Forgotten Realms

#1134.20 of 664 ranked universes · full ranking

Books 40 books Status Ongoing 1988–present Reading commitment High shared world · Wizards of the Coast Last reviewed 2026-08-06

Overview

Forgotten Realms is the flagship shared world of Dungeons & Dragons: created by Ed Greenwood from 1967 as a private story world, sold to TSR in 1986–87 (for $5,000), and owned by Wizards of the Coast since 1997. Over 200 novels by dozens of authors have appeared since Douglas Niles's Darkwalker on Moonshae (1987), headlined by R.A. Salvatore's saga of the drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden. First universe admitted beyond the initial canon of 20.

Epic fantasy · For Adult

Core Canon: Reading Order (40 works) counts toward ranking

The Legend of Drizzt (author line) R.A. Salvatore

	Work	Year	Canon	Rating
	The Crystal Shard; The Icewind Dale Trilogy #1	1988	core	4.12 (62,025 ratings)
	Streams of Silver; The Icewind Dale Trilogy #2	1989	core	4.17 (47,688 ratings)
	The Halfling's Gem; The Icewind Dale Trilogy #3	1990	core	4.19 (47,869 ratings)
	Homeland; The Dark Elf Trilogy #1	1990	core	4.26 (101,229 ratings)
	Exile; The Dark Elf Trilogy #2	1990	core	4.23 (74,380 ratings)
	Sojourn; The Dark Elf Trilogy #3	1991	core	4.22 (74,932 ratings)
	The Legacy; Legacy of the Drow #1	1992	core	4.20 (36,536 ratings)
	Starless Night; Legacy of the Drow #2	1993	core	4.15 (31,279 ratings)
	Siege of Darkness; Legacy of the Drow #3	1994	core	4.19 (29,100 ratings)
	Passage to Dawn; Legacy of the Drow #4	1996	core	4.12 (23,900 ratings)
	The Silent Blade; Paths of Darkness #1	1998	core	4.15 (23,186 ratings)
	The Spine of the World; Paths of Darkness #2	1999	core	3.91 (20,441 ratings)
	Servant of the Shard; Paths of Darkness #3; later reassigned to The Sellswords #1	2000	core	4.20 (16,219 ratings)
	Sea of Swords; Paths of Darkness #4	2001	core	4.12 (19,688 ratings)
	The Thousand Orcs; The Hunter's Blades Trilogy #1	2002	core	4.13 (22,097 ratings)
	The Lone Drow; The Hunter's Blades Trilogy #2	2003	core	4.20 (19,964 ratings)
	The Two Swords; The Hunter's Blades Trilogy #3	2004	core	4.20 (18,123 ratings)
	Promise of the Witch-King; The Sellswords #2 (Entreri & Jarlaxle)	2005	core	4.19 (11,385 ratings)
	Road of the Patriarch; The Sellswords #3 (Entreri & Jarlaxle)	2006	core	4.21 (9,820 ratings)
	The Orc King; Transitions #1	2007	core	4.16 (15,713 ratings)
	The Pirate King; Transitions #2	2008	core	4.07 (12,366 ratings)
	The Ghost King; Transitions #3	2009	core	4.19 (11,209 ratings)
	Gauntlgrym; Neverwinter Saga #1	2010	core	4.23 (12,417 ratings)
	Neverwinter; Neverwinter Saga #2	2011	core	4.16 (10,069 ratings)
	Charon's Claw; Neverwinter Saga #3	2012	core	4.22 (8,659 ratings)
	The Last Threshold; Neverwinter Saga #4	2013	core	4.23 (7,519 ratings)
	The Companions; The Sundering #1	2013	core	4.37 (9,403 ratings)
	Night of the Hunter; Companions Codex #1	2014	core	4.34 (6,665 ratings)
	Rise of the King; Companions Codex #2	2014	core	4.34 (5,662 ratings)
	Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf; Companions Codex #3	2015	core	4.37 (5,082 ratings)
	Archmage; Homecoming #1	2015	core	4.36 (5,295 ratings)
	Maestro; Homecoming #2	2016	core	4.40 (4,639 ratings)
	Hero; Homecoming #3	2016	core	4.48 (4,464 ratings)
	Timeless; Generations #1	2018	core	4.23 (4,460 ratings)
	Boundless; Generations #2	2019	core	4.29 (2,936 ratings)
	Relentless; Generations #3	2020	core	4.45 (2,765 ratings)
	Starlight Enclave; The Way of the Drow #1	2021	core	4.41 (2,528 ratings)
	Glacier's Edge; The Way of the Drow #2	2022	core	4.50 (2,078 ratings)
	Lolth's Warrior; The Way of the Drow #3	2023	core	4.46 (1,783 ratings)
	The Finest Edge of Twilight; New saga starring Drizzt's daughter Breezy Do'Urden	2025	core	4.16 (814 ratings)

R.A. Salvatore's 40-novel line (1988-2025), incl. The Sellswords; sub-series recorded per book. Continues with Drizzt's daughter (2025-).

The wider catalogue (registered summarily) (226 works) context only

The Cleric Quintet R.A. Salvatore

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Canticle; The Cleric Quintet #1.	1991	1	expanded	N/A
	In Sylvan Shadows; The Cleric Quintet #2.	1992	2	expanded	N/A
	Night Masks; The Cleric Quintet #3.	1992	3	expanded	N/A
	The Fallen Fortress; The Cleric Quintet #4.	1993	4	expanded	N/A
	The Chaos Curse; The Cleric Quintet #5.	1994	5	expanded	N/A

R.A. Salvatore's non-Drizzt Forgotten Realms line, following the priest Cadderly Bonaduce: Canticle (1991), In Sylvan Shadows (1992), Night Masks (1992), The Fallen Fortress (1993), The Chaos Curse (1994). Individual volumes registered 2026-08-18, completing a series stub that had been registered without them since the original admission.

Elminster series Ed Greenwood

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Elminster: The Making of a Mage; Elminster series #1.	1994	1	expanded	N/A
	Elminster in Myth Drannor; Elminster series #2.	1997	2	expanded	N/A
	The Temptation of Elminster; Elminster series #3.	1998	3	expanded	N/A
	Elminster in Hell; Elminster series #4.	2001	4	expanded	N/A
	Elminster's Daughter; Elminster series #5.	2004	5	expanded	N/A
	Elminster Must Die; Elminster series #6; the final 3 volumes (Elminster Must Die, Bury Elminster Deep, Elminster Enraged) are also marketed as "The Sage of Shadowdale" trilogy, a continuous conclusion to the same reading order.	2010	6	expanded	N/A
	Bury Elminster Deep; Elminster series #7; the final 3 volumes (Elminster Must Die, Bury Elminster Deep, Elminster Enraged) are also marketed as "The Sage of Shadowdale" trilogy, a continuous conclusion to the same reading order.	2011	7	expanded	N/A
	Elminster Enraged; Elminster series #8; the final 3 volumes (Elminster Must Die, Bury Elminster Deep, Elminster Enraged) are also marketed as "The Sage of Shadowdale" trilogy, a continuous conclusion to the same reading order.	2012	8	expanded	N/A

Ed Greenwood's 8-novel line about the setting's signature wizard Elminster Aumar (1994-2012); the final 3 volumes are also marketed as "The Sage of Shadowdale" trilogy, a direct continuation of the same reading order, not a separate series. Individual volumes registered 2026-08-18, completing a series stub that had been registered without them since the original admission.

