Alison Croggon Books in Order

Where to Start with Alison Croggon

If you are new to Alison Croggon, the absolute best place to start is with The Gift (published in the US as The Naming), the first novel in her acclaimed epic fantasy series, The Books of Pellinor. This series represents her most famous and fully realized fantasy universe. For readers who prefer science fiction or dystopian settings, her co-authored Newport City duology starting with Fleshers is an excellent alternative starting point. Below, we break down how to read each series and her standalone works.

The Books of Pellinor Reading Order

Set in the mythical world of Edil-Amarandh, The Books of Pellinor is a lyrical, high-fantasy epic that draws heavy inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien and traditional Norse mythology. The series follows Maerad, a young slave who discovers she possesses a powerful gift and a destiny to save her land from an encroaching darkness. The series is presented as a translation of an ancient text, complete with scholarly footnotes and appendices that enrich the world's lore.

Option 1: Publication Order (Highly Recommended)

We strongly recommend reading the Pellinor series in publication order. This approach allows you to experience the world and characters as the author intended, gradually uncovering the mysteries of Edil-Amarandh and the complex past of the Mentor Bard, Cadvan, without spoilers.

1. The Gift / The Naming (2002) - The entry point of the series where Maerad is rescued by Cadvan.
2. The Riddle (2005) - Follows Maerad and Cadvan as they seek the answer to the mysterious Riddle of the Trees.
3. The Crow (2006) - Shifts perspective to Maerad's brother, Hem, as he trains in the southern city of Turbayo.
4. The Singing (2008) - The epic conclusion where the siblings reunite to face the Nameless One.
5. The Bone Queen (2016) - A prequel novel set 50 years prior to the events of the first book, focusing on Cadvan's youth.
6. The Friendship (Short Story / Book 0.6) - A prequel story detailing the early, rocky relationship between Cadvan and Saliman during their school days.

Option 2: Chronological Order

If you prefer a linear progression through history, you can read the prequels first. However, note that starting with The Bone Queen changes how you view Cadvan, as it reveals his past mistakes and secrets before you see him as a wise mentor figure in the main quartet.

1. The Bone Queen (2016)
2. The Friendship (Short Story)
3. The Gift / The Naming (2002)
4. The Riddle (2005)
5. The Crow (2006)
6. The Singing (2008)

The Parallel Nature of The Riddle and The Crow

An important detail for readers is that The Riddle (Book 2) and The Crow (Book 3) take place during the exact same chronological timeframe. While Maerad is traveling across the northern lands in The Riddle, her brother Hem is facing war in the south in The Crow. You should still read The Riddle first, as it sets up key details about the wider conflict, while The Crow provides a darker, more intimate look at the devastation of the war from Hem's point of view.

Newport City Series Reading Order

Co-written with playwright Daniel Keene, this YA dystopian science fiction series takes a sharp turn from Croggon's typical high-fantasy style. It is set in a grim, authoritarian city and features a protagonist named Dez, a "flesher" who serves as a biological quantum computer. This duology must be read in publication order:

1. Fleshers (2018)
2. Pinkers (2020)

Alison Croggon’s Standalone Novels

If you want a complete story in a single volume, Croggon has written several acclaimed standalone novels that showcase her versatility as a storyteller:

• Black Spring (2012) - A dark, gothic fantasy reimagining of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, set in a world ruled by vengeful wizards and blood feuds.
• The River and the Book (2015) - An environmental fable about a young girl named Simbala whose village's sacred book is stolen by colonizing forces. This book won the Wilderness Society’s Environmental Award for Children's Literature.
• The Threads of Magic (2020) - A middle-grade fantasy adventure set in a magical city of palaces and slums, following a young thief named Pip who steals a mysterious silver heart.

What to Know Before You Start

Alison Croggon’s writing style is deeply poetic, reflecting her background as an award-winning poet and playwright. Readers should expect rich prose, detailed descriptions, and a slower, more deliberate pace than typical modern YA fantasy. In the Books of Pellinor, she employs the "found manuscript" framing device. This means the books contain prologues, appendices, and translation notes written from the perspective of an editor translating ancient texts, adding a layer of historical realism to the fantasy world.