If you’re a fan of pulse-pounding sci-fi adventures where teenage aliens battle for survival on Earth, or if you’re drawn to introspective literary tales of redemption and human frailty, Jobie Hughes has something extraordinary waiting for you. As a co-author of the blockbuster Lorien Legacies series (under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore) and the creator of haunting standalone novels like At Dawn, Hughes masterfully blends high-stakes action with deep emotional resonance. With millions of copies sold worldwide and a #1 New York Times bestseller to his name, his stories have hooked readers from Ohio’s quiet towns to global bookshelves.
But with over 30 books tied to his name—mostly within the expansive I Am Number Four universe—keeping track of the reading order can feel like dodging a Mogadorian ambush. That’s where this guide comes in. Whether you’re a newbie discovering John Smith (aka Number Four) for the first time or a die-hard fan revisiting the Garde’s fight against extinction, we’ll break down Jobie Hughes’ books in order. We’ll cover publication timelines, chronological sequences, and handy tips to enhance your binge-read. Ready to join the resistance? Let’s dive in.
Who Is Jobie Hughes? A Quick Author Spotlight
Before we hit the lists, a little backstory: Born in 1980 in Renton, Washington, and raised in the sleepy Ohio town of Spencer (population: 747—yes, really), Jobie Hughes was a wrestling state champion in high school and an athletic scholar at Ohio University. But life took a literary turn after a string of odd jobs (think editing phone books and slinging coffee). At 24, he picked up the pen, and by 27, he’d ditched it all for Columbia University’s MFA in Creative Writing, graduating in 2009.
Hughes exploded onto the scene, collaborating with James Frey on the Lorien Legacies series, which spawned a Hollywood movie (I Am Number Four) and a rabid fanbase. His solo work, however, shines in raw, character-driven fiction—think flawed protagonists grappling with regret amid vivid, gritty settings. Fun fact: Despite devouring 40-50 books a year (mostly literary classics), Hughes admits he’s “not a fast reader.” If that’s not the mark of a thoughtful storyteller, what is?
Now, onto the main event: the books.
Complete List of All Jobie Hughes Books in Series Order
Jobie Hughes is best known for his contributions to the expansive Lorien Legacies universe (co-written under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore with James Frey), which includes the main series, spin-off novellas, and sequels. His solo work outside this universe is limited to one literary fiction novel, At Dawn. Below, I’ve organized the complete list by series in publication order within each. This follows the release timeline for the best reading experience, incorporating all confirmed titles up to September 2025. Note: Hughes was involved in the early Lorien Legacies books but left the project after The Rise of Nine; later entries were handled by Frey and others. However, the full universe is attributed to his collaborative legacy.
Lorien Legacies (Main Series)
The core young adult sci-fi series about alien teens fighting for survival on Earth. 7 books.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Number Four | 2010 |
| 2 | The Power of Six | 2011 |
| 3 | The Rise of Nine | 2012 |
| 4 | The Fall of Five | 2013 |
| 5 | The Revenge of Seven | 2014 |
| 6 | The Fate of Ten | 2015 |
| 7 | United as One | 2016 |
I Am Number Four: The Lost Files (Novella Series)
Spin-off novellas expanding on side characters and backstories. 16 individual novellas, often bundled in collections (e.g., The Legacies, Secret Histories). Read in this order, interspersed with the main series for chronological fit.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Six’s Legacy | 2011 |
| 2 | Nine’s Legacy | 2012 |
| 3 | The Fallen Legacies | 2012 |
| 4 | The Search for Sam | 2012 |
| 5 | The Last Days of Lorien | 2013 |
| 6 | The Forgotten Ones | 2013 |
| 7 | Five’s Legacy | 2014 |
| 8 | Return to Paradise | 2014 |
| 9 | Five’s Betrayal | 2014 |
| 10 | The Fugitive | 2014 |
| 11 | The Navigator | 2015 |
| 12 | The Guard | 2015 |
| 13 | Legacies Reborn | 2016 |
| 14 | Last Defense | 2016 |
| 15 | Hunt for the Garde | 2016 |
| 16 | The Resonant | 2016 |
Lorien Legacies Reborn (Sequel Series)
Follows human-Loric hybrids in a post-war world. 3 novels, with integrated novellas from The Legacy Chronicles.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generation One | 2017 |
| 2 | Fugitive Six | 2018 |
| 3 | Return to Zero | 2019 |
Integrated: The Legacy Chronicles (Novellas for Lorien Legacies Reborn)
7 digital novellas bridging the Reborn novels. Read as: #1-3 after Generation One, #4-5 after Fugitive Six, #6-7 before Return to Zero.
| # | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Out of the Ashes | 2018 |
| 2 | Into the Fire | 2018 |
| 3 | Up in Smoke | 2018 |
| 4 | Chasing Ghosts | 2019 |
| 5 | Raising Monsters | 2019 |
| 6 | Killing Giants | 2019 |
| 7 | The Stars We See | 2019 |
Standalone Novels
Hughes’ non-series literary fiction. 1 book.
| Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|
| At Dawn | 2012 |
This totals over 30 books tied to Hughes’ name, primarily through the Lorien Legacies franchise. For a full chronological read of the universe, start with The Last Days of Lorien (prequel novella) before the main series and weave in Lost Files as events align. No new releases since 2019, per available data as of September 2025.
