S

Stephen R. Donaldson

Bestselling Author • 12 Series • 43 Books

12
Series
43
Books
12
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books
Start with: Lord Foul's Bane (1977)
Popular Choice
Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books
Start with: Lord Foul's Bane (1977)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of The Second Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Books
Start with: The Wounded Land (1980)

About Stephen R. Donaldson

Stephen Reeder Donaldson was born on May 13, 1947 in Cleveland Ohio in the United States. He spent part of his youth in India, where he attended the Kodaikanal International School. He earned his Bachelor degree from The College of Wooster and then went to Kent State University and was a graduate student there during the Kent State shooting on May 4, 1970. Donaldson was not on campus during the shooting but his apartment was one and a half blocks away and was forced to live under martial law for 3 days afterwards. He still finds the memory painful and doesn’t like to discuss the incident. Stephen R Donaldson is an American science fiction, fantasy, and mystery novelist. He is most famous for the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, his 10 novel fantasy series. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series, Stephen R. Donaldson has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Stephen R. Donaldson

Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books
4 books 1977–1981
1

Lord Foul's Bane

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books with Lord Foul's Bane, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1977
2

The Illearth War

Conflict and courage define The Illearth War, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series by Stephen R. Donaldson that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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1977
3

The Power That Preserves

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books with The Power That Preserves, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1977
4

Gilden-Fire

Gilden-Fire is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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1981
Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books
4 books 1977–1977
1

Lord Foul's Bane

Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books with Lord Foul's Bane, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

Buy on Amazon
1977
2

The Illearth War

Conflict and courage define The Illearth War, an action-packed entry in the Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series by Stephen R. Donaldson that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

Buy on Amazon
1977
3

Gilden-Fire

Gilden-Fire is an essential installment in the Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1981
4

The Power That Preserves

Readers dive deeper into the world of Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books with The Power That Preserves, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1977
Publication Order of The Second Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Books
3 books 1980–1983
1

The Wounded Land

The Wounded Land is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Second Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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1980
2

The One Tree

The One Tree continues the Publication Order of The Second Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Books story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1982
3

White Gold Wielder

White Gold Wielder is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Second Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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1983
Publication Order of Last Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books
4 books 2004–2013
1

The Runes of the Earth

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Last Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books with The Runes of the Earth, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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2004
2

Fatal Revenant

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Last Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books with Fatal Revenant, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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2007
3

Against All Things Ending

Against All Things Ending continues the Publication Order of Last Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
4

The Last Dark

The Last Dark is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Last Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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2013
Publication Order of Gap Books
5 books 1990–1996
1

The Gap into Conflict: The Real Story

The Gap into Conflict: The Real Story is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Gap Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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1990
2

The Forbidden Knowledge: The Gap Into Vision

The Forbidden Knowledge: The Gap Into Vision continues the Publication Order of Gap Books story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
3

The Dark and Hungry God arises: The Gap Into Power

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Gap Books with The Dark and Hungry God arises: The Gap Into Power, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1992
4

The Chaos and Order: The Gap Into Madness

The Chaos and Order: The Gap Into Madness continues the Publication Order of Gap Books story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1994
5

The Gap Into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die

The Gap Into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die continues the Publication Order of Gap Books story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
Publication Order of The Great God's War Books
4 books 2017–2022
1

Seventh Decimate

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Great God's War Books with Seventh Decimate, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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2017
2

The War Within

Conflict and courage define The War Within, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of The Great God's War Books series by Stephen R. Donaldson that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2019
3

The Last Repository / The Killing God

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Last Repository / The Killing God as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of The Great God's War Books series showcases Stephen R. Donaldson's mastery of suspense.

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2021
4

The Killing God

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Killing God as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of The Great God's War Books series showcases Stephen R. Donaldson's mastery of suspense.

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2022
Publication Order of The Man Who Books
4 books 1980–2001
1

The Man Who Killed His Brother

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Man Who Killed His Brother as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of The Man Who Books series showcases Stephen R. Donaldson's mastery of suspense.

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1980
2

The Man Who Risked His Partner

The Man Who Risked His Partner continues the Publication Order of The Man Who Books story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1980
3

The Man Who Tried to Get Away

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Man Who Books with The Man Who Tried to Get Away, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1990
4

The Man Who Fought Alone

The Man Who Fought Alone is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Man Who Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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2001
Publication Order of Mordant's Need Books
2 books 1986–1987
1

The Mirror of Her Dreams

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Mordant's Need Books with The Mirror of Her Dreams, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1986
2

A Man Rides Through

A Man Rides Through is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Mordant's Need Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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1987
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
1 books 1978–1978
1

The Lady in White

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with The Lady in White, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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1978
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
4 books 1984–2015
1

Daughter of Regals & Other Tales

Daughter of Regals & Other Tales continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1984
2

Reave the Just and Other Tales

Reave the Just and Other Tales continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1998
3

The Best of Stephen R. Donaldson

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with The Best of Stephen R. Donaldson, another outstanding contribution from Stephen R. Donaldson.

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2011
4

The King's Justice

The King's Justice continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015
Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Omnibus Books
1 books 1983–1983
1

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: Three Volume Boxed Set

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever: Three Volume Boxed Set is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Omnibus Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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1983
Publication Order of Anthologies
7 books 1978–2009
1

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, February 1978

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, February 1978 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1978
2

Berserker Base

Berserker Base continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1985
3

I Shudder at Your Touch: Twenty Two Tales of Sex and Horror

I Shudder at Your Touch: Twenty Two Tales of Sex and Horror continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
4

After the King

After the King continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1991
5

Strange Dreams

Strange Dreams continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1993
6

The Book of Kings

The Book of Kings continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Stephen R. Donaldson's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
7

Last Drink Bird Head

Last Drink Bird Head is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have come to expect.

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2009

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Stephen R. Donaldson?

Stephen R. Donaldson is a bestselling author known for 12 book series containing over 43 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books, Chronological Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books, Publication Order of The Second Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Stephen R. Donaldson series to start with?

For readers new to Stephen R. Donaldson's work, the Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 4 books. Begin with Lord Foul's Bane to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Stephen R. Donaldson written?

Stephen R. Donaldson has written over 43 books across 12 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Stephen R. Donaldson books in order?

Yes, reading Stephen R. Donaldson's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Stephen R. Donaldson write in?

Stephen R. Donaldson writes primarily in fiction. With 12 series across 43 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Stephen R. Donaldson's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Stephen R. Donaldson's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Stephen R. Donaldson's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Stephen R. Donaldson's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant Books series. The first book, Lord Foul's Bane, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.