Lin Carter Reading Order

23 books (1969–2025)

Lin Carter edited this complete anthology series spanning from 1969 to 2012, comprising 22 books that should be read in publication order starting with Dragons, Elves, and Heroes. The collections showcase fantasy and science fiction stories alongside Carter's non-fiction contributions, featuring works across themes ranging from classic swordplay and sorcery to cosmic horror and imaginary worlds. The series includes themed volumes like Kingdoms of Sorcery and Realms Of Wizardry alongside the Year's Best Fantasy Stories subseries that ran for multiple installments throughout the collection's run.

Start with Dragons, Elves, and Heroes, the first of 22 books in the Anthologies series.

#	Title
1	Dragons, Elves, and Heroes 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Young Magicians 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Golden Cities, Far 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Swords Against Tomorrow 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	New Worlds For Old 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Spawn of Cthulhu 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Discoveries in Fantasy 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Swordsmen and Supermen 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Nameless Places 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	The Year's Best Fantasy Stories 1 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Disciples of Cthulhu 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Kingdoms of Sorcery 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Realms Of Wizardry 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	The Year's Best Fantasy Stories 2 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	The Year's Best Fantasy Stories 3 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	The Year's Best Fantasy Stories 4 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Barbarians 2 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Giant Book of Fantasy Tales 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	The Necronomicon 1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	The Xothic Legend Cycle 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	The Cthulhu Mythos Megapack 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	The Wildside Book of Fantasy 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Black Cat Weekly #177 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (1972–1978)

The Callisto series consists of eight complete fantasy and science fiction novels by Lin Carter, published between 1972 and 1978. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Black Legion of Callisto and continuing through Renegade of Callisto. The series blends adventure and planetary exploration across its eight installments, offering a finished narrative arc for readers seeking a complete story experience.

Start with Black Legion of Callisto, the first of 8 books in the Callisto series.

#	Title
1	Black Legion of Callisto 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Jandar of Callisto 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Sky Pirates of Callisto 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Mad Empress of Callisto 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Lankar of Callisto 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Mind Wizards of Callisto 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Ylana of Callisto 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Renegade of Callisto 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1978–2023)

The Conan (Bantam) series consists of seven fantasy novels published between 1978 and 2023, featuring various authors including Lin Carter, L. Sprague de Camp, Karl Edward Wagner, Andrew J. Offutt, and Poul Anderson. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with Conan the Swordsman. The series appears to be complete, with the final entry being a novelization of the official Conan the Barbarian motion picture.

Start with Conan the Swordsman(With: L. Sprague de Camp,Björn Nyberg), the first of 7 books in the Conan (Bantam) series.

#	Title
1	Conan the Swordsman(With: L. Sprague de Camp,Björn Nyberg) 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Conan the Liberator(With: L. Sprague de Camp) 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Conan: The Road of Kings(By: Karl Edward Wagner) 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Sword of Skelos(By: Andrew J. Offutt) 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Conan and the Spider God(By: L. Sprague de Camp) 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Conan the Rebel(By: Poul Anderson) 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Conan the Barbarian: The Official Motion Picture Adaptation(By: L. Sprague de Camp) 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

12 books (1966–1977)

The Conan (Lancer/Ace) series collects 12 volumes of sword and sorcery fiction featuring Robert E. Howard's legendary barbarian hero, published between 1966 and 1977. Lin Carter edited this complete series, which combines Howard's original stories with collaborations featuring L. Sprague de Camp. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Conan the Adventurer, to follow the intended editorial structure and progression of the collection.

Start with Conan the Adventurer(By: Robert E. Howard), the first of 12 books in the Conan (Lancer/Ace) series.

#	Title
1	Conan the Adventurer(By: Robert E. Howard) 1966Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Conan the Conqueror(By: Robert E. Howard) 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Conan the Usurper(By: Robert E. Howard) 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Conan the Warrior(By: Robert E. Howard) 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Conan of the Isles(With: L. Sprague de Camp) 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Conan the Avenger(By: Robert E. Howard) 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Conan the Freebooter(By: Robert E. Howard) 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Conan the Wanderer 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Conan(By: Robert E. Howard) 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Conan of Cimmeria(With: Robert E. Howard) 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Conan the Buccaneer(With: L. Sprague de Camp) 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Conan of Aquilonia(With: L. Sprague de Camp) 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1979–1982)

Lin Carter's Eric Carstairs of Zanthodon series consists of five complete fantasy and science fiction novels published between 1979 and 1982. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Journey to the Underground World and concluding with Eric of Zanthodon. This finished series takes readers through a lost world adventure across its five installments, with each book building on the previous one.

