The television series Mayfair Witches has captivated audiences on AMC, drawing viewers into a dark world of family secrets and supernatural power. For those who want to explore the original story, the journey begins with Anne Rice’s gothic novels. While the show follows the main character Rowan Fielding, a neurosurgeon discovering her magical heritage, the books offer a deeper, more complex saga that spans centuries. This is your straightforward guide to reading the Lives of the Mayfair Witches novels in the correct order.
The Core Book Series Reading Order
To experience the main story of the Mayfair family as Anne Rice wrote it, you should read the original trilogy in its intended sequence. The books build upon each other, with a story that grows more complex with each volume.
- The Witching Hour (1990): Start your journey here. This first novel introduces Dr. Rowan Mayfair, a brilliant neurosurgeon in San Francisco. After her birth mother dies, Rowan travels to New Orleans and learns she is the heir to a dynasty of witches haunted by a spirit named Lasher. This book is famous for its deep exploration of the family’s long and detailed history, going back to 17th-century Scotland.
- Lasher (1993): The story continues directly from the shocking end of the first book. This novel focuses on the consequences of the spirit Lasher achieving his goal of gaining physical form and his dangerous relationship with Rowan. It is known for its dark themes and further exploration of the supernatural rules governing the Mayfair world.
- Taltos (1994): This final book in the trilogy expands the universe even further. It introduces the Taltos, an ancient, non-human species, and reveals more about Lasher’s true nature and origins. The story brings in new characters and resolves many of the epic conflicts set in motion in the first two books.
The trilogy is noted for its “tireless narrative energy” and “relentless inventiveness,” creating a vast, interconnected family saga.
Where the TV Show Fits With the Books
The AMC television series, starring Alexandra Daddario as Rowan, is based on this book series. The first season of the show is primarily an adaptation of the massive story found in The Witching Hour novel. However, like many adaptations, the show makes changes. Characters from the books are combined or altered, and some plotlines are simplified for television.
For example, in the books, Rowan’s love interest is Michael Curry, a man with psychic powers. In the TV series, this character is combined with another book character to create Ciprien Grieve, played by Tongayi Chirisa. The mysterious spirit Lasher is portrayed by Jack Huston on screen. Fans of the books often note these differences, with some viewers expressing that the series feels like “a totally different story”.
Extended Reading: The Vampire Chronicles Crossover
Anne Rice’s supernatural worlds are connected. After finishing the main Mayfair Witches trilogy, you can read three novels from The Vampire Chronicles that feature the witches. These crossover books blend the stories of vampires and witches and should be read in this specific order for the best experience.
- Merrick (2000): This novel focuses on a powerful witch named Merrick who is a descendant of the Mayfair family. Her story is told through the vampire David Talbot, blending the two series.
- Blackwood Farm (2002): This book follows Tarquin Blackwood, a young man haunted by a spirit. He seeks help from the famous vampire Lestat, and the story reveals connections to the Mayfair witch lineage.
- Blood Canticle (2003): The crossover culminates here, bringing together Lestat, Rowan Mayfair, and other characters from both series into one combined narrative.
How the Books and Show Are Available
The Mayfair Witches novels are widely available. You can find them as physical books, e-books, and audiobooks from most major retailers and online stores.
The TV series, titled Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, airs on the AMC network in the United States. For global audiences, the show is available for streaming on Netflix. The series has completed two seasons, with a third season officially confirmed for the future.
Also Read: How VisionQuest Vision’s Story Lead to Avengers: Secret Wars?
