Raven books in order

The reading order for the Raven series by Robert Holdstock, a five-book sword-and-sorcery fantasy series published from 1978 to 1979.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Swordsmistress of Chaos 1978 Robert Holdstock Buy
2 A Time of Ghosts 1978 Robert Holdstock Buy
3 The Frozen God 1978 Robert Holdstock Buy
4 Lords of the Shadows 1979 Robert Holdstock Buy
5 A Time of Dying 1979 Robert Holdstock Buy

The Raven series by Robert Holdstock consists of five sword-and-sorcery novels published in 1978 and 1979. Starting with Swordsmistress of Chaos, the series follows its warrior heroine through adventures including A Time of Ghosts, The Frozen God, Lords of the Shadows, and A Time of Dying. The series features a female protagonist in a genre that was heavily male-dominated at the time.

Written early in Holdstock’s career, the Raven books are genre entertainment rather than the literary fantasy he would later become known for. They remain interesting as examples of late-1970s sword-and-sorcery and as early work from an author who would go on to transform British fantasy with Mythago Wood.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Raven series?

There are five books in the Raven series, published between 1978 and 1979.

What is the first book in the Raven series?

The first book in the Raven series is Swordsmistress of Chaos, published in 1978.

What is the Raven series about?

The series follows a female warrior called the Swordsmistress of Chaos through five fantasy adventures. Published under a pseudonym, the books are fast-paced sword-and-sorcery fiction with a strong female lead, unusual for the genre in the late 1970s.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Privacy Policy