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Chris Wooding Books in Order

Explore Chris Wooding books in order, with short summaries, series guides, and simple ideas on where to start across fantasy, horror, and sci-fi.

Last updated: July 10, 2026

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Chris Wooding books in publication order

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37 books

Catchman

by Chris Wooding

1998

After running from home, Davey falls in with homeless teens in a city already rattled by a killer known as the Catchman. Gang trouble and sleepless dread turn the streets into a nightmare where no one feels safe after dark.

Broken Sky Part 1

by Chris Wooding

1999

Ryushi and Kia have spent their lives training on their father's remote wyvern stud. When King Macaan's forces attack, the twins are thrown into a war far bigger than they imagined.

Broken Sky Part 2

by Chris Wooding

1999

On the run in enemy territory, Ryushi and Kia struggle to protect the people left in their care. Their escape becomes the start of a much larger rebellion.

Broken Sky Part 3

by Chris Wooding

1999

Trapped in a strange world and cut loose from everything familiar, the twins start uncovering the truth about their family and their enemies. Getting home will take more than survival.

Broken Sky Part 4

by Chris Wooding

1999

The story widens as new factions, new dangers, and the long shadow of Macaan reshape the twins' fight. What began as escape turns into open resistance.

Broken Sky Part 5

by Chris Wooding

1999

With the pressure mounting on every side, Ryushi and Kia are forced into harder choices and riskier battles. The war around them is growing faster than they can control it.

Broken Sky Part 6

by Chris Wooding

2000

The second act closes with the twins under heavier pressure than ever. Enemies gather, secrets sharpen, and the wider war against Macaan becomes impossible to ignore.

Broken Sky Part 7

by Chris Wooding

2000

The last act begins with the stakes stretched across both worlds. Kia and Ryushi are pulled toward the center of a conflict that is no longer just about survival.

Broken Sky Part 8

by Chris Wooding

2000

As the endgame approaches, alliances fray and the cost of resistance keeps rising. The twins must keep moving even as both worlds seem ready to break apart.

Broken Sky Part 9

by Chris Wooding

2001

The long war reaches its breaking point as the fight against Macaan and Aurin closes in on a final stand. Every hard choice made by Kia and Ryushi comes due.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray

by Chris Wooding

2001

In an alternate Victorian London stalked by daemonic wych-kin, wych-hunter Thaniel finds Alaizabel Cray, a girl under a terrible influence. Saving her may mean facing a darkness far bigger than either of them expected.

Crashing

by Chris Wooding

2003

Jay throws a summer party hoping to hold his friends together and finally get closer to Jo. Instead, old grudges explode, local thugs arrive, and one night turns into a tense reckoning with the past.

Endgame

by Chris Wooding

2003

As environmental disaster and the threat of world war push the world toward nuclear panic, four friends in Sheffield face their own fears and unfinished business. It is a pressure-cooker story about what matters when time may be running out.

Kerosene

by Chris Wooding

2003

Cal is painfully shy, isolated, and drawn to fire whenever the world closes in. When cruelty, obsession, and bad choices pile up around him, that private fixation starts turning dangerously public.

Poison

by Chris Wooding

2003

When her baby sister is stolen, Poison enters a twisted fairytale world where humans rank near the bottom. To get her back, she must survive tricksters, power games, and a reality that keeps shifting under her feet.

The Weavers of Saramyr

by Chris Wooding

2003

On the continent of Saramyr, masked Weavers hold huge power while fear of the Aberrants spreads with a mysterious blight. A hidden royal secret threatens to tip the empire into civil war.

The Skein of Lament

by Chris Wooding

2004

The second Braided Path book deepens the political fractures and strange magic of Saramyr. As the fallout from the first novel spreads, loyalties shift and the threat to the empire grows sharper.

The Ascendancy Veil

by Chris Wooding

2005

Saramyr is sliding toward apocalypse, and the truth about the Weavers is finally coming out. As old secrets turn catastrophic, the trilogy races toward a brutal final showdown.

Storm Thief

by Chris Wooding

2006

In Orokos, probability storms can twist streets, bodies, and luck in an instant. A young thief and his friends get hold of a powerful artifact and find themselves hunted through a city that changes by the hour.

The Fade

by Chris Wooding

2007

Underground nations survive beneath murderous suns on the moon of Callespa, but disaster is building in the dark. Their best hope may be a prisoner trapped behind enemy lines.

Broken Sky Act 2: Communion

by Chris Wooding

2008

The war widens as Ryushi and Kia are pushed deeper into the struggle against Macaan and Aurin. New allies, stranger worlds, and mounting losses force them to grow up fast.