Start with Journey to the Underground World, the first of 5 books in the Eric Carstairs of Zanthodon series.

#	Title
1	Journey to the Underground World 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Zanthodon 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Darya of the Bronze Age 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Hurok of the Stone Age 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Eric of Zanthodon 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

7 books (1973–2023)

The Flashing Swords! series is a fantasy anthology collection comprising seven volumes published between 1973 and 2023. Lin Carter edited the first five installments before Robert M. Price took over editorial duties for the final two books. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with the first volume, and appears to be complete.

Start with Flashing Swords! #1, the first of 7 books in the Flashing Swords! series.

#	Title
1	Flashing Swords! #1 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Flashing Swords! #2 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Flashing Swords! #3 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Flashing Swords! #4 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Flashing Swords! #5 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Flashing Swords! #6(By: Robert M. Price) 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Flashing Swords #7(By: Robert M. Price) 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1966–1971)

Lin Carter's Great Imperium is a three-book science fiction fantasy series that spans from 1966 to 1971. The complete trilogy consists of The Man Without a Planet, Star Rogue, and Outworlder, and should be read in publication order. This finished series blends elements of fantasy and science fiction across its three installments.

Start with The Man Without a Planet and read in order.

1 book (1973–1973)

#	Title
1	Great Short Novels of Adult Fantasy #2 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1972–1976)

Lin Carter's Green Star series consists of five fantasy and science fiction novels published between 1972 and 1976, following the author's blend of imaginative world-building and adventure storytelling. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Under the Green Star and continuing through When the Green Star Calls, By the Light of the Green Star, As the Green Star Rises, and concluding with In the Green Star's Glow. Each book builds on the previous installment, making sequential reading essential to fully appreciate the narrative arc.

Start with Under the Green Star, the first of 5 books in the Green Star series.

#	Title
1	Under the Green Star 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	When the Green Star Calls 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	By the Light of the Green Star 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	As the Green Star Rises 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	In the Green Star's Glow 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1967–1969)

The Hautley Quicksilver series is a three-book fantasy and science fiction adventure completed between 1967 and 1969. The trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with Destination, followed by The Thief of Thoth, and concluding with The Purloined Planet. Lin Carter's complete series offers a self-contained narrative arc best experienced from start to finish.

Start with Destination and read in order.

2 books (1967–1972)

This two-book fantasy and science fiction collection spans from 1967 to 1972 and is now complete. The first entry, The Thing in the Crypt, is a collaborative work between L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter, while The Fallible Fiend is solely by de Camp. These titles should be read in publication order to experience the series as intended.

Start with The Thing in the Crypt(With: L. Sprague de Camp) and read in order.

3 books (1969–1973)

Lin Carter's three-book series examining speculative fiction and its creators spans from 1969 to 1973, offering a complete exploration of the fantasy and science fiction genres. Published in order as Tolkien, Lovecraft, and Imaginary Worlds, these nonfiction works should be read sequentially to fully appreciate Carter's critical progression through the field. The series represents Carter's scholarly contributions to understanding the foundations and traditions of imaginative literature during the early years of modern fandom scholarship.

Start with Tolkien and read in order.

#	Title
1	Tolkien 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Lovecraft 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Imaginary Worlds 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

1 book (1975–1975)

4 books (2020–2026)

The Renegade Swords series by Lin Carter consists of four fantasy books published between 2020 and 2026, with the series still ongoing. Readers should follow the books in publication order, beginning with Renegade Swords and continuing through the numbered sequels. This series blends elements of fantasy with science fiction and draws on the author's broad genre expertise.

Start with Renegade Swords, the first of 4 books in the Renegade Swords series.

1 book (1967–1967)

2 books (1969–1980)

Lin Carter's two-book collection of short stories spans from 1969 to 1980, blending fantasy and science fiction with his scholarly expertise. The series comprises Beyond the Gates of Dream followed by Lost Worlds, and should be read in publication order. This complete series showcases Carter's versatility across imaginative genres and nonfiction perspectives.

Start with Beyond the Gates of Dream and read in order.

#	Title
1	Beyond the Gates of Dream 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Lost Worlds 1980Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

9 books (1966–1985)

Lin Carter's Standalone Novels series comprises nine independent fantasy and science fiction tales published between 1966 and 1985. Each book stands alone as its own story, though they should be read in publication order beginning with The Star Magicians. The series is complete, offering readers a finished collection of Carter's imaginative worlds spanning nearly two decades of his writing career.

