Grishaverse Reading Order: Leigh Bardugo's Complete Series Guide
The Grishaverse is Leigh Bardugo's interconnected fantasy world — a darkly beautiful universe of magical soldiers called Grisha, political intrigue, heists, and morally complex characters. Spanning three series and over a dozen novels and novellas, it is one of the most expansive young adult fantasy worlds ever built. Here is the complete reading order.
Updated April 16, 2026
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The Complete Grishaverse Reading Order
The Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone): 1. Shadow and Bone (2012) — Alina Starkov, an orphan soldier, discovers she is a Sun Summoner with the power to destroy the Fold, a swath of eternal darkness dividing Ravka. 2. Siege and Storm (2013) — Alina and Mal return to Ravka to face the Darkling's growing power. 3. Ruin and Rising (2014) — The trilogy's conclusion. The Six of Crows Duology: 4. Six of Crows (2015) — A heist novel set in a criminal underworld. Six morally grey characters break into the most fortified prison in the world. Standalone from the trilogy — many readers start here. 5. Crooked Kingdom (2016) — The heist's aftermath. Higher stakes, deeper characters. The King of Scars Duology: 6. King of Scars (2019) — Nikolai Lantsov must save Ravka while hiding a dark secret. 7. Rule of Wolves (2021) — The duology's conclusion.
Should I Start with Shadow and Bone or Six of Crows?
This is the biggest debate in the Grishaverse fandom. Six of Crows is widely considered the better, more sophisticated book — and it works as a standalone. Many readers who started with Shadow and Bone found the first trilogy slow by comparison. However: Six of Crows references events and characters from the Grisha Trilogy, and some revelations land harder if you know the trilogy's context. Recommended approach for first-timers: start with Shadow and Bone and power through to Six of Crows. Recommended for readers who bounced off Shadow and Bone: start with Six of Crows instead.
The Netflix Shadow and Bone Series
Netflix's Shadow and Bone series (2021–2023) adapts both the Grisha Trilogy and Six of Crows simultaneously, weaving the storylines together across its two seasons. The show is a solid entry point if you want to sample the world before committing to the books. However, the books go significantly deeper — particularly Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, which readers consistently rate higher than their TV counterparts.
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What Are the Novellas?
The Language of Thorns (2017) — A collection of six dark fairy tales from the Grishaverse world. Beautifully illustrated; can be read at any point. The Lives of Saints (2020) — Companion volume, illustrated. Stories of Ravka's saints. Neither is essential to the main plot, but both add richness to the world.
What to Read After the Grishaverse
After finishing the Grishaverse, try: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (same political depth and morally grey characters), The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (dark fae world and compelling villain-love-interest), A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (romantasy with similar intensity), and Babel by R.F. Kuang (darker academic fantasy with real-world political themes). If you loved the heist elements of Six of Crows specifically, try The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch.
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