Zamonien

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

"There are sixteen books in the Zamonien series, published between 1999 and 2024."

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

"The first book in the Zamonien series is Kapteeni Sinikarhun 13 ½ elämää, published in 1999."

Q: "Do the Zamonia books need to be read in a specific order?"

"The books are largely standalone adventures set on the same continent, so strict reading order is not necessary. However, The City of Dreaming Books should be read before The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books since they share a protagonist and storyline. Most fans recommend starting with either Captain Bluebear or The City of Dreaming Books."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Kapteeni Sinikarhun 13 ½ elämää	1999	Walter Moers	N/A
2	The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear	1999	Walter Moers	Buy
3	Ensel e Krete: Una storia di Zamonia	2000	Walter Moers	N/A
4	Ensel und Krete	2000	Walter Moers	Buy
5	Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures	2003	Walter Moers	Buy
6	Rumo Ylämaailmassa	2003	Walter Moers	N/A
7	꿈꾸는 책들의 도시	2004	Walter Moers	N/A
8	Kot alchemika	2007	Walter Moers	N/A
9	The Alchemaster’s Apprentice	2007	Walter Moers	Buy
10	Zamonien. Entdeckungsreise durch einen phantastischen Kontinent. Von A wie Anagrom Ataf bis Z wie Zamomin	2012	Walter Moers	N/A
11	The City of Dreaming Books	2004	Walter Moers	Buy
12	The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books	2011	Walter Moers	Buy
13	Prinzessin Insomnia & der alptraumfarbene Nachtmahr	2017	Walter Moers	N/A
14	Weihnachten auf der Lindwurmfeste	2018	Walter Moers	N/A
15	Il Dragolibro	2019	Walter Moers	N/A
16	Das Einh??rnchen, das r??ckw??rts leben wollte	2024	Walter Moers	N/A

The Zamonia series is Walter Moers’ ongoing collection of novels set on a fictional continent where anything seems possible. The world is home to species like Bluebears, Wolpertingers, and Lindworms, and its geography includes cities built from books, forests that move, and deserts where shadows come alive. The first book, The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear (1999), established the tone of joyful absurdity mixed with genuine storytelling craft.

Later entries like Rumo and His Miraculous Adventures, The City of Dreaming Books, and The Alchemaster’s Apprentice each explore different parts of Zamonia through different characters. The City of Dreaming Books, which follows a dinosaur poet through a city entirely devoted to literature, is arguably the most beloved entry and a natural choice for book lovers. Its sequel, The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books, continues Optimus Yarnspinner’s story.

The series listing includes books in multiple languages because Moers writes in German and his works have been translated into many languages. German-language titles like Ensel und Krete (a Zamonian take on Hansel and Gretel) and Prinzessin Insomnia sit alongside their international editions. Not all Zamonia books have been translated into English, so some titles may be unfamiliar to Anglophone readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Zamonien series?

There are sixteen books in the Zamonien series, published between 1999 and 2024.

What is the first book in the Zamonien series?

The first book in the Zamonien series is Kapteeni Sinikarhun 13 ½ elämää, published in 1999.

Do the Zamonia books need to be read in a specific order?

The books are largely standalone adventures set on the same continent, so strict reading order is not necessary. However, The City of Dreaming Books should be read before The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books since they share a protagonist and storyline. Most fans recommend starting with either Captain Bluebear or The City of Dreaming Books.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order