Updated in October 2025 to include discussion of Crossroads of Ravens.

Without beating around the bush, the reading order for the Witcher books is as follows:

Confusion regarding the order is quite understandable. There is a handful of discrepancies which may make a new reader wonder. Let’s address them one by one to dispel any lingering doubts:

• Blood of Elves comes third even though in some editions it might say ‘Book 1’ on the cover. That numbering, if present, refers to the books in The Witcher Saga which consists of five novels. The saga starts soon after the events described in Sword of Destiny.
• Season of Storms comes after the saga even though chronologically it takes place before it. Season references events from the other books and, as a sidequel, has been written with the assumption that reader is already familiar with the rest of the series.
• The Last Wish comes first even though it was published in Poland after Sword of Destiny. It’s a collection of stories which had been already printed in Fantastyka magazine. At that time, reader of Sword was aware of those preceding stories.
• Sword of Destiny comes second even though it was released in English fifth. This one is on the publisher who, I’m speculating, concluded that it was easier to market the saga.

Crossroads of Ravens as the starting point

Chronologically, the story of Crossroads of Ravens takes place before the rest of the series.^citation Nevertheless, following its publication order, it’s recommended to be read last. However, with the book’s international release, newly arriving readers pick it up first wondering if it’s an acceptable way to start the Witcher stories.

Crossroads is written with the assumption that reader is already familiar with the other books. As often is the case with prequels, it introduces backstories for characters and events that existing fans will recognise. Ideally, a reader should be familiar with these elements.

Be that as it may, I believe Crossroads is acceptable as the first book provided the reader is aware of the drawbacks. Firstly, the introduction of certain characters and names will lack their intended impact. Secondly, some key concepts — such as how witchers are created or the meaning behind the bones in moat of Kaer Morhen — won’t be explained.

Blood of Elves as the starting point

Another, somewhat sensible starting point for the series is Blood of Elves. Or rather, it’s a sensible alternative starting point.

The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny are collections of short stories. The short stories, especially in the first book, often take existing well-known tales (such as Beauty and the Beast) and put their own spin to them. Meanwhile, Blood and subsequent saga is a series of novels with a single overarching plot.

As such, if The Last Wish has not been the reader’s liking, jumping to Blood is an option if the reader is still interested in the Witcher series.

Something Ends

Another noteworthy book is Something Ends, Something Begins (pl. Coś się kończy, coś się zaczyna). It’s an anthology including, among others, two stories related to the Witcher series: ‘A Road with No Return’ (pl. ‘Droga, z której się nie wraca’) and ‘Something Ends, Something Begins’.

‘A Road’ wasn’t planned as a part of the series but eventual later stories imply that Visenna described there is the same one Geralt meets in ‘Something More’. As a result, the short story is sometimes discussed in context of the Witcher canon. As far as I know, Sapkowski never categorically stated things one way or another, but its worth noting there are many incompatibilities with the worlds in ‘A Road’ and that in the Witcher series.

‘Something Ends’ is a lighthearted non-canon story describing Geralt’s and Yennefer’s wedding. It was first published before the saga, yet it references characters and events from novels. Some call it an alternative ending though the author rejects such label.

As far as I’m aware, neither have been officially translated into English although unofficial translations exist: ‘The Road’ translated by Tina B. and ‘Something Ends’ on Fandom wiki.