Rather, it is based on what stories explain/introduce characters/events/concepts that are referred to in ‘later’ stories. This list is not based on publication order, or even necessarily on internal chronology.

The Prefect (?) – see explanation below.

So my recommendation is to read the novels in publication order, and the novellas and short story afterwards or mixed in publication order.Īlastair Reynolds Revelation Space Universe

The novellas Diamond Dogs and Turquoise Days can be read at any time, but I recommend reading RS and CC first to establish the scenery.

“Weather” is best read after Revelation Space, and “Grafenwalder's Bestiary” and “Nightingale” after Chasm City.

If I haven't missed anything, they're the only two stories that are connected to the plots of the novels, the others are merely set in the same universe.

“Great Wall of Mars” and “Glacial” precede Redemption Ark both in-story and publication-wise, but you can read RA first.

A couple of short stories are sequels to the novels, and should be read afterwards. None of them are necessary to read the novels, even when the events of the novels follow those of the short story. The short stories are set all over the timeline. TP is set before the Melding Plague, whereas the others (except for lengthy flashbacks) are set after. The Prefect was published last of the five novels, but it takes place before the main action of the other four. On the other hand, the characters and events from RS are an important preamble to RA, so I don't recommend skipping RS.Ībsolution Gap is a direct sequel to Redemption Ark. With Chasm City, it's not very important, so you can read RA without having read CC. Redemption Ark can be read without having read the other two, however you do meet characters from the first two books. The two books are independent, you can read them in either order. The events of Revelation Space and Chasm City overlap.

There is no in-story chronological order to the books, because most of them combine several time streams, sometimes centuries apart.

It's never a mistake to read books in publication order, especially if you intend to read them all.

Revelation space by alastair reynolds