Jobie Hughes Books in Publication Order: Start Here for the Full Experience
Publication order is your best bet for first-timers, as it mirrors how the stories unfolded for fans. This includes the core Lorien Legacies novels (co-written with Frey as Pittacus Lore) and the novella-packed Lost Files spin-offs, which flesh out side characters and backstory. Hughes’ solo novels slot in chronologically by release date.
Here’s the complete rundown:
| # | Title | Series/Standalone | Release Year | Quick Tease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Number Four | Lorien Legacies #1 | 2010 | John Smith (Number Four) flees small-town America while scars on his leg signal his friends’ deaths. Epic YA sci-fi debut! |
| 2 | The Power of Six | Lorien Legacies #2 | 2011 | Number Four teams up with the fierce Number Six—and a new girl enters the fray. Twists that’ll leave you breathless. |
| 3 | At Dawn | Standalone | 2012 | A raw literary dive into a man’s fractured past, regret, and a Christmas bar crawl that changes everything. Hughes’ solo stunner. |
| 4 | The Rise of Nine | Lorien Legacies #3 | 2012 | The Garde unite (mostly), but betrayal looms. High-octane action meets teen angst. |
| 5 | The Fall of Five | Lorien Legacies #4 | 2013 | Alliances shatter as the kids train for war. Marina’s ice powers steal the show. |
| 6 | The Revenge of Seven | Lorien Legacies #5 | 2014 | Global stakes ramp up—think alien invasions and human governments in the mix. |
| 7 | The Fate of Ten | Lorien Legacies #6 | 2015 | Sacrifices hit hard. If you love emotional gut-punches, this one’s a doozy. |
| 8 | United as One | Lorien Legacies #7 | 2016 | The explosive finale. Earth vs. Mogadorians: Who survives? |
| 9 | I Am Number Four: The Lost Files #1–10 (various novellas, e.g., Six’s Legacy, Nine’s Legacy) | Lost Files | 2011–2016 | Short bursts of backstory gold. Read between the lines for deeper lore—start with #1 after Book 1. |
| 10 | Generation One | Lorien Legacies Reborn #1 | 2017 | Post-war legacy: Human-Loric hybrids rise. A fresh chapter for series vets. |
| 11 | The Last Defense (novella) | Lorien Legacies Reborn | 2018 | A quick bridge to the rebooted world. |
| 12 | Return to Zero | Lorien Legacies Reborn #3 | 2019 | Closure with a bang. Hybrid heroes face new threats. |
Note: The Lost Files alone span 10+ volumes with sub-series like Legacies Reborn. For brevity, we’ve grouped them—grab the collections for easy reading. Total count? Around 32 if you tally every novella and short.
Chronological Order: For the Lore Masters
The Lorien Legacies universe isn’t strictly linear in publication, thanks to flashbacks and spin-offs. Chronological order aligns events by in-universe timeline, making it ideal for rewatches. Start with the prequel novella The Forgotten Ones (from Lost Files) before Book 1, then weave in the Lost Files as they fit:
- The Forgotten Ones (Lost Files prequel) – Ancient Loric secrets.
- I Am Number Four – Number Four’s awakening.
- Six’s Legacy (Lost Files #1) – Six’s solo survival tale.
- The Power of Six – Convergence begins.
- Nine’s Legacy (Lost Files #2) – Nine’s brutal backstory.
- …And so on (insert remaining Lost Files by character number, then core books 3–7).
- United as One – Endgame.
- Generation One – The next gen era.
Pro tip: The official Lorien Legacies wiki or app can map Lost Files precisely—it’s like a cheat code for immersion.
Why Read Jobie Hughes? What Makes His Stories Addictive
Hughes’ magic lies in the details. In the Lorien Legacies, it’s the thrill of “what if superheroes were refugees?”—telekinesis-fueled fights, angsty romances, and a found-family vibe that echoes The Hunger Games meets X-Men. Fans rave about the series’ bingeability; one Goodreads reviewer called it “the YA sci-fi crack I didn’t know I needed.”
Then there’s his literary side. At Dawn swaps alien invasions for quiet devastation: Stratton, a directionless editor, navigates booze-soaked nights and buried traumas in a rundown apartment. It’s gritty, poetic, and unflinching—think Charles Bukowski with heart. Hughes’ prose grips you: “The past, for those foolish enough to subscribe to it, holds a grudge harder than anything known to man.” Chills, right?
Beyond escapism, Hughes explores resilience. His characters—whether ice-wielding Marina or regret-haunted Stratton—teach us that power isn’t just legacies or legacies; it’s surviving the scars.
Where to Start: Tailored Recommendations
- New to sci-fi? Jump into I Am Number Four. It’s cinematic, fast-paced, and under 400 pages.
- Prefer literary depth? Go straight to At Dawn—perfect for book club debates.
- Series completionist? Bundle the Lorien Legacies Collection on Amazon or Audible for audio thrills.
- Budget reader? ThriftBooks has used copies for pennies.
Final Scars: Your Next Step in the Hughes-verse
From Ohio wrestling mats to Loric battlefields, Jobie Hughes has built a legacy that’s as diverse as it is unputdownable. Whether you’re ordering the full Lorien Legacies set or cracking open At Dawn on a rainy afternoon, one thing’s clear: His books don’t just entertain—they linger, like a brand on your ankle.
What’s your favorite Hughes moment? The Chicago penthouse showdown or Stratton’s barroom epiphany? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear! And if this guide helped you conquer the order, share it with a fellow fan. Happy reading, Number Whatever-You-Are.
Looking for more author guides? Check out our lists for James Frey collabs or YA sci-fi must-reads. Updated September 2025.