The Moonshae Trilogy Douglas Niles

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Darkwalker on Moonshae; The first Forgotten Realms novel ever published (one month before the Campaign Set). Moonshae Trilogy #1.	1987	N/A	expanded	N/A
	Black Wizards; Moonshae Trilogy #2.	1988	2	expanded	N/A
	Darkwell; Moonshae Trilogy #3.	1989	3	expanded	N/A

Douglas Niles's founding Forgotten Realms trilogy (1987-1989): Darkwalker on Moonshae (1987), Black Wizards (1988), Darkwell (1989). All 3 volumes registered; the last 2 had been pending since the original admission and were completed 2026-08-18.

The Avatar Trilogy Scott Ciencin, Troy Denning

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Shadowdale; The Avatar Trilogy #1. Credited on its original edition to the shared house pseudonym "Richard Awlinson"; actual authorship per Wikipedia's "The Avatar Series" article.	1989	1	expanded	N/A
	Tantras; The Avatar Trilogy #2. Credited on its original edition to the shared house pseudonym "Richard Awlinson"; actual authorship per Wikipedia's "The Avatar Series" article.	1989	2	expanded	N/A
	Waterdeep; The Avatar Trilogy #3. Credited on its original edition to the shared house pseudonym "Richard Awlinson"; actual authorship per Wikipedia's "The Avatar Series" article.	1989	3	expanded	N/A

The foundational 1989 crossover trilogy covering the Forgotten Realms' Time of Troubles, during which the gods walk Faerun as mortals: Shadowdale, Tantras, and Waterdeep. Published under the shared house pseudonym "Richard Awlinson"; Shadowdale and Tantras are actually by Scott Ciencin, Waterdeep by Troy Denning, per Wikipedia's own "The Avatar Series" article. Registered 2026-08-18.

War of the Spider Queen Richard Lee Byers, Thomas M. Reid, Richard Baker, Lisa Smedman, Philip Athans, Paul S. Kemp

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Dissolution; War of the Spider Queen #1.	2002	1	expanded	N/A
	Insurrection; War of the Spider Queen #2.	2002	2	expanded	N/A
	Condemnation; War of the Spider Queen #3.	2003	3	expanded	N/A
	Extinction; War of the Spider Queen #4.	2004	4	expanded	N/A
	Annihilation; War of the Spider Queen #5.	2004	5	expanded	N/A
	Resurrection; War of the Spider Queen #6.	2005	6	expanded	N/A

A 6-novel series (2002-2005) about the drow goddess Lolth's mysterious silence and its fallout across Menzoberranzan, plotted/edited by R.A. Salvatore with each novel written by a different author: Dissolution (Richard Lee Byers), Insurrection (Thomas M. Reid), Condemnation (Richard Baker), Extinction (Lisa Smedman), Annihilation (Philip Athans), Resurrection (Paul S. Kemp). Registered 2026-08-18.

Sembia: Gateway to the Realms Ed Greenwood, Voronica Whitney-Robinson, Richard Lee Byers, Paul S. Kemp, Lisa Smedman, Dave Gross

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Halls of Stormweather; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #1. A linked-story anthology introducing the extended Uskevren family of Stormweather Towers; credited on-cover to Ed Greenwood, with contributions from Voronica Whitney-Robinson, Richard Lee Byers, Paul S. Kemp, Lisa Smedman, Dave Gross, and a Clayton Emery short story not otherwise registered in this database.	2000	1	expanded	N/A
	Shadow's Witness; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #2. Butler-turned-assassin Erevis Cale is drawn into a plot involving a god-touched relic and the Uskevren household.	2000	2	expanded	N/A
	The Shattered Mask; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #3. A thief and shapeshifting spy get entangled in Sembian intrigue and a shadowy cult.	2001	3	expanded	N/A
	Black Wolf; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #4. Uskevren heir Talbot Uskevren grapples with a lycanthropic curse.	2001	4	expanded	N/A
	Heirs of Prophecy; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #5. Focuses on twins Tazi and Talbot Uskevren and a prophecy tied to Sembia's fate.	2002	5	expanded	N/A
	Sands of the Soul; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #6. A desert-set adventure involving soul-theft and ancient magic tied to the Uskevren circle.	2002	6	expanded	N/A
	Lord of Stormweather; Sembia: Gateway to the Realms #7. Series finale resolving the Uskevren family's fortunes and Sembia's political turmoil.	2003	7	expanded	N/A

A 7-novel series (2000-2003) following the merchant city of Sembia and the extended Uskevren family, one novel per author in a shared timeline, plotted/edited by Ed Greenwood. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Threat from the Sea Mel Odom

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Rising Tide	1998	1	expanded	N/A
	Under Fallen Stars	1999	2	expanded	N/A
	The Sea Devil's Eye	2000	3	expanded	N/A

A trilogy (1998-2000) about an undersea sahuagin threat, led by the mysterious Iakhovas, against the Sword Coast; the accompanying anthology Realms of the Deep (2000, multiple authors) shares the setting but is not part of this trilogy. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Return of the Archwizards Troy Denning

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Summoning	2001	1	expanded	N/A
	The Siege	2001	2	expanded	N/A
	The Sorcerer	2002	3	expanded	N/A

A trilogy (2001-2002) about the exiled Shadovar archwizards' return to the Realms and the siege of the elven refuge Evereska, featuring Elminster and the Chosen of Mystra. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Harpers Troy Denning, Elaine Cunningham, Jean Rabe, Scott Ciencin, James Lowder, Mark Anthony, David "Zeb" Cook, Ed Greenwood, Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Parched Sea; The Harpers #1. Ranger Rylar and a Harper agent cross the Anauroch desert pursued by an orc horde.	1991	1	expanded	N/A
	Elfshadow; The Harpers #2. Half-elf assassin-turned-Harper Arilyn Moonblade hunts a killer targeting Harper agents.	1991	2	expanded	N/A
	Red Magic; The Harpers #3. A Harper agent battles Thayan Red Wizards' influence in the Telflamm region.	1991	3	expanded	N/A
	The Night Parade; The Harpers #4. A young Harper confronts supernatural forces tied to a cursed village.	1992	4	expanded	N/A
	The Ring of Winter; The Harpers #5. Adventurer Artus Cimber seeks an artifact of eternal winter in a lost jungle land.	1992	5	expanded	N/A
	Crypt of the Shadowking; The Harpers #6. Adventurers investigate an undead threat rising from the ruins of Karse.	1993	6	expanded	N/A
	Soldiers of Ice; The Harpers #7. A mercenary company gets caught up in Harper business during a border war.	1993	7	expanded	N/A
	Elfsong; The Harpers #8. Sequel to Elfshadow; Arilyn Moonblade and bard Danilo Thann face renewed danger in Waterdeep.	1994	8	expanded	N/A
	Crown of Fire; The Harpers #9. Shandril Shessair, fugitive fire-mage, is hunted across Faerun; also cross-listed as Shandril's Saga #2.	1994	9	expanded	N/A
	Masquerades; The Harpers #10. Finder/Giogioni Wyvernspur intrigue involving disguise and political conspiracy.	1995	10	expanded	N/A
	Curse of the Shadowmage; The Harpers #11. Sequel to Crypt of the Shadowking; further confrontation with the Shadowking's undead legacy.	1995	11	expanded	N/A
	The Veiled Dragon; The Harpers #12.	1996	12	expanded	N/A
	Silver Shadows; The Harpers #13. Arilyn Moonblade returns to Evereska amid elven politics and danger.	1996	13	expanded	N/A
	Stormlight; The Harpers #14. Set in Ravens Bluff after the Time of Troubles; a Harper deals with a magical storm crisis.	1996	14	expanded	N/A
	Finder's Bane; The Harpers #15. Continuation of the Finder Wyvernspur storyline; also cross-listed under "Lost Gods".	1997	15	expanded	N/A
	Thornhold; The Harpers #16. Bard/thief Bronwyn Caradoon investigates her family's ties to a fortress called Thornhold.	1998	16	expanded	N/A

