BookPath
Home/Authors/Ken Follett/The Kingsbridge Series

The Kingsbridge Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Ken Follett
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start The Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett with "The Evening And The Morning", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

A historical fiction series charting the fictional English town of Kingsbridge and its inhabitants across many centuries.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Evening And The Morning"

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.

Begin Reading Path →
Audible VersionBest for commuting

Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The provided Reddit comments do not contain any discussion, recommendations, or mentions of 'The Kingsbridge Series' or its author (Ken Follett). The comments focus primarily on historical fiction series by authors such as Sharon Kay Penman, Dorothy Dunnett, Jack Whyte, and CJ Sansom, alongside numerous fantasy recommendations."

Key Reddit Advice

No reading order for 'The Kingsbridge Series' can be deduced from the provided data.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Kingsbridge 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 Kingsbridge 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 Evening And The Morning" 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 "The Kingsbridge 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.

Start with "The Evening And The Morning"Explore all by Ken Follett

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

The Evening And The Morning

Pub: 2020★ 3.8

#1 New York Times BestsellerAn Amazon Best Book of 2020 The thrilling and addictive prequel to The Pillars of the Earth--set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages"Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth] . . . A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series." --The Washington PostIt is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when his home is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and it soon becomes clear to her that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

2

Armor Of Light

Pub: 2024

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Evening And The Morning".

As industrial progress and war loom, Kingsbridge faces Napoleon's threat and the battle for social justice in a thrilling new era.

Prefer Listening?

Best if you commute

Get the professional narration of "The Evening And The Morning" free with an Audible trial.

Try Audible →

Own the Physical Copy

Best value option

Add "The Evening And The Morning" to your library. Curated links ensure you get the correct edition.

View on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the The Kingsbridge 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 Kingsbridge Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Evening And The Morning" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Ken Follett intended.

Can I read The Kingsbridge 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 Kingsbridge 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.