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The Robot Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Isaac Asimov
5 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start The Robot Series by Isaac Asimov with "I, Robot", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

This series introduces Asimov's famous positronic robots and the Three Laws of Robotics, culminating in the mysteries solved by Detective Elijah Baley.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 5 main titles released between 2004 and 1994. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "I, Robot"

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.

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Community Consensus

Low Debate

"There is no consensus or explicit discussion regarding the recommended reading order for "The Robot Series" within these comments. The conversation is split between general appreciation for the completion of a large reading project (four 'Big Book' anthologies) and, primarily, planning for the r/Fantasy annual Bingo challenge. No specific series order is advised."

Key Reddit Advice

No specific reading order advice for a series is provided. The comments suggest that if participating in the associated reading challenge, ensure a book that 'Features Robots' is included to satisfy the relevant Bingo square.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Robot 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 Robot 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 "I, Robot" 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 Robot 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 "I, Robot"Explore all by Isaac Asimov

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 Order5 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

I, Robot

Pub: 2004★ 4

This classic science fiction masterwork by Isaac Asimov weaves stories about robots, humanity, and the deep questions of existence into a novel of shocking intelligence and heart. “A must-read for science-fiction buffs and literature enjoyers alike.”—The Guardian I, Robot, the first and most widely read book in Asimov’s Robot series, forever changed the world’s perception of artificial intelligence. Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-reading robots, and robots with a sense of humor. Of robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world—all told with the dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction that has become Asimov’s trademark. The Three Laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov formulated the laws governing robots’ behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future—a future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete. “Tremendously exciting and entertaining . . . Asimov dramatizes an interesting question: How can we live with machines that, generation by generation, grow more intelligent than their creators and not eventually clash with our own invention?”—The Chicago Tribune

2

The Rest Of The Robots

Pub: 1983Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "I, Robot".

"The First Law of Robotics" A Robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. So how could Robot MA-2 abandon its owner to certain death? How could Robot LNE-Pr break it's masters are with a blow of its fist? How could Robot EZ-27 turn against its owner and utterly ruin him? Meet Dr. Susan Calvin, robopsychologist, whose mission is to investigate the robots and save humanity from destruction from their hands. Dangerous, Dazzling, Demonic...Here they come!" In these eight stories selected from his monumental classic The Rest of the Robots Isaac Asimov displays the wit, drama and imagination that make his robot stories the most popular of all!

3

The Robots of Dawn

Pub: 1994

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Rest Of The Robots".

In this thrilling entry in the renowned Robot series, interplanetary detective Elijah Baley embarks on a mind-stretching journey after the universe’s most advanced robot is found murdered. “With his fertile imagination, his wit, and his prolific output, Isaac Asimov truly laid the foundation for all future generations of science fiction writers.”—Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling co-author of the Dune prequel series Detective Elijah Baiey is called to the Spacer world Aurora to solve a bizarre case of roboticide. The prime suspect is a gifted roboticist who had the means, the motive, and the opportunity to commit the crime. There’s only one catch: Baley and his positronic partner, R. Daneel Olivaw, must prove the man innocent. For in a case of political intrigue and love between woman and robot gone tragically wrong, there’s more at stake than simple justice. This time Baley’s career, his life, and Earth’s right to pioneer the Galaxy lie in the delicate balance. Isaac Asimov’s Robot series chronicles the sometimes uneasy partnership between human and humanoid: I, ROBOT • THE CAVES OF STEEL • THE NAKED SUN • THE ROBOTS OF DAWN

4

Naked Sun

Pub: 1991

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Robots of Dawn".

The bestselling Robot series continues in this sequel to The Caves of Steel, with detective Elijah Baley taking on the dangerous role of double agent when he’s sent to Solaria to solve a brutal murder—and uncover a weakness in Earth’s most powerful neighbor. “With his fertile imagination, his wit, and his prolific output, Isaac Asimov truly laid the foundation for all future generations of science fiction writers.”—Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling co-author of the Dune prequel series On the beautiful Outer World planet of Solaria, a handful of human colonists lead a hermit-like existence, their every need attended to by their faithful robot servants. To this strange and provocative planet comes Detective Elijah Baley, sent from the streets of New York with his positronic partner, the robot R. Daneel Olivaw, to solve an incredible murder that has rocked Solaria to its foundations. The victim had been so reclusive that he appeared to his associates only through holographic projection. Yet someone had gotten close enough to bludgeon him to death while robots looked on. Now Baley and Olivaw are faced with two clear impossibilities: Either the Solarian was killed by one of his robots—unthinkable under the laws of Robotics—or he was killed by the woman who loved him so much that she never came into his presence! Isaac Asimov’s Robot series chronicles the sometimes uneasy partnership between human and humanoid: I, ROBOT • THE CAVES OF STEEL • THE NAKED SUN • THE ROBOTS OF DAWN

5

Robots Of Dawn

Pub: 1994

Plot details hidden until you finish "Naked Sun".

In this thrilling entry in the renowned Robot series, interplanetary detective Elijah Baley embarks on a mind-stretching journey after the universe’s most advanced robot is found murdered. “With his fertile imagination, his wit, and his prolific output, Isaac Asimov truly laid the foundation for all future generations of science fiction writers.”—Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling co-author of the Dune prequel series Detective Elijah Baiey is called to the Spacer world Aurora to solve a bizarre case of roboticide. The prime suspect is a gifted roboticist who had the means, the motive, and the opportunity to commit the crime. There’s only one catch: Baley and his positronic partner, R. Daneel Olivaw, must prove the man innocent. For in a case of political intrigue and love between woman and robot gone tragically wrong, there’s more at stake than simple justice. This time Baley’s career, his life, and Earth’s right to pioneer the Galaxy lie in the delicate balance. Isaac Asimov’s Robot series chronicles the sometimes uneasy partnership between human and humanoid: I, ROBOT • THE CAVES OF STEEL • THE NAKED SUN • THE ROBOTS OF DAWN

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "I, Robot" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Isaac Asimov intended.

Can I read The Robot 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 Robot 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.