Reading Order
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Start with The Colour of Magic and continue through all 41 books in the listed reading order.
About This Series
The Discworld series, crafted by the witty and imaginative Terry Pratchett, is a celebrated collection of satirical fantasy novels set in a flat, disc-shaped world that rides on the backs of four giant elephants, which in turn stand on the shell of a colossal turtle. This unique setting allows Pratchett to explore a variety of themes—from the absurdity of bureaucracy to the intricacies of human nature—wrapped in a humorous and often poignant narrative style. It's a captivating blend of fantasy, comedy, and social commentary that has delighted readers for decades.
What makes Discworld truly special is its ability to tackle serious issues with a light-hearted touch, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The series delves into topics like morality, friendship, and the power dynamics of society, all while delivering laugh-out-loud moments. Ideal for those who appreciate clever wordplay, sharp wit, and a dash of irreverence, Discworld invites readers into a richly developed universe that feels both familiar and refreshingly absurd.
To fully appreciate the nuances of Pratchett's world, it’s advisable to start with the first book, "The Colour of Magic." While many of the later novels can be enjoyed independently, the early books establish essential characters and themes that resonate throughout the series. Subsequent titles, such as "The Light Fantastic" and "Mort," build upon the foundation laid in the initial installments, offering deeper insights into Pratchett's enchanting world.
Influential authors like Neil Gaiman and Brandon Sanderson have praised the Discworld series for its inventive storytelling and profound insights. Gaiman, in particular, has highlighted Pratchett's ability to blend humor with sharp commentary, making the series a must-read for aspiring writers and fantasy enthusiasts alike. If you’re looking for a series that not only entertains but also encourages reflection on the human experience, the Discworld books are sure to captivate your imagination.
Start Here
Start with The Colour of Magic
Book 1 by Terry Pratchett
Use the reading order above to move through the series in the intended sequence.
Complete List
Discworld reading order
Ends with The Shepherd's Crown
- 1
Book 1:The Colour of Magic
Terry Pratchett • 1 recommendation
Use the reading order above to move through the series in the intended sequence.
- 2
Book 2:The Light Fantastic
Terry Pratchett • 1986
Rincewind and Twoflower are back, and the Disc itself is in trouble. With a rogue spell, a looming cosmic collision, and the Unseen University in chaos, survival is suddenly everyone’s problem.
- 3
Book 3:Equal Rites
Terry Pratchett
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- 4
Book 4:Mort
Terry Pratchett
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- 5
Book 5:Sourcery
Terry Pratchett
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- 6
Book 6:Wyrd Sisters
Terry Pratchett • 1988
Three witches in Lancre get caught up in a royal murder, a missing heir, and a flood of theatre-style drama. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg find that stories can be as dangerous as swords.
- 7
Book 7:Pyramids
Terry Pratchett • 1989
In the desert kingdom of Djelibeybi, the dead don’t stay politely dead, and time starts behaving strangely. Teppic, newly trained as an assassin, returns home to discover his family business is literally history.
- 8
Book 8:Guards! Guards!
Terry Pratchett • 1 recommendation
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- 9
Book 9:Eric
Terry Pratchett • 1990
A teenage demonologist tries to summon a demon and gets Rincewind instead. What follows is a chaotic tour through mythic destinations, with a magical mishap at every stop and a very confused would-be Faust.
- 10
Book 10:Moving Pictures
Terry Pratchett • 1990
Hollywood comes to Ankh-Morpork when “moving pictures” start appearing, and the city falls in love with the new craze. Victor Tugelbend and his friends discover that the movies have a mind of their own, and it’s hungry.
- 11
Book 11:Reaper Man
Terry Pratchett
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- 12
Book 12:Witches Abroad
Terry Pratchett • 1991
Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat travel far from Lancre to stop a fairy tale from locking a young woman into a bad ending. Along the way they discover that stories fight back when you mess with them.
- 13
Book 13:Small Gods
Terry Pratchett
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- 14
Book 14:Lords and Ladies
Terry Pratchett • 1992
Lancre is hosting a royal wedding, and something ancient is trying to slip back into the world. Granny Weatherwax and the witches face the elves, beautiful, cruel, and dangerously persuasive.
- 15
Book 15:Men at Arms
Terry Pratchett
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- 16
Book 16:Soul Music
Terry Pratchett
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- 17
Book 17:Interesting Times
Terry Pratchett
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- 18
Book 18:Maskerade
Terry Pratchett • 1995
The Lancre witches go to the opera, where a ghostly figure is causing trouble backstage. As murders pile up and masks start slipping, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg dig into the business of showmanship and secrets.
- 19
Book 19:Feet of Clay
Terry Pratchett • 1996
A series of murders points toward the city’s golems, and the City Watch has to work out who is really pulling the strings. Sam Vimes investigates a case where prejudice is a weapon and “human” isn’t a simple category.
