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Witch & Wizard Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby James Patterson
6 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Witch & Wizard Series by James Patterson with "Witch And Wizard", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Wisty and Whit Allgood are persecuted for having magical abilities in a totalitarian society.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 6 main titles released between 2009 and 2011. 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 "Witch And Wizard"

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 for a first read of any lengthy or complex fantasy series is to follow Publication (Release) Order. This approach is favored because it allows the reader to witness the world and the author's writing style evolve in the way the author intended. However, for series composed of distinct, standalone character arcs or sub-series (like the Witches or Wizards books in Discworld, or T. Kingfisher's linked novels), the order *between* those sub-series is often flexible, but books *within* a specific arc must be read sequentially."

Key Reddit Advice

Follow Publication/Release Order for the initial read-through. If the series consists of highly standalone sub-series, prioritize reading the books internally in order (e.g., read the Saint of Steel novels in order, or Clockwork Boys > Swordheart > Saint of Steel) and use Publication Order to determine the sequence of sub-series.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Witch & Wizard 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 Witch & Wizard 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 "Witch And Wizard" 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 "Witch & Wizard 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 "Witch And Wizard"Explore all by James Patterson

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 Order6 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.
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1

Witch And Wizard

Pub: 2009

everything. Changes. Now.imagine You Wake Up And The World Around You-life As You Know It-has Changed In An Instant. That's What Has Happened To Whit Allgood And His Sister, Whisty. They Went To Sleep As Normal Teenagers, And Woke Up As Wanted Criminals. Accused Of Holding Incredible Powers They'd Never Dreamed Possible. And Now, Just How Different They Are-special, Even-if Just Beginning To Be Revealed In A Strange New World.it Begins...now.publishers Weeklypatterson (the Maximum Ride Books) And Charbonnet Launch A New Series About Political And Cultural Oppression, Which Suffers From Some Questionable Storytelling Choices. Ordinary Teenagers Whit And Wisty Are Taken From Their House By Representatives Of The Oppressive “new Order.” Accused Of Being A Wizard And A Witch, They're Thrown In A Dank Prison To Await Execution. While There They Begin To Master Previously Unknown Powers And, Thanks To Some Otherworldly Help, They Manage To Escape And Are United With The Resistance Movement. The Authors Rely On Coincidence And Plot Holes—each Teen Is Allowed To Bring One Possession Into The Otherwise Barbaric Jail, And Thus End Up With Magical Implements. The Story Is Further Undercut By Frequent Recapping And Short Chapters, Alternately Narrated By The Siblings, Which Break Up The Narrative For No Perceivable Reason. There's Some Fun World-building, Including A Stream Of Thinly Disguised Pop Culture References In Wisty And Whit's Alternate World (from The Books Of Gary Blotter To The Artist Margie O'greeffe), But Even These Are Inconsistent (their World Also Includes Red Bull And The Adjective Dickensian) And Come Across As Groaners. Ages 10-up. (dec.)

2

The Gift

Pub: 2010

Plot details hidden until you finish "Witch And Wizard".

After escaping imprisonment by the totalitarian regime known as the New Order, siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood, who possess magical powers, establish themselves as leaders of the Resistance, a hidden community of teenagers like themselves, hunted by the state and determined to defy its ban on the arts, magic, and all other forms of creativity.

3

Witch & Wizard: The Gift

Pub: 2010

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Gift".

Ever since Whit and Wisty Allgood were torn from their home and family in the middle of the night, the soldiers of the New Order government have relentlessly tried to capture and execute them for 'collusion, conspiracy, and experimentation with the dark and foul arts'. But this supremely skilled witch and wizard have instead boldly spearheaded the fight against the cruel and brutal regime. The villainous leader of the New Order is just a breath away from the ability to control the forces of nature and to manipulate his citizens on the most profound level imaginable - through their minds. There is only one more thing he needs to triumph in his evil quest: the Gifts of Whit and Wisty Allgood. And he will stop at nothing to seize them.

4

The Kiss

Pub: 2022

Plot details hidden until you finish "Witch & Wizard: The Gift".

"For the first time in their lives, Wisty and Whit Allgood find themselves at odds as Wisty is drawn to a mysterious and magical stranger named Heath"--

5

The Lost

Pub: 2022★ 5

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Kiss".

"Magical teen siblings Whit and Wisty Allgood struggle against a mounting public opposition to magic and a brutal crime wave led by a powerful wizard intent on ruling the City"-- Magical teen siblings Whit and Wisty struggle against mounting public opposition to magic and a brutal crime wave led by a powerful wizard intent on ruling the City. The plot contains profanity and graphic violence. The coauthor is Emily Raymond. Book #5

6

The Exile

Pub: 2011★ 3

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Lost".

The woman Finn O'Grady swore to protect is convinced an ancient curse has put her family in danger. O'Grady has seen too much evil to believe in the supernatural. And then the killing starts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Witch & Wizard 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 Witch & Wizard Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Witch And Wizard" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.

Can I read Witch & Wizard 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 Witch & Wizard 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.