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Discworld Series (Reading Order) Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Terry Pratchett
6 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Discworld Series (Reading Order) by Terry Pratchett with "Wyrd Sisters", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The main sequence of novels and novellas set on the Discworld, listed chronologically by publication number.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 6 main titles released between 2009 and 2009. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Wyrd Sisters"

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 overwhelming recommendation, especially for a first read-through, is to proceed in strict Publication/Release/Chronological order. Readers emphasize that this approach allows them to watch the Discworld setting and Terry Pratchett's writing style evolve over time, providing context for later jokes and world changes."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with Publication Order (The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic), especially if you enjoyed the initial books. If you prefer a more refined starting point or a standalone story, consider starting with a highly recommended book like Small Gods or the first book of a major sub-series (e.g., Guards! Guards!, Wyrd Sisters, or Mort).

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Discworld Series (Reading Order) 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 Discworld Series (Reading Order). 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 "Wyrd Sisters" 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 "Discworld Series (Reading Order)" 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 "Wyrd Sisters"Explore all by Terry Pratchett

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 Order6 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.
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1

Wyrd Sisters

Pub: 2009

In Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters, Granny Weatherwax teams with two other witches—Nanny Ogg and Margat Garlick—as an unlikely alliance to save a prince and restore him to the throne of Lancre, in a tale that borrows—or is it parodies—some of William Shakespeare's best-loved works. Meet Granny Weatherwax, the most highly regarded non-leader a coven of non-social witches could ever have. Generally, these loners don't get involved in anything, must less royal intrigue. But then there are those times they can't help it. As Granny Weatherwax is about to discover, it's a lot harder to stir up trouble in the castle than some theatrical types would have you think. Even when you've got a few unexpected spells up your sleeve. The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Wyrd Sisters is the sixth Discworld book and the second in the Witches collection. The Witches collection includes: Equal Rites Wyrd Sisters Witches Abroad Lords and Ladies Maskerade Carpe Jugulum

2

The Light Fantastic

Pub: 2000

Plot details hidden until you finish "Wyrd Sisters".

From the back cover: In *The Light Fantastic* only one individual can save the world from a disastrous collision. Unfortunately, the hero happens to be the singularly inept wizard Rincewind, who was last seen falling off the edge of the world....

3

Equal Rites

Pub: 2000

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Light Fantastic".

Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent novels, consistent number one bestsellers in England, have garnered him a revered position in the halls of parody along with Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen.In Equal Rites, a dying wizard tries to pass on his powers to an eighth son of an eighth son, who is just at that moment being born. The fact that the son is actually a daughter is discovered just a little too late...

4

Mort

Pub: 2009

Plot details hidden until you finish "Equal Rites".

Death takes on an apprentice who's an individual thinker.

5

The Color of Magic

Pub: 2000

Plot details hidden until you finish "Mort".

Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent novels are consistent number one bestsellers in England, where they have garnered him a revered position in the halls of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen. The Color of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the now-legendary land of Discworld. This is where it all begins--with the tourist Twoflower and his wizard guide, Rincewind.

6

Sourcery

Pub: 2009

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Color of Magic".

“Delightful. . . logically illogical as only Terry Pratchett can write.”—Anne McCaffrey Will the most unlikely hero in all of Discworld save the universe once again . . . or has his luck finally run out in this wildly funny installment in Sir Terry Pratchett’s internationally bestselling series, a hilarious mix of magic, mayhem, and Luggage. Once upon a time, there was an eighth son of an eighth son who was, of course, a wizard. As if that wasn’t complicated enough, said wizard then had seven sons. And then he had an eighth son—a wizard squared (that’s all the math, really)—who, of course, was a source of magic, a sourcerer. Unseen University, the most magical establishment on the Discworld, has finally got its wish: the emergence of a wizard more powerful than they’ve ever seen. But be careful what you wish for . . . As the drastic consequences of sourcery begin to unfold, it’s up to one unlikely wizard to save them. Rincewind has survived a string of misadventures, including falling off the edge of the world—which is no mean feat when it’s flying through space on the back of a turtle and held up by four elephants. Now, he must take the University’s most precious artifact, the very embodiment of magic itself, and deliver it halfway across the Disc to prevent a mathematically blessed sourcerer from leading the wizards to dominate all of Discworld. Can Rincewind and his tiny band, including the carnivorous Luggage, stave off the Apocalypse? The Discworld novels can be read in any order, but Sourcery is the 3rd installment in the Wizards series and the 5th Discworld book. The other books in the Wizards collection include: The Color of Magic The Light Fantastic Eric Interesting Times The Last Continent Unseen Academicals

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Discworld Series (Reading Order) 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 Discworld Series (Reading Order)?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Wyrd Sisters" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Terry Pratchett intended.

Can I read Discworld Series (Reading Order) 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 Discworld Series (Reading Order) 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.