Book · in order
The Kingkiller Chronicle in Order
Patrick Rothfuss's fantasy series follows the legend of Kvothe across two novels, plus a companion novella about Auri. Read in publication order; the long-awaited third book remains unpublished.
The Kingkiller Chronicle in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
The Kingkiller Chronicle is short on volumes but long on devotion. There are only two main novels, and the simplest, best way through them is publication order: start with The Name of the Wind (2007), then continue with The Wise Man's Fear (2011). Both are told as a frame story, with the now-innkeeper Kvothe recounting his own life to a chronicler over three days, so reading them back to back preserves the single continuous narrative that Rothfuss is building.
The one genuine gotcha is the novella, The Slow Regard of Silent Things (2014). It is not a third entry in the main story and it does not move Kvothe's arc forward. Instead it is a strange, lyrical character piece following Auri, a side character from the University, through the tunnels beneath it. Rothfuss himself warns in the book that it is unusual and that some readers may not want it as their entry point. Slot it in as optional reading after The Wise Man's Fear, once you already love these characters and this world.
The elephant in the room is the third book, The Doors of Stone. It has been announced for well over a decade and, as of early 2026, still has no release date. The trilogy is therefore unfinished, and you should go in knowing the story stops mid-journey. If that bothers you, it is worth waiting.
Fans who finish and crave more epic fantasy of similar ambition often turn to Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive or Mistborn, Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard sequence, or Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy for richly drawn, character-first worlds.
Timeline 2007โ2014
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
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Frequently asked questions
How many books are there in The Kingkiller Chronicle?
There are two main novels, The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, plus a companion novella, The Slow Regard of Silent Things. A third novel, The Doors of Stone, has been announced but is not yet published.
What order should I read The Kingkiller Chronicle in?
Read The Name of the Wind first, then The Wise Man's Fear. The novella The Slow Regard of Silent Things is optional and best read after the second book.
Is The Slow Regard of Silent Things required reading?
No. It is a companion novella following Auri rather than the main story, and Rothfuss himself notes it is unusual. Read it only if you want more of this world after book two.
Has The Doors of Stone been released?
No. As of early 2026, the third novel has been announced for many years but has no confirmed release date, so the trilogy remains unfinished.
Can I read The Name of the Wind as a standalone?
It works as a complete first installment with its own arc, but it ends on threads that continue into The Wise Man's Fear, so most readers continue straight on.
What should I read after The Kingkiller Chronicle?
Try Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn or Stormlight Archive, Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard series, or Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy for similar character-driven epic fantasy.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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