- 20
Book 20:Hogfather
Terry Pratchett
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- 21
Book 21:Jingo
Terry Pratchett • 1997
A long-lost island rises between two nations, and suddenly everyone wants a war. Sam Vimes is sent abroad to keep the peace, but politics, propaganda, and old grudges make that job nearly impossible.
- 22
Book 22:The Last Continent
Terry Pratchett • 1998
Rincewind lands on a mysterious continent that looks a lot like Discworld’s Australia, and nothing behaves sensibly. As the wizards try to fix time itself, Rincewind stumbles into survival, folklore, and a very odd de...
- 23
Book 23:Carpe Jugulum
Terry Pratchett
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- 24
Book 24:The Fifth Elephant
Terry Pratchett
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- 25
Book 25:The Truth
Terry Pratchett • 2000
William de Worde starts a newspaper in Ankh-Morpork and learns that truth is messy, especially when powerful people prefer lies. With help from strange coworkers and a new printing press, he uncovers a conspiracy that...
- 26
Book 26:Thief of Time
Terry Pratchett • 2001
A plot to control time threatens reality itself, and the History Monks are drawn into a fight they may not understand. Susan Sto Helit and a very unusual apprentice must untangle the scheme before the world stops.
- 27
Book 27:The Last Hero
Terry Pratchett • 2001
Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde head on a final, glorious mission that could destroy the Disc. A desperate rescue party follows, and the fate of heroes, gods, and the world rides on the outcome.
- 28
Book 28:The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
Terry Pratchett • 2001
Maurice is a talking cat running a scam with a crew of unusually smart rats and a naive boy piper. When they reach a town that already has a rat problem, the con turns into a fight for survival and something like cons...
- 29
Book 29:Night Watch
Terry Pratchett
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- 30
Book 30:The Wee Free Men
Terry Pratchett
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- 31
Book 31:Monstrous Regiment
Terry Pratchett
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- 32
Book 32:A Hat Full of Sky
Terry Pratchett • 2004
Tiffany begins training as a witch and learns that caring for people is real work. When a hungry spirit latches onto her mind, she has to survive jealousy, fear, and a battle that no one else can see.
- 33
Book 33:Going Postal
Terry Pratchett • 1 recommendation
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- 34
Book 34:Thud!
Terry Pratchett • 2005
An ancient grudge between dwarfs and trolls is about to erupt in the streets of Ankh-Morpork. Sam Vimes races to stop a riot while solving a murder, and he has to do it before the city tears itself apart.
- 35
Book 35:Wintersmith
Terry Pratchett • 2006
Tiffany accidentally draws the attention of the Wintersmith, a force of winter that misunderstands what it means to be human. As the cold deepens, she has to put the seasons back in balance before everything freezes.
- 36
Book 36:Unseen Academicals
Terry Pratchett • 2007
Unseen University is forced to take football seriously, and that means training wizards, students, and a very unlikely team. As the game grows into a civic obsession, old rivalries and new business schemes collide.
- 37
Book 37:Making Money
Terry Pratchett • 2007
Moist von Lipwig is pushed into running the city’s bank, a job that sounds respectable until you meet the people who benefit from keeping money mysterious. He has to stop a financial disaster while learning what “trus...
- 38
Book 38:I Shall Wear Midnight
Terry Pratchett • 2010
Tiffany is older now, and witchcraft means making hard choices in a world that doesn’t always want a witch. When fear turns people against her, she faces a growing darkness that feeds on suspicion and hate.
- 39
Book 39:Snuff
Terry Pratchett • 2011
On a rare holiday in the countryside, Sam Vimes runs into a crime that polite society refuses to name. His investigation pulls him into the ugly reality of exploitation, and the law has to reach beyond the city for once.
- 40
Book 40:Raising Steam
Terry Pratchett • 2013
A new steam railway is about to link Ankh-Morpork to the wider world, and not everyone wants progress arriving on schedule. With politics, sabotage, and old prejudices in play, the city faces a noisy new era.
- 41
Book 41:The Shepherd's Crown
Terry Pratchett • 2015
Tiffany steps into bigger responsibilities after a loss shakes the witching world. With old threats stirring and new allies to guide, she must protect the Chalk and decide what kind of witch she wants to be.
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Quick Answers
Discworld FAQ
What is the best order to read the Discworld series?
The recommended reading order is the numbered order shown on this page, starting with The Colour of Magic.
How many books are in the Discworld series?
There are 41 books currently listed in the Discworld series on GurusReads.
Where should I start with the Discworld series?
New readers should start with The Colour of Magic, the first book in the reading order.
Is the Discworld series complete?
Based on the publication years we have, the series appears likely complete and spans releases from 1986 to 2015.