Broken Sky Act 3: The Citadel

by Chris Wooding

2008

The final act drives the twins toward all-out war across both worlds. Long-buried secrets surface, alliances break, and the battle against Macaan reaches its reckoning.

Malice

by Chris Wooding

2009

Seth and Kady brush off the legend of Malice, a comic that traps real children in Tall Jake's nightmare world, until their friend vanishes. Chasing the truth pulls them into a deadly maze of tricks, monsters, and shifting loyalties.

Retribution Falls

by Chris Wooding

2009

Small-time airship captain Darian Frey takes what should be an easy robbery and ends up framed as the most wanted man in Vardia. To survive, the crew of the Ketty Jay must outrun bounty hunters and uncover who set them up.

Havoc

by Chris Wooding

2010

Seth returns to the deadly comic world of Malice to rescue Kady and Justin. But Tall Jake's plans reach beyond the comic now, and the fight to stop him spills into the real world.

The Black Lung Captain

by Chris Wooding

2010

Down on his luck again, Darian Frey chases a treasure hidden behind a magically sealed door deep in the Kurg rainforest. Rival hunters, deadly creatures, and a ghost from his past make the prize far more dangerous than it looks.

The Iron Jackal

by Chris Wooding

2011

Captain Frey and the Ketty Jay crew head into the desert of Samarla for a job from Trinica Dracken. Ancient secrets, ruthless enemies, and Frey's own mortality turn the mission into a desperate race.

Pale

by Chris Wooding

2012

Jed despises the Pales, people dragged back from death by the Lazarus Serum. Then an accident makes him one of them, and he has to face the cruelty he once helped inflict.

Pandemonium

by Chris Wooding

2012

Seifer Tombchewer is a star skullball player in a remote village, but he wants more than local fame. A royal encounter drags him into a larger struggle full of winged clans, danger, and dark surprises.

Silver

by Chris Wooding

2013

A strange silver beetle bites a boy at boarding school, starting an infection that turns flesh to metal and students into killing machines. A trapped group of teenagers must survive the night as the school collapses into horror.

The Ace of Skulls

by Chris Wooding

2013

Civil war is breaking out, old scores are coming due, and the battered crew of the Ketty Jay can no longer stay neutral. Captain Frey must choose a side as hidden plots and sky battles crash together.

Velocity

by Chris Wooding

2015

In a harsh future, Cassica and Shiara enter the Widowmaker, a brutal off-road race across deadly terrain. Winning could lift them out of poverty, if the wasteland, rival drivers, and old secrets do not kill them first.

Broken Sky: The Twilight War

by Chris Wooding

2017

Twins Ryushi and Kia are torn from their sheltered home when King Macaan's forces attack. Their flight opens a fast-moving fantasy war of wyverns, spirit stones, and rebellion across two linked worlds.

The Ember Blade

by Chris Wooding

2018

When Aren's father is executed and he is sent to a prison mine with his friend Cade, everything he believed about his country falls apart. Escape leads them into rebellion and a near-impossible plan to steal the legendary Ember Blade.

Jack from Earth

by Chris Wooding

2019

Jack has always known his parents are hiding something, but a strange machine in the attic proves it. One accidental distress signal later, half the galaxy thinks he is an infamous master thief.

Out of This World

by Chris Wooding

2020

On his twelfth birthday, Jack accidentally sends an intergalactic distress signal and becomes the target of killers across the galaxy. A team of alien bounty hunters drags him into a wild chase tied to the missing superspy Gradius Clench.

The Shadow Casket

by Chris Wooding

2023

Three years after Aren seized the Ember Blade, the rebellion is faltering. In the north, Vika and the Dawnwardens hunt a legendary weapon that could destroy the dreadknights, or destroy hope itself.

Where to start with Chris Wooding

If you want big epic fantasy: The Ember BladeThe Shadow Casket
If you want ragtag airship adventure: Retribution FallsThe Black Lung CaptainThe Iron JackalThe Ace of Skulls
If you want dark YA fantasy: The Haunting of Alaizabel CrayPoisonStorm Thief
If you want anime-flavored serial fantasy: Broken Sky Part 1Broken Sky Part 2Broken Sky Part 3

Braided Path books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "The Weavers of Saramyr"

    The Weavers of Saramyr

    by Chris Wooding

    2003Braided Path, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "The Skein of Lament"

    The Skein of Lament

    by Chris Wooding

    2004Braided Path, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "The Ascendancy Veil"

