The Recommended Reading Order
Unlike some fantasy series that allow for flexible entry points or chronological shifts, The Power of Five (known in the United States as The Gatekeepers) follows a strict, linear narrative. Anthony Horowitz designed the series as a single, continuous epic where the actions, character development, and stakes build progressively towards a global showdown. Reading the books out of order is not recommended, as the grand finale, Oblivion, brings all the separate character arcs and global threads together.
The Main Series in Order
- Raven's Gate (2005): The adventure begins with Matthew "Matt" Freeman, a troubled London teenager sent to a remote Yorkshire village under a rehabilitation program. Matt soon discovers the village is home to a dark coven seeking to unlock the gate and release the "Old Ones"—ancient, monstrous entities who once ruled the Earth. Matt learns he is the first of five Gatekeepers destined to stop them.
- Evil Star (2006): Following his ordeal in Yorkshire, Matt is sent to Peru, where a second gate is located. In the shadow of the Andes, he meets Pedro, the second Gatekeeper, who possesses supernatural healing abilities. Together, they face corporate conspiracies and ancient curses in an effort to prevent the gate at Nazca from opening.
- Nightrise (2007): The focus shifts to Nevada, introducing twin brothers Jamie and Scott Tyler. The Native American twins possess powerful telepathic abilities and are kidnapped by the sinister Nightrise Corporation, which is working to usher in the return of the Old Ones. This book weaves between the present day and a prehistoric battle fought 10,000 years ago.
- Necropolis (2008): The setting shifts to Hong Kong, where the fifth Gatekeeper, Scarlett Adams, is lured into a trap. As Hong Kong is transformed into a literal "City of the Dead" controlled by the Old Ones, the remaining Gatekeepers must gather and mount a rescue mission against overwhelming occult forces.
- Oblivion (2012): The massive final book of the series takes place in a dystopian future where the Old Ones have successfully conquered the Earth. The Gatekeepers have been scattered across the globe: Antarctica, Dubai, Brazil, Italy, and London. They must find a way to cross the ruined planet and unite in Antarctica for the final battle to banish the Old Ones forever.
The Graphic Novel Adaptations
For readers who appreciate visual storytelling, the first three novels of the series have been adapted into graphic novels. Adapted by Tony Lee, these editions feature grittier, fast-paced artwork that highlights the dark horror elements of the books. They should be read in the exact same order as the main series:
- Raven's Gate: The Graphic Novel (2010)
- Evil Star: The Graphic Novel (2014)
- Nightrise: The Graphic Novel (2014)
Note that no graphic novel adaptations were produced for the final two books, Necropolis and Oblivion. To finish the story, you will need to switch back to the standard prose novels.
The Predecessor: The Pentagram Series
Before launching The Power of Five, Anthony Horowitz wrote a very similar series in the 1980s called the Pentagram series. The project was left unfinished when the publisher went out of business, leaving the planned five-book saga incomplete at four books. Decades later, Horowitz used these books as a blueprint, heavily rewriting and modernizing them to create The Power of Five. Completionists and collectors may want to seek out these original editions, though they represent an older, unfinished continuity:
- The Devil's Door-Bell (1983): The original version of Raven's Gate, featuring Martin Hopkins.
- The Night of the Scorpion (1985): The original counterpart to Evil Star, set in Peru.
- The Silver Citadel (1986): Set in Nevada, precursor to the events of Nightrise.
- Day of the Dragon (1989): Set in Beijing, precursor to the events of Necropolis.
What to Know Before You Start
To get the most out of your reading experience, here are a few practical insights:
- US vs. UK Titles: In the UK, the series is published as The Power of Five. In the US, it is published as The Gatekeepers. The text and individual book titles are identical, so you do not need to worry about content differences.
- A Darker Tone: Unlike Horowitz’s lighter, high-octane Alex Rider spy novels, this series leans heavily into occult horror, dark rituals, and dystopian despair. The stakes are truly apocalyptic.
- Are They Standalones? No, these books are strictly sequential. Reading them out of order will result in missing critical character introductions, mythology, and the overarching plot development that culminates in Oblivion.