A 16-novel series (1991-1998) of standalone-but-linked adventures each following a different member of the Harpers, a secretive network of rangers/bards/spies working to preserve balance across Faerun; one novel per volume, various authors, some (Elfshadow/Elfsong/Silver Shadows/Thornhold; Crypt of the Shadowking/Curse of the Shadowmage; Masquerades/Finder's Bane) forming their own internal 2-4 book arcs. The Veiled Dragon (1996) is registered without a confirmed print ISBN; only ebook/ASIN identifiers were found. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Sundering R.A. Salvatore, Paul S. Kemp, Erin M. Evans, Richard Lee Byers, Troy Denning, Ed Greenwood

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Godborn; The Sundering, Book 2. Cyric and Kelemvor's divine conflict entangles Erevis Cale's son Vasen.	2013	2	expanded	N/A
	The Adversary; The Sundering, Book 3. Farideh the tiefling warlock is caught between Asmodeus's rise and the fate of the Hells.	2014	3	expanded	N/A
	The Reaver; The Sundering, Book 4. Pirate and thief characters are swept into the cosmic upheaval of the Sundering.	2014	4	expanded	N/A
	The Sentinel; The Sundering, Book 5. A conflict centered on Netheril and the returning goddess Shar's schemes.	2014	5	expanded	N/A
	The Herald; The Sundering, Book 6. Elminster fights to protect the Weave as Shar's Shadow Weave threatens Faerun, closing out the event.	2014	6	expanded	N/A

A 6-novel crossover event (2013-2014) marking a cosmological turning point in the setting, one novel per volume by 6 different well-known Forgotten Realms authors, plotted around the goddess Shar's rise and the fate of the Weave. Book I, The Companions (2013, R.A. Salvatore), is not separately listed here: it is the same novel already registered as Core Canon within the Legend of Drizzt author line, which already carries its own 'The Sundering #1' cross-reference note; this project lists each book under exactly one series to avoid double-counting it. The Godborn (Book II) is registered without a confirmed print ISBN; the identifier found could only be inferred from Wizards of the Coast's sequential numbering pattern for this set, not independently verified. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Cormyr Saga Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, Troy Denning

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Cormyr: A Novel; The Cormyr Saga #1. Told in linked vignettes spanning Cormyr's founding through the present day, tracing a court conspiracy against the royal Obarskyr line against the backdrop of the kingdom's entire history.	1996	1	expanded	N/A
	Beyond the High Road; The Cormyr Saga #2. Princess Tanalasta's entanglement with a sinister religious order alarms King Azoun and the royal magician, while an ancient evil prepares an assault on Cormyr.	1999	2	expanded	N/A
	Death of the Dragon; The Cormyr Saga #3. The concluding volume: King Azoun IV's final days, as "seven scourges" converge on Cormyr and the Obarskyr family faces dark magic and a formidable dragon. This ISBN (the hardcover first printing) was found on only one retailer listing, not cross-confirmed on a second; the paperback reprint's commonly-cited ISBN failed its own checksum and was not used.	2000	3	expanded	N/A

A 3-novel trilogy (1996-2000) about the history and near-collapse of the kingdom of Cormyr, spanning centuries in book 1's own frame and culminating in King Azoun IV's death in book 3. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Netheril Trilogy Clayton Emery

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Sword Play	1996	1	expanded	N/A
	Dangerous Games	1997	2	expanded	N/A
	Mortal Consequences	1998	3	expanded	N/A

A trilogy (1996-1998) set in the ancient flying-city magocracy of Netheril, following the barbarian Sunbright Steelshanks; sole author Clayton Emery, confirmed against the Forgotten Realms Wiki, FantasticFiction, and a reader-rating platform's series page (one retailer listing's claim of a Victor Milan co-authorship is contradicted by all 3 of those independent sources and is not registered). Registered 2026-08-18.

The Nobles David "Zeb" Cook, Victor Milan, Mark Anthony, Brian Thomsen, Paul Kidd, Lynn Abbey

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	King Pinch; The Nobles #1. A con-man/thief protagonist entangled in Calimshan intrigue.	1995	1	expanded	N/A
	War in Tethyr; The Nobles #2. A civil war for the throne of Tethyr, seen through mercenary and noble eyes.	1995	2	expanded	N/A
	Escape from Undermountain; The Nobles #3. A band of adventurers flees through Halaster's sprawling dungeon beneath Waterdeep.	1996	3	expanded	N/A
	The Mage in the Iron Mask; The Nobles #4. A masked wizard's identity and past drive a Waterdeep-set intrigue.	1996	4	expanded	N/A
	The Council of Blades; The Nobles #5. Political maneuvering and swordplay among Waterdeep's noble council.	1997	5	expanded	N/A
	The Simbul's Gift; The Nobles #6. The Simbul, Aglarond's witch-queen, and a gift with far-reaching consequences.	1997	6	expanded	N/A

A 6-novel series (1995-1997) of standalone novels centered on Faerunian noble houses and political intrigue, one per author; corrects a mis-recollection of 5 books and 2 wrong titles (Wyvern's Spur, Crypt of the Shadowking, which belong to unrelated FR lines). Registered 2026-08-18.

The Priests Bruce R. Cordell, Dave Gross, Don Bassingthwaite, Kameron M. Franklin, Richard Lee Byers

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Lady of Poison; The Priests #1. A priestess entangled in a poison/nature-cult plot in the Vast.	2004	1	expanded	N/A
	Mistress of the Night; The Priests #2. A priestess navigating a dark, night-goddess-adjacent conspiracy (this project could not independently confirm the specific deity beyond title-level inference; left unstated in the synopsis).	2004	2	expanded	N/A
	Maiden of Pain; The Priests #3. A priestess bound to a pain-associated faith caught in a personal and political crisis (specific deity attribution not independently confirmed).	2005	3	expanded	N/A
	Queen of the Depths; The Priests #4. A priestess entangled with a sea-goddess-adjacent power struggle (specific deity attribution not independently confirmed).	2005	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-novel series (2004-2005) of standalone novels each following a priestess of a different Faerunian deity, one per author (Mistress of the Night co-authored by Dave Gross & Don Bassingthwaite); corrects a mis-recollection that placed this a decade earlier (1995-1998). The specific deity each volume centers on could not be independently confirmed beyond title-level inference and is left unstated rather than guessed. Registered 2026-08-18.

The Finder's Stone Trilogy Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Azure Bonds	1988	1	expanded	N/A
	The Wyvern's Spur	1990	2	expanded	N/A
	Song of the Saurials	1991	3	expanded	N/A

One of the earliest Forgotten Realms novel series, co-written by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb, following the mercenary Alias and her companions.

The Twilight Giants Trilogy Troy Denning

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Ogre's Pact	1994	1	expanded	N/A
	The Giant Among Us	1995	2	expanded	N/A
	The Titan of Twilight	1995	3	expanded	N/A

A Troy Denning trilogy centered on giantkin and ogre societies of the Great Glacier region.

The Erevis Cale Trilogy Paul S. Kemp

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Twilight Falling	2003	1	expanded	N/A
	Dawn of Night	2004	2	expanded	N/A
	Midnight's Mask	2005	3	expanded	N/A

Paul S. Kemp's debut Forgotten Realms trilogy, following the priest-turned-shadowdancer Erevis Cale; continued by The Twilight War trilogy.

The Twilight War trilogy Paul S. Kemp

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Shadowbred	2007	1	expanded	N/A
	Shadowstorm	2008	2	expanded	N/A
	Shadowrealm	2009	3	expanded	N/A

Paul S. Kemp's sequel trilogy to The Erevis Cale Trilogy, continuing Erevis Cale's story amid the Shadow Weave conflict.

The Lady Penitent Lisa Smedman

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Sacrifice of the Widow	2007	1	expanded	N/A
	Storm of the Dead	2007	2	expanded	N/A
	Ascendancy of the Last	2008	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Lisa Smedman trilogy following a drow priestess, distinct from her earlier contributions to War of the Spider Queen.

Double Diamond Triangle Saga J. Robert King, James M. Ward, David Wise, Ed Greenwood, Roger E. Moore, Dave Gross, David "Zeb" Cook, Peter Archer, Richard Baker

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Abduction; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	1	expanded	N/A
	The Paladins; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	2	expanded	N/A
	The Mercenaries; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	3	expanded	N/A
	Errand of Mercy; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	4	expanded	N/A
	An Opportunity for Profit; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	5	expanded	N/A
	Conspiracy; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	6	expanded	N/A
	Uneasy Alliances; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	7	expanded	N/A
	Easy Betrayals; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	8	expanded	N/A
	The Diamond; Part of the Double Diamond Triangle Saga, a 9-novella multi-author 1998 series set in Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, though a separately-titled saga rather than the same books. Beyond the first volume, no independently confirmable ISBN was found for this edition.	1998	9	expanded	N/A

A 9-novella multi-author 1998 series following the Double Diamond Triangle trading company's affairs across Cormyr and the Dalelands; a companion/sequel work to The Nobles, but a separately-titled saga, not a duplicate of those books. Only the first volume, The Abduction, has an independently confirmable ISBN from the sources checked.

The Wizards Steven E. Schend, James P. Davis, Bruce R. Cordell, Mark Sehestedt

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Blackstaff	2006	1	expanded	N/A
	Bloodwalk	2006	2	expanded	N/A
	Darkvision	2006	3	expanded	N/A
	Frostfell	2006	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-book 2006 multi-author companion collection to The Nobles/The Harpers/The Priests/The Rogues, each following a different wizard: Steven E. Schend, James P. Davis, Bruce R. Cordell, Mark Sehestedt. Not to be confused with the unrelated, later 'Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep' series, which reuses the Blackstaff Tower setting in the 2010s.

The Rogues Edward Bolme, Richard Lee Byers, Voronica Whitney-Robinson, Don Bassingthwaite

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Alabaster Staff	2003	1	expanded	N/A
	The Black Bouquet	2003	2	expanded	N/A
	The Crimson Gold	2003	3	expanded	N/A
	The Yellow Silk	2004	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-book 2003-2004 multi-author companion collection to The Nobles/The Harpers/The Priests/The Wizards, each following a different rogue: Edward Bolme, Richard Lee Byers, Voronica Whitney-Robinson, Don Bassingthwaite.

Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep Steven E. Schend, Jaleigh Johnson, Erik Scott de Bie, Rosemary Jones, Erin M. Evans, James P. Davis

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Blackstaff Tower; Part of Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, a 6-novel multi-author series each set in Waterdeep with an introduction by Ed Greenwood; distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series.	2008	1	expanded	N/A
	Mistshore; Part of Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, a 6-novel multi-author series each set in Waterdeep with an introduction by Ed Greenwood; distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series.	2008	2	expanded	N/A
	Downshadow; Part of Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, a 6-novel multi-author series each set in Waterdeep with an introduction by Ed Greenwood; distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series.	2009	3	expanded	N/A
	City of the Dead; Part of Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, a 6-novel multi-author series each set in Waterdeep with an introduction by Ed Greenwood; distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series.	2009	4	expanded	N/A
	The God Catcher; Part of Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, a 6-novel multi-author series each set in Waterdeep with an introduction by Ed Greenwood; distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series.	2010	5	expanded	N/A
	Circle of Skulls; Part of Ed Greenwood Presents Waterdeep, a 6-novel multi-author series each set in Waterdeep with an introduction by Ed Greenwood; distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series.	2010	6	expanded	N/A

A 6-novel multi-author series (2008-2010), each set in Waterdeep and introduced by Ed Greenwood, though not written by him. Distinct from the earlier, unrelated The Wizards series despite both featuring the Blackstaff Tower setting.

Brimstone Angels Erin M. Evans

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Brimstone Angels; Part of Brimstone Angels, a solo Erin M. Evans series following the tiefling warlock Farideh.	2011	1	expanded	N/A
	Lesser Evils; Part of Brimstone Angels, a solo Erin M. Evans series following the tiefling warlock Farideh.	2012	2	expanded	N/A
	Fire in the Blood; Part of Brimstone Angels, a solo Erin M. Evans series following the tiefling warlock Farideh.	2014	4	expanded	N/A
	Ashes of the Tyrant; Part of Brimstone Angels, a solo Erin M. Evans series following the tiefling warlock Farideh.	2015	5	expanded	N/A
	The Devil You Know; Part of Brimstone Angels, a solo Erin M. Evans series following the tiefling warlock Farideh.	2016	6	expanded	N/A

A 6-novel solo Erin M. Evans series (2011-2016) following the tiefling warlock Farideh. Book 3, The Adversary, is the same novel already Core-registered as Erin M. Evans's contribution to The Sundering -- it doubled as both works on original release and is not duplicated here; see The Sundering's own record. Only the first volume, Brimstone Angels, has an independently confirmable ISBN from the sources checked; books 2, 4, 5, and 6 are registered without one rather than guessed at.

The Watercourse Trilogy Philip Athans

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Whisper of Waves	2004	1	expanded	N/A
	Lies of Light	2005	2	expanded	N/A
	Scream of Stone	2007	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Philip Athans trilogy set in the port city of Innarlith.

Brotherhood of the Griffon Richard Lee Byers

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Captive Flame; Part of Brotherhood of the Griffon, a solo Richard Lee Byers series following the mercenary Aoth Fezim.	2010	1	expanded	N/A
	Whisper of Venom; Part of Brotherhood of the Griffon, a solo Richard Lee Byers series following the mercenary Aoth Fezim.	2010	2	expanded	N/A
	The Spectral Blaze; Part of Brotherhood of the Griffon, a solo Richard Lee Byers series following the mercenary Aoth Fezim.	2011	3	expanded	N/A
	The Masked Witches; Part of Brotherhood of the Griffon, a solo Richard Lee Byers series following the mercenary Aoth Fezim.	2012	4	expanded	N/A
	Prophet of the Dead; Part of Brotherhood of the Griffon, a solo Richard Lee Byers series following the mercenary Aoth Fezim.	2013	5	expanded	N/A

A 5-book solo Richard Lee Byers series (2010-2013) following the mercenary sellsword Aoth Fezim and his Brotherhood of the Griffon company. The final volume, Prophet of the Dead, has no independently confirmable print ISBN from the sources checked (only an e-book identifier was found).

Baldur's Gate (novelizations) Philip Athans, Drew Karpyshyn

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Baldur's Gate: A Novelization; A novelization tie-in to the Baldur's Gate video games, distinct from the tabletop-era continuity followed by most other Forgotten Realms novel series.	1999	1	expanded	N/A
	Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn; A novelization tie-in to the Baldur's Gate video games, distinct from the tabletop-era continuity followed by most other Forgotten Realms novel series.	2000	2	expanded	N/A
	Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal; A novelization tie-in to the Baldur's Gate video games, distinct from the tabletop-era continuity followed by most other Forgotten Realms novel series.	2001	3	expanded	N/A

A 3-book series of video-game novelizations tying into the Baldur's Gate CRPGs (Philip Athans for the first two, Drew Karpyshyn for the third), distinct from the tabletop-continuity novel lines that make up most of the rest of the Forgotten Realms catalogue.

Shandril's Saga Ed Greenwood

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Spellfire; Opens Shandril's Saga, following the fire-wielding Shandril Shessair; predates The Harpers series branding.	1988	1	expanded	N/A
	Hand of Fire; Closes Shandril's Saga, written well after the first two novels specifically to complete the trilogy.	2002	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Ed Greenwood trilogy following the fire-wielding Shandril Shessair: Spellfire (1988), Crown of Fire (1994), and Hand of Fire (2002). Book 2, Crown of Fire, is the same novel already Core-registered as an entry in The Harpers -- it was originally catalogued under that series' numbering before being retroactively grouped into this trilogy, and is cross-referenced here in prose rather than duplicated; this project keeps each book under exactly one series.

Counselors and Kings Elaine Cunningham

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Magehound; A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy set in Halruaa, sometimes called 'The Arcane Age.' Not to be confused with the unrelated Paul S. Kemp omnibus reprint of the same name for The Twilight War trilogy.	2000	1	expanded	N/A
	The Floodgate; A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy set in Halruaa, sometimes called 'The Arcane Age.' Not to be confused with the unrelated Paul S. Kemp omnibus reprint of the same name for The Twilight War trilogy.	2001	2	expanded	N/A
	The Wizardwar; A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy set in Halruaa, sometimes called 'The Arcane Age.' Not to be confused with the unrelated Paul S. Kemp omnibus reprint of the same name for The Twilight War trilogy.	2002	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy set in Halruaa, sometimes called 'The Arcane Age.' Not to be confused with the unrelated Paul S. Kemp omnibus reprint of the same name for The Twilight War trilogy.

Starlight and Shadows Elaine Cunningham

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Daughter of the Drow; A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy focused on the drow diplomat Liriel Baenre, set in Menzoberranzan; non-Salvatore, distinct from The Legend of Drizzt.	1995	1	expanded	N/A
	Tangled Webs; A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy focused on the drow diplomat Liriel Baenre, set in Menzoberranzan; non-Salvatore, distinct from The Legend of Drizzt.	1996	2	expanded	N/A
	Windwalker; A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy focused on the drow diplomat Liriel Baenre, set in Menzoberranzan; non-Salvatore, distinct from The Legend of Drizzt.	2003	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Elaine Cunningham trilogy focused on the drow diplomat Liriel Baenre, set in Menzoberranzan; non-Salvatore, distinct from The Legend of Drizzt.

House of Serpents Lisa Smedman

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Venom's Taste; A solo Lisa Smedman trilogy following the yuan-ti Sibyl Alaodae, predating her later War of the Spider Queen and Lady Penitent contributions.	2004	1	expanded	N/A
	Viper's Kiss; A solo Lisa Smedman trilogy following the yuan-ti Sibyl Alaodae, predating her later War of the Spider Queen and Lady Penitent contributions.	2005	2	expanded	N/A
	Vanity's Brood; A solo Lisa Smedman trilogy following the yuan-ti Sibyl Alaodae, predating her later War of the Spider Queen and Lady Penitent contributions.	2006	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Lisa Smedman trilogy following the yuan-ti Sibyl Alaodae, predating her later War of the Spider Queen and Lady Penitent contributions.

Maztica Trilogy Douglas Niles

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Ironhelm; A solo Douglas Niles trilogy set on the Aztec-inspired continent of Maztica; no verified sequel series by other authors was found despite some retailer confusion with unrelated Realms novels.	1990	1	expanded	N/A
	Viperhand; A solo Douglas Niles trilogy set on the Aztec-inspired continent of Maztica; no verified sequel series by other authors was found despite some retailer confusion with unrelated Realms novels.	1990	2	expanded	N/A
	Feathered Dragon; A solo Douglas Niles trilogy set on the Aztec-inspired continent of Maztica; no verified sequel series by other authors was found despite some retailer confusion with unrelated Realms novels.	1991	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Douglas Niles trilogy set on the Aztec-inspired continent of Maztica; no verified sequel series by other authors was found despite some retailer confusion with unrelated Realms novels.

The Empyrean Odyssey Thomas M. Reid

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Gossamer Plain; A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy following the githzerai monk Raidon Kane.	2007	1	expanded	N/A
	The Fractured Sky; A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy following the githzerai monk Raidon Kane.	2008	2	expanded	N/A
	The Crystal Mountain; A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy following the githzerai monk Raidon Kane.	2009	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy following the githzerai monk Raidon Kane.

Scions of Arrabar Trilogy Thomas M. Reid

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Sapphire Crescent; A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy set in Arrabar, predating his later Empyrean Odyssey.	2003	1	expanded	N/A
	The Ruby Guardian; A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy set in Arrabar, predating his later Empyrean Odyssey.	2004	2	expanded	N/A
	The Emerald Scepter; A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy set in Arrabar, predating his later Empyrean Odyssey.	2005	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Thomas M. Reid trilogy set in Arrabar, predating his later Empyrean Odyssey.

The Haunted Lands Richard Lee Byers

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Unclean; A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy following the vampire Malark Springhill; the series' official name is The Haunted Lands ("The Undead" is only the title of its second volume).	2007	1	expanded	N/A
	Undead; A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy following the vampire Malark Springhill; the series' official name is The Haunted Lands ("The Undead" is only the title of its second volume).	2008	2	expanded	N/A
	Unholy; A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy following the vampire Malark Springhill; the series' official name is The Haunted Lands ("The Undead" is only the title of its second volume).	2009	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy following the vampire Malark Springhill; the series' official name is The Haunted Lands ("The Undead" is only the title of its second volume).

