T

Tad Williams

Bestselling Author • 10 Series • 52 Books

10
Series
52
Books
10
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books
Start with: The Heart of What Was Lost (2017)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books
Start with: The Dirty Streets of Heaven (2012)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books
Start with: The Dragonbone Chair (1988)

About Tad Williams

Tad Williams is an American writer born on March 14 1957 in San Jose, California. He an international bestselling science and fantasy fiction author of the multivolume Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series, Shadow March series, Other land series and the standalone novels The War of Flowers, Tailchaser’s Song, Caliban’s Hour and Child of the Ancient City. His short fiction and science essays have been published in several anthologies Cumulatively, more than 17 million copies of Tad Williams’ works have already been sold. Writing long stories was one of the early hallmarks for Tad Williams. His works in comics includes the 6 issue mini-series for the DC Comics known as The Next. Williams also wrote Aquaman. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books series, Tad Williams 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 Tad Williams

Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books
6 books 2017–2024
1

The Heart of What Was Lost

The Heart of What Was Lost explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books series by Tad Williams.

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2017
2

The Witchwood Crown

Magic takes center stage in The Witchwood Crown, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books series that expands the enchanting world created by Tad Williams.

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2017
3

Empire of Grass

Empire of Grass continues the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2018
4

Brothers of the Wind

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books with Brothers of the Wind, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2021
5

Into the Narrowdark

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books with Into the Narrowdark, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2022
6

The Navigator's Children

The Navigator's Children is an essential installment in the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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2024
Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books
4 books 2012–2014
1

The Dirty Streets of Heaven

The Dirty Streets of Heaven continues the Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2012
2

Happy Hour in Hell

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books with Happy Hour in Hell, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2013
3

Sleeping Late on Judgement Day

Sleeping Late on Judgement Day is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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2014
4

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlepig

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books with God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlepig, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2014
Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books
4 books 1988–1993
1

The Dragonbone Chair

Epic adventure awaits in The Dragonbone Chair, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books series that raises the stakes across the realm Tad Williams has built.

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1988
2

Stone of Farewell

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books with Stone of Farewell, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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1990
3

To Green Angel Tower

To Green Angel Tower continues the Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1993
4

To Green Angel Tower, Part 2

To Green Angel Tower, Part 2 continues the Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1993
Publication Order of Ordinary Farm Adventures Books
2 books 2009–2011
1

The Dragons of Ordinary Farm

Epic adventure awaits in The Dragons of Ordinary Farm, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Ordinary Farm Adventures Books series that raises the stakes across the realm Tad Williams has built.

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2009
2

The Secrets of Ordinary Farm

The Secrets of Ordinary Farm continues the Publication Order of Ordinary Farm Adventures Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
Publication Order of Otherland Books
4 books 1996–2001
1

City of Golden Shadow

City of Golden Shadow continues the Publication Order of Otherland Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1996
2

River of Blue Fire

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Otherland Books with River of Blue Fire, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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1998
3

Mountain of Black Glass

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Otherland Books with Mountain of Black Glass, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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1999
4

Sea of Silver Light

Sea of Silver Light is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Otherland Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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2001
Publication Order of Shadowmarch Books
4 books 2004–2010
1

Shadowmarch

Shadowmarch continues the Publication Order of Shadowmarch Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2004
2

Shadowplay

Shadowplay continues the Publication Order of Shadowmarch Books story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2007
3

Shadowrise

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Shadowmarch Books with Shadowrise, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2010
4

Shadowheart

Shadowheart explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Shadowmarch Books series by Tad Williams.

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2010
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
6 books 1985–2012
1

Tailchaser's Song

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Tailchaser's Song, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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1985
2

Child of an Ancient City

Child of an Ancient City is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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1992
3

Caliban's Hour

Caliban's Hour is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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1994
4

Tad Williams' Mirror World

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Tad Williams' Mirror World, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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1998
5

The War of the Flowers

Conflict and courage define The War of the Flowers, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Tad Williams that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2003
6

Diary of a Dragon

Epic adventure awaits in Diary of a Dragon, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series that raises the stakes across the realm Tad Williams has built.

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2012
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
3 books 2006–2014
1

Rite: Short Work

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with Rite: Short Work, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2006
2

A Stark and Wormy Knight

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with A Stark and Wormy Knight, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2011
3

The Very Best of Tad Williams

The Very Best of Tad Williams continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2014
Publication Order of Oz Reimagined Books
1 books 2013–2013
1

The Boy Detective of Oz

The investigation intensifies in The Boy Detective of Oz, as this installment of the Publication Order of Oz Reimagined Books series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Tad Williams's creation.

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2013
Publication Order of Anthologies
18 books 1988–2019
1

Weird Tales #292: Fall 1988

Weird Tales #292: Fall 1988 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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1988
2

Weird Tales #296: Spring 1990

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Weird Tales #296: Spring 1990, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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1990
3

The Anthology of Fantasy and the Supernatural

The Anthology of Fantasy and the Supernatural is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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1994
4

Immortal Unicorn

Immortal Unicorn continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
5

DAW 30th Anniversary Science Fiction

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with DAW 30th Anniversary Science Fiction, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2002
6

DAW 30th Anniversary Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthologies

DAW 30th Anniversary Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthologies is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Tad Williams have come to expect.

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2002
7

Stars: Original Stories Based on the Songs of Janis Ian

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Stars: Original Stories Based on the Songs of Janis Ian, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2003
8

The Wood Boy / The Burning Man

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Wood Boy / The Burning Man, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2005
9

Songs of the Dying Earth: Stories in Honour of Jack Vance

Songs of the Dying Earth: Stories in Honour of Jack Vance continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
10

Twilight Zone: 19 Original Stories on the 50th Anniversary

Twilight Zone: 19 Original Stories on the 50th Anniversary continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
11

Warriors 1

Conflict and courage define Warriors 1, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Tad Williams that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2010
12

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Eighth Annual Collection

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Eighth Annual Collection, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2011
13

The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities

The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
14

Lightspeed Magazine, December 2012

Lightspeed Magazine, December 2012 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2012
15

Oz Reimagined

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Oz Reimagined, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2013
16

Multiverse

Multiverse continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Tad Williams's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2014
17

Dead Man's Hand

A gripping mystery unfolds in Dead Man's Hand as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Tad Williams's mastery of suspense.

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2014
18

Unfettered III: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Unfettered III: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy, another outstanding contribution from Tad Williams.

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2019

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Tad Williams?

Tad Williams is a bestselling author known for 10 book series containing over 52 books. Popular series include Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books, Publication Order of Bobby Dollar Books, Publication Order of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Tad Williams series to start with?

For readers new to Tad Williams's work, the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 6 books. Begin with The Heart of What Was Lost to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Tad Williams written?

Tad Williams has written over 52 books across 10 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Tad Williams books in order?

Yes, reading Tad Williams'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 Tad Williams write in?

Tad Williams writes primarily in fiction. With 10 series across 52 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Tad Williams's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Tad Williams'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 Tad Williams's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Tad Williams's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of The Last King of Osten Ard Books series. The first book, The Heart of What Was Lost, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.