BookPath
Magicats!
Stephen King

Magicats!

Quick Answer

Read "Magicats!" as the nullth book in the Collections sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: A compelling work from the Stephen King's bibliography. Whether as a standalone or part of a loosely connected universe, it's a staple for fans.

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1984270 pp
Space-time for springers / Fritz Leiber -- The game of rat and dragon / Cordwainer Smith -- The cat from hell / Stephen King -- Out of place / Pamela Sargent -- Schrödinger's cat / Ursula K. Le Guin -- Groucho / Ron Goulart -- My father, the cat / Henry Slesar -- The cat man / Byron Liggett -- Some are born cats / Terry and Carol Carr -- The cat lover / Knox Burger -- Jade Blue / Edward Bryant -- Tom cat / Gary Jennings -- Sonya, Crane Wessleman, and Kittee / Gene Wolfe-- The witch's cat / Manly Wade Wellman -- Antiquities / John Crowley -- A little intelligence / Randall Garrett -- The cat / Gene Wolfe -- Afternoon at Schrafft's / Gardner Dozois, Jack Dann, and Michael Swanwick.
Next Recommended Book

The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift

Book # of 241 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

medium 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 Collections 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 Magicats!?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Magicats! before other books in the series?

No. We recommend reading the previous book first. Magicats! is the nullth book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Magicats! required reading for the Collections?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Magicats! in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Magicats! is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).