Book Series · 4 Books

The Wizards of Once Books

In order from The Wizards of Once to Never and Forever.

Cressida Cowell's four-book fantasy adventure brings together Xar, a Wizard boy without magic, and Wish, a Warrior girl hiding magic, as their forbidden friendship challenges an old conflict.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 12, 2026

Reading order

How to Read The Wizards of Once

Read The Wizards of Once, Twice Magic, Knock Three Times, and Never and Forever in numbered order. The story is continuous, and the fourth book is the publisher-identified final installment.

Cowell's energetic black-and-white illustrations are part of every novel. The series is separate from How to Train Your Dragon, so readers do not need to know those books first.

Sources: Hachette's official Wizards of Once order.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The fast-moving humor sits alongside genuine fantasy peril. Children encounter witches, curses, monsters, imprisonment, hunger, battles, injuries, and threats to families and magical creatures; some scenes and illustrations may feel spooky to sensitive readers.

At its center, the series questions inherited prejudice between Wizards and Warriors and emphasizes friendship, empathy, courage, and choosing differently from the adults who came before.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$2184

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

The Wizards of Once

By Cressida Cowell

A wizard without magic and a warrior with forbidden power must unite against a deadly witch.

373 pages· 53,617 words· Est. 6 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo

$22.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Xar, a wizard prince unable to cast spells, and Wish, a warrior princess with a forbidden magical object, find themselves on a collision course in the wildwood. As they pursue a deadly witch, their unlikely alliance could alter the fate of their warring worlds. Can they overcome their differences and harness their unique strengths to face the looming threat? Embark on a thrilling adventure where magic and courage intertwine, challenging everything they know about their identities and destinies.

In reading order

The Wizards of Once Series

4 books · Published 2017–2020

#1 in Series

Sale price

$2184

The Wizards of Once

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

A wizard without magic and a warrior with forbidden power must unite against a deadly witch.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$1697

Twice Magic

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

A Wizard and Warrior must unite to stop a freed evil spell.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$1697

Knock Three Times

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

Two young heroes must unite magic and iron to save their homes from destruction.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$1697

Never and Forever

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Escape the Mine of Happiness and defeat the Kingwitch before time runs out.

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Wizards of Once series?

There are 4 books in the Wizards of Once series. It began with The Wizards of Once in 2017, and the newest book, Never and Forever, was published in 2020.

What order should you read the Wizards of Once books in?

Start with The Wizards of Once and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.

What ages are the Wizards of Once books best for?

The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

Which Wizards of Once book is the longest?

Knock Three Times (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 54,910 words (400 pages).

Which Wizards of Once book is the shortest?

Never and Forever (Book #4) is the shortest at 51,394 words (400 pages).

The people

The Creative Behind the Books

The people who bring The Wizards of Once to life.

Cressida Cowell

Author & Illustrator

Keep exploring

Similar Series

The Wizards of Once Books

How to Read The Wizards of Once

What Parents Should Know

First Book in the Series

The Wizards of Once

The Wizards of Once Series

The Wizards of Once

Twice Magic

Knock Three Times

Never and Forever

Common Questions

How many books are in the Wizards of Once series?

What order should you read the Wizards of Once books in?

What ages are the Wizards of Once books best for?

Which Wizards of Once book is the longest?

Which Wizards of Once book is the shortest?

The Creative Behind the Books

Cressida Cowell

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