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Three Sisters Island Trilogy Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Nora Roberts
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts with "Dance Upon The Air", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Three magical friends confront dark forces while finding romance on a mysterious island off the coast of Maine.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Dance Upon The Air"

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

Medium Debate

"The overwhelming recommendation is to read all five series in publication order. While the non-Fitz books (Liveship Traders and Rain Wild Chronicles) can theoretically be skipped if focusing only on the character Fitz, the Tawny Man trilogy is universally considered absolutely essential and unskippable to follow Fitz's life and understand the final series (Fitz and the Fool)."

Key Reddit Advice

Read all five series in publication order. If skipping is required due to accessibility, ensure the Farseer Trilogy (Series 1), Tawny Man Trilogy (Series 3), and Fitz and the Fool (Series 5) are read consecutively. Do not skip Tawny Man (Series 3).

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Three Sisters Island Trilogy 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 Three Sisters Island Trilogy. 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 "Dance Upon The Air" 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 "Three Sisters Island Trilogy" 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 "Dance Upon The Air"Explore all by Nora Roberts

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

Dance Upon The Air

Pub: 2001

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts—hailed by Publishers Weekly as “a storyteller of immeasurable diversity and talent”—presents the first book in her Three Sisters Island trilogy. When Nell Channing arrives on charming Three Sisters Island, she believes that she’s finally found refuge from her abusive husband—and from the terrifying life she fled so desperately eight months ago… Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local bookstore café—and begins to explore her feelings for the island sheriff, Zack Todd. But there is a part of herself she can never reveal to him. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she’s so carefully created could shatter completely. Just as Nell starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to break free of her fear, she realizes that the island suffers under a terrible curse—one that can only be broken by the descendants of the Three Sisters, the witches who settled the island back in 1692. And now, with the help of two other strong, gifted women—and the nightmares of the past haunting her every step—she must find the power to save her home, her love…and herself. Don't miss the other books in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy Heaven and Earth Face the Fire 

2

Heaven And Earth

Pub: 2016

Plot details hidden until you finish "Dance Upon The Air".

Pray for the Impossible! Called foundational, revolutionary, illuminating, and motivating, Intercessory Prayer is a classic work, still fresh and inspiring after more than 20 years. This rich, biblical teaching shows how vital our prayers are and how God works in partnership with us through prayer. Dutch Sheets explains the nuts and bolts of prayer with wisdom, gentleness, and humor, and gives answers to your questions about prayer, such as● Is prayer really necessary?● Why does it often take so long to get a prayer answered?● How can I be more effective in prayer?● What exactly is intercessory prayer?● How do we bear one another's burdens?Find inspiration and courage to pray for the impossible--and the persistence to see your prayers to completion.Includes questions for reflection and discussion leader's guide. A study guide, 8-session DVD, and youth edition are also available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy 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 Three Sisters Island Trilogy?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Dance Upon The Air" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Nora Roberts intended.

Can I read Three Sisters Island Trilogy 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 Three Sisters Island Trilogy 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.