Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction
Reading Order.
Start Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction by Neil Gaiman with "Violent Cases", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
Key novellas and extended short stories, published independently or as graphic narratives, that do not fit into the main novel or children's categories.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 9 main titles released between 2003 and 2015. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "Violent Cases"
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 community consensus is focused on praising a comprehensive list/resource compiled by a user, strongly recommending several highly cited standalone SFF titles. Many users are specifically interested in the asexual (ace) representation mentioned within the list. The most commonly recommended books are highly-regarded standalone fantasy and sci-fi works."
The highest consensus recommendations (the best starting point for a reading order) are: The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins, The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North, and This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. These titles were mentioned 5 times across various user lists.
At a Glance
- First Book:Violent Cases
- Latest Book:The Sleeper And The Spindle
- Timeline:2003 - 2015
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction 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 Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction. 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 "Violent Cases" 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 "Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction" 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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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction 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 Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Violent Cases" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Neil Gaiman intended.
Can I read Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction 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 Standalone Novellas and Long Fiction 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.