Tim Powers Reading Order
10 series · 98 books
Tim Powers is an American author who blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror into richly layered narratives that weave history and the supernatural together. His 1983 novel The Anubis Gates established him as a major voice in speculative fiction through its imaginative time-travel premise and intricate plotting, earning the Philip K. Dick Award and international recognition. Across nearly five decades of writing, Powers has crafted dozens of acclaimed works exploring unconventional uses of magic, paradoxes of time, and the hidden forces shaping familiar historical events.
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Anthologies Series
Complete5 books (2011–2018)
Tim Powers edited five anthology collections between 2011 and 2018, drawing together stories across fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with The Urban Fantasy Anthology. These compilations showcase dark fantasy, supernatural hauntings, urban fantasy, and magical tales from various authors, making them ideal for readers seeking diverse short fiction across Powers' preferred genres.
Start with The Urban Fantasy Anthology, the first of 5 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with The Urban Fantasy Anthology
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Anubis Gates Series
Complete3 books (1983–2020)
Tim Powers' Anubis Gates trilogy consists of three complete books published across nearly four decades, beginning with The Anubis Gates in 1983 and concluding with The Properties of Rooftop Air in 2020. The series blends fantasy, science fiction, and horror elements and should be read in publication order: The Anubis Gates, Nobody's Home, and The Properties of Rooftop Air. Each installment builds on the established world and narrative framework, making sequential reading essential to fully appreciate the author's intricate storytelling.
Start with The Anubis Gates and read in order.
Start this series with The Anubis Gates
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Collections Series
Complete6 books (2003–2016)
Tim Powers' Collections series comprises six books of short fiction published between 2003 and 2016, now complete. These volumes should be read in publication order, beginning with The Devils in the Details and concluding with Down and Out in Purgatory: The Collected Stories of Tim Powers. The series brings together Powers' shorter fantasy, science fiction, and horror works across multiple themed collections.
Start with The Devils in the Details, the first of 6 books in the Collections series.
Start this series with The Devils in the Details
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Fault Lines Series
Complete3 books (1992–1997)
Tim Powers' Fault Lines trilogy comprises three complete novels published between 1992 and 1997 that should be read in publication order. The series begins with Last Call, followed by Expiration Date and concluding with Earthquake Weather. These interconnected fantasy adventures blend Powers' signature blend of supernatural elements with historical and contemporary settings, creating a cohesive narrative arc across all three books.
Start with Last Call and read in order.
Start this series with Last Call
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future Series
Ongoing41 books (1985–2025)
This ongoing anthology series spans 41 volumes published from 1985 to 2025, showcasing science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories selected through the Writers of the Future competition. Each annual collection features work by both established and emerging authors across multiple genres. Readers should approach the series in publication order, beginning with volume one, as each book stands alone but represents a distinct year's winning entries. The series continues to add new volumes regularly, making it an evolving showcase of contemporary speculative fiction.
Start with L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future 1, the first of 41 books in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future series.
Start this series with L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future 1
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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Likely Complete10 books (1970–2023)
Tim Powers' Short Stories and Novellas series comprises ten works published between 1970 and 2023, bringing together his explorations of fantasy, science fiction, and horror in shorter form. These ten books should be read in publication order, beginning with Down and Out in Purgatory and concluding with After Many a Summer. The series appears to be complete as of 2023, offering readers a comprehensive collection of Powers' shorter fiction across multiple decades.
Start with Down and Out in Purgatory, the first of 10 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with Down and Out in Purgatory
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Standalone Novels Series
Ongoing10 books (1976–2025)
Tim Powers has written ten standalone novels spanning fantasy, science fiction, and horror from 1976 through 2025. These books should be read in publication order, beginning with An Epitaph In Rust and progressing through the most recent addition, The Mills of the Gods. The series remains ongoing, with Powers continuing to expand this collection of independent stories that stand apart from his interconnected work.
Start with An Epitaph In Rust, the first of 10 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with An Epitaph In Rust
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The Stress of Her Regard Series
Complete2 books (1989–2012)
Tim Powers' Stress of Her Regard series consists of two complete fantasy horror novels published across two decades. The first book arrived in 1989, followed by its sequel Hide Me Among the Graves in 2012. These interconnected works should be read in publication order to experience the story as intended. The series blends Powers' signature style of weaving historical elements into supernatural narratives across both volumes.
Start with The Stress of Her Regard and read in order.
Start this series with The Stress of Her Regard
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror Series
Ongoing15 books (2010–2024)
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror is an ongoing anthology series edited by Tim Powers that collects the finest dark fantasy and horror stories published each year. Fifteen volumes have been released from 2010 to 2024, with the first ten numbered by year (2010–2019 editions) and subsequent volumes designated numerically. Each book can be read independently as a standalone collection, though readers interested in following the series chronologically should start with the 2010 Edition and proceed in publication order.
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
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Vickery and Castine Series
Likely Complete3 books (2018–2022)
Tim Powers's Vickery and Castine series comprises three fantasy-horror novels published between 2018 and 2022, following the titular characters through interconnected supernatural adventures. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Alternate Routes, followed by Forced Perspectives, and concluding with Stolen Skies. The trilogy appears to be complete, offering a finished narrative arc across its three installments.
Start with Alternate Routes and read in order.
Start this series with Alternate Routes
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Tim Powers written?
- Tim Powers has written 98 books across 10 series. Their published works span from 1970 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Tim Powers series?
- Here are the first books in Tim Powers's series: Anthologies: The Urban Fantasy Anthology; Anubis Gates: The Anubis Gates; Collections: The Devils in the Details; Fault Lines: Last Call; L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future: L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future 1.
- What order should I read Tim Powers's books?
- We recommend reading Tim Powers's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Tim Powers still writing new books?
- Yes, Tim Powers has 3 ongoing series: L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future, Standalone Novels, The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror.