Catherynne M. Valente Reading Order
16 series · 193 books · Born 1979-05-05
Catherynne M. Valente is an acclaimed speculative fiction author known for blending lyrical prose with imaginative world-building across fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Her work spans from literary fantasy epics like the Dirge for Prester John series to contributions in numerous anthologies and edited collections, demonstrating her versatility across multiple genres and formats. With nearly two hundred books published since 2001, Valente has established herself as a prolific voice in speculative fiction who seamlessly moves between adult and young adult audiences while consistently pushing the boundaries of narrative form.
A Dirge for Prester John Series
Complete2 books (2010–2011)
Start with The Habitation of the Blessed and read in order.
Start this series with The Habitation of the Blessed
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleAnthologies Series
Likely Complete73 books (2001–2022)
Start with Tails of Wonder and Imagination, the first of 70 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Tails of Wonder and Imagination
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Best Horror of the Year Series
Ongoing19 books (2009–2026)
Start with The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One, the first of 18 books in the Best Horror of the Year series.
Start this series with The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One
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Children's Series
Likely Complete3 books (2010–2022)
Start with Smoky and the Feast of Mabon and read in order.
Start this series with Smoky and the Feast of Mabon
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Clockwork Phoenix Series
Complete5 books (2008–2016)
Start with Clockwork Phoenix, the first of 5 books in the Clockwork Phoenix series.
Start this series with Clockwork Phoenix
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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| 3 |  Clockwork Phoenix 3: New Tales of Beauty and Strangeness(By: Tanith Lee,John C. Wright,Gregory Frost,Michael M. Jones,Mike Allen,Cat Rambo,John Grant,Kenneth Schneyer,Shweta Narayan,C.S.E. Cooney,Gemma Files,Georgina Bruce,Marie Brennan,Nicole Kornher-Stace,Tori Truslow,S.J. Hirons) |
| 4 |  Clockwork Phoenix 4(By: Tanith Lee,Richard Parks,A.C. Wise,Mike Allen,Yves Meynard,Cat Rambo,Kenneth Schneyer,Gemma Files,Alisa Alering,Ian McHugh,Benjanun Sriduangkaew,Shira Lipkin,Barbara Krasnoff,Patricia Russo,Camille Alexa,Marie Brennan,Nicole Kornher-Stace,Yukimi Ogawa,Corinne Duyvis) |
| 5 |  Clockwork Phoenix 5(By: Alex Dally MacFarlane,A.C. Wise,Mike Allen,Keffy R.M. Kehrli,Rich Larson,Cassandra Khaw,C.S.E. Cooney,Carlos Hernandez,Benjanun Sriduangkaew,Sonya Taaffe,Beth Cato,Barbara Krasnoff,Patricia Russo,Gray Rinehart,Marie Brennan,Sam Fleming,Shveta Thakrar,Holly Heisey,Jason Kimble,Rachael L. Jones,Rob Cameron,Sunil Patel) |
Fairyland Series
Complete7 books (2011–2016)
Start with The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, the first of 7 books in the Fairyland series.
Start this series with The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Leningrad Diptych Series
Complete1 book (2011–2011)
Mass Effect: Andromeda Series
Complete3 books (2017–2018)
Start with Initiation(By: N.K. Jemisin,Mac Walters) and read in order.
Start this series with Initiation(By: N.K. Jemisin,Mac Walters)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Minecraft Series
Ongoing26 books (2017–2026)
Start with The Island(By: Max Brooks), the first of 26 books in the Minecraft series.
Start this series with The Island(By: Max Brooks)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Likely Complete9 books (2008–2022)
Start with A Buyer's Guide to Maps of Antarctica, the first of 9 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with A Buyer's Guide to Maps of Antarctica
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Short Story Collections Series
Complete12 books (2005–2018)
Start with Apocrypha, the first of 12 books in the Short Story Collections series.
Start this series with Apocrypha
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Space Opera Series
Ongoing2 books (2018–2024)
Start with Space Opera and read in order.
Start this series with Space Opera
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleStandalone Novels Series
Likely Complete6 books (2006–2021)
Start with The Grass Cutting Sword, the first of 6 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with The Grass Cutting Sword
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
The Orphan's Tales Series
Complete2 books (2006–2007)
Start with In the Night Garden and read in order.
Start this series with In the Night Garden
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleThe WisCon Chronicles Series
Complete8 books (2008–2017)
Start with The WisCon Chronicles, Vol. 2, the first of 8 books in the The WisCon Chronicles series.
Start this series with The WisCon Chronicles, Vol. 2
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror Series
Ongoing15 books (2010–2024)
Start with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition, the first of 15 books in the The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror series.
Start this series with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Catherynne M. Valente written?
- Catherynne M. Valente has written 193 books across 16 series. Their published works span from 2001 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Catherynne M. Valente series?
- Here are the first books in Catherynne M. Valente's series: A Dirge for Prester John: The Habitation of the Blessed; Anthologies: Tails of Wonder and Imagination; Best Horror of the Year: The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One; Children's: Smoky and the Feast of Mabon; Clockwork Phoenix: Clockwork Phoenix.
- What order should I read Catherynne M. Valente's books?
- We recommend reading Catherynne M. Valente's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Catherynne M. Valente still writing new books?
- Yes, Catherynne M. Valente has 4 ongoing series: Best Horror of the Year, Minecraft, Space Opera, The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror.