BookBingeCradle Books in Order
The short answer
Will Wight · 12 books
- How many books?
- There are 12 books in the Cradle series, published 2016–2023.
- Is it finished?
- Yes — the series is complete; it ends with Waybound (2023).
- Where to start
- Start with Unsouled (2016).
About 4,700 pages — roughly 80 hours of reading
An outcast with no magical talent claws his way toward power in a rigidly hierarchical cultivation world, in one of modern fantasy's biggest breakout hits.
Here is the complete Cradle reading order — all 12 books by Will Wight, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- UnsouledBorn without the spiritual core his martial-arts-obsessed clan considers essential for power, a determined young man sets out to master forbidden techniques and prove his worth.2016384 pages
- SoulsmithExiled from his clan and left to fend for himself, the young outcast ventures into a dangerous, monster-filled wilderness in search of the strength to survive.2016284 pages
- BlackflameAs his reputation begins to grow, the protagonist must navigate rival clans and old dangers while pushing his unconventional fighting style further than anyone expected.2017368 pages
- SkyswornA prestigious sect's recruitment trials pit the protagonist against gifted young fighters from across the region, each competing for a coveted place among the elite.2017290 pages
- GhostwaterTrapped inside a sealed, deadly labyrinth with no way out, the protagonist must grow stronger fast enough to survive its escalating dangers.2018310 pages
- UnderlordAs larger factions maneuver for control of the region, the protagonist's rapidly growing power begins to attract the attention of forces far more dangerous than before.2019348 pages
- UncrownedA grand sect tournament draws the era's most talented young fighters into fierce competition, forcing the protagonist to test himself against rivals from across the world.2019355 pages
- WintersteelOld rivalries and political intrigue come to a head as allies and enemies alike prepare for a looming conflict of unprecedented scale.2020526 pages
- BloodlineThe awakening of an ancient, world-threatening power forces rival factions to set aside their differences and prepare for a war unlike any they've faced.2021397 pages
- ReaperWith a catastrophic, world-ending threat drawing closer, the protagonist and his allies race to gather the strength needed to stand against it.2021486 pages
- DreadgodAs annihilation looms over their world, the protagonist and his companions move to confront one of the godlike threats bearing down on them.2022484 pages
- WayboundIn a final battle for the fate of their world, the protagonist and his allies make their last stand against forces powerful enough to unmake reality itself.2023516 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
On our lists: Completed fantasy series
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Cradle books are there?
There are 12 books in the Cradle series by Will Wight, from Unsouled (2016) to Waybound (2023). Together they run to about 4,700 pages.
Is the Cradle series finished?
Yes. Will Wight completed the series with Waybound in 2023; all 12 books are out now.
What is the first Cradle book?
Unsouled (2016) is book one, at 384 pages. Born without the spiritual core his martial-arts-obsessed clan considers essential for power, a determined young man sets out to master forbidden techniques and prove his worth.
Should I read the Cradle series in publication order?
Yes. For the Cradle series, reading order and publication order are the same — Unsouled (2016) through Waybound (2023).
How long does it take to read all Cradle books?
About 4,700 pages across 12 books — roughly 80 hours at a page a minute. The longest is Wintersteel (526 pages); the shortest is Soulsmith (284 pages).