    The Ascendancy Veil

    by Chris Wooding

    2005Braided Path, Book 3

Braided Path books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "The Weavers of Saramyr"

    The Weavers of Saramyr

    by Chris Wooding

    2003Braided Path, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "The Skein of Lament"

    The Skein of Lament

    by Chris Wooding

    2004Braided Path, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "The Ascendancy Veil"

    The Ascendancy Veil

    by Chris Wooding

    2005Braided Path, Book 3

Broken Sky books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 1"

    Broken Sky Part 1

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 2"

    Broken Sky Part 2

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 3"

    Broken Sky Part 3

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 4"

    Broken Sky Part 4

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 4
  5. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 5"

    Broken Sky Part 5

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 5
  6. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 6"

    Broken Sky Part 6

    by Chris Wooding

    2000Broken Sky, Book 6
  7. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 7"

    Broken Sky Part 7

    by Chris Wooding

    2000Broken Sky, Book 7
  8. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 8"

    Broken Sky Part 8

    by Chris Wooding

    2000Broken Sky, Book 8
  9. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 9"

    Broken Sky Part 9

    by Chris Wooding

    2001Broken Sky, Book 9
  10. Book cover for "Broken Sky Act 2: Communion"

    Broken Sky Act 2: Communion

    by Chris Wooding

    2008Broken Sky, Book 10
  11. Book cover for "Broken Sky Act 3: The Citadel"

    Broken Sky Act 3: The Citadel

    by Chris Wooding

    2008Broken Sky, Book 11
  12. Book cover for "Broken Sky: The Twilight War"

    Broken Sky: The Twilight War

    by Chris Wooding

    2017Broken Sky, Book 12

Broken Sky books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 1"

    Broken Sky Part 1

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 2"

    Broken Sky Part 2

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 3"

    Broken Sky Part 3

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 4"

    Broken Sky Part 4

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 4
  5. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 5"

    Broken Sky Part 5

    by Chris Wooding

    1999Broken Sky, Book 5
  6. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 6"

    Broken Sky Part 6

    by Chris Wooding

    2000Broken Sky, Book 6
  7. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 7"

    Broken Sky Part 7

    by Chris Wooding

    2000Broken Sky, Book 7
  8. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 8"

    Broken Sky Part 8

    by Chris Wooding

    2000Broken Sky, Book 8
  9. Book cover for "Broken Sky Part 9"

    Broken Sky Part 9

    by Chris Wooding

    2001Broken Sky, Book 9
  10. Book cover for "Broken Sky Act 2: Communion"

    Broken Sky Act 2: Communion

    by Chris Wooding

    2008Broken Sky, Book 10
  11. Book cover for "Broken Sky Act 3: The Citadel"

    Broken Sky Act 3: The Citadel

    by Chris Wooding

    2008Broken Sky, Book 11
  12. Book cover for "Broken Sky: The Twilight War"

    Broken Sky: The Twilight War

    by Chris Wooding

    2017Broken Sky, Book 12

Jack From the Earth books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "Jack from Earth"

    Jack from Earth

    by Chris Wooding

    2019Jack From the Earth, Book 1

Jack From the Earth books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Jack from Earth"

    Jack from Earth

    by Chris Wooding

    2019Jack From the Earth, Book 1

Malice books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "Malice"

    Malice

    by Chris Wooding

    2009Malice, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Havoc"

    Havoc

    by Chris Wooding

    2010Malice, Book 2

Malice books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Malice"

    Malice

    by Chris Wooding

    2009Malice, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Havoc"

    Havoc

    by Chris Wooding

    2010Malice, Book 2

Out of This World books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "Out of This World"

    Out of This World

    by Chris Wooding

    2020Out of This World, Book 1

Out of This World books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Out of This World"

    Out of This World

    by Chris Wooding

    2020Out of This World, Book 1

Tale of the Ketty Jay books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "Retribution Falls"

    Retribution Falls

    by Chris Wooding

    2009Tales of the Ketty Jay, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "The Black Lung Captain"

    The Black Lung Captain

    by Chris Wooding

    2010Tale of the Ketty Jay, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "The Iron Jackal"

    The Iron Jackal

    by Chris Wooding

    2011Tale of the Ketty Jay, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "The Ace of Skulls"

    The Ace of Skulls

    by Chris Wooding

    2013Tale of the Ketty Jay, Book 4

Tale of the Ketty Jay books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "The Black Lung Captain"

    The Black Lung Captain

    by Chris Wooding

    2010Tale of the Ketty Jay, Book 2
  2. Book cover for "The Iron Jackal"