Start with The Star Magicians, the first of 9 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	The Star Magicians 1966Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Flame of Iridar 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Tower at the Edge of Time 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Lost World of Time 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Tower of the Medusa 1969Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Black Star 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Time War 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Tara of the Twilight 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Found Wanting 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1982–1988)

The Terra Magica series by Lin Carter consists of four fantasy novels published between 1982 and 1988. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Dragonrouge and continuing through Kesrick, Mandricardo, and Callipygia. This finished series represents Carter's contributions to the fantasy genre during the 1980s.

Start with Dragonrouge, the first of 4 books in the Terra Magica series.

#	Title
1	Dragonrouge 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Kesrick 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Mandricardo 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Callipygia 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (1971–1984)

The Chronicles of Kylix is a complete fantasy series by Lin Carter consisting of three books published between 1971 and 1984. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Quest of Kadji, followed by The Wizard of Zao, and concluding with Kellory the Warlock.

Start with The Quest of Kadji and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Quest of Kadji 1971Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Wizard of Zao 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Kellory the Warlock 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1973–1984)

The Mysteries of Mars is a four-book science fiction and fantasy series by Lin Carter published between 1973 and 1984. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Man Who Loved Mars, followed by The Valley Where Time Stood Still, The City Outside the World, and Down to a Sunless Sea. This finished series offers a full narrative arc across its four volumes.

Start with The Man Who Loved Mars, the first of 4 books in the The Mysteries of Mars series.

#	Title
1	The Man Who Loved Mars 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Valley Where Time Stood Still 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The City Outside the World 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Down to a Sunless Sea 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (1965–2016)

Lin Carter's Thongor series spans eight books of fantasy and science fiction adventure published between 1965 and 2016, now complete. The novels should be read in publication order, beginning with Thongor and The Wizard of Lemuria, which introduces the titular hero in the lost continent of Lemuria. The series continues through various exploits including encounters with gods, journeys to distant times, and battles against pirates and sorcerers, concluding with The Sword of Thongor, the final entry authored by Robert M. Price.

Start with Thongor and The Wizard of Lemuria, the first of 8 books in the Thongor series.

#	Title
1	Thongor and The Wizard of Lemuria 1965Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Thongor of Lemuria / Thongor and the Dragon City 1966Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Thongor Against the Gods 1967Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Thongor at the End of Time 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Thongor in the City of Magicians 1968Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Thongor Fights the Pirates of Tarakus 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Young Thongor 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Sword of Thongor(By: Robert M. Price) 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1981–1983)

The Weird Tales series is a four-book anthology collection edited by Lin Carter, featuring fantasy and science fiction stories published between 1981 and 1983. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Weird Tales 1 and continuing through Weird Tales 4. Each volume collects works by renowned authors including Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Tanith Lee, and Evangeline Walton.

Start with Weird Tales 1, the first of 4 books in the Weird Tales series.

#	Title
1	Weird Tales 1 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Weird Tales 2(By: Robert Bloch,Tanith Lee,H.P. Lovecraft,Robert E. Howard) 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Weird Tales 3(By: Robert Bloch,Tanith Lee,Robert E. Howard,Evangeline Walton) 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Weird Tales 4(By: Ray Bradbury,Robert E. Howard) 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

6 books (1974–1979)

Lin Carter's World's End series consists of six science fantasy novels published between 1974 and 1979, following a complete story arc. Each installment features a different protagonist navigating a dying Earth in the far future, and the books should be read in publication order to experience the unfolding narrative. The series blends elements of sword and sorcery with speculative fiction as various adventurers encounter the remnants of ancient civilizations and supernatural forces at the world's end.

Start with The Warrior of World's End, the first of 6 books in the World's End series.

#	Title
1	The Warrior of World's End 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Enchantress of World's End 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Immortal of World's End 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Barbarian of World's End 1977Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	The Pirate of World's End 1978Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Giant of World's End 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

5 books (1975–1987)

The Zarkon - Lord of the Unknown series consists of five complete fantasy and science fiction novels written by Lin Carter between 1975 and 1987. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with Invisible Death and continuing through The Nemesis of Evil, The Volcano Ogre, The Earth-Shaker, and concluding with Horror Wears Blue. This finished series presents interconnected adventures that are best experienced sequentially as originally released.

Start with Invisible Death, the first of 5 books in the Zarkon - Lord of the Unknown series.

#	Title
1	Invisible Death 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	The Nemesis of Evil 1975Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Volcano Ogre 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Earth-Shaker 1982Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Horror Wears Blue 1987Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible