Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books in order

We already talked some time ago about one of the Trilogies by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and their order reading. This author was a prominent Spanish writer, born in Barcelona in 1964 and unfortunately passed away in Los Angeles very recently, in 2020. His work is characterized by a mix of mystery, intrigue and gothic elements, set mainly in a Barcelona full of charm and secrets.

Throughout her career, she wrote several novels that are divided into two main sagas and some independent works. Below is the recommended order for reading her books, along with a brief synopsis of each one.

The order of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books

Trilogy of the Mist

This series, aimed at young audiences, combines elements of mystery and fantasy. Although each book is independent, They share a similar atmosphere and it is recommended to read them in order. of publication.

1. The prince of mist (1993)

In 1943, the Carver family moves to a small coastal town to escape the ravages of war. Max, the youngest son, discovers that the house where they now live holds dark secrets related to a mysterious character known as the Prince of Mist. Together with his new friends, Max will face supernatural forces that will put his family in danger.

2. The Palace of Midnight (1994)

In 1932 Calcutta, a group of orphans calling themselves the Chowbar Society prepare to leave the orphanage where they grew up. Ben and Sheere, twin brothers separated at birth, are reunited and, along with their friends, must confront a sinister figure from their past who threatens to destroy them.

3. The lights of September (1995)

In 1937, Simone Sauvelle and her children, Irene and Dorian, move to the Normandy coast after the death of their father. Simone finds a job as a housekeeper for an eccentric toymaker, Lazarus Jann, who lives in a mansion full of automatons and shadows of the past. Soon, Irene and her friend Ismael will discover that the house hides dark and dangerous secrets.

The Cemetery of Forgotten Books Tetralogy

This series for adults is Zafon's most acclaimed. Although each novel can be read independently, together they form a complex and fascinating plot. The recommended reading order is that of publication.

1. The shadow of the wind (2001)

In post-war Barcelona, young Daniel Sempere discovers a book titled “The Shadow of the Wind” in the mysterious Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Intrigued by the author, Julián Carax, Daniel embarks on an investigation that will lead him to unravel dark and dangerous secrets, while a sinister figure known as Laín Coubert seeks to destroy all of Carax’s works.

2. The Angel's Game (2008)

Set in 1920s Barcelona, the novel follows David Martín, a writer who receives an offer from a mysterious publisher to write a book that will change the course of history. As he progresses in his work, David becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue, secrets and dangers that connect him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and to his own past.

3. The Prisoner of Heaven (2011)

In 1957, Daniel Sempere and his friend Fermín Romero de Torres face new threats when an enigmatic character from Fermín's past reappears, endangering their lives and revealing secrets buried since the Spanish Civil War. This novel connects the plots of the two previous ones and prepares the ground for the conclusion of the saga.

4. The labyrinth of spirits (2016)

Alicia Gris, a researcher marked by the aftermath of war, is tasked with solving the disappearance of a minister in 1950s Barcelona. Her investigation takes her to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and to discover hidden truths that connect all the previous stories, closing the cycle in a masterful way.

Standalone Novels

In addition to the aforementioned sagas, Zafón wrote novels that, although independent, share his characteristic style and enveloping atmospheres.

1. Marine (1999)

In 1980s Barcelona, Óscar Drai, a teenage boarder at a boarding school, meets Marina and her father, Germán. Together, they become embroiled in the mystery of a woman who visits an unmarked grave and in a series of events that reveal dark secrets from the city's past. This novel combines elements of romance, mystery and horror, leaving a deep impression on the reader.

2. The city of steam (2020)

This posthumous collection brings together eleven stories that capture the essence of Zafón's literary universe. Some stories are connected to the novels in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, offering new perspectives and delving into already known characters. It is a tribute to the world of books and the magic of storytelling.

The work of Carlos Ruiz Zafón has left an indelible mark on contemporary literature, offering readers worlds full of mystery, emotion and literary beauty.