Chosen of Nendawen Mark Sehestedt

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Fall of Highwatch; A solo Mark Sehestedt trilogy following the ranger Hweilan, chosen of the forest god Nendawen.	2009	1	expanded	N/A
	Hand of the Hunter; A solo Mark Sehestedt trilogy following the ranger Hweilan, chosen of the forest god Nendawen.	2010	2	expanded	N/A
	Cry of the Ghost Wolf; A solo Mark Sehestedt trilogy following the ranger Hweilan, chosen of the forest god Nendawen.	2011	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Mark Sehestedt trilogy following the ranger Hweilan, chosen of the forest god Nendawen.

Sword of the Gods Bruce R. Cordell

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Sword of the Gods; A solo Bruce R. Cordell duology following the paladin-turned-godling Kiril Duffield; some retailers additionally number it within the wider multi-author 'Abyssal Plague' storyline crossover. Spinner of Lies has no independently confirmable print ISBN from the sources checked (only an ebook identifier was found).	2011	1	expanded	N/A
	Spinner of Lies; A solo Bruce R. Cordell duology following the paladin-turned-godling Kiril Duffield; some retailers additionally number it within the wider multi-author 'Abyssal Plague' storyline crossover. Spinner of Lies has no independently confirmable print ISBN from the sources checked (only an ebook identifier was found).	2012	2	expanded	N/A

A solo Bruce R. Cordell duology following the paladin-turned-godling Kiril Duffield; some retailers additionally number it within the wider multi-author 'Abyssal Plague' storyline crossover. Spinner of Lies has no independently confirmable print ISBN from the sources checked (only an ebook identifier was found).

Unbroken Chain Jaleigh Johnson

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Unbroken Chain; A solo Jaleigh Johnson duology.	2010	1	expanded	N/A
	Unbroken Chain: The Darker Road; A solo Jaleigh Johnson duology.	2011	2	expanded	N/A

A solo Jaleigh Johnson duology.

Abolethic Sovereignty Bruce R. Cordell

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Plague of Spells; A solo Bruce R. Cordell trilogy centered on the Abolethic Sovereignty faction and the Spellplague's aftermath.	2008	1	expanded	N/A
	City of Torment; A solo Bruce R. Cordell trilogy centered on the Abolethic Sovereignty faction and the Spellplague's aftermath.	2009	2	expanded	N/A
	Key of Stars; A solo Bruce R. Cordell trilogy centered on the Abolethic Sovereignty faction and the Spellplague's aftermath.	2010	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Bruce R. Cordell trilogy centered on the Abolethic Sovereignty faction and the Spellplague's aftermath.

The Empires Trilogy David "Zeb" Cook, Troy Denning, James Lowder

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Horselords; A 1990-1991 multi-author trilogy set in the Hordelands/Kara-Tur region, one novel per author: David "Zeb" Cook, Troy Denning, James Lowder.	1990	1	expanded	N/A
	Dragonwall; A 1990-1991 multi-author trilogy set in the Hordelands/Kara-Tur region, one novel per author: David "Zeb" Cook, Troy Denning, James Lowder.	1990	2	expanded	N/A
	Crusade; A 1990-1991 multi-author trilogy set in the Hordelands/Kara-Tur region, one novel per author: David "Zeb" Cook, Troy Denning, James Lowder.	1991	3	expanded	N/A

A 1990-1991 multi-author trilogy set in the Hordelands/Kara-Tur region, one novel per author: David "Zeb" Cook, Troy Denning, James Lowder.

Druidhome Trilogy Douglas Niles

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Prophet of Moonshae; A solo Douglas Niles trilogy continuing the Moonshae Isles setting begun in his earlier Moonshae Trilogy.	1992	1	expanded	N/A
	The Coral Kingdom; A solo Douglas Niles trilogy continuing the Moonshae Isles setting begun in his earlier Moonshae Trilogy.	1992	2	expanded	N/A
	The Druid Queen; A solo Douglas Niles trilogy continuing the Moonshae Isles setting begun in his earlier Moonshae Trilogy.	1993	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Douglas Niles trilogy continuing the Moonshae Isles setting begun in his earlier Moonshae Trilogy.

The Cities Richard Baker, Drew Karpyshyn, Mel Odom, Elaine Cunningham, Ed Greenwood

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The City of Ravens; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each set in a different Forgotten Realms city, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues.	2000	1	expanded	N/A
	Temple Hill; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each set in a different Forgotten Realms city, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues.	2001	2	expanded	N/A
	The Jewel of Turmish; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each set in a different Forgotten Realms city, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues.	2004	3	expanded	N/A
	The City of Splendors; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each set in a different Forgotten Realms city, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues.	2005	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each set in a different Forgotten Realms city, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues.

The Fighters Jess Lebow, Erik Scott de Bie, Murray J.D. Leeder, Keith Francis Strohm

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Master of Chains; A 4-book multi-author companion collection following different warriors, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities.	2005	1	expanded	N/A
	Ghostwalker; A 4-book multi-author companion collection following different warriors, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities.	2005	2	expanded	N/A
	Son of Thunder; A 4-book multi-author companion collection following different warriors, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities.	2006	3	expanded	N/A
	Bladesinger; A 4-book multi-author companion collection following different warriors, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities.	2006	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-book multi-author companion collection following different warriors, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities.

The Dungeons Erik Scott de Bie, Jaleigh Johnson, Rosemary Jones, Bruce R. Cordell

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Depths of Madness; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different dungeon delve, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters.	2007	1	expanded	N/A
	The Howling Delve; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different dungeon delve, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters.	2007	2	expanded	N/A
	Crypt of the Moaning Diamond; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different dungeon delve, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters.	2007	3	expanded	N/A
	Stardeep; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different dungeon delve, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters.	2007	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different dungeon delve, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters.

The Citadels Ed Gentry, Jess Lebow, James P. Davis, Mark Sehestedt

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Neversfall; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different fortress/citadel, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters/The Dungeons.	2007	1	expanded	N/A
	Obsidian Ridge; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different fortress/citadel, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters/The Dungeons.	2008	2	expanded	N/A
	The Shield of Weeping Ghosts; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different fortress/citadel, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters/The Dungeons.	2008	3	expanded	N/A
	Sentinelspire; A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different fortress/citadel, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters/The Dungeons.	2008	4	expanded	N/A

A 4-book multi-author companion collection, each centered on a different fortress/citadel, in the same vein as The Nobles/Harpers/Priests/Wizards/Rogues/The Cities/The Fighters/The Dungeons.

The Last Mythal Richard Baker

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Forsaken House	2003	1	expanded	N/A
	Farthest Reach	2004	2	expanded	N/A
	Final Gate	2005	3	expanded	N/A

A Richard Baker trilogy following the elves of Myth Drannor and the fate of the mythal protecting the ruined city. 'Farthest Reach' has no independently confirmable ISBN.

