How to Read the Witch & Wizard Series
The core storyline of Witch & Wizard is highly linear, following the siblings Whit and Wisty Allgood as they grow from ordinary teenagers into the leaders of a magical resistance movement. Because the plot builds continuously from one book to the next, the recommended starting point and primary path is the original publication order.
However, the series also features spin-off graphic novels and a manga adaptation. To help you navigate the entire universe, we have laid out the complete reading guide below, including where the illustrated works fit into the timeline.
1. The Main Novel Series in Publication Order
These five novels comprise the main narrative arc. Written by James Patterson along with various co-authors, they should be read sequentially:
- Witch & Wizard (2009) – Co-authored with Gabrielle Charbonnet. Wisty and Whit Allgood are torn from their home in the middle of the night, accused of possessing illegal magical abilities, and imprisoned by the oppressive government known as the New Order. Here, they begin to discover their true powers.
- The Gift (2010) – Co-authored with Ned Rust. The siblings have escaped the New Order's prison, but they are now on the run. They must learn to control their growing magical abilities (or 'gifts') to survive and protect other outlawed children.
- The Fire (2011) – Co-authored with Jill Dembowski. Whit and Wisty face execution as they stand trial before the supreme leader of the New Order, The One Who Is The One. They must harness their magic to ignite a full-scale revolution.
- The Kiss (2013) – Co-authored with Jill Dembowski. With the totalitarian regime weakened, a new threat arises. Wisty finds herself dealing with a complicated romantic dilemma while the siblings struggle to keep their coalition from tearing itself apart.
- The Lost (2014) – Co-authored with Emily Raymond. In the final installment, Wisty and Whit must face their final trials as the city itself begins to turn against magic, bringing their journey to a high-stakes conclusion.
2. The Graphic Novels (Original Side Stories)
If you want to dive deeper into the world, IDW Publishing released two graphic novels written by Dara Naraghi and illustrated by Victor Santos. These are not adaptations of the books, but rather standalone adventures featuring Wisty and Whit. Both graphic novels take place chronologically between the events of the first novel, Witch & Wizard, and the second novel, The Gift:
- Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland (2010) – Follows the siblings as they navigate the dangerous, dreamlike realm of the Shadowland.
- Witch & Wizard: Operation Zero (2011) – Follows Wisty and Whit as they attempt to dismantle the New Order's brainwashing facilities with the help of an unexpected insider.
3. The Manga Adaptation
Published by Yen Press and illustrated by the acclaimed artist Svetlana Chmakova, the manga series is a visual retelling of the early novels. If you prefer a visual medium or want to experience the story in a new format, you can read these alongside or instead of the first few novels:
- Witch & Wizard: The Manga, Vol. 1 (2011)
- Witch & Wizard: The Manga, Vol. 2 (2012)
- Witch & Wizard: The Manga, Vol. 3 (2013)
What to Know Before You Start
James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard is set in a bleak dystopian future where the totalitarian government, the New Order, has banned all forms of art, music, writing, and magic. The series is known for its fast-paced chapters, action-oriented plot, and dual perspective storytelling alternating between Whit and Wisty. While the magic system is relatively soft compared to epic high fantasy, the emotional core of the series relies on the strong sibling bond and their shared fight for freedom. It is an ideal pick for younger young adult readers who enjoy high-octane rebellion stories like Maximum Ride.