BookPath
Home/Authors/Holly Black/The Magisterium Series

The Magisterium Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Holly Black
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start The Magisterium Series by Holly Black with "The Iron Trial", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The Magisterium Series is a five-book children's fantasy series written by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. The series is set in an underground school where mages train apprentices, including protagonist Callum Hunt, to control the fundamental elements of magic.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Iron Trial"

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

N/A Debate

"The provided Reddit comments do not contain any discussion, analysis, or recommendations regarding 'The Magisterium Series'. The comments primarily focus on discussions about character development, reviews of other fantasy series (such as Lightbringer, Red Sister, and Powder Mage), and general recommendations for fantasy/sci-fi trilogies and audiobooks (e.g., Greenbone Saga, The Locked Tomb, Stormlight Archives, First Law)."

Key Reddit Advice

No recommended reading order for 'The Magisterium Series' can be determined from this text, as the series is not mentioned.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Magisterium 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 Magisterium 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 Iron Trial" 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 Magisterium 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 Iron Trial"Explore all by Holly Black

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 Iron Trial

Pub: 2014

From New York Times bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst -- and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . . From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.

2

The Copper Gauntlet

Pub: 2015

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Iron Trial".

Callum Hunt's life has been difficult ever since he was admitted to the Magisterium, since his father suspects him of being evil, and his closest companion is a Chaos-ridden wolf--but when he discovers that his father may be trying to destroy both him and Havoc, he escapes back to the magical world and he and his friends Aaron and Tamara, become involved in the search for the stolen Alkahest, a copper gauntlet with dangerous powers

Prefer Listening?

Best if you commute

Get the professional narration of "The Iron Trial" free with an Audible trial.

Try Audible →

Own the Physical Copy

Best value option

Add "The Iron Trial" 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 Magisterium 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 Magisterium Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Iron Trial" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Holly Black intended.

Can I read The Magisterium 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 Magisterium 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.