The Fallbacks Jaleigh Johnson

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Bound for Ruin; A recent (2024-) Jaleigh Johnson series; ongoing, with a third volume announced but not yet published as of this registration.	2024	1	expanded	N/A
	Dealing with Dragons; A recent (2024-) Jaleigh Johnson series; ongoing, with a third volume announced but not yet published as of this registration.	2025	2	expanded	N/A

A solo Jaleigh Johnson series, ongoing as of 2025; a third volume has been announced but not yet published.

Stone of Tymora R.A. Salvatore, Geno Salvatore

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Stowaway	2009	1	expanded	N/A
	The Shadowmask	2010	2	expanded	N/A
	The Sentinels	2011	3	expanded	N/A

A father-son (R.A. Salvatore & Geno Salvatore) young-readers trilogy following Maimun and Fetchigrol -- distinct protagonists, not part of Drizzt Do'Urden's continuity, so kept separate from the 'Legend of Drizzt' author-line entry.

Blades of the Moonsea Richard Baker

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Swordmage	2008	1	expanded	N/A
	Corsair	2009	2	expanded	N/A
	Avenger	2010	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Richard Baker trilogy set around the Moonsea; distinct from Baker's other Forgotten Realms trilogy, The Last Mythal (Forsaken House/Farthest Reach/Final Gate).

Pool of Radiance Trilogy James M. Ward, Jane Cooper Hong, Anne K. Brown

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Pool of Radiance; A trilogy of novelizations tied to the Gold Box 'Pool of Radiance' video-game series, all co-written by James M. Ward.	1989	1	expanded	N/A
	Pools of Darkness; A trilogy of novelizations tied to the Gold Box 'Pool of Radiance' video-game series, all co-written by James M. Ward.	1992	2	expanded	N/A
	Pool of Twilight; A trilogy of novelizations tied to the Gold Box 'Pool of Radiance' video-game series, all co-written by James M. Ward.	1993	3	expanded	N/A

James M. Ward-authored novelizations of the Gold Box video-game series, 1989-1993.

Lost Empires Mel Odom, Troy Denning, Clayton Emery, Lynn Abbey

	Work	Year	Canon	Rating
	The Lost Library of Cormanthyr; Part of 'Lost Empires', a marketing line of four thematically-linked but independently-plotted standalone novels by four different authors, exploring lost ancient civilizations of Faerun.	1998	expanded	N/A
	Faces of Deception; Part of 'Lost Empires', a marketing line of four thematically-linked but independently-plotted standalone novels by four different authors, exploring lost ancient civilizations of Faerun.	1998	expanded	N/A
	Star of Cursrah; Part of 'Lost Empires', a marketing line of four thematically-linked but independently-plotted standalone novels by four different authors, exploring lost ancient civilizations of Faerun.	1999	expanded	N/A
	The Nether Scroll; Part of 'Lost Empires', a marketing line of four thematically-linked but independently-plotted standalone novels by four different authors, exploring lost ancient civilizations of Faerun.	2000	expanded	N/A

Four independently-plotted standalone novels (1998-2000) by four different authors, marketed together around the theme of Faerun's lost ancient civilizations.

Shadowbane Erik Scott de Bie

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Shadowbane; A solo Erik Scott de Bie duology; 'Eye of Justice' has no confirmable print ISBN (appears to have been an ebook-only release).	2011	1	expanded	N/A
	Shadowbane: Eye of Justice; A solo Erik Scott de Bie duology; 'Eye of Justice' has no confirmable print ISBN (appears to have been an ebook-only release).	2012	2	expanded	N/A

A solo Erik Scott de Bie duology, 2011-2012.

Forgotten Realms Mysteries Chet Williamson, Richard Meyers

	Work	Year	Canon	Rating
	Murder in Cormyr; Two of the three books in TSR's 1996 cross-setting 'Mysteries' marketing line; the third, 'Murder in Tarsis', is set in Dragonlance rather than Forgotten Realms and is tracked separately.	1996	expanded	N/A
	Murder in Halruaa; Two of the three books in TSR's 1996 cross-setting 'Mysteries' marketing line; the third, 'Murder in Tarsis', is set in Dragonlance rather than Forgotten Realms and is tracked separately.	1996	expanded	N/A

The two Forgotten Realms-set entries of TSR's 1996 cross-setting 'Mysteries' marketing line (Murder in Cormyr, Murder in Halruaa); the line's third book, Murder in Tarsis, is a Dragonlance novel.

Abyssal Plague: The Plague Strikes Don Bassingthwaite, James Wyatt

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Temple of Yellow Skulls; One of two Abyssal Plague-era sub-trilogies; the other, 'The Plague Spreads', is represented by the already-registered standalone Sword of the Gods (Bruce R. Cordell) -- its sibling volume, Under the Crimson Sun, is a Dark Sun novel and outside this database's scope.	2011	1	expanded	N/A
	Oath of Vigilance; One of two Abyssal Plague-era sub-trilogies; the other, 'The Plague Spreads', is represented by the already-registered standalone Sword of the Gods (Bruce R. Cordell) -- its sibling volume, Under the Crimson Sun, is a Dark Sun novel and outside this database's scope.	2011	2	expanded	N/A
	The Eye of the Chained God; One of two Abyssal Plague-era sub-trilogies; the other, 'The Plague Spreads', is represented by the already-registered standalone Sword of the Gods (Bruce R. Cordell) -- its sibling volume, Under the Crimson Sun, is a Dark Sun novel and outside this database's scope.	2012	3	expanded	N/A

One of two Abyssal Plague-era sub-trilogies; the other, 'The Plague Spreads', is represented by the already-registered standalone Sword of the Gods (Bruce R. Cordell) -- its sibling volume, Under the Crimson Sun, is a Dark Sun novel and outside this database's scope.

The Knights of Myth Drannor Ed Greenwood

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Swords of Eveningstar; A solo Ed Greenwood trilogy.	2006	1	expanded	N/A
	Swords of Dragonfire; A solo Ed Greenwood trilogy.	2007	2	expanded	N/A
	The Sword Never Sleeps; A solo Ed Greenwood trilogy.	2008	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Ed Greenwood trilogy.

The Shadow of the Avatar Ed Greenwood

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	Shadows of Doom; A solo Ed Greenwood sequel trilogy to the original Avatar Trilogy (Shadowdale/Tantras/Waterdeep), with entirely different books.	1995	1	expanded	N/A
	Cloak of Shadows; A solo Ed Greenwood sequel trilogy to the original Avatar Trilogy (Shadowdale/Tantras/Waterdeep), with entirely different books.	1995	2	expanded	N/A
	All Shadows Fled; A solo Ed Greenwood sequel trilogy to the original Avatar Trilogy (Shadowdale/Tantras/Waterdeep), with entirely different books.	1995	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Ed Greenwood sequel trilogy to the original Avatar Trilogy (Shadowdale/Tantras/Waterdeep), with entirely different books.

