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Brak the Barbarian Books in Order

5 Books
1968 – 1985 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Brak the Barbarian

The most straightforward way to enjoy John Jakes’ classic sword-and-sorcery series is by following the book publication order. Although the saga consists of both interconnected novel-length adventures and compiled short stories, reading the books in the order they were released allows you to experience Brak’s trek southward as it was presented to readers in the 1960s and 1970s.

Brak the Barbarian Books in Publication Order

  • Brak the Barbarian (1968) – A fix-up novel collecting core early adventures.
  • Brak vs. The Sorceress / Witch of the Four Winds (1969) – Brak faces off against his recurring nemesis, the sorceress Ariane.
  • Brak vs. the Mark of the Demons (1969) – Brak must navigate the treacherous Logol desert and aid twins in reclaiming their throne.
  • When the Idols Walked (1978) – A full-length novel pitting Brak against supernatural threats blocking his way to Khurdisan.
  • The Fortunes of Brak (1980 / 1985) – The final collection compiling remaining standalone short stories.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

While reading by publication order is recommended, the internal chronology of the stories is slightly different. John Jakes wrote Brak stories for magazines starting in 1963, but these were not collected in the order they were written. Most notably, the first-ever published Brak story, Devils in the Walls (1963), was not compiled into a book until the final volume, The Fortunes of Brak. However, Jakes structured the first novel, Brak the Barbarian (1968), to serve as the narrative starting point, establishing Brak’s exile from the northern realm of Nurn and the beginning of his quest for the golden south.

The Core of the Saga: Brak's Quest

Created by John Jakes as a direct homage to Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian, Brak has his own unique appeal. He is a warrior of immense strength, distinguished by his blonde braid and lion-pelt loincloth, but he is also remarkably human. Brak frequently experiences genuine fear of the supernatural, relies on improvisation and sheer luck to survive, and is driven by a singular, simple goal: to reach the warm, civilized paradise of Khurdisan the Golden.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading Brak the Barbarian?

You should start with the first book, Brak the Barbarian (1968), which introduces Brak's exile from Nurn and begins his journey southward.

QWhat is Brak's goal in the series?

Exiled from his cold northern homeland of Nurn, Brak is driven by the desire to reach the fabled, warm southern city of Khurdisan the Golden.

QHow many books are in the Brak the Barbarian series?

The core series consists of five books: three fix-up novels/collections, one standalone novel, and one final short story collection.

QAre the books novels or short story collections?

Most of the books are 'fix-up' novels or collections of linked stories originally published in fantasy magazines, though When the Idols Walked is a traditional novel.

QWho wrote the Brak the Barbarian series?

The series was written by John Jakes, who later became famous for historical fiction series such as the Kent Family Chronicles and the North and South trilogy.

QWhat is the alternative title for the second book?

The second book, Brak vs. The Sorceress, is also widely known and published under the title Witch of the Four Winds.