I am obsessed with T. Kingfisher’s White Rat world. Like, keep me in here forever it’s my happy place now I’m just obsessed. The world-building and characters and everything here is so delightful, so fun, so thorough, I just love every second with these characters. The White Rat world consists of 3 series:
- Clocktaur War Duology (complete)
- The Saint of Steel Series (4 of 7 books out)
- Swordheart Trilogy (2 of 3 books out)’
White Rat Reading Order
Because these are 3 separate stories happening in the same world but along different timelines, you might be asking “what order do I read the White Rat books in” and here are a couple of suggestions based on what kind of reader you are!
If you want to go in the timeline of the stories, you can just power straight through each series individually.
- Clocktaur Wars Duology
- Clockwork Boys
- The Wonder Engine
- Swordheart Trilogy
- Swordheart
- Daggerbound
- The Saint of Steel Series
- Paladin’s Grace
- Paladin’s Strength
- Paladin’s Hope
- Paladin’s Faith
If you want to go in release order for when each book was published, this is the way to go.
- Clockwork Boys
- The Wonder Engine
- Swordheart
- Paladin’s Grace
- Paladin’s Strength
- Paladin’s Hope
- Paladin’s Faith
- Daggerbound
When I started this journey, I didn’t know I was entering a whole universe, and started with a book I had seen was funny and I was right. I don’t think this is a bad order at all, but I DO think this order will get you SUCKED IN to the White Rat world, because book 1 in this order is still my fave book in this world. But I think I can best describe his order as going by series, starting with the funniest.
- Order of the books I’ve currently read:
- Swordheart
- Daggerbound
- Paladin’s Grace
- Paladin’s Strength
- Still on my TBR and the order I’m going to read:
- Paladin’s Hope
- Paladin’s Faith
- Clockwork Boys
- The Wonder Engine
What is the World of the White Rat Even About?
This is a fantasy universe where there are different gods/religions/churches as well as different types of creatures that live alongside humans. The White Rat specifically is a church in this world that is known for being, about the best/most pragmatic of them all. They help out people, other churches, they’ve got lawyers, and they’re sort of the one religious institution everyone can agree is pretty good overall.
The thing that makes it so special is T. Kingfisher’s writing. She wrote the absolute hell out of this world. It’s so lush and vibrant and distinct. It’s not quite cozy but not quite epic, it’ll make you laugh and giggle, and you’re just pretty much guaranteed to have a good time.
What Are Each of the White Rat Series About?
Clocktaur Wars Duology
To be clear this is the one I know the least about since I haven’t read any of it, BUT you do get a debrief of it in the Swordheart trilogy. But basically a group of misfits gets sent on an espionage mission to find out more about the neighboring kingdom’s new mechanical soldiers
Where to Start Reading:
Swordheart Trilogy
This is a trilogy of interconnected standalones (and I wouldn’t read them out of order). But there were 3 warriors who were cursed to live inside 3 different weapons; a sword, a dagger, and a shield. When someone stumbles upon the weapon and uses it, the 500 year old warrior emerges and is now that person’s guardian, which is both VERY confusing for everyone involved and deeply entertaining.
Each book follows a new couple!
Where to Start Reading:
The Saint of Steel Series
Paladins were famed, devoted, and nearly unstoppable warriors to their god when all the sudden the god died, shaking everything they’ve ever stood for. Now, they must live in a new world where they don’t have the favor of their god as well as the after effects of losing their powers.
Each book follows a new couple!
Where to Start Reading:
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