Books in Order: Comprehensive Reading Guide for Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Works

Marion Zimmer Bradley: An Intricate Tapestry of a Wordsmith

An American literary stalwart, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s prodigious command over various genres ranging from fantasy and science fiction to controversial gay & lesbian pulp fiction novels, she was truly a versatile scribe. Not only did she bring to light feminist perspectives in her stories, but she also helped budding writers through her extensive Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which marked the beginning of the career of distinguished author, Mercedes Lackey. Bradley’s failing health led to her demise in 1999 at the ripe age of 69.

Commencing her illustrious career through a story that was published in Volume 23, No. 12 of the renowned magazine, Amazing Stories, Bradley’s journey into the literary world received a kickstart. The story, titled Outpost, laid the foundation for many narrative masterpieces to follow, the first of which came a decade later in 1957 with the publishing of her novel, Falcons of Narabedla.

Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Writing Style and Prolific Series:

Bradley is best remembered for her immense contribution to the Darkover and Avalon series, which showed her astute storytelling and unique writing style. She had an innate ability to weave complex characters and intricate plots that captivated her readers.

Books in Order of Marion Zimmer Bradley:

If you are looking to delve into Bradley’s literary world, here are her books in order of publication, to give you a chronological perspective:

Publication Order of Darkover Books

The Planet Savers (By: Elisabeth Waters)	(1962)
The Sword of Aldones	(1962)
The Bloody Sun	(1964)
Star of Danger	(1965)
The Winds of Darkover	(1970)
The World Wreckers	(1971)
Darkover Landfall	(1972)
The Spell Sword	(1974)
The Heritage of Hastur	(1975)
The Shattered Chain	(1976)
The Forbidden Tower	(1977)
Stormqueen!	(1978)
Two to Conquer	(1980)
Sharra’s Exile	(1981)
Hawkmistress!	(1982)
Thendara House	(1983)
City of Sorcery	(1984)
The Heirs of Hammerfell	(1989)
Rediscovery (With: Mercedes Lackey)	(1993)
Exile’s Song	(1996)
The Shadow Matrix	(1997)
Traitor’s Sun	(1999)
Zandru’s Forge (With: Deborah J. Ross)	(2003)
A Flame in Hali (With: Deborah J. Ross)	(2004)
Hastur Lord (With: Deborah J. Ross)	(2010)
Death of Brendan Ensolare (By: Deborah Wheeler)	(2011)
The Children of Kings (With: Deborah J. Ross)	(2013)
Thunderlord (With: Deborah J. Ross)	(2016)
Ski the Hellers (By: Elisabeth Waters)	(2020)
The Laran Gambit (With: Deborah J. Ross)	(2022)