The Wilds Jenna Helland, James P. Davis, Jak Koke, Mel Odom

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Fanged Crown; Four standalone novels by different authors set in the same Forgotten Realms 4th-edition-era 'Wilds' region.	2009	1	expanded	N/A
	The Restless Shore; Four standalone novels by different authors set in the same Forgotten Realms 4th-edition-era 'Wilds' region.	2009	2	expanded	N/A
	The Edge of Chaos; Four standalone novels by different authors set in the same Forgotten Realms 4th-edition-era 'Wilds' region.	2009	3	expanded	N/A
	Wrath of the Blue Lady; Four standalone novels by different authors set in the same Forgotten Realms 4th-edition-era 'Wilds' region.	2009	4	expanded	N/A

Four standalone novels by different authors set in the same Forgotten Realms 4th-edition-era 'Wilds' region.

The Year of Rogue Dragons Richard Lee Byers

	Work	Year	Internal chron.	Canon	Rating
	The Rage; A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy.	2004	1	expanded	N/A
	The Rite; A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy.	2005	2	expanded	N/A
	The Ruin; A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy.	2006	3	expanded	N/A

A solo Richard Lee Byers trilogy.

• Once Around the Realms (1995) expanded; A standalone comic picaresque adventure novel, unconnected to any other Forgotten Realms series.
• The Dream Spheres (1999) expanded; The one genuinely new volume of the 'Songs and Swords' name (its other four volumes are repackaged reprints of already-registered Harpers-series novels by the same author).
• The Shadow Stone (1998) expanded; A standalone young-reader adventure novel ('Forgotten Realms: The Adventures' line) following a half-elf apprentice mage in Chessenta; unrelated to Troy Denning's Return of the Archwizards trilogy despite a since-corrected past mix-up between the two.
• Tymora's Luck (1997) expanded; Part of the loosely-connected 'Lost Gods' line; its sibling, Finder's Bane, is already registered under The Harpers.

A 6-novel crossover event (2013-2014) marking a cosmological turning point in the setting, one novel per volume by 6 different well-known Forgotten Realms authors, plotted around the goddess Shar's rise and the fate of the Weave. The Godborn (Book II) is registered without a confirmed print ISBN; the identifier found could only be inferred from Wizards of the Coast's sequential numbering pattern for this set, not independently verified. Registered 2026-08-18.

The first FR novels (1987-1989); only book 1 individually registered so far.

Darkwalker on Moonshae is individually registered as the historic first FR novel. Full catalogue registration is staged, never silently ignored.

Quick answers

• How many books are in Forgotten Realms? Forgotten Realms's Core Canon is 40 books, plus 226 more in the wider Library/Expanded material.
• What is the reading order for Forgotten Realms? Publication order, starting with The Crystal Shard. Full list and years in the Core Canon table above.
• Is Forgotten Realms finished? Ongoing (1988–present).
• How much reading does Forgotten Realms take? High reading commitment (estimated from 40 Core Canon books).
• How is Forgotten Realms ranked? #113 of 664 ranked universes on this site, based on 826,387 reader ratings across 40 Core Canon books. See the full ranking for how this is calculated.

Why is it ranked #113?

Ranked #113 of 664 ranked universes.

• Average reader rating of 4.20 across 40 core books.
• Backed by 826k reader ratings.
• Uneven reception: its books range from 3.91 to 4.50.
• Less than 0.01 behind #112, The Books of Babel (a finer tie-break level decides the order).
• Below the top-10 average of 4.45.

How the ranking works →

Why explore this universe?

Highly rated · 40 books · Ongoing · 826k ratings · Ranks #113 overall

Good choice if you want a long-running epic fantasy universe that's still ongoing, with new books still coming.

Reading order

Publication order (40 Core Canon books)

1. The Crystal Shard (1988)
2. Streams of Silver (1989)
3. Exile (1990)
4. Homeland (1990)
5. The Halfling's Gem (1990)
6. Sojourn (1991)
7. The Legacy (1992)
8. Starless Night (1993)
9. Siege of Darkness (1994)
10. Passage to Dawn (1996)
11. The Silent Blade (1998)
12. The Spine of the World (1999)
13. Servant of the Shard (2000)
14. Sea of Swords (2001)
15. The Thousand Orcs (2002)
16. The Lone Drow (2003)
17. The Two Swords (2004)
18. Promise of the Witch-King (2005)
19. Road of the Patriarch (2006)
20. The Orc King (2007)
21. The Pirate King (2008)
22. The Ghost King (2009)
23. Gauntlgrym (2010)
24. Neverwinter (2011)
25. Charon's Claw (2012)
26. The Companions (2013)
27. The Last Threshold (2013)
28. Night of the Hunter (2014)
29. Rise of the King (2014)
30. Archmage (2015)
31. Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf (2015)
32. Hero (2016)
33. Maestro (2016)
34. Timeless (2018)
35. Boundless (2019)
36. Relentless (2020)
37. Starlight Enclave (2021)
38. Glacier's Edge (2022)
39. Lolth's Warrior (2023)
40. The Finest Edge of Twilight (2025)

Records (verified)

• Salvatore: 15M+ copies sold in the US alone; 22 NYT-bestselling titles
• The Legacy (1992) reached #9 on the NYT list; the first two Icewind Dale books sold 1.5M+ copies
• 200+ FR novels published (per D&D executive producer Ray Winninger)

You might also like

Suggestions computed from what Forgotten Realms and each of these worlds have in common on record (subgenre, audience, shape, reading commitment and score), not a documented narrative connection.

• Legends of the First Empire Epic fantasy · Complete · High commitment · 4.32
• Realm of the Elderlings Epic fantasy · Complete · High commitment · 4.29
• Malazan Epic fantasy / Grimdark · Ongoing · High commitment · 4.27
• World of the Five Gods Epic fantasy · Ongoing · High commitment · 4.22

Official resources

• rasalvatore.com: official author site
• edgreenwood.net: official creator site
• D&D official (Wizards of the Coast)

Research details

Ranking metrics: weighted average 4.20 across 826,387 ratings on 40 Core Canon books. See Why is it ranked here? above for the full breakdown, or the full ranking.

How do we know this?

Admission: Forgotten Realms admitted; Core Canon; shared-world research stage 1 scope accepted 2026-08-05

Sources: (see source tier definitions)

• Wikipedia (English) Tier 2
• R.A. Salvatore, official website Tier 1
• Ed Greenwood, official website Tier 1
• FantasticFiction Tier 2

Last reviewed: 2026-08-06

Rule: The Sellswords (Artemis Entreri & Jarlaxle) counts within the line; its first volume was originally Paths of Darkness #3. Line total: 40 novels, 1988–2025, still in progress.

Key figures & organizations Knowledge-graph pilot

The second bounded, sourced pilot of this project's knowledge-graph layer, the second such pilot after Middle-earth's -- 27 characters, 13 places and 13 organizations registered for Forgotten Realms, with 66 cross-linking relationship edges (not rendered here). Chosen to stress-test the schema against a multi-author shared world; see the pilot evaluation for what that revealed. Coverage follows a fixed selection rule since 2026-09-04 (viewpoint characters across two or more core books, each series' protagonists and antagonists, and recurring named roles), so it scales with the size of the universe.

• Drizzt Do'Urden
• Elminster Aumar
• Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun
• Mystra

• Waterdeep
• Menzoberranzan
• Sword Coast
• Mithral Hall

• The Harpers
• The Zhentarim
• House Baenre

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