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Dark One Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Brandon Sanderson
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Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Dark One by Brandon Sanderson with "Dark One, Book 1", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

A graphic novel series exploring the mythology around a prophesied evil figure, Dark One.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Dark One, Book 1"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The comments analyze reading orders for several distinct fantasy series (primarily Dragonlance and Malazan), all of which have complicated chronologies. For both series, the consensus advice is to start with the original core published works, avoiding prequels until later. The primary recommended starting sequence for the most discussed series (Malazan) is strict publication order."

Key Reddit Advice

For Malazan: Start with Gardens of the Moon (Book 1) and follow the ten main books in order (e.g., Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice). Read the Esslemont tie-ins and the prequel trilogy (Forge of Darkness) afterward. For Dragonlance: Start with Chronicles 1-3, followed by Legends, and then Dragons of Summer Flame.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Dark One 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.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Dark One. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Dark One, Book 1" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Dark One" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Dark One, Book 1"Explore all by Brandon Sanderson

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

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

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order2 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Dark One, Book 1

Pub: 2021

From #1 New York Times Bestselling, Hugo Award-winning author, Brandon Sanderson, comes DARK ONE - an action-packed fantasy adventure exploring good and evil. Paul Tanasin is haunted by visions of a dark, fantastic world. A world called Mirandus. A world he must shatter.SOME WORLDS ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN. From #1 New York Times bestselling, Hugo Award-winning author, Brandon Sanderson (The COSMERE Univserse, The MISTBORN TRILOGY, The STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE series, co-author of The Wheel of Time Vol. 12-14 with Robert Jordan, consulting producer on The Wheel of Time series from Amazon Studios ), along with Nathan C. Gooden, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly, comes DARK ONE, the first book in a series of original graphic novels from Vault Comics. NOW IN TRADE PAPERBACK! Paul Tanasin is a young man haunted by visions of a dark and fantastic world—visions he initially believes are hallucinations. But when he discovers they are prophecies from Mirandus, a world in which he's destined to become a fearsome destroyer, he'll have to embrace the fear, rise up as the Dark One, and shatter everything. DARK ONE examines the dual roles we often take on in life-the ability to be a savior as well as a destroyer. "A dramatically dark fantasy that will leave readers eager for the sequel." - KIRKUS Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Graphic Novels and Comics (2021) #1 Fantasy title in Kindle eBooks! “(Dark One) is a thought-provoking interpretation of epic fantasy from a villainous point of view.” – Screen Rant “Dark One is a great read for fantasy lovers…” – Wandering Nerd Girl “The art is beautiful, dark, and violent.” – Screen Rant “[DARK ONE is] a brilliant graphic novel that has some amazing themes delving into the duality of man and light and dark. The creative team tells Paul’s story beautifully, making sure that this novel will leave an impact.“ - But Why Tho? “Brandon Sanderson’s DARK ONE is the realization of a supremely ambitious Vault Comics ideal. It’s a literary comic that blends high concept storytelling interests across genres without sacrificing any of the craft, structure, or character development needed to make narratives compelling and immersive.“ -- Comics Bookcase

2

Dark One--forgotten

Pub: 2021

Plot details hidden until you finish "Dark One, Book 1".

Discover the story of a young man who learns he is destined to be the world's ultimate villain, struggling against the prophecy that dictates his dark path.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Dark One series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Dark One?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Dark One, Book 1" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Brandon Sanderson intended.

Can I read Dark One books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Dark One universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.