Books On Board
series Reading Order

Broken Earth Books in Order

3 Books
2015 – 2017 Published
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Reading order
01
The Fifth Season
The Fifth Season
2015
Amazon
02
The Obelisk Gate
The Obelisk Gate
2016
Amazon
03
The Stone Sky
The Stone Sky
2017
Amazon

The Recommended Reading Order

The best way to read the Broken Earth series is in its original publication order. The trilogy is a continuous, chronological story following the journey of Essun across a fractured continent. Skipping ahead or reading out of order will spoil major plot points and the deep structural mysteries of the world.

  1. The Fifth Season (2015)
  2. The Obelisk Gate (2016)
  3. The Stone Sky (2017)

Universe Tie-ins and Short Stories

While the main trilogy is complete, there is one notable tie-in for completionists who want to explore more of the Stillness:

  • Stone Hunger (2014) – This novelette is a proof-of-concept story set in the same world as the trilogy but features different characters. It was first published in Clarkesworld Magazine (Issue 94) and was later collected in N.K. Jemisin's short story anthology, How Long 'til Black Future Month? (2018). While it shares concepts like orogeny, it is not required reading for the main trilogy and can be read at any point.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Broken Earth series?

You should start with the first novel, The Fifth Season. The trilogy is a continuous story, so reading them in order is essential.

QAre there any spin-offs or sequels to the Broken Earth trilogy?

No. The main trilogy is complete with The Stone Sky. The only other work set in this universe is the standalone novelette, Stone Hunger.

QDo I need to read 'Stone Hunger' to understand the trilogy?

No, Stone Hunger is a standalone proof-of-concept story. It shares the same setting and world-building elements but follows different characters and is not necessary to understand the main trilogy.

QIs there a specific chronological order for the trilogy?

The publication order matches the main narrative's chronological progression, though the books employ flashbacks and complex storytelling framing. You should read them in publication order.

QWhat makes the narrative style of the series unique?

The series is famous for its use of a second-person narrative voice ('you') for certain perspectives, which pulls readers directly into the intense personal struggles of the protagonist.

QHas the Broken Earth series won any awards?

Yes, the series made history when all three books—The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, and The Stone Sky—each won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel in consecutive years (2016, 2017, and 2018).