Fencer Trilogy books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Fencer Trilogy series?"

"There are three books in the Fencer Trilogy series, published between 1998 and 2000."

Q: "What is the first book in the Fencer Trilogy series?"

"The first book in the Fencer Trilogy series is Colours in the Steel, published in 1998."

Q: "Is the Fencer Trilogy a good entry point to K.J. Parker?"

"It was Parker's first published work and gives a good sense of the style, but it is rougher than later books. The Engineer Trilogy or Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City are smoother starting points."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Colours in the Steel	1998	Tom Holt	Buy
2	The Belly of the Bow	1999	Tom Holt	Buy
3	The Proof House	2000	Tom Holt	Buy

Colours in the Steel (1998), The Belly of the Bow (1999), and The Proof House (2000) were the first novels published under the K.J. Parker name. The story follows three former classmates from a fencing school whose personal and political ambitions drive them into conflict with each other and the wider world.

Like all Parker novels, the series pays close attention to how things are made and how systems work. The fencing is described in technical detail, and the politics are grounded in economics and logistics rather than grand destiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Fencer Trilogy series?

There are three books in the Fencer Trilogy series, published between 1998 and 2000.

What is the first book in the Fencer Trilogy series?

The first book in the Fencer Trilogy series is Colours in the Steel, published in 1998.

Is the Fencer Trilogy a good entry point to K.J. Parker?

It was Parker’s first published work and gives a good sense of the style, but it is rougher than later books. The Engineer Trilogy or Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City are smoother starting points.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order