The Dark Tower Series
Reading Order.
Start The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King with "The Gunslinger", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
Stephen King's epic saga following Roland Deschain, the last Gunslinger, on his quest to reach the Dark Tower, the nexus of all universes.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 6 main titles released between 1976 and 2005. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "The Gunslinger"
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 overwhelming consensus is to start with the main ten-book series, 'Malazan Book of the Fallen,' beginning with 'Gardens of the Moon.' This order (release/publication order) is generally considered superior to chronological order, as the chronological starting point, 'Forge of Darkness,' is deemed less accessible to new readers and contains significant spoilers/fan-service moments that only resonate after reading the main series. The secondary books (Ian Esslemont's novels and the Kharkanas Prequels) should be read either concurrently by release date or, for maximum safety and simplicity, read entirely after the completion of the main ten-book series."
Start with 'Gardens of the Moon' (Book 1 of Malazan Book of the Fallen), continue through the 10 books, and save 'Forge of Darkness' and the other Esslemont companion novels until afterward.
At a Glance
- First Book:The Gunslinger
- Latest Book:Song Of Susannah
- Timeline:1976 - 2005
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for The Dark Tower Series 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 The Dark Tower Series. 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 "The Gunslinger" 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 "The Dark Tower Series" 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 The Dark Tower Series 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 The Dark Tower Series?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Gunslinger" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Stephen King intended.
Can I read The Dark Tower Series 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 The Dark Tower Series 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.