DARK VISIONS is a brilliantly original showcase from three masters of the macabre. ---------- Contains: - Stephen King: The reploids ; [Sneakers][1] ; [Dedication][2]. - Dan Simmons: Metastasis ; Vanni Fucci is alive and well and living in Hell ; Iverson's Pits. - George R.R. Martin: The skin trade [1]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19650831W/Sneakers [2]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19650711W/Dedication
Next Recommended Book

Night Visions 5

Book #6 of 6 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Night Visions conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Dark Visions?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read Dark Visions before Night Visions 4?

Yes. Dark Visions is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is Dark Visions required reading for the Night Visions?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after Dark Visions in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Dark Visions is Night Visions 5 (Book #6).