Maijstral books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Maijstral series?"

"There are four books in the Maijstral series, published between 1987 and 1995."

Q: "What is the first book in the Maijstral series?"

"The first book in the Maijstral series is The Crown Jewels, published in 1987."

Q: "What kind of tone does the Maijstral series have?"

"The Maijstral books are lighter and more comedic than most of Williams's other work. They read like heist capers crossed with P.G. Wodehouse, featuring a charming alien-human thief who steals from the wealthy while navigating absurd social situations in a galaxy where Earth was once conquered by polite aliens."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Crown Jewels	1987	Walter Jon Williams	Buy
2	House of Shards	1988	Walter Jon Williams	Buy
3	Rock of Ages	1995	Walter Jon Williams	Buy
4	Ten Points for Style	1995	Walter Jon Williams	Buy

The Maijstral series is Walter Jon Williams at his most playful. Set in a future where humanity was conquered centuries ago by the genteel alien Khosali (and has since won its independence), the books follow Drake Maijstral, a half-human “allowed burglar” who steals from the rich as a socially accepted profession. The Crown Jewels (1987) introduces Maijstral as he tries to pull off a heist while dodging assassins and social obligations that are just as dangerous.

House of Shards (1988) and Rock of Ages (1995) continue Maijstral’s adventures with the same blend of comedy and caper plotting. The series was also published under the omnibus title Ten Points for Style (1995). If you like your science fiction with a light touch and a sense of humor about class and manners, the Maijstral books are an unusual treat that most readers overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Maijstral series?

There are four books in the Maijstral series, published between 1987 and 1995.

What is the first book in the Maijstral series?

The first book in the Maijstral series is The Crown Jewels, published in 1987.

What kind of tone does the Maijstral series have?

The Maijstral books are lighter and more comedic than most of Williams’s other work. They read like heist capers crossed with P.G. Wodehouse, featuring a charming alien-human thief who steals from the wealthy while navigating absurd social situations in a galaxy where Earth was once conquered by polite aliens.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order