Author guide
K. J. Parker Books in Order
Writing as K. J. Parker, Tom Holt creates technically detailed, historically inflected fantasy characterized by political intrigue, military logistics, unreliable narrators, dark humor, and morally compromised protagonists. Parker's bibliography includes multi-volume series, standalone novels, novellas, and several substantial collections of short fiction and essays.
fantasyhistorical fantasyspeculative fictionshort fiction
K. J. Parker's Newest Book
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Colours in the Steel
Start here for the author's earliest major fantasy series and a conventional trilogy reading experience.
Devices and Desires
The opening of the Engineer Trilogy and a strong introduction to Parker's engineering, politics, and military logistics.
The Folding Knife
A standalone novel that showcases Parker's political intrigue and unreliable first-person narration.
Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City
The accessible opening of The Siege trilogy and a concise introduction to Parker's military satire.
Academic Exercises
A broad introduction to Parker's short fiction, essays, recurring settings, and narrative styles.
Read in order
Books by series
trilogy · complete
The Fencer Trilogy
A completed trilogy of military and political fantasy novels centered on swordsmanship, arms manufacture, and succession struggles.
trilogy · complete
The Scavenger Trilogy
A completed trilogy following a scavenger and survivor through a fractured post-imperial world.
trilogy · complete
The Engineer Trilogy
A completed trilogy about a gifted engineer whose inventions and political ambitions entangle him in revolution and war.
trilogy · complete
The Siege
A completed trilogy of military-political fantasy novels about defending, ruling, and conquering cities and empires.
series · complete
The Two of Swords
A completed serialized novel published in three collected volumes, set amid a long-running imperial war and political upheaval.
trilogy · complete
Saevus Corax
A completed trilogy following the soldier and adventurer Saevus Corax through schemes involving war, inheritance, and survival.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (17)
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The CompanyAmazon ↗novel · 2008
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Purple and BlackAmazon ↗novella · 2009
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Blue and GoldAmazon ↗novella · 2010
- The Folding KnifeAmazon ↗
novel · 2010
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The HammerAmazon ↗novel · 2011
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SharpsAmazon ↗novel · 2012
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The Last WitnessAmazon ↗novella · 2015
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SavagesAmazon ↗novel · 2015
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Downfall of the GodsAmazon ↗novella · 2016
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The Devil You KnowAmazon ↗novella · 2016
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Mightier than the SwordAmazon ↗novella · 2017
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My Beautiful LifeAmazon ↗novella · 2019
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Prosper's DemonAmazon ↗novella · 2020
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Inside ManAmazon ↗novella · 2020
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The Big ScoreAmazon ↗novella · 2021
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The Long GameAmazon ↗novella · 2022
- Making HistoryAmazon ↗
novella · 2025
