Where to Start Reading Andrey Vasilyev
For anyone new to Andrey Vasilyev's work, there is one definitive place to begin: More Than a Game, the first book in his massive Fayroll series. This book introduces readers to his signature style, blending cyberpunk, virtual reality gaming, and classic fantasy with a sharp, self-ironic sense of humor.
Because Vasilyev’s series are set in entirely separate fictional universes, you do not need to worry about overarching crossovers. You can choose to read his primary LitRPG series first, or opt for his traditional magic academy fantasy, The Raven Disciples, depending on your preferred subgenre.
The Fayroll Series
The Fayroll saga is Vasilyev's most famous and celebrated work. It follows Harriton Nikiforov, an cynical, everyday journalist who is assigned by his editor to write a series of promotional articles about Fayroll, a highly anticipated, state-of-the-art virtual reality MMORPG. Harriton creates a character named "Hagen the Warrior" to explore the game's mechanics, only to inadvertently trigger unique, world-altering hidden quests. As Hagen ascends the game's ranks, the boundaries between the virtual world and real-world corporate conspiracies begin to blur, putting Harriton's actual life at risk.
Official English Reading Order for Fayroll
The translated series must be read in publication and numerical order, as the overarching plot carries over continuously from one book to the next. Here is the list of translated volumes:
- More Than a Game (2017) – Harriton enters Fayroll as Hagen the Warrior and begins his accidental rise to fame.
- The Road East (2017) – Hagen is sent on a high-stakes guild quest while real-world office politics intensify.
- Winds of Fate (2017) – The virtual and real worlds start colliding as global forces take notice of Hagen.
- Gong and Chalice (2017) – Hagen faces complex political maneuvers inside Fayroll's factions.
- Sicilian Defense (2017) – The game's mechanics require Hagen to make high-stakes tactical sacrifices.
- Under the Black Flag (2017) – A nautical turn where Hagen explores pirate waters and naval conflicts.
- Different Sides (2018) – Real-world threats loom larger as Hagen seeks to secure his virtual gains.
- The Crown and the Key (2018) – Deep quests unlock secrets behind Fayroll's foundational lore.
- Word and Steel (2018) – Massive battles and direct physical confrontations define this action-packed volume.
- The Right to Choose (2018) – Hagen faces critical choices that will dictate the ultimate fate of the virtual world.
- The Blades of the Borderlands (2018) – The final translated book where Hagen fights to protect the borders of his virtual territory.
The Translation Warning: What English Readers Need to Know
While the Fayroll series is a sprawling epic that spans over 15 to 20 volumes in the original Russian language, the official English translations ceased after Book 11, The Blades of the Borderlands. The translations, masterfully handled by Jared Firth to retain Vasilyev's dry humor and Russian cultural flavor, stalled in late 2018. Readers should go in knowing that the English run does not reach the true conclusion of the Russian series, though the translated books still offer a satisfying, long-form journey through one of LitRPG's foundational universes.
The Raven Disciples Series
For readers who want a change of pace from gaming interfaces, stat sheets, and virtual realities, Vasilyev wrote The Raven Disciples. This series shifts focus to traditional, low-tech fantasy, specifically centering on a classic magical academy setting.
The story follows Chris the Tout, a clever street thief who is captured and forced by a wizard to assume the identity of Erast von Rut, the third son of a minor baron. Sent to the remote and mysterious Raven's Castle to study magic under false pretenses, Chris must use his street smarts to survive cutthroat noble classmates, dangerous magical anomalies, and the constant threat of his cover being blown.
Official Reading Order for The Raven Disciples
In English, only the first book of this series has been translated and published:
- Raven's Castle (2020) – Chris begins his forced magical education under the guise of Baron Erast von Rut.
Much like Fayroll, the Russian version of this series contains multiple books (completing the story arc in 7 volumes), but English readers currently only have access to the debut novel.
What to Know Before You Start
Andrey Vasilyev’s books are highly praised in the LitRPG community for their focus on character relationships and real-world stakes. Unlike standard LitRPG stories where the protagonist is entirely trapped inside a game or forgets their real life, the Fayroll series splits its time between virtual fantasy battles and the gritty reality of Harriton’s journalistic career, complete with corporate espionage, relationships, and Moscow office drama.
Because the translation status of his works remains incomplete, reading Vasilyev requires a bit of patience. If you decide to read, start with More Than a Game, enjoy the eleven-book journey of Hagen the Warrior, and then pick up Raven's Castle for a quick, entertaining look at how Vasilyev handles a classic wizarding school setup.