Confirmed
- Minecraft Dungeons II: The Rift published September 1, 2026 in North America
- Publisher: Random House Worlds; author: Caleb Zane Huett; cover art by M. S. Corley
- 256 pages, ISBN 9780593976678
- An audiobook released the same day, narrated by James Aaron Oh and Emily Shaffer
- The story is a prequel: it leads up to the rifts rather than following the game
- Protagonist Harlow searches for his missing friend Iliana
- The Grand Illusioner, the Prime Enchanter and the Supreme Evoker appear as antagonists
- The plot includes an ancient city, mind-control enemies and a peaceful dimension
Still unknown
- Whether the game references the novel's events, or only shares its setting
- Whether Harlow or Iliana appear in Minecraft Dungeons II at all
- Whether the peaceful dimension in the book is the Sift or a separate place
- Whether the three named antagonists are all campaign bosses
- Whether a second novel is planned alongside the game's two DLC expansions
The prequel is available
Random House Worlds released Minecraft Dungeons II: The Rift on September 1, 2026, four weeks before the game. Caleb Zane Huett wrote the 256-page prequel, with cover art by M. S. Corley. The audiobook arrived the same day, narrated by James Aaron Oh and Emily Shaffer.
Print details: 256 pages, ISBN 9780593976678, North American publication September 1, 2026. The game's launch remains September 29 at 08:00 UTC on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Switch and Switch 2, with day-one Game Pass availability.
Harlow's search for Iliana
Glowing mobs appear near Harlow's village, and his best friend Iliana disappears. His search leads through tunnels and an illager base to an ancient city, mind-controlling enemies and a peaceful dimension beyond the Overworld.
The prequel explores the beginnings of the rift phenomenon. The game also centres on rifts opening across the Overworld and leading to the Sift. Whether the book's peaceful dimension is the Sift has not been established.
Three antagonists, and the link to the game
The book names three antagonists: the Grand Illusioner, the Prime Enchanter and the Supreme Evoker. It adds narrative context to names and places already associated with Dungeons II, including the Supreme Evoker's Tower.
Mojang has not said whether the game directly references the novel's events. The book belongs to the middle-grade Minecraft fiction line; reading it is not a prerequisite for playing.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Minecraft Dungeons II book?
Yes. Minecraft Dungeons II: The Rift, a 256-page prequel novel by Caleb Zane Huett, was published by Random House Worlds on September 1, 2026, with an audiobook the same day.
Full details →Do you need to read The Rift before playing Minecraft Dungeons II?
No. It is a prequel that sets up how the rifts open, not a prerequisite. Mojang has not said the game references its events.
Full details →Who are the villains in Minecraft Dungeons II: The Rift?
The novel names the Grand Illusioner, the Prime Enchanter and the Supreme Evoker. Whether all three are bosses in the game has not been confirmed.
Full details →