    The Iron Jackal

    by Chris Wooding

    2011Tale of the Ketty Jay, Book 3
  3. Book cover for "The Ace of Skulls"

    The Ace of Skulls

    by Chris Wooding

    2013Tale of the Ketty Jay, Book 4

The Darkwater Legacy books in order

Explore this series
  1. Book cover for "The Ember Blade"

    The Ember Blade

    by Chris Wooding

    2018The Darkwater Legacy, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "The Shadow Casket"

    The Shadow Casket

    by Chris Wooding

    2023The Darkwater Legacy, Book 2

The Darkwater Legacy books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "The Ember Blade"

    The Ember Blade

    by Chris Wooding

    2018The Darkwater Legacy, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "The Shadow Casket"

    The Shadow Casket

    by Chris Wooding

    2023The Darkwater Legacy, Book 2

Chris Wooding collections, short stories, and related book types

Graphic Novels

  1. Book cover for "Pandemonium"

    Pandemonium

    by Chris Wooding

    2012

Point Horror Unleashed

  1. Book cover for "Catchman"

    Catchman

    by Chris Wooding

    1998

Standalone Chris Wooding books

  1. Book cover for "The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray"

    The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray

    by Chris Wooding

    2001
  2. Book cover for "Crashing"

    Crashing

    by Chris Wooding

    2003
  3. Book cover for "Endgame"

    Endgame

    by Chris Wooding

    2003
  4. Book cover for "Kerosene"

    Kerosene

    by Chris Wooding

    2003
  5. Book cover for "Poison"

    Poison

    by Chris Wooding

    2003
  6. Book cover for "Storm Thief"

    Storm Thief

    by Chris Wooding

    2006
  7. Book cover for "The Fade"

    The Fade

    by Chris Wooding

    2007
  8. Book cover for "Pale"

    Pale

    by Chris Wooding

    2012
  9. Book cover for "Silver"

    Silver

    by Chris Wooding

    2013
  10. Book cover for "Velocity"

    Velocity

    by Chris Wooding

    2015

Author bio

Chris Wooding was born in Leicester on February 28, 1977, and grew up in Leicestershire, where, by his own telling, not much happened. So he started making things up. He finished his first novel at sixteen, found an agent at eighteen, and signed his first book deal at nineteen. After university, he moved straight into writing full time, which means he has spent pretty much all of his adult life building imaginary worlds and then making life very difficult for the people in them.

That early start matters.

Wooding's books move easily between age groups and shelves, but they tend to run on the same fuel: speed, imagination, and characters who are suddenly in far deeper water than they expected. His early YA novels, including Crashing, Kerosene, and Endgame, are tense, grounded stories about teenagers under pressure. Broken Sky took that energy and scaled it up into a huge, anime-inspired fantasy serial full of wyverns, martial arts, strange powers, and war.

Then came the books that brought even more readers in.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray gave him a grimy, alternate London full of monsters and occult danger. Poison turned fairy-tale logic into something darker and less comfortable. Malice played with the idea of a deadly comic book that traps real children inside it, using both prose and comic sections to tell the story. Readers who click with Wooding usually mention the same things: the pace, the atmosphere, the clean storytelling, and the feeling that his worlds keep opening out just when you think you know the shape of them.

He also has a real knack for found-family adventure.

That side of his writing is front and center in Retribution Falls and the rest of the Ketty Jay books, which follow Captain Darian Frey and his battered airship crew through scams, sky battles, bad plans, and consequences that keep getting larger. Later, The Ember Blade and The Shadow Casket showed what he could do on a bigger epic fantasy canvas, with rebellion, myth, occupation, and long-form storytelling that still keeps a strong grip on character.

Outside novels, Wooding has written for film and television, and he has also worked in games. He has travelled widely, backpacking around Europe and North America, Scandinavia, Japan, South East Asia, and South Africa, and he has said those experiences fed his imagination. For a time he lived in Madrid. In his twenties he also toured with bands, seeing Britain and Europe from the back of a van. He plays bass and guitar, which feels about right for a writer whose books usually have such a strong sense of rhythm.

He keeps busy.

His work has been translated into many languages and has picked up awards along the way, but the easiest way to describe his appeal is simpler than that. Whether he is writing gothic horror, offbeat science fiction, a fast YA thriller, or a sprawling fantasy quest, he is interested in momentum, mood, and what fear, loyalty, guilt, and hope do to people under stress. He lives in London and continues to write across fantasy, science fiction, and YA. If you are new to him, there is no single correct entry point, which is part of the fun.

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Anurag Ramdasan

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