Elric: A Guide to Kindle Reading Order

Infuriatingly, the Elric stories on the Kindle are only available in a ‘scrambled’ arrangement across time and books, intermingled with other essays and fragments. While they form a curious academic study of the development of Moorcock’s themes and style they are not the most satisfying when read that way. Unfortunately, reading them in a purely chronological, narrative order tends to be jarring, since Moorcock inserted newer works into the timeline, retconning the style, feel and nature of Elric. Of course the writing is better in the newer books.

Instead, I recommend reading ‘canonical’ or ‘pure/classic’ Elric first - i.e. the primal, high-fantasy saga of a doomed anti-hero. Then, reading the later books layers in a newer appreciation of the metaphysics of Elric’s universe, his relationship to the Eternal Champion cycles, and Moorcock’s evolving philosophical voice. It happens that the later books are written with the expectation of some beforehand knowledge of Elric’s eventual fate.

Enjoy.

Published Kindle Elric Chronicles (‘Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné’)

• [BOOK 1] The Stealer of Souls
• [BOOK 2] To Rescue Tanelorn
• [BOOK 3] The Sleeping Sorceress
• [BOOK 4] Duke Elric
• [BOOK 5] In the Dream Realms
• [BOOK 6] Swords and Roses

Chronological Narrative Order - Canonical Titles

(See below for how to find the stories on your kindle)

1. Elric of Melniboné
2. The Fortress of the Pearl
3. The Sailor on the Seas of Fate
4. The Weird of the White Wolf
5. The Sleeping Sorceress (AKA The Vanishing Tower)
6. The Revenge of the Rose
7. The Bane of the Black Sword
8. Stormbringer
9. Elric at the End of Time

Recommended Reading Order and Where to Find Them in ‘The Chronicles’ on Kindle

([BOOK X] refers to the volume of ‘The Chronicles’ in which the story can be found).

1. Elric of Melniboné [BOOK 3]
2. The Sailor on the Seas of Fate [BOOK 4]
3. The Weird of the White Wolf
   1. The Dreaming City [BOOK 1]
   2. While the Gods Laugh [BOOK 1]
   3. The Singing Citadel [BOOK 2]
4. The Sleeping Sorceress (AKA The Vanishing Tower)
   1. The Torment of the Last Lord [BOOK 3]
   2. To Snare the Pale Prince [BOOK 3]
   3. Three Heroes With a Single Aim [BOOK 3]
5. The Bane of the Black Sword
   1. The Stealer of Souls [BOOK 1]
   2. Kings in Darkness [BOOK 1]
   3. The Flame Bringers (AKA The Caravan of Forgotten Dreams) [BOOK 1]
6. Stormbringer
   1. Dead God’s Homecoming [BOOK 1]
   2. Black Sword’s Brothers [BOOK 1]
   3. Sad Giant’s Shield [BOOK 1]
   4. Doomed Lord’s Passing [BOOK 1]
7. Elric at the End of Time [BOOK 2]
   • (Personally I recommend skipping this one unless you are a completist or are familiar with the Dancers at the End of Time cycle)
8. The Fortress of the Pearl [BOOK 5]
9. The Revenge of the Rose [BOOK 6]