Most Recommended Books

Track reading, wishlists & new-book alerts

Get
Skip to content
Share:

Follow the Glenraven books by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Holly Lisle in order, with summaries, series background, and a clear place to start.

Last updated: July 14, 2026

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Glenraven books in publication order

Sort:

2 books

1

Glenraven

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

1995

Two modern women are swept into Glenraven, a fantasy kingdom ruled through fear and shadowed by prophecy. Their friendship and practical courage become vital as they learn the realm needs them to fight back.

2

In the Rift

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

1998

The fragile peace of Glenraven is threatened by a new danger, pulling familiar characters back into a world they can no longer treat as a passing adventure. Old alliances face hard new tests.

Glenraven books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Glenraven"

    Glenraven

    by Marion Zimmer Bradley

    1995Glenraven, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "In the Rift"

    In the Rift

    by Marion Zimmer Bradley

    1998Glenraven, Book 2

Series background & context

Glenraven is a portal-fantasy series by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Holly Lisle. It begins when two women from the modern world, JayJay and Linda, find themselves drawn into another realm, one that has its own brutal ruler, old prophecies, and urgent need for help.

They do not arrive as heroes. They have to become useful fast.

The first novel, Glenraven, sends its protagonists into a kingdom shaped by fear and political control. JayJay and Linda have very different temperaments, but their friendship becomes a practical survival tool as much as an emotional anchor. The setting has the expected fantasy ingredients, including magic, royal conflict, and an embattled people, yet the story keeps its focus on women learning what they can do when the rules of their lives suddenly change.

In the Rift revisits the world after the first crisis, showing that a victory does not automatically solve a kingdom's deeper problems. New dangers test the alliances formed in the earlier book and push the characters to reckon with what they owe Glenraven now that it has become more than a strange detour.

The stakes are magical, but the heart is personal.

Expect a straightforward fantasy adventure with a strong friendship at its center. Start with Glenraven, then move to In the Rift. This page keeps the two-book order simple and gives readers a sense of the collaboration's mix of modern voices, fantasy danger, and political upheaval.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

Comments

Did we miss something? Have feedback?

Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts

We only use your email to notify you about replies.

All comments are moderated.

Discover and track your reading on the go

Track your reading, manage wishlists, and get notified when new books are added.