Grishaverse book series is my favorite book series of all time and I thought I’d get started my posts about them by offering my preferred Grishaverse (or otherwise referenced as Shadow and Bone) reading order!
What is Grishaverse?
Grishaverse is the universe where popular book series Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows and King of Scars take place. The setting is loosely based on Russia and Eastern Europe. In this universe, there are individuals who can possess magical powers aka the Grisha.
The three series follow different groups of individuals in this universe, Grisha and other humans, although the characters cross paths across the series and the events in some series has side effect on the others.
Grishaverse Reading Order
There are seven core books divided amongst three series and three supporting books in Grishaverse. The order of these series might be confusing so I made a guide for you.
- Start with Shadow and Bone trilogy.
This is the original trilogy of Grishaverse. The story follows the orphans Alina and Mal whose world changes when Alina is discovered to be the prophesized Sun Summoner who can free their homeland Ravka. - Then read Six of Crows duology.
This duology takes place six months after the events of Shadow and Bones. Although the events in Six of Crows take place in a near timeline in the same universe, the setting is Ketterdem a trading port town across the ocean from Ravka. The story follows Kaz Brekker and his crew aka the Crows who are tasked with pulling off an impossible heist for an enormous reward. - Then finish up with King of Scars duology.
Read this duology last. King of Scars duology will take you all over the world including places you’ve seen in the first two series. It is very important to read this duology last because the three main characters are characters from the first two series. - Read The Language of Thorns, The Lives of Saints, and Demon in the Wood any time after Shadow and Bone trilogy.
You can read these any time after Shadow and Bone. I’ve personally read them after I finished everything. You’ll know way too much about the universe once you finish the three series above that these three supplemental books will give you instant gratification . Especially Demon in the Wood, the prequel to Shadow and Bone will fill in the blanks you didn’t know you had!
Do I have to read Shadow and Bone to read Six of Crows?
Technically? Yes. Should you? No.
This question comes up a lot as people want to read about Six of Crows in Ketterdam right away and want to skip Shadow and Bone. I get it, I do. Six of Crows is my favorite book of all time. However, Shadow and Bone itself not only sets up the events and the universe in Ketterdam, but also the story in Shadow and Bone is so good. There is a shadow daddy, chosen hero, subtext about religious gaslighting and so much more. Read Shadow and Bone before reading Six of Crows, you won’t regret it!
Will there be more Grishaverse books?
Potentially. The events of King of Scars leaves the series widely open ended and leaves a lot of rooms for majority of the characters of the universe to come back. However Leigh Bardugo has two very successful other series in the works and we don’t know when she’ll cycle back to Grishaverse. You’ll hear it from me as soon as she let’s us know though!
What about other Leigh Bardugo books?
Leigh Bardugo has other books notably Ninth House (Alex Stern series) and The Familiar. The Ninth House and The Familiar are not part of Grishaverse, although I definitely recommend them, they’re incredible.
What about the Shadow and Bone Netflix show?
There is a Netflix series about Grishaverse specifically Shadow and Bone. The series largely follows the events in the first two books of Shadow and Bone. However, there are also the Six of Characters present throughout.
Although noncanonical in the books, the Netflix shows align the timeline of the events in Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows. There are also some non canonical events in the show that doesn’t take place in the books.
You should definitely watch the show after finishing the series! They’re a pretty good time, and during the first season it stays true to the books. Unfortunately the show got canceled after season 2, so as of right now there won’t be any other Shadow and Bone content on television any time soon.
That’s the end of the guide! Feel free to save and share the infographic above. If you have any questions, comments or other guides you’d like me to cover, let me know in the comments!
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