American Gods books in order

Q: "What order should I read the American Gods books?"

"Start with American Gods (2001), then read Anansi Boys (2005). The novellas Monarch of the Glen and Black Dog feature Shadow as the main character and are best read after the main novel."

Q: "Is Anansi Boys a sequel to American Gods?"

"Anansi Boys is a companion novel set in the same universe but follows different characters. It focuses on Charlie Nancy, son of the trickster god Anansi who appeared in American Gods. The books can be read independently."

Q: "What are The Monarch of the Glen and Black Dog about?"

"These novellas follow Shadow Moon after the events of American Gods. The Monarch of the Glen takes place in Scotland, while Black Dog is set in the English countryside. Both explore Shadow's encounters with old world mythology."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	American Gods	2001	Neil Gaiman	Buy
2	Anansi Boys	2005	Neil Gaiman	Buy
3	Black Dog	2016	Neil Gaiman	Buy
4	The Monarch of the Glen	2016	Neil Gaiman	Buy

The American Gods series by Neil Gaiman explores the conflict between old world deities brought to America by immigrants and new gods born from modern American obsessions. The main novel follows Shadow Moon, recently released from prison, who becomes bodyguard to the mysterious Mr. Wednesday.

American Gods won the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards upon its release in 2001. Anansi Boys, published in 2005, is a comedic companion novel following Charlie Nancy as he discovers his father was the African trickster god Anansi. Two novellas continue Shadow’s story: The Monarch of the Glen and Black Dog.

The series was adapted as a television show by Starz, which ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read the American Gods books?

Start with American Gods (2001), then read Anansi Boys (2005). The novellas Monarch of the Glen and Black Dog feature Shadow as the main character and are best read after the main novel.

Is Anansi Boys a sequel to American Gods?

Anansi Boys is a companion novel set in the same universe but follows different characters. It focuses on Charlie Nancy, son of the trickster god Anansi who appeared in American Gods. The books can be read independently.

What are The Monarch of the Glen and Black Dog about?

These novellas follow Shadow Moon after the events of American Gods. The Monarch of the Glen takes place in Scotland, while Black Dog is set in the English countryside. Both explore Shadow’s encounters with old world mythology.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order