Chris Colfer Books in Order

Where to Start with Chris Colfer's Books

For most readers, the absolute best place to start is with The Wishing Spell, the first book in The Land of Stories series. This is the series that launched Chris Colfer's career as a bestselling author and introduces the core rules, magic, and mythology of his fairy-tale universe. Starting here allows you to discover the world alongside the twins, Alex and Conner Bailey, exactly as the author intended.

While Colfer has since written a prequel trilogy (the A Tale of Magic... series) and several companion books, beginning with the original publication order is highly recommended to avoid major spoilers and appreciate the evolution of the world-building.

The Land of Stories (Main Series)

This six-book middle-grade fantasy series is the cornerstone of Colfer's work. The story follows twins Alex and Conner Bailey who, after receiving a cherished book of fairy tales from their grandmother, find themselves physically transported into a world where classic fairy tales are real—and much more complicated than they seem. The main series should be read in order of release:

• The Wishing Spell (2012) – The twins fall into the Land of Stories and must collect items for the Wishing Spell to return home.
• The Enchantress Returns (2013) – The twins return to the magical world to rescue their mother from the evil Enchantress who cursed Sleeping Beauty.
• A Grimm Warning (2014) – Conner goes on a mission to Europe to decode secrets from the Brothers Grimm while Alex trains to become the next Fairy Godmother.
• Beyond the Kingdoms (2015) – The twins pursue the mysterious Masked Man through various fairy-tale worlds, including Oz, Neverland, and Wonderland.
• An Author's Odyssey (2016) – To fight the Masked Man's army of villains, Conner enters his own short stories to recruit characters he created.
• Worlds Collide (2017) – The ultimate finale where the boundaries between the real world and the Land of Stories dissolve, leading to an epic battle in New York City.

A Tale of Magic... (Prequel Series)

Set in the same universe but centuries before the events of The Land of Stories, this trilogy explores a time when magic was outlawed and feared. The story centers on Brystal Evergreen, a young woman who discovers she has magical abilities and fights to open an academy for fairies. The books should be read in this order:

• A Tale of Magic... (2019)
• A Tale of Witchcraft... (2020)
• A Tale of Sorcery... (2021)

Although it is a prequel, reading it after the main series is recommended. The prequels reference historical lore, historical figures, and magical concepts that carry much more weight once you are familiar with the original books.

Chronological vs. Publication Order

Because the prequel trilogy is set in the same world, readers often debate whether to tackle the universe chronologically or by publication date.

The Chronological Order

1. A Tale of Magic... (2019)
2. A Tale of Witchcraft... (2020)
3. A Tale of Sorcery... (2021)
4. The Wishing Spell (2012)
5. The Enchantress Returns (2013)
6. A Grimm Warning (2014)
7. Beyond the Kingdoms (2015)
8. An Author's Odyssey (2016)
9. Worlds Collide (2017)

Pros: You get to see the history of magic unfold in linear time, seeing how the rules of the world were established and how historical figures from the main series lived their early days.

Cons: The prequel trilogy assumes a level of familiarity with the magic system and includes world-building elements that act as nods to the original series. Furthermore, reading the prequels first can spoil some of the mysteries surrounding the history of magic and key legendary characters that are gradually unveiled in the main series.

The Verdict

Stick to Publication Order. The magic of entering the portal in The Wishing Spell alongside two ordinary modern-day kids is the perfect introduction. Save the prequels for when you are craving more depth and history about the world.

Companion Books, Spin-offs, and Extras

Colfer has expanded the world of The Land of Stories with multiple companion volumes, picture books, and even a graphic novel. Here is how they fit into your reading schedule:

Adventures from the Land of Stories

These short companion books offer fun, in-universe historical tidbits and are best read anytime after Book 3 (A Grimm Warning) or after completing the main series:

• Queen Red Riding Hood's Guide to Royalty (2015)
• The Mother Goose Diaries (2015)

Picture Books

Intended for younger readers, these illustrated stories expand on specific folk tales and characters from the series:

• The Curvy Tree (2015) – A tale about a tree that grows differently, focusing on self-acceptance.
• Trollbella Throws a Party (2017) – A story about the queen of the trolls learning what makes a good ruler and friend.

Graphic Novels

• Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive (2021) – This graphic novel serves as a prequel to the main series, detailing the origin story of how Goldilocks became an outlaw. It can be read before The Wishing Spell or as a companion after finishing the series.

Reference Guides

• The Ultimate Book Hugger's Guide (2018) – An encyclopedia of characters, locations, and lore. Read this only after finishing the main series, as it contains complete spoilers for all six books.

Roswell Johnson Saves the World (Sci-Fi Series)

Moving away from fairy-tale fantasy, Colfer launched a sci-fi comedy series following Roswell Johnson, an ordinary boy who gets accidentally abducted by aliens and must save Earth alongside a crew of bizarre extraterrestrials. Read them in order:

1. Roswell Johnson Saves the World! (2024)
2. Roswell Johnson Saves the Galaxy! (2025)

Standalone Novels & Future Projects

If you want a break from multi-book series, Colfer has written two standalone novels:

• Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal (2012) – A sarcastic, witty YA novel written as a high schooler's journal, which Colfer also adapted into an indie film.
• Stranger Than Fanfiction (2017) – A YA novel following a famous television star who goes on a cross-country road trip with four of his biggest fans, exploring fame, friendship, and identity.

Looking ahead, Colfer has announced a major shift in genre with his first adult fiction novel scheduled for release in summer 2027. Described by the author as a "smutty, creepy, and gay" thriller, the upcoming book departs from his typical family-friendly fantasy and YA stories.