Short Fiction and Novella Collections
Reading Order.
Start Short Fiction and Novella Collections by Neil Gaiman with "Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
Major published collections gathering Gaiman's diverse short stories, novellas, and poems.
Short Answer:
Start with "Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days"
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.
Community Consensus
"The primary recommendation provides a clear, official sequence integrating novellas and short story collections into the main five-book series (The Sun Eater). This integrated order is favored for simplicity, although some veteran readers suggest modifying the placement of specific multiversal collections (like 'End of Time' or 'Moonbeam Roads') based on narrative complexity and context."
For the integrated reading order including novellas and collections, follow this sequence: Empire of Silence; The Lesser Devil; Howling Dark; Queen Amid Ashes; Tales of the Sun Eater, Vol. 1; Demon in White; Tales of the Sun Eater, Vol. 2; Kingdoms of Death; and Ashes of Man.
At a Glance
- First Book:Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days
- Latest Book:Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days
- Timeline:2012 - 2012
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Short Fiction and Novella 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.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Short Fiction and Novella Collections. 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 "Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days" 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.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "Short Fiction and Novella Collections" 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.
Complete Series Reading Order
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Is it okay to skip books in the Short Fiction and Novella Collections 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 Short Fiction and Novella Collections?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Neil Gaiman intended.
Can I read Short Fiction and Novella Collections 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 Short Fiction and Novella Collections 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.