Reading order
Old Kingdom reading order
1
2
3- 3 volumes
- Volumes
- 1995–2003
- Published
- about 24 h
- Reading time
- Completed
- Status
- Fantasy#38
- Genre
Quick answer
Publication order
3 volumes1995–2003Completed
- Sabriel stands on its own; Lirael and Abhorsen are one story split in two, so read them back to back.
- Each book rates a little higher than the one before.
- The later Clariel (a prequel), Goldenhand and Terciel & Elinor are extras for readers who want more.
A plan for the whole series
3 volumes, 1,300 pages, about 24 hours. At 45 min a day that is about 5 weeks.
Share of volume 1’s readers who reach the last volume. Chance of reaching the last volume: high
Stages
2 stages, with 1 short book from outside the series between them. You finish around December 4, 2026, 4 days later than in one go.
- Stage 117 habout 3 weeksby November 20, 2026
- Short breakThe Fire Next Time · James Baldwin · 120 pp. · score 8.8
- Stage 27 h10 daysby December 4, 2026
- The end of the series
We count 1.1 min per page, the pace of an average novel reader. Faster? Move the slider.
Does the series hold up
Shape of the series: even. Volume scores differ by at most 0.2 points. You get the same level from the first page to the last.
Best volume: Abhorsen (8.4, 416 ratings). Weakest: Sabriel (8.2). The series is complete; you can read it start to finish with no waiting. The last volume (8.4) scores close to the series average or above it.
How this plan is calculated
The plan comes from the pages and ratings of each volume: we split the series into stages of about three weeks’ reading, size each break to the stage before it, and read the chance of finishing from how many readers rate the last volume compared with the first. How we work out the plan →
Every volume in order
Order checked by hand · Order and years: Wikidata (CC0). Spotted an error? Tell us. · Data updated October 29, 2026
Old Kingdom books ranked, best to worst
Top Fantasy series →Extras, short stories and spin-offs
Not needed to follow the main story — read them after the series or skip them.
- Across the Wall2005
- Goldenhand2016
Frequently asked questions
Which Old Kingdom book is the best?
By reader score, Abhorsen (8.4/10). The lowest-rated is Sabriel (8.2/10).
Which Old Kingdom book is the longest?
“Lirael” is the longest at 552 pages; the shortest is “Sabriel” with 352 pages.
What should I read after Old Kingdom?
After the main series: Across the Wall, Goldenhand.
